-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, TljdAW8KVJx02CgX3y9np/13Z+aNdH7oN8JbAERSsLdevaZwrUsCKtkpSR6mk4im /tuyAbxbxgZJKcr9QyaW/w== 0001193125-10-223797.txt : 20101005 0001193125-10-223797.hdr.sgml : 20101005 20101005150904 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-10-223797 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-4 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 37 FILED AS OF DATE: 20101005 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20101005 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KENNEDY ENDEAVORS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000934571 IRS NUMBER: 911350382 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WA FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-01 FILM NUMBER: 101108970 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 90 LINDEN PLACE STREET 2: P O BOX 681 CITY: ROCHESTER STATE: NY ZIP: 14603 BUSINESS PHONE: 7163831850 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEASONAL EMPLOYERS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000934578 IRS NUMBER: 161375253 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-02 FILM NUMBER: 101108971 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 90 LINDEN PLACE STREET 2: P O BOX 681 CITY: ROCHESTER STATE: NY ZIP: 14603 BUSINESS PHONE: 7163831850 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Pinnacle Foods International Corp. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001420561 IRS NUMBER: 261143457 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-11 FILM NUMBER: 101108980 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Pinnacle Foods Group LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001420564 IRS NUMBER: 943303521 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-12 FILM NUMBER: 101108981 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001420566 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FOOD & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2000] IRS NUMBER: 208720036 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763 FILM NUMBER: 101108969 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (978) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001420568 IRS NUMBER: 066704812 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-10 FILM NUMBER: 101108979 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 OLD BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Birds Eye Foods, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001473227 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CANNED, FROZEN & PRESERVED FRUIT, VEG & FOOD SPECIALTIES [2030] IRS NUMBER: 260398310 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-09 FILM NUMBER: 101108978 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 90 LINDEN OAKS STREET 2: PO BOX 20670 CITY: ROCHESTER STATE: NY ZIP: 14602-0670 BUSINESS PHONE: (585) 383-1850 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 90 LINDEN OAKS STREET 2: PO BOX 20670 CITY: ROCHESTER STATE: NY ZIP: 14602-0670 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BE Foods, Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20090928 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Rochester Holdco LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001502649 IRS NUMBER: 270460385 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1226 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-05 FILM NUMBER: 101108974 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Birds Eye Foods LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001502650 IRS NUMBER: 160845824 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1226 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-03 FILM NUMBER: 101108972 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Avian Holdings LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001502651 IRS NUMBER: 431967893 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1226 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-07 FILM NUMBER: 101108976 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973)541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BEMSA Holding, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001502652 IRS NUMBER: 364234252 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1226 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-04 FILM NUMBER: 101108973 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GLK Holdings, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001502653 IRS NUMBER: 562395973 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1226 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-06 FILM NUMBER: 101108975 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: GLK, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001502654 IRS NUMBER: 161529269 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1226 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-4 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-169763-08 FILM NUMBER: 101108977 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 BUSINESS PHONE: (973) 541-6620 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE CITY: MT. LAKES STATE: NJ ZIP: 07046 S-4 1 ds4.htm FORM S-4 Form S-4
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2010

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

see table of additional registrants

 

 

 

Delaware

Delaware

  2000  

20-8720036

06-6704812

(State of Incorporation)  

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants’ principal executive offices)

 

 

M. Kelley Maggs

Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

With a copy to:

Richard A. Fenyes, Esq.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017-3954

(212) 455-2000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed exchange offer: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, please check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a small reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨     Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Small reporting company   ¨

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issue Tender Offer)  ¨

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered
  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price per
Note
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)
 

Amount of

Registration Fee

9 1/4 % Senior Notes due 2015

  $300,000,000   100%   $300,000,000   $21,390

8 1/4 % Senior Notes due 2017

  $400,000,000   100%   $400,000,000   $28,520

Guarantees of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (2)

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A(3)

Guarantees of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (2)

  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A(3)
 
 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee under Rule 457(f) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
(2) See inside facing page for additional registrant guarantors.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate filing fee is required for the guarantees.

 

 

The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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Table of Additional Registrant Guarantors

 

Exact Name of Registrant Guarantor
as Specified in its Charter

   State or other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
or Organization
   IRS Employer
Identification
Number
  

Address, Including Zip Code

and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of

Registrant Guarantor’s

Principal Executive Offices

Avian Holdings LLC

   Delaware    43-1967893   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

   Delaware    26-0398310   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Birds Eye Foods LLC.

   Delaware    16-0845824   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

BEMSA Holding, Inc.

   Delaware    36-4234252   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

GLK Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware    56-2395973   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

GLK, LLC

   New York    16-1529269   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated

   Washington    91-1350382   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

   Delaware    94-3303521   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Pinnacle Foods International Corp.

   Delaware    26-1143457   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Rochester Holdco LLC

   Delaware    27-0460385   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

Seasonal Employers, Inc.

   New York    16-1375253   

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(973) 541-6620

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not exchange the securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 5, 2010

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

Offers to Exchange

$300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 and $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (collectively, the “exchange notes”), each of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for any and all of their outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 that were issued in a private offering on December 23, 2009 and 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 that were issued in a private offering on August 17, 2010 (collectively, the “outstanding unregistered notes”), respectively (such transaction, collectively, the “exchange offers”).

 

 

We are conducting the exchange offers in order to provide you with an opportunity to exchange your unregistered notes for freely tradable notes that have been registered under the Securities Act.

The Exchange Offers:

 

   

We will exchange all outstanding unregistered notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn for an equal principal amount of exchange notes that are freely tradable.

 

   

You may withdraw tenders of outstanding unregistered notes at any time prior to the expiration date of the exchange offers.

 

   

The exchange offers expire at 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on                     , 2010, unless extended. We do not currently intend to extend the expiration date.

 

   

The exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes in the exchange offers will not be a taxable event for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

   

The terms of the exchange notes to be issued in the exchange offers are substantially identical to the outstanding unregistered notes, except that the exchange notes will be freely tradable.

Results of the Exchange Offers:

 

   

The exchange notes may be sold in the over-the-counter-market, in negotiated transactions or through a combination of such methods. We do not plan to list the exchange notes on a national market.

All untendered outstanding unregistered notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the outstanding unregistered notes and in the related indentures. In general, the outstanding unregistered notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Other than in connection with the exchange offers, we do not currently anticipate that we will register the outstanding unregistered notes under the Securities Act.

 

 

If you are a broker-dealer and receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes that you acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, you must acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes that you receive in the exchange offers.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider before participating in the exchange offers.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the exchange notes to be distributed in the exchange offers or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2010.


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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The prospectus may be used only for the purposes for which it has been published and no person has been authorized to give any information not contained herein. If you receive any other information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Prospectus Summary

   1

Risk Factors

   14

Capitalization

   32

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information

   33

Selected Historical Consolidated and Combined Financial Information

   41

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   43

Industry

   87

Business

   91

Management

   100

Executive Compensation

   105

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

   118

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

   119

Description of Other Indebtedness

   122

The Exchange Offers

   126

Description of 9  1/4% Notes

   137

Description of 8  1/4% Notes

   192

Book-Entry, Settlement and Clearance

   248

Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

   251

Certain ERISA Considerations

   252

Plan of Distribution

   254

Legal Matters

   255

Experts

   255

Where You Can Find More Information

   255

 

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MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

We obtained the industry, market, and competitive position data throughout, and incorporated by reference into, this prospectus from internal company surveys and management estimates as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys, and studies conducted by third parties. We believe these internal company surveys and management estimates are reliable; however, no independent sources have verified such surveys and estimates. Industry and general publications and research, studies, and surveys generally state that they have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, although they do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information.

We use a combination of data provided by Information Resources, Inc. (“IRI”) and The Nielsen Company (“Nielsen”). Unless we indicate otherwise, retail sales, market share, category and other industry data used throughout this prospectus for all categories and segments are: for U.S. brands, IRI data for the 52-week period ended June 27, 2010, except for data for the frozen complete bagged meals and pie and pastry filling categories which include IRI data from the 52-week period ending June 13, 2010; and for brands in Canada, which include Nielsen data for the 52-week period ended July 3, 2010. This data includes retail sales in supermarkets with at least $2 million in total annual sales but exclude sales in mass merchandiser, club, drug, convenience or dollar stores. Retail sales are dollar sales estimated by IRI and Nielsen and represent the value of units sold through supermarket cash registers for the relevant period.

We view the baking mixes and frostings category as consisting of the following segments: cake mix, brownie mix, ready-to-serve frostings, muffin mix, cookie mix, bar mix, frosting mix, quick bread, dessert kits, all other baking mix and all other frosting. We view the shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish category as consisting of shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish segments. We view the canned meat category as consisting primarily of the canned chili, chunk meat, luncheon meat, sloppy joe, Vienna sausages, and stew segments, as well as several smaller segments. We view the frozen vegetables category as consisting of the steamed and non-steamed segments. We view the frozen prepared seafood category as consisting of breaded, marinated, and seasoned “fin products,” such as pollock and salmon, and “non-fin products,” primarily shrimp. We view the single-serve frozen dinners and entrées category as consisting of single-serve full-calorie dinners and entrées and single-serve diet dinners and entrées. We view the frozen breakfast category as primarily consisting of the grain segment, which includes frozen waffles, pancakes, and French toast, and the protein segment, which includes frozen breakfast entrées and savory breakfast handhelds. References to the bagel category are to scannable bagels (pre-packaged), consisting of the frozen, refrigerated, and shelf-stable segments. We view frozen complete bagged meals, table syrup, pie and pastry fillings, and frozen pizza-for-one as distinct categories. When we refer to the core market of our Open Pit brand of barbecue sauce, such core market consists of the major metropolitan areas surveyed by IRI in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Unless we indicate otherwise, all references to percentage changes reflect the comparison to the same period in the prior year.

Although we believe that this information is reliable, we cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness, nor have we independently verified it.

Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the industry data that we present in this prospectus, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”

We own a number of registered trademarks in the United States, Canada and other countries, including Appian Way®, Birds Eye®, Bernstein’s®, Brooks®, C&W®, Casa Regina®, Celeste®, Chocolate Lovers®, Comstock®, Country Kitchen®, Duncan Hines®, Freshlike®, Fun Frosters™, Grabwich®, Great Starts®, Hawaiian Style Bowls®, Hearty Bowls®, Hearty Hero®, Hungry-Man®, Hungry-Man Sports Grill®, Hungry-Man Steakhouse®, Husman’s®, It’s Good to be Full®, Lender’s®, Log Cabin®, Lunch Bucket®, Magic Mini’s®, McKenzie’s®, Milwaukee’s®, Moist Deluxe®, Mrs. Butterworth’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®, Nalley®, Open Pit®, Oval’s®, Signature Desserts®, Simply Classic®, Snack’mms®, Stackers®, Snyder of Berlin®, Steamfresh®, Taste the Juicy

 

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Crunch®, That’s the Tastiest Crunch I Ever Heard®, The Original TV Dinner®, Tim’s Cascade SNACKS®, Treet®, Van de Kamp’s®, Vlasic® and Wilderness®. We also have applications pending with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a number of trademarks, including So Rich, So Moist, So Very Duncan Hines™, So Moist, So Delicious and So Much More™ and Just Add the Warmth™. We own the registered trademark Snyder of Berlin while a third party owns the trademark Snyder of Hanover. Per a court order, the use of the trademark must include the word “Snyder” in combination with the words “of Berlin” and be accompanied by a disclaimer. We protect our trademarks by obtaining registrations where appropriate and opposing any infringement in key markets. We also own a design trademark in the United States, Canada, and other countries on the Vlasic stork. We manufacture and market certain of our frozen food products under the Swanson brand pursuant to two royalty-free, exclusive and perpetual trademark licenses granted by Campbell Soup Company and its affiliate, CSC Brands, Inc. We manufacture and market certain of our frozen breakfast products under the Aunt Jemima brand pursuant to a royalty-free, exclusive (as to frozen breakfast products only) and perpetual license granted by The Quaker Oats Company. In addition, as part of our acquisition of the Armour Business from The Dial Corporation, we received the assignment of a license agreement granting us an exclusive, royalty bearing, perpetual license to use certain Armour trademarks. Under the license agreement, Smithfield Foods, as successor to ConAgra, Inc., the licensor, grants us a license for the use of various Armour-related trademarks in conjunction with shelf-stable products within the United States.

Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, and tradenames referred to in this prospectus are without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks, and tradenames.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

On November 18, 2009, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (“PFG LLC”), formerly known as Pinnacle Foods Group, Inc., or “PFGI”, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, or “PFF,” entered into a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Birds Eye Holdings LLC (“Birds Eye Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company, and Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”), a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Holdings, pursuant to which PFG LLC acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Birds Eye on December 23, 2009 (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”).

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus, “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refers to PFF and the entities that are its consolidated subsidiaries (including PFG LLC), which includes all of Pinnacle’s existing operations (including Birds Eye and its subsidiaries).

On February 10, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp. (“Crunch Holding”), our parent company, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Peak Holdings LLC (“Peak Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Peak Acquisition Corp (“Peak Acquisition”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings, and Peak Finance LLC, providing for the acquisition of Crunch Holding. At the closing of the transaction (the “Blackstone Transaction”), on April 2, 2007, Peak Acquisition merged with and into Crunch Holding, with Crunch Holding as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), and Peak Finance LLC merged with and into PFF, with PFF as the surviving entity. Where the context so requires, we use the term “Predecessor” to refer to the historical financial results and operations of PFG LLC and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction and the term “Successor” to refer to the historical financial results and operations of PFF and its subsidiaries after the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction.

On August 17, 2010, we consummated the following transactions (collectively, the “Refinancing”): the offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8¼% Senior Notes due 2017, the entering into of a senior secured term loan D facility, and the repayment with proceeds therefrom, along with cash on hand, of $842.3 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans under our senior secured term loan C facility.

Unless otherwise stated herein, our pro forma financial information reflects the effects of our consummation of the transactions described under the caption “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information,” including the Birds Eye Acquisition and the effects of the Refinancing.

 

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In the first quarter of 2010, we implemented a reorganization of the Company’s products into three operating segments: (i) Birds Eye Frozen, (ii) Duncan Hines Grocery and (iii) Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) will be reported in the Birds Eye Frozen segment. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelfstable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock® , Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour® , Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations will be reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery segment. The Specialty Foods segment will consist of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses. Prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistent presentation.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights key aspects of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. You should read this summary together with the entire prospectus, including the information presented under the heading “Risk Factors” and the more detailed information in the unaudited pro forma financial statements and the historical financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

On November 18, 2009, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (“PFG LLC”), formerly known as Pinnacle Foods Group, Inc., or “PFGI,” a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, or “PFF”, entered into a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Birds Eye Holdings LLC (“Birds Eye Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company, and Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”), a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Holdings, pursuant to which PFG LLC acquired all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Birds Eye (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”).

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this prospectus, “Pinnacle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refers to Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (“PFF”) and the entities that are its consolidated subsidiaries (including Birds Eye and its subsidiaries). “Blackstone” refers to The Blackstone Group L.P. and certain of its affiliates.

Our Company

We are a leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of high-quality, branded convenience food products in North America. Our major brands hold leading market positions in their respective retail categories and enjoy high consumer awareness. Our products are sold through a combination of a national sales broker, regional sales brokers, and a direct sales force that reaches supermarkets, grocery wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, super centers, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores, warehouse clubs, foodservice, and other alternative channels in the United States and Canada. We also distribute a selection of our products in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The combination of new product innovation, core product renovation, effective consumer marketing, and strategic acquisitions has helped us create and grow our diverse brand portfolio.

Pinnacle’s products and operations are managed and reported in three operating segments: the Birds Eye Frozen Division, the Duncan Hines Grocery Division and the Specialty Foods Division. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man, Swanson), frozen complete bagged meals (Birds Eye Voila!), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s, Mrs. Paul’s), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima), bagels (Lender’s), and frozen pizza (Celeste) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines), shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish (Vlasic), barbeque sauces (Open Pit), pie fillings (Comstock, Wilderness), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s and Log Cabin), salad dressing (Bernstein’s), canned meat (Armour, Nalley, Brooks), and all Canadian operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin) and our food service and private label businesses.

On December 23, 2009, we acquired all of the common stock of Birds Eye (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”). Birds Eye’s product offering includes an expanding platform of healthy, high-quality frozen vegetables and frozen meals and a portfolio of primarily branded dry foods which are well-aligned with our existing Duncan Hines Grocery Division. Frozen food products are marketed under the Birds Eye brand name, which holds the #1 market share in frozen vegetables and the #2 market share in frozen complete bagged meals. Birds Eye markets traditional boxed and bagged frozen vegetables, as well as steamed vegetables using innovative steam-in-packaging

 

 

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technology, under the Birds Eye and Birds Eye Steamfresh brands. Birds Eye’s frozen complete bagged meals, marketed primarily under the family-oriented Birds Eye Voila! brand, offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package. Birds Eye’s branded dry food products hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets, and include Comstock and Wilderness fruit pie fillings and toppings, Brooks and Nalley chili and chili ingredients, and snack foods by Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin.

Products

Birds Eye Frozen Division

Frozen vegetables. Birds Eye is the largest brand in the $2.5 billion frozen vegetables category. Collectively, our steamed and non-steamed product offerings hold the #1 position with a 26.6% market share. With the launch of Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables in January 2006, Birds Eye was the first company to capture a nationwide market share with a product that enables consumers to conveniently steam vegetables in microwaveable packaging. The steamed segment represents approximately 29% of the overall category, and Birds Eye holds a 51.2% market share of the steamed segment. The non-steamed segment comprises 71% of the overall category, and Birds Eye holds a 16.6% market share of the non-steamed segment. We believe that enhancing vegetables is a great way to encourage healthy and nutritious eating in America, by elevating the taste experience. In July of 2009, we launched six new Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced items as part of an enhanced vegetable portfolio. The six Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced items have generated $42 million in retail sales. Building on the success of the 2009 launch, in July, 2010, we introduced three new items to the Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced line: Rotini and Vegetables with Garlic Butter Sauce, Rigatoni and Vegetables with Tomato Parmesan Sauce and Roasted Red Potatoes with Garlic Butter Sauce.

Frozen complete bagged meals. We compete in the frozen complete bagged meals category with our Birds Eye Voila! brand. Birds Eye Voila! is the #2 competitor in the $587 million frozen complete bagged meals segment, with a 16.6% market share. Birds Eye Voila! frozen complete bagged meals offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package.

Single-serve frozen dinners and entrées. Our single-serve frozen dinners and entrées consist primarily of products under the Hungry-Man and Swanson brands. Hungry-Man is a highly differentiated brand with strong brand awareness and is uniquely positioned to male consumers. This distinctive position has been increasingly valuable to our retail customers as the percentage of food shopping done by men has grown. Our Hungry-Man and Swanson brands collectively are the #4 participant in the $1.9 billion single-serve full-calorie frozen dinners and entrées segment. We use the Swanson brand under license from the Campbell Soup Company and its affiliate, CSC Brands, Inc.

Frozen prepared seafood. Our frozen prepared seafood products, marketed under the Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s brands, include breaded and battered fish sticks and fish fillets, lightly breaded fish, breaded shrimp, and some specialty seafood items. The Van de Kamp’s brand started in Los Angeles and dates back to 1915, and the Mrs. Paul’s brand started in Philadelphia and dates back to the mid-1940s. We utilize a dual-brand strategy to capitalize on the well-developed regional positions of the Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s brands. In 2009, our brands dramatically upgraded product quality based on consumer preference, we continue to benefit from this investment experiencing year-over-year growth in 2010 in retail sales of 11.9% and market share gain of 2.0 percentage points. Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s brands collectively hold the #2 position with a 19.0% market share in the $604 million frozen prepared seafood category.

Frozen breakfast. Our frozen breakfast products are marketed under the Aunt Jemima brand and include waffles, pancakes, French toast, breakfast entrées, and savory breakfast handhelds. The Aunt Jemima brand was established over a century ago and enjoys high brand awareness and quality rankings. We use the Aunt Jemima

 

 

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brand under license from The Quaker Oats Company. Aunt Jemima is positioned to families as a warm, wholesome breakfast for busy mornings. The Aunt Jemima brand is currently the #4 brand in the $1.4 billion frozen breakfast category with a 10.4% market share. Recent Aunt Jemima share gain has been positively impacted by a competitor’s disruption in supply. Aunt Jemima is the #2 brand in both the $664 million grain segment, which includes frozen waffles, pancakes and French toast, and the $570 million protein segment, which includes frozen breakfast entrées and savory breakfast handhelds.

Bagels. Our bagel products primarily consist of Lender’s packaged bagels, which are distributed among all scannable (pre-packaged) sections of the grocery store (i.e., the frozen, refrigerated, and fresh bread aisles). Founded in 1927, Lender’s ranks #3 with an 8.2% market share of the $661 million pre-packaged bagel category. The brand has the leading market share in both refrigerated and frozen bagel segments.

Frozen pizza-for-one. We market frozen pizza under the Celeste brand, which dates back to the 1940s. Celeste is the #4 brand in the $707 million frozen pizza-for-one category, with a 9.7% market share. Its sales are concentrated in the Northeast, Chicago, Florida, and California markets. Celeste is positioned as a high quality meal at an affordable price.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

Baking mixes and frostings. Our baking mixes and frostings include Duncan Hines cake mixes, ready-to-serve frostings, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, and cookie mixes. Duncan Hines was introduced as a national brand in 1956 when Duncan Hines, a renowned restaurant critic and gourmet, launched the brand as part of his efforts to bring restaurant-quality food to American homes. Duncan Hines has expanded its presence at retail over the past year through a commitment to innovation, including Decadent Carrot Cake Mix in 2008 and Duncan Hines Whole Grain Muffins in 2009. In 2010, Duncan Hines launched Amazing Glazes, a light, decadent dessert topping in both chocolate and vanilla flavors . This heat and pour topping establishes a new sub segment unique from spreadable frosting. Also in 2010 we continued to expand our line of Decadent Cake with the introduction of Duncan Hines Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake and Duncan Hines Decadent Apple Caramel Cake. Duncan Hines is the #2 brand with a 17.2% market share of the $1.4 billion baking mixes and frostings category. All Duncan Hines products are produced by contract manufacturers.

Shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish. We offer a complete line of shelf-stable pickle, pepper, and relish products that we market and distribute nationally, primarily under the Vlasic brand, and regionally under the Milwaukee’s and Wiejske Wyroby brands. Our Vlasic brand, represented by its trademark Vlasic stork, was introduced over 65 years ago and has the highest consumer awareness and quality ratings in the pickle category. Vlasic is the #1 brand in the $979 million shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish category, with an 18.9% share of the overall category and a 30.1% share of the $523 million shelf-stable pickle segment.

Table syrups. Our table syrups primarily include products marketed under the Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s brands. Log Cabin was introduced in 1888 and, with its cabin-shaped bottle and distinct maple flavor, appeals to a broad consumer base. In 2009, we converted our Log Cabin regular and lite recipes to a natural sugar formula, becoming the only national table syrup brand to offer a product without high-fructose corn syrup. In 2010 we launched Log Cabin All Natural, becoming the only national table syrup brand to offer an all natural product. Mrs. Butterworth’s was introduced in 1962 and, with its distinctive grandmother-shaped bottle and thick, rich, and buttery flavor, appeals to families with children. In 2009, the brand sponsored a contest to guess Mrs. Butterworth’s first name, and received extensive media coverage, reflecting the brand’s iconic status and highly-engaged consumer franchise. Both of our table syrup brands are available in original, lite, and sugarfree varieties. In the $468 million table-syrup category, Mrs. Butterworth’s and Log Cabin hold the #2 position with a 18.1% market share.

 

 

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Canned meat. Our canned meat products are marketed primarily under the Armour brand. Armour was introduced in 1868 by Philip Danforth Armour for California gold miners. Armour is the #3 brand in the $1.2 billion canned meat category, with a 7.5% market share, and is the #1 brand in the Vienna sausage, potted meat, and sliced dried beef segments. Armour Vienna sausage has particularly high penetration in the Southeastern United States, where it is an important and high-volume product for retailers. Armour has a broad product line which also includes stews, chilis, and hashes. We use the Armour Brand under license from Smithfield Foods, successor to ConAgra, Inc. We also sell canned meat products regionally under the Brooks and Nalley brands.

Pie and Pastry Fillings. Our pie and pastry filling products are marketed under the Comstock and Wilderness brands, which combined are the #1 participant with a 26.2% market share in the $200 million category. We utilize a dual-brand strategy to capitalize on the well-developed regional positions of Comstock in the Eastern United States and Wilderness in the Western United States.

Barbecue sauce. We market a complete line of barbecue sauce products under the Open Pit brand, which was introduced in 1955. Open Pit is a regional brand that competes primarily in Midwest markets, where it has a competitive market share.

Canada. In Canada we distribute our Hungry-Man and Swanson frozen dinners and entrees, Duncan Hines baking mixes and frostings, Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast, and Vlasic pickles. Our Hungry-Man and Swanson brands with a 20.7% market share collectively hold the #3 position in the C$276 million single-serve full-calorie dinners and entrées segment. Duncan Hines with a 29.7% market share holds the #2 position in the C$82 baking mixes and frostings category. Aunt Jemima with a 8.2% market share holds the #3 position in the C$120 frozen breakfast category. Vlasic with a 13.7% market share holds the #2 position in the C$13 million shelf-stable pickles category.

Specialty Foods Division

Snack Products. Our snack products primarily consist of Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin. These brands have strong local awareness and hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets.

Food Service and Private Label. We distribute frozen breakfast, frozen dinners, bagels, pickles, peppers, and relish, canned meat, and table syrup through the food service channel. We also manufacture private label and/or co-pack products for canned meats, pickles, peppers, and relish, and frozen seafood.

 

 

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Our History

We have grown both organically and through a series of recent acquisitions:

 

Date

 

Event

 

Selected Brands Acquired

2001

 

•      Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation formed by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated and CDM Investor Group LLC to acquire the North American business of Vlasic Foods International Inc.

 

•      Hungry-Man and Swanson (1)

•      Vlasic

•      Open Pit

2003

 

•      Crunch Holding Corp., indirectly owned by J.P. Morgan Partners LLC, J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. and CDM Investor Group LLC acquire Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation

 

2004

 

•      Merger of Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation with Aurora completed and surviving company renamed Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.

 

•      Duncan Hines

•      Van de Kamp’s and Mrs.  Paul’s

•      Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s

•      Lender’s

•      Celeste

•      Aunt Jemima (frozen breakfast products) (1)

2006

 

•      Acquired Armour Business from the Dial Corporation

 

•      Armour (1)

2007

 

•      Crunch Holding Corp. acquired by The Blackstone Group

 

2009

 

•      Birds Eye Foods, Inc. acquired by Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

 

•      Birds Eye

•      Birds Eye Steamfresh

•      Birds Eye Voila!

•      Comstock

•      Wilderness

•      Brooks

•      Nalley

•      Tim’s Cascade

•      Snyder of Berlin

 

(1) We manufacture and market these products under licenses granted by Campbell Soup Company (Swanson), the Quaker Oats Company (Aunt Jemima) and Smithfield Foods (Armour). These licenses are discussed further in “Business—Trademarks and Patents.”

Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. was incorporated under Delaware law on June 19, 1998. Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. were formed under Delaware law on March 5, 2007 and February 28, 2007, respectively, in connection with the transactions described in this prospectus. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Bloomfield Avenue, Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046. Our telephone number is (973) 541-6620.

 

 

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The Exchange Offers

On December 23, 2009 and August 17, 2010, we completed the private offerings of the outstanding unregistered notes. In this prospectus, the term “outstanding unregistered notes” refers to the $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 that were issued in the private offering as part of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009 and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 that were issued in a private offering on August 17, 2010 (collectively, the “private offerings”). The term “exchange notes” refers to the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 and the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, as registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the term “notes” refers collectively to the outstanding unregistered notes and the exchange notes.

 

General

In connection with each private offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement (collectively, the “registration rights agreements”) with the initial purchasers of the outstanding unregistered notes, in which we and the guarantors agreed, among other things, to deliver this prospectus to you and to complete the exchange offers within 360 days after the date of each original issuance of the outstanding unregistered notes.

You are entitled to exchange in the exchange offers your outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes, which are identical in all material respects to the outstanding unregistered notes except:

 

   

the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act;

 

   

the exchange notes are not entitled to any registration rights which are applicable to the outstanding unregistered notes under the registration rights agreements; and

 

   

certain additional interest rate provisions are no longer applicable.

 

The Exchange Offers

We are offering to exchange up to $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for any and all of the outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015; and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, which have been registered under the Securities Act, for any and all of the outstanding 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017.

You may only exchange outstanding unregistered notes in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000, in excess thereof.

Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified conditions, we will exchange the exchange notes for all outstanding unregistered notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offers. We will cause the exchange to be effected promptly after the expiration of the exchange offers.

Upon completion of the exchange offers, there may be no market for the outstanding unregistered notes and you may have difficulty selling them.

 

 

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Resale

Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties referred to below, we believe that you may resell or otherwise transfer exchange notes issued in the exchange offers without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, if:

 

   

you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

   

you do not have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes;

 

   

you are not an “affiliate” of the Issuers within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and

 

   

you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of the exchange notes.

If you are not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business, or if you are engaging in, intend to engage in, or have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or if you are our affiliate, then:

 

   

you cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991), Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the SEC’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, or similar no-action letters; and

 

   

in the absence of an exception from the position of the SEC stated in the first bullet point above, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes.

If you are a broker-dealer and receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes that you acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, you must acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes that you receive in the exchange offers. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Expiration Date

The exchange offers will expire at 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on                         , 2010, unless extended by us. We do not currently intend to extend the expiration date of the exchange offers.

 

Withdrawal

You may withdraw the tender of your outstanding unregistered notes at any time prior to the expiration date of the exchange offers. We will return to you any of your outstanding unregistered notes that are not accepted for any reason for exchange, without expense to you, promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offers.

 

 

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Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Unregistered Notes

Each exchange note will bear interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover page of this prospectus from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the outstanding unregistered notes. The interest on the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 will be payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The interest on the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 will be payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year. No interest will be paid on outstanding unregistered notes following their acceptance for exchange.

 

Conditions to the Exchange Offers

The exchange offers are subject to customary conditions, which we may assert or waive. See “The Exchange Offers—Conditions to the Exchange Offers.”

 

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Unregistered Notes

If you wish to participate in the exchange offers, you must complete, sign and date the accompanying letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, according to the instructions contained in this prospectus and the letter of transmittal. You must then mail or otherwise deliver the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, together with the outstanding unregistered notes and any other required documents, to the exchange agent at the address set forth on the cover page of the letter of transmittal. If you hold outstanding unregistered notes through The Depository Trust Company, or “DTC,” and wish to participate in the exchange offers for the outstanding unregistered notes, you must comply with the Automated Tender Offer Program procedures of DTC by which you will agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal. By signing, or agreeing to be bound by, the letter of transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things:

 

   

you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business;

 

   

you do not have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes;

 

   

you are not an “affiliate” of the Issuers within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and

 

   

you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of the exchange notes.

If you are a broker-dealer and receive exchange notes for your own account in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes that you acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, you must represent to us that you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale or other transfer of such exchange notes.

If you are not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business, or if you are engaged in, or intend to engage in, or have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate

 

 

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in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or if you are an affiliate of the Issuers, then you cannot rely on the positions and interpretations of the staff of the SEC and you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale or other transfer of the exchange notes.

 

Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners

If you are a beneficial owner of outstanding unregistered notes that are held in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, and you wish to tender those outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers, you should contact such person promptly and instruct such person to tender those outstanding unregistered notes on your behalf.

 

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

If you wish to tender your outstanding unregistered notes and your outstanding unregistered notes are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your outstanding unregistered notes, the letter of transmittal and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal or you cannot comply with the DTC procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the expiration date, then you must tender your outstanding unregistered notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in this prospectus under “The Exchange Offers—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.”

 

Effect on Holders of Outstanding Unregistered Notes

In connection with the sale of the outstanding unregistered notes, we entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the outstanding unregistered notes that grants the holders of outstanding unregistered notes registration rights. By consummating the exchange offers, we will have fulfilled most of our obligations under the registration rights agreements. Accordingly, upon consummation of the exchange offers, we will not be obligated to pay additional interest as described in the registration rights agreements. If you do not tender your outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers, you will continue to be entitled to all the rights and limitations applicable to the outstanding unregistered notes as set forth in the indentures, except we will not have any further obligation to you to provide for the registration of the outstanding unregistered notes under the registration rights agreements and we will not be obligated to pay additional interest as described in the registration rights agreements.

 

  To the extent that outstanding unregistered notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offers, the trading market for outstanding unregistered notes could be adversely affected.

 

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

All untendered outstanding unregistered notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the outstanding unregistered notes and in the indentures. In general, the outstanding unregistered notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a

 

 

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transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Other than in connection with the exchange offers, we do not currently anticipate that we will register the outstanding unregistered notes under the Securities Act.

 

Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences

The exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes in the exchange offers will not be a taxable event for United States federal income tax purposes. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

 

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of exchange notes in the exchange offers. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Exchange Agent

Wilmington Trust FSB, whose address and telephone number are set forth in the section captioned “The Exchange Offers—Exchange Agent” of this prospectus, is the exchange agent for the exchange offers.

 

 

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The Exchange Notes

The summary below describes the principal terms of the exchange notes. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. The “Description of 9 1/4% Notes” section and the “Description of 8 1/4% Notes” section of this prospectus contain more detailed descriptions of the terms and conditions of the outstanding unregistered notes and the exchange notes, respectively. The exchange notes will have terms identical in all material respects to the outstanding unregistered notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest for failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreements.

 

Issuers

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

 

Securities

$300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “9 1/4% Senior Notes”), and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “8 1/4% Senior Notes”).

 

Maturity

The 9 1/4% Senior Notes will mature on April 1, 2015, and the 8 1/4% Senior Notes will mature on September 1, 2017.

 

Interest Rate

The 9 1/4% Senior Notes will bear interest at a rate of 9 1/4% per annum. The 8 1/4% Senior Notes will bear interest at a rate of 8 1/4% per annum.

 

Interest Payment Dates

Interest on the 9 1/4% Senior Notes will be payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. Interest on the 9 1/4% Senior Notes will accrue from and including October 1, 2010, the first day of the current interest period for the existing notes.

Interest on the 8 1 /4% Senior Notes will be payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing March 1, 2011.

 

Ranking

The exchange notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers and will:

 

   

rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future debt and other obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes, including the senior subordinated notes;

 

   

rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt and other obligations that are not, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes, including the existing notes; and

 

   

be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future secured debt (including obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt, and be structurally subordinated to all obligations of each of our subsidiaries that is not a guarantor of the exchange notes.

 

 

The exchange notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries who do not guarantee the exchange notes. As of June 27, 2010, the outstanding unregistered

 

 

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notes and related guarantees ranked effectively junior to approximately $1,646.1 million of senior secured indebtedness, and we had an additional $116.5 million of unutilized capacity under our revolving credit facility, all of which would be secured if borrowed. See “Description of Other Indebtedness.”

 

Guarantees

Each of our subsidiaries that guarantees the obligations under our Senior Secured Credit Facility will initially jointly and severally and unconditionally guarantee the exchange notes on a senior unsecured basis. The guarantees of the exchange notes will rank equally with all other senior indebtedness of the guarantors. None of our foreign subsidiaries or any future, non-wholly owned subsidiaries or receivables subsidiaries will guarantee the exchange notes offered hereby. The only existing foreign subsidiary is Pinnacle Foods Corporation Canada, which accounted for approximately $72.8 million, or 4.4% of our net sales, and approximately $0.4 million, or less than 1%, of our net earnings, in each case for the year ended December 27, 2009, approximately $0.5 million, or 2.8% of our net earnings, in each case for the six months ended June 27, 2010, and $18.2 million, or less than 1% of our total assets as of June 27, 2010. Pinnacle Foods Corporation Canada is generally subject to the covenants in our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes but does not guarantee the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the existing notes or the senior subordinated notes and will not guarantee the exchange notes.

 

Optional Redemption

At any time prior to April 1, 2011, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the 9¼% Senior Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable make-whole premium (as described in “Description of 9¼% Notes—Optional Redemption”) plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. At any time on or after April 1, 2011, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the 9¼% Senior Notes at the redemption prices listed under “Description of 9¼% Notes—Optional Redemption” plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

 

  At any time prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the 8¼% Senior Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus an applicable make-whole premium (as described in “Description of 8¼% Notes—Optional Redemption”) plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. At any time on or after September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the 8¼% Senior Notes at the redemption prices listed under “Description of 8¼% Notes—Optional Redemption” plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

 

Change of Control Offer

Upon the occurrence of a change of control, the Issuers will be required to offer to repurchase the exchange notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. See “Description of 9 1/4% Notes—Repurchase at the Option of

 

 

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Holders—Change of Control” and “Description of 8 1/4% Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control.”

 

Certain Indenture Provisions

The indentures governing the exchange notes contain covenants limiting the Issuers’ ability and the ability of their restricted subsidiaries to:

 

   

incur additional debt or issue certain preferred shares;

 

   

pay dividends on, repurchase or make distributions in respect of their capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

sell certain assets;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets;

 

   

enter into certain transactions with their affiliates; and

 

   

designate their subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. During any period in which a series of exchange notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies (each as defined) and no default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, we will not be subject to many of the covenants. See “Description of 9 1/4% Notes—Certain Covenants” and “Description of 8 1/4% Notes—Certain Covenants.”

 

Public Market

The exchange notes will be freely transferrable. Although the initial purchasers in the private offering of the outstanding unregistered notes have informed us that they intend to make a market in the exchange notes, they are not obligated to do so and they may discontinue market-making activities at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid market for the exchange notes will be maintained. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Exchange Offers—Your ability to transfer the exchange notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will be maintained for the exchange notes.”

 

CUSIP Numbers

Holders that exchange the outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% Senior Notes will receive exchange notes that are expected to share a single CUSIP number with the existing 9 1/4% Senior Notes and the exchange notes and existing 9 1/4% Senior Notes are thereafter expected to be fungible.

 

Use of Proceeds

We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offers. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Risk Factors

Potential investors should carefully consider the risk factors set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information contained in this prospectus before deciding to participate in the exchange offers.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as other information contained in this prospectus, before participating in the exchange offers. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not believed by us to be material may also negatively impact us.

Risks Related to the Exchange Offers

If you choose not to exchange your outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers, the transfer restrictions currently applicable to your outstanding unregistered notes will remain in force and the market price of your outstanding unregistered notes could decline.

If you do not exchange your outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes in the exchange offers, then you will continue to be subject to the transfer restrictions on the outstanding unregistered notes as set forth in the offering memorandum distributed in connection with each private offering of the outstanding unregistered notes. In general, the outstanding unregistered notes may not be offered or sold unless they are registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreements, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding unregistered notes under the Securities Act. You should refer to “Prospectus Summary—The Exchange Offers” for information about how to tender your outstanding unregistered notes.

The tender of outstanding unregistered notes under the exchange offers will reduce the principal amount of the outstanding unregistered notes outstanding, which may have an adverse effect upon and increase the volatility of, the market price of the outstanding unregistered notes due to reduction in liquidity.

Your ability to transfer the exchange notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will be maintained for the exchange notes.

We are offering the exchange notes to the holders of the outstanding unregistered notes. The outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% Senior Notes and the outstanding unregistered 8 1/4% Senior Notes were offered and sold in December 2009 and August 2010, respectively, to institutional investors. The existing notes and the senior subordinated notes were registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2008 and are publicly traded.

We do not intend to apply for a listing of the exchange notes on a securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. Holders that exchange the outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% Senior Notes will receive exchange notes that are expected to share a single CUSIP number with the existing 9 1/4% Senior Notes and the exchange notes and the existing 9 1/4% Senior Notes are thereafter expected to be fungible. We cannot make assurances as to the liquidity of markets for the existing notes, the ability to sell the exchange notes or the price at which a holder may be able to sell the exchange notes. The exchange notes could trade at prices that may be lower than their principal amount or purchase price depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes, our financial and operating performance and other factors. We cannot assure you that an active market for the existing notes and the exchange notes will continue. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities similar to the existing notes and the exchange notes. The market for the exchange notes may experience similar disruptions and any such disruptions may adversely affect the prices at which you may sell your exchange notes.

Certain persons who participate in the exchange offers must deliver a prospectus in connection with resales of the exchange notes.

Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC contained in Exxon Capital Holdings Corp., SEC no-action letter (April 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., SEC no-action letter (June 5, 1991) and Shearman &

 

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Sterling, SEC no-action letter (July 2, 1983), we believe that you may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the exchange notes without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. However, in some instances described in this prospectus under “Plan of Distribution,” certain holders of exchange notes will remain obligated to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to transfer the exchange notes. If such a holder transfers any exchange notes without delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or without an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such a holder may incur liability under the Securities Act. We do not and will not assume, or indemnify such a holder against, this liability.

Risks Related To Our Indebtedness

Our substantial leverage could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry, expose us to interest rate risk to the extent of our variable rate debt, and prevent us from meeting our obligations under the notes.

We are highly leveraged. As of June 27, 2010, our total indebtedness was approximately $2,859.8 million, including the outstanding unregistered notes. We also had an additional $116.5 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facilities (after giving effect to approximately $33.5 million of outstanding letters of credit). Our consolidated interest expense, calculated in accordance with the indentures governing our senior notes and senior subordinated notes, for the twelve months ended June 27, 2010, after giving effect to the Birds Eye Acquisition, was $199.6 million (including $2.8 million of non-cash interest expense relating to the amortization of original issue discount with respect to the tranche C term loan facility that was refinanced in August 2010).

Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences for you, including:

 

   

requiring a substantial portion of cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, therefore reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures, and future business opportunities;

 

   

exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates because certain of our borrowings, including certain borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, are at variable rates; and, as of June 27, 2010, approximately 57% of our total indebtedness was at variable rates and an increase of 1.0% in the interest rates payable on our variable rate indebtedness would increase our annual debt-service requirements by approximately $16.4 million (or by approximately $2.6 million after giving effect to our current interest rate swaps);

 

   

making it more difficult for us to make payments on the notes;

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;

 

   

restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures;

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, product development, debt service requirements, acquisitions, and general corporate or other purposes; and

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors who are less highly leveraged.

Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

Our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes contain various covenants that limit our and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;

 

   

pay dividends on, repurchase, or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

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make certain investments;

 

   

sell certain assets;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; and

 

   

designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Facility requires us to satisfy and maintain specified financial ratios and other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those ratios and tests. If there are borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facilities in an aggregate amount greater than $10.0 million, we are required to maintain a Senior Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility) for the most recently concluded four consecutive fiscal quarters of less than 5.00:1 in 2010 and 4.00:1 in 2011 and thereafter. See “Covenant Compliance” under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

A breach of any of these covenants or failure to maintain or satisfy a financial ratio or test could result in a default under one or more of these agreements. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our Senior Secured Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. If we were unable to repay those amounts, the lenders under our Senior Secured Credit Facility could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. If the lenders under our Senior Secured Credit Facility accelerate the repayment of borrowings, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient assets to repay our Senior Secured Credit Facility as well as our unsecured indebtedness, including the notes. See “Description of Other Indebtedness.”

Despite our high indebtedness level, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur additional amounts of debt, which could increase the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.

Under the terms of the indentures governing the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes and our Senior Secured Credit Facility, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future. In addition, on a pro forma basis as of June 27, 2010, we had $116.5 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facilities (after giving effect to approximately $33.5 million of outstanding letters of credit). These borrowings and any other secured indebtedness permitted under agreements governing our indebtedness would be effectively senior to the notes and the subsidiary guarantees to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness. If new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries’ existing debt levels, the related risks that we now face would increase.

Risks Related To Our Business

We may not be able to successfully integrate Birds Eye, or other businesses we may acquire in the future, with PFG LLC, and we may not be able to realize anticipated cost savings, revenue enhancements, or other synergies from such acquisitions.

Our ability to successfully implement our business plan and achieve targeted financial results is dependent on our ability to successfully integrate Birds Eye, or other businesses we may acquire in the future, with PFG LLC. The process of integrating Birds Eye, or any other acquired businesses, involves risks. These risks include, but are not limited to:

 

   

demands on management related to the significant increase in the size of our business;

 

   

diversion of management’s attention from the management of daily operations;

 

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difficulties in the assimilation of different corporate cultures and business practices;

 

   

difficulties in conforming the acquired company’s accounting policies to ours;

 

   

retaining the loyalty and business of the customers of acquired businesses;

 

   

retaining employees that may be vital to the integration of acquired businesses or to the future prospects of the combined businesses;

 

   

difficulties and unanticipated expenses related to the integration of departments, information technology systems, including accounting systems, technologies, books and records, and procedures, and maintaining uniform standards, such as internal accounting controls, procedures, and policies; and

 

   

costs and expenses associated with any undisclosed or potential liabilities.

Failure to successfully integrate Birds Eye, or any other acquired businesses, may result in reduced levels of revenue, earnings, or operating efficiency than might have been achieved if we had not acquired such businesses.

In addition, the Birds Eye Acquisition has resulted, and any future acquisitions could result, in the incurrence of additional debt and related interest expense, contingent liabilities, and amortization expenses related to intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flow.

We may not be able to achieve the estimated future cost savings expected to be realized as a result of the Birds Eye Acquisition or other future acquisitions. Failure to achieve such estimated future cost savings could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to realize anticipated cost savings, revenue enhancements, or other synergies from the Birds Eye Acquisition or other future acquisitions, either in the amount or within the time frame that we expect. In addition, the costs of achieving these benefits may be higher than, and the timing may differ from, what we expect. Our ability to realize anticipated cost savings, synergies, and revenue enhancements may be affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

the use of more cash or other financial resources on integration and implementation activities than we expect;

 

   

increases in other expenses unrelated to the acquisition, which may offset the cost savings and other synergies from the acquisition;

 

   

our ability to eliminate duplicative back office overhead and redundant selling, general, and administrative functions, obtain procurement related savings, rationalize our distribution and warehousing networks, rationalize manufacturing capacity and shift production to more economical facilities; and

 

   

our ability to avoid labor disruptions in connection with any integration, particularly in connection with any headcount reduction.

Specifically, we expect the acquisition of Birds Eye to create significant opportunities to reduce our operating costs. However, these anticipated cost savings reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management as to the benefits and associated expenses and capital spending with respect to our cost savings initiatives, and it is possible that these estimates and assumptions may not ultimately reflect actual results. In addition, these estimated cost savings may not actually be achieved in the timeframe anticipated or at all.

If we fail to realize anticipated cost savings, synergies, or revenue enhancements, our financial results may be adversely affected, and we may not generate the cash flow from operations that we anticipate.

 

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We face significant competition in our industry.

The food products business is highly competitive. Numerous brands and products compete for shelf space and sales, with competition based primarily on product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, price, trade promotion, consumer promotion, customer service, and the ability to identify and satisfy emerging consumer preferences. We compete with a significant number of companies of varying sizes, including divisions, subdivisions, or subsidiaries of larger companies. Many of these competitors have multiple product lines, substantially greater financial and other resources available to them, and may be substantially less leveraged than we are. In addition, private label is a significant competitor in the frozen vegetables, shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish, and table syrup categories. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to compete successfully with these companies and private label. Competitive pressures or other factors could cause us to lose market share, which may require us to lower prices, increase marketing and advertising expenditures, or increase the use of discounting or promotional campaigns, each of which would adversely affect our margins and could result in a decrease in our operating results and profitability.

Sales of our products are subject to changing consumer preferences, and our success depends upon our ability to predict, identify, and interpret changes in consumer preferences and develop and offer new products rapidly enough to meet those changes.

Our success depends on our ability to predict, identify, and interpret the tastes and dietary habits of consumers and to offer products that appeal to those preferences. There are inherent marketplace risks associated with new product or packaging introductions, including uncertainties about trade and consumer acceptance. If we do not succeed in offering products that consumers want to buy, our sales and market share will decrease, resulting in reduced profitability. A significant challenge for us is distinguishing among fads, mid-term trends, and lasting changes in our consumer environment. If we are unable to accurately predict which shifts in consumer preferences will be long-lasting, or to introduce new and improved products to satisfy those preferences, our sales will decline. In addition, given the variety of backgrounds and identities of consumers in our consumer base, we must offer a sufficient array of products to satisfy the broad spectrum of consumer preferences. As such, we must be successful in developing innovative products across a multitude of product categories. Finally, if we fail to rapidly develop products in faster-growing and more profitable categories, we could experience reduced demand for our products.

If we lose one or more of our major customers, or if any of our major customers experience significant business interruption, our results of operations and our ability to service our indebtedness could be adversely affected.

Pinnacle is dependent upon a limited number of large customers for a significant percentage of its sales. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (“Wal-Mart”) and its affiliates are Pinnacle’s largest customer and represented approximately 25%, 23% and 24% of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cumulatively, including Wal-Mart, our top ten customers accounted for approximately 58% in fiscal 2009 and 57% of our net sales in each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008.

We do not have long-term supply contracts with any of our major customers. The loss of one or more major customers, a material reduction in sales to these customers as a result of competition from other food manufacturers, or the occurrence of a significant business interruption of our customers’ operations would result in a decrease in our revenues, operating results, and earnings and could adversely affect our ability to service our indebtedness.

Termination of our material licenses would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We manufacture and market certain of our frozen food products under the Swanson brand pursuant to two royalty-free, exclusive and perpetual trademark licenses granted by Campbell Soup Company and its affiliate, CSC Brands, Inc. The licenses give us the right to use certain Swanson trademarks both inside and outside of the United States in connection with the manufacture, distribution, marketing, advertising, and promotion and sale of

 

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frozen foods and beverages of any type except for frozen soup or broth. The licenses require us to obtain the prior written approval of Campbell Soup Company or CSC Brands, Inc., as applicable, for the visual appearance and labeling of all packaging, advertising materials, and promotions bearing the Swanson trademark. The licenses contain standard provisions, including those dealing with quality control and termination by Campbell Soup Company or CSC Brands, Inc. as well as assignment and consent. If we were to breach any material term of the licenses and not timely cure such breach, Campbell Soup Company or CSC Brands, Inc. could terminate the licenses.

We manufacture and market certain of our frozen breakfast products under the Aunt Jemima brand pursuant to a royalty-free, exclusive (as to frozen breakfast products only) and perpetual license granted by The Quaker Oats Company. The license gives us the right to use certain Aunt Jemima trademarks both inside and outside the United States in connection with the manufacture and sale of frozen waffles, pancakes, French toast, pancake batter, biscuits, muffins, strudel, croissants, and all other frozen breakfast products, excluding frozen cereal. The license requires us to obtain the approval of The Quaker Oats Company for any labels, packaging, advertising, and promotional materials bearing the Aunt Jemima trademark. The license contains standard provisions, including those dealing with quality control and termination by The Quaker Oats Company as well as assignment and consent. If we were to breach any material term of the license and not timely cure such breach, The Quaker Oats Company could terminate the license.

In addition, as part of our acquisition of the Armour Business from The Dial Corporation, we received the assignment of a license agreement granting us an exclusive, royalty-bearing, perpetual license to use certain Armour trademarks. Under the license agreement, Smithfield Foods, as successor to ConAgra, Inc., the licensor, grants a license for the use of various Armour-related trademarks in conjunction with shelf-stable products within the United States. The shelf-stable products must be manufactured according to approved formulas and specifications, and new specifications must be approved by the licensor, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Proposed labels, packaging, advertising, and promotional materials must first be submitted to the licensor for approval, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. We are required to make annual royalty payments to the licensor equal to the greater of $250,000 or a percentage royalty based upon our annual net sales of the approved shelf-stable products. If we were to materially breach the license agreement, Smithfield Foods could terminate the license.

We also manufacture complete bagged meals under the Voila! trademark which is subject to an exclusive license agreement with a third party and limited to use in connection with meat and vegetable products.

The loss of any of these licenses could have a material adverse effect on our business.

For many of our products, we primarily rely on a single source manufacturing system where a significant disruption in a facility could affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

With the exception of our pickles, peppers, and relish products that are produced in two facilities (Imlay City, Michigan, and Millsboro, Delaware), Birds Eye’s frozen vegetables products which are produced in three facilities (Fulton, New York, Waseca, Minnesota, and Darien, Wisconsin) and Birds Eye’s frozen complete bagged meals products, which are produced in two facilities (Fulton, New York, and Darien, Wisconsin), no other of our products are produced in significant amounts at multiple manufacturing facilities or co-packers. Significant unscheduled downtime at any of our facilities or co-packers due to equipment breakdowns, power failures, natural disasters, or any other cause could adversely affect our ability to provide products to our customers, which would affect our sales, financial condition, and results of operations.

We are vulnerable to fluctuations in the price and supply of food ingredients, packaging materials, and freight.

The prices of the food ingredients, packaging materials, and freight we use are subject to fluctuations in price attributable to, among other things, changes in supply and demand of crops or other commodities, fuel

 

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prices, and government-sponsored agricultural and livestock programs. The sales prices to our customers are a delivered price. Therefore, changes in our input costs could impact our gross margins. Our ability to pass along higher costs through price increases to our customers is dependent upon competitive conditions and pricing methodologies employed in the various markets in which we compete.

We use significant quantities of sugar, cucumbers, broccoli, corn, peas, green beans, flour (wheat), poultry, seafood, vegetable oils, shortening, meat, corn syrup and other agricultural products as well as aluminum, glass jars, plastic trays, corrugated fiberboard, and plastic packaging materials provided by third-party suppliers. We buy from a variety of producers and manufacturers, and alternate sources of supply are generally available. However, the supply and price are subject to market conditions and are influenced by other factors beyond our control, such as general economic conditions, unanticipated demand, problems in production or distribution, natural disasters, weather conditions during the growing and harvesting seasons, insects, plant diseases, and fungi.

Many of our packaging materials are purchased on the open market or from multiple suppliers; however, packaging used for Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables and meals is purchased pursuant to an exclusive U.S. license and supply agreement that expires in 2013. The loss of this supplier or any significant interruption in the supply of packaging used for Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables and meals, such as manufacturing problems or shipping delays, could have an adverse effect on our business.

We do not have long-term contracts with many of our suppliers, and, as a result, they could increase prices or fail to deliver. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could increase our costs and disrupt our operations.

Loss of any of our current co-packing arrangements could decrease our sales and earnings and put us at a competitive disadvantage.

We rely upon co-packers for our Duncan Hines cake mixes, brownie mixes, specialty mixes, and frosting products, and a limited portion of our other manufacturing needs. We believe that there are a limited number of competent, high-quality co-packers in the industry, and if we were required to obtain additional or alternative co-packing agreements or arrangements in the future, we cannot assure you we will be able to do so on satisfactory terms or in a timely manner.

We may be subject to product liability claims and product recalls should the consumption of any of our products cause injury, illness, or death.

We sell food products for human consumption, which involves risks such as product contamination or spoilage, misbranding, product tampering, and other adulteration of food products. Consumption of a misbranded, adulterated, contaminated, or spoiled product may result in personal illness or injury. We could be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to an actual or alleged illness or injury, and we could incur liabilities that are not insured or exceed our insurance coverages. Even if product liability claims against us are not successful or fully pursued, these claims could be costly and time consuming and may require our management to spend time defending the claims rather than operating our business.

A product that has been actually or allegedly misbranded or becomes adulterated could result in product withdrawals or recalls, destruction of product inventory, negative publicity, temporary plant closings, and substantial costs of compliance or remediation. Any of these events, including a significant product liability judgment against us, could result in a loss of demand for our food products, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Due to the seasonality of the business, our revenue and operating results may vary quarter to quarter.

Our sales and cash flows are affected by seasonal cyclicality. Sales of frozen foods, including seafood, frozen vegetables and frozen complete bagged meals, tend to be marginally higher during the winter months.

 

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Sales of pickles, relishes, barbecue sauces, potato chips and salad dressings tend to be higher in the spring and summer months, and demand for Duncan Hines products, Birds Eye vegetables and our fruit fillings tend to be higher around the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays. We pack the majority of our pickles during a season extending from May through September, and also increase our Duncan Hines inventories at that time, in advance of the selling season. Since many of the raw materials we process under the Birds Eye Brand are agricultural crops, production of these products is predominantly seasonal, occurring during and immediately following the purchase of such crops. As a result, our inventory levels tend to be higher during August, September and October, and thus we require more working capital during these months. We are a seasonal net user of cash in the third quarter of the calendar year.

For these reasons, sequential quarterly comparisons are not a good indication of our performance or how we may perform in the future.

If we are unable to obtain access to working capital or if seasonal fluctuations are greater than anticipated, there could be an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The deterioration of the credit and capital markets may adversely affect our access to sources of funding.

We rely on our revolving credit facilities to fund a portion of our seasonal working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. If any of the banks in the syndicates backing these facilities were unable to perform on its commitments, our liquidity could be impacted, which could adversely affect funding of seasonal working capital requirements. In addition, global capital markets have experienced volatility that has tightened access to capital markets and other sources of funding. In the event that we need to access the capital markets or other sources of financing, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing on acceptable terms or within an acceptable time, if at all. Our inability to obtain financing on terms and within a time acceptable to us could have an adverse impact on our operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

We face risks associated with certain pension obligations.

We hold investments in equity and debt securities in our qualified defined benefit pension plans. Deterioration in the value of plan assets, resulting from the general financial downturn or otherwise, could cause an increase in the underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans, thereby increasing our obligation to make contributions to the plans. For example, from December 2007 to December 2008, the underfunding in the Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan For Employees Covered By Collective Bargaining Agreements (“Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan”) increased from $7.4 million to $36.5 million. This was primarily caused by the economic downturn in the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2008. In 2009, the U.S. economy rebounded slightly. The underfunding in our Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan as of December 27, 2009 was $32.8 million. Subsequent to December 27, 2009, the benefits of certain hourly employees who participate in the plan were reduced. In connection with this reduction of benefits we recognized a curtailment, which resulted in a loss of $1.0 million that was recorded in the second quarter of 2010 and reduced our benefit obligation by $2.6 million.

We also maintain a defined benefit plan acquired in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition (“Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan”). Although Birds Eye had frozen benefits under its defined benefit pension plans for many employees, we remain obligated to ensure that the plan is funded in accordance with applicable regulations. Subsequent to December 27, 2009, benefits of certain hourly employees were frozen. The curtailment gains which were recorded in the first six months of fiscal 2010 were $0.6 million. The Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan was underfunded by approximately $47.2 million as of December 27, 2009. Our obligation to make contributions to the pension plans could reduce the cash available for working capital and other corporate uses, and may have an adverse impact on our operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

 

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Our financial well-being could be jeopardized by unforeseen changes in our employees’ collective bargaining agreements or shifts in union policy.

We employ approximately 4,600 people with approximately 60% of our employees unionized. In 2008, the hourly workers in our Mattoon, Illinois facility (Lender’s Bagels) elected to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and we are currently working to negotiate a contract with these workers. After negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement for the route sales group in our snacks business located in Berlin, Pennsylvania (Snyder of Berlin) for nearly 2 years, on July 29, 2010 the union was decertified by vote of the route sales group, which will remain non-union. New collective bargaining agreements for our facilities located in Darien, Wisconsin (Birds Eye brands), with 303 employees, and Waseca, Minnesota (Birds Eye brands), with 90 employees, were completed in December 2009 and January 2010, respectively. A new collective bargaining agreement for our facility located in Imlay City, Michigan (Vlasic brands), with approximately 270 employees, was ratified by the union on March 11, 2010. A new collective bargaining agreement with the production group at our snacks business located in Berlin, Pennsylvania (Snyder of Berlin), covering approximately 100 employees, was ratified by the union on April 11, 2010. The collective bargaining agreement with the seasonal employees at our Darien, Wisconsin facility (Birds Eye brands), with approximately 190 employees, will expire on December 1, 2010. The collective bargaining agreements at our Tacoma, Washington facility for production (approximately 130 employees), warehouse (approximately 14 employees), waste water (approximately 3 employees), operating engineers (approximately 3 employees), and machinists (approximately 14 employees), expire between January and April 2011.

Collective bargaining agreements at our Millsboro, Delaware; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Fort Madison, Iowa; Fennville, Minnesota; Fulton, New York will expire between 2012 and 2014.

Although we consider our employee relations to generally be good, failure to extend or renew our collective bargaining agreements or a prolonged work stoppage or strike at any facility with union employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, we cannot assure you that upon the expiration of our existing collective bargaining agreements, new agreements will be reached without any union action, if at all, or that any such new agreements will be on terms satisfactory to us.

Our strategy of evaluating targeted acquisition opportunities may not be successful.

We may not be able to identify and complete acquisitions in the future, and our failure to identify and complete acquisitions could limit our ability to grow our business beyond our existing brands. In addition, we may require additional debt or equity financing for future acquisitions. Our strategy of evaluating targeted acquisition opportunities involves a number of risks, including the following:

 

   

we may not be able to find suitable businesses to acquire at affordable valuations or on other acceptable terms;

 

   

our acquisition of suitable businesses could be prohibited by U.S. or foreign antitrust laws; and

 

   

we may have to incur additional debt to finance future acquisitions, and no assurance can be given as to whether, and on what terms, such additional debt will be available.

We are subject to laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment, worker health, and workplace safety. Costs to comply with these laws and regulations, or claims with respect to environmental, health and safety matters, could have a significant negative impact on our business.

Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including those governing the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of solid and hazardous materials and wastes, employee exposure to hazards in the workplace and the cleanup of contaminated sites. We are required to obtain and comply with environmental permits for many of our operations, and sometimes we are required to install pollution control equipment or to implement operational

 

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changes to limit air emissions or wastewater discharges and/or decrease the likelihood of accidental releases of hazardous materials. We could incur substantial costs, including cleanup costs, civil or criminal fines or penalties, and third-party claims for property damage or personal injury as a result of any violations of environmental laws and regulations, noncompliance with environmental permit conditions or contamination for which we may be responsible that is identified or that may occur in the future. Such costs may be material.

Under federal and state environmental laws, we may be liable for the costs of investigation, removal or remediation of certain hazardous or toxic substances, as well as related costs of investigation and damage to natural resources, at various properties, including our current and former properties and the former properties of our predecessors, as well as offsite waste handling or disposal sites that we, or that our predecessors, have used. Liability may be imposed upon us without regard to whether we knew of or caused the presence of such hazardous or toxic substances. There can be no assurances that any such locations, or locations that we may acquire in the future, will not result in liability to us under such laws or expose us to third party actions such as tort suits based on alleged conduct or environmental conditions. In addition, we may be liable if hazardous or toxic substances migrate from properties for which we may be responsible to other properties.

We cannot predict what environmental or health and safety legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future or how existing or future laws or regulations will be enforced, administered or interpreted. We also cannot predict the amount of future expenditures that may be required in order to comply with such environmental or health and safety laws or regulations or to respond to environmental claims.

Our operations are subject to FDA and USDA governmental regulation, and there is no assurance that we will be in compliance with all regulations.

Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other national, state, and local authorities. Specifically, we are subject to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder by the FDA. This comprehensive regulatory program governs, among other things, the manufacturing, composition and ingredients, packaging, and safety of food. Under this program, the FDA regulates manufacturing practices for foods through its current “good manufacturing practices” regulations and specifies the recipes for certain foods. Our processing facilities and products are subject to periodic inspection by federal, state, and local authorities. In addition, we must comply with similar laws in Canada. We seek to comply with applicable regulations through a combination of employing internal personnel to ensure quality-assurance compliance (for example, assuring that food packages contain only ingredients as specified on the package labeling) and contracting with third-party laboratories that conduct analyses of products for the nutritional-labeling requirements. In addition, the current administration has formed a Food Safety Working Group to advise and implement ways to upgrade U.S. food safety laws and regulations which could result in additional regulatory requirements, including relating to food safety, transportation and food incident reporting.

Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or maintain permits and licenses relating to our operations could subject us to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, which could result in increased operating costs resulting in a material adverse effect on our operating results and business.

We have a significant amount of goodwill and intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheet that is subject to impairment based upon future adverse changes in our business and the overall economic environment.

At June 27, 2010, the carrying value of goodwill and tradenames was $1,559.2 million and $1,658.8 million, respectively. We evaluate the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis, in December, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying amount. We have recorded impairment charges in recent years,

 

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including in 2009. The value of goodwill and intangible assets will be derived from our business operating plans and is susceptible to an adverse change in demand, input costs, general changes in the business, or changes in the overall economic environment and could require an impairment charge in the future.

Litigation regarding our trademarks and any other proprietary rights may have a significant, negative impact on our business.

We rely upon a combination of copyright, trademark and patent laws as well as, where appropriate, contractual arrangements, including licensing agreements to establish and protect our intellectual property rights. We cannot assure you that any of our pending trademark applications will be approved by the applicable governmental authorities or that third parties will not seek to oppose or otherwise challenge these registrations. A failure to obtain trademark registrations could limit our ability to protect our trademarks and impede our marketing efforts. Although we devote resources to the establishment and protection of our intellectual property rights, we cannot assure you that the actions we have taken or will take in the future will be adequate to prevent violation of our trademark and proprietary rights by others or prevent others from seeking to block sales of our products as an alleged violation of their trademarks or other proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that litigation by or against us will not be necessary to enforce our trademark or proprietary rights or to defend ourselves against claimed infringement, or other claimed violation of the rights of others. Any ongoing or future litigation of this type could be costly, burdensome and could result in adverse determinations that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our inability to use our trademarks and other proprietary rights, including via temporary or permanent injunctions directed against such rights in ongoing or future litigations, could also harm our business and sales through reduced demand for our products and reduced revenues.

Although we have rights to the Birds Eye and Steamfresh trademarks in the United States and certain other jurisdictions, unaffiliated third parties own rights to the Birds Eye and Steamfresh trademarks in many other countries. These third-party trademark rights may impose legal barriers on our use of these trademarks in those and other jurisdictions and may therefore limit the expansion of the business conducted under these trademarks into these jurisdictions. However, any negative publicity surrounding third-party products, such as product recalls and product liability claims, with respect to the Birds Eye or Steamfresh trademarks in these jurisdictions could nonetheless adversely affect our reputation and the value of our trademarks.

If we are unable to retain our key management personnel, our future performance may be impaired and our financial condition could suffer as a result.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of senior management, certain of whom would be difficult to replace. Departure by certain of our executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. We do not maintain key-man life insurance on any of our executive officers. We cannot assure you that the services of such personnel will continue to be available to us.

We may not be able to utilize all of our net operating loss carryforwards.

If there is an unfavorable adjustment from an IRS examination (whether as a result of a change in law or IRS policy or otherwise) that reduces any of our net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), cash taxes may increase and impact our ability to make interest payments on our indebtedness, including the notes. As of June 27, 2010, we had NOLs for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $1.1 billion. Certain of these NOLs are subject to annual limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“the Code”). These limitations and/or our failure to generate sufficient taxable income may result in the expiration of the NOLs before they are utilized.

 

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Blackstone controls Pinnacle and may have conflicts of interest with us or you in the future.

Investment funds associated with or designated by Blackstone own substantially all of our capital stock. Blackstone has control over our decisions to enter into any corporate transaction and has the ability to prevent any transaction that requires the approval of unit holders regardless of whether noteholders believe that any such transactions are in their interests. For example, Blackstone could collectively cause us to make acquisitions that increase our amount of indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, or to sell assets, which may impair our ability to make payments under the notes.

Additionally, Blackstone is in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Blackstone may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. So long as investment funds associated with or designated by Blackstone collectively continue to indirectly own a significant amount of our capital stock, even if such amount is less than 50%, Blackstone will continue to be able to influence or effectively control our decisions.

Risks Related to the Notes

The following risks apply to the outstanding unregistered notes and will apply equally to the exchange notes.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, including the notes.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the notes.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital, or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from the disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds which we could realize from them and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.

Your right to receive payments on the notes is effectively junior to those lenders who have a security interest in our and our subsidiaries’ assets.

Our obligations under the notes and our guarantors’ obligations under their guarantees of the notes are unsecured, but our obligations under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and each guarantor’s obligations under their respective guarantees of the Senior Secured Credit Facility are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our domestic tangible and intangible assets, including the stock of our wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries and the assets and a portion of the stock of our non-U.S. subsidiaries. If we are declared bankrupt or insolvent, or if we default under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, the lenders could declare all of the funds borrowed thereunder, together with accrued interest, immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay such indebtedness, the lenders could foreclose on the pledged assets to the exclusion of holders of the notes, even if an event of default exists under the indenture at such time. Furthermore, if the lenders foreclose and sell the pledged equity interests in any subsidiary guarantor under the notes, then that guarantor will be released from its

 

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guarantee of the notes automatically and immediately upon such sale. In any such event, because the notes are not secured by any of our assets or the equity interests in subsidiary guarantors, it is possible that there would be no assets remaining from which your claims could be satisfied or, if any assets remained, they might be insufficient to satisfy your claims fully. See “Description of Other Indebtedness.”

As of June 27, 2010, we had $2,046.1 million of senior secured indebtedness, substantially all of which is under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and capital lease obligations and which does not include availability of approximately $116.5 million under our revolving credit facilities (after giving effect to approximately $33.5 million of outstanding letters of credit), all of which would be secured if borrowed. The indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes permit the incurrence of substantial additional indebtedness by us and our restricted subsidiaries in the future, including senior secured indebtedness.

Claims of noteholders will be structurally subordinated to claims of creditors of all of our non-U.S. subsidiaries because they will not guarantee the notes.

The notes are not guaranteed by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. Accordingly, claims of holders of the notes are structurally subordinate to the claims of creditors of these non-guarantor subsidiaries, including trade creditors. All obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries will have to be satisfied before any of the assets of such subsidiaries would be available for distribution, upon a liquidation or otherwise, to us or a guarantor of the notes.

Our only existing foreign subsidiary is Pinnacle Foods Canada Corp., which accounted for approximately $72.8 million, or 4.4% of our net sales for the year ended December 27, 2009, and $13.2 million, or less than 1%, of our total assets as of December 27, 2009, and $38.8 million, or 3.1% of our net sales for the six months ended June 27, 2010, and $18.2 million, or less than 1%, of our total assets as of June 27, 2010.

If we default on our obligations to pay our indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on the notes.

Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, that is not waived by the required lenders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing our indebtedness (including covenants in our Senior Secured Credit Facility and our indentures), we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness, including our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders under our Senior Secured Credit Facility could elect to terminate their commitments thereunder, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to obtain waivers from the required lenders under our Senior Secured Credit Facility to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders. If this occurs, we would be in default under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control.

Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. The source of funds for any such purchase of the notes will be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries’ operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets, or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase the

 

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notes upon a change of control because we may not have sufficient financial resources to purchase all of the notes that are tendered upon a change of control. Further, we are contractually restricted under the terms of our Senior Secured Credit Facility from repurchasing all of the notes tendered by holders upon a change of control. Accordingly, we may not be able to satisfy our obligations to purchase the notes unless we are able to refinance or obtain waivers under our Senior Secured Credit Facility. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon a change of control would cause a default under the indenture governing the senior notes and a cross default under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also provides that a change of control will be a default that permits lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings thereunder. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar provisions.

The lenders under our Senior Secured Credit Facility will have the discretion to release the guarantors under our Senior Secured Credit Facility in a variety of circumstances, which will cause those guarantors to be released from their guarantees of the notes.

While any obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility remain outstanding, any guarantee of the notes may be released without action by, or consent of, any holder of the notes or the trustee under the indenture governing the senior notes, at the discretion of lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, if the guarantor is no longer a guarantor of obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility or any other indebtedness. See “Description of 9 1/4 % Notes” and “Description of 8 1/4% Notes.” The lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will have the discretion to release the guarantees under the Senior Secured Credit Facility in a variety of circumstances. You will not have a claim as a creditor against any subsidiary that is no longer a guarantor of the senior notes, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, whether secured or unsecured, of those subsidiaries will effectively be senior to claims of noteholders.

Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the guarantees, and, if that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.

Federal and state fraudulent transfer and conveyance statutes may apply to the issuance of the notes and the incurrence of any guarantees. Under federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, which may vary from state to state, the notes or guarantees could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance if (1) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, issued the notes or incurred the guarantees with the intent of hindering, delaying, or defrauding creditors or (2) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for either issuing the notes or incurring the guarantees and, in the case of (2) only, one of the following is also true at the time thereof:

 

   

we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, were insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantees;

 

   

the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantees left us or any of the guarantors, as applicable, with an unreasonably small amount of capital to carry on the business;

 

   

we or any of the guarantors intended to, or believed that we or such guarantor would, incur debts beyond our or such guarantor’s ability to pay such debts as they mature; or

 

   

we or any of the guarantors was a defendant in an action for money damages, or had a judgment for money damages docketed against us or such guarantor if, in either case, after final judgment, the judgment is unsatisfied.

If a court were to find that the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under the notes or such guarantee or subordinate the notes or such guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of ours or of the related guarantor, or require the holders of the notes to repay any amounts received with respect to such guarantee. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the notes. In addition, each guarantee will contain a provision intended to limit the guarantor’s liability to the

 

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maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent conveyance. This provision may not be effective to protect the guarantees from being voided under fraudulent conveyance laws, or may eliminate the guarantor’s obligations or reduce the guarantor’s obligations to an amount that effectively makes the guarantee worthless. In a recent Florida bankruptcy case, this kind of provision was found to be ineffective to protect the guarantees. Further, the voidance of the notes could result in an event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries’ other debt that could result in acceleration of such debt.

As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have received value in connection with a debt offering if the debtor uses the proceeds of that offering to make a dividend payment or otherwise retire or redeem equity securities issued by the debtor.

We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, that the issuance of the guarantees would not be subordinated to our or any of our guarantors’ other debt. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if, at the time it incurred indebtedness:

 

   

the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all its assets;

 

   

the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature; or

 

   

it could not pay its debts as they become due.

The trading price of the notes may be volatile.

The trading price of the notes could be subject to significant fluctuation in response to, among other factors, changes in our operating results, interest rates, the market for non-investment grade securities, general economic conditions, and securities analysts’ recommendations regarding our securities.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Many of the statements appear, in particular, in the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Business.” Forward-looking statements identify prospective information. Important factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those in the forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “should,” “will” and “would” or other similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future priorities, goals, strategies, actions to improve business performance, market growth assumptions and expectations, future business opportunities, capital expenditures, financing needs, financial position and other information that is not historical information or state other “forward-looking” information.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are set forth in this prospectus, including under the heading “Risk Factors.” As stated elsewhere in this prospectus, such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others:

 

   

general economic and business conditions;

 

   

industry trends;

 

   

changes in our leverage;

 

   

interest rate changes;

 

   

the funding of our defined benefit pension plan;

 

   

future impairments of our goodwill and intangible assets;

 

   

changes in our ownership structure;

 

   

competition;

 

   

the loss of any of our major customers or suppliers;

 

   

changes in demand for our products;

 

   

changes in distribution channels or competitive conditions in the markets where we operate;

 

   

costs and timeliness of integrating future acquisitions;

 

   

loss or litigation;

 

   

loss of our intellectual property rights;

 

   

fluctuations in price and supply of raw materials;

 

   

seasonality;

 

   

changes in our collective bargaining agreements or shifts in union policy;

 

   

difficulty in hiring or retention of key management personnel;

 

   

restrictions imposed on our business by the terms of our indebtedness;

 

   

our reliance on co-packers to meet our manufacturing needs;

 

   

availability of qualified personnel; and

 

   

changes in cost of compliance with laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations.

 

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There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management’s good faith belief with respect to future events, and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. The factors listed in the section captioned “Risk Factors,” as well as any other cautionary language in this prospectus, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Before participating in the exchange offers, you should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this prospectus could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The exchange offers are intended to satisfy our obligations under the registration rights agreements that we entered into in connection with the private offerings of the outstanding unregistered notes. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the exchange notes in the exchange offers. As consideration for issuing the exchange notes as contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive in exchange a like principal amount of outstanding unregistered notes, the terms of which are identical in all material respects to the exchange notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreements. The outstanding unregistered notes that are surrendered in exchange for the exchange notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued. As a result, the issuance of the exchange notes will not result in any increase or decrease in our capitalization.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth PFF’s cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 27, 2010, on a historical basis and on an as-adjusted basis after giving effect to the following transactions that were consummated in August 2010 (collectively, the “Refinancing”): the offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, the entering into of a senior secured term loan D facility, and the repayment with proceeds therefrom, along with cash on hand, of $842.3 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding loans under the senior secured term loan C facility we entered into upon the closing of the Birds Eye Acquisition. The information in this table should be read in conjunction with “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Information” and the historical financial statements of PFF and Birds Eye and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     As of June 27, 2010
     Historical    As
adjusted
     (unaudited)    (unaudited)
     (in millions)

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 142.8    $ 114.5
             

New debt:

     

Senior secured term loan D facility (1)(3)

   $ —      $ 442.3

8 1/4 % senior notes due 2017

     —        400.0

Existing debt:

     

Existing senior credit facilities (1)

     

Revolving credit facilities

     —        —  

Senior secured term loan B facility

     1,199.4      1,199.4

Senior secured term loan C facility (2)

     842.3      —  

Existing senior notes

     625.0      625.0

Existing senior subordinated notes

     199.0      199.0

Capital lease obligations

     4.4      4.4

Other existing debt

     0.4      0.4
             

Total debt

     2,870.5      2,870.5

Shareholder’s equity

     888.5      867.7
             

Total capitalization

   $ 3,759.0    $ 3,738.2
             

 

(1) Upon consummation of the Refinancing, our senior secured credit facilities consisted of: a $150.0 million revolving credit facility that matures in 2013; a $1,250.0 million term loan B facility that matures in 2014 that we entered into upon the closing of the Blackstone Transaction and a $442.3 million term loan D facility that matures in 2014. As of June 27, 2010, there were $1,199.4 million of borrowings outstanding under our term loan B facility and no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility. See “Description of Other Indebtedness—Senior Secured Credit Facilities.”
(2) Does not give effect to $10.3 million of original issue discount, which would have been amortized and included as interest expense over the life of the term loan C facility.
(3) Does not give effect to $4.4 million of original issue discount, which will be amortized and included as interest expense over the life of the term loan D facility.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

On December 23, 2009, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (“Pinnacle”), a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (“PFF”), completed the acquisition (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”) of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”), a Delaware corporation, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) dated November 18, 2009, by and among Pinnacle, Birds Eye and Birds Eye Holdings LLC (“Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company. Pinnacle is owned by private equity funds controlled by The Blackstone Group (“Blackstone”). In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, Pinnacle purchased all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Birds Eye from Holdings for a purchase price of $670.0 million in cash.

The Birds Eye Acquisition, the equity contribution by Blackstone, the related borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities, the related offering of the senior notes, the repayment of existing indebtedness of Birds Eye, and the payment of related fees and expenses are collectively referred to as the “Transactions.”

The net proceeds from the offering of the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, together with proceeds from our senior secured term loan D facility and cash on hand, were used to repay $842.3 million aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding under our tranche C term loan facility under our existing senior secured credit facility and related accrued interest, and to pay related fees and expenses. The impact of the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, the entering into the senior secured term loan D facility and the repayment of the outstanding tranche C term loans are collectively referred to as the “Refinancing”.

We have derived the following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information by applying pro forma adjustments to the historical audited and unaudited financial statements of PFF and Birds Eye for year ended December 27, 2009 and to the historical unaudited financial statements of PFF which include Birds Eye as of and for the six months ended June 27, 2010. The unaudited pro forma statements of operations give effect to the Transactions and the Refinancing as if they had occurred on December 29, 2008 (the first day of fiscal 2009). The unaudited pro forma balance sheet gives effect to the Refinancing as if it had occurred on June 27, 2010. Due to the different fiscal period ends for PFF and Birds Eye, the unaudited pro forma statement of operations for the year ended December 27, 2009 combines our results for the year ended December 27, 2009 which includes Birds Eye from December 23, 2009, which were derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 27, 2009, with Birds Eye’s historical results for the twelve months ended December 23, 2009, which were derived by combining Birds Eye’s results of operations for the six months ended June 27, 2009 included in its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended June 27, 2009, with Birds Eye’s results of operations for the three months ended September 26, 2009, included in its unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the quarter ended September 26, 2009, with Birds Eye’s results of operations for the period from September 27, 2010 to December 23, 2009.

We describe the assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments to the statement of operations and balance sheet in the accompanying notes. We have based the unaudited pro forma adjustments upon available information and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. We present the unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information for informational purposes only. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations do not purport to represent what our results of operations would have been had the transactions described above actually occurred on the dates indicated and they do not purport to project our results of operations for any future period.

The Birds Eye Acquisition was accounted for using the authoritative guidance for the purchase method of accounting. The pro forma adjustments reflect the statement of operations impact of our purchase price allocation related to the Birds Eye Acquisition as disclosed in the accompany notes. The above allocation is subject to adjustment, pending the receipt of additional information relative to Birds Eye’s tax matters. The allocation is expected to be finalized during the fourth quarter.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2009

 

    PFF
(Including Birds Eye
from Acquisition Date)
    Birds Eye
(from
December 29, 2008
to  Acquisition Date)
  Adjustments
for the
Transactions (a)
    Subtotal     Adjustments
for the
Refinancing (a)
    Total
Pro Forma
 
    (in thousands)        

Net sales

  $ 1,642,931      $ 905,508   $ —        $ 2,548,439      $ —        $ 2,548,439   

Cost of products sold

    1,263,627        671,013     (1,361 )(b)       
        1,809  (c)      1,935,088        —          1,935,088   
                                             

Gross profit

    379,304        234,495     (448     613,351        —          613,351   

Marketing and selling expenses

    123,833        75,465     —          199,298        —          199,298   

Administrative expenses

    62,737        22,869     418  (d)      86,024        —          86,024   

Research and development expenses

    4,562        3,615     —          8,177        —          8,177   

Other expense (income), net

    42,214        22,104     1,218  (e)      65,536        —          65,536   
                                             

Earnings before interest and taxes

    145,958        110,442     (2,084     254,316        —          254,316   

Interest expense

    121,167        48,904     54,674  (f)      224,745        (7,674 )(h)      217,071   

Interest income

    89        —       —          89        —          89   
                                             

Earnings (loss) before taxes

    24,880        61,538     (56,758     29,660        7,674        37,334   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

    (277,723     18,841     (19,159 )(g)      (278,041     2,924  (i)     (275,117
                                             

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 302,603      $ 42,697   $ (37,599   $ 307,701      $ 4,750      $ 312,451   
                                             

Certain Birds Eye amounts have been reclassified to conform to PFF’s classification and presentation.

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 27, 2010

 

     Historical    Adjustments
for the
Refinancing (a)
    Total Pro
forma
          (in thousands)      

Net sales

   $ 1,232,516    $ —        $ 1,232,516

Cost of products sold

     934,848      —          934,848
                     

Gross profit

     297,668      —          297,668

Marketing and selling expenses

     91,327      —          91,327

Administrative expenses

     60,492      —          60,492

Research and development expenses

     4,548      —          4,548

Other (income) expense, net

     8,809      —          8,809
                     

Earnings before interest and taxes

     132,492      —          132,492

Interest expense

     108,714      (4,420 )(h)      104,294

Interest income

     157      —          157
                     

Earnings before income taxes

     23,935      4,420        28,355

Provision for income taxes

     5,831      1,684  (i)      7,515
                     

Net earnings

   $ 18,104    $ 2,736      $ 20,840
                     

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of operations

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

(a)

The pro forma adjustments for the Transactions reflect the purchase price allocation related to the Birds Eye Acquisition and the related financing. The pro forma adjustments for the Refinancing reflect the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 offered and the senior secured term loan D facility and the related repayment of tranche C term loan. Due to the fair value adjustments for plant assets, tradenames, and other identifiable intangible assets, the related additional depreciation and amortization expense is reflected in this statement of operations. Purchase price allocated to inventories in excess of Birds Eye’s historical carrying value will increase cost of products sold after the consummation of the Birds Eye Acquisition and the results do not reflect approximately $37.1 million related to the inventory write-up.

Additionally, the pro forma statement of operations data reflect one-time expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions as they were recorded in the historical results, such as (a) approximately $0.5 million of manufacturing profit added to inventories under purchase accounting, (b) a non-recurring charge totaling $5.4 million recorded upon completion of the Transactions related to bridge financing fees expensed when the notes were issued and bridge financing was not used, (c) a non-recurring charge of approximately $24.1 million related to the portion of fees to professional advisors and other transaction-related costs that was not capitalized as deferred financing costs, and (d) a non-recurring charge of approximately $9.0 million related to the write-off of Birds Eye’s existing capitalized debt costs.

The pro forma statement of operations data does not reflect one-time expenses incurred in connection with the Refinancing, such as (a) a non-recurring charge totaling $5.9 million write-off of the unamortized discount, (b) a non-recurring charge of approximately $3.2 million related to the portion of fees to professional advisors and other transaction-related costs that were not recorded as deferred financing costs, and (c) a non-recurring charge of approximately $11.6 million related to the write-off of existing deferred financing costs on tranche C term loan.

The pro forma statement of operations data do not reflect the effects of all anticipated cost savings and any related one-time costs to achieve those cost savings.

The Transactions

 

(b) Reflects the elimination of amortization of unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs reflected in Birds Eye’s historical defined benefit pension plan expenses as a result of the preliminary application of purchase accounting, as follows:

 

     Year ended
December 27, 2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Net pension adjustment

   $ (2,094

Less: portion applicable to administrative expenses

     733   
        

Portion applicable to costs of products sold

   $ (1,361
        

 

(c) Reflects the increase in depreciation expense due to the increase in fair value of plant assets as a result of the preliminary application of purchase accounting, as follows:

 

     Year ended
December 27, 2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Total depreciation adjustment

   $ 2,261   

Less: portion applicable to administrative expenses

     (452
        

Portion applicable to costs of product sold

   $ 1,809   
        

 

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(d) Reflects the net increase (decrease) in administrative expenses resulting from the following:

 

     Year ended
December 27, 2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Pension adjustment per note (b) above

   $ (733

Depreciation adjustment per note (c) above

     452   

Elimination of Vestar management fee(1)

     (1,100

Elimination of SERA expense(2)

     (422

Incremental Blackstone monitoring fees(3)

     2,221   
        

Net increase (decrease) in administrative expenses

   $ 418   
        

 

  (1) Represents management fee paid to Vestar for consulting and advisory services under the management agreement with Vestar which will be terminated in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition.
  (2) Represents historical expense related to Birds Eye’s Supplement Executive Retirement Agreement (“SERA”) plan which will be terminated in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition.
  (3) Represents estimated incremental monitoring fees under the new advisory agreement with an affiliate of Blackstone.

 

(e) Reflects the incremental amortization related to other intangible assets which were recorded as a result of the preliminary application of purchase accounting. Such assets are amortized over the expected useful life of 30 years using the double declining balance method.

 

(f) Reflects pro forma adjustments to interest expense using the applicable LIBOR rates as follows:

 

     Year ended
December 27, 2009
 
     (in thousands)  

Incremental term loan facility (1)

   $ 66,307   

Senior notes (2)

     27,750   

Estimated incremental revolver borrowings (3)

     580   

Commitment fees (4)

     125   
        

Total pro forma increase to cash interest expense

     94,762   

Amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs (5)

     7,857   
        

Total pro forma increase to total interest expense

     102,619   

Less: Reduction of PFF’s existing revolver commitment fees (6)

     (94

Less: Birds Eye historical expense (7)

     (47,851
        

Total pro forma adjustment to interest expense

   $ 54,674   
        

 

  (1) Reflects pro forma interest expense on the incremental $850.0 million term loan facility at an assumed minimum LIBOR rate of 2.50% plus an applicable margin of 5.00% and the amortization of the 1.4% discount at issuance. A 0.125% increase or decrease in the interest rate on the incremental term loan facility would increase or decrease our annual interest expense by $1.1 million.
  (2) Reflects pro forma interest expense at 9.25% per annum.
  (3) Reflects pro forma interest expense on average assumed incremental revolver borrowings of $18.9 million for the year ended December 27, 2009 based on our historical interests rates (based on base rate and LIBOR rates then in effect for the applicable period).
  (4) Reflects pro forma commitment fees of 0.50% on the $25.0 million incremental average available balance under the revolving credit facility.
  (5) Reflects non-cash amortization of capitalized deferred financing costs related to the Transactions over the term of the related facilities.
  (6) Reflects reduction of our historical revolver commitment fees based on average assumed incremental revolver borrowings.

 

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  (7) Reflects Birds Eye’s historical interest expense, net of amounts applicable to capital lease obligations and its non-qualified 401(k) retirement plan which are not being repaid in connection with the Transactions.

 

(g) Represents the estimated reduction of the pro forma tax provision resulting from the combination of the consolidated tax groups of PFF and Birds Eye, consideration of their related tax attributes, and the impact of the pro forma adjustments. This adjustment is preliminary and is subject to additional analysis.

The Refinancing

 

(h) Represents the pro forma adjustments to interest expense applicable to the refinancing as follows:

 

     Twelve months
December 27, 2009
    Six months
June 27, 2010
 
    

(in thousands)

 

Interest on borrowings under term loan D facility (1)

   $ 26,438      $ 13,120   

Interest related to 8 1/4% senior notes due 2017 (2)

     33,000        16,500   

Amortization of new deferred financing fees (3)

     1,463        732   

less historical interest expense on tranche C term loans including the amortization of deferred financing fees and the related discount

     (68,575     (34,772
                

Total pro forma decrease to interest expense

   $ (7,674   $ (4,420
                

 

  (1) Reflects pro forma interest expense based on $442.3 million of borrowings under the term loan D facility at an assumed minimum LIBOR rate of 1.75% plus an applicable margin of 4.25%. A 0.125% increase or decrease in the interest rate on the incremental term loan D facility would increase or decrease our annual interest expense by $0.6 million.
  (2)

Reflects pro forma interest expense on the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 of $400 million at the rate of 8.25%.

  (3) Reflects the non-cash amortization of deferred financing fees related to the Refinancing.

 

(i) Reflects the estimated incremental tax expense using an assumed pro forma rate of approximately 38.1%.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 27, 2010

 

     Historical    Adjustments
for  the
Refinancing
    Total Pro
Forma
          (in thousands)      

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 142,827    $ (28,305 )(a)    $ 114,522

Accounts receivable, net

     155,623      —          155,623

Inventories, net

     296,646      —          296,646

Other current assets

     28,603      —          28,603

Deferred tax assets

     35,657      —          35,657
                     

Total current assets

     659,356      (28,305     631,051

Plant assets, net

     421,666      —          421,666

Tradenames

     1,658,812      —          1,658,812

Other assets, net

     218,352      (1,990 )(b)      216,362

Goodwill

     1,559,180      —          1,559,180
                     

Total assets

   $ 4,517,366    $ (30,295   $ 4,487,071
                     

Current liabilities:

       

Short-term borrowings

   $ 378    $ —        $ 378

Current portion of long-term obligations

     4,336      1,488 (c)      5,824

Accounts payable

     108,169      —          108,169

Accrued trade marketing expense

     39,669      —          39,669

Accrued liabilities

     152,586      (15,442 )(a)      137,144

Accrued income taxes

     2,353      —          2,353
                     

Total current liabilities

     307,491      (13,954     293,537

Long-term debt

     2,855,496      4,437 (c)      2,859,933

Pension and other postretirement benefits

     78,454      —          78,454

Other long-term liabilities

     34,508      —          34,508

Deferred tax liabilities

     352,890      —          352,890
                     

Total liabilities

     3,628,839      (9,517     3,619,322
                     

Total shareholder’s equity

     888,527      (20,778 )(d)      867,749
                     

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 4,517,366    $ (30,295   $ 4,487,071
                     

See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet

 

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Table of Contents

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

(a) The following table sets forth the estimated sources and uses of cash in the Refinancing, assuming it had occurred on June 27, 2010 (in thousands):

 

Sources:

  

Existing cash

   $ 28,305

Senior secured term loan D facility

     442,310

8 1/4 % senior notes due 2017

     400,000
      
   $ 870,615
      

Uses:

  

Repayment of tranche C term loans

   $ 842,310

Repayment of accrued interest on tranche C term loans

     15,442

Transaction costs (1)

     12,863
      
   $ 870,615
      

 

  (1) Represents the fees and transaction related to the refinancing of which $9.6 million will be capitalized and amortized over the life of the related indebtedness and $3.2 million will be expensed.

 

(b)

Reflects the recording of estimated deferred financing costs in connection with the indebtedness which we will incur in the Refinancing consisting of the term loan D facility and the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, which will be amortized over the terms of the applicable indebtedness, less the elimination of the historical unamortized deferred financing costs, as follows (in thousands):

 

Deferred financing costs related to the Refinancing

   $ 9,642   

Write-off of exisiting deferred financing costs

     (11,632
        
   $ (1,990
        

 

(c) Adjustment to the current portion of the long-term obligations was calculated as follows (in thousands):

 

Current portion of the debt being repaid

   $ (2,935

Current portion of new debt

     4,423   
        

Net increase to current portion of debt

   $ 1,488   
        

Long-term portion of debt being repaid

   $ (839,375

Long term portion of new debt

     837,887   

Write-off of the orginal issue discount of debt being repaid

     5,925   
        

Net increase in long-term portion of debt

   $ 4,437   
        

 

(d) Adjustment to shareholders’ equity as follows (in thousands):

 

Write off of deferred financing costs of debt being repaid

   $ (11,632

Expensing of transaction costs related to the Refinancing

     (3,221

Write off of original issue discount of debt being repaid

     (5,925
        

Net adjustment to shareholders’ equity

   $ (20,778
        

 

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Table of Contents

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Set forth below is selected historical consolidated and combined financial data of PFF. PFG LLC is referred to as the “Predecessor” for the period prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction and PFF is referred to as the “Successor” subsequent to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction.

The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial and other operating data for the following periods:

 

   

for Predecessor and its subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2005 and December 31, 2006 and for the 13-week period from January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007, immediately prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction; and

 

   

for Successor and its subsidiaries as of and for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, the fiscal years ended December 28, 2008 and December 27, 2009 and for the six-month periods ended June 28, 2009 and June 27, 2010.

The selected financial data for the fiscal years ended December 25, 2005, December 31, 2006 and December 28, 2008 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements for those periods. The selected financial information for the fiscal year 2007 was derived from the audited financial statements of the Predecessor for the 13-week period ended April 2, 2007, preceding the Blackstone Transactions, and the 39-week period ended December 30, 2007, following the Blackstone Transaction. This combination represents what we believe is the most meaningful basis for comparison of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the 52 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and the fiscal years ended December 28, 2008 and December 27, 2009, although the presentation of the combined 52-week period ended December 30, 2007 is not in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these are the most meaningful bases for comparison because the customer base, products, manufacturing facilities, and types of marketing programs were the same under the Predecessor as they are under the Successor. Also, the results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 are based on a 53-week year and include the results of operations of the Armour Business from the date of acquisition on March 1, 2006.

The selected financial data of the Successor as of and for the six-month periods ended June 28, 2009 and June 27, 2010 have been derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes. These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements, and, in our opinion, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows have been included. The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full fiscal year.

The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Table of Contents
    Predecessor          Successor     Combined     Successor  
    Fiscal year
ended
December 25,
2005
    (53 weeks)
Fiscal Year
ended
December 31,
2006 (1)
    13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
         39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007 (2)
    (52 weeks)
Fiscal year
ended
December 30,
2007
    (52 weeks)
Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
    (52 weeks)
Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
    Six months
ended
June 28,
2009
    Six months
ended
June 27,
2010
 

Statement of Operations Data:

                     

Net sales

  $ 1,255,735      $ 1,442,256      $ 376,587          $ 1,137,898      $ 1,514,485      $ 1,556,408      $ 1,642,931      $ 836,230      $ 1,232,516   

Costs of products sold

    997,198        1,122,646        293,191            895,306        1,188,497        1,217,929        1,263,627        658,145        934,848   
                                                                           

Gross profit

    258,537        319,610        83,396            242,592        325,988        338,479        379,304        178,085        297,668   

Operating expenses

                     

Marketing and selling

    101,159        103,550        34,975            87,409        122,384        111,372        123,833        64,957        91,327   

Administrative expenses

    40,242        52,447        17,714            40,715        58,429        47,832        62,737        29,503        60,492   

Research and development

    3,625        4,037        1,437            2,928        4,365        3,496        4,562        2,117        4,548   

Goodwill impairment charge

    54,757        —          —              —         —         —         —          —          —     

 

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

31,836

 

  

 

 

 

 

14,186

 

  

 

 

 

 

51,042

 

  

     

 

 

 

12,028

 

  

 

 

 

 

63,070

 

  

 

 

 

 

24,363

 

  

 

 

 

 

42,214

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,394

 

  

 

 

 

 

8,809

 

  

                                                                           

Total operating expenses

 

 

 

 

231,619

 

  

 

 

 

 

174,220

 

  

 

 

 

 

105,168

 

  

     

 

 

 

143,080

 

  

 

 

 

 

248,248

 

  

 

 

 

 

187,063

 

  

 

 

 

 

233,346

 

  

 

 

 

 

104,971

 

  

 

 

 

 

165,176

 

  

                                                                           

Earnings (loss) before interest and taxes

    26,918        145,390        (21,772         99,512        77,740        151,416        145,958        73,114        132,492   

Interest expense

    71,104        86,615        39,079            124,504        163,583        153,280        121,167        58,268        108,714   

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

584

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,247

 

  

 

 

 

 

486

 

  

     

 

 

 

1,029

 

  

 

 

 

 

1,515

 

  

 

 

 

 

319

 

  

 

 

 

 

89

 

  

 

 

 

 

13

 

  

 

 

 

 

157

 

  

                                                                           

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

    (43,602     60,022        (60,365         (23,963     (84,328     (1,545     24,880        14,859        23,935   

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

(426

 

 

 

 

 

26,098

 

  

 

 

 

 

6,284

 

  

     

 

 

 

24,746

 

  

 

 

 

 

31,030

 

  

 

 

 

 

27,036

 

  

 

 

 

 

(277,723

 

 

 

 

 

14,434

 

  

 

 

 

 

5,831

 

  

                                                                           

Net earnings (loss)

  $ (43,176   $ 33,924      $ (66,649       $ (48,709   $ (115,358   $ (28,581   $ 302,603      $ 425      $ 18,104   
                                                                           

Cash Flow:

                     

Net cash provided by (used in):

                     

Operating activities

  $ 64,747      $ 161,563      $ 55,684          $ 60,139      $ 115,823      $ 16,759      $ 116,243      $ 67,395      $ 152,552   

Investing activities

    (28,775     (213,657     (5,027         (1,340,353     (1,345,380     (32,598     (1,366,776     (31,145     (37,534

Financing activities

    (37,688     63,912        (46,293         1,286,062        1,239,769        14,239        1,319,828        (32,306     (46,183
 

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):

                     

Cash

  $ 519      $ 12,337            $ 5,999        $ 4,261      $ 73,874      $ 8,327      $ 142,827   

Working capital (3)

    84,517        105,569              80,556          131,234        364,577        118,162        356,579   

Total assets

    1,636,494        1,792,081              2,667,079          2,632,200        4,538,498        2,631,839        4,517,366   

Total debt (4)

    888,648        920,963              1,770,171          1,785,352        2,888,711        1,754,027        2,860,210   
 

Other Data:

                     

Capital expenditures

  $ 30,931      $ 26,202      $ 5,027          $ 22,935      $ 27,962      $ 32,598      $ 52,030      $ 31,145      $ 37,534   

Depreciation and amortization

    39,088        42,187        10,163            45,671        55,834        62,509        65,468        32,472        38,677   

Consolidated EBITDA (unaudited) (5)

                $ 231,962      $ 472,128      $ 231,742      $ 243,378   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (6)

    NM        1.68        NM            NM        NM        NM        1.20        1.25        1.22   

 

(1) The results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 are based on a 53 week year and include the results of operations of the Armour Business from the date of acquisition on March 1, 2006.
(2) The results of the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 reflect the effect of the Blackstone Transaction.
(3) Working capital excludes notes payable, revolving debt facility and current portion of long-term debt.
(4) Total debt includes notes payable, revolving debt facility and current and long-term portions of total debt, and unamortized discount on long-term debt of $10.3 million.

For a reconciliation from our net earnings (loss) to Consolidated EBITDA for the year ended December 27, 2009 and the six-month periods ended June 28, 2009 and June 27, 2010, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt—Consolidated EBITDA.”

(5) For a reconciliation from our net earnings (loss) to Consolidated EBITDA for the year ended December 27, 2009 and the six-month periods ended June 28, 2009 and June 27, 2010, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Debt—Consolidated EBITDA.”
(6) For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of (i) interest expense, including amortization of debt acquisition costs and (ii) one-third of rent expense, which management believes to be representative of the interest factor thereon. “NM” means “not meaningful.” The Successor’s earnings for the fiscal year ending December 28, 2008 and the 39 weeks ending December 30, 2007 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $1.5 million and $24 million, respectively. The Predecessor’s earnings for the 13 weeks ending April 2, 2008 and the fiscal year ending December 25, 2005 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $60.3 million and $43.6 million, respectively.

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition covers periods prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction and periods subsequent to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction. The discussion and analysis of historical periods prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction does not reflect the significant impact that the Blackstone Transaction had on us, including significantly increased leverage and liquidity requirements, new costs, as well as cost savings initiatives (and related costs) to be implemented in connection with the Blackstone Transaction. You should read the following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition with the “Selected Historical Consolidated and Combined Financial Information” and the audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Information presented for the six months ended June 27, 2010 is based on our unaudited consolidated financial statements for that period. Information presented for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for those periods. Information presented for the fiscal year 2007 was derived from the combination of the audited 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and the audited 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007, immediately prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction. This combination represents what we believe is the most meaningful basis for comparison of the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, December 28, 2008 and the 52 weeks ended December 30, 2007, although the presentation of the 52-week period ended December 30, 2007 is not in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these are the most meaningful bases for comparison because the customer base, products, manufacturing facilities and types of marketing programs were the same under the Predecessor as they are under the Successor. Also, the results for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 include the results of operations of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. from the date of acquisition on December 23, 2009.

Where the context so requires, we use the term “Predecessor” to refer to the historical financial results and operations of PFG LLC and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction described herein and the term “Successor” to refer to the historical financial results and operations of PFF and its subsidiaries after the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction described herein.

Overview

On December 23, 2009, we acquired all of the common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”) (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”). Birds Eye’s product offering includes an expanding platform of healthy, high-quality frozen vegetables and frozen meals and a portfolio of primarily branded specialty foods which are highly-complimentary to our existing product offerings. Frozen food products are marketed under the Birds Eye brand name, which holds the #1 market share in frozen vegetables and Birds Eye Voila! holds the #2 market share in complete bagged meals. Birds Eye markets traditional boxed and bagged frozen vegetables, as well as steamed vegetables using innovative steam-in-packaging technology, under the Birds Eye and Birds Eye Steamfresh brands. Birds Eye’s complete bagged meals, marketed under the Birds Eye Voila! brand, offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package. Birds Eye’s branded specialty food products hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets, and include Comstock and Wilderness fruit pie fillings and toppings, Brooks and Nalley chili and chili ingredients, and snack foods by Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin.

We are a leading producer, marketer and distributor of high quality, branded food products. In the first quarter of 2010, we implemented a reorganization of the Company’s products into three operating segments: Birds Eye Frozen, Duncan Hines Grocery and Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and

 

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entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses. Segment performance is evaluated by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker and is based on earnings before interest and taxes. Transfers between segments and geographic areas are recorded at cost plus markup or at market. Identifiable assets are those assets, including goodwill, which are identified with the operations in each segment or geographic region. Corporate assets consist of prepaid and deferred tax assets and assets held for sale. Unallocated corporate expenses consist of corporate overhead such as executive management, and finance and legal functions and the costs to integrate the Birds Eye Foods Acquisition. Prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistent presentation of our segments.

Business Drivers and Measures

In operating our business and monitoring its performance, we pay attention to trends in the food manufacturing industry and a number of performance measures and operational factors. This discussion includes forward-looking statements that are based on our current expectations.

Industry Factors

Our industry is characterized by the following general trends:

 

   

Industry Growth. Growth in our industry is driven primarily by population and modest product selling price increases and also by changes in consumption between out of home and in home eating. Incremental growth is principally driven by product, packaging and process innovation.

 

   

Competition. The food products business is competitive. Numerous brands and products compete for shelf space and sales, with competition based primarily on product quality, convenience, price, trade promotion, consumer promotion, brand recognition and loyalty, customer service and the ability to identify and satisfy emerging consumer preferences. In order to maintain and grow our business, we must be able to react to these competitive pressures.

 

   

Consumer Tastes and Trends. Consumer trends, such as changing health trends and focus on convenience and products tailored for busy lifestyles, present both opportunities and challenges for our business. In order to maintain and grow our business, we must react to these trends by offering products that respond to evolving consumer needs. In the current economic climate, the long term trend for food consumption at home is flat and the increase that was experienced during the most severe part of the recession is now moderating. Additionally, consumers are looking for value alternatives, which have caused a shifting from traditional retail grocery to mass merchandisers and the value channel.

 

   

Customer Consolidation. In recent years, our industry had been characterized by consolidation in the retail grocery and food service industries, with mass merchandisers gaining market share. This trend could increase customer concentration within the industry.

Revenue Factors

Our net sales are driven principally by the following factors:

 

   

Shipments, which change as a function of changes in volume and in price; and

 

   

the costs that we deduct from shipments to reach net sales, which consist of:

 

   

Trade marketing expenses, which include the cost of temporary price reductions (“on sale” prices), promotional displays and advertising space in store circulars.

 

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Slotting expenses, which are the costs of having certain retailers stock a new product, including amounts retailers charge for updating their warehousing systems, allocating shelf space and in-store systems set-up, among other things.

 

   

Consumer coupon redemption expenses, which are costs from the redemption of coupons we circulate as part of our marketing efforts.

We give detailed information on these factors below under “—Results of Operations.”

Cost Factors

Our important costs include the following:

 

   

Raw materials, such as sugar, cucumbers, broccoli, corn, peas, green beans, flour (wheat), poultry, seafood, vegetable oils, shortening, meat and corn syrup, among others, are available from numerous independent suppliers but are subject to price fluctuations due to a number of factors, including changes in crop size, federal and state agricultural programs, export demand, weather conditions and insects, among others.

 

   

Packaging costs. Our broad array of products entails significant costs for packaging and is subject to fluctuations in the price of aluminum, glass jars, plastic trays, corrugated fiberboard, and plastic packaging materials.

 

   

Freight and distribution. We use a combination of common carriers and inter-modal rail to transport our products from our manufacturing facilities to distribution centers and to deliver products to retailers from both those centers and directly from our manufacturing plants. Our freight and distribution costs are influenced by fuel costs.

 

   

Advertising and other marketing expenses. We record expenses related to advertising and other consumer and trade-oriented marketing programs under “Marketing and selling expenses” in our consolidated financial statements. A key strategy is to continue to invest in marketing that builds our iconic brands.

We give detailed information on these factors below under “—Results of Operations.”

Working Capital

Our working capital is primarily driven by accounts receivable and inventories, which fluctuate throughout the year due to seasonality in both sales and production, as described below in “—Seasonality.” We will continue to focus on reducing our working capital requirements while simultaneously maintaining our customer service levels and production needs. We have historically relied on internally generated cash flows and temporary borrowings under our revolving credit facility to satisfy our working capital requirements.

Other Factors

Other factors that have influenced our results of operations and may do so in the future include:

 

   

Interest Expense. As a result of the Blackstone Transaction and Birds Eye Acquisition, we have significant indebtedness. Although we expect to reduce our leverage over time, we expect interest expense to continue to be a significant component of our expenses. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

   

Cash Taxes. We have significant tax-deductible intangible asset amortization and federal and state net operating losses, which resulted in minimal federal and state cash taxes in recent years. We expect to continue to realize significant reductions in federal and state cash taxes in the future attributable to amortization of intangible assets and realization of net operating losses.

 

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Acquisitions and Consolidations. We believe we have the expertise to identify and integrate value-enhancing acquisitions to further grow our business. In recent years we have successfully integrated acquisitions. We have, however, incurred significant costs in connection with integrating these businesses and streamlining our operations.

 

   

Impairment of Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets. We test our goodwill and intangible assets annually or more frequently (if necessary) for impairment and have recorded impairment charges in recent years. The value of goodwill and intangibles from the allocation of purchase price from the Blackstone Transaction and the Birds Eye Acquisition is derived from our business operating plans at that time and is therefore susceptible to an adverse change that could require an impairment charge. In the first quarter of 2010, we tested for impairment due to our reorganization into new segments and it resulted in no impairment charges.

We give detailed information on these factors below under “—Results of Operations.”

Seasonality

Our sales and cash flows are affected by seasonal cyclicality. Sales of frozen foods, including seafood, frozen vegetables, and complete bagged meals tend to be marginally higher during the winter months. Sales of pickles, relishes, barbecue sauces, potato chips and salad dressings tend to be higher in the spring and summer months, and demand for Duncan Hines products, Birds Eye vegetables and our fruit fillings tend to be higher around the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays. We pack the majority of our pickles during a season extending from May through September, and also increase our Duncan Hines inventories at that time, in advance of the selling season. Since many of the raw materials we processes under the Birds Eye brand are agricultural crops, production of these products is predominantly seasonal, occurring during and immediately following the purchase of such crops. As a result, our inventory levels tend to be higher during August, September, and October, and thus we require more working capital during these months. We are a seasonal net user of cash in the third quarter of the calendar year.

Recent Transactions

On December 23, 2009, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC acquired the common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. for $1.34 billion. In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, Pinnacle purchased all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. from Holdings for a purchase price of $670.0 million in cash. In accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement, Pinnacle funded approximately $670.4 million to pay off Birds Eye Foods Inc.’s remaining indebtedness and other obligations. Birds Eye Foods, Inc., along with its subsidiaries, is now a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Pinnacle.

On February 10, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp. (“Crunch Holding”), our parent company, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Peak Holdings LLC (“Peak Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Peak Acquisition Corp (“Peak Acquisition”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings, and Peak Finance LLC, providing for the acquisition of Crunch Holding. Under the terms of Agreement and Plan of Merger, the purchase price for Crunch Holding was $2,162.5 million in cash plus an amount equal to the aggregate exercise prices of vested options less the amount of indebtedness of Crunch Holding and its subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the closing and certain transaction costs, subject to purchase price adjustments based on the amount of our working capital and indebtedness as of the closing. At the closing, on April 2, 2007, Peak Acquisition merged with and into Crunch Holding, with Crunch Holding as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), and Peak Finance LLC merged with and into Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC as the surviving entity. As a result of the Merger, Crunch Holding became a wholly owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings. In connection with the Merger, we repaid the indebtedness under the Predecessor’s senior secured credit facilities, repurchased the Predecessor’s outstanding 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 pursuant to a tender offer and consent solicitation and paid related fees and expenses.

 

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On March 1, 2006, we acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the food products business (the “Armour Business”) of The Dial Corporation for $189.2 million in cash, including transaction expenses. The Armour Business is a leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of products in the $1.2 billion canned meat category. Most of the products are produced at the manufacturing facility located in Ft. Madison, Iowa, which was acquired in the transaction. Products are sold under the Armour brand name as well as private label and co-pack arrangements. The Armour Business offers products in twelve of the fifteen segments within the canned meat category, including Vienna sausage, potted meat, and sliced dried beef. The consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of the Armour Business beginning March 1, 2006.

Plant Consolidation

Omaha, Nebraska Production Facility

On April 7, 2004, PFGI made and announced its decision to permanently close our Omaha, Nebraska production facility, as part of its plan of consolidating and streamlining production activities after the Aurora Merger. Production from the Omaha plant, which manufactured Swanson frozen entree retail products and frozen foodservice products, ceased in December 2004 and has been relocated to the Fayetteville, Arkansas and Jackson, Tennessee production facilities.

Activities related to the closure of the plant were completed in the first quarter of 2005 and resulted in the elimination of 411 positions. From the announcement in April 2004 through the second quarter of 2007, PFGI recorded restructuring charges totaling $19.6 million, pertaining to its decision to permanently close the Omaha, Nebraska production facility. The charges incurred have been included in Other expense (income), net line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All such charges are reported under the Birds Eye Frozen segment. During the second quarter of 2007, the plant and remaining assets were sold for $2.2 million.

Erie, Pennsylvania Production Facility

On April 29, 2005, our board of directors approved a plan to permanently close our Erie, Pennsylvania production facility, as part of our plan of consolidating and streamlining production activities after the Aurora Merger. Production from the Erie plant, which manufactured Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s frozen seafood products and Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast products, has been relocated primarily to our Jackson, Tennessee production facility. Activities related to the closure of the plant were completed in 2006 and resulted in the elimination of approximately 290 positions. Employee termination activities commenced in July 2005 and were substantially completed by the end of the first quarter of 2006. From the date of the announcement, through the fourth quarter of 2006, we incurred charges totaling $7.3 million related to the shutdown of the Erie, Pennsylvania production facility. These charges incurred have been included in the Other expense (income), net line in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All such charges are reported under the frozen foods business segment. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the plant and any remaining equipment was sold for $1.8 million.

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

In the fourth quarter of 2006, we reassessed the long-term growth rate of sales of the products under the Aunt Jemima brand. Due to increased competition, management reduced the expected future growth rates and as a result, recorded an impairment of the tradename asset in the amount of $2.7 million. The charge is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line item on our consolidated statements of operations and is reported in the frozen foods segment.

In fiscal 2007, we experienced declines in net sales of our Open Pit branded products. Upon reassessing the long-term growth rates of the brand, we recorded an impairment of the tradename asset in the amount of $1.2 million. The charge is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery segment.

 

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In 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges for its Van de Kamp’s ($8.0 million), Mrs. Paul’s ($5.6 million), Lenders ($0.9 million) and Open Pit tradenames ($0.6 million). The charges are the result of the Company reassessing the long-term growth rates for its branded products. The charges are recorded in the Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery ($0.6 million) and Birds Eye Frozen ($14.5 million) segments.

In fiscal 2009, we experienced declines in net sales of our Swanson branded products. Upon reassessing the long-term growth rates of the brand, we recorded an impairment charge of the tradename asset in the amount of $1.3 million. The charge is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is reported in the Birds Eye Frozen segment.

Items Affecting Comparability

During fiscal 2006, our earnings (loss) before interest and taxes were negatively impacted by certain items:

 

   

We recorded charges totaling $4.1 million in connection with the closure and plant consolidation costs related to closing the Omaha, Nebraska and Erie, Pennsylvania production facilities. These costs, which were part of our plan of consolidating and streamlining production activities after the Aurora Merger, are discussed below under the heading “—Plant Consolidation.”

 

   

We recorded a charge of $4.8 million related to increase in the fair market value of inventories acquired in the Armour Business.

 

   

We recorded non-cash equity compensation of $1.4 million for certain ownership units of Crunch Equity Holdings, LLC issued to CDM Investor Group LLC, which is controlled by members of PFG LLC’s management in connection with the Armour acquisition.

 

   

We recorded non-cash equity compensation of $1.9 million related to stock options granted to employees of PFG LLC and accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004),” which was adopted at the start of fiscal 2006.

 

   

Due to increased competition in the frozen breakfast category, management evaluated the expected future growth rates of the Aunt Jemima branded sales and as a result, recorded a non-cash impairment of the tradename asset in the amount of $2.7 million.

During fiscal 2007, our earnings (loss) before interest and taxes were impacted by certain items. These items included:

 

   

On April 2, 2007, immediately prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction, we incurred $49.1 million of merger-related costs relating to the Blackstone Transaction, which are recorded in the Other expense (income), net line of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The costs included $35.5 million related to the cash tender offer for the Predecessor’s 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes, $12.9 million related to the termination of certain of the Predecessor’s contracts, and $0.7 million related to payroll taxes.

 

   

Also on April 2, 2007, immediately prior to the consummation of the Blackstone Transaction, all of the Predecessor’s outstanding stock options vested, and we exercised our option to purchase at fair value all of the shares of common stock to be acquired by exercise of options held by employees pursuant to our Stock Option Plan. As a result, we incurred a charge of $8.4 million for stock compensation expense.

 

   

In fiscal 2007, we recorded a charge of $40.2 million related to the flow through of the increase in the fair market value of inventories acquired in the Blackstone Transaction.

 

   

In December 2007, we recorded a reduction to cost of products sold of $9.0 million related to the renegotiation of the Ft. Madison labor contract. Post retirement medical benefits (“OPEB”) are no longer granted as part of the contract; thus we no longer had this post-retirement liability.

 

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In December 2007, the Company repurchased a total of $51.0 million of our senior subordinated notes at a discount price of $44.2 million. The gain was $5.7 million and is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

   

In December 2007, we recorded an impairment charge on our Open Pit tradename. The charge was the result of declines in sales of the Open Pit branded products.

During fiscal 2008, our earnings (loss) before interest and taxes were impacted by certain items. These items included:

 

   

In April of 2008, the Company settled a lawsuit with R2 Top Hat, Ltd., relating to its claim against Aurora Foods Inc., which merged with the Company in March 2004. Under the settlement, the Company paid R2 Top Hat, Ltd. $10 million in full payment of the excess leverage fees related to the Aurora prepetition bank facility, all related interest and all other out-of-pocket costs. After this settlement, there are no remaining contingencies related to the excess leverage fees under the Aurora prepetition bank facility. Accordingly, the remaining $10.0 million accrued liability assumed in the merger with Aurora and recorded at fair value of $20.1 million in the purchase price allocation for the Blackstone Transaction was reduced to $0 and the related credit, net of related expenses, was recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

   

In December 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges for its Van de Kamp’s ($8.0 million), Mrs. Paul’s ($5.6 million), Lenders ($0.9 million) and Open Pit tradenames ($0.6 million). The charges are the result of the Company reassessing the long-term growth rates for its branded products and are recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During fiscal 2009, our earnings (loss) before interest and taxes were impacted by certain items. These items included:

 

   

In July of 2009, Jeffrey P. Ansell left his position as Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company to pursue other interests, effective July 10, 2009. As a result of the change, we recorded a provision for severance in the amount of $2.4 million in Administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

   

In December 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.3 million for its Swanson tradename. The charge is the result of the Company’s reassessment of the long-term growth rates for its branded products and is recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

   

In December 2009, in connection with the Birds Eye Foods Acquisition, the Company incurred merger related cost of $24.1 million. These costs include $19.3 million in merger, acquisition and advisory fees, $4.0 million in legal, accounting and other professional fees and $0.8 million in other costs. The costs are recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In addition, during fiscal 2009, our net earnings were impacted by:

 

   

We recorded a $315.6 million benefit to income taxes related to the reversal of the valuation allowance, as we concluded that it is more likely than not that certain of our US deferred tax assets will be recognized in future years. Prior to the realization of these deferred tax assets we maintained a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets excluding indefinite lived intangible assets.

During the six months ended June 27, 2010, our earnings (loss) before interest and taxes were negatively impacted by certain items. These items included:

 

   

In accordance with the requirements of the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, inventories obtained in the Birds Eye Acquisition were required to be valued at fair value (net realizable value, which is defined as estimated selling prices less the sum of (a) costs of disposal and (b) a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort of the acquiring entity), which was $37.6 million higher than

 

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historical manufacturing cost. Cost of products sold for the six months ended June 27, 2010, includes pre-tax charges of $27.0 million related to the finished products at December 23, 2009, which were subsequently sold.

 

   

We recorded charges of $10.5 million related to severance costs for terminated Birds Eye employees.

In addition, during the six months ended June 27, 2010, our net earnings were impacted by:

 

   

We recorded an out of period adjustment to correct an error in the tax effects of Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 27, 2009. During the six months ended June, 27, 2010, this adjustment reduced the provision for income taxes by $3,700. Accordingly, Accumulated other comprehensive loss was increased by the related effect of this adjustment during six months ended June 27, 2010.

Restructuring Charges

Rochester, NY Office

The Rochester, NY office is the former headquarters of Birds Eye Foods, Inc, which we acquired on December 23, 2009, as described in Note 3. In connection with the consolidation of activities into Pinnacle’s New Jersey offices, the Rochester office will be closed. Notification letters under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988 were issued in the first quarter of 2010. Activities related to the closure of the Rochester office began in the 2nd quarter of 2010, and will result in the elimination of approximately 200 positions.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance with respect to accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, the full cost of termination benefits of $7,587 related to employees who will not be retained beyond the minimum retention period were recorded in the first quarter and the full cost of termination benefits of $4,526 related to employees who will be retained beyond the minimum retention period will be recorded in the future service periods. Of the $4,526, $1,146 was recorded in the first quarter, $1,756 was recorded in the second quarter, $1,298 is expected to be recorded in the 3rd quarter and $326 is expected to be recorded in the 4th quarter.

The total cost of termination benefits recorded in the first quarter of 2010 was $8,733 and was recorded in the segments as follows: Birds Eye Frozen segment $6,172, Duncan Hines Grocery segment $1,591 and Specialty Foods segment $970. The total cost of termination benefits recorded in the second quarter of 2010 was $1,756 and was recorded in the segments as follows: Birds Eye Frozen segment $1,241, Duncan Hines Grocery segment $319 and Specialty Foods segment $196. The total cost of termination benefits for the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $10,489 and was recorded in the segments as follows: Birds Eye Frozen segment $7,413, Duncan Hines Grocery segment $1,910 and Specialty Foods segment $1,166.

Results of Operations

The discussion below for each of the comparative periods is based upon net sales. We determine net sales in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or “GAAP”. We calculate our net sales by deducting trade marketing, slotting and consumer coupon redemption expenses from shipments. “Shipments” means gross sales less cash discounts, returns and “non-marketing” allowances. We calculate gross sales by multiplying the published list price of each product by the number of units of that product sold.

The discussion below for the 52 weeks ended December 30, 2007 is based on the combination of the Predecessor’s consolidated financial results for the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007 and the Successor’s consolidated financial results for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007. This combination represents what we

 

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believe is the most meaningful basis for comparison of fiscal 2008 with the corresponding period of fiscal 2007, although the combination is not in accordance with GAAP. We believe that this is the most meaningful basis for comparison because the customer base, products, manufacturing facilities and types of marketing programs were the same under the Predecessor as they are under Successor.

Shipments is a non-GAAP financial measure. We include it in our management’s discussion and analysis because we believe that it is a relevant financial performance indicator for our company as it measures the increase or decrease in our revenues caused by shipping more or less physical case volume multiplied by our published list prices. It is also a measure used by our management to evaluate our revenue performance. This measure is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. Using only this non-GAAP financial measure to analyze our performance would have material limitations because the calculation is based on the subjective determination of management regarding the nature and classification of events and circumstances that investors may find significant. Management compensates for these limitations by presenting both the GAAP and non-GAAP measures of these results.

The following table reconciles shipments to net sales for the total company, the Birds Eye Frozen, the Duncan Hines Grocery and the Specialty Foods segments for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009, for fiscal 2009.

The results of the acquired Birds Eye business are included beginning on the date of acquisition, December 23, 2009.

For the six months ended,

 

     Birds Eye Frozen Segment
     June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Shipments

   $ 753.1    $ 349.5

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     193.4      101.8

Less: Slotting expense

     4.7      3.3
             

Net sales

   $ 555.0    $ 244.4
             
     Duncan Hines Grocery Segment
     June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Shipments

   $ 627.9    $ 573.2

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     153.7      141.8

Less: Slotting expense

     3.6      5.2
             

Net sales

   $ 470.6    $ 426.2
             
     Specialty Foods Segment
     June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Shipments

   $ 225.7    $ 178.6

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     18.5      13.0

Less: Slotting expense

     0.3      —  
             

Net sales

   $ 206.9    $ 165.6

 

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     Total
     June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Shipments

   $ 1,606.7    $ 1,101.3

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     365.6      256.6

Less: Slotting expense

     8.6      8.5
             

Net sales

   $ 1,232.5    $ 836.2

 

Consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009

The following tables set forth statement of operations data expressed in dollars and as a percentage of net sales. In accordance with GAAP, the results for fiscal 2009 only include the results of operations of the Birds Eye business from the date of the acquisition, December 23, 2009, through December 27, 2009, the end of the fiscal year.

 

     Six months ended  
     June 27,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 

Net sales

   $ 1,232.5    100.0   $ 836.2    100.0

Cost of products sold

     934.8    75.8     658.1    78.7
                          

Gross profit

     297.7    24.2     178.1    21.3

Operating expenses:

          

Marketing and selling expenses

     91.3    7.4     65.0    7.8

Administrative expenses

     60.5    4.9     29.5    3.5

Research and development expenses

     4.6    0.4     2.1    0.3

Other expense (income), net

     8.8    0.7     8.4    1.0
                          

Total operating expenses

   $ 165.2    13.4   $ 105.0    12.6
                          

Earnings before interest and taxes

   $ 132.5    10.8   $ 73.1    8.7

 

     Six months ended  
     June 27,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 

Net sales

    

Birds Eye Frozen Segment

   $ 555.0      $ 244.4   

Duncan Hines Grocery Segment

     470.6        426.2   

Specialty Foods Segment

     206.9        165.6   
                

Total

   $ 1,232.5      $ 836.2   
                

Earnings (loss) before interest and taxes

    

Birds Eye Frozen Segment

   $ 65.0      $ 16.7   

Duncan Hines Grocery Segment

     72.1        64.3   

Specialty Foods Segment

     12.9        1.7   

Unallocated corporate expenses

     (17.5     (9.6
                

Total

   $ 132.5      $ 73.1   
                

Depreciation and amortization

    

Birds Eye Frozen Segment

   $ 17.2      $ 12.0   

Duncan Hines Grocery Segment

     11.7        10.9   

Specialty Foods Segment

     9.7        9.6   
                

Total

   $ 38.6      $ 32.5   
                

 

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Six months ended June 27, 2010 compared to six months ended June 28, 2009

Net sales. Shipments in the six months ended June 27, 2010 were $1,606.7 million, an increase of $505.4 million, compared to shipments in the six months ended June 28, 2009 of $1,101.3 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $565.7 million of increased shipments, led by Birds Eye Steamfresh and core frozen vegetables and Birds Eye Voila! complete bagged meals, when compared to the same six month period a year ago (before the acquisition of Birds Eye) Birds Eye vegetable sales are growing, Birds Eye Voila! is experiencing growth and we have successfully managed the discontinuance of the Birds Eye Steamfresh frozen meals business. All other businesses decreased $60.3 million. Net sales in the six months ended June 27, 2010 were $1,232.5 million, an increase of $396.3 million, compared to net sales in the six months ended June 28, 2009 of $836.2 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $440.2 million of increased net sales. Net sales for all other businesses decreased $43.9 million as a result of a decrease in shipments of $60.3 million, partially offset by a $16.4 million decrease in aggregate trade and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses.

Birds Eye Frozen Division: Shipments in the six months ended June 27, 2010 were $753.1 million, an increase of $403.6 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $425.7 million of increased shipments. All other businesses decreased $22.1 million. The decrease was mainly driven by a decrease in sales in our Swanson dinner and Celeste frozen pizza brands, partially offset by increased sales in our Aunt Jemima brand. For the remaining businesses, aggregate trade and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses decreased $13.7 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010. As a result, the remaining businesses net sales decreased $8.4 million, or 3.4%, for the six months ended June 27, 2010.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division: Shipments in the six months ended June 27, 2010 were $627.9 million, an increase of $54.7 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $61.9 million of increased shipments. All other businesses decreased $7.2 million, due to decreased sales of our Duncan Hines and Mrs. Butterworth’s brands, however, Vlasic pickles posted a sales increase and our Canadian business sales increased driven by a stronger Canadian dollar. For the remaining businesses, aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses decreased $2.0 million. As a result, the remaining businesses net sales decreased $5.2 million, or 1.2%, for the six months ended June 27, 2010.

Specialty Foods Division: Shipments in the six months ended June 27, 2010 were $225.7 million, an increase of $47.1 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $77.9 million of increased shipments. All other businesses decreased $30.8 million, principally in our private label businesses, resulting from the execution of our stated strategy of de-emphasizing lower margin foodservice and private label products. For the remaining businesses, aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses decreased $0.5 million. As a result, the remaining businesses net sales decreased $30.3 million, or 18.3%, for the six months ended June 27, 2010.

Gross profit. Gross profit was $297.7 million, or 24.2% of net sales in the six months ended June 27, 2010, versus gross profit of $178.1 million, or 21.3% of net sales in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $104.1 million of gross profit. Included in the gross profit of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. was a $27.0 million charge related to the sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of the acquisition. For the remaining businesses, gross profit for the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $193.6 million, or 24.4% of net sales, a 3.1% percentage point increase versus the remaining businesses gross profit for the six months ended June 28, 2009 of $178.1 million, or 21.3% of net sales. The principal driver of the increased gross profit as a percent of net sales was lower raw material commodity costs, and to a lesser extent, a lower cost mix, which together increased gross margin by 2.8 percentage points. Also contributing to the increase were lower freight and distribution expenses and lower aggregate trade marketing and customer coupon redemption expenses, which each increased gross margin by 0.1 percentage points.

Marketing and selling expenses. Marketing and selling expenses were $91.3 million, or 7.4% of net sales, in the six months June 27, 2010 compared to $65.0 million, or 7.8% of net sales, in the six months ended

 

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June 28, 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $30.4 million of the increase for the six months ended June 27, 2010. The remaining change, a decrease of $4.1 million, was driven by lower sales commissions, advertising costs and other promotional costs.

Administrative expenses. Administrative expenses were $60.5 million, or 4.9% of net sales, in the six months ended June 27, 2010 compared to $29.5 million, or 3.5% of net sales, in the six months ended June 28, 2009, an increase of $31.0 million. The acquisition and integration of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $24.7 million of the increase for the six months ended June 27, 2010, and included charges of $10.5 million for the termination benefits related to the announced closure of the Rochester, N.Y. office and $4.6 million of transaction and integration related expenses. Excluding these charges and expenses, administrative expenses were 3.6% of net sales in the six months ended June 27, 2009.

Research and development expenses. Research and development expenses were $4.6 million, or 0.4% of net sales, in the six months ended June 27, 2010 compared with $2.1 million, or 0.3% of net sales, in the six months ended June 28 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $2.0 million of the increase for the six months ended June 27, 2010.

Other expense (income), net. The following table shows other expense (income), net:

 

     Six months ended
      June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Amortization of intangibles/other assets

   $ 8,585    $ 8,394

Birds Eye Acquisition transaction costs

     224      —  
             

Total other expense (income), net

   $ 8,809    $ 8,394
             

Amortization was $8.6 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010 as compared to $8.4 million in the six months ended June 28, 2009, including $2.0 million of amortization expense related to Birds Eye Foods, Inc. for the six months ended June 27, 2010.

Earnings before interest and taxes. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased $59.4 million to $132.5 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010 from $73.1 million in EBIT in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $44.9 million of EBIT for the six months ended June 27, 2010. The remaining increase in EBIT resulted from a $10.3 million increase in the Birds Eye Frozen Division, a $3.0 million increase in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division, a $5.6 million increase in the Specialty Foods Division, partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in unallocated corporate expenses. Included in the unallocated corporate expenses for the six months ended June 27, 2010 are integration and transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. of $4.6 million. Synergies realized, defined as reductions of operating costs resulting from the combination of Pinnacle and Birds Eye, increased EBIT by $4.4 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010.

Birds Eye Frozen Division: EBIT increased by $48.3 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010, to $65.0 million from $16.7 million in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $38.0 million of EBIT for the six months ended June 27, 2010. The remaining increase of $10.3 million was principally driven by lower raw material commodity costs. In addition, advertising expense was $2.9 million lower, principally driven by our Swanson and Aunt Jemima brands. These increases to EBIT were partially offset by a $8.4 million decrease in net sales, principally driven by our Swanson dinners and Celeste frozen pizza brands.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division: EBIT increased by $7.8 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010, to $72.1 million from $64.3 million in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $4.7 million of EBIT for the six months ended June 27, 2010. The remaining increase of $3.1 million

 

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was principally driven by lower raw material commodity costs and to a lesser extent reduced freight and distribution expenses. These increases to EBIT were partially offset by a $5.2 million decrease in net sales, principally driven by our Duncan Hines baking and Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup brands.

Specialty Foods Division: EBIT increased by $11.2 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010, to $12.9 million from $1.7 million in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $5.5 million of EBIT for the six months ended June 27, 2010. The remaining increase of $5.7 million was principally driven by lower raw material commodity costs, a lower cost mix, and to a lesser extent reduced freight and distribution expenses. These increases to EBIT were partially offset by a $30.4 million decrease in net sales, resulting from the execution of our stated strategy of de-emphasizing lower margin foodservice and private label products.

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net was $108.6 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010, compared to $58.3 million in the six months ended June 28, 2009, principally related to borrowings to fund the Birds Eye Foods, Inc. acquisition as detailed below.

Included in interest expense, net, was $1.8 million and $2.4 million for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009 respectively, for the amortization of the cumulative mark-to-market adjustment for an interest rate swap that was de-designated for swap accounting in the fourth quarter of 2008 and subsequently terminated. The counterparty to the interest rate swap was Lehman Brothers Special Financing (“LBSF”), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers, and the hedge was de-designed for swap accounting at the time of LBSF’s bankruptcy filing. At that time of de-designation, the cumulative mark to market adjustment was $11.5 million. As of June 27, 2010, the remaining unamortized balance is $4.0 million.

Excluding the impact of the item in the previous paragraph, the increase in interest expense, net, was $50.9 million, of which $32.6 million was attributable to higher bank debt interest principally related to the new Tranche C Term Loan borrowings to partially fund the Birds Eye Acquisition, somewhat offset by lower debt levels on the existing term loans and lower average revolver borrowings, $13.9 million of higher bond debt levels which also partially funded the Birds Eye Foods, Inc. acquisition, $4.2 million of higher amortization of debt issue costs, and $0.2 million of other items. Included in the interest expense, net, amount was $8.6 million and $6.9 million for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009 respectively, recorded from losses on interest rate swap agreements, a net change of $1.7 million. We utilize interest rate swap agreements to reduce the potential exposure to interest rate movements and to achieve a desired proportion of variable versus fixed rate debt. Any gains or losses realized on the interest rate swap agreements, excluding the Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) portion, are recorded as an adjustment to interest expense.

Provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate was 24.4% in the six months ended June 27, 2010, compared to 97.1% in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The effective rate difference was due to the change in assessment of the realization of deferred tax assets as well as an out of period adjustment of $3.7 million to correct an error in the tax effects of Accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the six months ended June 27, 2010 we maintained a valuation allowance for certain state net operating loss carryovers, state tax credit carryovers, and foreign loss carryovers. For the six months ended June 28, 2009 we maintained a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets excluding indefinite lived intangible assets. See Note 15 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, we are a loss corporation. Section 382 of the Code places limitations on our ability to use certain net operating loss carry-forwards to offset our income. The annual net operating loss limitation is approximately $14 to $18 million subject to other rules and restrictions. Our net operating loss carryovers and certain other tax attributes may not be utilized to offset certain Birds Eye income from recognized built in gains pursuant to Section 384 of the Code.

 

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The following table reconciles shipments to net sales for the total company, the Birds Eye Frozen, the Duncan Hines Grocery and the Specialty Foods segments for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and combined fiscal 2007.

For the fiscal year ended,

 

     Birds Eye Frozen Segment
     December 27, 2009    December 28, 2008    December 30, 2007
(Combined)

Shipments

   $ 662.0    $ 635.8    $ 651.4

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     185.5      171.6      177.0

Less: Slotting expense

     3.2      6.7      10.0
                    

Net sales

   $ 473.3    $ 457.5    $ 464.4
                    

 

     Duncan Hines Grocery Segment
     December 27, 2009    December 28, 2008    December 30, 2007
(Combined)

Shipments

   $ 1,152.1    $ 1,077.3    $ 1,070.3

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     290.1      269.4      285.7

Less: Slotting expense

     7.2      3.9      6.2
                    

Net sales

   $ 854.8    $ 804.0    $ 778.4
                    

 

     Specialty Foods Segment
     December 27, 2009    December 28, 2008    December 30, 2007
(Combined)

Shipments

   $ 342.8    $ 317.4    $ 292.7

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     27.9      22.5      21.0

Less: Slotting expense

     —        —        —  
                    

Net sales

   $ 314.9    $ 294.9    $ 271..7

 

     Total
     December 27, 2009    December 28, 2008    December 30, 2007
(Combined)

Shipments

   $ 2,156.9    $ 2,030.5    $ 2,014.4

Less: Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses

     503.5      463.5      483.7

Less: Slotting expense

     10.4      10.6      16.2
                    

Net sales

   $ 1,643.0    $ 1,556.4    $ 1,514.5

 

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Consolidated statements of operations for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and combined fiscal 2007

Consolidated statements of operations tables set forth statement of operations data expressed in dollars and as a percentage of net sales. In accordance with GAAP, the results for fiscal 2009 only include the results of operations of the Birds Eye business from the date of the acquisition, December 23, 2009, through December 27, 2009, the end of the fiscal year.

 

     Fiscal 2009     Fiscal 2008     Combined Fiscal
2007
 

Net sales

   $ 1,643.0    100.0   $ 1,556.4    100.0   $ 1,514.5    100.0

Cost of products sold

     1,263.7    76.9     1,217.9    78.3     1,188.5    78.5
                                       

Gross profit

     379.3    23.1     338.5    21.7     326.0    21.5

Operating expenses:

               

Marketing and selling expenses

     123.8    7.5     111.4    7.2     122.4    8.1

Administrative expenses

     62.7    3.8     47.8    3.1     58.4    3.9

Research and development expenses

     4.6    0.3     3.5    0.2     4.4    0.3

Other expense (income), net

     42.2    2.6     24.4    1.6     63.1    4.2
                                       

Total operating expenses

   $ 233.3    14.2   $ 187.1    12.0   $ 248.3    16.4
                                       

Earnings before interest and taxes

   $ 146.0    8.9   $ 151.4    9.7   $ 77.7    5.1

Fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 (52 weeks) compared to fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 (52 weeks)

Net sales. Shipments in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 were $2,156.9 million, an increase of $126.4 million, compared to shipments in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 of $2,030.5 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $3.6 million of increased shipments, which covered the five day period December 23, 2009 to December 27, 2009. All other businesses increased $122.8 million, which includes a 4.1% weighted average selling price increase. Net sales in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 were $1,643.0 million, an increase of $86.6 million, compared to net sales in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 of $1,556.4 million. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $3.0 million of increased net sales. Net sales for all other businesses increased $83.6 million, the result of an increase in shipments of $122.8 million and a $39.2 million increase in aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses. The 4.1% weighted average selling price increase combined with the higher rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses results in an effective 3.4% weighted average net selling price increase. The stronger U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar reduced net sales by 0.3%.

Birds Eye Frozen Division: Shipments in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 were $662.0 million, an increase of $26.2 million. The $26.2 million increase in shipments is inclusive of a 2.9% weighted average selling price increase. The change was mainly driven by an increase in sales in our seafood business. Aggregate trade and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses increased $10.4 million in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009. As a result, net sales increased $15.8 million, or 3.5% for the year ended December 27, 2009. The 2.9% weighted average selling price increase combined with the higher rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses resulted in an effective 2.2% weighted average net selling price increase.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division: Shipments in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 were $1,152.1 million, an increase of $74.8 million. The increase was due to increases in sales by our Duncan Hines and Vlasic businesses. The $74.8 million increase in shipments includes a 4.1% weighted average selling price increase. Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses increased $24.0 million. As a result, net sales increased $50.8 million, or 6.3%, for the twelve months ended December 27, 2009. The 4.1% weighted average selling price increase combined with the higher rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses resulted in an effective 3.5% weighted average net selling price increase.

 

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Specialty Foods Group Division: Shipments in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 were $342.8 million, an increase of $25.4 million. The increase was due to increases in sales of private label canned meat and pickles and frozen foodservice products. The $25.4 million increase in shipments includes a 6.7% weighted average selling price increase. Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses increased $5.4 million. As a result, net sales increased $20.0 million, or 6.8%, for the twelve months ended December 27, 2009. The 6.7% weighted average selling price increase combined with the higher rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses resulted in an effective 5.5% weighted average net selling price increase.

Gross profit. Gross profit was $379.3 million, or 23.1% of net sales in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009, versus gross profit of $338.5 million, or 21.7% of net sales in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The post acquisition operations of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. resulted in $0.5 million of gross profit. Included in the gross profit of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. was a $0.5 million charge related to the sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of the acquisition. For the remaining businesses, gross profit for the twelve months ending December 27, 2009 was $378.8 million, or 23.1% of net sales, a 1.4% percentage point increase versus the remaining businesses gross profit for the twelve months ending December 28, 2008 of $338.5 million, or 21.7% of net sales. The principal driver of the increased gross profit as a percent of net sales rate was reduced freight and distribution expenses accounting for a 1.5 percentage point improvement. In addition, selling price increases in excess of raw material commodity cost (principally wheat, corn, edible oils, and to a lesser extent, dairy) and conversion cost increases, improved gross margin by 0.4 percentage points. Partially offsetting these improvements was the impact of the higher rate of aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses which reduced the gross profit percentage in 2009 by 0.5 percentage points.

Marketing and selling expenses. Marketing and selling expenses were $123.8 million, or 7.5% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 compared to $111.4 million, or 7.2% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $0.3 million of the increase for the year ended December 27, 2009. The remaining change was due to higher advertising expense of $5.3 million, primarily in our seafood and Duncan Hines businesses, higher management incentive and equity related compensation accruals, and increased market research expense.

Administrative expenses. Administrative expenses were $62.7 million, or 3.8% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 compared to $47.8 million, or 3.1% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. contributed $0.5 million of the increase for the year ended December 27, 2009. The balance of the increase was principally related to higher management incentive and equity related compensation accruals, higher severance and recruiting provisions, principally related to the change in the CEO, and spending on additional capabilities, both in terms of headcount and outside services.

Research and development expenses. Research and development expenses were $4.6 million, or 0.3% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 compared with $3.5 million, or 0.2% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008.

Other expense (income), net. The following table shows other expense (income), net:

 

     Twelve months ended  
     December 27,
2009
   December 28,
2008
 

Other expense (income), net consists of:

     

Amortization of intangibles/other assets

   $ 16,842    $ 19,245   

Restructuring and impairment charges

     1,300      15,100   

Birds Eye Acquisition transaction costs

     24,090      —     

Gain on litigation settlement

     —        (9,988

Royalty expense (income), net

     —        6   
               

Total other expense (income), net

   $ 42,214    $ 24,363   

 

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For the year ended December 27, 2009, transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. totaled $24.1 million, consisting of $19.3 million in merger, acquisition and advisory fees, $4.0 million in legal, accounting and other professional fees and $0.8 million in other costs. For the year ended December 27, 2009, impairment charges totaled $1.3 million, related to a trade name impairment charge on our Swanson brand. For the year ended December 28, 2008, trade name impairment charges totaled $15.1 million, consisting of $8.0 million on our Van de Kamp brand, $5.6 million on our Mrs. Paul’s brand, $0.9 million on our Lenders brand, and $0.6 million on our Open Pit brand. Amortization was $16.8 million in the year ended December 27, 2009 as compared to $19.2 million in the year ended December 28, 2008. In the year ended December 28, 2008, we recorded the impact of the final settlement of litigation related to excess leverage fees incurred by Aurora under its credit agreement prior to its acquisition by us in 2004, resulting in a reduction of the accrued liability and a gain on litigation settlement of $10.0 million.

Earnings before interest and taxes. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) decreased $5.4 million to $146.0 million in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 from $151.4 million in EBIT in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. This decrease in EBIT resulted from a $42.2 million increase in unallocated corporate expenses partially offset by a $17.8 million increase in Birds Eye Frozen Segment EBIT, a $10.3 million increase in Duncan Hines Grocery Segment EBIT and an $8.7 increase in Specialty Foods Segment EBIT. Unallocated corporate expenses increased due to the transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. of $24.1 million in fiscal 2009, the $10.0 million gain on litigation settlement in fiscal 2008 as described in other expense (income) above, and in 2009, higher management incentive and equity related compensation accruals, and higher severance and recruiting provisions, principally related to the change in the CEO.

Birds Eye Frozen Division: EBIT increased by $17.8 million in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009, to $38.7 million from $20.9 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. For the year ended December 27, 2009, impairment charges totaled $1.3 million, related to a trade name impairment charge on our Swanson brand. For the year ended December 28, 2008, trade name impairment charges totaled $14.5 million, consisting of $8.0 million on our Van de Kamp brand, $5.6 million on our Mrs. Paul’s brand, and $0.9 million on our Lenders brand. The balance of the EBIT increased $4.6 million and was principally driven by a 3.5% increase in net sales, which includes an effective 2.2% weighted average net selling price increase on some of our brands, and reduced freight and distribution expenses, partially offset by increased overhead expense related to higher management incentive and equity related compensation accruals and higher advertising expense

Duncan Hines Grocery Division: EBIT increased $10.3 million in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009, to $145.9 million from $135.6 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The year ended December 28, 2008 included a tradename impairment charge of $0.6 million related to our Open Pit brand. The balance of the EBIT increased $9.7 million and was principally driven a 6.3% increase in net sales, which includes an effective 3.5% weighted average net selling price increase on some of our products. Additionally, reduced freight and distribution expenses and lower consumer promotion expense contributed to the EBIT increase. These improvements were partially offset by higher overhead expense, principally related to higher management incentive and equity related compensation accruals.

Specialty Foods Division: EBIT was $6.7 million in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009, an increase of $8.7 million from the loss of ($2.0) million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The improved profitability was the result of management’s strategy to increase net selling prices which increased by 5.4% and eliminating low margin SKUs. Profitability was also impacted by lower input costs.

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net was $121.1 million in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009, compared to $153.0 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008.

Included in interest expense, net, was $4.4 million and $1.3 million for the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 and the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 respectively, for the amortization of the cumulative mark to market adjustment for an interest rate swap that was de-designated for swap accounting in

 

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the fourth quarter of 2008 and subsequently terminated. The counterparty to the interest rate swap was Lehman Brothers Special Financing (LBSF), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers, and the hedge was de-designated for swap accounting at the time of LBSF’s bankruptcy filing. At the time of de-designation, the cumulative mark to market adjustment was $11.5 million. As of December 27, 2009, the remaining unamortized balance is $5.9 million. In addition, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 interest expense includes a mark to market adjustment of $5.5 million for the period from the de-designation date of October 3, 2008 to the date we terminated the interest rate hedges on October 24, 2008.

Excluding the impact of the items in the previous paragraph, the decrease in interest expense, net, was $29.5 million, of which $34.2 million was attributable to lower interest rates on our bank borrowings, and $0.1 million of the decline was attributed to lower average bank debt levels, partially offset by $5.5 million of amortization of the bridge financing costs related to the Birds Eye Acquisition, $0.3 million of higher bond debt levels, $0.2 million in lower interest income, and $0.8 million of other items.

Also, included in the interest expense, net, amount was $14.2 million and $16.2 million for the twelve months ended December 27, 2009 and the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 respectively, recorded from losses on interest rate swap agreements, a net change of $2.0 million. We utilize interest rate swap agreements to reduce the potential exposure to interest rate movements and to achieve a desired proportion of variable versus fixed rate debt. Any gains or losses realized on the interest rate swap agreements are recorded as an adjustment to interest expense.

Provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate was (1,116.3%) in the twelve months ended December 27, 2009, compared to (1,749.9%) in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The effective rate difference is primarily due to the change in the valuation allowance for the twelve-month period. We recorded a benefit of $315.6 million related to the reversal of the valuation allowance as we concluded that it is more likely than not that certain of our US deferred tax assets will be recognized in future years. Prior to the realization of these deferred tax assets the Company maintained a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets excluding indefinite lived intangible assets. Deferred tax liabilities were recognized for the differences between the book and tax bases of certain goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, the Company is a loss corporation. Section 382 of the Code places limitations on our ability to use Aurora’s net operating loss carry-forward to offset our income. The annual net operating loss limitation is approximately $14 to 18 million subject to other rules and restrictions. Our net operating loss carryovers and certain other tax attributes may not be utilized to offset Birds Eye income from recognized built in gains pursuant to Section 384 of the Code. See Note 13 of our audited consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 (52 weeks) compared to fiscal year ended December 30, 2007 (52 weeks)

Net sales. Shipments in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 were $2,030.5 million, an increase of $16.1 million, compared to shipments in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 of $2,014.4 million. The $16.1 million increase in shipments includes a 3.5% weighted average selling price increase. Net sales in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 were $1,556.4 million, an increase of $41.9 million, compared to net sales in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 of $1,514.5 million. The increase in net sales was the result of an increase in shipments of $16.1 million and a $25.8 million decrease in aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses. The 3.5% weighted average selling price increase combined with the lower rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses results in an effective 5.5% weighted average net selling price increase.

Birds Eye Frozen Division: Shipments in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 were $635.8 million, a decrease of $15.6 million. The $15.6 million decrease in shipments is net of a 2.8% weighted average selling price increase. The change was mainly driven by declines in sales by our seafood and Hungry-Man businesses.

 

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Aggregate trade and consumer coupon redemption expenses decreased $8.7 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. As a result, net sales decreased $6.9 million, again principally resulting from the seafood and Hungry-Man businesses. The 2.8% weighted average selling price increase combined with the lower rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses resulted in an effective 3.7% weighted average net selling price increase.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division: Shipments in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 were $1,077.3 million, an increase of $7.0 million. The $7.0 million increase in shipments includes a 3.0% weighted average selling price increase. The increase was due to increases in sales by our Armour, and syrups businesses. Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses decreased $18.6 million. As a result, net sales increased $25.6 million, or 3.3%, for the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The 3.0% weighted average selling price increase combined with the lower rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses resulted in an effective 5.6% weighted average net selling price increase.

Specialty Foods Division: Shipments in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 were $317.4 million, an increase of $24.7 million. The $24.7 million increase in shipments includes a 7.2% weighted average selling price increase. The increase was due to increases in sales of private label pickles and canned meat and frozen foodservice products. Aggregate trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses increased $1.5 million. As a result, net sales increased $23.2 million, or 8.5%, for the twelve months ended December 28, 2008. The 7.2% weighted average selling price increase combined with the lower rate of trade marketing and consumer coupon redemption expenses and slotting expenses resulted in an effective 7.3% weighted average net selling price increase.

Gross profit. Gross profit was $338.5 million, or 21.7% of net sales in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, versus gross profit of $326.0 million, or 21.5% of net sales in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. Included in the gross profit for the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 was a charge of $40.2 million related to post-acquisition sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of the Blackstone Transaction and $1.2 million of stock compensation expense also related to the Blackstone Transaction. The gross profit for the twelve months ending December 28, 2008 was $338.5 million, or 21.7% of net sales, a 2.5% percentage point decline versus the balance of the gross profit (excluding the aforementioned charges) for the twelve months ending December 30, 2007 of $367.4 million, or 24.2% of net sales. The principal driver of the decreased gross profit as a percent of net sales was higher raw material commodity costs (principally wheat, corn, edible oils, and to a lesser extent dairy products), in excess of selling price increases, which reduced gross margin by 4.8 percentage points. Somewhat offsetting this 4.8 percentage point decrease was reduced aggregate trade marketing (including slotting) and consumer coupon redemption expenses that are classified as reductions to net sales. The change in these costs accounted for 1.5 percentage points of higher gross profit in 2008. Additionally, reduced freight and distribution expenses accounted for a 0.8 percentage point improvement.

Marketing and selling expenses. Marketing and selling expenses were $111.4 million, or 7.2% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 compared to $122.4 million, or 8.1% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. Included in the expenses for the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 was $2.9 million of stock compensation expense related to the acceleration of the vesting in the Predecessor’s stock options as a result of the Blackstone Transaction. The remaining change was due to lower advertising expense of $6.7 million, primarily in our seafood and Vlasic businesses, and decreased selling overhead expense.

Administrative expenses. Administrative expenses were $47.8 million, or 3.1% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 compared to $58.4 million, or 3.9% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. Included in the expenses for the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 was $3.9 million of stock compensation expense related to the acceleration of the vesting in the Predecessor’s stock options as a result of the Blackstone Transaction. The balance of the decrease was principally related to lower management bonus accruals and the elimination of certain expenses of the former Chairman, partially offset by additional headcount to build capability.

 

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Research and development expenses. Research and development expenses were $3.5 million, or 0.2% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 compared with $4.4 million, or 0.3% of net sales, in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. Included in the expenses for the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 was $0.3 million of stock compensation expense related to the acceleration of the vesting in the Predecessor’s stock options as a result of the Blackstone Transaction.

Other expense (income), net. The following table shows other expense (income), net:

 

     Twelve months ended  
     December 28,
2008
    December 30,
2007
 

Other expense (income), net consists of:

    

Restructuring and impairment charges

   $ 15,100      $ 1,246   

Gain on litigation settlement

     (9,988     —     

Amortization of intangibles/other assets

     19,245        18,490   

Merger related costs

     —          49,129   

Gain on extinguishment of subordinated notes

     —          (5,670

Royalty expense (income), net

     —          (125
                

Total other expense (income), net

   $ 24,363      $ 63,070   

For the year ended December 28, 2008, trade name impairment charges totaled $15.1 million, consisting of $8.0 million on our Van de Kamp brand, $5.6 million on our Mrs. Paul’s brand, $0.9 million on our Lenders brand, and $0.6 million on our Open Pit brand. For the year ended December 30, 2007, restructuring and impairment charges totaled $1.2 million, principally due to a $1.2 million trade name impairment charge on our Open Pit brand. In the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, we recorded the impact of the final settlement of litigation related to excess leverage fees incurred by Aurora under its credit agreement prior to its acquisition by us in 2004, resulting in a reduction of the accrued liability and a gain on litigation settlement of $10.0 million. Amortization was $19.2 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 as compared to $18.5 million in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. The 2008 expense includes additional amortization related to the increase in value of the definite-lived intangible assets as a result of the purchase price allocation of the Blackstone Transaction. Included in the expense for the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 was $49.1 million of merger costs related to the Blackstone Transaction (see Note 8 of our audited consolidated financial statements). These costs included $35.5 million related to the cash tender offer for the Predecessor’s 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes, $12.9 million related to the termination of certain of the Predecessor’s contracts, and $0.7 million related to payroll taxes. In addition, the year ended December 30, 2007 includes a $5.7 million gain on the extinguishment of senior subordinated notes which we redeemed in December 2007.

Earnings before interest and taxes. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased $73.7 million to $151.4 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 from $77.7 million in EBIT in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. The year ended December 28, 2008 included trade name impairment charges totaled $15.1 million and the year ended December 30, 2007 included restructuring and impairment charges totaled $1.2 million, as described in other expense (income) above. For the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, the unallocated corporate expenses include the $10.0 million gain on litigation settlement as described in other expense (income) above. Included in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 is $8.4 million of stock compensation expense and $49.1 million of merger costs as described in the other expense (income) paragraph above (see Note 8 of our audited consolidated financial statements), both related to the Blackstone Transaction. The merger costs of $49.1 million are included in unallocated corporate expenses. Also included in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 , are costs of products sold related to the post-acquisition sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of the Blackstone Transaction of $40.2 million. In addition, the year ended December 30, 2007 includes a $5.7 million gain on the extinguishment of senior subordinated notes which we redeemed in December 2007, which is included in the unallocated corporate expenses. This increase in EBIT resulted from a $58.5 million decrease in unallocated corporate expenses, a $20.3 million decrease in Birds Eye

 

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Frozen Segment EBIT, a $35.9 million increase in Duncan Hines Grocery Segment EBIT and a $0.4 million increase in Specialty Foods Segment loss before interest and taxes.

Birds Eye Frozen Division: EBIT decreased by $20.3 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, to $20.9 million from $41.2 million in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. For the year ended December 28, 2008, trade name impairment charges totaled $14.5 million, consisting of $8.0 million on our Van de Kamp brand, $5.6 million on our Mrs. Paul’s brand, and $0.9 million on our Lenders brand. The twelve months ended December 30, 2007 included a $9.4 million charge related to post-acquisition sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of the Blackstone Transaction and $1.7 million of stock compensation expense also related to the Blackstone Transaction. The balance of the EBIT decreased $16.9 million and was principally driven by commodity cost increases and a $6.9 million decline in net sales, which includes a $18.3 million impact of selling price increases on some of our products. Somewhat offsetting these declines was the impact of lower slotting and coupon expense, both of which are recorded as reductions from net sales, and lower advertising expense, principally in the seafood business.

Duncan Hines Grocery Division: EBIT increased $35.9 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, to $135.6 million from $99.7 million in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. The year ended December 28, 2008 includes a trade name impairment charge of $0.6 million related to our Open Pit brand. The year ended December 30, 2007 also included a tradename impairment charge of $1.2 million related to our Open Pit brand. The twelve months ended December 30, 2007 included a $27.2 million charge related to post-acquisition sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of the Blackstone Transaction and $6.4 million of stock compensation expense also related to the Blackstone Transaction. In addition, the year ended December 30, 2007 included a $5.0 million reduction in cost of our retail Armour brand products resulting from the elimination of OPEB obligation associated with a new labor contract at our Ft. Madison facility. The balance of the EBIT increased $6.7 million and was principally driven a 3.3% increase in net sales, which includes a $31.8 million impact of selling price increases on some of our products, and the impact of lower slotting and coupon expense, both of which are recorded as reductions from net sales, and lower advertising expense, principally in our Vlasic and Armour businesses. Somewhat offsetting these increases were the impact of higher commodity cost expense effecting cost of products sold.

Specialty Foods Division: EBIT was ($2.0) million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, compared to the ($1.6) million in twelve months ended December 30, 2007. The twelve months ended December 30, 2007 included a charge of $3.6 million related to post-acquisition sales of inventories written up to fair value at the date of Blackstone Transaction (step-up) and $0.3 million of stock compensation expense also related to the Blackstone Transaction. In addition, the year ended December 30, 2007 included a $4.0 million reduction in cost of our private label and foodservice canned meat products resulting from the elimination of OPEB obligation associated with a new labor contract at our Ft. Madison facility. The balance of the EBIT decreased $0.3 million and was principally due to higher input costs.

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net was $153.0 million in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, compared to $162.1 million in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007.

The comparison of interest expense, net, for 2008 versus 2007 is impacted by the following non-cash items: the 2008 de-designation and termination of the our 2007 interest rate hedges, and, in 2007, the charge off of unamortized debt issue costs and premium related to the redemption of the Predecessors debt and the amortization of the Blackstone Transaction bridge financing costs.

Impacting interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2008 were two occurrences related to the 2007 interest rate swap agreements we had with Lehman Brothers Special Financing (LBSF), a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers. One: on October 3, 2008, LBSF filed for bankruptcy protection which resulted in the interest rate hedges being de-designated as effective hedges. At that time, the cumulative mark to market adjustment in Other Comprehensive Income related to these interest rate hedges was $11.5 million which is being amortized into

 

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interest expense over the remaining original contract life of the hedges, of which $1.3 million was amortized in 2008. Two: interest expense includes a mark to market adjustment of $5.5 million for the period from the de-designation date of October 3, 2008 to the date we terminated the interest rate hedges on October 24, 2008.

The decrease in interest expense, net, in 2008 compared to 2007 is substantially impacted by a charge of $24.1 million in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 for the unamortized portion of the deferred financing costs, partially offset by a credit of $5.2 million for the unamortized portion of the original issue premium, both related to the redemption of the Predecessor’s debt and $4.2 million of amortization of the Blackstone Transaction bridge financing costs in 2007.

The remaining $7.2 million increase in interest expense, net, was the result of $13.5 million attributed to higher average bank debt levels, $2.1 million attributed to higher bond debt interest rates, $1.2 million in lower interest income, and $0.8 million of other items, partially offset by $8.4 million attributed to lower interest rates on our bank borrowings, $1.2 million attributed to lower bond debt levels, and $0.8 million of lower amortization of debt issue costs.

Included in the interest expense, net, amount was $16.2 million (which includes the $5.5 million mark to market adjustment discussed above) and ($2.1) million for the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 and the twelve months ended December 30, 2007 respectively, recorded from losses and (gains) on interest rate swap agreements occurring in the normal course. We utilize interest rate swap agreements to reduce the potential exposure to interest rate movements and to achieve a desired proportion of variable versus fixed rate debt. Any gains and losses realized on the interest rate swap agreements are recorded as an adjustment to interest expense.

Additionally, later in 2008 we entered into new interest rate hedges. Our interest swap agreements that we entered into during the later part of 2008 are designated as hedges under SFAS No. 133, and included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008 was a $12.6 million loss resulting from the mark-to-market of these swaps.

Provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate was (1,749.9%) in the twelve months ended December 28, 2008, compared to (36.8%) in the twelve months ended December 30, 2007. We maintain a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets excluding indefinite lived intangible assets, and the effective rate difference is primarily due to the change in the valuation allowance for the twelve-month period. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for the differences between the book and tax bases of certain goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 382, the Company is a loss corporation. Section 382 of the Code places limitations on our ability to use Aurora’s net operating loss carry-forward to offset our income. The annual net operating loss limitation is approximately $14 to 18 million subject to other rules and restrictions. See Note 13 of our audited consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historical

Our cash flows are very seasonal. Typically we are a net user of cash in the third quarter of the calendar year (i.e., the quarter ending in September) and a net generator of cash over the balance of the year.

Our principal liquidity requirements have been, and we expect will be, for working capital and general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and debt service. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $86 million in 2010. We have historically satisfied our liquidity requirements with internally generated cash flows and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility.

 

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Cash Flows

Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 27, 2010 compared to the six months ended June 28, 2009

Cash flows for the six months ended June 27, 2010 were impacted by the Birds Eye Acquisition, which occurred on December 23, 2009. Cash provided by operating activities was $152.6 million for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and was the result of net earnings excluding non-cash charges and credits of $65.2 million and a decrease in working capital of $87.4 million. The decrease in working capital was primarily the result of a $93.7 million decrease in inventories, which is principally seasonal but also reflects management’s concerted effort to reduce inventories while improving customer service, a $9.2 million increase in accrued liabilities and a $4.1 million increase in accrued income taxes. These cash inflows were offset by a $9.4 million decrease in accrued trade marketing, an $8.1 million decrease in accounts payable, a $4.7 million increase in other current assets and a $2.5 million increase in accounts receivable due to the timing of sales within the month. The aging of accounts receivable has not changed significantly from December. Net cash provided by operating activities was $67.4 million for the six months ended June 28, 2009 and was the result of net earnings excluding non-cash charges and credits of $54.4 million and a decrease in working capital of $13.0 million. The decrease in working capital was primarily the result of a $14.9 million increase in accounts payable and a $4.9 million decrease in inventories. The increase in accounts payable and decrease in inventories were offset by a $3.7 million decrease in accrued trade marketing and a $3.3 million increase in accounts receivable that relates to higher sales as well as the timing of when those sales occurred.

Net cash used in investing activities was $37.5 and $31.1 million for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, respectively, which related entirely to capital expenditures.

Net cash used by financing activities was $46.2 million during the six months ended June 27, 2010. The usage primarily related to a $27.0 million prepayment of our term loans in accordance with the “Excess Cash Flow” requirements of our Senior Secured Credit Facility, $3.1 million of normally scheduled repayments of the term loans, $14.3 million in repayments of bank overdrafts, $2.2 million in repayments of our notes payable and capital lease obligations and $0.5 million of other net activities. Net cash used by financing activities was $32.3 million during the six months ended June 28, 2009. The usage primarily related to $26.0 million in net repayments of the Revolving Credit Facility and $6.3 million in repayments of the term loan.

The net of all activities resulted in an increase in cash of $69.0 million during the six months ended June 27, 2010 and a $4.1 million increase in cash during the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 compared to the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008

Net cash provided by operating activities was $116.2 million for fiscal 2009, which consisted of net earnings excluding non-cash charges of $111.5 million, and a decrease in working capital of $4.7 million. The decrease in working capital was principally due to a concerted effort to reduce inventories while, at the same time, improving customer service levels. Inventories were reduced by $12.8 million. Also, accounts receivable declined by $2.7 million due to the timing of sales. Working capital was also decreased by a $19.8 million increase in accrued liabilities, principally driven by a $12.2 million increase in performance-based incentive plan accruals. Offsetting these reductions in working capital were a $13.4 million reduction in accounts payable principally driven by year on year changes in the timing of production, a $12.4 million increase in other current assets, principally related to a letter-of-credit cash collateral deposit of $9.2 million subsequent to the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc., and accrued trade marketing expense decreased $4.8 million as a result of the timing of when the trade marketing payments were made.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $16.8 million for fiscal 2008, which consisted of net earnings excluding non-cash charges of $72.6 million, $17.0 million paid to terminate early interest rate derivatives and an increase in working capital of $38.8 million. The increase in working capital was primarily the result of a $25.5

 

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million increase in inventories that was primarily done in order to better service our customers going forward, as well as caused by higher commodity costs, and a decline of $29.5 million in accrued liabilities (a result of the legal settlement with R2 Top Hat, Ltd., the payment of the 2007 performance bonus and an decrease in accrued interest), partially offset by a $6.7 million decline in accounts receivable and a $4.9 million increase in accrued trade marketing. All other working capital accounts generated $4.6 million in cash.

Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2009 totaled $1,366.8 million and included $1,314.8 million for the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc., net of cash acquired of $25.6 million, as well as $52.0 million for capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2008 was $32.6 million and consisted entirely of capital expenditures. The principal reason for the increase in fiscal 2009 capital expenditures compared to fiscal 2008 is improvements to the pizza production process at our Jackson, TN facility.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,319.8 million for fiscal 2009. This primarily related to the funding of the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc., which included $838.3 million, net of original issue discount, from an $850.0 million term loan borrowing under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, $300.0 million of notes, and $262.1 million in net equity contributions, reduced by debt acquisition costs of $40.2 million. Other significant cash flows from financing activities were net payments on the revolving credit facility of $26.0 million and payments of the term loan of $12.5 million and a reduction in bank overdrafts of $2.6 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $14.2 million for fiscal 2008. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $26.0 million were primarily offset with $9.4 million repayments of the term loan and $1.5 million in net repayments of our short-term borrowings.

Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 compared to the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007

Net cash provided by operating activities was $16.8 million for fiscal 2008, which consisted of net earnings excluding non-cash charges of $72.6 million, $17.0 million paid to terminate early interest rate derivatives, and an increase in working capital of $38.8 million. The increase in working capital was primarily the result of a $25.5 million increase in inventories that was primarily done in order to better service our customers going forward, as well as caused by higher commodity costs, and a decline of $29.6 million in accrued liabilities (a result of the legal settlement with R2 Top Hat, Ltd., the payment of the 2007 performance bonus and an decrease in accrued interest), partially offset by a $6.7 million decline in accounts receivable and a $4.9 million increase in accrued trade marketing. All other working capital accounts generated $4.6 million in cash.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the Successor was $60.1 million for the period from April 2, 2007 to December 30, 2007, which was the result of our net loss excluding non-cash charges of $16.8 million and a decrease in working capital of $43.3 million. The decrease in working capital is primarily driven by a decrease in inventory resulting from the $40.2 million charge related to the write up of inventories to the fair value as of the date of the Blackstone Transaction offset by the normal seasonality of inventories of $7.5 million when comparing December to April. Also benefiting working capital is an increase in accrued liabilities of $23.8 million as a result of higher accrued interest expense and higher accrued management incentive compensation, which is generally disbursed in the first quarter of the fiscal year. Offsetting these decreases in working capital from inventory and accrued liabilities is a decline of $11.4 million in accrued trade marketing expense, which is a result of lower trade spending and a change in the timing of when payments are occurring. All other working capital charges, net reduced cash by $1.8 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the Predecessor was $55.7 million for the period from January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007, which was the result of net loss excluding non-cash charges of $16.3 million and a decrease in working capital of $72.0 million. The decrease in working capital was primarily the result of (a) a $53.4 million increase in accrued liabilities, mostly as a result of the accrual of $49.1 million of merger expenses related to the Blackstone Transaction, (b) a $20.0 million decrease in inventories that was due to the seasonal sell-down from December 2006 and (c) a $14.3 million increase in accounts payable. The increase in accounts payable at the end of the period primarily related to the normal seasonal slowdown at our production facilities in

 

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December 2006 as well as optimizing our freight payment system. The increase in accrued liabilities and accounts payable and the decrease in inventories were offset by an $18.3 million increase in accounts receivable that relates to higher sales as well as the timing of when those sales occurred. The aging of accounts receivable has remained unchanged from December. All other working capital accounts generated $2.6 million of cash, primarily the result of higher accrued trade marketing.

Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2008 was $32.6 million and consisted entirely of capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2007 totaled $1,345.4 million and included $1,319.6 million for the Blackstone Transaction as well as $28.0 million for capital expenditures ($5.0 million for the Predecessor and $23.0 million for the Successor). Additionally, the Successor received $2.2 million from the sale of the Omaha, Nebraska facility.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $14.2 million for fiscal 2008. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $26.0 million were primarily offset with $9.4 million repayments of the term loan and $1.5 million in net repayments of our short-term borrowings. Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,239.8 million for fiscal 2007. This primarily related to the funding for the Blackstone Transaction, which included $1,250.0 million under the term loan under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, $575.0 million for the existing notes and senior subordinated notes, and $420.3 million in net equity contributions. These funds were offset by repayments of the Predecessor’s long-term debt totaling $915.2 million, repayments and repurchases of the Successor’s long-term debt of $50.4 million and Successor’s debt acquisition costs of $39.8 million.

Indebtedness

Successor

As part of the Blackstone Transaction as described in Note 1 of our audited consolidated financial statements, we entered into a $1,375.0 million credit agreement (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”) in the form of (i) term loans in an initial aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million (the “Tranche B Term Loans”) and (ii) revolving credit commitments in the initial aggregate amount of $125.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Tranche B Term Loans mature April 2, 2014. The Revolving Credit Facility matures April 2, 2013.

As part of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, as described in Note 3 of our audited consolidated financial statements, we entered into an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility in the form of (i) incremental term loans in the amount of $850.0 million (the “Tranche C Term Loans”) and (ii) an incremental revolving credit facility in the amount of $25.0 million, bringing our total revolving credit commitment to $150.0 million. In connection with the Tranche C Term Loans, we also incurred $11.8 million in original issue discount. This was recorded in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and was amortized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method.

In August 2010, we repaid the Tranche C Term Loans in full with proceeds of our $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 and $442.3 million of incremental term loans (the “Tranche D Term Loans”). The Tranche D Term Loans mature April 2, 2014.

There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009.

The total combined amount of the Tranche B Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans that were owed to affiliates of the Blackstone Group as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009, was $129.3 million and $109.2 million, respectively.

Our borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as amended, bear interest at a floating rate and are maintained as base rate loans or as Eurocurrency rate loans. Base rate loans bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable base rate margin, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The base rate is defined as the

 

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higher of (i) the prime rate and (ii) the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%. Eurocurrency rate loans bear interest at the adjusted Eurocurrency rate, as described in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, plus the applicable Eurocurrency rate margin. Solely with respect to Tranche D Term Loans, the Eurocurrency rate shall be no less than 1.75% per annum, and the base rate shall be no less than 2.75% per annum.

The applicable margins with respect to our Senior Secured Credit Facility vary from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and agreed upon pricing grids based on our leverage ratio as defined in the credit agreement. The applicable margins with respect to the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of the date of this prospectus are:

Applicable Margin (per annum)

 

Revolving Credit Facility and Letters of Credit   Tranche B Term Loans   Tranche D Term Loans

Eurocurrency
Rate for
Revolving Loans
and Letter of
Credit Fees

  Base Rate for
Revolving Loans
  Commitment
Fees Rate
  Eurocurrency
Rate for -

Tranche B
Term Loans
  Base Rate for -
Tranche B
Term Loans
  Eurocurrency
Rate for -
Term
Loan D
  Base Rate for -
Term Loan D
2.25%   1.25%   0.50%   2.50%   1.50%   4.25%   3.25%

The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by each of our direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facility is collateralized by first priority or equivalent security interests in (i) all the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each of our direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, our direct foreign subsidiaries, or any of its domestic subsidiaries and (ii) certain of our tangible and intangible assets and those of the Guarantors (subject to certain exceptions and qualifications).

A commitment fee of 0.50% per annum is applied to the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. For the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 4.83% and 3.25%, respectively. For the six months ended June 28, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 3.29%. As of June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, the Eurodollar interest rate on the term loan facility was 5.18% and 3.07%, respectively.

We pay a fee for all outstanding letters of credit drawn against the Revolving Credit Facility at an annual rate equivalent to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar loans under the Revolving Credit Facility, less the fronting fee payable in respect of the applicable letter of credit. The fronting fee is equal to 0.125% per annum of the daily maximum amount then available to be drawn under such letter of credit. The fronting fees are computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Total letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility cannot exceed $50.0 million as of March 24, 2010 (previously $25.0 million). As of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009, we had utilized $33.5 million and $22.1 million, respectively of the Revolving Credit Facility for letters of credit. As of June 27, 2010, there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility; therefore, of the $150.0 million Revolving Credit Facility available, we had an unused balance of $116.5 million available for future borrowing and letters of credit. As of December 27, 2009, there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility; therefore, of the $150.0 million Revolving Credit Facility available, we had an unused balance of $127.9 million available for future borrowing and letters of credit. The remaining amount that can be used for letters of credit as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009 was $16.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

In accordance with the “Excess Cash Flow” requirements of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, we made a mandatory prepayment of the Tranche B Term Loans of $27.0 million in March 2010. Under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Excess cash flow is determined by taking consolidated net income (as defined) and adjusting it for certain items, including (1) all non cash charges and credits included in arriving at

 

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consolidated net income, (2) changes in working capital, (3) capital expenditures (to the extent they were not financed with debt), (4) the aggregate amount of principle payments of indebtedness and (5) certain other items defined within the senior secured credit facility.

The Tranche B Term Loans mature in quarterly 0.25% installments from September 2007 to December 2013 with the remaining balance due in April 2014. The aggregate maturities of the Tranche B Term Loans outstanding as of June 27, 2010 were no payment in 2010, $2.5 million in 2011, $12.5 million in 2012, $12.5 million in 2013 and $1,171.9 million in 2014. The Tranche D Term Loans mature in quarterly 0.25% installments from December 2010 to December 2013 with the remaining balance due in April 2014. The aggregate maturities of the Tranche D Term Loans outstanding as of the date of this prospectus are no payments in 2010, $4.4 million in 2011, $4.4 million in 2012, $4.4 in 2013 and $429.1 in 2014.

On April 2, 2007, as part of the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1 of our audited consolidated financial statements, we issued $325.0 million of existing notes due 2015, and $250.0 million of senior subordinated notes. On December 23, 2009, as part of the Birds Eye Acquisition described in Note 3 of our audited consolidated financial statements, we issued an additional $300 million of senior notes due 2015. The senior notes due 2015 are general unsecured obligations of ours, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior secured indebtedness and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee our other indebtedness. The senior subordinated notes are general unsecured obligations of ours, subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee our other indebtedness. See Note 19 of our audited consolidated financial statements and Note 17 of our unaudited consolidated financial statements for Guarantor and Nonguarantor Financial Statements.

On August 17, 2010, we issued $400.0 million of senior notes due 2017. The senior notes due 2017 are general unsecured obligations of ours, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior secured indebtedness and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee our other indebtedness.

We may redeem some or all of the senior notes due 2015 at any time prior to April 1, 2011, some or all of the senior notes due 2017 at any time prior to September 1, 2010, and some or all of the senior subordinated notes at any time prior to April 1, 2012, in each case at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” is defined as the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such senior note due 2015 at April 1, 2011, senior note due 2017 at September 1, 2013, or senior subordinated note at April 1, 2012, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such senior note due 2015 through April 1, 2011, senior note due 2017 through September 1, 2013, or senior subordinated note through April 1, 2012 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of such note.

 

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We may redeem the senior notes due 2015, the senior notes due 2017 or the senior subordinated notes at the redemption prices listed below, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on the dates indicated below:

 

    Senior
Notes due 2015
 

Year

  Percentage  

April 1, 2011

  104.625

April 1, 2012

  102.313

April 1, 2013 and thereafter

  100.000
    Senior Notes
due 2017
 

Year

  Percentage  

September 1, 2013

  106.188

September 1, 2014

  104.125

September 1, 2015

  102.063

September 1, 2016 and thereafter

  100.000

 

     Senior
Subordinated
Notes
 

Year

   Percentage  

April 1, 2012

   105.313

April 1, 2013

   103.542

April 1, 2014

   101.771

April 1, 2015 and thereafter

   100.000

In December 2007, we repurchased $51.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the senior subordinated notes at a discount price of $44.2 million. We currently have outstanding $199.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior subordinated notes.

As market conditions warrant, we and our subsidiaries, affiliates or significant shareholders (including The Blackstone Group L.P. and its affiliates) may from time to time, in our or their sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt or equity securities (including any publicly issued debt or equity securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.

The estimated fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion, as of June 27, 2010, is as follows:

 

(million $)

Issue

   June 27, 2010
   Recorded
Amount
   Fair
Value

Senior Secured Credit Facility—Term Loans

   $ 1,199.4    $ 1,118.4

Senior Secured Credit Facility—Tranche C Term Loans

     842.3      842.3

9.25% Senior Notes

     625.0      635.9

10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes

     199.0      208.6
             
   $ 2,865.7    $ 2,805.2
             

The fair value is based on the quoted market price for such notes and borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms and maturities.

Predecessor

In November 2003, the Predecessor entered into a $675.0 million Credit Agreement (“Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank (a related party of JPMorgan Partners, LLC as noted in

 

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Note 16 of our audited consolidated financial statements) and other financial institutions as lenders, which provided for a $545.0 million seven-year term loan B facility, of which $120.0 million was made available on November 25, 2003 and $425.0 million was made available as a delayed draw term loan on the closing date of the Aurora Merger on March 19, 2004. Concurrently with the acquisition of the Armour Business but effective as of February 14, 2006, the Predecessor entered into an Amendment No. 4 and Agreement to the Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities (“Amendment No. 4”). Among other things, Amendment No. 4 approved the Armour acquisition and provided for the making of $143.0 million of additional tack-on term loans to fund a portion of the acquisition. The Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities also provided for a six-year $130.0 million revolving credit facility, of which up to $65.0 million was made available on November 25, 2003, and the remaining $65.0 million was made available on the closing date of the Aurora Merger on March 19, 2004.

A commitment fee of 0.50% per annum was applied to the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. There were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility during 2007 for the Predecessor. For the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007, the weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 7.36%.

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1 of our audited consolidated financial statements, the Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities were paid in full.

In November 2003 and February 2004, the Predecessor issued $200.0 million and $194.0 million, respectively, 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013. The February 2004 notes resulted in gross proceeds of $201.0 million, including premium. The terms of the February 2004 notes were the same as the November 2003 notes and were issued under the same indenture.

On March 8, 2007, the Predecessor commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 of the Predecessor (the “Predecessor Notes”), and a related consent solicitation to amend the indenture pursuant to which the Predecessor Notes were issued. The tender offer and consent solicitation were made in connection with the Blackstone Transaction. The tender offer and consent solicitation were made upon the terms and conditions set forth in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated March 8, 2007 and the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal. The total cost of the cash tender offer for the Predecessor Notes was $35.5 million and was recorded as a charge in the Other expense (income), net line of the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor immediately before the Blackstone Transaction.

Covenant Compliance

The following is a discussion of the financial covenants contained in our debt agreements.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Our Senior Secured Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees;

 

   

create liens on assets;

 

   

engage in mergers or consolidations;

 

   

enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

   

sell assets;

 

   

pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock;

 

   

make investments, loans and advances, including acquisitions;

 

   

repay the senior subordinated notes or enter into certain amendments thereof;

 

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engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

maintain a senior secured leverage ratio above a certain threshold if there are greater than $10.0 million in loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility

The Senior Secured Credit Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default.

Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes

Additionally, on April 2, 2007, we issued the existing senior notes due 2015 and the senior subordinated notes. On December 23, 2009, we issued the outstanding unregistered senior notes due 2015. On August 17, 2010, we issued the outstanding unregistered senior notes due 2017. The senior notes are general unsecured obligations, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior secured indebtedness, and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company. The senior subordinated notes are general unsecured obligations, subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness, and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company.

The indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes limit our (and most or all of our subsidiaries’) ability to, subject to certain exceptions:

 

   

incur additional debt or issue certain preferred shares;

 

   

pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of our capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

sell certain assets;

 

   

create liens on certain assets to secure debt;

 

   

consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; and

 

   

designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes permit us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness.

Pursuant to the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, if at any time there are borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount greater than $10.0 million, we are required to maintain a ratio of consolidated total senior secured debt to Consolidated EBITDA (defined below) for the most recently concluded four consecutive fiscal quarters (the “Senior Secured Leverage Ratio”) less than a ratio starting at a maximum of 7.00:1 at September 30, 2007 and stepping down over time to 6.50 in 2008, 5.75 in 2009, 5.00 in 2010 and 4.00 in 2011 and thereafter. Consolidated total senior secured debt is defined under the Senior Secured Credit Facility as aggregate consolidated secured indebtedness of the Company less the aggregate amount of all unrestricted cash and cash equivalents. In addition, under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments and paying dividends is tied to the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, in the case of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, or to the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to fixed charges for the most recently concluded four consecutive fiscal quarters or the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, in the case of the senior notes and the senior subordinated notes.

 

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Consolidated EBITDA is defined as earnings (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), further adjusted to exclude non-cash items, non-recurring items and other adjustment items permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes. We believe that the inclusion of supplementary adjustments to EBITDA applied in presenting Consolidated EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors to demonstrate compliance with our financial covenants.

EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA do not represent net loss or earnings or cash flow from operations as those terms are defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and do not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. In particular, the definitions of Consolidated EBITDA in the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures allow us to add back certain non-cash, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges that are deducted in calculating net loss or earnings. However, these are expenses that may recur, vary greatly and are difficult to predict. While EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA and similar measures are frequently used as measures of operations and the ability to meet debt service requirements, they are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation.

Our ability to meet the covenants specified above in future periods will depend on events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those ratios. A breach of any of these covenants in the future could result in a default under, or an inability to undertake certain activities in compliance with, the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes, at which time the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable. Any such acceleration would also result in a default under the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes.

The following table provides a reconciliation from our net earnings (loss) to EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA for the six month periods ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009 and the year ended December 27, 2009. The terms and related calculations are defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes.

 

     Six months ended
June 27, 2010
   Six months ended
June 28, 2009
   Year ended
December 27, 2009
 

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 18,104    $ 425    $ 302,603   

Interest expense, net

     108,558      58,255      121,078   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     5,831      14,434      (277,723

Depreciation and amortization expense

     38,677      32,472      65,468   
                      

EBITDA (unaudited)

   $ 171,170    $ 105,586    $ 211,426   
                      

Acquired EBITDA—Birds Eye Acquisition (1)

     —        76,455      142,268   

Non-cash items (a)

     28,287      562      4,738   

Non-recurring items (b)

     20,130      3,521      29,835   

Other adjustment items (c)

     5,689      10,930      26,673   

Net cost savings projected to be realized as a result of initiatives taken (d)

     18,102      34,688      57,188   
                      

Consolidated EBITDA (unaudited)

   $ 243,378    $ 231,742    $ 472,128   
                      

 

  (1) In accordance with our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes, we have included an adjustment for the Acquired EBITDA for Birds Eye for the period prior to its acquisition, calculated consistent with the definition of Consolidated EBITDA.

 

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(a) Non-cash items are comprised of the following:

 

     Six months ended
June 27, 2010
   Six months ended
June 28, 2009
   Year ended
December 27, 2009
 

Non-cash compensation charges (1)

   $ 408    $ 453    $ 3,190   

Unrealized losses or (gains) resulting from hedging activities (2)

     831      109      (277

Impairment charges or asset write-offs (3)

     —        —        1,300   

Effects of adjustments related to the application of purchase accounting (4)

     27,048      —        525   
                      

Total non-cash items

   $ 28,287    $ 562    $ 4,738   
                      

 

  (1) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents non-cash compensation charges related to the granting of equity awards.
  (2) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents non-cash gains and losses resulting from mark-to-market adjustments of obligations under natural gas and diesel fuel contracts for 2009 and 2010, and heating oil contracts for 2009 only.
  (3) For fiscal 2009, represents an impairment charge for the Swanson tradename.
  (4) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 represents expense related to the write-up to fair market value of inventories acquired as a result of the Birds Eye Acquisition.

 

(b) Non-recurring items are comprised of the following:

 

     Six months ended
June 27, 2010
   Six months ended
June 28, 2009
   Year ended
December 27, 2009

Expenses in connection with an acquisition or other non-recurring merger costs (1)

   $ 242    $ 199    $ 25,238

Restructuring charges, integration costs and other business optimization expenses (2)

     18,794      422      986

Employee severance and recruiting (3)

     1,094      2,900      3,611
                    

Total non-recurring items

   $ 20,130    $ 3,521    $ 29,835
                    

 

  (1) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, primarily represents costs related to the Birds Eye Acquisition as well as other expenses related to due diligence investigations.
  (2) For the six months ended June 27, 2010, primarily represents termination benefits related to the announced closing of the Rochester, NY office ($10,489) and integration costs related to the Birds Eye Acquisition. For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 28, 2009, represents consultant expense incurred to execute yield and labor savings in our plants.
  (3) For fiscal year 2009 and the six months ended June 28, 2009, principally represents severance and recruiting costs related to the change in the CEO. For the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents severance costs paid, or to be paid, to terminated employees.

 

(c) Other adjustment items are comprised of the following:

 

     Six months ended
June 27, 2010
   Six months ended
June 28, 2009
   Year ended
December 27, 2009

Management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (1)

   $ 2,305    $ 1,268    $ 2,540

Variable product contribution principally from Steamfresh complete bagged meals no longer being offered (2)

     3,384      9,662      24,133
                    

Total other adjustments

   $ 5,689    $ 10,930    $ 26,673
                    

 

  (1) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents management/advisory fees and expenses paid to Blackstone.

 

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  (2) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents the variable contribution loss principally from Steamfresh complete bagged meals and others which will no longer be offered by Pinnacle management following the Birds Eye Acquisition and the variable contribution loss applicable to a discontinued contract in the Birds Eye Industrial-Other segment.

 

(d) Net cost savings projected to be realized as a result of initiatives taken:

 

     Six months ended
June 27, 2010
   Six months ended
June 28, 2009
   Year ended
December 27, 2009

Productivity initiatives in our manufacturing facilities, freight and distribution systems and purchasing programs (1)

   $ —      $ 12,188    $ 12,188

Estimated net cost savings associated with the Birds Eye Acquisition (2)

     18,102      22,500      45,000
                    

Total net cost savings projected to be realized as a result of initiatives taken

   $ 18,102    $ 34,688    $ 57,188
                    

 

  (1) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents net cost savings projected to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or initiated, net of the amount of actual benefits realized. Such savings primarily relate to productivity initiatives in our manufacturing facilities, our freight and distribution systems, and our purchasing programs.
  (2) For fiscal 2009 and the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, represents the estimated reduction in operating costs that we anticipate will result from the combination of Pinnacle and Birds Eye as a result of eliminating duplicate overhead functions and overlapping operating expenses, leveraging supplier relationships and combined purchasing power to obtain procurement savings or raw materials and packaging, and optimizing and rationalizing overlapping frozen warehouse and distribution networks less what has been realized in the first quarter.

Our covenant requirements and actual ratios for the twelve months ended June 27, 2010 are as follows:

 

     Covenant
Requirement
   Actual Ratio

Senior Secured Credit Facility

     

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio (1)

   5.00:1    3.93

Total Leverage Ratio (2)

   Not applicable    5.64

Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes (3)

     

Minimum Consolidated EBITDA to fixed charges ratio required to incur additional debt pursuant to ratio provisions (4)

   2.00:1    2.42

 

  (1) Pursuant to the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, if at any time there are borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate amount greater than $10.0 million, we are required to maintain a consolidated total senior secured debt to Consolidated EBITDA ratio for the most recently concluded four consecutive fiscal quarters (the “Senior Secured Leverage Ratio”) less than a ratio starting at a maximum of 7.00:1 at September 30, 2007 and stepping down over time to 4.00:1 on March 31, 2011. Consolidated total senior secured debt is defined as our aggregate consolidated secured indebtedness less the aggregate amount of all unrestricted cash and cash equivalents.
  (2) The Total Leverage Ratio is not a financial covenant but is used to determine the applicable rate under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The Total Leverage Ratio is calculated by dividing consolidated total debt less the aggregate amount of all unrestricted cash and cash equivalents by Consolidated EBITDA.
  (3) Our ability to incur additional debt and make certain restricted payments under the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes, subject to specified exceptions, is tied to a Consolidated EBITDA to fixed charges ratio of at least 2.0:1.

 

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  (4) Fixed charges is defined in the indentures governing the senior notes and senior subordinated notes as (i) consolidated interest expense (excluding specified items) plus consolidated capitalized interest less consolidated interest income, plus (ii) cash dividends and distributions paid on preferred stock or disqualified stock.

Inflation

Prior to 2005, inflation did not have a significant effect on us as we have been successful in mitigating the effects of inflation with cost reduction and productivity programs. Beginning 2005 and continuing into 2008, we experienced higher energy and commodity costs in production and higher fuel surcharges for product delivery. Inflation was less pronounced in 2009 and to date in 2010. Although we have no such expectation, severe increases in inflation could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Contractual Commitments

The table below provides information on our contractual commitments as of December 27, 2009:

 

    Total   Less Than
1 Year
  1-3 Years   3-5 Years   After
5 Years
    (in thousands)                

Long-term debt (1)

  $ 2,895,875   $ 37,170   $ 23,705   $ 2,011,000   $ 824,000

Projected interest payments on long term debt (2)

    1,077,573     195,353     417,333     383,121     81,766

Operating lease obligations

    56,971     12,138     18,185     10,834     15,814

Capital lease obligations

    3,326     1,061     1,784     481     —  

Purchase obligations (3)

    857,711     429,664     176,743     132,477     118,827

Pension and Other Postretirement benefits (4)

    104,192     13,050     50,260     30,995     9,887
                             

Total (5)

  $ 4,995,648   $ 688,436   $ 688,010   $ 2,568,908   $ 1,050,294
                             

 

  (1) Long-term debt at face value includes scheduled principal repayments and excludes interest payments.
  (2) The total projected interest payments on long-term debt are based upon borrowings and interest rates as of December 27, 2009, including the effect of interest rate swaps in place. The interest rate on variable rate debt is subject to changes beyond our control and may result in actual interest expense and payments differing from the amounts above.
  (3) The amounts indicated in this line primarily reflect future contractual payments, including certain take-or-pay arrangements entered into as part of the normal course of business. The amounts do not include obligations related to other contractual purchase obligations that are not take-or-pay arrangements. Such contractual purchase obligations are primarily purchase orders at fair value that are part of normal operations and are reflected in historical operating cash flow trends. Purchase obligations also include trade and consumer promotion and advertising commitments. We do not believe such purchase obligations will adversely affect our liquidity position.
  (4) The funding of the defined benefit pension plan is based upon our planned 2010 cash contribution. The future years’ contributions are based upon our expectations taking into consideration the funded status of the plan at December 27, 2009.
  (5) The total excludes the liability for uncertain tax positions. We are not able to reasonably estimate the timing of the long-term payments or the amount by which the liability will increase or decrease over time. Therefore, the long-term portion of the liability is excluded from the preceding table.

In August 2010, we repaid $842.3 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding Tranche C Term Loans maturing in April 2014 with proceeds of our $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2017 and $442.3 million of Tranche D Term Loans maturing April 2014. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 27, 2010, we did not have any off-balance sheet obligations.

 

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Financial Instruments

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions. We principally manage our exposure to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of our core business activities. We manage economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of our debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk. Specifically, we enter into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodity prices.

We manage interest rate risk based on the varying circumstances of anticipated borrowings and existing variable and fixed rate debt, including our revolving line of credit. Examples of interest rate management strategies include capping interest rates using targeted interest cost benchmarks, hedging portions of the total amount of debt, or hedging a period of months and not always hedging to maturity, and at other times locking in rates to fix interests costs.

Certain parts of our foreign operations in Canada expose us to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. Our goal is to reduce our exposure to such foreign exchange risks on our foreign currency cash flows and fair value fluctuations on recognized foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and unrecognized firm commitments to acceptable levels primarily through the use of foreign exchange-related derivative financial instruments. We enter into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of our functional currency, the U.S. dollar.

We purchase raw materials in quantities expected to be used in a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business. We generally enter into agreements for either spot market delivery or forward delivery. The prices paid in the forward delivery contracts are generally fixed, but may also be variable within a capped or collared price range. Forward derivative contracts on certain commodities are entered into to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in our manufacturing process.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we primarily use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.

As of June 27, 2010, we had the following interest rate swaps and caps (in aggregate) that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
  Notional
Amount
 

Fixed

Rate Range

   Index   Trade
Dates
  Maturity
Dates

Interest Rate Swaps

  8   943.7 million   1.43% – 3.33%    USD-LIBOR-BBA   Oct 2008 - Mar
2009
  Jan 2011 - July

2012

Interest Rate Swaps with Floors

  4   — (1)   2.96% – 3.58%    USD-LIBOR-BBA   Jan 2010   Jan 2012 - Jul

2012

Interest Rate Caps

  2   800.0 million   2.50%    USD-LIBOR-BBA   Dec 2009   Jan 2011

 

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(1) Interest rate swaps with floors are hedging the same debt as the interest rate caps and become effective after the interest rate caps mature. At that point, in January 2011 they will have a notional value of $300.0 million.

According to the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the six months ended June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly as Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate cash flow hedges recognized in the six months ended June 27, 2010 or the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to Interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. Due to the counterparty bank declaring bankruptcy in October 2008, we discontinued prospectively the hedge accounting on our interest rate derivatives with Lehman Brothers Specialty Financing on the bankruptcy date as those hedging relationships no longer met the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. We terminated these positions during the fourth quarter of 2008. We continue to report the net gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge in AOCI which is expected to be reclassified into earnings during the original contractual terms of the derivative agreements as the hedged interest payments are expected to occur as forecasted. For the six months ended June 27, 2010, $0.8 million and $1.8 million, respectively, was reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to the terminated hedges. For the six months ended June 28, 2009, $1.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, was reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to the terminated hedges. During the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $19.5 million will be reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to both active and terminated hedges.

Cash Flow Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk

Our operations in Canada have exposed us to changes in the US Dollar – Canadian Dollar (USD-CAD) foreign exchange rate. From time to time, our Canadian subsidiary purchases inventory denominated in US Dollars (USD), a currency other than its functional currency. Our subsidiary sells that inventory in Canadian dollars. Our subsidiary uses currency forward and collar agreements to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the USD-CAD exchange rate. Currency forward agreements involve fixing the USD-CAD exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. Currency collar agreements involve the sale of Canadian Dollar (CAD) currency in exchange for receiving US dollars if exchange rates rise above an agreed upon rate and sale of USD currency in exchange for receiving CAD dollars if exchange rates fall below an agreed upon rate at specified dates.

As of June 27, 2010, we had the following foreign currency exchange contracts (in aggregate) that were designated as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
  Notional
Sold in Aggregate
  Notional
Purchased in
Aggregate
  USD to CAD
Exchange
Rates
  Trade Date   Maturity Dates

CAD Forward

  30   $46.6 million CAD   $43.3 million USD   1.038-1.176   May 2009 - Mar
2010
  Apr 2010 - Dec
2011

CAD Collar

  6   $6.0 million CAD   $5.3 million USD   1.13   5/1/2009   Apr 2010 - Dec
2010

According to the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is recorded in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period

 

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that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of the change in fair value of the derivative, as well as amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, are recognized directly in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Hedge ineffectiveness on foreign exchange cash flow hedges amounted to a gain of less than $0.1 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010. Hedge ineffectiveness on foreign exchange cash flow hedges amounted to a gain of less than $0.1 million in the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Non-designated Hedges of Commodity Risk

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage our exposure to commodity price risk but do not meet the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. From time to time, we enter into commodity forward contracts to fix the price of natural gas, diesel fuel and heating oil purchases at a future delivery date. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of June 27, 2010, we had the following natural gas swaps (in aggregate) and diesel fuel (in aggregate) that were not designated in qualifying hedging relationships:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
  Notional Amount  

Price

  Trade Dates   Maturity Dates

Natural Gas Swap

  2   252,537 MMBTU’s   $4.70-$5.87 per MMBTU   Mar 2009 - Feb
2010
  Apr 2010 - Oct
2010

Diesel Fuel Swap

  6   7,426,602 Gallons   $2.46 - $3.14 per Gallon   Feb 2009 - Mar
2010
  Jun 2010 - Dec
2010

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009.

 

     Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
     Asset Derivatives   

Liability Derivatives

     Balance Sheet
Location
   Fair Value
As of
June 27,
2010
  

Balance Sheet Location

   Fair Value
As of
June 27,
2010
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments            

Interest Rate Contracts

   Other current assets    $ —      Accrued liabilities    $ 10.2
        —      Other long-term liabilities      18.8

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        —      Accrued liabilities      1.6
        —      Other long-term liabilities      —  
                   

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

      $ —         $ 30.6
                   
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments            

Natural Gas Contracts

      $ —      Accrued liabilities    $ 0.1

Diesel Fuel Contracts

   Other current assets      0.1         0.4
                   

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

      $ 0.1       $ 0.5
                   

 

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Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

   

Asset Derivatives

  

Liability Derivatives

    

Balance Sheet
Location

  Fair Value
As of
December 27,
2009
  

Balance Sheet

Location

  Fair Value
As of
December 27,
2009
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments         

Interest Rate Contracts

  Other assets, net   $ 0.2    Other long-term liabilities   $ 21.2

Foreign Exchange Contracts

      —      Accrued liabilities     2.5
                

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

    $ 0.2      $ 23.7
                
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments         

Natural Gas Contracts

    $ —      Accrued liabilities   $ 0.1

Heating Oil Contracts

  Other current assets     —          —  

Diesel Fuel Contracts

  Other current assets     0.9        —  
                

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

    $ 0.9      $ 0.1
                

The table below presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income as of the six months ending June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments

Gain/(Loss)

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging
Relationships

  Recognized
in AOCI on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
    Effective portion
reclassified from
AOCI
to:
  Reclassified
from AOCI
into Earnings
(Effective
Portion)
    Ineffective portion
reclassified from AOCI
to:
  Recognized
in Earnings
on Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)

Interest Rate Contracts

  $ (16.6   Interest expense   $ (10.4   Interest expense   $ —  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (0.5   Cost of products sold     (1.4   Cost of products sold     —  
                         

Six months ended June 27, 2010

  $ (17.1     $ (11.8     $ —  
                         

Interest Rate Contracts

  $ (9.7   Interest expense   $ (9.3   Interest expense   $ —  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (1.2   Cost of products sold     2.1      Cost of products sold     —  
                         

Six months ended June 28, 2009

  $ (10.9     $ (7.2     $ —  
                         

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

   Recognized in
Earnings on:
   Recognized in
Earnings on
Derivative
 

Natural Gas Contracts

   Cost of products sold    $ (0.4

Diesel Contracts

   Cost of products sold      (1.0
           

Six months ended June 27, 2010

      $ (1.4
           

Natural Gas Contracts

   Cost of products sold    $ (1.2

Heating Oil Swaps

   Cost of products sold      0.1  
           

Six months ended June 28, 2009

      $ (1.1
           

 

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Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

We have an agreement with Barclays that contains a provision whereby we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to our default on the indebtedness. As of June 27, 2010, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $30.1 million, which includes accrued interest of $1.2 million but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $1.3 million. For the same counterparty, the fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $1.7 million which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $0.1 million. For the same counterparty, the fair value of natural gas contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $0.1 million. For the same counterparty, the fair value of diesel contracts in a net asset position related to these agreements was $0.4 million. If we breached any of these provisions, we could be required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $32.3 million. As of June 27, 2010, we had not posted any collateral related to these agreements. As of December 27, 2009, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $23.1 million, which includes accrued interest of $1.0 million but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $1.0 million. For the same counterparty, the fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $2.6 million, which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $0.1 million. For the same counterparty, the fair value of natural gas contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $0.1 million. For the same counterparty, the fair value of heating oil contracts in a net asset position related to these agreements was less than $0.1 million. If we breached any of these provisions, we could be required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $25.8 million. As of December 27, 2009, we had not posted any collateral related to these agreements.

We also have an agreement with Credit Suisse Group that contains a provision whereby we could be declared in default on our derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to our default on the indebtedness. As of June 27, 2010, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $1.5 million, which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $0.1 million. As of December 27, 2009, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $0.1 million, which does not include any adjustment for nonperformance risk.

Accounting Policies and Pronouncements

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires the use of judgment, estimates and assumptions. We make such subjective determinations after careful consideration of our historical performance, management’s experience, current economic trends and events and information from outside sources. Inherent in this process is the possibility that actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions for any particular period.

Our significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 2 of our audited consolidated financial statements. The following areas are the most important and require the most difficult, subjective judgments.

Revenue recognition. Revenue consists of sales of our food products. We recognize revenue from product sales upon shipment to our customers, at which point title and risk of loss are transferred and the selling price is fixed or determinable. Shipment completes the revenue-earning process, as an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured. We estimate discounts and product return allowances based upon our historical performance, management’s experience and current economic trends and record them as a reduction of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized. Variances between historical estimates and actual results have not been significant.

 

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Trade and consumer promotional expenses. We offer various sales incentive programs to retailers and consumers. We record consumer incentive and trade promotion costs as a reduction of revenues in the year in which we offer these programs. The recognition of expense for these programs involves the exercise of judgment related to performance and redemption estimates that we base on historical experience and other factors. Actual expenses may differ if the level of redemption rates and performance vary from estimates. We also record slotting fees, which refers to payments to retailers to obtain shelf placement for new and existing product introductions. We reduce revenues for the amount of slotting estimated to each customer in full at the time of the first shipment of the new product to that customer.

Inventories. We state inventories at the lower of average cost or market. In determining market value, we provide allowances to adjust the carrying value of our inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose. Appropriate consideration is given to obsolescence, excessive inventory levels, product deterioration and other factors in evaluating net realizable value. These adjustments are estimates, which could vary significantly from actual requirements if future economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from expectations.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived tradenames. We evaluate the carrying amount of goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, in December, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The goodwill impairment review consists of a two-step process of first comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If this fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further analysis or goodwill impairment charge is required. If the fair value is below the carrying value, the Company would proceed to the next step, which is to measure the amount of the impairment loss. The impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying value and implied fair value of goodwill. To measure the implied fair value goodwill we would make a hypothetical allocation of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the tangible and intangible assets (other than goodwill) within the respective reporting unit using the same rules for determining fair value and allocation under the authoritative guidance for business combination as we would use if it were an original purchase price allocation. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is less than its carrying amount the shortfall would be charged to earnings.

In estimating the fair value or our reporting units we primarily use the income approach, which utilizes forecasted discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value. The utilization of the income approach utilizes management’s business plans and projections as the basis for expected future cash flows for five years. In addition, we make significant assumptions including regarding long-term growth rates and discounts rates. In our recent impairment tests, we forecasted cash flows for five years plus a terminal year and assumed a discount rate of 9.0%. Such cash flows for each of the five years and terminal year assume growth rates that generally average between 0% and 3.0%, which are determined based upon our expectations for each of the individual reporting units and are consistent within the industry.

The results of this test indicated that none of the reporting units were impaired. However, the Frozen Breakfast reporting unit, which has $98.5 million of goodwill allocated to it, exceeded its carrying value by only 1%. Management’s assumptions used to forecast the discounted cash flow of the Frozen Breakfast reporting unit included the exit of marginally profitable private label business and the elimination of other low profit retail items in the near term and then modest growth after that (less than 1%). We also projecting a 1% growth factor in the terminal year and that the exit of these lines will result in improved margins. An unfavorable change to any of these assumptions could result in an impairment of the Frozen Business reporting unit goodwill and, in turn, impact our consolidated financial results.

We also evaluate the carrying amount of our tradenames for impairment on an annual basis, in December, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of an intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of a tradename exceeds its fair value at the time of the evaluation, we would charge the shortfall to earnings.

 

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To estimate the fair value of our tradenames we primarily use an income approach, which utilizes forecasted discounted cash flows to estimate the fair value. The utilization of the income approach requires us to make significant assumptions including long-term growth rates, implied royalty rates and discount rates. In fiscal 2009, the results include a $1.3 million impairment of the Swanson tradename. In fiscal 2008, the results include an impairment of the Van de Kamp’s ($8.0 million), Mrs. Paul’s ($5.6 million), Lenders ($0.9 million) and Open Pit tradenames ($0.6 million). In fiscal 2007, the results include a $1.2 million impairment of the Open Pit tradename.

Pensions and retiree medical benefits. We provide pension and post-retirement benefits to certain employees and retirees. Determining the costs associated with such benefits depends on various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, expected return on plan assets, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care trend rates. Independent actuaries, in accordance with GAAP, perform the required calculations to determine expense. We generally accumulate actual results that differ from the actuarial assumptions and amortize such results over future periods.

Insurance reserves. We are self-insured and retain liabilities under our worker’s compensation insurance policy. We estimate the outstanding retained-insurance liabilities by projecting incurred losses to their ultimate liability and subtracting amounts paid-to-date to obtain the remaining liabilities. We base actuarial estimates of ultimate liability on actual incurred losses, estimates of incurred but not yet reported losses—based on historical information from both us and the industry—and the projected costs to resolve these losses. Retained-insurance liabilities may differ based on new events or circumstances that might materially impact the ultimate cost to settle these losses.

Income taxes. We record income taxes based on the amounts that are refundable or payable in the current year, and we include results of any difference between generally accepted accounting principles and U.S. tax reporting that we record as deferred tax assets or liabilities. We review our deferred tax assets for recovery. A valuation allowance is established when the Company believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in our tax provision in the period of change. Assessment of the appropriate amount and classification of income taxes is dependent on several factors, including estimates of the timing and realization of deferred income tax assets and the timing of income tax payments. Actual collections and payments may differ from these estimates as a result of changes in tax laws as well as unanticipated future transactions impacting related income tax balances.

Stock-based compensation. We use the authoritative guidance for stock compensation accounting using the modified prospective transition method to calculate stock-based compensation. The guidance requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the requisite service periods in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We currently use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as our method of valuation for stock-based awards. Since our stock is not publicly traded, the determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is based upon estimates of enterprise value as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. The estimated enterprise value is based upon forecasted cash flows for five years plus a terminal year and an assumed discount rate. The other variables used to determine fair value of stock-based payment awards include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility of a group of industry comparable companies over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable.

Because our employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of

 

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our employee stock-based awards. Although the fair value of employee stock awards is determined in accordance with the authoritative guidance for stock compensation using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for business combinations. Under the December 2007 update, all business combinations are still required to be accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting but the updated guidance changed the method of applying the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects. Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; in-process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. The updated guidance for business combinations is effective on a prospective basis for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies. The authoritative guidance for business combinations amends the authoritative guidance for income tax accounting such that adjustments made to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of updated guidance for business combinations (released in December 2007), would also apply the provisions of the updated guidance for business combinations. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of the updated authoritative guidance for business combinations will have an impact on our accounting for future business combinations on a prospective basis once adopted; however, the materiality of that impact cannot be determined. The accounting for the Birds Eye Acquisition was performed in accordance with this guidance.

In April 2009, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The April 2009 update amends and clarifies the authoritative guidance of business combinations to address application issues associated with initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The updated authoritative guidance for business combinations is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The implementation of this standard will have an impact on our accounting for future business combinations on a prospective basis once adopted; however, the materiality of that impact cannot be determined. The accounting for the Birds Eye Acquisition was performed in accordance with this guidance.

In December 2007, the FASB issued the authoritative guidance for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited. This guidance requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net earnings on the face of the statement of operations. It also amends consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The guidance for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. This guidance has not had any impact on the reporting of our financial position or the results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. The guidance requires enhanced disclosures about derivative and hedging activities. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2009 and have included enhanced disclosure in Note 14 of our audited consolidated financial statements and in Note 11 of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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In April 2009, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value. The April 2009 update provides additional guidance on factors to consider in estimating fair value when there has been a significant decrease in market activity for a financial asset. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. We adopted the guidance during the quarter ended September 27, 2009 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In November 2008, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for intangible assets. The November 2008 update provides guidance for accounting for defensive intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations and the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value by including the estimated useful life that should be assigned to such assets. The updated authoritative guidance for intangible assets is effective for intangible assets acquired on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on defined benefit plans. The release provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations and the enhanced disclosures have been included for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

In April 2009, the FASB amended the authoritative guidance on financial instruments to require disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements as well as annual financial statements. The adoption of this guidance will have no impact to us as we already provide these disclosures in our interim financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on investment in debt securities. This guidance clarifies the interaction of the impairment factors that should be considered when applied prospectively beginning in the second quarter of 2009. Upon adoption during the quarter ended September 27, 2009, this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding subsequent events, which was subsequently updated in February 2010. This guidance established general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. In particular, this guidance set forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. This guidance was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and was therefore adopted by us for the second quarter 2009 reporting. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the subsequent events that we report, either through recognition or disclosure, in the consolidated financial statements. In February 2010, the FASB amended its guidance on subsequent events to remove the requirement to disclose the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events, alleviating conflicts with current SEC guidance. This amendment was effective immediately and we therefore removed the disclosure in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the authoritative guidance for variable interest entities. This guidance clarifies the characteristics that identify a variable interest entity (VIE) and changes how a reporting entity identifies a primary beneficiary that would consolidate the VIE from a quantitative risk and rewards calculation to a qualitative approach based on which variable interest holder has controlling financial interest and the ability to direct the most significant activities that impact the VIE’s economic performance. This guidance requires the primary beneficiary assessment to be performed on a continuous basis. It also requires additional disclosures

 

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about an entity’s involvement with VIE, restrictions on the VIE’s assets and liabilities that are included in the reporting entity’s consolidated balance sheet, significant risk exposures due to the entity’s involvement with the VIE, and how its involvement with a VIE impacts the reporting entity’s consolidated financial statements. The authoritative guidance for variable interest entities is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB updated guidance for generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The updated guidance establishes only two levels of U.S. GAAP, authoritative and nonauthoritative. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) will become the source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other nongrandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become nonauthoritative. The June 2009 updated guidance is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. We adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2009.

In August 2009, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for measuring the fair value of liabilities. The update provides guidance on the valuation techniques that are used in measuring the fair market value of a liability when quoted price in an active market is not available. The techniques include using the quoted price for identical or similar liabilities. Other techniques include the use of an income approach, such as present value techniques, or a market approach, such as a technique that is based on the amount at the measurement date that a reporting entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or pay to receive the identical liability. The guidance is effective for the first reporting period after issuance. We adopted this guidance in the third quarter 2009 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January of 2010, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure. The updated guidance requires new disclosures for significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and activity within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The update provides amendments to the level of disaggregation that an entity should provide in each class of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosures about the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

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INDUSTRY

The U.S. packaged food manufacturing industry has historically been characterized by relatively stable sales growth, driven primarily by population growth and modest sales price increases. Given the non-discretionary nature of food consumption, our industry historically has demonstrated stability during periods of economic recession. In recent years, our industry has been characterized by a number of broad trends, including:

 

   

Changing Consumer Lifestyles. Food manufacturers are highly attuned to changing consumer preferences and needs, and have responded to consumers’ increasingly busy lifestyles and greater focus on health and nutrition by introducing a variety of convenient, high-quality, and healthy food products and meal solutions. Industry participants seek to gain a competitive advantage by addressing consumer needs through new product introductions, core product renovations, and marketing. Pinnacle continues to expand and refine its brands and offerings so they remain relevant and continue to be preferred by consumers.

 

   

Channel Shifting. Consumers are increasingly purchasing food products at outlets other than traditional grocery retailers. Mass merchandisers, club stores, dollar stores, and other alternative channels are gaining share versus traditional grocery stores, though at a slower rate than at the peak of the recession. Pinnacle is well positioned in grocery and alternative channels, maintaining strong customer relationships across key retailers in each segment.

 

   

Return to Eating at Home. Historically, U.S. consumers had been increasing the proportion of their food consumption at restaurants and other food service venues. Recently, however, this trend has reversed with more consumers eating at home, which we believe has been driven by consumers’ increased desire to spend time with family in the home, the growing popularity of cooking as a leisure activity, and consumers’ renewed focus on managing their personal finances prudently given the economic environment. We are taking advantage of these trends through increased targeted marketing and new product introductions.

 

   

Increase in Private Label. Private label and store brands represent approximately 20% of total packaged food purchases at grocery retail, up from 18.5% a year ago. We believe the recent rise in private label share has been driven by consumers’ increased focus on product costs, certain retailers’ support of store brands, and the improved quality of some private label offerings. However, we believe that brands with well established equities, strong awareness, and consumer preference that continue to differentiate themselves and provide value to the consumer are well positioned to withstand private label competition. In addition there is significant private label penetration in only four of the thirteen categories in which we compete. Therefore, we do not believe the increase in private label presents significant risk for us.

The packaged food industry is comprised of numerous product categories, each with their own unique competitive dynamics. Pinnacle competes in the various categories within the food industry as described below under the caption “—Our Products.”

Our Products

Our product portfolio consists of a diverse mix of product lines and leading, well-recognized brands. Our major brands hold leading market positions in their respective retail markets and enjoy high consumer awareness. Through our managed broker network, our products reach all traditional classes of trade, including grocery wholesalers and distributors, grocery stores and supermarkets, convenience stores, mass and drug merchandisers and warehouse clubs. We also distribute a select assortment of our products through foodservice and private label channels.

Birds Eye Frozen Division

Frozen vegetables. Birds Eye is the largest brand in the $2.5 billion frozen vegetables category. Collectively, our steamed and non-steamed product offerings hold the #1 position with a 26.6% market share.

 

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With the launch of Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables in January 2006, Birds Eye was the first company to capture a nationwide market share with a product that enables consumers to conveniently steam vegetables in microwaveable packaging. The steamed segment represents approximately 29% of the overall category, and Birds Eye holds a 51.2% market share of the steamed segment. The non-steamed segment comprises 71% of the overall category, and Birds Eye holds a 16.6% market share of the non-steamed segment. We believe that enhancing vegetables is a great way to encourage healthy and nutritious eating in America, by elevating the taste experience. In July of 2009, we launched six new Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced items as part of an enhanced vegetable portfolio. The six Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced items have generated $42 million in retail sales. Building on the success of the 2009 launch, in July, 2010, we introduced three new items to the Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced line: Rotini and Vegetables with Garlic Butter Sauce, Rigatoni and Vegetables with Tomato Parmesan Sauce and Roasted Red Potatoes with Garlic Butter Sauce.

Frozen complete bagged meals. We compete in the frozen complete bagged meals category with our Birds Eye Voila! brand. Birds Eye Voila! is the #2 competitor in the $587 million frozen complete bagged meals segment, with a 16.6% market share. Birds Eye Voila! frozen complete bagged meals offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package.

Single-serve frozen dinners and entrées. Our single-serve frozen dinners and entrées consist primarily of products under the Hungry-Man and Swanson brands. Hungry-Man is a highly differentiated brand with strong brand awareness and is uniquely positioned to male consumers. This distinctive position has been increasingly valuable to our retail customers as the percentage of food shopping done by men has grown. Our Hungry-Man and Swanson brands collectively are the #4 participant in the $1.9 billion single-serve full-calorie frozen dinners and entrées segment. We use the Swanson brand under license from the Campbell Soup Company and its affiliate, CSC Brands, Inc.

Frozen prepared seafood. Our frozen prepared seafood products, marketed under the Mrs. Paul’s and Van de Kamp’s brands, include breaded and battered fish sticks and fish fillets, lightly breaded fish, breaded shrimp, and some specialty seafood items. The Van de Kamp’s brand started in Los Angeles and dates back to 1915, and the Mrs. Paul’s brand started in Philadelphia and dates back to the mid-1940s. We utilize a dual-brand strategy to capitalize on the well-developed regional positions of the Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s brands. In 2009, our brands dramatically upgraded product quality based on consumer preference, we continue to benefit from this investment experiencing year-over-year growth in 2010 in retail sales of 11.9% and market share gain of 2.0 percentage points. Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s brands collectively hold the #2 position with a 19.0% market share in the $604 million frozen prepared seafood category.

Frozen breakfast. Our frozen breakfast products are marketed under the Aunt Jemima brand and include waffles, pancakes, French toast, breakfast entrées, and savory breakfast handhelds. The Aunt Jemima brand was established over a century ago and enjoys high brand awareness and quality rankings. We use the Aunt Jemima brand under license from The Quaker Oats Company. Aunt Jemima is positioned to families as a warm, wholesome breakfast for busy mornings. The Aunt Jemima brand is currently the #4 brand in the $1.4 billion frozen breakfast category with a 10.4% market share. Recent Aunt Jemima share gain has been positively impacted by a competitor’s disruption in supply. Aunt Jemima is the #2 brand in both the $664 million grain segment, which includes frozen waffles, pancakes and French toast, and the $570 million protein segment, which includes frozen breakfast entrées and savory breakfast handhelds.

Bagels. Our bagel products primarily consist of Lender’s packaged bagels, which are distributed among all scannable (pre-packaged) sections of the grocery store (i.e., the frozen, refrigerated, and fresh bread aisles). Founded in 1927, Lender’s ranks #3 with an 8.2% market share of the $661 million pre-packaged bagel category. The brand has the leading market share in both refrigerated and frozen bagel segments.

Frozen pizza-for-one. We market frozen pizza under the Celeste brand, which dates back to the 1940s. Celeste is the #4 brand in the $707 million frozen pizza-for-one category, with a 9.7% market share. Its sales are concentrated in the Northeast, Chicago, Florida, and California markets. Celeste is positioned as a high quality meal at an affordable price.

 

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Duncan Hines Grocery Division

Baking mixes and frostings. Our baking mixes and frostings include Duncan Hines cake mixes, ready-to-serve frostings, brownie mixes, muffin mixes, and cookie mixes. Duncan Hines was introduced as a national brand in 1956 when Duncan Hines, a renowned restaurant critic and gourmet, launched the brand as part of his efforts to bring restaurant-quality food to American homes. Duncan Hines has expanded its presence at retail over the past year through a commitment to innovation, including Decadent Carrot Cake Mix in 2008 and Duncan Hines Whole Grain Muffins in 2009. In 2010, Duncan Hines launched Amazing Glazes, a light, decadent dessert topping in both chocolate and vanilla flavors. This heat and pour topping establishes a new sub segment unique from spreadable frosting. Also in 2010 we continued to expand our line of Decadent Cake with the introduction of Duncan Hines Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake and Duncan Hines Decadent Apple Caramel Cake. Duncan Hines is the #2 brand with a 17.2% market share of the $1.4 billion baking mixes and frostings category. All Duncan Hines products are produced by contract manufacturers.

Shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish. We offer a complete line of shelf-stable pickle, pepper, and relish products that we market and distribute nationally, primarily under the Vlasic brand, and regionally under the Milwaukee’s and Wiejske Wyroby brands. Our Vlasic brand, represented by its trademark Vlasic stork, was introduced over 65 years ago and has the highest consumer awareness and quality ratings in the pickle category. Vlasic is the #1 brand in the $979 million shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relish category, with an 18.9% share of the overall category and a 30.1% share of the $523 million shelf-stable pickle segment.

Table syrups. Our table syrups primarily include products marketed under the Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s brands. Log Cabin was introduced in 1888 and, with its cabin-shaped bottle and distinct maple flavor, appeals to a broad consumer base. In 2009, we converted our Log Cabin regular and lite recipes to a natural sugar formula, becoming the only national table syrup brand to offer a product without high-fructose corn syrup. In 2010 we launched Log Cabin All Natural, becoming the only national table syrup brand to offer an all natural product. Mrs. Butterworth’s was introduced in 1962 and, with its distinctive grandmother-shaped bottle and thick, rich, and buttery flavor, appeals to families with children. In 2009, the brand sponsored a contest to guess Mrs. Butterworth’s first name, and received extensive media coverage, reflecting the brand’s iconic status and highly-engaged consumer franchise. Both of our table syrup brands are available in original, lite, and sugarfree varieties. In the $468 million table-syrup category, Mrs. Butterworth’s and Log Cabin hold the #2 position with a 18.1% market share.

Canned meat. Our canned meat products are marketed primarily under the Armour brand. Armour was introduced in 1868 by Philip Danforth Armour for California gold miners. Armour is the #3 brand in the $1.2 billion canned meat category, with a 7.5% market share, and is the #1 brand in the Vienna sausage, potted meat, and sliced dried beef segments. Armour Vienna sausage has particularly high penetration in the Southeastern United States, where it is an important and high-volume product for retailers. Armour has a broad product line which also includes stews, chilis, and hashes. We use the Armour Brand under license from Smithfield Foods, successor to ConAgra, Inc. We also sell canned meat products regionally under the Brooks and Nalley brands.

Pie and Pastry Fillings. Our pie and pastry filling products are marketed under the Comstock and Wilderness brands, which combined are the #1 participant with a 26.2% market share in the $200 million category. We utilize a dual-brand strategy to capitalize on the well-developed regional positions of Comstock in the Eastern United States and Wilderness in the Western United States.

Barbecue sauce. We market a complete line of barbecue sauce products under the Open Pit brand, which was introduced in 1955. Open Pit is a regional brand that competes primarily in Midwest markets, where it has a competitive market share.

Canada. In Canada we distribute our Hungry-Man and Swanson frozen dinners and entrees, Duncan Hines baking mixes and frostings, Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast, and Vlasic pickles. Our Hungry-Man and Swanson brands with a 20.7% market share collectively hold the #3 position in the C$276 million single-serve full-calorie

 

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dinners and entrées segment. Duncan Hines with a 29.7% market share holds the #2 position in the C$82 baking mixes and frostings category. Aunt Jemima with a 8.2% market share holds the #3 position in the C$120 frozen breakfast category. Vlasic with a 13.7% market share holds the #2 position in the C$13 million shelf-stable pickles category.

Specialty Foods Division

Snack Products. Our snack products primarily consist of Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin. These brands have strong local awareness and hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets.

Food Service and Private Label. We distribute frozen breakfast, frozen dinners, bagels, pickles, peppers, and relish, canned meat, and table syrup through the food service channel. We also manufacture private label and/or co-pack products for canned meats, pickles, peppers, and relish, and frozen seafood.

 

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BUSINESS

We are a leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of branded, high-quality dry and frozen packaged food products in North America. Our major brands hold leading market positions in their respective retail categories and enjoy high consumer awareness. Our products are sold through a combination of a national sales broker, regional sales brokers, and a direct sales force that reaches supermarkets, grocery wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, super centers, convenience stores, dollar stores, drug stores, warehouse clubs, foodservice, and other alternative channels in the United States and Canada. We also distribute a selection of our products in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The combination of new product innovation, core product renovation, effective consumer marketing, and strategic acquisitions have helped us create and grow our diverse brand portfolio. The address of our website is www.pinnaclefoods.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

On December 23, 2009, we acquired all of the common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”) (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”). Birds Eye’s product offering includes an expanding platform of healthy, high-quality frozen vegetables and frozen meals and a portfolio of primarily branded specialty dry foods which are well-aligned with our existing dry foods segment. Frozen food products are marketed under the Birds Eye brand name, which holds the #1 market share in frozen vegetables and the #1 market share in the value sub-segment of complete bagged meals. Birds Eye markets traditional boxed and bagged frozen vegetables, as well as steamed vegetables using innovative steam-in-packaging technology, under the Birds Eye and Birds Eye Steamfresh brands. Birds Eye’s complete bagged meals, marketed primarily under the value-oriented Birds Eye Voila! brand, offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package. Birds Eye’s branded specialty dry food products hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets, and include Comstock and Wilderness fruit pie fillings and toppings, Brooks and Nalley chili and chili ingredients, and snack foods by Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin.

Pinnacle’s products and operations are managed and reported in three operating segments: the Birds Eye Frozen Division, the Duncan Hines Grocery Division and Specialty Foods Division. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man, Swanson), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s, Mrs. Paul’s), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima), bagels (Lender’s), and frozen pizza (Celeste) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic), barbeque sauces (Open Pit), pie fillings (Comstock, Wilderness), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s and Log Cabin), salad dressing (Bernstein’s), canned meat (Armour, Nalley, Brooks) and all Canadian operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin) and our food service and private label businesses.

Our History

Pinnacle Foods Group Inc., (“PFGI”) was incorporated under Delaware law on June 19, 1998. Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. were formed under Delaware law on March 5, 2007 and February 28, 2007, respectively. Our principal executive offices are located at 1 Bloomfield Avenue, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046. Our telephone number is (973) 541-6620.

Armour Acquisition

On March 1, 2006, PFGI acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the food products business (the “Armour Business”) of The Dial Corporation for $189.2 million in cash, including transaction expenses. The Armour Business is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of products in the $1.2 billion canned meat category. The Armour Business offers products in twelve of the fifteen segments within the canned meat category and maintains the leading market position in the Vienna sausage, potted meat, and sliced beef categories. The business also includes meat spreads, chili, luncheon meat, corned and roast beef hash, and

 

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beef stew. The majority of the products are produced at the manufacturing facility located in Ft. Madison, Iowa, which was acquired in the transaction. Products are sold under the Armour brand name as well as through certain private label and co-pack arrangements.

Blackstone Transaction

On February 10, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp. (“CHC”), a Delaware corporation and the parent company of PFGI, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Peak Holdings LLC (“Peak Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group L.P. (“Blackstone”), Peak Acquisition Corp. (“Peak Acquisition”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings, and Peak Finance LLC (“Peak Finance”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Acquisition, providing for the acquisition of CHC. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the purchase price for CHC was $2,162.5 million in cash less the amount of indebtedness (including capital lease obligations) of CHC and its subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the closing and certain transaction costs, subject to purchase price adjustments based on the balance of working capital and indebtedness as of the closing. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, immediately prior to the closing, CHC contributed all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary PFGI to a newly-formed Delaware limited liability company, PFF. At the closing, Peak Acquisition merged with and into CHC, with CHC as the surviving corporation, and Peak Finance merged with and into PFF, with PFF as the surviving entity. As a result of this transaction, CHC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings. This transaction (the “Blackstone Transaction”) closed on April 2, 2007.

Reorganization of Subsidiaries

In order to simplify administrative matters and financial reporting and to place both frozen foods and dry foods under one entity, we consummated a reorganization of our subsidiaries in September 2007 (the “Reorganization”) whereby we formed Pinnacle Foods International Corp., a Delaware corporation (“PF International”) on September 26, 2007, as a subsidiary to Pinnacle Foods Corporation (“PFC”). In connection with the Reorganization, PFC contributed all of the issued and outstanding shares of Pinnacle Foods Canada Corp. (“PF Canada”) to PF International making PF International the parent of PF Canada. As a further step to our Reorganization, on September 30, 2007, two of our domestic operating subsidiaries, Pinnacle Foods Management Corporation (“PF Management”) and PFC, merged with and into PFGI. As a final step to the Reorganization, PFGI was converted from a Delaware corporation into a Delaware limited liability company under Delaware law on October 1, 2007 under the name Pinnacle Foods Group LLC.

Birds Eye Acquisition

On November 18, 2009, PFG LLC entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement with Birds Eye Holdings and Birds Eye Foods, Inc. pursuant to which PFG LLC will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. from Birds Eye Holdings. PFG LLC is controlled by Blackstone. At the closing of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, PFG LLC purchased all of the outstanding shares of Birds Eye’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, for a purchase price of $670.0 million in cash. In connection with the closing, all the existing indebtedness of Birds Eye outstanding as of the date of closing of the Birds Eye Acquisition was repaid, including accrued interest.

 

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The following chart illustrates our growth:

 

Date

 

Event

  

Selected Brands Acquired

2001

 

•   Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation formed by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated and CDM Investor Group LLC to acquire the North American business of Vlasic Foods International Inc.

  

•   Hungry-Man and Swanson (1)

 

•   Vlasic

 

•   Open Pit

2003

 

•   Crunch Holding Corp., indirectly owned by J.P. Morgan Partners LLC, J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. and CDM Investor Group LLC acquire Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation

  

2004

 

•   Merger of Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation with Aurora completed and surviving company renamed Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.

  

•   Duncan Hines

 

•   Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s

 

•   Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s

 

•   Lender’s

 

•   Celeste

 

•   Aunt Jemima (frozen breakfast products) (1)

2006

 

•   Acquired Armour Business from the Dial Corporation

  

•   Armour (1)

2007

 

•   Crunch Holding Corp. acquired by The Blackstone Group

  

2009

 

•   Birds Eye Foods, Inc. acquired by Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

  

•   Birds Eye

 

•   Birds Eye Steamfresh

 

•   Birds Eye Voila!

 

•   Comstock

 

•   Wilderness

 

•   Brooks

 

•   Nalley

 

•   Tim’s Cascade

 

•   Snyder of Berlin

 

(1) We manufacture and market these products under licenses granted by Campbell Soup Company (Swanson), the Quaker Oats Company (Aunt Jemima) and Smithfield Foods (Armour). These licenses are discussed further in “Business—Trademarks and Patents”.

Marketing, Sales and Distribution

Our marketing programs consist of consumer advertising, consumer promotions, trade promotions, direct marketing, and public relations. Our advertising consists of television, newspaper, magazine, and web advertising aimed at increasing consumer preference and usage of our brands. Consumer promotions include free trial offers,

 

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targeted coupons, and on-package offers to generate trial usage and increase purchase frequency. Our trade promotions focus on obtaining retail feature and display support, achieving optimum retail product prices, and securing retail shelf space. We continue to shift our marketing efforts toward building long-term brand equity through increased consumer marketing.

We sell a majority of our products in the United States through one national broker with whom we have a long-term working relationship. In Canada, we use one national broker to distribute the majority of our products. We employ other brokers for the foodservice and club channels. Through this sales broker network, our products reach all traditional classes of trade, including supermarkets, grocery wholesalers and distributors, mass merchandisers, super centers, convenience stores, drug stores, warehouse clubs, foodservice, and other alternative channels.

Due to the different demands of distribution for frozen and shelf-stable products, we maintain separate distribution systems. Our frozen product warehouse and distribution network consists of 18 locations. Frozen products are distributed by means of six owned and operated warehouses at our Fayetteville, Arkansas, Mattoon, Illinois, Waseca, Minnesota, Fulton, New York, Jackson, Tennessee and Darien, Wisconsin plants. In addition, we utilize ten distribution centers in the United States and two distribution centers in Canada, all of which are owned and operated by third-party logistics providers. Our dry product warehouse and distribution network consists of 15 locations. Dry foods products are distributed through a system of fourteen distribution sites in the United States, which include six warehouses that are owned and operated by us at our plants in Millsboro, Delaware, St. Elmo, Illinois, Ft. Madison, Iowa. Fennville, Michigan, Imlay City, Michigan and Tacoma, Washington, as well as eight other locations which are owned and operated by third-party logistics providers. We also distribute dry products from one leased distribution center in Canada. In each third party operated location, the provider receives handles and stores products. Our distribution system uses a combination of common carrier trucking and inter-modal rail transport. In addition to these locations, our snack products primarily distributed through a direct store delivery (“DSD”) network in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Pacific Northwest, a portion of which is owned and operated by Pinnacle and a portion of which utilizes third-party providers. We believe that our sales and distribution network is scalable and has the capacity to support substantial increases in volume.

Ingredients and Packaging

We believe that the ingredients and packaging used to produce our products are readily available through multiple sources. Our ingredients typically account for approximately 44% of our annual cost of products sold, and primarily include sugar, cucumbers, flour (wheat), vegetables, fruits, poultry, seafood, proteins, vegetable oils, shortening, meat, corn syrup, and other agricultural products. Certain vegetables and fruits are purchased under dedicated acreage supply contracts from a number of growers prior to each growing season, while a smaller portion is sourced directly from third parties. Our packaging costs, primarily for aluminum, glass jars, plastic trays, corrugated fiberboard, polyfilm, and plastic packaging materials, typically account for approximately 20% of our annual cost of products sold.

Research and Development

Pinnacle’s Product Development and Technical Services team based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey currently consists of 28 full-time employees focused on product-quality improvements, product creation, package development, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and consumer affairs. We also operate a technical center located in Green Bay, Wisconsin for new product development and brand extensions for our Birds Eye products. Approximately 30 full-time employees are currently employed at the Green Bay facility. Pinnacle’s internal research and development expenditures totaled $4.6 million, $3.5 million, and $4.4 million for fiscal years 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

 

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Customers

We have several large customers that account for a significant portion of our net sales. Wal-Mart and its affiliates is our largest customer and represented approximately 25%, 23%, and 24% of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Cumulatively, including Wal-Mart, our top ten customers accounted for approximately 58% in fiscal 2009 and 57% of our net sales in each of the fiscal years 2008 and 2007.

Competition

We face competition in each of our respective product lines. Although we operate in a highly competitive industry, we believe that the strength of our brands has resulted in strong respective competitive positions. We compete with producers of similar products on the basis of, among other things, product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, price, customer service, effective consumer marketing and promotional activities, and the ability to identify and satisfy emerging consumer preferences.

Our most significant competitors for our products are:

 

Our Products

  

Competitor

Single-serve frozen dinners, and entrées

   Nestle, ConAgra and Heinz

Multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées

   Unilever, Contessa, Nestle, and ConAgra

Shelf-stable pickles, peppers, and relishes.

   Kraft, B&G Foods, Inc. , Mt. Olive and private label

Baking mixes, pie fillings and frostings

   General Mills, Knouse Fruit and J.M. Smucker Co.

Table syrups

   Pepsi Co, Kellogg’s and private label

Frozen vegetables

   General Mills and private label

Frozen prepared seafood

   Gorton’s and Seapak

Frozen breakfast

   Kellogg’s, General Mills and Sara Lee

Bagels

   Weston, Sara Lee and private label

Canned meat

   ConAgra and Hormel

Frozen pizza-for-one

   General Mills, Schwan’s and private label

Snacks

   PepsiCo, and private label

Properties

We own and operate the following thirteen manufacturing and warehouse facilities:

 

Facility location

 

Principal products

 

Facility size

Darien, Wisconsin

  Frozen vegetables and complete bagged meals   551,600 square feet

Millsboro, Delaware

  Pickles, peppers, relish   460,000 square feet

Ft. Madison, Iowa

  Canned meat   450,000 square feet

Imlay City, Michigan

  Pickles, peppers, relish   344,000 square feet

Fayetteville, Arkansas

  Frozen dinners and entrees   335,000 square feet

Fennville, Michigan

  Fruit toppings and fillings   329,866 square feet

Jackson, Tennessee

  Frozen breakfast, frozen pizza, frozen prepared seafood   302,000 square feet

Tacoma, Washington

  Chili and chili ingredients, dressings   286,468 square feet

Waseca, Minnesota

  Frozen vegetables   258,475 square feet

Fulton, New York

  Frozen vegetables and complete bagged meals; repack only   254,856 square feet

St. Elmo, Illinois

  Syrup, barbecue sauce   250,000 square feet

Mattoon, Illinois

  Bagels, frozen breakfast   215,000 square feet

Berlin, Pennsylvania

  Snack foods   183,500 square feet

 

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We have entered into co-packing (third-party manufacturing) agreements with several manufacturers for certain of our finished products. Our co-packed finished products include our Duncan Hines product line, Aunt Jemima breakfast sandwich product line, and certain seafood products. All of our Duncan Hines cake mix, brownie mix, specialty mix and frosting production equipment, including co-milling, blending and packaging equipment, is located at the contract manufacturers’ facilities. The most significant Duncan Hines co-packing agreement will expire in June 2015. We believe that our manufacturing facilities, together with our co-packing agreements, provide us with sufficient capacity to accommodate our planned internal growth.

We also lease a manufacturing plant, warehouse and distribution center in Algona, Washington, warehouses in Darien, Wisconsin and Waseca, Minnesota.

We also lease office space under operating leases (expiring) in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey (November 2013); Cherry Hill, New Jersey (May 2011 and October 2021); Rochester, New York (December 2011); Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (Month to Month); Fayetteville, Arkansas (Month to Month); Mississauga, Ontario (August 2015) and Green Bay, Wisconsin (June 2012).

Trademarks and Patents

We own a number of registered trademarks in the United States, Canada and other countries, including Appian Way®, Birds Eye®, Bernstein’s®, Brooks®, C&W®, Casa Regina®, Celeste®, Chocolate Lovers®, Comstock®, Country Kitchen®, Duncan Hines®, Freshlike®, Fun Frosters®, Grabwich®, Great Starts®, Hawaiian Style Bowls®, Hearty Bowls®, Hearty Hero®, Hungry-Man®, Hungry-Man Sports Grill®, Hungry-Man Steakhouse®, Husman’s®, It’s Good to be Full®, Lender’s®, Log Cabin®, Lunch Bucket®, Magic Mini’s®, McKenzie’s®, Milwaukee’s®, Moist Deluxe®, Mrs. Butterworth’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®, Nalley®, Open Pit®, Oval’s®, Signature Desserts®, Simply Classic®, Snack’mms®, Stackers®, Snyder of Berlin®, Steamfresh®, Taste the Juicy Crunch®, The Original TV Dinner®, Tim’s Cascade®, Treet®, Van de Kamp’s®, Vlasic® and Wilderness®. We also have applications pending with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a number of trademarks, including So Rich, So Moist, So Very Duncan Hines™, So Moist, So Delicious and So Much More™, Just Add the Warmth™ and That’s the Tastiest Crunch I Ever Heard™. We own the trademark Snyder of Berlin while a third party owns the trademark Snyder of Hanover. Per a court order, the use of the trademark must include the word “Snyder” in combination with the words “of Berlin.” We protect our trademarks by obtaining registrations where appropriate and opposing any infringement in key markets. We also own a design trademark in the United States, Canada, and other countries on the Vlasic stork. We manufacture and market certain of our frozen food products under the Swanson brand pursuant to two royalty-free, exclusive and perpetual trademark licenses granted by Campbell Soup Company. The licenses give us the right to use certain Swanson trademarks both inside and outside of the United States in connection with the manufacture, distribution, marketing, advertising, and promotion of frozen foods and beverages of any type except for frozen soup or broth. The licenses require us to obtain the prior written approval of Campbell Soup Company for the visual appearance and labeling of all packaging, advertising materials, and promotions bearing the Swanson trademark. The licenses contain standard provisions, including those dealing with quality control and termination by Campbell Soup Company as well as assignment and consent. If we were to breach any material term of the licenses and not timely cure such breach, Campbell Soup Company could terminate the licenses.

We manufacture and market certain of our frozen breakfast products under the Aunt Jemima brand pursuant to a royalty-free, exclusive (as to frozen breakfast products only) and perpetual license granted by The Quaker Oats Company. The license gives us the right to use certain Aunt Jemima trademarks both inside and outside the United States in connection with the manufacture and sale of waffles, pancakes, French toast, pancake batter, biscuits, muffins, strudel, croissants, and all other frozen breakfast products, excluding frozen cereal. The license requires us to obtain the approval of The Quaker Oats Company for any labels, packaging, advertising, and promotional materials bearing the Aunt Jemima trademark. The license contains standard provisions, including those dealing with quality control and termination by The Quaker Oats Company as well as assignment and consent. If we were to breach any material term of the license and not timely cure such breach, The Quaker Oats Company could terminate the license.

 

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In addition, as part of our acquisition of the Armour Business from The Dial Corporation, we received the assignment of a license agreement granting us an exclusive, royalty bearing, perpetual license to use certain Armour trademarks. Under the license agreement, Smithfield Foods, as successor to ConAgra, Inc., the licensor, grants us a license for the use of various Armour-related trademarks in conjunction with shelf-stable products within the United States. The shelf-stable products must be manufactured according to approved formulas and specifications, and new specifications must be approved by the licensor, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Proposed labels, packaging, advertising, and promotional materials must first be submitted to the licensor for approval, with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. We are required to make annual royalty payments to the licensor equal to the greater of $250,000 or a percentage royalty based upon our annual net sales of the approved shelf-stable products. If we were to materially breach the license agreement, Smithfield Foods could terminate the license. We maintain Armour-related registrations in many other countries.

We also manufacture complete bagged meals under the The Voila! trademark which is subject to an exclusive license agreement with a third party and limited to use in connection with meat and vegetable products.

Although we own a number of patents covering manufacturing processes, we do not believe that our business depends on any one of these patents to a material extent.

Employees

We employ approximately 4,600 people with approximately 60% of our employees unionized. In 2008, the hourly workers in our Mattoon, Illinois facility (Lender’s Bagels) elected to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and we are currently working to negotiate a contract with these workers. After negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement for the route sales group in our snacks business located in Berlin, Pennsylvania (Snyder of Berlin) for nearly 2 years, on July 29, 2010 the union was decertified by vote of the route sales group, which will remain non-union. New collective bargaining agreements for our facilities located in Darien, Wisconsin (Birds Eye brands), with 303 employees, and Waseca, Minnesota (Birds Eye brands), with 90 employees, were completed in December 2009 and January 2010, respectively. A new collective bargaining agreement for our facility located in Imlay City, Michigan (Vlasic brands), with approximately 270 employees, was ratified by the union on March 11, 2010. A new collective bargaining agreement with the production group at our snacks business located in Berlin, Pennsylvania (Snyder of Berlin), covering approximately 100 employees, was ratified by the union on April 11, 2010. The collective bargaining agreement with the seasonal employees at our Darien, Wisconsin facility (Birds Eye brands), with approximately 190 employees, will expire on December 1, 2010. The collective bargaining agreements at our Tacoma, Washington facility for production (approximately 130 employees), warehouse (approximately 14 employees), waste water (approximately 3 employees), operating engineers (approximately 3 employees), and machinists (approximately 14 employees), expire between January and April 2011.

Collective bargaining agreements at our Millsboro, Delaware; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Fort Madison, Iowa; Fennville, Minnesota; Fulton, New York will expire between 2012 and 2014.

Governmental, Legal And Regulatory Matters

Food Safety and Labeling

We are subject to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Food and Drug Administration. This comprehensive and evolving regulatory program governs, among other things, the manufacturing, composition and ingredients, labeling, packaging, and safety of food. In addition, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 prescribes the format and content of certain information required to appear on the labels of food products. We are also subject to regulation by certain other governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

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Our operations and products are also subject to state and local regulation, including the registration and licensing of plants, enforcement by state health agencies of various state standards, and the registration and inspection of facilities. Enforcement actions for violations of federal, state, and local regulations may include seizure and condemnation of products, cease and desist orders, injunctions, or monetary penalties. We believe that our practices are sufficient to maintain compliance with applicable government regulations, although there can be no assurances in this regard.

Federal Trade Commission

We are subject to certain regulations by the Federal Trade Commission. Advertising of our products is subject to such regulation pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Employee Safety Regulations

We are subject to certain health and safety regulations, including regulations issued pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act. These regulations require us to comply with certain manufacturing, health, and safety standards to protect our employees from accidents.

Environmental Regulation

We are subject to a number of federal, state, and local laws and other requirements relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of personnel and the public. These requirements relate to a broad range of our activities, including:

 

   

the discharge of pollutants into the air and water;

 

   

the identification, generation, storage, handling, transportation, disposal, record-keeping, labeling, and reporting of, and emergency response in connection with, hazardous materials (including asbestos) associated with our operations;

 

   

noise emissions from our facilities; and

 

   

safety and health standards, practices, and procedures that apply to the workplace and the operation of our facilities.

In order to comply with these requirements, we may need to spend substantial amounts of money and other resources from time to time to (i) construct or acquire new equipment, (ii) acquire or amend permits to authorize facility operations, (iii) modify, upgrade, or replace existing and proposed equipment and (iv) clean up or decommission our facilities or other locations to which our wastes have been sent. For example, some of our baking facilities are required to obtain air emissions permits and to install bag filters. Many of our facilities discharge wastewater into municipal treatment works, and may be required to pre-treat the wastewater and/or to pay surcharges. Some of our facilities use and store in tanks large quantities of materials, such as sodium chloride and ammonia, that could cause environmental damage if accidentally released. We use some hazardous materials in our operations, and we generate and dispose of hazardous wastes as a conditionally exempt small quantity generator. Our capital and operating budgets include costs and expenses associated with complying with these laws. If we do not comply with environmental requirements that apply to our operations, regulatory agencies could seek to impose civil, administrative, and/or criminal liabilities, as well as seek to curtail our operations. Under some circumstances, private parties could also seek to impose civil fines or penalties for violations of environmental laws or recover monetary damages, including those relating to property damage or personal injury.

Many of our plants were in operation before current environmental laws and regulations were enacted. Our predecessors have in the past had to remediate soil and/or groundwater contamination at a number of locations, including petroleum contamination caused by leaking underground storage tanks which they removed, and we may be required to do so again in the future. We have sold a number of plants where we have discontinued

 

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operations, and it is possible that future renovations or redevelopment at these facilities might reveal additional contamination that may need to be addressed. Although the remediation of contamination that was undertaken in the past by our predecessors has been routine, we cannot assure you that future remediation costs will not be material. The presence of hazardous materials at our facilities or at other locations to which we have sent hazardous wastes for treatment or disposal, may expose us to potential liabilities associated with the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater under federal or state “Superfund” statutes. Under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), owners and operators of facilities from which there has been a release or threatened release of hazardous materials, together with those who have transported or arranged for the transportation or disposal of those materials, are liable for (i) the costs of responding to and remediating that release and (ii) the restoration of natural resources damaged by any such release. Under CERCLA and similar state statutes, liability for the entire cost of cleaning up the contaminated site can, subject to certain exceptions, be imposed upon any such party regardless of the lawfulness of the activities that led to the contamination.

We have not incurred, nor do we anticipate incurring, material expenditures made in order to comply with current environmental laws or regulations. We are not aware of any environmental liabilities that we would expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. However, discovery of additional contamination for which we are responsible, the enactment of new laws and regulations, or changes in how existing requirements are enforced could require us to incur additional costs for compliance or subject us to unexpected liabilities.

Seasonality

Our sales and cash flows are affected by seasonal cyclicality. Sales of frozen foods, including seafood, frozen vegetables, and complete bagged meals tend to be marginally higher during the winter months. Sales of pickles, relishes, barbecue sauces, potato chips and salad dressings tend to be higher in the spring and summer months, and demand for Duncan Hines products, Birds Eye vegetables and our fruit fillings tend to be higher around the Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays. We pack the majority of our pickles during a season extending from May through September, and also increase our Duncan Hines inventories at that time, in advance of the selling season. Since many of the raw materials we process under the Birds Eye brand are agricultural crops, production of these products is predominantly seasonal, occurring during and immediately following the purchase of such crops. As a result, our inventory levels tend to be higher during August, September, and October, and thus we require more working capital during these months. We are a seasonal net user of cash in the third quarter of the calendar year.

Insurance

We maintain general liability and product liability, property, worker’s compensation, director and officer and other insurance in amounts and on terms that we believe are customary for companies similarly situated. In addition, we maintain excess insurance where we reasonably believe it is cost effective.

Legal Proceedings

On June 4, 2010 Lehman Brothers Special Financing (“LBSF”) initiated a claim against us in LBSF’s bankruptcy proceeding for an additional payment from us of $19.7 million, related to certain derivative contracts which we had earlier terminated due to LBSF’s default as a result of its bankruptcy filing in 2008. In accordance with the terms of the contracts, following LBSF’s bankruptcy filing, we terminated the contracts and paid LBSF approximately $22.3 million. We believe that the claim is without merit and intend to vigorously defend against it.

From time to time, we are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations, and proceedings, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such items cannot be determined with certainty, our general counsel and management are of the opinion that the final outcome of these matters should not have a material effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

No single item individually is, nor are all of them in the aggregate, material.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

Our executive officers and directors are as follows:

 

Name

   Age   

Position

Robert J. Gamgort

   48    Chief Executive Officer and Director

Craig Steeneck

   52    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

John L. Butler

   63    Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Raymond J. O’Brien

   56    Executive Vice President—Sales and Chief Customer Officer

Sally Genster Robling

   53    Executive Vice President and Division President—Birds Eye Frozen Division

Mark Schiller

   48    Executive Vice President and Division President—Duncan Hines Grocery Division

M. Kelley Maggs

   58    Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

Lynne M. Misericordia

   47    Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

John F. Kroeger

   55    Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

Roger Deromedi

   57    Non-Executive Chairman of the Board and Director

Jason Giordano

   31    Director

Joseph Jimenez

   50    Director

Prakash A. Melwani

   52    Director

Jeff Overly

   52    Director

Raymond P. Silcock

   59    Director

Robert J. Gamgort, Chief Executive Officer, has been with Pinnacle Foods since 2009. Under his leadership Pinnacle acquired Birds Eye Foods, increasing the size of the company by 60% and firmly establishing Pinnacle brands as market leaders in 8 out of 12 food categories. Mr. Gamgort has over 23 years of experience prior to Pinnacle leading food, service and entertainment businesses. Most recently he held the position of North American President of Mars, Inc. where he led an $8 billion portfolio of snackfood, petfood, retail, and main meal businesses. Before Mars, Mr. Gamgort served as President of Major League Baseball Properties for Major League Baseball. Mr. Gamgort started his career at General Foods, which later merged with and became Kraft Foods. At Kraft, Mr. Gamgort progressed through a series of Marketing, Sales, Corporate Strategy and General Management assignments. Mr. Gamgort holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, a BA in Economics from Bucknell University and studied at the London School of Economics. Mr. Gamgort is a Trustee for Bucknell University, co-founded the Bucknell Consumer Products Network and a board member for the Bucknell Business Advisory Board. He also serves on the New Jersey State Employment Training Commission and is a Trustee for the Schiff Natural Lands Trust.

Craig Steeneck, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has been with Pinnacle since 2005. He oversees the company’s financial operations, capital expenditures, investor relations and lean manufacturing processes. Prior to his position as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Steeneck served as Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Finance and IT where he helped redesign the supply chain to generate savings and improved financial performance. Before joining Pinnacle, Mr. Steeneck served as Chief Administrative Officer for Cendant Timeshare Resort Group (now Wyndham Worldwide), playing key roles in wide-scale organization of internal processes and global staff management, and as Chief Financial Officer for International Home Foods, Inc. Mr. Steeneck is a Certified Public Accountant and an honors graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

John L. Butler, as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, leads all human resources responsibilities throughout the company including organizational development, recruitment and talent management, training, compensation and benefits, employee relations and diversity. Before Pinnacle, Mr. Butler managed HR activities at Toys “R” Us. He has also headed Human Resources departments at Federated

Department Stores (Now Macy’s, Inc.) and Nabisco, and served as an HR consultant with RHR International, a

 

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management consulting firm. Mr. Butler is a graduate of St. Peter’s College and holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Catholic University of America.

Raymond J. O’Brien was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President – Sales and Chief Customer Officer, reporting directly to Robert J. Gamgort, Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2010. Mr. O’Brien joined the Company in 2006 and most recently was Senior Vice President – General Management, Specialty Foods Division. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. O’Brien was a founding partner of S&H Solutions, a customer relations management consulting firm. Mr. O’Brien has more than 25 years of sales, marketing and general management experience at Nabisco, Campbell Soup Company and Entenmann’s.

Sally Genster Robling was named Executive Vice President and Division President of the Birds Eye Frozen Division in 2010. In this role, Ms. Robling manages Pinnacle’s frozen portfolio which includes brands such as Birds Eye frozen vegetables, Hungry-Man and Birds Eye Voila! frozen dinners and entrees, Van de Kamp’s and Mrs. Paul’s frozen seafood, and Aunt Jemima frozen breakfasts. Before her current position as Division President of the Birds Eye Frozen Division, Ms. Robling held the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to her roles at Pinnacle, Ms. Robling served as Chief Marketing Officer at Trane, Inc. (formerly American Standard), Vice President and General Manager of Global Beverage at Campbell Soup Company, and held various marketing related roles at Kraft General Goods. Ms. Robling is a graduate of Princeton University and holds an MBA from the Darden School of Business.

Mark Schiller joined Pinnacle Foods in June 2010 as Executive Vice President and Division President of the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. He leads Pinnacle’s grocery portfolio which includes legendary brands such as Duncan Hines baking mixes and frostings, Vlasic pickles, peppers, and relish, Log Cabin and Mrs. Butterworth’s syrups, Armour canned meats, and Brooks and Nalley chili, and Open Pit barbeque sauces. Mr. Schiller came to Pinnacle from PepsiCo, Inc. where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Frito Lay New Ventures and was on the Frito Lay Executive Committee. He also held the roles of President of Quaker Foods and Snacks and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Frito Lay Convenience Foods Division. Mr. Schiller is an honors graduate of Tulane University and holds an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

M. Kelley Maggs has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since 2001. Mr. Maggs oversees all legal and corporate secretary activities at Pinnacle. Prior to his current position, Mr. Maggs served as General Counsel at International Home Foods Inc. Additionally he held the position of Vice President and General Counsel at Stella Foods, Inc. Before engaging in corporate law, he was in the private practice of law in the states of Virginia and New York. Mr. Maggs is a graduate of Niagara University and received his Juris Doctor from George Mason University Law School.

Lynne M. Misericordia has been Senior Vice President and Treasurer since Pinnacle’s inception in 2001. Ms. Misericordia previously held the position of Treasurer with International Home Foods Inc. from November 1996 to December 2000. Before that, Ms. Misericordia was employed by Wyeth from August 1985 to November 1996 and held various financial positions.

John F. Kroeger has been our Vice President and Deputy General Counsel since joining the Company in November 2001. In addition, Mr. Kroeger was also the Vice President of Human Resources from 2004 through 2006. From January 2001 to October 2001, Mr. Kroeger was the Vice President and General Counsel of Anadigics, Inc., a semiconductor company. From August 1998 until December 2000, Mr. Kroeger was Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at International Home Foods Inc. Mr. Kroeger has also held general management and legal positions with leading companies in the chemical, pharmaceutical and petroleum-refining industries.

Roger Deromedi was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors on July 13, 2009, and is a Director. Previously, he was Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since April 2, 2007. Prior thereto,

 

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Mr. Deromedi served as Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Foods Inc. from December 2003 to June 2006. Prior to that, he was co-CEO, Kraft Foods Inc. and President and Chief Executive Officer, Kraft Foods International since 2001. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Kraft Foods International from 1999 to 2001 and previously held a series of increasingly responsible positions since joining General Foods in 1977.

Jason Giordano is a Director. Mr. Giordano is a Principal in the private equity group at Blackstone. Since joining Blackstone in 2006, Mr. Giordano has been involved in the execution of the firm’s investments in HealthMarkets, Pinnacle Foods, and Birds Eye Foods and in analyzing investment opportunities across various industries, including Food and Beverage, Consumer Products, Chemicals, and Industrials. Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Giordano was an Associate at Bain Capital where he evaluated and executed global private equity investments in a wide range of industries. Prior to that, he worked in investment banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co. focused on Communications, Media, and Entertainment clients. Mr. Giordano received an AB from Dartmouth College and an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School, where he graduated as a George F. Baker Scholar. Mr. Giordano also serves on the Board of Directors of HealthMarkets, Inc.

Joseph Jimenez is a Director. Mr. Jimenez is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Novartis A.G. From October 2007 to January 2010 he was Chief Executive Officer of Novartis Pharma A.G. From July 2002 to May 2006, Mr. Jimenez was the Executive Vice President of the H.J. Heinz Company and was President and CEO of Heinz Europe. Prior to that, he was President and CEO of Heinz North America from November 1998 to June 2002. In 1993, he joined ConAgra Grocery Products. At ConAgra, Mr. Jimenez directed the marketing for Orville Redenbacher Popcorn and ethnic foods company LaChoy/Rosarita as Vice President, Orville Redenbacher/Swiss Miss Food Company as Senior Vice President, and Wesson/Peter Pan Food Company as President. Mr. Jimenez has more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, starting at the Clorox Company where he worked from 1984 to 1993 and advanced from Brand Assistant to Group Marketing Manager in the Dressings and Sauces Division. Mr. Jimenez also oversaw the launch of Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing. While at Heinz and Clorox, Mr. Jimenez oversaw the following segments: Pickles (Heinz), BBQ Sauces (Heinz, KC Masterpiece and Jack Daniels), Heinz food service, and Heinz Canada.

Prakash A. Melwani is a Director. In May 2003, Mr. Melwani joined Blackstone as a Senior Managing Director in its private equity group. He is also a member of Blackstone’s private equity investment committee. Prior to joining Blackstone, Mr. Melwani was a founder, in 1988, of Vestar Capital Partners and served as its Chief Investment Officer. He received an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School and graduated as a Baker Scholar and a Loeb Rhodes Fellow. Mr. Melwani is a member of the boards of directors of Kosmos Energy, RGIS Inventory Specialists, Performance Food Group, and Ariel Re. He is also President and a Director of the India Fund and The Asia Tigers Fund.

Jeff Overly is a Director. Mr. Overly is an Executive Director in the private equity group at Blackstone. Mr. Overly is involved in monitoring, advising, and supporting Lean Operational Excellence and Supply Chain improvement opportunities within Blackstone’s portfolio company holdings. Before joining Blackstone in 2008, Mr. Overly was Vice President of Global Fixture Operations at Kohler Company where he was responsible for global manufacturing operations, including the entire supply chain from procurement to shipment of finished product through a multi-warehouse regional distribution center network. Prior to that, he served 25 years at General Motors Corporation and Delphi Corporation in numerous operations and engineering positions with global responsibilities. Mr. Overly has a BS in Industrial Management from the University of Cincinnati, and a Masters in Business from Central Michigan University.

Raymond P. Silcock is a Director. Formerly in 2009, Mr. Silcock was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KB Home, and prior to that was appointed Audit Committee Chair effective April 2009 and served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of UST Inc. from 2007 up to its acquisition by Altria, Inc. in January 2009. Before joining UST, Mr. Silcock was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Swift & Company from 2006 to 2007 when the Company was acquired by JBS S.A. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cott Corporation from 1998 to 2005. In

 

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addition, Mr. Silcock spent 18 years with Campbell Soup Company, serving in a variety of progressively more responsible roles, culminating as Vice President, Finance for the Bakery and Confectionary Division.

Equity Investment by Chairman and Executive Officers

At the time of the Blackstone Transaction, our senior management invested $8.0 million to acquire equity interests in Peak Holdings in the form of Class A-2 Units of Peak Holdings. In addition, each was awarded non-voting profits interest units in Peak Holdings under our equity incentive plans described in “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation,” subject to future vesting conditions. At the time of the Birds Eye Acquisition, some of our Directors and senior management invested an additional $3.1 million to acquire equity interests in Peak Holdings in the form of Class A-2 Units of Peak Holdings. In the normal course of business, new executives joining the company are given the opportunity to invest in Class A-2 Units of Peak Holdings. The amount of such investments during the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $0.4 million.

Each of these members of management executed a management unit subscription agreement. Under these agreements, the executives have the right to put their Class A-2 Units and any vested profits interest units to Peak Holdings for a price at least equal to their fair market value if their employment terminates due to disability or death prior to the earlier of an initial public offering of Peak Holdings or a change of control of Peak Holdings. The agreements also contain terms that allow Peak Holdings or Blackstone at its option to purchase from executives the Class A-2 Units and any recently vested profits interest units if the executive engages in activity competing with our company or if the executive is terminated due to death or disability, a termination without cause or constructive termination (other than, in such case, the Class A-2 Units, unless the executive has engaged in activity competing with our company), a termination for cause or a voluntary termination of their employment. Should Peak Holdings or Blackstone elect to exercise their purchase rights under the agreements, the price per unit will depend on the nature of the executive’s termination of employment.

Corporate Governance Matters

The Board of Directors met four times during 2009.

Background and Experience of Directors. When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills, taken as a whole, to enable our Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of our business and structure, the Board of Directors focused primarily on each person’s background and experience as reflected in the information discussed in each of the directors’ individual biographies set forth above. We believe that our directors provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and nature of our business. In particular, the members of our Board of Directors considered the following important characteristics: (i) Mr. Melwani, Mr. Giordano and Mr. Overly are representatives appointed by The Blackstone Group, our principal stockholder, and have significant financial, investment and operational experience from their involvement in Blackstone’s investments in numerous portfolio companies and have played active roles in overseeing those businesses, (ii) Mr. Deromedi, our Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Jimenez and Mr. Silcock each has had significant executive level experience throughout has career in leading consumer packaged goods companies, and (iii) Mr.Gamgort, our Chief Executive Officer, previously served as North American President for Mars Incorporated, where he managed the company’s $8 billion North American portfolio. In addition, Mr. Gamgort served as President of Major League Baseball Properties and at Kraft Foods, where he held key marketing, sales, corporate strategy, and general management roles.

Board Leadership Structure. Our Board of Directors is led by the Non-Executive Chairman, who is appointed by our principal stockholder. The Chief Executive Officer position is separate from the Chairman position. We believe that the separation of the Chairman and CEO positions is appropriate corporate governance.

 

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Role of Board in Risk Oversight. The Board of Directors has extensive involvement in the oversight of risk management related to the company and its business and accomplishes this oversight through the regular reporting by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee represents the Board of Directors by periodically reviewing the accounting, reporting and financial practices of the company, including the integrity of our financial statements, the surveillance of administrative and financial controls and the company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Through its regular meetings with management, including the finance, legal, and internal audit functions, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses all significant areas of our business and summarizes for the Board of Directors all areas of risk and the appropriate mitigating factors. In addition, our Board of Directors receives periodic detailed operating performance reviews from management.

Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee is responsible for (1) selecting the independent auditors, (2) approving the overall scope of the audit, (3) assisting the Board of Directors in monitoring the integrity of our financial statements, the independent accountant’s qualifications and independence, the performance of the independent accountants and our internal audit function and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (4) annually reviewing an independent auditors’ report describing the auditing firms’ internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the auditing firm, (5) discussing the annual audited financial and quarterly statements with management and the independent auditor, (6) periodically meeting separately with each of management, internal auditors and the independent auditor, (7) reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and managements’ response, (8) handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the Audit Committee by the Board of Directors from time to time and (9) reporting regularly to the full Board of Directors.

The members of the current Audit Committee are Mr. Silcock (Chairman), Mr. Giordano and Mr. Overly. Our Board of Directors has not affirmatively determined whether any of the members of the current Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” or whether any such person is independent under the applicable standards of the New York Stock Exchange or any other standard. Because our securities are not listed on any stock exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, we are not required to have a separately designated audit committee whose members are independent, and therefore our board has not made a formal determination of whether the members of our Audit Committee are independent or whether that committee includes at least one audit committee financial expert. However, we believe that Mr. Silcock would be considered an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission if our Board of Directors were to make such a determination. The Audit Committee met seven times during 2009. See “Executive Officers and Directors” above for a description of Mr. Silcock’s relevant experience. See also “Item 13: Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence-Director Independence.”

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. The members of our Compensation Committee are Prakash Melwani (Chairman), a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone, Joseph Jimenez, Jason Giordano, a Principal of Blackstone, and Roger Deromedi, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Other than Mr. Deromedi, none of the other members are current or former officers or employees of our company. We are parties to certain transactions with Blackstone described in “Certain Relationship and Related Transactions” section below. Mr. Deromedi does not participate in Compensation Committee discussions regarding his own compensation. The Compensation Committee met three times during 2009.

Code of Ethics. Our employee handbook contains certain standards for ethical conduct required of our employees. We require all employees to meet our ethical standards which include compliance with all laws while performing their job duties with high integrity and professionalism.

We have also adopted a Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and all other executive officers and other key employees. This Code of Ethics is intended to promote honest and ethical conduct, full and accurate reporting, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Compensation Program Objectives and Design

Our primary objectives in establishing our comprehensive compensation program are to recruit, attract, retain and properly motivate high-level talent to work for and ultimately add value to our company for the benefit of our shareholders.

Each element of the overall program (discussed in greater detail below) is intended to be competitive with similar elements offered both locally and nationally by other similarly-sized employers and competitors in our industry. These elements reinforce one another as components of a comprehensive compensation program to accomplish the objectives noted above.

We designed most of the major elements of our comprehensive compensation program with input from our senior management team, consisting of our Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President Human Resources, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary and Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, and consultation with other members of our senior management. Representatives of our major shareholders and outside, independent service providers provided additional input and suggested objectives. Members of our senior management review major compensation elements on an annual basis.

After receipt of this input and development of final draft plans, such plans were (and in the case of annual bonus plans, are annually) presented to our Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee consists of Directors Prakash Melwani, a Senior Managing Director of Blackstone, Joseph Jimenez, Jason Giordano, a Principal of Blackstone, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Roger Deromedi. Other than Mr. Deromedi, none of these members are current or former officers or employees of our company. We are parties to certain transactions with Blackstone described in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.” Mr. Deromedi does not participate in Compensation Committee discussions involving his compensation.

The Compensation Committee comments on and ultimately adopts the major compensation programs.

Our compensation program is designed to reward performance by our company’s executives, which in turn creates value for our company’s shareholders. Performance is reviewed annually for both our company’s executives and our company as a whole. Our Compensation Committee reviews and approves annual compensation elements such as bonus plan attainment, and our company’s full Board of Directors reviews full year earnings and performance by our company’s executives. The full Board of Directors also approves our company’s annual budgets, which include certain elements of the compensation program such as annual bonuses and annual merit increases, if any, for our company’s executives.

In short, if value is not added to our company annually, certain of the elements of the compensation program are not paid or do not vest, i.e., annual bonuses, annual base compensation increases and certain equity grants.

The compensation program is not intended to reward only short-term or annual performance, however. It is also intended to reward long-term company performance. Therefore, employee equity programs, which are discussed in more detail below, are key elements of the compensation program.

Elements of Compensation

For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, the following five principal elements made up our compensation program:

 

   

Base salary and potential annual merit adjustment;

 

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Bonus plan (Management Incentive Plans or “MIP”);

 

   

Employee equity plans;

 

   

Severance, change of control and other termination-related programs; and

 

   

401(k) plan and other benefits.

The following is a brief discussion of each principal element of compensation.

 

(a) Base salary. The Chief Executive Officer sets the base salaries for all executive officers of our company, with the exception of his own, which is set by the Compensation Committee. Base salaries are intended to compensate the executive officers and all other salaried employees for the basic services that they perform for our company on an annual basis. All salaried employees are paid bi-weekly in equal increments. In setting base salaries, our company takes into account the employee’s experience, the functions and responsibilities of the job, salaries for similar positions within the community and for competitive positions in the food industry generally and any other factor relevant to that particular job. We attempt to pay in the middle range for each job but do not limit ourselves to this range. In determining salaries, we also consult with outside consultants and recruiters, senior members of our management team who have contacts and experience at other relevant companies, board members and investor relations personnel. Base salaries may be adjusted annually and, in certain circumstances, adjusted throughout the year to deal with competitive pressures or changes in job responsibilities.

 

(b) Bonus plans (MIP). We use our MIP plans to motivate our eligible employees on an annual basis. The MIP plans, together with base salary and basic benefits (other than our 401(k) plan) are considered short-term compensation programs. Our MIP plans are intended to reward executives and other eligible employees for achieving annual profit and operational goals. Generally under all three such existing programs (one for Sales personnel, one for Food Service personnel and one for all other executives and eligible employees), our EBITDA target, which is derived from our operating plan for the year and approved annually by the Board of Directors, is a major component, and individual goals or “MBOs” account for the balance. We consider the specific EBITDA targets applicable to the MIP plans to be confidential commercial and financial information, the disclosure of which could result in competitive harm to us. However, we believe that each of these targets, while difficult to attain, is reasonably attainable if we achieve our planned performance and growth objectives over the period applicable to the MIP plans. The EBITDA target was met in 2009 and 2007 but not in 2008. Senior management of our company decides who is eligible to participate in the MIP plans and what the terms of the plans are, including each employee’s bonus potential. All jobs at our company have grade levels attached to them, and some of these grade levels have target bonus levels assigned to them. The full Board of Directors must approve the bonus pool contained in the annual budget; the Compensation Committee must approve actual payment of bonuses pursuant to the MIP plans and must specifically consider and approve the bonuses to senior executive officers. All bonuses are equal to a preset percentage of a person’s base salary with minimum and maximum payouts if certain targets are attained.

 

(c)

Equity programs. We currently have three long-term equity incentive plans: the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2007 Unit Plan (the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2007 Unit Plan are collectively referred to as the “2007 Equity Plans”) and the Crunch Holding Corp. stock purchase plan (“SPP”). The 2007 Equity Plans provide executives with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in our company as an incentive for them to remain in our service. The percentage of equity reserved for issuance under the 2007 Equity Plans is 10% of the total equity of Crunch Holding Corp. The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan includes approximately 175 salaried employees and is authorized to issue up to 20,000 options to purchase shares of Crunch Holding Corp. common stock. All options granted under the plan must be awarded with a strike price that is no less than the fair market value of a share of Crunch Holding Corp. common stock on the date of the grant. Under the 2007 Unit Plan, 45 management employees were given the opportunity to invest in our company through the purchase of Class A-2 Units in our ultimate parent, Peak Holdings LLC. In addition, each manager who invested in those Class A-2 units was awarded profits interests in Peak Holdings LLC in the form of Class

 

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B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 Units (collectively, “Class B Units”). Generally, 25% of the options and all of the Class B Units will vest ratably over five years. Fifty percent of the options (the “performance options”) and all of the Class B-2 Units vest ratably over five years depending on whether annual or cumulative EBITDA targets are met. We consider the specific EBITDA targets applicable to the 2007 Equity Plans to be confidential commercial and financial information, the disclosure of which could result in competitive harm to us. However, we believe that each of these targets, while difficult to attain, is reasonably attainable if we achieve our planned performance and growth objectives over the period applicable to the plans. The EBITDA target was met in 2009 and 2007 but not in 2008. The final 25% of the options (the “exit options”) and all Class B-3 units granted under the 2007 Equity Plans vest either on a change of control or similar event, if a 20% annual internal rate of return (or, if the event occurs (x) on or before the first anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction, a 40% annual internal rate of return or (y) after the first anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction but on or before the second anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction, a 30% annual internal rate of return) is attained by Blackstone. We recently modified both plans to revise the EBITDA targets included in those plans to levels we believe are reasonably attainable in light of the current global economic and financial crisis. In addition, the plans now provide that if the EBITDA target is achieved in any two consecutive fiscal years (excluding 2007 and 2008) during the employee’s continued employment, then that year’s and all prior years’ performance options or Class B-2 Units will vest and become exercisable. If the exit options or Class B-3 Units vest and become exercisable during the employee’s continued employment, then all the performance options and Class B-2 Units, as the case may be, will also vest and become exercisable.

 

     Under the 2007 Equity Plans, vesting terminates upon an employee’s termination, but in most cases a terminated employee may exercise his vested options within 90 days of termination. Under these plans, the executives have the right to put their Class A-2 Units, any vested Class B Units and any shares held as a result of the exercise of any option to Peak Holdings or Crunch Holding Corp., as the case may be, for a price at least equal to their fair market value if such executive’s employment terminates due to disability or death prior to the earlier of an initial public offering or change of control of Peak Holdings or Crunch Holding Corp., as the case may be. The plans contain terms that generally allow Peak Holdings or Crunch Holding Corp., as the case may be, at its option to purchase from executives the Class A-2 Units, any vested Class B Units and any shares held as a result of the exercise of any option if the executive engages in activity competing with our company or if the executive is terminated due to death or disability, a termination without cause or constructive termination, a termination for cause or a voluntary termination of employment. Should Peak Holdings or Blackstone elect to exercise its purchase rights under the plans, the price per unit will depend on the nature of the executive’s termination of employment. Equity awards under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan are granted based upon recommendations from senior management and approved by the CEO. Equity awards under the 2007 Unit Plan are also approved by the Board of Directors.

 

     The third long-term incentive plan provided for the Company’s executives is the SPP. We believe that the SPP aligns the long-term interests of our executives with those of our shareholders. Together, the 2007 Equity Plans and SPP are intended to foster long-term growth for our company and provide a means of creating financial security for our senior executives.

 

(d)

Severance, change of control and other termination-related programs. We generally have two forms of post-termination compensation—the use of change of control language in employment letters or agreements and basic severance plan provisions. We believe that each of these two forms of compensation is necessary to help attract and retain highly qualified executives. In addition, we believe that we benefit from such arrangements because they help to insure continuity of management. Without these arrangements, in the event of a possible or actual change in control, certain executives may feel the need to find other employment before they are forced to leave after a change of control event. With such arrangements in place, we believe that there will be more stability with our senior executives, allowing for more efficient operation of our company and the creation of additional value for our company and our shareholders. At present, we have only one type of change of control provision in our existing employment agreements and letter agreements with various members of our management. This provision essentially provides that, unless

 

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the applicable executive is retained in his or her job following a change in control with the same or similar duties, responsibilities, compensation and location of job, the executive may terminate his or her employment and receive a change of control payment.

 

     Further, we maintain a severance plan which is intended to be in the middle of the range in terms of value to employees when compared against companies of similar size, location and industry type. The severance plan provides a weekly severance based upon the employee’s total years of service with our company, with a minimum of four weeks pay for new hires and up to 16 weeks pay for executives at higher levels. All executives of our company who do not have change of control provisions applicable to them are eligible for the benefits of the severance plan.

 

(e) 401(k) plan and other benefits. We provide various other benefits to executives and other salaried employees, which allow us to provide a full and comprehensive compensation package. We do not sponsor a defined benefit pension program for salaried employees. The elements of our company’s compensation program not otherwise discussed above are:

 

  (1) A 401(k) program under which our company matches up to 50% of employee contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 3% of the employee’s pay (up to the Internal Revenue Service annual covered compensation limit);

 

  (2) Medical and dental insurance for which our company pays approximately 70% of the premiums;

 

  (3) Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance paid for by our company; and

 

  (4) Long-term Disability and Short-Term Disability insurance paid for by our company.

 

     In establishing and providing the plans noted above, our company uses outside 401(k) plan and benefits consultants to design our 401(k) plan and insurance programs. Each of the outside consultants provides not less than annual advice about the plan designs for manufacturing companies across the United States and in the communities where our company is located. As with other elements of compensation, our company strives to provide competitive benefits to attract highly qualified executives. Based on our general perception of the market and while we have not identified specific companies, we believe that the benefits noted in this section generally are at the 50th percentile of all similarly situated manufacturers and competitors with exceptions made where we believe necessary based on the communities where our company is located.

 

(f) Executive compensation as a package of compensation elements. In summary, we have developed each element of compensation for our executives to be consistent with standard industry practices and to complement the rest of the elements of our compensation program. Most importantly, we provide a total compensation program that allows us to attain the objectives set forth above. Without our current mix of compensation elements, we do not believe we could attain our objectives. While we do not have a fixed policy that an incoming executive must receive a certain salary, a certain bonus amount, a certain amount of equity, or any other specified type or level of compensation, each of the elements is critical to providing a competitive compensation package to executives. Therefore, although no predetermined amount is set, we are careful to give adequate weight to short-term compensation vs. long-term compensation, and no decision is made with regard to one element of compensation without considering the impact on the other elements compensation and ultimately on the objectives we wish to achieve.

 

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides summary information concerning compensation paid or accrued by us to or on behalf of our named executive officers for 2009, 2008 and 2007 for services rendered to us during the respective fiscal years.

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year   Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
    Stock
Awards (a)
($)
  Option
Awards
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)

Robert J. Gamgort (b)

Chief Executive Officer Director

  2009   $ 375,962   $  458,333 (g)    $ 10,246,500   $ —     $ 537,624   $ 264 (j)    $ 11,618,647

Jeffrey P. Ansell (c)

  2009     432,212     —          —       —       567,905     2,378,064 (k)      3,378,038

Former Chief Executive Officer Former Director

  2008     768,173     —          —       —       169,500     11,914 (k)      949,446
  2007     709,615     60,000 (h)      10,399,500     —       750,000     8,063 (k)      11,927,035

Craig Steeneck (d)

  2009     500,000     200,000 (i)      —       —       776,250     8,351 (l)      1,484,460

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  2008     431,000     —          —       —       100,800     7,869 (l)      539,528
  2007     401,770     —          4,252,240     —       325,000     8,063 (l)      4,986,930

Edward L. Sutter (e)

  2009     350,000     —          2,049,300     —       262,631     8,351 (m)      2,670,141

Executive Vice President- Supply Chain

  2008     13,462     —          —       —       —       36 (m)      13,493

Sally Genster Robling (f)

  2009     339,308     —          1,366,200     —       369,495     8,351 (n)      2,083,213

Executive Vice President- Chief Marketing Officer

  2008     38,942     —          —       —       10,500     890 (n)      50,317
  2007     —       —          —       —       —       —          —  

Chris L. Kiser

  2009     340,000     —          —       —       369,495     15,201 (o)      724,606

Executive Vice President- Chief Customer Officer

  2008     314,763     —          —       —       50,500     14,726 (o)      379,903
  2007     300,328     —          1,386,600     —       169,811     14,576 (o)      1,871,229

 

(a) Stock Awards, which were valued in accordance with the authoritative guidance for stock compensation, represent the grant date fair values for the Class B Units. The assumptions used in the valuation are discussed in Note 6 and Note 5 of our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 30, 2007, respectively.
(b) On July 13, 2009, Mr. Gamgort was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Director of the company.
(c) On July 10, 2009, Jeffrey P. Ansell left his position as Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the company.
(d) On July 1, 2007, Mr. Steeneck was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the company.
(e) Mr. Sutter was hired by the company on December 8, 2008 and serves as Executive Vice President-Supply Chain.
(f) Ms. Robling was hired by the company on November 10, 2008 and serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
(g) For Mr. Gamgort, represents a deferred cash incentive award of $458,333 earned in 2009. This award is payable on July 13, 2012.
(h) Under the terms of the employment agreement signed at the start of his employment, Mr. Ansell received a sign-on bonus of $60,000, payable on the one-year anniversary of his employment.
(i) For Mr. Steeneck, this amount represents a retention bonus in the amount of $200,000.
(j) For Mr. Gamgort, All Other Compensation for 2009 consists of group life insurance premiums.
(k) For Mr. Ansell, All Other Compensation for 2009, 2008 and 2007 consists of contributions made by the company to his 401(k) account ($7,350 in 2009, $6,900 in 2008 and $6,750 in 2007) and group life insurance premiums. Also included in 2008 is relocation-related tax gross-up compensation of $4,333. Also included in 2009 are severance accruals in the amount of $2,325,000 and a payout of unused vacation time amounting to $44,712.
(l) For Mr. Steeneck, All Other Compensation for 2009, 2008 and 2007 consists of contributions made by the company to his 401(k) account ($7,350 in 2009, $6,900 in 2008 and $6,750 in 2007) and group life insurance premiums.
(m) For Mr. Sutter, All Other Compensation for 2009 consists of contributions made by the company to his 401(k) account of $7,530 and group life insurance premiums. For 2008, the amount consists of group life insurance premiums.
(n) For Ms. Robling, All Other Compensation for 2009 and 2008 consists of contributions made by the company to her 401(k) account of $7,350 in 2009 and $779 in 2008 and group life insurance premiums.
(o) For Mr. Kiser, All Other Compensation for 2009, 2008 and 2007 includes an automobile allowance of $7,200 in each year, contributions made by the company to his 401(k) account ($7,350 in 2009, $6,900 in 2008 and $6,750 in 2007) and group life insurance premiums.

 

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009

The following table provides supplemental information relating to grants of plan-based awards to help explain information provided above in our Summary Compensation Table.

 

        Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
  Estimated Future Payout
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
  All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of
Units (a)(c)
(#)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards  (a)
($)

Name

  Grant
Date
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Target (a)(b)
(#)
   

Robert J. Gamgort
(prorated)

    $ —     $ 389,583   $ 779,166      
  July 29, 2009         1,687.50   562.50   $ 10,246,500

Craig Steeneck
(enhanced target)

      —       500,000     1,000,000      
      —       262,500     492,188      

Edward L. Sutter

  April 2, 2009         337.50   112.50   $ 2,049,300
      —       255,000     478,125      

Sally Genster Robling

  April 2, 2009         225.00   75.00   $ 1,366,200

Chris L. Kiser

      —       255,000     478,125      

 

(a) In connection with the commencement of their employment, Mr. Gamgort, Mr. Sutter and Ms. Robling each purchased non-compensatory Class A-2 Units in our ultimate parent, Peak Holdings LLC at fair market value. As a result of this purchase, each was awarded profits interests in Peak Holdings LLC under the 2007 Unit Plan in the form of Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 Units. The 2007 Unit Plan is discussed above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The number of units and the fair value of the awards listed are for the total Class B Units awarded.
(b) Represents Class B-2 and B-3 Units. See description above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
(c) Represents Class B-1 Units. See description above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009

Employment Agreements

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction, on April 2, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp., one of our parent companies, entered into substantially similar employment agreements with each of Jeffrey P. Ansell and Craig Steeneck that govern the terms of each executive’s employment. The term of employment commenced on April 2, 2007 and is to end on April 2, 2012, provided, however, that commencing with April 2, 2012 and on each April 2 thereafter, the employment term shall be automatically extended for an additional one-year period unless the company or the executive provides the other party 60 days’ prior notice before the next extension date that the employment term will not be so extended. The agreements are terminable by either party at any time, provided that an executive must give no less than 30 days’ notice prior to a resignation. Copies of the employment agreements for Mr. Ansell and Mr. Steeneck are filed as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4, respectively.

On July 10, 2009, Jeffrey P. Ansell, the company’s former Chief Executive Officer and Director, left the company to pursue other opportunities. On July 31, 2009, Crunch Holding Corp., the parent of the company, and Mr. Ansell entered into a separation agreement with respect to Mr. Ansell’s departure from the company. Under the terms of the separation agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.32, Mr. Ansell received at the time of his departure from the company (a) $411,525 in respect of his pro-rated target bonus for the 2009 fiscal year, and, since the company exceeded its EBITDA targets for the 2009 fiscal year, he received a pro-rated amount of excess bonus he would have been entitled to receive of $156,380; (b) $2,325,000 in severance pay payable in equal installments over eighteen months; (c) continued coverage under the company’s group health, life and disability plans until the earlier of (1) eighteen months from the separation date (approximately $18,000) and (2) the date Mr. Ansell is or becomes eligible for comparable coverage under health, life and disability plans of another employer; (d) $25,000 for outplacement counseling services; and (e) $10,000 for legal and other fees for the negotiation and preparation of the separation agreement.

 

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On July 13, 2009, Robert J. Gamgort was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and a Director. Mr. Gamgort entered into an employment agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.33, with an affiliate of the company on July 13, 2009. The employment Agreement provides for an initial term of five years commencing on July 13, 2009. The initial term will be automatically extended for an additional one-year period on each July 13 after the initial term, unless one of the parties provides the other 60 days’ prior written notice before the expiration that the term shall not be extended. The financial terms of the employment agreement sets forth (a) Mr. Gamgort’s annual base salary, which will be subject to discretionary annual increases upon review by the Board of Directors; (b) states that he will be eligible to earn an annual bonus award at a target of 100% of the base salary, and up to a maximum of 200% of the base salary, based upon the achievement of annual EBITDA target or maximum performance objectives established annually by the Board of Directors; (c) states that he will be eligible to receive an annual deferred cash incentive award of $1 million (pro-rated for the 2009 fiscal year) contingent on satisfaction of specified performance objectives established by the Board of Directors (except for the 2009 award, which is not subject to performance criteria), with each award payable on the third anniversary of its grant date; and (d) states that he will be eligible to receive a $3-4 million transaction incentive award, in the event of a qualified public offering or a change of control that occurs during Mr. Gamgort’s employment, with the grant of the transaction incentive award contingent on the valuation of Peak Holdings at the time of the transaction.

The company has an employment agreement with Mr. Steeneck that sets forth the his annual base salary, which will be subject to discretionary annual increases upon review by the Board of Directors, and states that Mr. Steeneck will be eligible to earn an annual bonus as a percentage of salary with respect to each fiscal year (with a target percentage between 75% and 150%), based upon the extent to which annual performance targets established by the Board of Directors are achieved. The annual bonus, if any, shall be paid within two and one-half months after the end of the applicable fiscal year. Mr. Steeneck also has the opportunity to earn an enhanced annual bonus, which would increase his target percentage from 75% to 100% and his maximum target percentage from 150% to 200%. The enhanced annual bonus is based upon the company achieving certain EBITDA and other financial targets, which would be in excess of the targets established annually by the Board of Directors. In 2009, the enhanced target was met. We recently modified the EBITDA targets included in Mr. Steeneck’s plan to levels we believe are reasonably attainable in light of the current global economic and financial crisis. A copy of the enhanced target annual bonus and its modification are filed as Exhibit 10.22 and 10.24, respectively.

Pursuant to each employment agreement listed above, if an executive’s employment terminates for any reason, the executive is entitled to receive (1) any base salary and unused vacation accrued through the date of termination; (2) any annual bonus earned, but unpaid, as of the date of termination, (3) reimbursement of any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the executive; and 4) such employee benefits, if any, as to which the executive may be entitled under our employee benefit plans (the payments and benefits described in (1) through (4) being “accrued rights”).

If an executive’s employment is terminated by us without “cause” (as defined below) (other than by reason of death or disability) or if the executive resigns as a result of a “constructive termination” (as defined below) (each a “qualifying termination”), the executive is entitled to (1) the accrued rights; (2) a pro rata portion of a target annual bonus based upon the percentage of the fiscal year that shall have elapsed through the date of the executive’s termination of employment; (3) subject to compliance with certain confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants contained in his employment agreement and execution of a general release of claims on behalf of the company, an amount equal to the product of (x) one-and-a-half in the case of Mr. Gamgort or one in the case of Mr. Steeneck and (y) the sum of (A) the executive’s base salary and (B) the executive’s target annual bonus amount, which shall be payable to the executive in equal installments in accordance with the company’s normal payroll practices; (4) continued coverage under our group health plans until the earlier of (A) eighteen months in the case of Mr. Gamgort and one year in the case of Mr. Steeneck from the executive’s date of termination of employment with the company and (B) the date the executive is or becomes eligible for comparable coverage under health, life and disability plans of another employer; and, in the case of Mr. Gamgort, (5) the applicable payments under the terms of the annual deferred cash incentive award and the transaction incentive award.

 

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For purposes of these agreements, “cause” is defined as (A) the executive’s continued failure substantially to perform his material duties under the executive’s employment agreement (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical or mental illness) following notice by the company to the executive of such failure and 30 days within which to cure; (B) theft or embezzlement of company property; (C) any act on the part of executive that constitutes a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof (provided, that if an executive is terminated for any action described in this clause (C) and the executive is never indicted in respect of such action, then the burden of establishing that such action occurred will be on the company in respect of any proceeding related thereto between the parties and the standard of proof will be clear and convincing evidence (and if the company fails to meet that standard, the company will reimburse the executive for his reasonable legal fees in connection with that proceeding)); (D) the executive’s willful material misconduct in connection with his duties to the company or any act or omission which is materially injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of the company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (E) the executive’s breach of the provisions of the non-competition clause of these agreements; or, solely in the case of Mr. Steeneck, (F) dishonesty in the performance of the executive’s duties resulting in material harm to the company. No act will be deemed to be “willful” if conducted in good faith with a reasonable belief that the conduct was in the best interests of the company.

For purposes of these agreements, “constructive termination” is defined as (A) the failure of the company to pay or cause to be paid the executive’s base salary or annual bonus (if any) when due; (B) a reduction in the executive’s base salary or target bonus opportunity as a percentage of base salary (excluding any change in the value of equity incentives or a reduction in base salary affecting substantially all similarly situated executives by the same percentage of base salary); (C) any substantial and sustained diminution in the executive’s duties, authority or responsibilities as of the date of the agreement; (D) a relocation of the executive’s primary work location more than 50 miles without his prior written consent; (E) the failure to assign the executive’s employment agreement to a successor, and the failure of such successor to assume that employment agreement, in any public offering or change of control (each as defined in the Securityholders Agreement, dated April 2, 2007, described under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence—Securityholders Agreement of Peak Holdings LLC”); (F) a company notice to the executive of the company’s election not to extend the employment term; or, solely in the case of Mr. Gamgort, (G) a failure to elect or reelect or the removal as a member of the Board of Directors; provided, that none of these events will constitute constructive termination unless the company fails to cure the event within 30 days after notice is given by the executive specifying in reasonable detail the event which constitutes constructive termination; provided, further, that constructive termination will cease to exist for an event on the 60th day following the later of its occurrence or the executive’s knowledge thereof, unless the executive has given the company notice thereof prior to such date.

In the event of an executive’s termination of employment that is not a qualifying termination or a termination due to death or disability, he will only be entitled to the accrued rights (as defined above); and, in the case of Mr. Gamgort’s death or disability, the applicable payments under the terms of the annual deferred cash incentive award and the transaction incentive award.

For information with respect to potential payments to the named executive officers pursuant to their employment agreements upon termination or change of control, see the tables set forth under “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Each of the agreements also contains non-competition provisions that limit the executive’s ability to engage in activity competing with our company for 18 months, in the case of Mr. Gamgort, or one year, in the case of Mr. Steeneck, after termination of employment. Termination payments are contingent on the executive’s compliance with all non-competition provisions.

 

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Other Change of Control and Severance Agreements

Mr. Kiser, Mr. Sutter and Ms. Robling have entered into severance agreements that are substantially different from that of other executives of the company. Under these agreements, if an executive’s employment is terminated by us without cause (as defined), then the executive would be entitled to a cash payment equal to the executive’s then current salary for up to 12 months (nine months guaranteed plus three additional months should the executive not be employed after the initial nine months). Mr. Kiser’s agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.29. Mr. Sutter’s agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.38. Ms. Robling’s agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.39.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year End

The following table provides information regarding outstanding awards made to our named executive officers as of our most recent fiscal year end.

 

Name

   Number of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not  Vested
(#) (a)
    Stock Awards     Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value  of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested (h)
($)
     Market Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not  Vested (h)
($)
   Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or  Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested
(#) (b)
   

Robert J. Gamgort

   562.5 (c)    $ 2,561,625    1,462.5 (c)    $ 6,660,225

Craig Steeneck

   115.5 (d)      525,987    423.5 (d)      1,928,619
        100.0 (d)      455,400

Edward L. Sutter

   112.5 (e)      512,325    292.5 (e)      1,332,045

Sally Genster Robling

   75.0 (f)      341,550    195.0 (f)      888,030

Chris L. Kiser

   45.0 (g)      204,930    165.0 (g)      751,410

 

(a) Represents Class B-1 Units, which vest ratably over five years.
(b) Represents Class B-2 Units, which vest ratably over five years depending on whether annual or cumulative EBITDA targets are met and Class B-3 Units, which vest either on a change of control or similar event if certain internal rates of return are met.
(c) Assuming certain company performance targets are met, Mr. Gamgort’s unvested Class B Units vest as follows: in fiscal 2010 – 337.5; in fiscal 2011 – 337.5; in fiscal 2012 – 337.5; in fiscal 2013 – 337.5; and in fiscal 2014 – 675.
(d) Assuming certain company performance targets are met, Mr. Steeneck’s unvested Class B Units vest as follows: in fiscal 2010 – 165.5; in fiscal 2011 – 115.5; and in fiscal 2012 – 358.
(e) Assuming certain company performance targets are met, Mr. Sutter’s unvested Class B Units vest as follows: in fiscal 2010 – 67.5; in fiscal 2011 – 67.5; in fiscal 2012 – 67.5; in fiscal 2013 – 67.5; and in fiscal 2014 – 135.
(f) Assuming certain company performance targets are met, Ms. Robling’s unvested Class B Units vest as follows: in fiscal 2010 – 45; in fiscal 2011 – 45; in fiscal 2012 – 45; in fiscal 2013 – 45; and in fiscal 2014 – 90.
(g) Assuming certain company performance targets are met, Mr. Kiser’s unvested Class B Units vest as follows: in fiscal 2010 – 45; in fiscal 2011 – 45; and in fiscal 2012 – 120.
(h) The value ascribed to the Class B Units was calculated based upon a value of $4,554 per B Unit, which is the value calculated at April 1, 2009 and is the value used in calculating stock compensation expense under the authoritative guidance for stock compensation

 

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Option Exercises and Stock Vested in 2009

The following table provides information regarding the amounts received by our named executive officers upon the vesting of stock or similar instruments during our most recent fiscal year.

 

     Stock Awards

Name

   Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting (a)
(#)
   Value Received
on Vesting (a)
($)

Robert J. Gamgort

   225.0    $ 1,024,650

Craig Steeneck

   165.5      753,687

Edward L. Sutter

   45.0      204,930

Sally Genster Robling

   30.0      136,620

Chris L. Kiser

   45.0      204,930

 

(a) During 2009, a portion of the Class B-1 Units vested. The value ascribed to the vested Class B-1 Units was calculated based upon a value of $4,554 per B Unit, which is the value used in calculating stock compensation expense under the authoritative guidance for stock compensation.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for 2009

None of our named executive officers currently participates in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

Pension Benefits for 2009

None of our named executive officers currently participates in a defined benefit plan sponsored by us or our subsidiaries or affiliates.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

The following tables show the estimated amount of potential cash severance payable to each of the named executive officers, as well as the estimated value of continuing benefits, based on compensation and benefit levels in effect on December 27, 2009, assuming the executive’s employment terminated effective December 27, 2009. Due to the numerous factors involved in estimating these amounts, the actual value of benefits and amounts to be paid can only be determined upon an executive’s termination of employment.

In the tables below, the value of the accelerated stock vesting was based upon an estimated intrinsic value of Peak Holdings LLC Class B Units as of December 27, 2009 of $311 each. The value of accelerated stock vesting does not include unvested Class B-2 Units and Class B-3 Units that would vest upon a change of control only if certain internal rate of return targets were met because such targets had not been met as of December 27, 2009. The value of the health and welfare benefits in the tables below was estimated at $1,000 per month.

You should read this section together with the subsection above entitled “—Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards in 2009-Employment Agreements,” which includes, among other things, definitions of the terms “cause” and “constructive termination” used in the tables below with respect to Messrs. Gamgort and Steeneck. The term “change of control” is defined in the applicable employment agreement or severance agreement for each such executive officer. Each of these agreements is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

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Robert J. Gamgort

 

    Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause
  Termination
For Cause
  Constructive
Termination
  Change in
Control
  Disability   Death

Cash Severance

  $ —     $ 2,550,000   $ —     $ 2,550,000   $ —     $ —     $ —  

Acceleration of Stock Vesting

    —       —       —       —       245,094     —       —  

Vested Stock Awards

    —       70,027     —       70,027     —       —       —  

Health and Welfare Benefits

    —       18,000     —       18,000     —       —       —  
                                         

Total

  $ —     $ 2,638,027   $ —     $ 2,638,027   $ 245,094   $ —     $ —  
                                         

Craig Steeneck

 

    Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause
  Termination
For Cause
  Constructive
Termination
  Change in
Control
  Disability   Death

Cash Severance

  $ —     $ 875,000   $ —     $ 875,000   $ —     $ —     $ —  

Acceleration of Stock Vesting

    —       —       —       —       123,403     —       —  

Vested Stock Awards

    —       87,456     —       87,456     —       —       —  

Health and Welfare Benefits

    —       12,000     —       12,000     —       —       —  
                                         

Total

  $ —     $ 974,456   $ —     $ 974,456   $ 123,403   $ —     $ —  
                                         

Edward L. Sutter

 

    Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause
  Termination
For Cause
  Constructive
Termination
  Change in
Control
  Disability   Death

Cash Severance

  $ —     $ 350,000   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

Acceleration of Stock Vesting

    —       —       —       —       49,019     —       —  

Vested Stock Awards

    —       14,005     —       —       —       —       —  

Health and Welfare Benefits

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
                                         

Total

  $ —     $ 364,005   $ —     $ —     $ 49,019   $ —     $ —  
                                         

Sally Genster Robling

 

    Voluntary
Termination
  Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause
  Termination
For Cause
  Constructive
Termination
  Change in
Control
  Disability   Death

Cash Severance

  $ —     $ 340,000   $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

Acceleration of Stock Vesting

    —       —       —       —       32,679     —       —  

Vested Stock Awards

    —       9,337     —       —       —       —       —  

Health and Welfare Benefits

    —       —       —       —       —       —       —  
                                         

Total

  $ —     $ 349,337   $ —     $ —     $ 32,679   $ —     $ —  
                                         

 

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Chris L. Kiser

 

     Voluntary
Termination
   Involuntary
Termination
Without
Cause
   Termination
For Cause
   Constructive
Termination
   Change in
Control
   Disability    Death

Cash Severance

   $ —      $ 340,000    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Acceleration of Stock Vesting

     —        —        —        —        42,016      —        —  

Vested Stock Awards

     —        28,011      —        —        —        —        —  

Health and Welfare Benefits

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —  
                                                

Total

   $ —      $ 368,011    $ —      $ —      $ 42,016    $ —      $ —  
                                                

Compensation of Directors

Our directors who are also our employees or employees of Blackstone receive no additional compensation for their services as directors. Mr. Deromedi’s compensation is discussed below under “Director Services Agreement.” Mr. Jimenez and Mr. Silcock, who are neither employees of the company nor of Blackstone, receive (1) an annual retainer of $30,000 to be paid annually in arrears on April 2, (2) an annual payment of $10,000 for serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee (In 2009, Mr. Jimenez was Chairman of the Audit Committee for the first quarter of 2009, Mr. Silcock was Chairman for the second through fourth quarters of 2009), and (3) an annual option grant with an after-tax value of approximately $50,000.

The table below sets forth information regarding director compensation for the year ended December 27, 2009.

 

Name

   Fees Paid
in Cash
($)
   Stock
Awards (a)
($)
    Option
Awards (a)
($)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
   All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)

Roger Deromedi

   $ 241,442    $  227,700 (c)    $ —      $ 220,938    $  7,881 (b)    $ 697,961

Joseph Jimenez

     32,500      40,986 (d)      —        —        —          73,486

Ray Silcock

     37,500      40,986 (e)      —        —        —          78,486

 

(a) Stock Awards and Option Awards, which were valued in accordance with the authoritative guidance for stock compensation, represent grant date fair value for the Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 Units. The assumptions used in the valuation are discussed in Note 6 of our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.
(b) For Mr. Deromedi, All Other Compensation consists of contributions made by the company to his 401(k) account and group life insurance premiums.
(c) Represents 50 Class B Units at a grant date fair value of $4,554 per Class B Unit. As of December 27, 2009, Mr. Deromedi had 1,050 Class B Units outstanding of which 305 were vested.
(d) Represents 9 Class B Units at a grant date fair value of $4,554 per Class B Unit. As of December 27, 2009, Mr. Jimenez had 100 Class B Units outstanding of which 27 were vested.
(e) Represents 9 Class B Units at a grant date fair value of $4,554 per Class B Unit. As of December 27, 2009, Mr. Silcock had 17 Class B Units outstanding of which 2.1 were vested.

Director Service Agreement

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction, on April 2, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp. entered into a director service agreement with Roger Deromedi that governs the terms of his service to the company. The term of the agreement commenced on April 2, 2007 and ends on April 2, 2012; provided, however, that commencing

 

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on April 2, 2012 and on each April 2 thereafter, the agreement’s term shall be extended for an additional one-year period unless the company or Mr. Deromedi provides the other party 60 days’ prior notice before the next extension date that the term will not be so extended. This agreement is terminable by either party at any time; provided that Mr. Deromedi must give no less than 30 days’ notice prior to a resignation.

The director service agreement sets forth Mr. Deromedi’s annual fee, which is subject to discretionary annual increases upon review by the Board of Directors, and is payable in regular installments. The agreement states that Mr. Deromedi will also be eligible to earn an annual bonus as a percentage of his annual fee with respect to each fiscal year (with a target percentage of 66.7%), based upon the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors uses the same criteria that are used to evaluate management under the Management Incentive Plan in determining Mr. Deromedi’s bonus amount. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for a description of these criteria.

Pursuant to the director service agreement, if Mr. Deromedi’s services are terminated due to death or disability, he is entitled to receive (1) any base salary accrued through the date of termination, (2) any annual bonus earned, but unpaid, as of the date of the termination and (3) reimbursement of any unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred by the director prior to the date of termination (the payments described in (1) through (3) being “accrued rights”).

Pursuant to the director service agreement, if Mr. Deromedi is terminated by us without “cause,” as defined under “—Employment Agreements,” or as a result of a constructive termination (as defined below), he is entitled to: (1) the accrued rights and (2) subject to compliance with certain confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants contained in the director service agreement and execution of a general release of claims on behalf of the company, an amount equal to (x) one multiplied by (y) the sum of the annual base salary plus his target annual bonus, which shall be payable to him in equal installments in accordance with our normal payroll practices.

For purposes of Mr. Deromedi’s director service agreement, “constructive termination” means (A) the failure by us to pay or cause to be paid his annual compensation or annual bonus, if any, when due; (B) a reduction in his annual compensation (excluding any change in value of equity incentives or a reduction affecting substantially all senior managers); or (C) a material reduction or a material increase in his duties and responsibilities; provided, that none of these events constitutes constructive termination unless we fail to cure the event within 30 days after written notice is given by him specifying in reasonable detail the event that constitutes the constructive termination; provided, further, that constructive termination will cease to exist for an event on the 60th day following the later of its occurrence or his knowledge thereof, unless he has given us written notice thereof prior to such date.

If Mr. Deromedi’s services are terminated by us for “cause” or if he resigns for reasons other than as a result of a constructive termination, he will only be entitled to receive his accrued rights.

Mr. Deromedi’s director service agreement also contains non-competition provisions that limit his ability to engage in activity competing with our company for six months after termination of his services.

A copy of Mr. Deromedi’s director service agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.5.

On July 13, 2009, Mr. Deromedi, who served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company, became Non-Executive Chairman. Mr. Deromedi’s annual director fee was reduced from $310,000 to $155,000. All other details of his compensation, duties and authority remained unchanged. The amendment of Mr. Deromedi’s director service agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.35.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Class A-1 and Class A-2 Units of our ultimate parent company, Peak Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as of December 27, 2009 for (i) each individual or entity known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of the Class A-1 Units or Class A-2 Units of Peak Holdings LLC, (ii) each of our named executive officers, (iii) each of our directors and (iv) all of our directors and our executive officers as a group. The Class A-1 Units and the Class A-2 Units have equal voting rights. For additional information about the equity investment by certain members of our senior management, see “Management—Equity Investment by Chairman and Executive Officers.”

The amounts and percentages of shares beneficially owned are reported on the basis of SEC regulations governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under SEC rules, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person’s ownership percentage, but not for purposes of computing any other person’s percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person has no economic interest.

Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated Class A-1 Units and Class A-2 Units. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each beneficial owner of Class A-1 Units is 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, and the address of each beneficial owner of Class A-2 Units is c/o Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, 1 Bloomfield Avenue, Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046.

 

Title of Class

  

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
   Percent  

A-1

   Blackstone Funds (1)    674,178,549    98

A-2

   Roger Deromedi (2)    4,000,000    *   

A-2

   Robert J. Gamgort    1,109,579    *   

A-2

   Craig Steeneck    800,000    *   

A-2

   Ray Silcock    600,000    *   

A-2

   Joseph Jimenez    350,000    *   

A-2

   Edward L. Sutter    250,000    *   

A-2

   Chris L. Kiser    175,000    *   

A-2

   Sally Genster Robling    125,000    *   

A-2

   Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (twelve persons)    8,873,633    1.5

 

 * Less than one percent
(1) Reflects beneficial ownership of 503,200,144 Class A-1 Units held by Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P., 110,119,478 Class A-1 Units held by Blackstone Capital Partners V–A L.P.,36,251,411 Class A-1 Units held by Blackstone Capital Partners V-AC L.P., 17,401,848 Class A-1 Units held by Blackstone Family Investment Partnership V-SMD L.P., 5,848,453 Class A-1 Units held by Blackstone Family Investment Partnership V L.P. and 1,357,215 Class A-1 Units held by Blackstone Participation Partnership V L.P. (collectively, the “Blackstone Funds”). The general partner of all Blackstone Funds is Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C. BMA V L.L.C. is the sole member of Blackstone Management Associates V L.L.C. Blackstone Holdings III L.P. is the managing member and majority in interest owner of BMA V L.L.C. Blackstone Holdings III L.P. is indirectly controlled by The Blackstone Group L.P. and is owned, directly or indirectly, by Blackstone professionals and The Blackstone Group L.P. The Blackstone Group L.P. is controlled by its general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., which is in turn wholly owned by Blackstone’s senior managing directors and controlled by its founder Stephen A. Schwarzman. Mr. Schwarzman disclaims beneficial ownership of such Units.
(2) All of the units are held in a revocable trust for the benefit of Mr. Deromedi.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Securityholders Agreement of Peak Holdings LLC

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction, Peak Holdings LLC, our ultimate parent company, entered into a securityholders agreement with the equity owners (Blackstone and management investors).

Under the securityholders agreement, each of the securityholders of Peak Holdings LLC agrees to take all necessary actions to cause the persons designated by Blackstone to be elected to the boards of directors of Peak Holdings LLC and each of its subsidiaries, including our company. The parties also agree to vote the securities of Peak Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, including our company, as Blackstone directs in connection with the merger or consolidation of Peak Holdings LLC, the sale of all or substantially all its assets, the amendment of its organizational documents and certain other matters.

The securityholders agreement also restricts transfers by employee holders of securities of Peak Holdings LLC from transferring those securities prior to the earliest of a qualified public offering, a change of control and the seventh anniversary of the closing of the Blackstone Transaction (the “lapse date”), subject to exceptions, and grants Peak Holdings LLC a right of first refusal in connection with sales by employee holders on or after the lapse date and before a public offering by Peak Holdings LLC. The securityholders agreement also gives employee holders customary tag-along rights with respect to sales of securities held by Blackstone and gives Blackstone customary drag-along rights in connection with a change of control, subject in certain instances to a minimum threshold of sales by Blackstone.

The agreement grants Blackstone demand registration rights with respect to the securities of Peak Holdings LLC and grants all securityholders certain piggyback registration rights. The agreement contains customary indemnification provisions in connection with any such registration. A copy of the agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.15.

For additional information about the equity investment by certain members of our senior management in connection with the Blackstone Transaction, see “Management—Equity Investment by Chairman and Executive Officers.”

Securityholders Agreement of Crunch Holding Corp.

In connection with the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan described under “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Elements of Compensation,” Crunch Holding Corp., the immediate subsidiary of Peak Holdings LLC, entered into a securityholders agreement with Peak Holdings LLC and the employee shareholders of Crunch Holding Corp. from time to time.

Under the securityholders agreement, each of the shareholders of Crunch Holding Corp. agrees to take all necessary actions to cause the persons designated by Peak Holdings LLC to be elected to the boards of directors of Crunch Holding Corp. and each of its subsidiaries, including our company. The parties also agree to vote the securities of Crunch Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries, including our company, as Peak Holdings LLC directs in connection with the merger or consolidation of Crunch Holding Corp., the sale of all or substantially all its assets, the amendment of its organizational documents and certain other matters.

The securityholders agreement also restricts transfers by employee holders of securities of Crunch Holding Corp. from transferring those securities prior to the earliest of a qualified public offering, a change of control and the seventh anniversary of the closing of the Blackstone Transaction (the “lapse date”), subject to exceptions, and grants Crunch Holding Corp. a right of first refusal in connection with sales by employee holders on or after the lapse date and before a public offering by Crunch Holding Corp. The securityholders agreement also gives Blackstone and Peak Holdings LLC customary drag-along rights in connection with a change of control. A copy of the agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.18.

 

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Advisory Agreement

At the closing of the Blackstone Transaction, we and one or more of our parent companies entered into a transaction and advisory fee agreement with an affiliate of Blackstone pursuant to which such entity or its affiliates will provide certain strategic and structuring advice and assistance to us. In addition, under this agreement, affiliates of Blackstone will provide certain monitoring, advisory and consulting services to us for an aggregate annual management fee equal to the greater of $2.5 million or 1.0% of adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Credit Facility) for each year thereafter. The management fee was $2.5 million in the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $2.5 million in the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and $2.5 million in the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009. The Company reimbursed the Blackstone group out-of-pocket expenses totaling $0.1 million during fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and an amount totaling less than $0.1 million during fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Affiliates of Blackstone also received reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them or their affiliates in connection with the Blackstone Transaction prior to the closing date and in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the agreement. In addition, pursuant to such agreement, an affiliate of Blackstone also received transaction fees totaling $21.6 million, which amount is contained within the $71.2 million of transaction costs discussed in Note 1 of our audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2007 in connection with services provided by Blackstone and its affiliates related to the Blackstone Transaction. The agreement includes customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of Blackstone and its affiliates. A copy of this agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.6.

In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition the transaction and advisory fee agreement with an affiliate of Blackstone was updated to include a provision that granted the affiliates a 1% transaction fee based on the transaction purchase price. This fee totaled $14.0 million. Also, there was an advisory fee with an affiliate for $3.0 million. These fees are contained within the $24.1 million of transaction fees discussed in Note 3 of our audited consolidated financial statements. A copy of this agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.37. Also, as described in Note 3 of our audited consolidated financial statements, the Company incurred original issue discount, in connection with the Tranche C Term Loans. A portion of that discount, $0.8 million related to loans from an affiliate of the Blackstone Group.

Upon a change of control in our ownership, a sale of all of our assets, or an initial public offering of our equity, and in recognition of facilitation of such change of control, asset sale or public offering by affiliates of Blackstone, these affiliates of Blackstone may elect to receive, in lieu of annual payments of the management fee, a single lump sum cash payment equal to the then-present value of all then-current and future management fees payable under this agreement. The lump sum payment would only be payable to the extent that it is permitted under the indentures and other agreements governing our indebtedness.

Supplier Costs

Graham Packaging, which is owned by affiliates of the Blackstone Group, supplies packaging for some of the Company’s products. Purchases from Graham Packaging were $8.7 million for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $11.3 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and $6.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Customer Purchases

Performance Food Group, which is owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, is a food service supplier that purchases products from the Company. Sales to Performance Food Group were $3.9 million for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $5.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008, and $5.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

 

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Debt and Interest Expense

As of December 30, 2007, $29.8 million of our senior secured term loan was owed to Blackstone Advisors L.P., an affiliate of Blackstone. In addition, for the period April 2, 2007 to December 30, 2007, interest expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for debt owed to Blackstone Advisors L.P. totaled $1.5 million. As of December 28, 2008, $34.6 million of our senior secured term loan was owed to Blackstone Advisors L.P., an affiliate of Blackstone. Related party interest for Blackstone Advisors L.P for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 was $3.1 million. As of December 27, 2009, $34.2 million of our senior secured term loan was owed to Blackstone Advisors L.P. and $75.0 million was owned by GSO Capital Partners LP, both of whom are affiliates of Blackstone. Related party interest for Blackstone Advisors L.P for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 was $1.4 million. There was no related party interest for GSO Capital Partners LP for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Notes Receivable from Officers

In connection with the capital contributions at the time of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, certain members of the Board of Directors and management purchased ownership units of our ultimate parent Peak Holdings LLC. To fund these purchases, certain members of management signed 30 day notes receivable at a market interest rate. The total of the notes receivable were $0.6 million and were fully paid in January 2010.

Tax Sharing Agreement

On November 25, 2003, the Predecessor entered into a tax sharing agreement with Crunch Holding Corp. which provided that we will file U.S. federal income tax returns with Crunch Holding Corp. on a consolidated basis. This agreement further provided that we make distributions to Crunch Holding Corp., and Crunch Holding Corp. makes contributions to us, such that we incurred the expense for taxes generated by our business on the same basis as if we did not file consolidated tax returns. Aurora and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sea Coast, became party to the tax sharing agreement on March 19, 2004. PFF became party to the tax sharing agreement on April 2, 2007. Birds Eye Foods, Inc. and Subsidiaries became a party to the tax sharing agreement effective December 23, 2009.

Director Independence

We have not made a determination that any of our directors is independent under the applicable standards of the New York Stock Exchange or any other standard. Because our securities are not listed on any stock exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, we are not subject to the independence standards of any such exchange or quotation system. In addition, if we were a listed company, we believe we would be eligible for the controlled company exception set forth in Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange (if that were the exchange on which we were listed) from the rule that would ordinarily require that a majority of a listed issuer’s board of directors be independent and from certain other rules. If we were subject to the New York Stock Exchange’s standard of independence, we believe that, at a minimum, our Executive Chairman, each of our directors who is an executive officer of our company and each of our directors who is associated with Blackstone, our controlling shareholder, would not be considered independent, including Messrs. Deromedi, Gamgort, Melwani, Overly and Giordano.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Overview

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction, we entered into senior secured credit facilities with Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as administrative agent, collateral agent and swing line lender, Lehman Brothers Inc., as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., as syndication agent, joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, and the other agents and lenders from time to time party thereto. Subsequent to the Blackstone Transaction, Barclays Bank PLC became the joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner. In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, we entered into an amendment of our senior secured credit facilities with Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, Banc of America Securities LLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., as joint bookrunner, Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc., as joint bookrunner, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. Pursuant to the amendment, we added a tranche C term loan facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of $850.0 million to our senior secured credit facilities. Pursuant to the amendment, we also increased the revolving credit facility under our senior secured credit facilities by $25.0 million. On August 17, 2010, we entered into an amendment of our senior secured credit facilities with Barclays Bank PLC, as sole and exclusive administrative agent and sole collateral agent and Barclays Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners. Pursuant to the amendment, we added a tranche D term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $442.3 million to our senior secured credit facilities. We repaid the entire $842.3 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding tranche C term loans under our senior secured credit facilities with proceeds from our offering of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2017, our new tranche D term loan facility and cash on hand.

The senior secured credit facilities provide senior secured financing of $1,842.3 million, consisting of:

 

   

a $1,250.0 million tranche B term loan facility,

 

   

a $442.3 million tranche D term loan facility, and

 

   

a $150.0 million revolving credit facility.

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, which is referred to in this section as the “Borrower,” is the borrower under the senior secured credit facilities. The revolving credit facility includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and for short-term borrowings referred to as the swing line borrowings. In addition, the senior secured credit facilities also provided us with the option to raise incremental credit facilities, subject to certain limitations.

Interest Rate and Fees

Borrowings under the tranche B term loan facility, the tranche D term loan facility and the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at a rate equal to a margin over either (a) a base rate determined by reference to the higher of (1) the prime lending rate as set forth on the British Banking Association Telerate Page 5 and (2) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for deposits in the currency of such borrowing for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs. The margin for the tranche B term loan facility was initially 1.75%, in the case of base rate loans, and 2.75%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The margin for the tranche D term loan facility was initially 3.25%, in the case of base rate loans, and 4.25%, in the case of LIBOR rate loans. The base rate for the tranche D term loan facility is subject to a floor of 2.75%, and the LIBOR rate for the tranche D term loan facility is subject to a floor of 1.75%.

 

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The applicable margin for borrowings under the tranche B term loan facility, the tranche D term loan facility and the revolving credit facility may be reduced subject to our attaining certain leverage ratios.

In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the senior secured credit facilities, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the revolving credit facility in respect of the unutilized commitments thereunder. The initial commitment fee rate was 0.50% per annum. The commitment fee rate may be reduced subject to our attaining certain leverage ratios. We are also required to pay customary letter of credit fees.

Prepayments

The senior secured credit agreement requires us to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with:

 

   

50% (which percentage will be reduced to 25% and 0%, as applicable, subject to our attaining certain leverage ratios) of our annual excess cash flow;

 

   

if the Borrower’s leverage ratio is greater than 3.25 to 1.00, 100% of the net cash proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of property by the Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries (including insurance and condemnation proceeds, subject to de minimis thresholds), if we do not reinvest those net cash proceeds in assets to be used in our business or to make certain other permitted investments (a) within 15 months of the receipt of such net cash proceeds or (b) if we commit to reinvest such net cash proceeds within 15 months of the receipt thereof, within 180 days of the date of such commitment; and

 

   

100% of the net proceeds of any incurrence of debt by the Borrower or any of its restricted subsidiaries, other than debt permitted to be incurred or issued under the senior secured credit facilities.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, each lender under a term loan facility has the right to reject its pro rata share of mandatory prepayments described above, in which case we may retain the amounts so rejected.

The foregoing mandatory prepayments will be applied to installments of the term loan facilities in direct order of maturity.

We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the senior secured credit facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans.

In the event that, within one year of August 17, 2010, we amend the tranche D term loan facility to reduce the interest rate applicable to the tranche D term loan facility or refinance it with the proceeds of indebtedness with a lower yield than that applicable to the tranche D term loan facility, the prepayment must be made at 101% of the principal amount of the loans under the tranche D term loan facility repriced through an amendment or prepaid, as the case may be.

Amortization

We are required to repay installments on the loans under the tranche B term loan facility and tranche D term loan facility in quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.00% of their funded total principal amount for the first six years and nine months following the date of the initial closing of the senior secured credit facilities, which repayments began with respect to the tranche B term loan facility on September 30, 2007 and which payment will begin with respect to the tranche D term loan facility on December 30, 2010, with the remaining amount payable on the date that is seven years from the date of the initial closing of the senior secured credit facilities.

Principal amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility will be due and payable in full at maturity, six years from the date of the closing of the senior secured credit facilities.

 

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Guarantee and Security

All obligations under the senior secured credit agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by Peak Finance Holdings LLC and, subject to certain exceptions, each of our existing and future material domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries.

All obligations under the senior secured credit facilities, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by substantially all the following assets of the Borrower and each guarantor, subject to certain exceptions:

 

   

a pledge of 100% of the capital stock of the Borrower, 100% of the capital stock of each subsidiary guarantor and 65% of the capital stock of each of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries that are directly owned by us or one of the guarantors; and

 

   

subject to customary exceptions, a security interest in, and mortgages on, substantially all tangible and intangible assets of the Borrower and each guarantor, excluding certain classes of assets for which obtaining a security interest or perfection thereof would require considerable expense.

Certain Covenants and Events of Default

The senior secured credit agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Borrower and its restricted subsidiaries to:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness, make guarantees and enter into hedging arrangements;

 

   

create liens on assets;

 

   

enter into sale and leaseback transactions;

 

   

engage in mergers or consolidations;

 

   

sell assets;

 

   

pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock;

 

   

make investments, loans and advances, including acquisitions;

 

   

repay the senior subordinated notes or enter into certain amendments thereof;

 

   

engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and

 

   

maintain a senior secured leverage ratio above a certain threshold if there are greater than $10.0 million in loans outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

The senior secured credit facilities also contain certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default.

Existing Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes

On April 2, 2007, as part of the Blackstone Transaction, we issued $325.0 million 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 and $250.0 million 10 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”). On December 23, 2009, in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, we issued an additional $300.0 million 9 1/4% Senior Notes (together with the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 issued on April 2, 2007, the “Senior Notes due 2015”). The Senior Notes due 2015 are our general unsecured obligations, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior secured indebtedness, and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The Senior Subordinated Notes are our general unsecured obligations, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness, and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries.

 

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On August 17, 2010, we issued $400.0 million 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Notes due 2017,” and together with the “Senior Notes due 2015,” the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes due 2017 are our general unsecured obligations, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior secured indebtedness, and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by our wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries.

We may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes due 2015 at any time prior to April 1, 2011, some or all of the Senior Notes due 2017 at any time prior to September 1, 2010, and some or all of the Senior Subordinated Notes at any time prior to April 1, 2012, in each case at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” is defined as the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Senior Note due 2015 at April 1, 2011, Senior Note due 2017 at September 1, 2013, or Senior Subordinated Note at April 1, 2012, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Senior Note due 2015 through April 1, 2011, Senior Note due 2017 through September 1, 2013, or Senior Subordinated Note through April 1, 2012 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of such note.

In addition, until September 1, 2013, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus a premium equal to the rate per annum on the Senior Notes due 2017 plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of Senior Notes due 2017 of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds received by us from one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2017 originally issued under the applicable indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such equity offering.

In December of 2007, we repurchased $51.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 10 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discount price of $44.2 million. As of June 27, 2010, we had outstanding $199.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes.

We and our subsidiaries, affiliates or significant shareholders (including The Blackstone Group and its affiliates) may from time to time, in our sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of our outstanding debt or equity securities (including any publicly issued debt or equity securities) in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.

The indentures governing the Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes limit our (and most or all of our subsidiaries’) ability to, subject to certain exceptions:

 

   

incur additional debt or issue certain preferred shares;

 

   

pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of our capital stock or make other restricted payments;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

sell certain assets;

 

   

create liens on certain assets to secure debt;

 

   

consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; and

 

   

designate our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.

Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures governing the Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes permit us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness.

 

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THE EXCHANGE OFFERS

General

The Issuers hereby offer to exchange a like principal amount of exchange notes for any or all outstanding unregistered notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and accompanying letter of transmittal. We refer to the offers as the “exchange offers.” You may tender some or all of your outstanding unregistered notes pursuant to the applicable exchange offer.

As of the date of this prospectus, $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 that were issued in a private offering on December 23, 2009 and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 that were issued in a private offering on August 17, 2010 are outstanding and unregistered. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is first being sent to all holders of outstanding unregistered notes known to us on or about                     , 2010. The Issuers’ obligation to accept outstanding unregistered notes for exchange pursuant to the exchange offers is subject to certain conditions set forth under “—Conditions to the Exchange Offers” below. The Issuers currently expect that each of the conditions will be satisfied and that no waivers will be necessary.

Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offers

We entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the outstanding unregistered notes in which we agreed, under certain circumstances, to file a registration statement relating to offers to exchange the outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause this registration statement to be declared effective and to cause the exchange offers to be consummated within 360 days after the issue date of the outstanding unregistered notes. The exchange notes will have terms substantially identical to the terms of the outstanding unregistered notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreements. The outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% Senior Notes and the outstanding unregistered 8 1/4% Senior Notes were issued on December 23, 2009 and August 17, 2010, respectively.

Under the circumstances set forth below, we will use our reasonable best efforts to cause the SEC to declare effective a shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of the outstanding unregistered notes within the time periods specified in the registration rights agreements and to keep the shelf registration statement effective for two years or such shorter period ending when all outstanding unregistered notes or exchange notes covered by the statement have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the statement or to the extent that the applicable provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act are amended or revised. These circumstances include:

 

   

if applicable law or interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit the Issuers to effect the exchange offers;

 

   

if for any other reason the exchange offers are not consummated within 360 days of the issue date of the applicable series of outstanding unregistered notes;

 

   

any initial purchaser requests in writing to the Issuers within 30 days after the consummation of the exchange offers with respect to outstanding unregistered notes that are not eligible to be exchanged for exchange notes in the exchange offers and held by it following the consummation of the exchange offers; or

 

   

if any holder of the outstanding unregistered notes that participates in the exchange offers does not receive exchange notes that may be sold without restriction under state and federal laws in exchange for its tendered outstanding unregistered notes (other than due solely to the status of such holder as an affiliate of any Issuer) and notifies the Issuers within 30 days after becoming aware of restrictions.

 

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If we fail to comply with certain obligations under the registration rights agreements, we will be required to pay additional interest to holders of the outstanding unregistered notes and the exchange notes required to be registered on a shelf registration statement.

Each holder of outstanding unregistered notes that wishes to exchange their outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes in the exchange offers will be required to make the following written representations:

 

   

any exchange notes to be received by such holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business;

 

   

such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the exchange notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act;

 

   

such holder is not an affiliate of any Issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable; and

 

   

it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of exchange notes.

Each broker dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes, where the broker dealer acquired the outstanding unregistered notes as a result of market making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. Please see “Plan of Distribution.”

Resale of Exchange Notes

Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties referred to below, we believe that you may resell or otherwise transfer exchange notes issued in the exchange offers without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

 

   

you are acquiring the exchange notes in your ordinary course of business;

 

   

you do not have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes;

 

   

you are not an affiliate of any Issuer as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act; and

 

   

you are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of the exchange notes.

If you are an affiliate of any Issuer, or are engaging in, or intend to engage in, or have any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the exchange notes, or are not acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business, then:

 

   

you cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991), Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the SEC’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, or similar no-action letters; and

 

   

in the absence of an exception from the position stated immediately above, you must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the exchange notes.

This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, for the resale or for other retransfer of exchange notes only as specifically set forth in this prospectus. With regard to broker dealers, only broker dealers that acquired the outstanding unregistered notes as a result of market making activities or other trading activities may participate in the exchange offers. Each broker dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes where such outstanding unregistered notes were acquired by such

 

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broker dealer as a result of market making activities or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. Please read “Plan of Distribution” for more details regarding the transfer of exchange notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offers

On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange in the exchange offers outstanding unregistered notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration date. Outstanding unregistered notes may only be tendered in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. We will issue $2,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 of exchange notes in exchange for a corresponding principal amount of outstanding unregistered notes surrendered in the exchange offers.

The form and terms of the exchange notes will be substantially identical to the form and terms of the outstanding unregistered notes, except that the exchange notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions or additional interest upon a failure to fulfill certain of our obligations under the registration rights agreements. The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding unregistered notes. The exchange notes will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the same indenture under which the outstanding unregistered notes were issued. The exchange notes and the outstanding unregistered notes will constitute a single class for all purposes under the indenture governing the senior notes. For a description of the indenture governing the senior notes, please see “Description of 9 1/4% Notes” and “Description of 8 1/4% Notes.”

On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal, the guarantors of the outstanding unregistered notes offer to issue new guarantees with respect to all exchange notes issued in the exchange offers. Throughout this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires and whether so expressed or not, references to the “exchange offers” include the guarantors’ offer to exchange the new guarantees for the old guarantees, references to the “exchange notes” include the related new guarantees and references to the “outstanding unregistered notes” include the related old guarantees.

The exchange offers are not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of outstanding unregistered notes being tendered for exchange.

As of the date of this prospectus, $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 that were issued in a private offering on December 23, 2009 and $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 that were issued in a private offering on August 17, 2010 are outstanding and unregistered. This prospectus and a letter of transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of outstanding unregistered notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of outstanding unregistered notes entitled to participate in the exchange offers.

We intend to conduct the exchange offers in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreements, the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Outstanding unregistered notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offers will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be entitled to the rights and benefits that such holders have under the indentures relating to such holders’ outstanding unregistered notes, except for any rights under the registration rights agreement that by their terms terminate upon the consummation of the exchange offers.

We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered outstanding unregistered notes when we have given oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the exchange notes from us and delivering exchange notes to holders. Subject to the terms of the registration rights agreements, we expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offers and to refuse to accept notes due to the failure of any of the conditions specified below under “—Conditions to the Exchange Offers.”

 

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Holders who tender outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of outstanding unregistered notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offers. It is important that you read “—Fees and Expenses” below for more details regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offers.

Expiration Date, Extensions and Amendments

As used in this prospectus, the term “expiration date” means 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on                     , 2010. However, if we, in our sole discretion, extend the period of time for which the exchange offers are open, the term “expiration date” will mean the latest time and date to which we shall have extended the expiration of the exchange offers.

To extend the period of time during which the exchange offers are open, we will notify the exchange agent of any extension in writing, followed by notification to the registered holders of the outstanding unregistered notes no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

We reserve the right, in our sole discretion:

 

   

to delay accepting for exchange any outstanding unregistered notes (only if we amend or extend the applicable exchange offers);

 

   

to extend the exchange offers or to terminate the exchange offers and to refuse to accept outstanding unregistered notes not previously accepted if any of the conditions set forth below under “—Conditions to the Exchange Offers” has not been satisfied, by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent; and

 

   

subject to the terms of the registration rights agreements, to amend the terms of the exchange offers in any manner.

Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by written notice to the registered holders of the outstanding unregistered notes. If we amend the exchange offers in a manner that we determine to constitute a material change, including the waiver of a material condition, we will promptly disclose the amendment by press release or other public announcement as required by Rule 14e-1(d) of the Exchange Act and will extend the offer period if necessary so that at least five business days remain in the offers following notice of the material change.

Conditions to the Exchange Offers

Despite any other term of the exchange offers, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange notes in exchange for, any outstanding unregistered notes, and we may terminate or amend the exchange offers as provided in this prospectus before accepting any outstanding unregistered notes for exchange, if:

 

   

the exchange offers, or the making of any exchange by a holder of outstanding unregistered notes, violate any applicable law or interpretation of the staff of the SEC;

 

   

any action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency that might materially impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offers, or any material adverse development shall have occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to us; or

 

   

all governmental approvals shall not have been obtained, which approvals we deem necessary for the consummation of the exchange offers.

 

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In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the outstanding unregistered notes of any holder that has not made to us:

 

   

the representations described under “—Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offers” and “—Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Unregistered Notes”; and

 

   

any other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations, or interpretations to make available to us an appropriate form for registration of the exchange notes under the Securities Act.

We expressly reserve the right at any time or at various times to extend the period of time during which the exchange offers are open. Consequently, we may delay acceptance of any outstanding unregistered notes by notice, by press release or other public announcement as required by Rule 14e-1(d) of the Exchange Act of such extension to their holders. During any such extensions, all outstanding unregistered notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offers, and we may accept them for exchange. We will return any outstanding unregistered notes that we do not accept for exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offers.

We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offers and to reject for exchange any outstanding unregistered notes not previously accepted for exchange upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the exchange offers specified above. We will give notice by press release or other public announcement as required by Rule 14e-1(d) of the Act of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the outstanding unregistered notes. In the case of any extension, such notice will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

These conditions are for our sole benefit, and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances that may give rise to them so long as such circumstances do not arise due to our action or inaction or waive them in whole or in part at any or at various times in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights, this failure will not constitute a waiver of such right. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times.

Approvals

Other than the registration of the notes under the Securities Act and the qualification of the Trustee and the indentures governing the notes under the Trust Indenture Act, there are no federal or state regulatory requirements that must be complied with prior to the commencement of the exchange offers.

Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Unregistered Notes

Only a holder of outstanding unregistered notes may tender its outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers. To tender outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers, a holder must comply with either of the following:

 

   

complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, have the signature on the letter of transmittal guaranteed if required by the letter of transmittal and mail or deliver such letter of transmittal or facsimile to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date; or

 

   

comply with DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program procedures described below.

In addition, prior to the expiration date, either:

 

   

the exchange agent must receive outstanding unregistered notes along with the letter of transmittal; or

 

   

the exchange agent must receive a timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of outstanding unregistered notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC according to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below or a properly transmitted “agent’s message,” as defined below; or

 

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the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at the address set forth below under “—Exchange Agent” prior to the expiration date.

A tender to us that is not withdrawn prior to the expiration date constitutes an agreement between us and the tendering holder upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.

The method of delivery of outstanding unregistered notes, letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the holder’s election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow sufficient time to assure timely delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. Holders should not send letters of transmittal or certificates representing outstanding unregistered notes to us. Holders may request that their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees effect the above transactions for them.

If you are a beneficial owner whose outstanding unregistered notes are held in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee who wishes to participate in the exchange offers, you should promptly contact such party and instruct such person to tender outstanding unregistered notes on your behalf.

You must make these arrangements or follow these procedures before completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering the outstanding unregistered notes.

Signatures on the letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the U.S. or another “eligible guarantor institution” within the meaning of Rule 17A(d)-15 under the Exchange Act unless the outstanding unregistered notes surrendered for exchange are tendered:

 

   

by a registered holder of the outstanding unregistered notes who has not completed the box entitled “Special Registration Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on the letter of transmittal; or

 

   

for the account of an eligible guarantor institution.

If the applicable letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of any outstanding unregistered notes listed on the outstanding unregistered notes, such outstanding unregistered notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power. The bond power must be signed by the registered holder as the registered holder’s name appears on the outstanding unregistered notes, and an eligible guarantor institution must guarantee the signature on the bond power.

If the applicable letter of transmittal or any certificates representing outstanding unregistered notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, those persons should also indicate when signing and, unless waived by us, they should also submit evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to so act.

Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC’s system may use DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program to tender. Participants in the program may, instead of physically completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the exchange agent, electronically transmit their tender of outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers by causing DTC to transfer their outstanding unregistered notes to the exchange agent in accordance with DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program procedures for transfer. DTC will

 

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then send an agent’s message to the exchange agent. The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming part of the book-entry confirmation, that states that:

 

   

DTC has received an express acknowledgment from a participant in its Automated Tender Offer Program that is tendering outstanding unregistered notes that are the subject of the book-entry confirmation;

 

   

the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal or, in the case of an agent’s message relating to guaranteed delivery, such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and

 

   

we may enforce that agreement against such participant.

Acceptance of Exchange Notes

In all cases, we will promptly issue exchange notes for outstanding unregistered notes that we have accepted for exchange under the applicable exchange offers only after the exchange agent timely receives:

 

   

outstanding unregistered notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of such outstanding unregistered notes into the exchange agent’s account at the applicable book-entry transfer facility; and

 

   

a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and all other required documents or a properly transmitted agent’s message.

By tendering outstanding unregistered notes pursuant to the exchange offers, you will represent to us that, among other things:

 

   

you are not our affiliate or an affiliate of any guarantor within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act;

 

   

you do not have an arrangement or understanding with any person or entity to participate in a distribution of the exchange notes; and

 

   

you are acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of your business.

In addition, each broker dealer that is to receive exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes must represent that such outstanding unregistered notes were acquired by that broker dealer as a result of market making activities or other trading activities and must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus that meets the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. The applicable letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. See “Plan of Distribution.”

We will interpret the terms and conditions of the exchange offers, including the letters of transmittal and the instructions to the letters of transmittal, and will resolve all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance of outstanding unregistered notes tendered for exchange. Our determinations in this regard will be final and binding on all parties. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of any particular outstanding unregistered notes not properly tendered or to not accept any particular outstanding unregistered notes if the acceptance might, in our or our counsel’s judgment, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities as to any tender of any particular outstanding unregistered notes prior to the expiration date.

Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange must be cured within such reasonable period of time as we determine. Neither we, the exchange agent, nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange, nor will any of them incur any liability for any failure to

 

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give notification. Any outstanding unregistered notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the applicable letter of transmittal, promptly after the expiration date.

Book-Entry Delivery Procedures

Promptly after the date of this prospectus, the exchange agent will establish an account with respect to the outstanding unregistered notes at DTC as the book-entry transfer facility, for purposes of the exchange offers. Any financial institution that is a participant in the book-entry transfer facility’s system may make book-entry delivery of the outstanding unregistered notes by causing the book-entry transfer facility to transfer those outstanding unregistered notes into the exchange agent’s account at the facility in accordance with the facility’s procedures for such transfer. To be timely, book-entry delivery of outstanding unregistered notes requires receipt of a confirmation of a book-entry transfer, a “book-entry confirmation,” prior to the expiration date. In addition, although delivery of outstanding unregistered notes may be effected through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at the applicable book-entry transfer facility, the applicable letter of transmittal or a manually signed facsimile thereof, together with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, or an “agent’s message,” as defined above, in connection with a book-entry transfer, must, in any case, be delivered or transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at its address set forth on the cover page of the letter of transmittal prior to the expiration date to receive exchange notes for tendered outstanding unregistered notes, or the guaranteed delivery procedure described below must be complied with. Tender will not be deemed made until such documents or an agent’s message are received by the exchange agent. Delivery of documents to the applicable book-entry transfer facility does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.

Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

If you wish to tender your outstanding unregistered notes but your outstanding unregistered notes are not immediately available or you cannot deliver your outstanding unregistered notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent or comply with the applicable procedures under DTC’s Automatic Tender Offer Program prior to the expiration date, you may still tender if:

 

   

the tender is made through an “eligible guarantor institution” within the meaning of Rule 17A(d)-15 under the Exchange Act;

 

   

prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from such eligible guarantor institution either: (i) a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery or (ii) a properly transmitted agent’s message and notice of guaranteed delivery that (a) sets forth your name and address, the certificate number(s) of such outstanding unregistered notes and the principal amount of outstanding unregistered notes tendered; (b) states that the tender is being made by that notice of guaranteed delivery; and (c) guarantees that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the letter of transmittal, or facsimile thereof, together with the outstanding unregistered notes or a book-entry confirmation, and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal, will be deposited by the eligible guarantor institution with the exchange agent; and

 

   

the exchange agent receives the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof, as well as certificate(s) representing all tendered outstanding unregistered notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation of transfer of the outstanding unregistered notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date.

Upon request, the exchange agent will send to you a notice of guaranteed delivery if you did not receive one and you wish to tender your notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures.

 

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Withdrawal Rights

Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may withdraw your tender of outstanding unregistered notes at any time prior to 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on the expiration date. For a withdrawal to be effective:

 

   

the exchange agent must receive a written notice, which may be by telegram, telex, facsimile or letter, of withdrawal; or

 

   

you must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program system;

Any notice of withdrawal must:

 

   

specify the name of the person who tendered the outstanding unregistered notes to be withdrawn;

 

   

identify the outstanding unregistered notes to be withdrawn, including the certificate numbers and principal amount of the outstanding unregistered notes; and

 

   

where certificates for outstanding unregistered notes have been transmitted, specify the name in which such outstanding unregistered notes were registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder.

If certificates for outstanding unregistered notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of such certificates, you must also submit:

 

   

the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn; and

 

   

a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution unless you are an eligible guarantor institution.

If outstanding unregistered notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at the applicable book-entry transfer facility to be credited with the withdrawn outstanding unregistered notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of the facility. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, and eligibility, including time of receipt of notices of withdrawal, and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any outstanding unregistered notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offers. Any outstanding unregistered notes that have been tendered for exchange but that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to their holder, without cost to the holder, or, in the case of book-entry transfer, the outstanding unregistered notes will be credited to an account at the applicable book-entry transfer facility, promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the applicable exchange offer. Properly withdrawn outstanding unregistered notes may be retendered by following the procedures described under “—Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Unregistered Notes” above at any time on or prior to the expiration date.

 

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Exchange Agent

Wilmington Trust FSB has been appointed as the exchange agent for the exchange offers. Wilmington Trust FSB also acts as trustee under the indenture governing the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017. You should direct all executed letters of transmittal and all questions and requests for assistance with respect to tendering procedures, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letters of transmittal, and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent addressed as follows:

 

By Registered or Certified Mail:    By Facsimile Transmission:    By Overnight Courier or Hand Delivery:

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Corporate Capital Markets

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890-1626

Attn: Sam Hamed

  

302 - 636 – 4139

 

To Confirm by Telephone:

 

302 - 636 – 6181

  

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Corporate Capital Markets

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890-1626

Attn: Sam Hamed

Telephone: 302 - 636 – 6181       Telephone: 302 - 636 – 6181

If you deliver the letter of transmittal to an address other than the one set forth above or transmit instructions via facsimile other than the one set forth above, that delivery or those instructions will not be effective.

Fees and Expenses

The registration rights agreements provide that we will bear all expenses in connection with the performance of our obligations relating to the registration of the exchange notes and the conduct of the exchange offers. These expenses include registration and filing fees, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others. We will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will also reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in forwarding this prospectus and related documents to their clients that are holders of outstanding unregistered notes and for handling or tendering for such clients.

We have not retained any dealer manager in connection with the exchange offers and will not pay any fee or commission to any broker, dealer, nominee or other person, other than the exchange agent, for soliciting tenders of outstanding unregistered notes pursuant to the exchange offers.

Accounting Treatment

We will record the exchange notes in our accounting records at the same carrying value as the outstanding unregistered notes, which is the aggregate principal amount as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the consummation of the exchange offers. We will record the expenses of the exchange offers as incurred.

Transfer Taxes

We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchanges of outstanding unregistered notes under the exchange offers. The tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:

 

   

certificates representing outstanding unregistered notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of outstanding unregistered notes tendered;

 

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tendered outstanding unregistered notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal; or

 

   

a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of outstanding unregistered notes under the exchange offers.

If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed to that tendering holder.

Holders who tender their outstanding unregistered notes for exchange will not be required to pay any transfer taxes. However, holders who instruct us to register exchange notes in the name of, or request that outstanding unregistered notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offers be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be required to pay any applicable transfer tax.

Consequences of Failure to Exchange

If you do not exchange your outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes under the exchange offers, your outstanding unregistered notes will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer of such outstanding unregistered notes as set forth in the legend printed on the outstanding unregistered notes as a consequence of the issuance of the outstanding unregistered notes pursuant to the exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

In general, you may not offer or sell your outstanding unregistered notes unless they are registered under the Securities Act or if the offer or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Except as required by the registration rights agreements, we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding unregistered notes under the Securities Act.

Other

Participating in the exchange offers is voluntary, and you should carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.

We may in the future seek to acquire untendered outstanding unregistered notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any outstanding unregistered notes that are not tendered in the exchange offers or to file a registration statement to permit resales of any untendered outstanding unregistered notes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF 9 1/4% NOTES

General

Certain terms used in this description are defined under the subheading “Certain Definitions.” In this description, (i) the terms “we,” “our” and “us” each refer to the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (ii) the term “Company” refers only to Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (and its successors in interest) and not to any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the term “Finance Co.” refers only to Pinnacle Foods Finance Corporation (and its successors in interest) and not to any of its Subsidiaries and (iv) the term “Issuers” refers only to the Company and Finance Co. and not to any of their Subsidiaries.

On December 23, 2009, the Issuers issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “Additional Notes”). The outstanding unregistered notes were, and the exchange notes will be, issued under an indenture dated as of April 2, 2007 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Issuers previously issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 under the Indenture on April 2, 2007 (the “Existing Senior Notes” and, together with the Additional Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The outstanding unregistered notes were, and the exchange notes will be, issued pursuant to a supplemental indenture to the Indenture. The Additional Notes constitute “Additional Notes” as such term is defined in the Indenture. Except as not set forth herein, the terms of the Additional Notes are substantially identical and include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The term “Additional Notes” refers to the outstanding unregistered notes and the exchange notes.

The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the Indenture, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms used below. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, not this description, defines your rights as Holders of the Additional Notes. You may request copies of the Indenture at our address set forth under “Prospectus Summary.”

The outstanding unregistered notes were issued under a CUSIP number different from the CUSIP number applicable to the Existing Senior Notes. We expect that holders that exchange their outstanding unregistered notes in the exchange offers described under “The Exchange Offers” will receive registered exchange notes having the same CUSIP number as the Existing Senior Notes.

Brief Description of Additional Notes

The Additional Notes:

 

   

are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers;

 

   

are pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers (including borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities);

 

   

are effectively subordinated to all secured Indebtedness of the Issuers (including borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities) to the extent of the value of the assets securing that Indebtedness;

 

   

are senior in right of payment to any existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness (including the Senior Subordinated Notes) of the Issuers; and

 

   

are initially guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each Restricted Subsidiary that guarantees the Senior Credit Facilities.

Guarantees

The Guarantors, as primary obligors and not merely as sureties, guarantee, jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally, on an unsecured senior basis, the performance and full and punctual payment when due,

 

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whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under the Indenture and the Senior Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Interest in respect of the Senior Notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise, on the terms set forth in the Indenture by having executed the Indenture.

Each of the Issuers’ Restricted Subsidiaries (other than as detailed below) guarantees the Additional Notes. Each of the Guarantees of the Additional Notes is a general unsecured obligation of each Guarantor and ranks pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of each such entity, is effectively subordinated to all secured Indebtedness of each such entity and ranks senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness (including the Senior Subordinated Notes) of each such entity. The Additional Notes are structurally subordinated to Indebtedness and other liabilities of Subsidiaries of the Issuers that do not Guarantee the Additional Notes.

Not all of the Issuers’ Subsidiaries Guarantee the Additional Notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor Subsidiaries, the non-guarantor Subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the Issuers. None of our Foreign Subsidiaries, non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries or Receivables Subsidiaries (subject to certain limited exceptions) will guarantee the Additional Notes. The only Subsidiary of the Company that does not guarantee the Additional Notes as of the date hereof is Pinnacle Foods Corporation Canada, which accounted for approximately $72.5 million, or 4.4%, of our net sales and approximately $0.4 million, or less than 1%, of our net earnings, in each case for the year ended December 27, 2009, and $17.4 million, or less than 1%, of our total assets as of December 27, 2009. For the six months ended June 27, 2010, Pinnacle Foods Corporation Canada accounted for approximately $38.8 million, or 3.1%, of our net sales and approximately $0.5 million, or 2.8%, of our net earnings, and, as of June 27, 2010, accounted for approximately $18.2 million, or less than 1%, of our total assets.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent the Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

Any entity that makes a payment under its Guarantee will be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under the Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

If a Guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Guarantor’s liability on its Guarantee could be reduced to zero. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Notes—Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the guarantees, and, if that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.”

Each Guarantee by a Guarantor provides by its terms that it will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1)(a) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(b) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities or such other guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

(c) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; or

 

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(d) the exercise by the Issuers of their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described under “Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or the discharge of the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Holding Company Structure

The Company is a holding company for its Subsidiaries, with no material operations of its own and only limited assets. Accordingly, the Company is dependent upon the distribution of the earnings of its Subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations, to service its debt obligations. Finance Co. is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company that has been created to be a co-issuer of the Senior Notes. Finance Co. does not own, and is not expected to own, any significant assets.

Ranking

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Additional Notes and the payment of any Guarantee rank pari passu in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor, as the case may be, including the obligations of the Issuers and such Guarantor under the Senior Credit Facilities. However, the Additional Notes and the Guarantees are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ existing and future Secured Indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Secured Indebtedness. As of June 27, 2010, the Issuers and the Guarantors had $2,046.1 million principal amount of Secured Indebtedness outstanding. As of June 27, 2010, the Company also had an additional $116.5 million of unused borrowing capacity available under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facilities (after granting effect to approximately $33.5 million of outstanding letters of credit and $0.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit facility of our Senior Credit Facilities), all of which would be secured if borrowed, and an option to raise incremental credit facilities under our Senior Credit Facilities, subject to certain limitations.

Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness that the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial. See “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.”

Paying Agent and Registrar for the Senior Notes

The Issuers maintain one or more paying agents for the Senior Notes in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York. The initial paying agent for the Senior Notes is the Trustee.

The Company also maintains a registrar with offices in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York and a transfer agent, including one with offices in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York. The initial registrar and transfer agent for the Senior Notes is the Trustee. The registrar maintains a register reflecting ownership of the Senior Notes outstanding from time to time and the transfer agent makes payments on and facilitate transfer of Senior Notes on behalf of the Issuers.

The Issuers may change the paying agents, the registrars or the transfer agents without prior notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as a paying agent, registrar or transfer agent.

Transfer and Exchange

A Holder may transfer or exchange Senior Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a

 

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transfer of Senior Notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any Senior Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer. Also, the Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any Senior Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Senior Notes to be redeemed. The registered Holder of a Senior Note will be treated as the owner of such Senior Note for all purposes.

Principal, Maturity and Interest

The Issuers issued Additional Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $300 million. The Senior Notes will mature on April 1, 2015. Subject to compliance with the covenant described below under the caption “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock,” the Issuers may issue additional Senior Notes under the Indenture from time to time (“Additional Senior Notes”). The Additional Notes offered by the Issuers on December 23, 2009, the Existing Senior Notes and any Additional Senior Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Senior Notes” for all purposes of the Indenture and this “Description of 9 1/4 % Notes” include any Additional Senior Notes that are actually issued.

Interest on the Senior Notes accrues at the rate of 9 1/4% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 1 and October 1 to the Holders of Senior Notes of record on the immediately preceding March 15 and September 15. Interest on the Additional Notes accrues from the most recent date to which interest has been paid. Interest on the Senior Notes is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes is payable at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Senior Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Senior Notes represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Issuers, the Issuers’ office or agency in New York is the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

Additional Interest

Additional Interest may accrue on the Additional Notes in certain circumstances pursuant to the Additional Notes Registration Rights Agreement. All references in the Indenture, in any context, to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Senior Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest pursuant to the Additional Notes Registration Rights Agreement.

Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes is payable at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Senior Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Senior Notes represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Issuers, the Issuers’ office or agency in New York is the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases

The Issuers are not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Senior Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase Senior

 

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Notes as described under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders.” The Issuers and their Affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase Senior Notes in the open market or otherwise.

Optional Redemption

Except as set forth below, the Issuers are not entitled to redeem the Senior Notes at their option prior to April 1, 2011.

At any time prior to April 1, 2011, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Senior Notes, upon notice as described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Selection and Notice”, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

On and after April 1, 2011, the Issuers may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice as described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Selection and Notice”, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2011

   104.625

2012

   102.313

2013 and thereafter

   100.000

Any notice of any optional redemption may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction. So long as any Senior Notes are listed on an exchange, and to the extent required by such exchange, the Issuers will notify such exchange of any such notice of redemption. In addition, the Issuers will notify the exchange of the principal amount of Senior Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of such Senior Notes.

If the Issuers redeem less than all of the outstanding Senior Notes, the Trustee shall select the Senior Notes to be redeemed in the manner described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Selection and Notice.”

Repurchase at the Option of Holders

Change of Control

The Indenture provides that if a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Senior Notes as described under “Optional Redemption,” the Issuers will make an offer to purchase all of the Senior Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Senior Notes of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will send notice of such Change of Control Offer by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Senior Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, with a copy to the Trustee, with the following information:

(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to the covenant entitled “Change of Control,” and that all Senior Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

 

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

(3) that any Senior Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Senior Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Senior Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Senior Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Senior Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Senior Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Senior Notes, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Senior Notes, the principal amount of Senior Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Senior Notes, or a specified portion thereof, and its election to have such Senior Notes purchased;

(7) that if the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Senior Notes, the Holders of the remaining Senior Notes will be issued new Senior Notes and such new Senior Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter;

(8) if such notice is mailed prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and

(9) the other instructions, as determined by us, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a Holder must follow.

The Issuers 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 or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Senior Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations described in the Indenture by virtue thereof.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent permitted by law,

(1) accept for payment all Senior Notes issued by them or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,

(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Senior Notes or portions thereof so tendered, and

(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Senior Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Senior Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

The Senior Credit Facilities provide, and future credit agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Indebtedness to which the Issuers become a party may provide, that certain change of control events with respect to the Issuers would constitute a default thereunder (including a Change of Control under the Indenture). If we experience a change of control that triggers a default under our Senior Credit Facilities, we could seek a waiver of such default or seek to refinance our Senior Credit Facilities. In the event we do not obtain such a waiver or

 

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refinance the Senior Credit Facilities, such default could result in amounts outstanding under our Senior Credit Facilities being declared due and payable and cause a Receivables Facility to be wound-down.

Our ability to pay cash to the Holders of Senior Notes following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited by our then-existing financial resources. Therefore, sufficient funds may not be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

The Change of Control purchase feature of the Senior Notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of us and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between the Initial Purchasers and us. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on our ability to incur additional Indebtedness are contained in the covenants described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and “Certain Covenants—Liens.” Such restrictions in the Indenture can be waived only with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such covenants, however, the Indenture does not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford Holders of the Senior Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

The Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases all Senior Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

The definition of “Change of Control” includes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of “all or substantially all” of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether a Holder of Senior Notes may require the Issuers to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes as described above.

The provisions under the Indenture relating to the Issuers’ obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes.

Asset Sales

The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate, directly or indirectly, 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 of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

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(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, 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; provided that the amount of:

(a) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto or, if incurred or increased subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or increase had taken place on the date of such balance sheet, as determined by the Company) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Senior Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Company and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing,

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

(c) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed 5.0% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

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

(1) to permanently reduce:

(a) Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(b) Obligations under Senior Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by the Indenture, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(c) Obligations under other Senior Indebtedness (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided that to the extent the Issuers reduce Obligations under Senior Indebtedness other than the Senior Notes, the Issuers shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Senior Notes as provided under “Optional Redemption,” through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the amount of Senior Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; or

(d) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

(2) to make (a) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that if such business is not a Restricted Subsidiary, such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) an Investment in properties, (c) capital expenditures or (d) acquisitions of other assets, that, in each of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), are used or useful in a Similar Business or replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

 

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provided that, in the case of clause (2) 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 such 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 (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Senior Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Senior Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuers may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 450 days or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $25.0 million or less.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate amount payable in respect of Senior Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall select the Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the DTC based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.

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

The Issuers 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 or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Senior Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the Indenture by virtue thereof.

Selection and Notice

If the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Senior Notes issued by them at any time, the Trustee will select the Senior Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Senior Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Senior Notes are

 

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listed, (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or, if a pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, or (c) by lot or such other similar method in accordance with the procedures of the DTC.

Notices of purchase or redemption shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase or redemption date to each Holder of Senior Notes at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Senior Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. If any Senior Note is to be purchased or redeemed in part only, any notice of purchase or redemption that relates to such Senior Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased or redeemed.

The Issuers will issue a new Senior Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Senior Note in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Senior Note. Senior Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to an optional redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Senior Notes or portions thereof called for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to an optional redemption.

Certain Covenants

Set forth below are summaries of certain covenants contained in the Indenture. If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Senior Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”) the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this “Description of 9 1/4% Notes” section of this prospectus are not applicable to the Senior Notes (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”):

(1) “Repurchase at the Option of Holders”;

(2) “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

(3) “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(4) clause (4) of the first paragraph of “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets”;

(5) “—Transactions with Affiliates”;

(6) “—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries”; and

(7) “—Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries.”

During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

If and while the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the holders of Senior Notes will be entitled to substantially less covenant protection. In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under the Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Senior Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under the Indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the “Suspension Period.” The Guarantees of the Guarantors will be suspended during the Suspension Period. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales shall be reset to zero.

 

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During any Suspension Period, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction; provided, however, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction if (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred a Lien to secure the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to “—Liens” below without equally and ratably securing the Senior Notes pursuant to the covenant described under such covenant; and (ii) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in that Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is at least equal to the fair market value of the property sold and otherwise complies with “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” above; provided, further, that the provisions of this paragraph shall cease to apply on and subsequent to the Reversion Date following such Suspension Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any such reinstatement, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Senior Notes; provided that (1) with respect to Restricted Payments made after such reinstatement, the amount of Restricted Payments made will be calculated as though the limitations contained in the covenant described below under the caption “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period; and (2) all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been incurred or issued pursuant to clause (3) of the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.”

There can be no assurance that the Senior Notes will ever achieve or maintain Investment Grade Ratings.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (7) and (8) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; or

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

 

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(IV) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (I) through (IV) above (other than any exception thereto contained in clauses (I) through (IV)) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Test”); and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after April 2, 2007 (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (2) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (6)(c), (9) and (14) of the next succeeding paragraph, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning January 1, 2007, to the end of the Company’s recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company since immediately after April 2, 2007 (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”) from the issue or sale of:

(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Company, excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any direct or indirect parent company of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries after April 2, 2007 to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) of the next succeeding paragraph; and

(y) Designated Preferred Stock;

and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (6) of the next succeeding paragraph); or

(ii) debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Company;

provided, however, that this clause (b) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Company sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(c) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Company following April 2, 2007 (other than (i) net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of the second paragraph of “—Limitation on

 

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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”), (ii) contributions from a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) any Excluded Contributions; plus

(d) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after April 2, 2007; or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of the next succeeding paragraph or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007; plus

(e) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be set forth in writing by an Independent Financial Advisor), at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of the next succeeding paragraph or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture;

(2)(a) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent contributed to the Company (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock and any Excluded Contributions) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (b) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (6) of this paragraph, the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, which is incurred in compliance with “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” so long as:

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

 

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(b) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Senior Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value;

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

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

(4) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (4) do not exceed in any calendar year $15.0 million (which shall increase to $30.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company) (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $20.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $40.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Company or any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Company)); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount equal to:

(a) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after April 2, 2007, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests are not Excluded Contributions and have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (3) of the preceding paragraph; plus

(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007; less

(c) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (a) and (b) of this clause (4);

and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from members of management of the Company, any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of the Indenture;

(5) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any class or series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(6) (a) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Company after April 2, 2007;

(b) the declaration and payment of dividends to a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of

 

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Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of such parent corporation issued after April 2, 2007, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Company from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

(c) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (2) of this paragraph;

provided, however, in the case of each of (a) and (c) of this clause (6), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million and 1.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(8) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity to fund a payment of dividends on such entity’s common stock), following the first public offering of the Company’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after April 2, 2007, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Company in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Company’s common stock registered on Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

(10) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (11) not to exceed 2.0% of Total Assets at the time made;

(12) distributions or payments of Receivables Fees;

(13) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transaction and the fees and expenses related thereto or made to fund amounts owed to Affiliates (including dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to fund such payment), in each case to the extent permitted by the covenant described under “—Transactions with Affiliates”;

(14) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness in accordance with the provisions similar to those described under the captions “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales”; provided that all Senior Notes validly tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

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

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

 

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(b) so long as the Company is treated as a pass-through entity of which such direct or indirect parent is owner, member or a partner (directly or through entities that are pass-through entities), or is a member of a consolidated or combined group that includes such direct or indirect parent, federal, state and local income taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Company and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) members of a consolidated or combined group of which the Company was the common parent;

(c) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(d) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(e) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Company related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent entity; and

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

provided , however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (11) and (16), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

As of the date of this prospectus, all of the Company’s Subsidiaries (other than Finance Co.) were Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or under clause (7), (10) or (11) of the second paragraph of this covenant, or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture.

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

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 (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

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The foregoing limitations will not apply to:

(1) the incurrence of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,600.0 million outstanding at any one time;

(2) the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by (a) the Existing Senior Notes (including any Guarantee) and the exchange notes and related guarantees to be issued in exchange for Senior Notes and the Guarantees pursuant to the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of the Existing Senior Notes (other than any Additional Senior Notes) and (b) the Senior Subordinated Notes issued on April 2, 2007 (including any guarantee thereof) and the exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for the Senior Subordinated Notes and the guarantees thereof pursuant to the registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes;

(3) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on April 2, 2007 (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2));

(4) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock issued and outstanding under this clause (4) not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding; so long as such Indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase, lease or improvement, or is created within 270 days thereafter;

(5) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(6) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or 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 a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (6));

(7) Indebtedness of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not Finance Co. or a Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(8) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor or Finance Co. incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is neither Finance Co. or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes, in the case of Finance Co., or the Guarantee of the Senior Notes, in the case of such Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

 

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

(10) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock,” exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;

(11) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12)(a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary equal to 200% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company since immediately after April 2, 2007 from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or cash contributed to the capital of the Company (in each case, other than proceeds of an Excluded Contribution or from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (3)(b) and (3)(c) of the first paragraph of “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof) and (b) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (12)(b), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $150.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (12)(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (12)(b) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this clause (12)(b));

(13) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to refund or refinance any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred as permitted under the first paragraph of this covenant and clauses (2), (3), (4) and (12) above, this clause (13) and clause (14) below or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(a) has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced,

(b) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu to the Senior Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to the Senior Notes or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, and

 

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(c) shall not include:

(i) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (other than Finance Co.) that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company; or

(ii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (other than Finance Co.) that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Finance Co. or a Guarantor;

and provided further that subclause (a) of this clause (13) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness;

(14) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (x) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; provided, that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either

(a) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; or

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

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

(16) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

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

(b) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with the covenant described below under “—Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries”;

(18) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(19) Indebtedness issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent described in clause (4) of the second paragraph under the caption “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

(20) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company incurred not to exceed at any one time outstanding and together with any other Indebtedness incurred under this clause (20) $50.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (20) shall cease to be deemed to incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (20) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which such Foreign Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this clause (20);

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

 

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(22) Indebtedness owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(24) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant:

(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (24) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under the first paragraph of this covenant; provided, that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facilities on April 2, 2007 will be treated as incurred on April 2, 2007 under clause (1) of the preceding paragraph; and

(2) at the time of incurrence, the Company will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the first and second paragraphs above.

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

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

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

The Indenture provides that neither Issuer will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

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

Liens

The Issuers will not, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee, on any asset or property of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Senior Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

(2) in all other cases, the Senior Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to (a) Liens securing the Senior Notes and the related Guarantees, (b) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the second paragraph under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and (c) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities permitted to be incurred under the covenant described above under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under this subclause (c), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 5.0 to 1.0.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

The Company

The Company may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) the Company is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided, that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Senior Notes is a corporation;

(2) the Successor Company, if other than the Company, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Senior Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

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

(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

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

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case clause (1)(b) of the third succeeding paragraph shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed

 

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that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under the Indenture, the Senior Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture.

The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for the Company under the Indenture, the Guarantees and the Senior Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4),

(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, and

(2) the Company may merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Company in the United States and any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

The Guarantors

Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture governing release of a Guarantee upon the sale, disposition or transfer of a guarantor, no Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Guarantor is the surviving person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

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

(b) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

(c) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(2) the transaction is made in compliance with the covenant described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under the Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (i) merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or either Issuer, (ii) merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.

 

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Finance Co.

Finance Co. may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not Finance Co. is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Finance Co.’s properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (a) concurrently therewith, a corporate Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (which may be the continuing Person as a result of such transaction) expressly assumes all the obligations of Finance Co. under the Senior Notes, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and the Registration Rights Agreement if the exchange offers contemplated therein have not been consummated or if the Issuers continue to have an obligation to file or maintain the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement as provided under such agreement; or

(b) after giving effect thereto, at least one obligor on the Senior Notes shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof;

(2) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) Finance Co. shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with the Indenture.

Transactions with Affiliates

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 of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or its 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 on an arm’s-length basis; and

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of the Company approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) above.

The foregoing provisions will not apply to the following:

(1) transactions between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) Restricted Payments permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the covenant “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” and the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(3) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses to the Investors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, or any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not more disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Company to the Holders when, taken as a whole, compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on April 2, 2007;

 

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(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, current or former officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) transactions in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Company or its 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 on an arm’s-length basis;

(6) any agreement as in effect as of April 2, 2007, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on April 2, 2007);

(7) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of April 2, 2007 and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after April 2, 2007 shall only be permitted by this clause (7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole;

(8) the Transaction and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transaction;

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

(10) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Permitted Holder or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

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

(13) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Company in good faith; and

(14) investments by the Investors in securities of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Investors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

 

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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary to:

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

(b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(a) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on April 2, 2007, including pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities and the related documentation, Hedging Obligations and the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes and the related documentation;

(b) the Indenture and the Senior Notes;

(c) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (3) above on the property so acquired;

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

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

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

(g) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to the covenants described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and “—Liens” that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

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

(i) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to April 2, 2007 pursuant to the provisions of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(j) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture;

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

(l) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,

 

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refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (k) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing; and

(m) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Company are necessary or advisable to effect such Receivables Facility.

Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries

The Company will not permit any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries and non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital market debt securities, other than Finance Co. or a Guarantor, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness (or any interest on such Indebtedness) of either Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:

(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Restricted Subsidiary’s Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Senior Notes; and

(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee,

provided , that this covenant shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.

Reports and Other Information

Notwithstanding that the Company 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 Indenture requires the Company to file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders of the Senior Notes (without exhibits), without cost to any Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC) from and after the issue date of the Additional Notes,

(1) within 90 days (or any other time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act with respect to the filing of a Form 10-K by a non-accelerated filer) 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;

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

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

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

 

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in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that the Company shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Company will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Senior Notes, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the Holders of the Senior Notes, in each case within 15 days after the time the Company would be required to file such information with the SEC, if it were subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company will agree that, for so long as any Senior Notes are outstanding, it will furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Company becomes a guarantor of the Senior Notes, the Indenture permits the Company to satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating to the Company by furnishing financial information relating to such parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offers or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement described in the Registration Rights Agreement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offers registration statement or shelf registration statement (or any other similar registration statement), and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, or (2) by posting on its website or providing to the Trustee within 15 days of the time periods after the Company would have been required to file annual and interim reports with the SEC, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in this prospectus.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of clause (3) under “Events of Default and Remedies” until at least 120 days after the date any report hereunder is due.

Events of Default and Remedies

The Indenture provides that each of the following is an Event of Default:

(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Senior Notes;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Senior Notes;

(3) failure by either Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above) contained in the Indenture or the Senior Notes;

(4) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Senior Notes, if both:

(a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation

 

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other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(5) failure by any Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(6) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to any Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or

(7) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, denies that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of the Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with the Indenture.

If any Event of Default (other than of a type specified in clause (6) above) occurs and is continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Senior Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (6) of the first paragraph of this section, all outstanding Senior Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, the Trustee has no obligation to accelerate the Senior Notes if in the best judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the best interests of the Holders of the Senior Notes.

The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Senior Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Senior Note held by a non-consenting Holder) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Senior Notes and its consequences (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (4) above, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Senior Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(2) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

 

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Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee thereunder, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Senior Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder of a Senior Note may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Senior Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the total outstanding Senior Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) Holders of the Senior Notes have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Senior Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Subject to certain restrictions, under the Indenture the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Senior Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Senior Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

The Indenture provides that the Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required, within 20 Business Days, upon becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of any Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the Issuers and the Guarantors) or any of their parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Senior Notes, the 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 Senior Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Senior 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.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under the Indenture will terminate (other than certain obligations) and will be released upon payment in full of all of the Senior Notes. The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to the Senior Notes and have each Guarantor’s obligation discharged with respect to its Guarantee (“Legal Defeasance”) and cure all then existing Events of Default except for:

(1) the rights of Holders of Senior Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to the Indenture;

(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to Senior Notes concerning issuing temporary Senior Notes, registration of such Senior Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

 

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(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have their obligations and those of each Guarantor released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default with respect to the Senior Notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events pertaining to the Issuers) described under “Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Senior Notes:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Senior Notes on the stated maturity date or on the redemption date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Senior Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Senior Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(b) since the issuance of the Senior Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Senior Subordinated Notes or the indenture pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued or any other material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

 

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(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(7) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of any Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(8) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Senior Notes, when either:

(1) all Senior Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Senior Notes which have been replaced or paid and Senior Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) (a) all Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers and any Issuer or any Guarantor have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated 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 Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(b) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to the Indenture or the Senior Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, Senior Subordinated Notes (or the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes) or any other material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(c) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the Indenture; and

(d) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Senior Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture, any Guarantee and the Senior Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or

 

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tender offer or exchange offers for, Senior Notes, and any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Senior Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes, other than Senior Notes beneficially owned by the Issuers or their Affiliates (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offers for the Senior Notes).

The Indenture provides that, without the consent of each affected Holder of Senior Notes, an amendment or waiver may not, with respect to any Senior Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(1) reduce the principal amount of such Senior Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Senior Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Senior Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Senior Note;

(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Senior Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Senior Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(5) make any Senior Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(6) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Senior Notes;

(7) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Senior Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Senior Notes;

(9) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Senior Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(10) except as expressly permitted by the Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Senior Notes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or the Indenture to which it is a party) and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture and any Guarantee or Senior Notes without the consent of any Holder;

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Senior Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Senior Notes;

(3) to comply with the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets;

(4) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

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(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof;

(9) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

(10) to add a Guarantor under the Indenture;

(11) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Guarantees or the Senior Notes to any provision of this “Description of 9 1/4% Notes” to the extent that such provision in this “Description of 9 1/4% Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Guarantees or Senior Notes; or

(12) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Senior Notes as permitted by the Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Senior Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in Senior Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Senior Notes.

The consent of the Holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

Notices

Notices given by publication will be deemed given on the first date on which publication is made and notices given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, will be deemed given five calendar days after mailing.

Concerning the Trustee

The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of any Issuer, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.

The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any Holder of the Senior Notes, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

Governing Law

The Indenture, the Senior Notes and any Guarantee are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. For purposes of the Indenture, unless otherwise specifically indicated, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person refers to such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and excludes from such consolidation any Unrestricted Subsidiary as if such Unrestricted Subsidiary were not an Affiliate of such Person.

 

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Acquired Indebtedness” 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, including Indebtedness 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” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Additional Notes Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Additional Notes dated as of the issue date of the Additional Notes, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

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

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

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

(2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of such Senior Note at April 1, 2011 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above under the caption “Optional Redemption”), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Senior Note through April 1, 2011 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of such Senior Note.

Asset Sale” means:

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

(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

in each case, other than:

(a) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete or worn out equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) no longer used in the ordinary course of business;

(b) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described above under “Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets” or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to the Indenture;

(c) the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under the covenant described above under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

 

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

(e) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

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

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

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

(i) foreclosures, condemnation or any similar action on assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by the Indenture;

(j) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

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

(l) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by the Indenture;

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

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

(o) any sale to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Jackson, Tennessee in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that does not result in the recognition of the sale or the asset transfer in accordance with GAAP, or any similar transaction.

Asset Sale Offer” has the meaning set forth in the fourth paragraph under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

board of directors” means with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation, and with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person, or board of directors of the general partner or general manager of such Person serving a similar function.

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

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 or membership interests (whether general or limited); 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.

 

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

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

Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) euro, or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; and local currencies held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits 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 commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3), (4) and (8) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper rated at least P-1 by Moody’s or at least A-1 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by a Person with a rating of “A” or higher by S&P or “A2” or higher by Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(7) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;

(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(9) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(10) Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s; and

(11) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (10) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) and (2) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

 

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

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

(2) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies holding directly or indirectly 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company.

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

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

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

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

(3) interest income for such period.

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

 

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

(1) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including relating to the Transaction to the extent incurred on or prior to April 1, 2008), severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded,

(2) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded,

(3) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations shall be excluded,

(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,

(5) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Company shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,

(6) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3)(a) of the first paragraph of “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,” the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided, that Consolidated Net Income of the Company will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

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

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

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

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

 

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(11) any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to April 2, 2007 and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded,

(12) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after April 2, 2007 that are so required to be established as a result of the Transaction in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded, and

(13) the following items shall be excluded:

(a) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133; and

(b) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from (i) business interruption insurance (or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (a) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (b) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days or not so reimbursed within 365 days)) and (ii) reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under the Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments” only (other than clause (3)(d) of the first paragraph thereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (3)(d) of the first paragraph thereof.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” as of any date of determination means, the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, less the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date to (2) the Company’s EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a

 

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consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all obligations relating to Receivables Facilities) and (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Company.

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

(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

(2) to advance or supply funds

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

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

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

Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

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.

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

 

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Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Company or any parent corporation thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company or the applicable parent corporation thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph of “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Senior Notes or the date the Senior Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

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

(1) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes (such as the Pennsylvania capital tax) and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(b) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, (y) bank fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (1)(t) through (z) thereof to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Senior Notes, the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Credit Facilities and (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Senior Notes or the Senior Subordinated Notes, and, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(e) the amount of any restructuring charges, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or reserves deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions after April 2, 2007 and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities; plus

(f) any other non-cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided, that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

 

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(g) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

(h) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period under the Sponsor Management Agreement or otherwise to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under “Certain Covenants—Transactions with Affiliates” (and similar fees paid by the Company or its Affiliates to investors in the Company or its Affiliates prior to April 2, 2007) and deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(i) the amount of net cost savings projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or initiated during or prior to 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 during such period from such actions; provided, that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such actions have been or are taken no later than 36 months after April 2, 2007 and (z) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed $30.0 million for any four consecutive quarter period (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma cost savings adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”); plus

(j) the amount of loss or discount on sale of Receivables and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Receivables Facility; plus

(k) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations;

(l) any costs or expense incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”; and

(2) decreased by (without duplication) (a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and (b) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations;

(3) increased or decreased by (without duplication), as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Interpretation No. 45 (Guarantees).

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

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

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

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

(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Company; and

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

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

 

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

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

(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and

(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Company) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an officer’s certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Company in good faith; provided that if the fair market value is equal to or exceeds $25.0 million, such determination shall be made by the board of directors of the Company in good faith.

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

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

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger or consolidation (including the Transaction) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into

 

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account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable determination of the Issuers as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect all adjustments included in the calculation of pro forma adjusted EBITDA as set forth in footnote 3 to the “Summary Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

Fixed Charge Coverage Test” has the meaning set forth in clause (2) of the first paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:

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

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

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

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

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on April 2, 2007.

Government Securities” means securities that are:

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

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

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

 

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Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Indenture.

Guarantor” means the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Senior Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

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

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

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

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

(a) in respect of borrowed money;

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

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

(d) representing any Hedging Obligations; or

(e) during a Suspension Period only, obligations of the lessee for rental payments in respect of Sale and Lease-back Transactions in an amount equal to the present value of such obligations during the remaining term of the lease using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction determined in accordance with GAAP,

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

(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person, but only to the extent of the fair market value of the assets subject to such Lien;

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (b) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities.

 

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

Initial Purchasers” means Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc.

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.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

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

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

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

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

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Company in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”:

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

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

(b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

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

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

Investors” means The Blackstone Group and each of its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issuers” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph under “General.”

 

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Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.

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

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

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

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Indebtedness required (other than required by clause (1) of the second paragraph of “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales”) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

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

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated March 21, 2007, relating to the initial private offering of the Senior Notes.

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

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of any Issuer by an Officer of any Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of each of the Issuers, that meets the requirements set forth in the Indenture.

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

Permitted Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Company or any of its

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided, that any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with the covenant described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

Permitted Holders” means each of the Investors and members of management of the Company (or its direct or indirect parent companies) on April 2, 2007 who are holders of Equity Interests of the Company (or any of its direct or indirect parent companies) and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies.

Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided, that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

(4) any Investment in securities or other assets, including earnouts, not constituting cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5) any Investment existing on April 2, 2007;

(6) any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

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

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

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (10) of the covenant described in “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(8) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed 3.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(9) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the first paragraph under the covenant described in “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

 

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(10) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under the covenant described in “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(11) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Transactions with Affiliates” (except transactions described in clauses (2), (5) and (9) of such paragraph);

(12) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment;

(13) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities), not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(14) Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Company are necessary or advisable to effect any Receivables Facility or any repurchase in connection therewith;

(15) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $10.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

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

(17) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) 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 of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

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

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

(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(5) minor survey exceptions, minor 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

 

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zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(6) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (4), (12) or (20) of the second paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided, that Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (20) extend only to assets of Foreign Subsidiaries;

(7) Liens existing on April 2, 2007;

(8) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or assets owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(10) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

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

(12) Liens on specific items of inventory of other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(13) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(14) 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;

(15) Liens in favor of any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(16) Liens on equipment of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Company’s clients;

(17) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility;

(18) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under the Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

 

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(19) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(20) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $30.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(21) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (5) under the caption “Events of Default and Remedies” so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(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 in the ordinary course of business;

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

(24) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

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

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

(27) during a Suspension Period only, Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is secured equally and ratably with (or on a basis subordinated to) the Senior Notes), and Indebtedness represented by Sale and Leaseback Transactions in an amount not to exceed 15% of Total Assets at any one time outstanding.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Receivables Facility” means any of one or more receivables financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

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

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

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Existing Senior Notes dated as of April 2, 2007, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

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

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

Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.” Unless otherwise indicated in this “Description of 9 1/4% Notes,” all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, including, without limitation, Finance Co.

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Credit Facilities” means the Credit Facility under the Credit Agreement dated as of April 2, 2007 by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as Administrative Agent, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments

 

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and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” above).

Senior Indebtedness” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Guarantor outstanding under the Senior Credit Facilities or Senior Notes and related Guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of any Issuer or any Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on April 2, 2007 or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of any Issuer or any Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(2) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) owing to a Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) or any Affiliate of such Lender (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into); provided, that such Hedging Obligations are permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture;

(3) any other Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Subordinated Notes or any related Guarantee; and

(4) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3); provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) any obligation of such Person to the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries;

(b) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(c) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

(d) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

(e) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of the Indenture.

Senior Subordinated Notes” means the $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 10 5 /8% senior subordinated notes due 2017 issued on April 2, 2007 and any Additional Senior Subordinated Notes, as defined in “Description of Senior Subordinated Notes—Principal, Maturity and Interest” section of the offering memorandum dated March 31, 2007 relating to the Existing Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on April 2, 2007.

Similar Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on April 2, 2007 and any reasonable extension thereof or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.

 

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Sponsor Management Agreement” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsor and the Issuers.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Senior Notes,

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

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

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar 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) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or is consolidated under GAAP with such Person at such time; and

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

(x) more than 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 Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

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

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

Transaction” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the issuance of the Senior Notes, the Senior Subordinated Notes and borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities as in effect on April 2, 2007 and the refinancing of debt in existence on April 2, 2007, including the tender offer and consent solicitation of the 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued by Pinnacle Foods Group, Inc.

Transaction Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2007, among Crunch Holding Corp., Peak Holdings LLC, Peak Acquisition Corp. and Peak Finance LLC.

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 three Business Days prior to the date the applicable notice of redemption is given (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 April 1, 2011.

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

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

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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

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

(2) such designation complies with the covenants described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”; and

(3) each of:

(a) the Subsidiary to be so designated; and

(b) its Subsidiaries

has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

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

(1) the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; or

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

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

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

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

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

(2) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF 8 1/4% NOTES

General

Certain terms used in this description are defined under the subheading “Certain Definitions.” In this description, (i) the terms “we,” “our” and “us” each refer to the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (ii) the term “Company” refers only to Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (and its successors in interest) and not to any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the term “Finance Co.” refers only to Pinnacle Foods Finance Corporation (and its successors in interest) and not to any of its Subsidiaries and (iv) the term “Issuers” refers only to the Company and Finance Co. and not to any of their Subsidiaries.

The Issuers issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Senior Notes”). The outstanding unregistered notes were, and the exchange notes will be, issued under an indenture dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, a federal savings bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”). The Issuers previously issued $625.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 under the Indenture on April 2, 2007 (the “Existing Senior Notes”). Except as not set forth herein, the terms of the Senior Notes are substantially identical and include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. The term “Senior Notes” refers to the outstanding unregistered notes and the exchange notes.

The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the Indenture, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms used below. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, not this description, defines your rights as Holders of the Senior Notes. You may request copies of the Indenture at our address set forth under “Prospectus Summary.”

Brief Description of Senior Notes

The Senior Notes:

 

   

are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers;

 

   

are pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers (including borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities and the Existing Senior Notes);

 

   

are effectively subordinated to all secured Indebtedness of the Issuers (including borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities) to the extent of the value of the assets securing that Indebtedness;

 

   

are senior in right of payment to any existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness (including the Senior Subordinated Notes) of the Issuers; and

 

   

are initially guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each Restricted Subsidiary that guarantees the Senior Credit Facilities.

Guarantees

The Guarantors, as primary obligors and not merely as sureties, guarantee, jointly and severally irrevocably and unconditionally, on an unsecured senior basis, the performance and full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Issuers under the Indenture and the Senior Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Interest in respect of the Senior Notes, expenses, indemnification or otherwise, on the terms set forth in the Indenture by having executed the Indenture.

Each of the Issuers’ Restricted Subsidiaries (other than as detailed below) guarantees the Senior Notes. Each of the Guarantees of the Senior Notes is a general unsecured obligation of each Guarantor and ranks pari passu in

 

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right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of each such entity, is effectively subordinated to all secured Indebtedness of each such entity and ranks senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness (including the Senior Subordinated Notes) of each such entity. The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to Indebtedness and other liabilities of Subsidiaries of the Issuers that do not Guarantee the Senior Notes.

Not all of the Issuers’ Subsidiaries Guarantee the Senior Notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor Subsidiaries, the non-guarantor Subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the Issuers. None of our Foreign Subsidiaries, non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries or Receivables Subsidiaries (subject to certain limited exceptions) will guarantee the Senior Notes. The only Subsidiary of the Company that does not guarantee the Senior Notes as of the date hereof is Pinnacle Foods Corporation Canada, which accounted for approximately $72.8 million, or 4.4%, of our net sales and approximately $0.4 million, or less than 1%, of our net earnings, in each case for the year ended December 27, 2009, and $17.4 million, or less than 1%, of our total assets as of December 27, 2009. For the six months ended June 27, 2010, Pinnacle Foods Corporation Canada accounted for approximately $38.8 million, or 3.1%, of our net sales and approximately $0.5 million, or 2.8%, of our net earnings, and, as of June 27, 2010, accounted for approximately $18.2 million, or less than 1%, of our total assets.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee are limited as necessary to prevent the Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

Any entity that makes a payment under its Guarantee will be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under the Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

If a Guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Guarantor’s liability on its Guarantee could be reduced to zero. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Senior Notes—Federal and state fraudulent transfer laws may permit a court to void the guarantees, and, if that occurs, you may not receive any payments on the notes.”

Each Guarantee by a Guarantor provides by its terms that it will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1)(a) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(b) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities or such other guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

(c) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; or

(d) the exercise by the Issuers of their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described under “Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” or the discharge of the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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Holding Company Structure

The Company is a holding company for its Subsidiaries, with no material operations of its own and only limited assets. Accordingly, the Company is dependent upon the distribution of the earnings of its Subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations, to service its debt obligations. Finance Co. is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company that has been created to be a co-issuer of the Existing Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes. Finance Co. does not own, and is not expected to own, any significant assets.

Ranking

The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes and the payment of any Guarantee rank pari passu in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor, as the case may be, including the obligations of the Issuers and such Guarantor under the Senior Credit Facilities. However, the Senior Notes and the Guarantees are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ existing and future Secured Indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Secured Indebtedness. As of June 27, 2010, the Issuers and the Guarantors had $2,046.1 million principal amount of Secured Indebtedness outstanding. As of June 27, 2010, the Company also had an additional $116.5 million of unused borrowing capacity available under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facilities (after granting effect to approximately $33.5 million of outstanding letters of credit and $0.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit facility of our Senior Credit Facilities), all of which would be secured if borrowed, and an option to raise incremental credit facilities under our Senior Credit Facilities, subject to certain limitations.

Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness that the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial. See “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.”

Paying Agent and Registrar for the Senior Notes

The Issuers maintain one or more paying agents for the Senior Notes. The initial paying agent for the Senior Notes is the Trustee.

The Company also maintains a registrar and a transfer agent. The initial registrar and transfer agent for the Senior Notes is the Trustee. The registrar maintains a register reflecting ownership of the Senior Notes outstanding from time to time and the transfer agent makes payments on and facilitate transfer of Senior Notes on behalf of the Issuers.

The Issuers may change the paying agents, the registrars or the transfer agents without prior notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as a paying agent, registrar or transfer agent.

Transfer and Exchange

A Holder may transfer or exchange Senior Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of Senior Notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due on transfer. The Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer. Also, the Issuers are not required to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Senior Notes to be redeemed. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes.

 

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Principal, Maturity and Interest

The Issuers issued Senior Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $400 million. The Senior Notes will mature on September 1, 2017. Subject to compliance with the covenant described below under the caption “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock,” the Issuers may issue additional Senior Notes under the Indenture from time to time (“Additional Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes offered by the Issuers on August 17, 2010 and any Additional Senior Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Senior Notes” for all purposes of the Indenture and this “Description of 8 1/4 Notes” include any Additional Senior Notes that are actually issued.

Interest on the Senior Notes accrues at the rate of 8 1/4% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on each March 1 and September 1 to the Holders of Senior Notes of record on the immediately preceding February 15 and August 15. Interest on the Senior Notes accrues from the most recent date to which interest has been paid. Interest on the Senior Notes is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes is payable at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Senior Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Senior Notes represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Issuers, the Issuers’ office or agency is the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

Additional Interest

Additional Interest may accrue on the Senior Notes in certain circumstances pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. All references in the Indenture, in any context, to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Senior Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes is payable at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Senior Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Senior Notes represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Issuers, the Issuers’ office or agency is the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose.

Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases

The Issuers are not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Senior Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase Senior Notes as described under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders.” The Issuers and their Affiliates may at any time and from time to time purchase Senior Notes in the open market or otherwise.

Optional Redemption

Except as set forth below, the Issuers are not entitled to redeem the Senior Notes at their option prior to September 1, 2013.

 

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At any time prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Senior Notes, upon notice as described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Selection and Notice”, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

On and after September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice as described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Selection and Notice”, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   106.188

2014

   104.125

2015

   102.063
   100.000

In addition, until September 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes issued by them at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus a premium equal to the rate per annum on the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Senior Notes of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds received by it from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes originally issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

Any notice of any optional redemption may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction. So long as any Senior Notes are listed on an exchange, and to the extent required by such exchange, the Issuers will notify such exchange of any such notice of redemption. In addition, the Issuers will notify the exchange of the principal amount of Senior Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of such Senior Notes.

If the Issuers redeem less than all of the outstanding Senior Notes, the Trustee shall select the Senior Notes to be redeemed in the manner described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Selection and Notice.”

Repurchase at the Option of Holders

Change of Control

The Indenture provides that if a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Senior Notes as described under “Optional Redemption,” the Issuers will make an offer to purchase all of the Senior Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Senior Notes of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will send notice of such Change of Control Offer by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each

 

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Holder of Senior Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, with a copy to the Trustee, with the following information:

(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to the covenant entitled “Change of Control,” and that all Senior Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

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

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

(4) that unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Senior Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Senior Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Senior Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Senior Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Senior Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Senior Notes, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Senior Notes, the principal amount of Senior Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Senior Notes, or a specified portion thereof, and its election to have such Senior Notes purchased;

(7) that if the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Senior Notes, the Holders of the remaining Senior Notes will be issued new Senior Notes and such new Senior Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Senior Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter;

(8) if such notice is mailed prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and

(9) the other instructions, as determined by us, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a Holder must follow.

The Issuers 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 or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Senior Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations described in the Indenture by virtue thereof.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent permitted by law,

(1) accept for payment all Senior Notes issued by them or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,

(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Senior Notes or portions thereof so tendered, and

(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Senior Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Senior Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

 

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The Senior Credit Facilities provide, and future credit agreements or other agreements relating to Senior Indebtedness to which the Issuers become a party may provide, that certain change of control events with respect to the Issuers would constitute a default thereunder (including a Change of Control under the Indenture). If we experience a change of control that triggers a default under our Senior Credit Facilities, we could seek a waiver of such default or seek to refinance our Senior Credit Facilities. In the event we do not obtain such a waiver or refinance the Senior Credit Facilities, such default could result in amounts outstanding under our Senior Credit Facilities being declared due and payable and cause a Receivables Facility to be wound-down.

Our ability to pay cash to the Holders of Senior Notes following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited by our then-existing financial resources. Therefore, sufficient funds may not be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

The Change of Control purchase feature of the Senior Notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of us and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between the Initial Purchasers and us. We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on our ability to incur additional Indebtedness are contained in the covenants described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and “Certain Covenants—Liens.” Such restrictions in the Indenture can be waived only with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such covenants, however, the Indenture does not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford Holders of the Senior Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

The Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases all Senior Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

The definition of “Change of Control” includes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of “all or substantially all” of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether a Holder of Senior Notes may require the Issuers to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes as described above.

The provisions under the Indenture relating to the Issuers’ obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes.

Asset Sales

The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate, directly or indirectly, 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 of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

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(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, 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; provided that the amount of:

(a) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto or, if incurred or increased subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or increase had taken place on the date of such balance sheet, as determined by the Company) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Senior Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Company and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing,

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

(c) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed 5.0% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

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

(1) to permanently reduce:

(a) Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(b) Obligations under Senior Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by the Indenture, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(c) Obligations under other Senior Indebtedness (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided that to the extent the Issuers reduce Obligations under Senior Indebtedness other than the Senior Notes, the Issuers shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Senior Notes as provided under “Optional Redemption,” through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Senior Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the amount of Senior Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; or

(d) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

(2) to make (a) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that if such business is not a Restricted Subsidiary, such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) an Investment in properties, (c) capital expenditures or (d) acquisitions of other assets, that, in each of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), are used or useful in a Similar Business or replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

 

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provided that, in the case of clause (2) 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 such 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 (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Senior Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Senior Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuers may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 450 days or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $25.0 million or less.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate amount payable in respect of Senior Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall select the Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the DTC based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Senior Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.

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

The Issuers 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 or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Senior Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of the Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in the Indenture by virtue thereof.

Selection and Notice

If the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Senior Notes issued by them at any time, the Trustee will select the Senior Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Senior Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Senior Notes are listed, (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or, if a pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by

 

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lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, or (c) by lot or such other similar method in accordance with the procedures of the DTC.

Notices of purchase or redemption shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the purchase or redemption date to each Holder of Senior Notes at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of DTC, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Senior Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. If any Senior Note is to be purchased or redeemed in part only, any notice of purchase or redemption that relates to such Senior Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased or redeemed.

The Issuers will issue a new Senior Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Senior Note in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Senior Note. Senior Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to an optional redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Senior Notes or portions thereof called for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to an optional redemption.

Certain Covenants

Set forth below are summaries of certain covenants contained in the Indenture. If on any date following the Issue Date (i) the Senior Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”) the covenants specifically listed under the following captions in this “Description of 8 1/4 Notes” section of this prospectus are not applicable to the Senior Notes (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”):

(1) “Repurchase at the Option of Holders”;

(2) “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

(3) “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(4) clause (4) of the first paragraph of “—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets”;

(5) “—Transactions with Affiliates”;

(6) “—Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries”; and

(7) “—Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries.”

During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

If and while the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the holders of Senior Notes will be entitled to substantially less covenant protection. In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under the Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraw their Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the rating assigned to the Senior Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under the Indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to in this description as the “Suspension Period.” The Guarantees of the Guarantors will be suspended during the Suspension Period. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales shall be reset to zero.

 

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During any Suspension Period, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction; provided, however, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction if (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred a Lien to secure the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to “—Liens” below without equally and ratably securing the Senior Notes pursuant to the covenant described under such covenant; and (ii) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in that Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is at least equal to the fair market value of the property sold and otherwise complies with “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” above; provided, further, that the provisions of this paragraph shall cease to apply on and subsequent to the Reversion Date following such Suspension Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any such reinstatement, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to the Senior Notes; provided that (1) with respect to Restricted Payments made after such reinstatement, the amount of Restricted Payments made will be calculated as though the limitations contained in the covenant described below under the caption “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period; and (2) all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been incurred or issued pursuant to clause (3) of the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.”

There can be no assurance that the Senior Notes will ever achieve or maintain Investment Grade Ratings.

Limitation on Restricted Payments

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (7) and (8) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; or

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

 

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(IV) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (I) through (IV) above (other than any exception thereto contained in clauses (I) through (IV)) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Test”); and

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after April 2, 2007 (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (2) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (6)(c), (9) and (14) of the next succeeding paragraph, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by the next succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning January 1, 2007, to the end of the Company’s recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company since immediately after April 2, 2007 (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”) from the issue or sale of:

(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Company, excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any direct or indirect parent company of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries after April 2, 2007 to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) of the next succeeding paragraph; and

(y) Designated Preferred Stock;

and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (6) of the next succeeding paragraph); or

(ii) debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Company;

provided , however, that this clause (b) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Company sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(c) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Company following April 2, 2007 (other than (i) net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”), (ii) contributions from a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) any Excluded Contributions; plus

 

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(d) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after April 2, 2007; or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of the next succeeding paragraph or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007; plus

(e) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be set forth in writing by an Independent Financial Advisor), at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of the next succeeding paragraph or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

As of June 27, 2010, the amount available for Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (3) was approximately $310.0 million. This amount includes approximately $263.0 million relating to the equity investment in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, which may be used either to make Restricted Payments or to incur Indebtedness pursuant to clause (12)(a) of the second paragraph of the covenant entitled Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

The foregoing provisions will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture;

(2)(a) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent contributed to the Company (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock and any Excluded Contributions) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (b) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (6) of this paragraph, the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, which is incurred in compliance with “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” so long as:

(a) the principal amount (or accreted value) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value, plus the

 

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amount of any reasonable premium (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness;

(b) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Senior Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired for value;

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

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

(4) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement; providedhowever, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (4) do not exceed in any calendar year $15.0 million (which shall increase to $30.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company) (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $20.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $40.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Company or any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Company)); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount equal to:

(a) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after April 2, 2007, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests are not Excluded Contributions and have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (3) of the preceding paragraph; plus

(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007; less

(c) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (a) and (b) of this clause (4);

and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from members of management of the Company, any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of the Indenture;

(5) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any class or series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

 

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(6)(a) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Company after April 2, 2007;

(b) the declaration and payment of dividends to a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of such parent corporation issued after April 2, 2007, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Company from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

(c) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (2) of this paragraph;

provided , however, in the case of each of (a) and (c) of this clause (6), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million and 1.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(8) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity to fund a payment of dividends on such entity’s common stock), following the first public offering of the Company’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after April 2, 2007, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Company in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Company’s common stock registered on Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

(10) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (11) not to exceed 2.0% of Total Assets at the time made;

(12) distributions or payments of Receivables Fees;

(13) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transaction and the fees and expenses related thereto or made to fund amounts owed to Affiliates (including dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to fund such payment), in each case to the extent permitted by the covenant described under “—Transactions with Affiliates”;

(14) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness in accordance with the provisions similar to those described under the captions “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Change of Control” and “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales”; provided that all Senior Notes validly tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

 

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

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

(b) so long as the Company is treated as a pass-through entity of which such direct or indirect parent is owner, member or a partner (directly or through entities that are pass-through entities), or is a member of a consolidated or combined group that includes such direct or indirect parent, federal, state and local income taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Company and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) members of a consolidated or combined group of which the Company was the common parent;

(c) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(d) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(e) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Company related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent entity; and

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

provided , however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (11) and (16), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

As of the date of this prospectus, all of the Company’s Subsidiaries (other than Finance Co.) were Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or under clause (7), (10) or (11) of the second paragraph of this covenant, or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture.

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

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 (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and

 

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any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

The foregoing limitations will not apply to:

(1) the incurrence of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,600.0 million outstanding at any one time;

(2) the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Senior Notes (including any Guarantees) and the exchange notes and related Senior Notes and the Guarantees pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (other than any Additional Senior Notes);

(3) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2));

(4) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock issued and outstanding under this clause (4) not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding; so long as such Indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase, lease or improvement, or is created within 270 days thereafter;

(5) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(6) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or 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 a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (6));

(7) Indebtedness of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not Finance Co. or a Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(8) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor or Finance Co. incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is neither Finance

 

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Co. or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes, in the case of Finance Co., or the Guarantee of the Senior Notes, in the case of such Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

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

(10) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock,” exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;

(11) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12)(a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary equal to 200% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company since immediately after April 2, 2007 from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or cash contributed to the capital of the Company (in each case, other than proceeds of an Excluded Contribution or from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (3)(b) and (3)(c) of the first paragraph of “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to the second paragraph of “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof) and (b) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (12)(b), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $150.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (12)(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (12)(b) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this clause (12)(b));

(13) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to refund or refinance any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred as permitted under the first paragraph of this covenant and clauses (2), (3), (4) and (12) above, this clause (13) and clause (14) below or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(a) has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced,

 

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(b) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu to the Senior Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to the Senior Notes or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, and

(c) shall not include:

(i) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (other than Finance Co.) that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company; or

(ii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (other than Finance Co.) that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Finance Co. or a Guarantor;

and provided further that subclause (a) of this clause (13) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness;

(14) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (x) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; provided, that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either

(a) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; or

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

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

(16) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

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

(b) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with the covenant described below under “—Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries”;

(18) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(19) Indebtedness issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent described in clause (4) of the second paragraph under the caption “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

(20) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company incurred not to exceed at any one time outstanding and together with any other Indebtedness incurred under this clause (20) $50.0 million (it being

 

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understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (20) shall cease to be deemed to incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (20) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which such Foreign Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this clause (20);

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

(22) Indebtedness owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(24) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant:

(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (24) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under the first paragraph of this covenant; provided, that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date will be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of the preceding paragraph; and

(2) at the time of incurrence, the Company will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the first and second paragraphs above.

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

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

The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate

 

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applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

The Indenture provides that neither Issuer will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

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

Liens

The Issuers will not, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee, on any asset or property of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Senior Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

(2) in all other cases, the Senior Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to (a) Liens securing the Senior Notes and the related Guarantees, (b) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the second paragraph under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and (c) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities permitted to be incurred under the covenant described above under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under this subclause (c), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 5.0 to 1.0.

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets

The Company

The Company may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) the Company is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided, that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Senior Notes is a corporation;

(2) the Successor Company, if other than the Company, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Senior Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

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

 

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(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

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

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case clause (1)(b) of the third succeeding paragraph shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under the Indenture, the Senior Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture.

The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for the Company under the Indenture, the Guarantees and the Senior Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (3) and (4),

(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, and

(2) the Company may merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Company in the United States and any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

The Guarantors

Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture governing release of a Guarantee upon the sale, disposition or transfer of a guarantor, no Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Guarantor is the surviving person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

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

(b) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

(c) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(2) the transaction is made in compliance with the covenant described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

 

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Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under the Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (i) merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or either Issuer, (ii) merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.

Finance Co.

Finance Co. may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not Finance Co. is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Finance Co.’s properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1)(a) concurrently therewith, a corporate Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (which may be the continuing Person as a result of such transaction) expressly assumes all the obligations of Finance Co. under the Senior Notes, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and the Registration Rights Agreement if the exchange offers contemplated therein have not been consummated or if the Issuers continue to have an obligation to file or maintain the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement as provided under such agreement; or

(b) after giving effect thereto, at least one obligor on the Senior Notes shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof;

(2) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) Finance Co. shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with the Indenture.

Transactions with Affiliates

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 of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or its 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 on an arm’s-length basis; and

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of the Company approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) above.

The foregoing provisions will not apply to the following:

(1) transactions between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(2) Restricted Payments permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the covenant “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” and the definition of “Permitted Investments”;

(3) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses to the Investors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, or any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not more disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Company to the Holders when, taken as a whole, compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, current or former officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) transactions in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Company or its 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 on an arm’s-length basis;

(6) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date , or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

(7) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole;

(8) [RESERVED];

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

(10) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Permitted Holder or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

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

(13) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Company in good faith; and

 

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(14) investments by the Investors in securities of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Investors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such non-Guarantor Restricted Subsidiary to:

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

(b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(a) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities and the related documentation, Hedging Obligations, the indenture governing the Existing Senior Notes and the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes and the related documentation;

(b) the Indenture and the Senior Notes;

(c) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (3) above on the property so acquired;

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

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

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

(g) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to the covenants described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” and “—Liens” that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;

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

(i) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

 

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(j) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture;

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

(l) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (k) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing; and

(m) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Company are necessary or advisable to effect such Receivables Facility.

Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries

The Company will not permit any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries and non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital market debt securities, other than Finance Co. or a Guarantor, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness (or any interest on such Indebtedness) of either Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:

(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Restricted Subsidiary’s Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Senior Notes; and

(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee,

provided , that this covenant shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.

Reports and Other Information

Notwithstanding that the Company 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 Indenture requires the Company to file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders of the Senior Notes (without exhibits), without cost to any Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC) from and after the issue date of the Additional Notes,

(1) within 90 days (or any other time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act with respect to the filing of a Form 10-K by a non-accelerated filer) 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;

 

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

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

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

in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that the Company shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Company will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Senior Notes, in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the Holders of the Senior Notes, in each case within 15 days after the time the Company would be required to file such information with the SEC, if it were subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company will agree that, for so long as any Senior Notes are outstanding, it will furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Company becomes a guarantor of the Senior Notes, the Indenture permits the Company to satisfy its obligations in this covenant with respect to financial information relating to the Company by furnishing financial information relating to such parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the exchange offers or the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement described in the Registration Rights Agreement by (1) the filing with the SEC of the exchange offers registration statement or shelf registration statement (or any other similar registration statement), and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, or (2) by posting on its website or providing to the Trustee within 15 days of the time periods after the Company would have been required to file annual and interim reports with the SEC, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in this prospectus.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of clause (3) under “Events of Default and Remedies” until at least 120 days after the date any report hereunder is due.

Events of Default and Remedies

The Indenture provides that each of the following is an Event of Default:

(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Senior Notes;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Senior Notes;

(3) failure by either Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes to comply with

 

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any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above) contained in the Indenture or the Senior Notes;

(4) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Senior Notes, if both:

(a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(5) failure by any Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(6) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to any Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or

(7) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, denies that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of the Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with the Indenture.

If any Event of Default (other than of a type specified in clause (6) above) occurs and is continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Senior Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable immediately.

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (6) of the first paragraph of this section, all outstanding Senior Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, the Trustee has no obligation to accelerate the Senior Notes if in the best judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the best interests of the Holders of the Senior Notes.

The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Senior Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Senior Note held by a non-consenting Holder) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Senior Notes and its consequences (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (4) above, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than

 

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as a result of acceleration of the Senior Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(2) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee thereunder, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Senior Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder of a Senior Note may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Senior Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the total outstanding Senior Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) Holders of the Senior Notes have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Senior Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Subject to certain restrictions, under the Indenture the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Senior Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Senior Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

The Indenture provides that the Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required, within 20 Business Days, upon becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of any Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the Issuers and the Guarantors) or any of their parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Senior Notes, the 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 Senior Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Senior 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.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under the Indenture will terminate (other than certain obligations) and will be released upon payment in full of all of the Senior Notes. The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to the Senior Notes and have each

 

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Guarantor’s obligation discharged with respect to its Guarantee (“Legal Defeasance”) and cure all then existing Events of Default except for:

(1) the rights of Holders of Senior Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Senior Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to the Indenture;

(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to Senior Notes concerning issuing temporary Senior Notes, registration of such Senior Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Senior Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have their obligations and those of each Guarantor released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default with respect to the Senior Notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events pertaining to the Issuers) described under “Events of Default and Remedies” will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Senior Notes:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Senior Notes on the stated maturity date or on the redemption date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Senior Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Senior Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(b) since the issuance of the Senior Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Senior Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

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(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes or the indenture pursuant to which the Existing Notes were issued, the Senior Subordinated Notes or the indenture pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued or any other material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(7) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of any Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(8) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Senior Notes, when either:

(1) all Senior Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Senior Notes which have been replaced or paid and Senior Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2)(a) all Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers and any Issuer or any Guarantor have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Senior Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated 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 Senior Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(b) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to the Indenture or the Senior Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes (or the indenture governing the Existing Senior Notes), Senior Subordinated Notes (or the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes) or any other material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(c) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the Indenture; and

(d) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Senior Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

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In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture, any Guarantee and the Senior Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Senior Notes, and any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Senior Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Senior Notes, other than Senior Notes beneficially owned by the Issuers or their Affiliates (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Senior Notes).

The Indenture provides that, without the consent of each affected Holder of Senior Notes, an amendment or waiver may not, with respect to any Senior Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(1) reduce the principal amount of such Senior Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Senior Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Senior Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption “Repurchase at the Option of Holders”);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Senior Note;

(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Senior Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Senior Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in the Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(5) make any Senior Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(6) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Senior Notes;

(7) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Senior Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Senior Notes;

(9) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Senior Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(10) except as expressly permitted by the Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Senior Notes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or the Indenture to which it is a party) and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture and any Guarantee or Senior Notes without the consent of any Holder;

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Senior Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Senior Notes;

(3) to comply with the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations and sales of assets;

 

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(4) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof;

(9) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

(10) to add a Guarantor under the Indenture;

(11) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Guarantees or the Senior Notes to any provision of this “Description of 8 1/4% Notes” to the extent that such provision in this “Description of 8 1/4% Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Guarantees or Senior Notes; or

(12) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Senior Notes as permitted by the Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Senior Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with the Indenture as so amended would not result in Senior Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Senior Notes.

The consent of the Holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

Notices

Notices given by publication will be deemed given on the first date on which publication is made and notices given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, will be deemed given five calendar days after mailing.

Concerning the Trustee

The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee thereunder, should it become a creditor of any Issuer, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.

The Indenture provides that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any Holder of the Senior Notes, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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Governing Law

The Indenture, the Senior Notes and any Guarantee are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. For purposes of the Indenture, unless otherwise specifically indicated, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person refers to such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and excludes from such consolidation any Unrestricted Subsidiary as if such Unrestricted Subsidiary were not an Affiliate of such Person.

Acquired Indebtedness” 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, including Indebtedness 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” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and the Additional Notes Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional Notes Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Additional Notes dated as of the issue date of the Additional Notes, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

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

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

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

(2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of such Senior Note at September 1, 2013 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing above under the caption “Optional Redemption”), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Senior Note through September 1, 2013 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of such Senior Note.

Asset Sale” means:

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

(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with the covenant described under “—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

 

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in each case, other than:

(a) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete or worn out equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) no longer used in the ordinary course of business;

(b) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described above under “Certain Covenants—Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets” or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to the Indenture;

(c) the making of any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under the covenant described above under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

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

(e) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

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

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

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

(i) foreclosures, condemnation or any similar action on assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by the Indenture;

(j) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

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

(l) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by the Indenture;

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

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

(o) any sale to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Jackson, Tennessee in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that does not result in the recognition of the sale or the asset transfer in accordance with GAAP, or any similar transaction.

Asset Sale Offer” has the meaning set forth in the fourth paragraph under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

board of directors” means with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation, and with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person, or board of directors of the general partner or general manager of such Person serving a similar function.

 

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

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 or membership interests (whether general or limited); 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.

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

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

Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) euro, or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; and local currencies held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits 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 commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3), (4) and (8) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper rated at least P-1 by Moody’s or at least A-1 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by a Person with a rating of “A” or higher by S&P or “A2” or higher by Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(7) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;

(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

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(9) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(10) Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s; and

(11) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (10) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) and (2) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

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

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

(2) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies holding directly or indirectly 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company.

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

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

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

 

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

(3) interest income for such period.

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

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

(1) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including relating to the Transaction to the extent incurred on or prior to April 1, 2008), severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded,

(2) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded,

(3) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations shall be excluded,

(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,

(5) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Company shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,

(6) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3)(a) of the first paragraph of “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,” the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided, that Consolidated Net Income of the Company will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

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

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

 

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

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

(11) any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to April 2, 2007 and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded,

(12) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after April 2, 2007 that are so required to be established as a result of the Transaction in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded, and

(13) the following items shall be excluded:

(a) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133; and

(b) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from (i) business interruption insurance (or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (a) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (b) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days or not so reimbursed within 365 days)) and (ii) reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under the Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments” only (other than clause (3)(d) of the first paragraph thereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (3)(d) of the first paragraph thereof.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” as of any date of determination means, the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, less the aggregate amount of cash and

 

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Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date to (2) the Company’s EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all obligations relating to Receivables Facilities) and (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Company.

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

(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

(2) to advance or supply funds

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

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

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

Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

 

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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.

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

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Company or any parent corporation thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company or the applicable parent corporation thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph of “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Senior Notes or the date the Senior Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

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

(1) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes (such as the Pennsylvania capital tax) and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(b) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, (y) bank fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (1)(t) through (z) thereof to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Senior Notes, the Existing Senior Notes, the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Credit Facilities and (ii) any

 

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amendment or other modification of the Senior Notes, the Existing Senior Notes or the Senior Subordinated Notes, and, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(e) the amount of any restructuring charges, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or reserves deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions after April 2, 2007 and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities; plus

(f) any other non-cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided, that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(g) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

(h) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period under the Sponsor Management Agreement or otherwise to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under “Certain Covenants—Transactions with Affiliates” (and similar fess paid by the Company or its Affiliates to investors in the Company or its Affiliates prior to the Issue Date) and deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(i) the amount of net cost savings projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or initiated during or prior to 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 during such period from such actions; provided, that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such actions have been or are taken no later than 36 months after April 2, 2007 and (z) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed $30.0 million for any four consecutive quarter period (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma cost savings adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”); plus

(j) the amount of loss or discount on sale of Receivables and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Receivables Facility; plus

(k) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations;

(l) any costs or expense incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”; and

(2) decreased by (without duplication) (a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and (b) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations;

(3) increased or decreased by (without duplication), as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Interpretation No. 45 (Guarantees).

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

 

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

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

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

(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Company; and

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

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

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

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

(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and

(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Company) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an officer’s certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

Existing Senior Notes” means the $625.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9  1/4% Senior Notes due 2015, consisting of $325.0 million aggregate principal amount issued on April 2, 2007 and $300.0 million additional aggregate principal amount issued on December 23, 2009.

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Company in good faith; provided that if the fair market value is equal to or exceeds $25.0 million, such determination shall be made by the board of directors of the Company in good faith.

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

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and disposed operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such

 

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

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger or consolidation (including the Transaction) which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are expected to be realized). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable determination of the Issuers as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, to reflect all adjustments included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA as set forth in footnote 3 to the “Summary Historical Consolidated and Combined Financial Data” under “Summary” in this prospectus to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

Fixed Charge Coverage Test” has the meaning set forth in clause (2) of the first paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:

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

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

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

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

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on April 2, 2007.

 

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Government Securities” means securities that are:

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

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

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

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Indenture.

Guarantor” means the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Senior Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

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

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

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

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

(a) in respect of borrowed money;

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

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

(d) representing any Hedging Obligations; or

(e) during a Suspension Period only, obligations of the lessee for rental payments in respect of Sale and Lease-back Transactions in an amount equal to the present value of such obligations during the remaining term of the lease using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction determined in accordance with GAAP,

 

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

(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person, but only to the extent of the fair market value of the assets subject to such Lien;

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (b) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities.

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

Initial Purchasers” means Barclays Capital Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

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.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

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

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

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

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

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Company in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”:

(1) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such

 

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Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:

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

(b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

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

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

Investors” means The Blackstone Group and each of its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date” means August 17, 2010, the date of original issuance of the Notes under the Indenture.

Issuers” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph under “General.”

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.

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

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

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

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Indebtedness required (other than required by clause (1) of the second paragraph of “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales”) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

 

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

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated March 21, 2007, relating to the initial private offering of the Senior Notes.

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

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of any Issuer by an Officer of any Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of each of the Issuers, that meets the requirements set forth in the Indenture.

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

Permitted Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided, that any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with the covenant described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales.”

Permitted Holders” means each of the Investors and members of management of the Company (or its direct or indirect parent companies) on the issue Date who are holders of Equity Interests of the Company (or any of its direct or indirect parent companies) and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies.

Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided, that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

(4) any Investment in securities or other assets, including earnouts, not constituting cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions described under “Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales” or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

 

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(5) any Investment existing on April 2, 2007;

(6) any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

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

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

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (10) of the covenant described in “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(8) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed 3.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(9) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the first paragraph under the covenant described in “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

(10) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under the covenant described in “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

(11) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Transactions with Affiliates” (except transactions described in clauses (2), (5) and (9) of such paragraph);

(12) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment;

(13) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities), not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(14) Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Company are necessary or advisable to effect any Receivables Facility or any repurchase in connection therewith;

(15) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $10.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

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

(17) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) 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

 

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the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

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

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

(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(5) minor survey exceptions, minor 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 other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(6) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (4), (12) or (20) of the second paragraph under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided, that Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (20) extend only to assets of Foreign Subsidiaries;

(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

(8) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or assets owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(10) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”;

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

(12) Liens on specific items of inventory of other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

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(13) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(14) 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;

(15) Liens in favor of any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(16) Liens on equipment of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Company’s clients;

(17) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility;

(18) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under the Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

(19) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(20) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $30.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(21) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (5) under the caption “Events of Default and Remedies” so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(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 in the ordinary course of business;

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

(24) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock”; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;

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

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

 

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(27) during a Suspension Period only, Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is secured equally and ratably with (or on a basis subordinated to) the Senior Notes), and Indebtedness represented by Sale and Leaseback Transactions in an amount not to exceed 15% of Total Assets at any one time outstanding.

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

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

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

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

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

Receivables Facility” means any of one or more receivables financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

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

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

Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Senior Notes dated as of August 17, 2010, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

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

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

Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.” Unless otherwise indicated in this “Description of 8 1/4% Notes,” all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, including, without limitation, Finance Co.

 

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Credit Facilities” means the Credit Facility under the Credit Agreement dated as of April 2, 2007 by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Barclays Bank PLC., as Administrative Agent, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock” above).

Senior Indebtedness” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Guarantor outstanding under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes or Senior Notes and related Guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of any Issuer or any Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Issue Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of any Issuer or any Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(2) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) owing to a Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) or any Affiliate of such Lender (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into); provided, that such Hedging Obligations are permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture;

(3) any other Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Subordinated Notes or any related Guarantee; and

(4) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3); provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) any obligation of such Person to the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries;

(b) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(c) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(d) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

(e) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of the Indenture.

Senior Subordinated Notes” means the $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 10 5 /8% senior subordinated notes due 2017 issued on April 2, 2007 and any Additional Senior Subordinated Notes, as defined in “Description of Senior Subordinated Notes—Principal, Maturity and Interest” section of the offering memorandum dated March 31, 2007 relating to a portion of the Existing Senior Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes.

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

Similar Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any reasonable extension thereof or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.

Sponsor Management Agreement” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsor and the Issuers.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Senior Notes,

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

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

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar 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) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or is consolidated under GAAP with such Person at such time; and

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

(x) more than 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 Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

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

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

Transaction” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the issuance of a portion of the Existing Senior Notes in connection therewith, the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities as in effect on April 2, 2007 and the refinancing of debt in existence on April 2, 2007, including the tender offer and consent solicitation of the 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued by Pinnacle Foods Group, Inc.

 

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Transaction Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2007, among Crunch Holding Corp., Peak Holdings LLC, Peak Acquisition Corp. and Peak Finance LLC.

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 three Business Days prior to the date the applicable notice of redemption is given (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 September 1, 2013.

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

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

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

(2) such designation complies with the covenants described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”; and

(3) each of:

(a) the Subsidiary to be so designated; and

(b) its Subsidiaries

has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

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

(1) the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; or

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

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

 

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

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

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

(2) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY, SETTLEMENT AND CLEARANCE

The Global Notes

The exchange notes issued in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes will be represented by global notes in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons (collectively, the “global notes”).

Upon issuance, the global notes will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC.

Ownership of beneficial interests in each global note will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that under procedures established by DTC:

 

   

upon deposit of each global note with DTC’s custodian, DTC will credit portions of the principal amount of the global note to the accounts of the DTC participants designated by the initial purchasers; and

 

   

ownership of beneficial interests in each global note will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global note).

Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for notes in physical, certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below.

Book-entry Procedures for the Global Notes

All interests in the global notes will be subject to the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. We provide the following summaries of those operations and procedures solely for the convenience of investors. The operations and procedures of each settlement system are controlled by that settlement system and may be changed at any time. We are not responsible for those operations or procedures.

DTC has advised us that it is:

 

   

a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York State Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations and other organizations. Indirect access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through DTC participants or indirect participants in DTC.

 

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So long as DTC’s nominee is the registered owner of a global note, that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indentures. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note:

 

   

will not be entitled to have notes represented by the global note registered in their names;

 

   

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical, certificated notes; and

 

   

will not be considered the owners or holders of the notes under the indentures for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the Trustee under the indentures.

As a result, each investor who owns a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture (and, if the investor is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the investor owns its interest).

Payments of principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the notes represented by a global note will be made by the Trustee to DTC’s nominee as the registered holder of the global note. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note, for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of those interests by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to those interests.

Payments by participants and indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of those participants or indirect participants and DTC.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected under DTC’s procedures and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream will be effected in the ordinary way under the rules and operating procedures of those systems.

Cross-market transfers between DTC participants, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected within DTC through the DTC participants that are acting as depositaries for Euroclear and Clearstream. To deliver or receive an interest in a global note held in a Euroclear or Clearstream account, an investor must send transfer instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, under the rules and procedures of that system and within the established deadlines of that system. If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will send instructions to its DTC depositary to take action to effect final settlement by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment under normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the DTC depositaries that are acting for Euroclear or Clearstream.

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant that purchases an interest in a global note from a DTC participant will be credited on the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream immediately following the DTC settlement date. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream from the sale of an interest in a global note to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following the DTC settlement date.

DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the above procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in those settlement systems. However, the settlement systems are not obligated to perform these procedures and may discontinue or change these procedures at any time. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

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Certificated Notes

Notes in physical, certificated form will be issued and delivered to each person that DTC identifies as a beneficial owner of the related notes only if:

 

   

DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

we, at our option, notify the Trustee that we elect to cause the issuance of certificated notes; or

 

   

certain other events provided in the indentures should occur.

 

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes in the exchange offers will not constitute a taxable event to holders for United States federal income tax purposes. Consequently, no gain or loss will be recognized by a holder upon receipt of an exchange note, the holding period of the exchange note will include the holding period of the outstanding unregistered note exchanged therefor, and the basis of the exchange note will be the same as the basis of the outstanding unregistered note immediately before the exchange.

In any event, persons considering the exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with the purchase of the exchange notes by employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA (collectively, “Similar Laws”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” (within the meaning of ERISA) of any such plan, account or arrangement (each, a “Plan”).

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.

In considering an investment in the exchange notes of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary’s duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions involving plan assets with persons or entities who are “parties in interest,” within the meaning of ERISA, or “disqualified persons,” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, unless an exemption is available. A party in interest or disqualified person who engaged in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. The acquisition and/or holding of the exchange notes by a Plan subject to ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code with respect to which an Issuer or a Guarantor is considered to be a party in interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the investment is acquired and held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. Similar restrictions may apply to Plans that are subject to Similar Law.

Because of the foregoing, the exchange notes should not be purchased or held by any person investing in “plan assets” of any Plan, unless such purchase and holding (and the exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes) will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code or a similar violation of any applicable Similar Laws.

Accordingly, by acceptance of an exchange note, each purchaser and subsequent transferee of an exchange note will be deemed to have represented and warranted that either (i) no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or transferee to acquire or hold the exchange notes constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the purchase and holding of the outstanding notes or exchange notes (and the exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes) by such purchaser or transferee will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under

 

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Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or a similar violation under any applicable Similar Laws.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries, or other persons considering purchasing or holding the outstanding notes or exchange notes or exchanging the outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code and any Similar Laws to such investment and whether an exemption would be applicable to the purchase and holding of the outstanding notes or exchange notes (and the exchange of outstanding unregistered notes for exchange notes).

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offers must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of exchange notes received in exchange for outstanding unregistered notes where the outstanding unregistered notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. To the extent any such broker-dealer participates in the exchange offers, we have agreed that for a period of up to 90 days, we will use our reasonable best efforts to make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to such broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale, and will deliver as many additional copies of this prospectus and each amendment or supplement to this prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus as such broker-dealer may reasonably request.

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own accounts pursuant to the exchange offers may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the exchange notes or a combination of these methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or the purchasers of any exchange notes. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offers and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the exchange notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any resale of exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by these persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offers and will indemnify the holders of outstanding unregistered notes, including any broker-dealers, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the exchange notes and related guarantees offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. In rendering its opinion, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP will rely upon the opinion of Perkins Coie LLP as to all matters governed by the laws of the State of Washington. An investment vehicle comprised of several partners of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, members of their families, related persons and others own interests representing less than 1% of the capital commitments of funds affiliated with Blackstone.

EXPERTS

The financial statements as of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008 and for the years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007 included in this prospectus, have been so included in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The financial statements of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Holdings LLC) and subsidiaries as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss)/income, cash flows and stockholder’s deficit for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended June 27, 2009 included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing in this prospectus (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”). Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act with respect to the exchange notes being offered hereby. This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the exchange notes, reference is made to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and, where such contract or other document is an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement is qualified by the provisions in such exhibit to which reference is hereby made. We have historically filed annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. The registration statement, historical information about Pinnacle Foods Group LLC and other information can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC located at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Copies of such materials, including copies of all or any portion of the registration statement, can be obtained from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at prescribed rates. You can call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 to obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Such materials may also be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s home page on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov).

We and our guarantor subsidiaries have agreed that even if we are not 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, we will nonetheless file with the SEC and make available to the trustee and to holders of notes the reports specified in “Description of 9 1/4% Notes—Certain Covenants—Reports and Other Information” and “Description of 8 1/4% Notes—Certain Covenants—Reports and Other Information,” subject to the provisions described in those sections.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

PFF AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

Report of independent registered public accounting firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)

   F-2

Report of independent registered public accounting firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP)

   F-3

Consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

   F-4

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008

   F-5

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

   F-6

Consolidated statements of shareholders equity for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

   F-7

Notes to consolidated financial statements

   F-8

PFF UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

Consolidated statements of operations for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009

   F-80

Consolidated balance sheets as of June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009

   F-81

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009

   F-82

Consolidated statements of shareholders equity for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009

   F-83

Notes to consolidated financial statements

   F-84

BIRDS EYE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

Report of independent registered public accounting firm (Deloitte & Touche LLP)

   F-117

Consolidated balance sheets as of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009 (unaudited)

   F-118

Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss)/income for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009 and the three months ended September 27, 2008 (unaudited) and September 26, 2009 (unaudited)

   F-119

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009 and the three months ended September 27, 2008 (unaudited) and September 26, 2009 (unaudited)

   F-120

Consolidated statements of stockholder’s deficit for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009 and the three months ended September 26, 2009 (unaudited)

   F-122

Notes to consolidated financial statements

   F-123

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholder’s equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and its subsidiaries (successor company) at December 27, 2009 and December 29, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, respectively, and for the period from April 2, 2007 to December 30, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2009 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (not presented herein), appearing under Item 9A of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits (which was an integrated audit in 2009). We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for business combinations in 2009.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Birds Eye Foods, Inc. from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2009 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during 2009. We have also excluded Birds Eye Foods, Inc. from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. Birds Eye Foods, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total net sales represent represented 25.5% and 0.2%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 23, 2010, except for Note 10 and Note 17, as to which the date is June 9, 2010

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholder’s equity for the period from January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007 present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (predecessor company) for the period from January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertainty in incomes taxes in 2007.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 10, 2008, except for Note 10 and Note 17, as to which the date is June 9, 2010

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(thousands of dollars)

 

     Successor             Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December  27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December  28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December  30,
2007
             13 weeks
ended
April  2,
2007
 

Net sales

   $ 1,642,931      $ 1,556,408      $ 1,137,898            $ 376,587   

Cost of products sold

     1,263,627        1,217,929        895,306              293,191   
                                      

Gross profit

     379,304        338,479        242,592              83,396   

 

Operating expenses

              

Marketing and selling expenses

     123,833        111,372        87,409              34,975   

Administrative expenses

     62,737        47,832        40,715              17,714   

Research and development expenses

     4,562        3,496        2,928              1,437   

Other expense (income), net

     42,214        24,363        12,028              51,042   
                                      

Total operating expenses

     233,346        187,063        143,080              105,168   
                                      

Earnings (loss) before interest and taxes

     145,958        151,416        99,512              (21,772

Interest expense

     121,167        153,280        124,504              39,079   

Interest income

     89        319        1,029              486   
                                      

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     24,880        (1,545     (23,963           (60,365

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (277,723     27,036        24,746              6,284   
                                      

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 302,603      $ (28,581   $ (48,709         $ (66,649
                                    

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(thousands of dollars)

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 73,874      $ 4,261   

Accounts receivable, net

     158,004        92,171   

Inventories, net

     389,967        190,863   

Other current assets

     26,960        9,571   

Deferred tax assets

     25,670        3,644   
                

Total current assets

     674,475        300,510   

Plant assets, net

     412,208        260,798   

Tradenames

     1,658,812        910,112   

Other assets, net

     233,823        166,613   

Goodwill

     1,559,180        994,167   
                

Total assets

   $ 4,538,498      $ 2,632,200   
                

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 1,232      $ 26,163   

Current portion of long-term obligations

     38,228        12,750   

Accounts payable

     130,360        66,951   

Accrued trade marketing expense

     49,048        33,293   

Accrued liabilities

     130,035        69,012   

Accrued income taxes

     455        20   
                

Total current liabilities

     349,358        208,189   

Long-term debt (includes $109,237 and $34,587 owed to related parties)

     2,849,251        1,746,439   

Pension and other postretirement benefits

     82,437        36,869   

Other long-term liabilities

     39,383        14,429   

Deferred tax liabilities

     343,716        318,701   
                

Total liabilities

     3,664,145        2,324,627   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholder’s equity:

    

Pinnacle Common stock: par value $.01 per share, 100 shares authorized, issued 100 shares

     —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

     693,196        427,323   

Notes receivable from officers

     (565     —     

Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)

     225,313        (77,290

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (43,591     (42,460
                

Total shareholder’s equity

     874,353        307,573   
                

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 4,538,498      $ 2,632,200   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(thousands of dollars)

 

    Successor             Predecessor  
    Fiscal year
ended
December  27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December  28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December  30,
2007
             13 weeks
ended
April  2,
2007
 

Cash flows from operating activities

           

Net earnings (loss) from operations

  $ 302,603      $ (28,581   $ (48,709       $ (66,649

Non-cash charges (credits) to net earnings (loss)

           

Depreciation and amortization

    65,468        62,509        45,671            10,163   

Restructuring and impairment charges

    1,300        15,100        1,200            —     

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    10,230        4,714        7,758            26,049   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

    4,429        1,259        —              —     

Amortization of discount on term loan

    28        —          —              —     

Gain on litigation settlement

    —          (9,988     —              —     

Gain on extinguishment of subordinated notes

    —          —          (5,670         —     

Amortization of bond premium

    —          —          —              (5,360

Change in value of financial instruments

    (292     3,347        177            1,247   

Stock-based compensation charges

    3,190        806        2,468            8,778   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    (25     (25     (8,046         294   

Pension expense

    2,126        (996     41            360   

Other long-term assets

    (1,007     —          —              —     

Other long-term liabilities

    1,160        (320     (236         2,464   

Deferred income taxes

    (277,711     24,757        22,173            6,392   

Termination of derivative contracts

    —          (17,030     —              —     

Changes in working capital, net of acquisitions

           

Accounts receivable

    2,705        6,690        4,827            (18,339

Inventories

    12,786        (25,541     32,701            20,045   

Accrued trade marketing expense

    (4,759     4,888        (11,376         2,754   

Accounts payable

    (13,370     3,419        (7,742         14,286   

Accrued liabilities

    19,785        (29,467     23,812            53,340   

Other current assets

    (12,403     1,218        1,090            (140
                                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    116,243        16,759        60,139            55,684   
                                   

Cash flows from investing activities

           

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (1,314,746     —          (1,319,618         —     

Capital expenditures

    (52,030     (32,598     (22,935         (5,027

Sale of plant assets

    —          —          2,200            —     
                                   

Net cash used in investing activities

    (1,366,776     (32,598     (1,340,353         (5,027
                                   

Cash flows from financing activities

           

Change in bank overdrafts

    (2,602     —          —              (908

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    (345     (238     (227         (55

Equity contributions

    264,325        234        420,664            26   

Reduction of equity contributions

    (2,207     (471     (391         —     

Debt acquisition costs

    (40,162     (704     (39,863         —     

Proceeds from bank term loans

    838,250        —          1,250,000            —     

Proceeds from bond issuances

    300,000        —          575,000            —     

Proceeds from short-term borrowing

    1,921        324        3,438            —     

Repayments of short-term borrowing

    (852     (1,531     (2,068         (210

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

    74,888        101,008        50,000            —     

Repayments of revolving credit facility

    (100,888     (75,008     (50,000         —     

Repurchases of subordinated notes

    —          —          (44,199      

Repayments of Successor’s long term obligations

    (12,500     (9,375     (6,250         —     

Repayments of Predecessor’s long term obligations

    —          —          (870,042         (45,146
                                   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    1,319,828        14,239        1,286,062            (46,293
                                   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    318        (138     151            —     
 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    69,613        (1,738     5,999            4,364   

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

    4,261        5,999        —              12,337   
                                   

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

  $ 73,874      $ 4,261      $ 5,999          $ 16,701   
                                   

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

           

Interest paid

  $ 117,468      $ 167,748      $ 101,735          $ 9,135   

Interest received

    89        319        1,029            486   

Income taxes refunded (paid)

    (589     (4,336     159            (103

Non-cash investing activity:

           

Capital lease activity

    (1,200     —          —              (1,129

Non-cash financing activity

           

Equity contribution

    —          —          4,013            —     

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

 

    Common Stock   Additional
Paid In

Capital
    Notes
Receivable
From
Officers
    Retained
earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
    Carryover
of  2003
Predecessor

basis of
net assets
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
    Total
Shareholder’s
Equity
 
             
    Shares   Amount            

Predecessor

               

Balance at December 31, 2006

  100   $ —     $ 573,403      $ —        $ (117,871   $ (17,338   $ 161      $ 438,355   
                                                         

Effect of initially applying FASB Interpretation No. 48

            (260         (260

Equity contribution:

               

Cash

        26                26   

Equity related compensation

        8,778                8,778   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

            (66,649         (66,649

Foreign currency translation

                (4     (4
                     

Total comprehensive loss

                  (66,653
                                                         

Balance at April 2, 2007

  100   $ —     $ 582,207      $ —        $ (184,780   $ (17,338   $ 157      $ 380,246   
                                                         
                                                           

Successor

               

Balance at April 2, 2007

  100   $ —     $ 422,192      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 422,192   
                                                         

Equity contribution:

               

Cash

        2,485                2,485   

Reduction in equity contributions

        (391             (391

Equity related compensation

        2,468                2,468   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

            (48,709         (48,709

Swap mark to market adjustment

                (23,383     (23,383

Foreign currency translation

                566        566   

Gain on Pension and OPEB actuarial assumptions

                4,387        4,387   
                     

Total comprehensive loss

                  (67,139
                                                         

Balance at December 30, 2007

  100   $ —     $ 426,754      $ —        $ (48,709   $ —        $ (18,430   $ 359,615   
                                                         

Equity contribution:

               

Cash

        234                234   

Reduction in equity contributions

        (471             (471

Equity related compensation

        806                806   

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

            (28,581         (28,581

Swap mark to market adjustment

                5,292        5,292   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

                1,259        1,259   

Foreign currency translation

                (1,070     (1,070

Loss on Pension and OPEB actuarial assumptions

                (29,511     (29,511
                     

Total comprehensive loss

                  (52,611
                                                         

Balance at December 28, 2008

  100   $ —     $ 427,323      $ —        $ (77,290   $ —        $ (42,460   $ 307,573   
                                                         

Equity contribution:

               

Cash

        264,890                264,890   

Reduction in equity contributions

        (2,207             (2,207

Equity related compensation

        3,190                3,190   

Notes receivable from officers

          (565           (565

Comprehensive income:

               

Net loss

            302,603            302,603   

Swap mark to market adjustment

                (10,610     (10,610

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

                4,429        4,429   

Foreign currency translation

                (791     (791

Gain on Pension and OPEB actuarial assumptions

                5,841        5,841   
                     

Total comprehensive earnings

                  301,472   
                                                         

Balance at December 27, 2009

  100   $ —     $ 693,196      $ (565   $ 225,313      $ —        $ (43,591   $ 874,353   
                                                         

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

1. Summary of Business Activities

Business Overview

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (hereafter referred to as the “Company” or “PFF”) is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of high quality, branded convenience food products, the products and operations of which were managed and reported in three operating segments: (i) Birds Eye Frozen, (ii) Duncan Hines Grocery and (iii) Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses.

On December 23, 2009 PFG LLC purchased Birds Eye Foods, Inc. See Note 3, for a full description of the transaction, and brands of Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

History and the Blackstone Transaction

On May 22, 2001, Pinnacle Foods Holding Corp. (“PFHC”) acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the North American business of Vlasic Foods International Inc. (“VFI”). The North American business consisted of the Swanson and Hungry-Man frozen food, Vlasic pickles, peppers and relish and Open Pit barbecue sauce businesses. PFHC was incorporated on March 29, 2001 but had no operations until the acquisition of the North American business of VFI.

Crunch Holding Corp. (“CHC”), a Delaware corporation indirectly owned by J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. and CDM Investor Group LLC, acquired PFHC on November 25, 2003 (the “Pinnacle Transaction”).

On November 25, 2003, Aurora Foods Inc. (“Aurora”) entered into a definitive agreement with Crunch Equity Holding, LLC, the former parent of CHC. The definitive agreement provided for a comprehensive restructuring transaction in which PFHC was merged with and into Aurora, with Aurora surviving the merger, following the filing and confirmation of a pre-negotiated bankruptcy reorganization case with respect to Aurora under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. On December 8, 2003, Aurora and its subsidiary, Sea Coast Foods, Inc., filed their petitions for reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court. On February 20, 2004, the First Amended Joint Reorganization Plan of Aurora Foods Inc. and Sea Coast Foods, Inc., as modified, dated February 17, 2004, was confirmed by order of the Bankruptcy Court. This restructuring transaction was completed on March 19, 2004, and the surviving company was renamed Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. (“PFGI”) (now known as Pinnacle Foods Group LLC) (the “Aurora Merger”).

On March 1, 2006, PFGI acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the food products business (the “Armour Business”) of The Dial Corporation for $189.2 million in cash. The acquisition of the Armour Business complemented PFGI’s existing product lines that together provide growth opportunities and scale. The Armour Business is a leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of products in the $1.1 billion canned meat category. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Armour Business had net sales of approximately $225 million. The Armour Business offers products in twelve of the fifteen segments within the canned meat category and maintains the leading market position in the Vienna sausage, potted meat and sliced

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

beef categories. The business also includes meat spreads, chili, luncheon meat, corned and roast beef hash and beef stew. The majority of the products are produced at the manufacturing facility located in Ft. Madison, Iowa, which was acquired in the transaction. Products are sold under the Armour brand name as well as private label and certain co-pack arrangements.

On February 10, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp. (“CHC”), the parent company of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. (“PFGI”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Peak Holdings LLC (“Peak Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Peak Acquisition Corp. (“Peak Acquisition”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings, and Peak Finance LLC (“Peak Finance”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Peak Acquisition, providing for the acquisition of CHC. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the purchase price for CHC was $2,162.5 million in cash less the amount of indebtedness (including capital lease obligations) of CHC and its subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the closing and certain transaction costs, subject to purchase price adjustments based on the balance of working capital and indebtedness as of the closing. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, immediately prior to the closing, CHC contributed all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of its wholly owned subsidiary PFGI, to a newly-formed Delaware limited liability company, PFF. At the closing, Peak Acquisition merged with and into CHC, with CHC as the surviving corporation, and Peak Finance merged with and into PFF, with PFF as the surviving entity.

As a result of the Merger, CHC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings. This transaction closed on April 2, 2007 (the “Blackstone Transaction”).

For purposes of identification and description, PFGI is referred to as the “Predecessor” for the period prior to the Blackstone Transaction occurring on April 2, 2007, and Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (“PFF” or the “Company”) is referred to as the “Successor” for the period subsequent to the Blackstone Transaction.

Each share of CHC’s issued and outstanding stock immediately prior to closing was converted into the right to receive the per share merger consideration (approximately $1.975 per share) in cash. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $2,162.5 million, including the repayment of outstanding debt under the Predecessor’s senior secured credit facilities and senior subordinated notes and the assumption of capital lease obligations. The purchase price adjustment was approximately $2.3 million, was finalized in August 2007 and is included in the amounts below.

In June 2001, the FASB issued the authoritative guidance for business combinations and goodwill and other intangible assets which established accounting and reporting for business combinations. The guidance for business combinations required that all business combinations be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets provided that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives not to be amortized, but tested for impairment on an annual basis. The Successor accounted for the Blackstone Transaction in accordance with these standards. The acquisition of CHC is being treated as a purchase with Peak Holdings (whose sole asset is its indirect investment in the common stock of PFF) as the accounting acquiror in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations.

The cost of the Blackstone Transaction consisted of:

 

Stated purchase price

   $ 2,162,500   

Working capital and other adjustments

     (2,338

Assumed debt

     (1,278
        

Subtotal - merger consideration

     2,158,884   

Transaction costs

     71,217   
        

Total cost of acquisition

   $ 2,230,101   
        

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The following table summarizes the final allocation of the total cost of the Blackstone Transaction to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

Assets acquired:

  

Cash

   $ 16,701

Accounts receivable

     103,921

Inventories

     198,459

Other current assets

     6,558

Plant assets

     279,773

Tradenames

     926,412

Customer relationships

     122,661

Other assets

     52,810

Goodwill

     996,546
      

Fair value of assets acquired

     2,703,841

Liabilities assumed:

  

Accounts payable

     70,927

Accrued liabilities

     105,851

Pension and other postretirement benefits

     20,164

Other long-term liabilities

     7,590

Deferred tax liabilities

     267,930

Capital leases

     1,278
      

Purchase price

   $ 2,230,101
      

Based upon the final allocation, the value assigned to intangible assets and goodwill totaled $2,098.4 million. Of the total intangible assets, $52.8 million has been assigned to recipes and formulas, with $29.3 million allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment and $23.5 million allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment. The recipes and formulas are being amortized over 10 years. In addition, $122.7 million has been assigned to customer relationships, with $38.5 million allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $38.8 million allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $45.4 million allocated to the Specialty Food segment. Customer relationships are being amortized on an accelerated basis over seven years for foodservice and private label relationships and forty years for distributor relationships. The Company has also assigned $926.4 million to the value of the tradenames acquired, with $242.4 million allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment and $684.0 million allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment. The values of the tradenames are not subject to amortization but are reviewed annually for impairment. Goodwill, which is also not subject to amortization, totaled $996.5 million, with $272.0 million allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $633.8 million allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $90.7 million allocated to the Specialty Foods segment. No new tax-deductible goodwill or intangible assets were created as a result of the Blackstone Transaction, but historical tax-deductible goodwill and intangible assets in the amount of $603 million existed as of the acquisition date.

In accordance with the requirements of the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, inventories as of April 2, 2007 were required to be valued at fair value (net realizable value, which is defined as estimated selling prices less the sum of (a) costs of disposal and (b) a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort of the acquiring entity), which in the case of finished products the Company estimated to be $40.2 million higher than the Predecessor’s historical manufacturing cost. The Successor’s cost of products sold for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 includes pre-tax charges of $40.2 million related to the finished products at April 2, 2007, which were subsequently sold during the period from April 2, 2007 to December 30, 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Blackstone Transaction was financed through borrowings of a $1,250 million term loan and a $10 million revolver drawing under the Successor’s Senior Secured Credit Facility (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”), $325 million of Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”) and $250 million of Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”), all issued on April 2, 2007, a $422.2 million equity contribution from the Blackstone Group and other investors and $12.7 million in existing cash, less deferred financing costs of $39.8 million.

Other Blackstone Transaction-Related Matters

Immediately prior to closing, pursuant to their original terms, all of the Predecessor’s outstanding stock options vested and the Predecessor exercised its purchase option to purchase at fair value all of the shares of common stock to be acquired by exercise of options held by employees pursuant to the Predecessor’s Stock Option Plan. As a result, compensation expense of approximately $8.4 million was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor on April 2, 2007 (the first day of the second quarter), immediately before the Blackstone Transaction, related to the fair value of the options exercised.

On March 8, 2007, the Predecessor commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 of the Predecessor (the “Predecessor Notes”) and a related consent solicitation to amend the indenture pursuant to which the Predecessor Notes were issued. The tender offer and consent solicitation were made in connection with the Blackstone Transaction. The tender offer and consent solicitation were made upon the terms and conditions set forth in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated March 8, 2007 and the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal. The total transaction cost of the cash tender offer for the Predecessor Notes was $35.5 million and was recorded as a charge in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor on April 2, 2007 (the first day of the second quarter), immediately before the Blackstone Transaction.

Due to the cash tender offer for the Predecessor Notes and the repayment in full of the Predecessor’s senior secured credit facility, which were both done in connection with the Blackstone Transaction, the Predecessor recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor on April 2, 2007 (the first day of the second quarter), immediately before the Blackstone Transaction, a charge of $24.1 million for the unamortized portion of the deferred financing costs and a credit of $5.2 million for the unamortized portion of the original issue premium on the Predecessor Notes.

The closing of the transaction represented a change in control under certain Predecessor contracts, including the former Chairman’s employment agreement as well as contracts with affiliates of the former Chairman. As a result, the Predecessor was required to pay $12.9 million pursuant to these agreements and recorded a charge for such amount in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor on April 2, 2007 (the first day of the second quarter), immediately before the Blackstone Transaction.

The Management Agreement between the Predecessor and JPMorgan Partners, LLC and J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. was terminated at closing.

Pro forma Information

The following schedule includes consolidated statements of operations data for the unaudited pro forma results for the year ended December 30, 2007 as if the Blackstone Transaction had occurred as of the beginning of fiscal 2007. The pro forma information includes the actual results with pro forma adjustments for the change

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

in interest expense related to the new financing, purchase accounting adjustments related to fixed assets, intangible assets, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, the cancellation of certain contracts of the Predecessor and related adjustments to the provision for income taxes.

The unaudited pro forma information is provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not purport to represent what the consolidated results of operations would have been had the Blackstone Transaction occurred on the date indicated above, nor does it purport to project the consolidated results of operations for any future period or as of any future date.

 

     Year ended
December 30,  2007
 

Net sales

   $ 1,514,485   

Earnings before interest and taxes

   $ 75,910   

Net loss

   $ (120,137

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PFF and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The results of companies acquired during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of the acquisition. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Foreign Currency Translation. Foreign-currency-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are recorded as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income within shareholder’s equity. The Company translates the results of operations of its foreign subsidiary at the average exchange rates during the respective periods. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in Cost of products sold on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and were a $2,788 gain in the year ended December 27, 2009, $3,983 gain in the year ended December 28, 2008, $4,676 loss in the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and a $54 gain in the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007. These amounts include the mark to market and realized gains and losses on our foreign currency swaps as discussed in Note 14.

Fiscal Year. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers investments in all highly liquid debt instruments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories. Substantially all inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. The nature of costs included in inventory is: ingredients, containers, packaging, other raw materials, direct manufacturing labor and fully absorbed manufacturing overheads. When necessary, the Company provides allowances to adjust the carrying value of its inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose including consideration for obsolescence, excessive inventory levels, product deterioration and other factors in evaluating net realizable value.

Plant Assets. Plant assets are stated at historical cost, and depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the lives of the assets. Buildings and machinery and equipment are depreciated over periods not exceeding 45 years and 15 years, respectively. The weighted average estimated remaining useful lives are

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

approximately 13 years for buildings and 6 years for machinery and equipment. When assets are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, their gross carrying value and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and included in determining gain or loss on such disposals. Costs of assets acquired in a business combination are based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. The Company evaluates the carrying amount of goodwill and indefinite-lived tradenames for impairment on at least an annual basis and when events occur or circumstances change that an impairment might exist. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing for each business which constitutes a component of the Company’s operating segments, known as reporting units. The Company compares the fair value of these reporting units with their carrying values inclusive of goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount and any shortfall is charged to earnings. In estimating the implied fair value of the goodwill, the Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit’s tangible and intangible assets (other than goodwill). For indefinite-lived tradename intangible assets the Company determines recoverability by comparing the carrying value to its fair value estimated based on discounted cash flows attributable to the tradename and charges the shortfall, if any, to earnings. In estimating the fair value, the Company primarily uses the income approach, which utilizes forecasted discounted cash flows to estimate fair values. Assumptions underlying fair value estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. The carrying value of long-lived assets held and used, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, is evaluated by asset group level when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset group is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such asset group are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset group. Fair market value is determined primarily using the projected cash flows from the asset group discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived asset groups held for sale, other than goodwill, are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for disposal costs.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue from product sales is recognized upon shipment to the customers as terms are FOB shipping point, at which point title and risk of loss is transferred and the selling price is fixed or determinable. This completes the revenue-earning process specifically that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, ownership has transferred, the price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured. A provision for payment discounts and product return allowances, which is estimated based upon the Company’s historical performance, management’s experience and current economic trends, is recorded as a reduction of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized.

Trade promotions, consisting primarily of customer pricing allowances and merchandising funds, and consumer coupons are offered through various programs to customers and consumers. Sales are recorded net of estimated trade promotion spending, which is recognized as incurred at the time of sale. Certain retailers require the payment of slotting fees in order to obtain space for the Company’s products on the retailer’s store shelves. The fees are recognized as reductions of revenue at the earlier of the date cash is paid or a liability to the retailer is created. These amounts are included in the determination of net sales. Accruals for expected payouts under these programs are included as accrued trade marketing expense line in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Coupon redemption costs are also recognized as reductions of net sales when the coupons are issued. Estimates of trade promotion expense and coupon redemption costs are based upon programs offered, timings of those offers, estimated redemption/usage rates from historical performance, management’s experience and current economic trends.

 

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(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Marketing Expenses. Trade marketing expense is comprised of amounts paid to retailers for programs designed to promote our products. These costs include standard introductory allowances for new products (slotting fees). They also include the cost of in-store product displays, feature pricing in retailers’ advertisements and other temporary price reductions. These programs are offered to our customers both in fixed and variable (rate per case) amounts. The ultimate cost of these programs depends on retailer performance and is the subject of significant management estimates. The Company records as expense the estimated ultimate cost of the program in the period during which the program occurs. In accordance with the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition, these trade marketing expenses are classified in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a reduction of net sales. Also, in accordance with the guidance, coupon redemption costs are also recognized as reductions of net sales when issued. Marketing expenses recorded as a reduction of net sales of the Successor were $513,960 for fiscal 2009, $474,164 for fiscal 2008 and $357,052 for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007. Marketing expenses for the Predecessor in the 13 weeks ending April 2, 2007 were $142,877.

Advertising. Advertising costs include the cost of working media (advertising on television, radio or in print), the cost of producing advertising, and the cost of coupon insertion and distribution. Working media and coupon insertion and distribution costs are expensed in the period the advertising is run or the coupons are distributed. The cost of producing advertising is expensed as of the first date the advertisement takes place. Advertising included in the Successor’s marketing and selling expenses was $42,433 for fiscal 2009, $37,088 for fiscal 2008 and $30,680 for the 39 weeks ending December 30, 2007. Advertising included in the Predecessor’s marketing and selling expenses was $13,141 in the 13 weeks ending April 2, 2007.

Shipping and Handling Costs. In accordance with the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition, costs related to shipping and handling of products shipped to customers are classified as cost of products sold.

Stock Based Compensation. At the start of fiscal 2006, we adopted the authoritative guidance for stock compensation accounting. We adopted the guidance using the modified prospective method. Under this method of adoption, prior periods are not restated. For awards granted prior to the adoption of the guidance, compensation cost is recognized for the unvested portion of outstanding awards based on the grant-date fair value calculated under the guidance for pro forma disclosures.

Grant-date fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Compensation expense is reduced based on estimated forfeitures with adjustments to actual recorded at the time of vesting. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience. We recognize compensation cost for awards over the vesting period. The majority of our stock options have a five-year vesting.

Insurance reserves. The Company is self-insured under its worker’s compensation insurance policy. We estimate the outstanding retained-insurance liabilities by projecting incurred losses to their ultimate liability and subtracting amounts paid-to-date to obtain the remaining liabilities. The Company bases actuarial estimates of ultimate liability on actual incurred losses, estimates of incurred but not yet reported losses and the projected costs to resolve these losses.

Income Taxes. Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for income taxes under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company reviews its deferred tax assets for recovery. A valuation allowance is established when the Company believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the Company’s tax provision in the period of change.

 

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(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Financial Instruments. The Company uses financial instruments; primarily interest rate swaps and caps, to manage its exposure to movements in interest rates, certain commodity prices and foreign currencies. The use of these financial instruments modifies the exposure of these risks with the intent to reduce the risk or cost to the Company. The Company does not use derivatives for trading purposes and is not a party to leveraged derivatives. The authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting requires that all derivatives be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized monthly in earnings. The cash flows associated with the financial instruments are included in the cash flow from operating activities.

Deferred financing costs. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest rate method. If debt is prepaid or retired early, the related unamortized deferred financing costs are written off in the period the debt is retired.

Capitalized Internal Use Software Costs. The Company capitalizes the cost of internal-use software that has a useful life in excess of one year in accordance with the authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets. These costs consist of payments made to third parties and the salaries of employees working on such software development. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Capitalized internal use software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, generally 2  1/2 to 3 years. The Successor amortized $3,850 in fiscal 2009, $3,663 in fiscal 2008 and $1,889 in the 39 weeks ending December 30, 2007. The Predecessor amortized $530 in the 13 weeks ending April 2, 2007. Additionally, as of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the net book value of capitalized internal use software totaled $7,019 and $6,747, respectively.

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net earnings (loss), loss on financial instruments, foreign currency translation adjustments and net gains or (losses) on Pension and OPEB actuarial assumptions that are currently presented as a component of shareholder’s equity. The components of Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income at year end were as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 

Gain/(Loss) on financial instruments, net of accumulated amortization of ($5,688 and $1,259) and net of tax ($6,567 and $0)

   $ (23,013   $ (16,832

Gain/(Loss) on Pension and OPEB actuarial assumptions

     (19,283     (25,124

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (1,295     (504
                

Total

   $ (43,591   $ (42,460
                

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for business combinations. Under the December 2007 update, all business combinations are still required to be accounted for at fair value under the

 

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acquisition method of accounting but the updated guidance changed the method of applying the acquisition method in a number of significant aspects. Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; in-process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. The updated guidance for business combinations is effective on a prospective basis for all business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual period subsequent to December 15, 2008, with the exception of the accounting for valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies. The authoritative guidance for business combinations amends the authoritative guidance for income tax accounting such that adjustments made to valuation allowances on deferred taxes and acquired tax contingencies associated with acquisitions that closed prior to the effective date of updated guidance for business combinations (released in December 2007), would also apply the provisions of the updated guidance for business combinations. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of the updated authoritative guidance for business combinations will have an impact on the Company’s accounting for future business combinations on a prospective basis once adopted; however, the materiality of that impact cannot be determined. The accounting for the Birds Eye Acquisition was performed in accordance with this guidance.

In April 2009, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The April 2009 update amends and clarifies the authoritative guidance of business combinations to address application issues associated with initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. The updated authoritative guidance for business combinations is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The implementation of this standard will have an impact on the Company’s accounting for future business combinations on a prospective basis once adopted; however, the materiality of that impact cannot be determined. The accounting for the Birds Eye Acquisition was performed in accordance with this guidance.

In December 2007, the FASB issued the authoritative guidance for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with earlier adoption prohibited. This guidance requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net earnings on the face of the statement of operations. It also amends consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The guidance for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. This guidance has not had any impact on the reporting of the Company’s financial position or the results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB revised the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. The guidance requires enhanced disclosures about derivative and hedging activities. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2009 and has included enhanced disclosure in Note 14.

In April 2009, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value. The April 2009 update provides additional guidance on factors to consider in estimating fair value when there has been a significant

 

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(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

decrease in market activity for a financial asset. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the guidance during the quarter ended September 27, 2009 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In November 2008, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for intangible assets. The November 2008 update provides guidance for accounting for defensive intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations and the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value by including the estimated useful life that should be assigned to such assets. The updated authoritative guidance for intangible assets is effective for intangible assets acquired on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on defined benefit plans. The release provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations and the enhanced disclosures have been included for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

In April 2009, the FASB amended the authoritative guidance on financial instruments to require disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements as well as annual financial statements. The adoption of this guidance will have no impact to the Company as it already provides these disclosures in its interim financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on investment in debt securities. This guidance clarifies the interaction of the impairment factors that should be considered when applied prospectively beginning in the second quarter of 2009. Upon adoption during the quarter ended September 27, 2009, this guidance did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance regarding subsequent events, which was subsequently updated in February 2010. This guidance established general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. In particular, this guidance set forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. This guidance was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, and was therefore adopted by the Company for the second quarter 2009 reporting. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the subsequent events that the Company reports, either through recognition or disclosure, in the consolidated financial statements. In February 2010, the FASB amended its guidance on subsequent events to remove the requirement to disclose the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events, alleviating conflicts with current SEC guidance. This amendment was effective immediately and the Company therefore removed the disclosure in this Annual Report.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the authoritative guidance for variable interest entities. This guidance clarifies the characteristics that identify a variable interest entity (VIE) and changes how a reporting entity

 

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identifies a primary beneficiary that would consolidate the VIE from a quantitative risk and rewards calculation to a qualitative approach based on which variable interest holder has controlling financial interest and the ability to direct the most significant activities that impact the VIE’s economic performance. This guidance requires the primary beneficiary assessment to be performed on a continuous basis. It also requires additional disclosures about an entity’s involvement with VIE, restrictions on the VIE’s assets and liabilities that are included in the reporting entity’s consolidated balance sheet, significant risk exposures due to the entity’s involvement with the VIE, and how its involvement with a VIE impacts the reporting entity’s consolidated financial statements. The authoritative guidance for variable interest entities is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, the FASB updated guidance for generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The updated guidance establishes only two levels of U.S. GAAP, authoritative and nonauthoritative. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) will become the source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other nongrandfathered non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become nonauthoritative. The June 2009 updated guidance is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2009.

In August 2009, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for measuring the fair value of liabilities. The update provides guidance on the valuation techniques that are used in measuring the fair market value of a liability when quoted price in an active market is not available. The techniques include using the quoted price for identical or similar liabilities. Other techniques include the use of an income approach, such as present value techniques, or a market approach, such as a technique that is based on the amount at the measurement date that a reporting entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or pay to receive the identical liability. The guidance is effective for the first reporting period after issuance. The Company adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2009 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

3. Acquisition

Acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

On December 23, 2009, our wholly owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC acquired all of the common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”). Birds Eye’s product offering includes an expanding platform of healthy, high-quality frozen vegetables and frozen meals and a portfolio of primarily branded dry foods which are well-aligned with our existing Duncan Hines Grocery segment. Frozen food products are marketed under the Birds Eye brand name. Birds Eye markets traditional boxed and bagged frozen vegetables, as well as steamed vegetables using innovative steam-in-packaging technology, under the Birds Eye and Birds Eye Steamfresh brands. Birds Eye’s complete bagged meals, marketed primarily under the family-oriented Birds Eye Voila! brand, offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package. Birds Eye’s branded dry food products hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets, and include Comstock and Wilderness fruit pie fillings and toppings, Brooks and Nalley chili and chili ingredients, and snack foods by Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin.

The authoritative guidance for business combinations and goodwill and other intangible assets which established accounting and reporting for business combinations requires that all business combinations be

 

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(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets provided that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives not to be amortized, but tested for impairment on an annual basis.

In December 2007, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The guidance required business combinations to still be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, but changed the method of applying the method in a number of significant aspects. Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; in-process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. The Birds Eye Acquisition has been accounted for in accordance with these standards.

The cost of the Birds Eye Acquisition consisted of:

 

Stated purchase price

   $ 670,000

Net repayment of Birds Eye’s debt

     670,383
      

Total cost of acquisition

   $ 1,340,383
      

The following table summarizes the allocation of the total cost of the Birds Eye Acquisition to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

Assets acquired:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,637

Account receivable

     67,697

Inventories

     212,612

Other current assets

     2,806

Assets held for sale

     7,402

Deferred tax assets

     797

Plant assets

     146,813

Tradenames

     750,000

Distributor relationships and license agreements

     52,875

Goodwill

     565,013

Other assets

     53
      

Fair value of assets acquired

     1,831,705

Liabilities assumed

  

Accounts payable

     78,652

Accrued liabilities

     59,455

Pension and post retirement benefit plans

     49,307

Capital leases

     1,657

Other long-term liabilities

     14,520

Deferred tax liabilities

     287,731
      

Total cost of acquisition

   $ 1,340,383
      

Based upon the allocation, the value assigned to intangible assets and goodwill totaled $1,367.9 million. Of the total intangible assets, $48.0 million has been assigned to distributor relationships. Distributor relationships

 

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(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

are being amortized on an accelerated basis over 30 years, which life was based on an attrition rate based on industry experience which management believes is appropriate in the Company’s circumstances. The Company has also assigned $750.0 million to the value of the tradenames acquired, of which $624.0 million is allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $90.0 million is allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $36.0 million is allocated to the Specialty Foods segment. The values of the tradenames are not subject to amortization but are reviewed annually for impairment. Goodwill, which is also not subject to amortization, totaled $565.0 million, of which $304.6 million is allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $107.2 million is allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $153.2 million is allocated to the Specialty Foods segment. No new tax-deductible goodwill or intangible assets were created as a result of the Birds Eye Acquisition, but historical tax-deductible goodwill and intangible assets in the amount of $79.4 million existed as of the closing of the Birds Eye Acquisition.

In accordance with the requirements of the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, inventories obtained in the Birds Eye Acquisition, inventories were required to be valued at fair value, value (net realizable value, which is defined as estimated selling prices less the sum of (a) costs of disposal and (b) a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort of the acquiring entity), which is $37.6 million higher than historical manufacturing cost. Cost of products sold for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 includes pre-tax charges of $525 related to the finished products at December 23, 2009, which were subsequently sold during the period from December 23, 2009 to December 27, 2009.

The Birds Eye Acquisition was financed through borrowings of $850 million in term loans (“the Tranche C Term Loans”), $300 million of Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”), a $260 million equity contribution from the Blackstone Group, a $3.1 million investment from members of the board and management, less transaction costs of $24.1 million and deferred financing costs of $40.2 million. Included in the transaction costs of $24.1 million are; $19.3 million in merger, acquisition and advisory fees, $4.0 million in legal, accounting and other professional fees and $0.8 million in other costs. The costs are recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company also incurred $11,750 in original issue discount, in connection with the Tranche C Term Loans. This is recorded in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and will be amortized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method which is consistent the authoritative guidance for debt with conversion and other options.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pro forma Information

The following schedule includes consolidated statements of operations data for the unaudited pro forma results for the year ended December 27, 2009 as if the Birds Eye Acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of fiscal 2008. The pro forma information includes the actual results with pro forma adjustments for the change in interest expense related to the new financing, purchase accounting adjustments related to fixed assets, intangible assets, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, and related adjustments to the provision for income taxes.

The unaudited pro forma information is provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not purport to represent what the consolidated results of operations would have been had the Birds Eye Acquisition occurred on the date indicated above, nor does it purport to project the consolidated results of operations for any future period or as of any future date.

 

     Year
ended
December  27,
2009
   Year
ended
December  28,
2008
 
     (unaudited)    (unaudited)  

Net sales

   $ 2,548,439    $ 2,480,084   

Earnings before interest and taxes

   $ 249,817    $ 268,996   

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 312,508    $ (19,492

4. Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. Bankruptcy and Related Events

On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (“Lehman”) filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York.

The Company had an aggregate revolving credit facility commitment of $125.0 million with a consortium of banks, including Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (“LCPI”), a subsidiary of Lehman, which was not included in the original bankruptcy filing but subsequently filed for bankruptcy on October 3, 2008. As of December 28, 2008, LCPI’s total commitment within this credit facility was $15.0 million. Starting on September 19, 2008 when the Company attempted to borrow under the revolving facility, LCPI failed to fund its pro-rata commitment. Each of the remaining banks within the revolving credit facility did fund their pro-rata commitments. In December 2009, the Company obtained replacement loan commitments from another bank.

In addition, LCPI was the administrative agent under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, including the revolving credit facility commitment. In December 2009, the Company effected a transition of these duties to a new administrative agent Barclays Bank PLC.

The Company was also a counterparty with Lehman Brothers Special Financing (“LBSF”), a subsidiary of Lehman, on an Interest Rate Swap, an Interest Rate Collar, Natural Gas Swaps and Foreign Currency Options (collectively, the “Derivatives”). Lehman is a credit support provider for these Derivatives obligations of LBSF. On October 3, 2008, LBSF also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The bankruptcy filings of Lehman and LBSF constitute an event of default with respect to the Derivatives. On October 24, 2008, the Company, as is its right under the contractual agreement with LBSF, terminated all of its Derivatives contracts at a cash cost to the Company of $17.5 million. See further discussion of the Derivatives in Note 14.

 

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5. Fair Value Measurements

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value as it relates to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on at least an annual basis. The guidance for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of this guidance apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and are to be applied prospectively with limited exceptions. The adoption of the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The provisions of the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value will be applied at such time a fair value measurement of a nonfinancial asset or nonfinancial liability is required, which may result in a fair value that is materially different than would have been calculated prior to the adoption of the guidance.

In the first quarter of 2008, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value of financial assets and liabilities. The guidance for financial assets and liabilities discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

 

  Level 1:    Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  Level 2:    Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
  Level 3:    Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions.

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to recurring fair value measurements and the required disclosures are as follows:

 

    Fair Value
As of
December 27,
2009
  Fair Value Measurements
Using Fair Value
Hierarchy
           Fair Value
As of
December 28,
2008
  Fair Value Measurements
Using Fair Value
Hierarchy
      Level 1   Level 2   Level 3              Level 1   Level 2   Level 3

Assets

                     

Interest rate derivatives

  $ 165   $ —     $ 165   $ —           $ —     $ —     $ —     $ —  

Foreign currency derivatives

    —       —       —       —             5,346     —       5,346     —  

Heating oil derivatives

    25     —       25     —             —       —       —       —  

Diesel fuel derivatives

    902     —       902     —             —       —       —       —  
                                                     

Total assets at fair value

  $ 1,092   $ —     $ 1,092   $ —           $ 5,346   $ —     $ 5,346   $ —  
                                                     

Liabilities

                     

Interest rate derivatives

  $ 21,145   $ —     $ 21,145   $ —           $ 11,890   $ —     $ 11,890   $ —  

Foreign currency derivatives

    2,522     —       2,522     —             —       —       —       —  

Natural gas derivatives

    57     —       57     —             288     —       288     —  
                                                     

Total liabilities at fair value

  $ 23,724   $ —     $ 23,724   $ —           $ 12,178   $ —     $ 12,178   $ —  
                                                     

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk. The valuations of these instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The variable cash receipts (or payments) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. To comply with the provisions of the authoritative guidance for measuring fair value, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees. The Company had no fair value measurements based upon significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of December 27, 2009 or December 28, 2008.

6. Shareholder’s Equity and Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Shareholder’s Equity

In connection with the capital contributions at the time of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, certain members of the Board of Directors and management purchased ownership units of our ultimate parent Peak Holdings LLC. To fund these purchases, certain members of management signed 30 day notes receivable at a market interest rate. The total of the notes receivable were $565 and were fully paid in January 2010.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

On December 26, 2005, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance for stock compensation which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options and employee stock purchases, based on estimated fair values. The Company adopted the guidance using the modified prospective transition method, which requires the application of the accounting standard as of December 26, 2005, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2006. The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 27, 2009, December 28, 2008 and December 30, 2007 reflect the impact of the guidance.

The authoritative guidance for stock compensation requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense using the straight-line method over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Successor’s Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Successor has two long-term incentive programs: The 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2007 Unit Plan.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

2007 Stock Incentive Plan

Crunch Holding Corp. (“CHC”), which continues to own all of the common stock in the Company adopted a stock option plan (the “2007 Stock Incentive Plan”) providing for the issuance of up to 20,000 shares of CHC’s common stock. Pursuant to the option plan, certain officers, employees, managers, directors and other persons are eligible to receive grants of nonqualified stock options, as permitted by applicable law. Generally 25% of the options will vest ratably over five years (“Time-Vested Options”). Fifty percent of the options vest ratably over five years depending on if annual or cumulative EBITDA targets are met (“Performance Options”). The final 25% of the options vest either on a change of control or similar event, if a 20% annual internal rate of return (or, if the event occurs (x) on or before the first anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction, a 40% annual internal rate of return or (y) after the first anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction but on or before the second anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction, a 30% annual internal rate of return) is attained by Blackstone (“Exit Options”). The Company recently modified the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan to revise the EBITDA targets included in the plan to levels the Company believes are reasonably attainable in light of the current global economic and financial crisis. In addition, the plan now provides that if the EBITDA target is achieved in any two consecutive fiscal years (excluding 2007 and 2008) during the employee’s continued employment, then that year’s and all prior years’ performance options will vest and become exercisable, and if the exit options vest and become exercisable during the employees continued employment, then all the performance options will also vest and become exercisable. Options under the plan have a termination date of 10 years from the date of issuance.

The following table summarizes the stock option transactions under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (000’s)

Granted

   6,060      $ 471.87      

Exercised

   —          —        

Forteitures

   (84     471.87      
                  

Outstanding - December 30, 2007

   5,976        471.87    9.73    $ —  

Granted

   564        472.22      

Exercised

   —          —        

Forteitures

   (847     471.89      
                  

Outstanding - December 28, 2008

   5,693      $ 471.91    8.75    $ —  

Granted

   1,072        457.92      

Exercised

   —          —        

Forteitures

   (335     471.95      
                  

Outstanding - December 27, 2009

   6,430      $ 469.57    8.02    $ —  

Exercisable - December 27, 2009

   1,569      $ 471.02       $ —  
                  

2007 Unit Plan

Peak Holdings, the parent of CHC, adopted an equity plan (the “2007 Unit Plan”) providing for the issuance of profits interest units (PIUs) in Peak. Certain employees were given the opportunity to invest in Peak at the time of the Blackstone Transaction through the purchase of Peak’s Class A-2 Units. In addition, each manager who so invested was awarded profits interests in Peak in the form of Class B-1, Class B-2 and Class B-3 Units. Generally 25% of the PIUs will vest ratably over five years (“Class B-1 Units”). Fifty percent of the PIUs vest

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

ratably over five years depending on if annual or cumulative EBITDA targets are met (“Class B-2 Units”). The final 25% of the PIUs granted under the 2007 Equity Plans vest either on a change of control or similar event, if a 20% annual internal rate of return (or, if the event occurs (x) on or before the first anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction, a 40% annual internal rate of return or (y) after the first anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction but on or before the second anniversary of the closing date of the Blackstone Transaction, a 30% annual internal rate of return) is attained by Blackstone (“Class B-3 Units”). The Company recently modified the 2007 Unit Plan to revise the EBITDA targets included in the plan to levels the Company believes are reasonably attainable in light of the current global economic and financial crisis. In addition, the plan now provides that if the EBITDA target is achieved in any two consecutive fiscal years (excluding 2007 and 2008) during the employee’s continued employment, then that year’s and all prior years’ Class B-2 units will vest and become exercisable, and if the Class B-3 units vest and become exercisable during the employees continued employment, then all the Class B-2 units will also vest and become exercisable.

As of December 27, 2009, 8,512.9 PIUs have been granted, net of forfeitures, and 2,457.2 have vested.

Stock-based Compensation related to the Successor Plans

Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock plans for the fiscal year ended 2009 was $3,190 ($3,115 net of tax). Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock plans for the fiscal year ended 2008 was $806 ($806 net of tax). Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock plans for the period from April 2, 2007 to December 30, 2007 was $2,468 ($2,468 net of tax).

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. The authoritative guidance for stock compensation requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company currently uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as its method of valuation for stock-based awards. Since the Company’s stock is not publicly traded, the determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is based upon estimates of enterprise value as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. The estimated enterprise value is based upon forecasted cash flows for five years plus a terminal year and an assumed discount rate. The other variables used to determine fair value of stock-based payment awards include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility of a group of industry comparable companies over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock-based awards. Although the fair value of employee stock awards is determined in accordance with the authoritative guidance for stock compensation and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The fair value of the Successor’s options granted during the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Risk-free interest rate

   1.16

Expected life of option

   3.00 years   

Expected volatility of Pinnacle stock

   70

Expected dividend yield on Pinnacle Stock

   0

Volatility was based on the average volatility of a group of publicly traded food companies. The Company estimates that the annual forfeiture rates to be 7.6%.

Predecessor Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Predecessor had two long-term incentive programs: The Crunch Holding Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan and the Crunch Holding Corp. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

2004 Stock Option Plan

Crunch Holding Corp. (“CHC”), which owns all of the common stock of the Company adopted a stock option plan (the “2004 Plan”) providing for the issuance of up to 29.6 million shares of CHC’s common stock. Pursuant to the option plan, certain officers, employees, managers, directors and other persons were eligible to receive grants of incentive and nonqualified stock options, as permitted by applicable law. Except as otherwise provided by the plan administrator, two-ninths (2/9) of the shares of common stock subject to each option time vested annually in each of the first three years from the effective date of the option grant. The remaining one-third (1/3) of the shares of common stock subject to each option shall vest on the seventh anniversary of the effective date of the option grant unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator. Options under the plan had a termination date of 10 years from the date of issuance.

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction, all outstanding options at the time of the closing immediately vested. As a result of the accelerated vesting, the Company recorded a charge to earnings immediately before closing in the amount of $8,373. As a result of the per share merger consideration ($1.975) exceeding the strike price of the options, all vested options were exercised. The following table summarizes the stock option transactions under the 2004 Plan:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Average
Remaining
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (000’s)

Outstanding - December 31, 2006

   27,328,663      $ 1.00    8.24    $ —  
                      

Granted

   589,445      $ 1.53      

Exercised

   (27,550,828     1.01      

Forteitures

   (367,280     1.01      
                  

Outstanding - April 2, 2007

   —        $ —         $ —  
                      

Exercisable - April 2, 2007

   —        $ —         $ —  
                      

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

CHC also adopted an employee stock purchase plan providing for the issuance of up to 15 million shares of CHC’s common stock. Pursuant to the plan, certain officers, employees, managers, directors and other persons were eligible to purchase shares at the fair market value of such shares on the date of determination. The total shares purchased under the stock purchase plan were 10,482,971 shares. In connection with the Blackstone Transaction, all the shares of CHC were redeemed.

Stock-based Compensation related to the Predecessor Plans

Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the period from January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007 was $8,778 ($8,776 net of tax). The expense includes the $8,373 that was a result of the acceleration of the vesting as a result of the Blackstone transaction.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of stock-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. The authoritative guidance for stock compensation requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Predecessor used the lattice-binomial option-pricing model (“lattice-binomial model”) as its method of valuation for stock-based awards, which was previously used for the Predecessor’s pro forma information required under the authoritative guidance for stock compensation. Since the Company’s stock is not publicly traded, the determination of fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is based upon estimates of enterprise value as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. The estimated enterprise value is based upon forecasted cash flows for five years plus a terminal year and an assumed discount rate. The other variables used to determine fair value of stock-based payment awards include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility of a group of industry comparable companies over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s employee stock options have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models may not provide an accurate measure of the fair value of the Company’s employee stock options. Although the fair value of employee stock options is determined in accordance with the authoritative guidance for stock compensation and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 using an option-pricing model, that value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

The fair value of the Predecessor’s options granted during the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007 was estimated on the date of the grant using the lattice-binomial model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Risk-free interest rate

   4.77

Expected life of option

   7 – 8 years   

Expected volatility of Pinnacle stock

   25.0

Expected dividend yield on Pinnacle Stock

   0

Volatility was based on the average volatility of group of publicly traded food companies. The Company estimated that the annual forfeiture rates ranged from 4-10%, depending on the class of employees receiving the stock option grant.

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Expense Information

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and employee stock purchases under the authoritative guidance for stock compensation which was allocated as follows:

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
   39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
           13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Cost of products sold

   $ 982      $ 140    $ 49         $ 1,230   

Marketing and selling expenses

     172        188      321           3,071   

Administrative expenses

     1,962        457      2,073           4,126   

Research and development expenses

     74        21      25           351   
                                   

Pre-Tax Stock-Based Compensation Expense

     3,190        806      2,468           8,778   

Income Tax Benefit

     (75     —        —             (2
                                   

Net Stock-Based Compensation Expense

   $ 3,115      $ 806    $ 2,468         $ 8,776   
                                   

7. Restructuring and Impairment Charges

Successor

In 2009, the Company experienced declines in sales of its Swanson branded products. Upon reassessing the long term growth rates, the Company recorded an impairment of the tradename asset in the amount of $1,300. The charge is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is reported in the Birds Eye Frozen segment. In 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges for its Van de Kamp’s ($8,000), Mrs. Paul’s ($5,600), Lenders ($900) and Open Pit tradenames ($600). The charges are recorded in the Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen ($14,500) and Duncan Hines Grocery ($600) segments. In 2007, the Company recorded an impairment charge for Open Pit tradename in the amount of $1,200. The charge is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery segment.

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Predecessor

 

Description

   Balance at
January 1,
2007
   Additions    Assumed
Liabilities /
Purchase
Accounting
    Noncash
Reductions
    Cash
Reductions
    Balance at
April 2,

2007

Employee severance

   $ 612    $ —      $ —        $ —        $ (113   $ 499

Other costs

     225      46      —          —          (46     225
                                            

Total

   $ 837    $ 46    $ —        $ —        $ (159   $ 724
                                            

Successor

              

Description

   Balance at
April 2,

2007
   Additions    Assumed
Liabilities /
Purchase
Accounting
    Noncash
Reductions
    Cash
Reductions
    Balance at
December 30,

2007

Other asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 1,200    $ —        $ (1,200   $ —        $ —  

Employee severance

     499      —        —          (290     (90     119

Other costs

     225      —        (225     —          —          —  
                                            

Total

   $ 724    $ 1,200    $ (225   $ (1,490   $ (90   $ 119
                                            

Description

   Balance at
December 31,

2007
   Additions    Assumed
Liabilities /
Purchase
Accounting
    Noncash
Reductions
    Cash
Reductions
    Balance at
December 28,

2008

Other asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 15,100    $ —        $ (15,100   $ —        $ —  

Employee severance

     119      —        —          —          (16     103

Other costs

     —        —        —          —          —          —  
                                            

Total

   $ 119    $ 15,100    $ —        $ (15,100   $ (16   $ 103
                                            
    

Balance at

December 29,

       

Assumed

Liabilities /

Purchase

    Noncash     Cash    

Balance at

December 27,

Description

   2008    Additions    Accounting     Reductions     Reductions     2009

Other asset impairment charges

   $ —      $ 1,300    $ —        $ (1,300   $ —        $ —  

Employee severance

     103      —        —          (33     —          70

Other costs

     —        —        —          —          —          —  
                                            

Total

   $ 103    $ 1,300    $ —        $ (1,333   $ —        $ 70
                                            

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

8. Other Expense (Income), net

 

     Successor              Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
   Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
             13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Birds Eye Acquisition merger-related costs

   $ 24,090    $ —        $ —              $ —     

Amortization of intangibles/other assets

     16,824      19,245        16,579              1,911   

Restructuring and impairment charges

     1,300      15,100        1,200              46   

Gain on litigation settlement

     —        (9,988     —                —     

Extinguishment gain on Senior Subordinated Notes

     —        —          (5,670           —     

Blackstone Transaction merger-related costs

     —        —          —                49,129   

Royalty expense (income), net and other

     —        6        (81           (44
                                     

Total other expense

   $ 42,214    $ 24,363      $ 12,028            $ 51,042   
                                     

Birds Eye Acquisition merger-related costs. In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, as described in Note 3, the Company incurred costs of $24.1 million. Included in the deal costs of $24.1 million are; $19.3 million in merger, acquisition and advisory fees, $4.0 million in legal, accounting and other professional fees and $0.8 million in other costs.

Restructuring and impairment charges. In 2009, the Company recorded an impairment of $1.3 million on the Swanson tradename. In 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges for its Van de Kamp’s ($8.0 million), Mrs. Paul’s ($5.6 million), Lenders ($0.9 million) and Open Pit tradenames ($0.6 million). The charges are the result of the Company reassessing the long-term growth rates for its branded products. In 2007, the Successor recorded a $1.2 million impairment for the Open Pit tradename. In 2007, the Predecessor incurred costs in connection with the shutdown of the Omaha, Nebraska and Erie, Pennsylvania facilities.

Gain on litigation settlement. On April 17, 2008, the Company settled a lawsuit with R2 Top Hat, Ltd., relating to its claim against Aurora Foods Inc., which merged with the Company in March 2004. Under the settlement, the Company paid R2 Top Hat, Ltd. $10 million in full payment of the excess leverage fees related to the Aurora prepetition bank facility, all related interest and all other out-of-pocket costs. After this settlement, there are no remaining contingencies related to the excess leverage fees under the Aurora prepetition bank facility. Accordingly, the remaining $10.0 million accrued liability assumed in the merger with Aurora and recorded at fair value of $20.1 million in the purchase price allocation for the Blackstone Transaction was reduced to $0 and the related credit, net of related expenses, was recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Extinguishment gain on Senior Subordinated Notes. In December of 2007, the Company repurchased $51.0 million of its 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discounted price of $44.2 million. The gain on the bond extinguishment, after giving consideration to the acceleration of $1.1 million of deferred financing cost amortization associated with the notes repurchased, was $5.7 million.

Blackstone Transaction merger-related costs. As discussed in Note 1, the Predecessor incurred certain costs immediately before the Blackstone Transaction. The costs included $35.5 million related to the cash tender

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

offer for the 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes, $12.9 million related to the termination of certain contracts, and $0.7 million related to payroll taxes for a total of $49.1 million.

9. Balance Sheet Information

Accounts Receivable. Customer accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for cash discounts, returns and bad debts is our best estimate of the amount of uncollectible amounts in our existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical discounts taken and write-off experience. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company concludes it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to our customers. Accounts receivable are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 

Customers

   $ 154,788      $ 92,308   

Allowances for cash discounts, bad debts and returns

     (3,826     (3,680
                
     150,962        88,628   

Other

     7,042        3,543   
                

Total

   $ 158,004      $ 92,171   
                

Following are the changes in the allowance for cash discounts, bad debts, and returns:

 

     Beginning
Balance
   Additions    Deductions     Ending
Balance
Successor           

Fiscal year ended December 27 2009

   $ 3,680    $ 41,580    $ (41,434   $ 3,826

Fiscal year ended December 28, 2008

     4,028      39,028      (39,376     3,680

39 weeks ended December 30, 2007

     4,763      28,027      (28,762     4,028
Predecessor           

13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

   $ 4,006    $ 10,473    $ (9,716   $ 4,763

Inventories. Inventories are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 

Raw materials, containers and supplies

   $ 41,523      $ 52,368   

Finished product

     350,424        141,469   
                
     391,947        193,837   

Reserves

     (1,980     (2,974
                

Total

   $ 389,967      $ 190,863   
                

Reserves represent amounts necessary to adjust the carrying value of inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Company has various purchase commitments for raw materials, containers, supplies and certain finished products incident to the ordinary course of business. Such commitments are not at prices in excess of current market.

In the second quarter of 2007, in connection with the Blackstone Transaction, inventories were required to be valued at fair value, which the Company has estimated at $40.2 million higher than the Predecessor’s historical manufacturing cost. As of December 30, 2007, the entire $40.2 million had been charged to cost of products sold.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, inventories were required to be valued at fair value, which is $37.6 million higher than historical manufacturing cost. In 2009, $525 has been charged to Cost of Products Sold, and the balance will be charged to Cost of Products Sold in 2010.

Following are the changes in the inventory reserves:

 

     Beginning
Balance
   Additions    Deductions     Ending
Balance
Successor           

Fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

   $ 2,974    $ 2,057    $ (3,051   $ 1,980

Fiscal year ended December 28, 2008

     1,846      3,131      (2,003     2,974

39 weeks ended December 30, 2007

     2,009      1,341      (1,504     1,846
Predecessor           

13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

   $ 2,735    $ 546    $ (1,272   $ 2,009

Other Current Assets. Other Current Assets are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
   December 28,
2008

Prepaid expenses

   $ 7,849    $ 9,179

Prepaid income taxes

     2,534      392

Cash collateral for letter of credit (see Note 11)

     9,175      —  

Assets held for sale

     7,402      —  
             
   $ 26,960    $ 9,571
             

Assets held for sale represents the estimated fair value of the former Birds Eye plant in Watsonville, CA.

Plant Assets. Plant assets are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 

Land

   $ 19,717      $ 8,000   

Buildings

     129,743        76,104   

Machinery and equipment

     355,819        232,522   

Projects in progress

     13,794        13,879   
                
     519,073        330,505   

Accumulated depreciation

     (106,865     (69,707
                

Total

   $ 412,208      $ 260,798   
                

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Depreciation of the Predecessor was $8,252 for the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007. Depreciation of the Successor was $29,092 during the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $43,264 during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and $48,644 during the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Accrued Liabilities. Accrued liabilities are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
   December 28,
2008
     

Employee compensation and benefits

   $ 69,331    $ 26,381

Consumer coupons

     6,711      1,774

Interest payable

     23,808      28,146

Accrued restructuring charges

     70      103

Other

     30,115      12,608
             

Total

   $ 130,035    $ 69,012
             

10. Goodwill, Tradenames and Other Assets

Goodwill by segment is as follows:

 

     Birds Eye
Frozen
Segment
    Duncan  Hines
Grocery
Segment
    Specialty
Foods
Segment
    Total  
        
        

Predecessor

        

Balance, April 2, 2007

   $ 67,667      $ 335,564      $ —        $ 403,231   
                                
                                  

Successor

        

Blackstone Transaction allocation of purchase price

   $ 271,988      $ 633,845      $ 90,713      $ 996,546   

Settlement of pre-acquisition liabilities

     (261     (788     (79     (1,128
                                

Balance, December 30, 2007

   $ 271,727      $ 633,057      $ 90,634      $ 995,418   
                                

Settlement of pre-acquisition liabilities

     (341     (797     (113     (1,251
                                

Balance, December 28, 2008

   $ 271,386      $ 632,260      $ 90,521      $ 994,167   
                                

Birds Eye Acquisition allocation of purchase price

     304,573        107,215        153,226        565,013   
                                

Balance, December 27, 2009

   $ 575,958      $ 739,475      $ 243,747      $ 1,559,180   
                                

The authoritative guidance for business combinations requires all business combinations be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets, provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis or more often when events indicate.

As discussed in Note 13, the application the authoritative guidance for income taxes, and the expiration of certain statutes of limitation relating to certain tax returns for prior years during the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007 resulted in a $1,070 increase to goodwill for the Predecessor.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

In the first quarter of 2010, we implemented a reorganization of the Company’s products into three operating segments: Birds Eye Frozen, Duncan Hines Grocery and Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) will be reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations will be reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division will consist of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses.

In connection with the reorganization we reassigned goodwill to the affected reporting units by using a relative fair value approach. As a result, the goodwill that is ascribed to each reporting unit is determined based on the relative fair value.

The Blackstone Transaction was accounted for in accordance the authoritative guidance for business combinations and resulted in $996,546 in goodwill for the Successor of which $271,988 was allocated to Birds Eye Frozen segment, $633,845 was allocated to Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $90,713 was allocated to the Specialty Foods segment.

The Birds Eye Acquisition was accounted for in accordance the authoritative guidance for business combinations and resulted in $565,013 in goodwill for the Successor of which $304,573 was allocated to Birds Eye Frozen segment, $107,215 was allocated to Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $153,226 was allocated to the Specialty Foods segment.

Tradenames

Tradenames by segment is as follows:

 

     Birds Eye
Frozen
Segment
    Duncan  Hines
Grocery
Segment
    Specialty
Foods
Segment
   Total  
         
         

Predecessor

         

Balance, April 2, 2007

   $ 228,842      $ 568,740      $ —      $ 797,582   
                               
                                 

Successor

         

Blackstone transaction allocation of purchase price

   $ 242,380      $ 684,032      $ —      $ 926,412   

Impairment

     —          (1,200     —        (1,200
                               

Balance, December 30, 2007

   $ 242,380      $ 682,832      $ —      $ 925,212   
                               

Impairments

     (14,500     (600     —        (15,100
                               

Balance, December 28, 2008

   $ 227,880      $ 682,232      $ —      $ 910,112   
                               

Birds Eye Acquisition allocation of purchase price

     624,000        90,000        36,000      750,000   

Impairment

     (1,300     —          —        (1,300
                               

Balance, December 27, 2009

   $ 850,580      $ 772,232      $ 36,000    $ 1,658,812   
                               

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

For the Successor, the allocation of the Blackstone Transaction purchase price resulted in indefinite lived tradename intangible assets of $926,412, of which $242,380 has been allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment and $684,032 has been allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment. The Birds Eye Acquisition purchase price resulted in indefinite lived tradename intangible assets of $750,000, of which $624,000 has been allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $90,000 has been allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $36,000 has been allocated to the Specialty Foods segment.

In December 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,300 for its Swanson tradename. The charge is the result of the Company’s reassessment of the long-term growth rates for its branded products and is recorded in Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is reported in the Birds Eye Frozen segments. In 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges for its Van de Kamp’s ($8,000), Mrs. Paul’s ($5,600), Lenders ($900) and Open Pit tradenames ($600). The charges are the result of the Company reassessing the long-term growth rates for its branded products. The charges are recorded in the Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen ($14,500) and Duncan Hines Grocery ($600) segments. In 2007, the Company experienced declines in sales of its Open Pit branded products. Upon reassessing the long term growth rates, the Company recorded an impairment of the tradename asset in the amount of $1,200. The charge is recorded in the Other expense (income), net line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and is reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery segment.

Other Assets

 

     December 27,
2009
   December 28,
2008
     

Amortizable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $52,648 and $35,824 , respectively

   $ 175,698    $ 139,647

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $23,833 and $13,603, respectively

     56,897      26,966

Foreign currency swap (See Note 14)

     165      —  

Notes receivable - Roskam Baking

     1,009      —  

Other

     54      —  
             

Total

   $ 233,823    $ 166,613
             

The change in the book value of the amortizable intangible assets, net is as follows:

 

     Predecessor
     Balance as of
April 2,
2007

Dry foods

   $ 23,876

Frozen foods

     4,561
      

Total

   $ 28,437
      

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

    Successor
    Blackstone
Transaction
  Amortization     December 30,
2007
  Amortization     December 28,
2008
  Birds Eye
Transaction
  Amortization     December 27,
2009

Birds Eye Frozen segment

  $ 67,851   $ (3,644   $ 64,207   $ (4,787   $ 59,420   $ 13,875   $ (4,728   $ 68,567

Duncan Hines Grocery segment

    62,263     (3,215     59,048     (4,214     54,834     35,000     (4,121     85,713

Speciality Foods segment

    45,357     (9,720     35,637     (10,244     25,393     4,000     (7,975     21,418
                                                     

Total

  $ 175,471   $ (16,579   $ 158,892   $ (19,245   $ 139,647   $ 52,875   $ (16,824   $ 175,698
                                                     

In fiscal 2007, the Blackstone Transaction was accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations and resulted in $175,471 in amortizable intangibles for the Successor; $52,810 was allocated to recipes with a life of ten years and $122,661 was allocated to customer relationships with useful lives ranging between 7 and 40 years.

In fiscal 2009, the Birds Eye Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations and resulted in $52,875 in amortizable intangibles; $48,000 in distributor relationship and $4,875 in license agreement. The distributor relationships have a useful life of 30 years. The license agreement has a useful life of 6.5 years.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows: 2010 - $17,159, 2011 - $16,159, 2012 - $15,800, 2013 - $15,463, 2014 - $12,180 and thereafter - $98,937.

Deferred financing costs relate to the Company’s senior secured credit facilities, senior notes and senior subordinated notes. Amortization for the Predecessor was $1,977 for the 13 weeks ending April 2, 2007. Amortization for the Successor was $7,758 for the 39 weeks ending December 30, 2007, $4,714 for the fiscal year ended 2008 and $10,230 for the fiscal year ended 2009 (including $5,410 related to stand by bridge financing fees). In addition, the Successor accelerated amortization of $1,131 related to the $51 million of senior subordinated notes repurchased in December 2007.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

11. Debt and Interest Expense

 

     December 27,
2009
    December  28,
2008

Short-term borrowings

    

- Revolving Credit Facility

   $ —        $ 26,000

- Notes payable

     1,232        163
              

Total short-term borrowings

     1,232        26,163
              

Long-term debt

    

- Senior secured credit facility - term loans

   $ 1,221,875      $ 1,234,375

- Senior secured credit facility - Tranche C term loans

     850,000        —  

- 9.25% Senior notes

     625,000        325,000

- 10.625% Senior subordinated notes

     199,000        199,000

- Unamortized discount on long term debt

     (11,722     —  

- Capital lease obligations

     3,326        814
              
     2,887,479        1,759,189

Less: current portion of long-term obligations

     38,228        12,750
              

Total long-term debt

   $ 2,849,251      $ 1,746,439
              

 

Interest expense

   Successor              Predecessor
     Fiscal year
ended
December  27,
2009
   Fiscal year
Ended
December  28,
2008
   39 weeks
ended
December  30,
2007
             13 weeks
ended
April  2,
2007

Third party interest expense

   $ 90,899    $ 127,974    $ 116,711            $ 36,677

Related party interest expense

     1,446      3,106      1,463              9

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

     10,230      4,714      8,889              1,977

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap (Note 14)

     4,429      1,259      —                —  

Interest rate swap (gains) losses (Note 14)

     14,163      16,227      (2,559           416
                                  
   $ 121,167    $ 153,280    $ 124,504            $ 39,079
                                  

Successor – As part of the Blackstone Transaction as described in Note 1, Peak Finance LLC entered into a $1,375.0 million credit agreement (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”) in the form of (i) term loans in an initial aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and (ii) revolving credit commitments in the initial aggregate amount of $125.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Peak Finance LLC merged with and into PFF on April 2, 2007 at the closing of the Blackstone Transaction. The term loan matures April 2, 2014. The Revolving Credit Facility matures April 2, 2013.

As part of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, as described in Note 3, the Company entered into an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility in the form of (i) incremental term loans in the amount of $850.0 million (the “Tranche C Term Loans”) and (ii) an incremental revolving credit facility the amount of $25.0 million, bringing our total revolving credit commitment to $150.0 million. In connection with the Tranche C Term Loans, the Company also incurred $11.8 million in original issue discount fees. These fees are recorded in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and will be amortized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 27, 2009. Borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of December 28, 2008 totaled $26.0 million.

The total amount of the Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans that were owed to affiliates of the Blackstone Group as of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, was $109,237 and $34,587, respectively.

The Company’s borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as amended, bear interest at a floating rate and are maintained as base rate loans or as Eurodollar loans. Base rate loans bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable base rate margin, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The base rate is defined as the higher of (i) the prime rate and (ii) the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%. Eurodollar loans bear interest at the adjusted Eurodollar rate, as described in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, plus the applicable Eurodollar rate margin. Solely with respect to Tranche C Term Loans, the Eurocurrency rate shall be no less than 2.50% per annum. Solely with respect to Tranche C Term Loans, the base rate shall be no less than 3.50% per annum.

The applicable margins with respect to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility vary from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and agreed upon pricing grids based on the Company’s leverage ratio as defined in the credit agreement. The applicable margins with respect to the Senior Secured Credit Facility are currently:

Applicable Margin (per annum)

 

Revolving Credit Facilty and Letters of Credit

  

Term Loans

  

Tranche C Term Loans

Eurocurrency

Rate for

Revolving Loans

and Letter of

Credit Fees

  

Base Rate for

Revolving Loans

  

Commitment

Fees Rate

  

Eurocurrency

Rate for Term

Loans

  

Base Rate for

Term Loans

  

Eurocurrency

Rate for -

Term Loan C

  

Base Rate for -

Term Loan C

2.75%

   1.75%    0.50%    2.75%    1.75%    5.00%    4.00%

The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facility is collateralized by first priority or equivalent security interests in (i) all the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each direct or indirect domestic subsidiary of the Company and 65% of the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each direct foreign subsidiaries of the Company, or any of its domestic subsidiaries and (ii) certain tangible and intangible assets of the Company and those of the Guarantors (subject to certain exceptions and qualifications).

A commitment fee of 0.50% per annum is applied to the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. For the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009, December 28, 2008 and December 30, 2007, the weighted average interest rate on the Term Loans was 3.13%, 6.21% and 8.05%, respectively. For the fiscal years ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the weighted average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 3.19% and 5.45%, respectively. As of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the Eurodollar interest rate on the Term Loans was 4.84% and 6.52%, respectively. As of December 28, 2008, the Eurodollar interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 3.21%.

The Company pays a fee for all outstanding letters of credit drawn against the Revolving Credit Facility at an annual rate equivalent to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar loans under the

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Revolving Credit Facility, less the fronting fee payable in respect of the applicable letter of credit. The fronting fee is equal to 0.125% per annum of the daily maximum amount then available to be drawn under such letter of credit. The fronting fees are computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Total letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility cannot exceed $25,000. As of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, the Company had utilized $22,072 and $15,181, respectively of the Revolving Credit Facility for letters of credit. As of December 28, 2008, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility totaled $26,000, therefore, of the $99,000 Revolving Credit Facility available, the Company had an unused balance of $83,819 available for future borrowing and letters of credit. As of December 27, 2009, there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, therefore, of the $150,000 Revolving Credit Facility available, the Company had an unused balance of $127,928 available for future borrowing and letters of credit. The remaining amount that can be used for letters of credit as of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008 was $2,928 and $9,819, respectively. As of December 27, 2009, the Company was unable to use the Revolving Credit Facility for a $9,175 letter of credit and instead had to deposit cash collateral for that amount. Total letters of credit as of December 27, 2009 were $31,247.

In accordance with the “Excess Cash Flow” requirements of the Senior Secured Credit Facility the Company will be required to make a mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans of $34.0 million in March 2010.

The Term Loans mature in quarterly 0.25% installments from September 2007 to December 2013 with the remaining balance due in April 2014. The aggregate maturities of the term loan outstanding as of December 27, 2009 are $23.2 million in 2010, $1.8 million in 2011, $12.5 million in 2012, $12.5 million in 2013 and $1,171.9 million in 2014. The Tranche C Term Loans matures in quarterly 0.25% installments from January 2010 to December 2013 with the remaining balance due in April 2014. The aggregate maturities of the Tranche C Term Loans outstanding as of December 27, 2009 are $14.0 million in 2010, $0.9 million in 2011, $8.5 million in 2012, $8.5 million in 2013 and $818.1 million in 2014.

On April 2, 2007, as part of the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1, the Company issued $325.0 million of 9.25% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”) due 2015, and $250.0 million of 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”) due 2017. On December 23, 2007, as part of the Birds Eye Acquisition described in Note 3, the Company issued an additional $300 million of 9.25% Senior Notes due in 2015 (the “Additional Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes and the Additional Senior Notes are collectively referred to herein as Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior secured indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Subordinated Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company. See Note 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for Guarantor and Nonguarantor Financial Statements.

The Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time prior to April 1, 2011, and some or all of the Senior Subordinated Notes at any time prior to April 1, 2012, in each case at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the redemption date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” is defined as the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Senior Note at April 1, 2011 or Senior Subordinated Note at April 1, 2012, plus (ii) all

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

required interest payments due on such Senior Note through April 1, 2011 or Senior Subordinated Note through April 1, 2012 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of such note.

The Company may redeem the Senior Notes or the Senior Subordinated Notes at the redemption prices listed below, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1st of each of the years indicated below:

Senior Notes

 

Year

   Percentage
2011    104.625%
2012    102.313%
2013 and thereafter    100.000%

Senior Subordinated Notes

 

Year

   Percentage

2012

   105.313%

2013

   103.542%

2014

   101.771%

2015 and thereafter

   100.000%

In addition, until April 1, 2010, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus a premium equal to the rate per annum on the Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes, as the case may be, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds received by the Company from one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes, as the case may be, originally issued under the applicable indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such equity offering.

In December 2007, the Company repurchased $51.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discount price of $44.2 million. The Company currently has outstanding $199.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes.

As market conditions warrant, the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or significant shareholders (including The Blackstone Group L.P. and its affiliates) may from time to time, in their sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of the Company’s outstanding debt or equity securities (including any publicly issued debt or equity securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion, as of December 27, 2009, is as follows:

 

     December 27, 2009

Issue

   Recorded
Amount
   Fair
Value

Senior Secured Credit Facility - Term Loans

   $ 1,221,875    $ 1,134,303

Senior Secured Credit Facility - Tranche C Term Loans

     850,000      853,536

9.25% Senior notes

     625,000      628,906

10.625% Senior subordinated notes

     199,000      206,214
             
   $ 2,895,875    $ 2,822,959
             

The fair value is based on the quoted market price for such notes and borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities.

Predecessor - In November 2003, the Predecessor entered into a $675.0 million Credit Agreement (“Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank (a related party of JPMorgan Partners, LLC as noted in Note 16) and other financial institutions as lenders, which provided for a $545.0 million seven-year term loan B facility, of which $120.0 million was made available on November 25, 2003 and $425.0 million was made available as a delayed draw term loan on the closing date of the Aurora Merger on March 19, 2004. Concurrently with the acquisition of the Armour Business but effective as of February 14, 2006, the Company entered into an Amendment No. 4 and Agreement to the Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities (“Amendment No. 4”). Among other things, Amendment No. 4 approved the Armour acquisition and provided for the making of $143.0 million of additional tack-on term loans to fund a portion of the acquisition. The Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities also provided for a six-year $130.0 million revolving credit facility, of which up to $65.0 million was made available on November 25, 2003, and the remaining $65.0 million was made available on the closing date of the Aurora Merger on March 19, 2004.

A commitment fee of 0.50% per annum was applied to the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. There were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility during 2007 for the Predecessor. For the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007, the weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 7.36%.

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1, the Predecessor Senior Secured Credit Facilities were paid in full.

In November 2003 and February 2004, the Predecessor issued $200.0 million and $194.0 million, respectively, 8.25% senior subordinated notes. The February 2004 notes resulted in gross proceeds of $201.0 million, including premium. The terms of the February 2004 notes were the same as the November 2003 notes and were issued under the same indenture.

On March 8, 2007, the Predecessor commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of the outstanding 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 of the Predecessor (the “Predecessor Notes”), and a related consent solicitation to amend the indenture pursuant to which the Predecessor Notes were issued. The tender offer and consent solicitation were made in connection with the Blackstone Transaction. The tender offer and consent solicitation were made upon the terms and conditions set forth in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated March 8, 2007 and the related Consent and Letter of Transmittal. The total cost of the cash tender offer for the Predecessor Notes was $35.5 million and was recorded as a charge in the Other

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

expense (income), net line of the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor immediately before the Blackstone Transaction.

12. Pension and Retirement Plans

In September 2006, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for retirement benefit compensation. This guidance requires recognition of the funded status of a benefit plan in the statement of financial position. The guidance also requires recognition in accumulated other comprehensive income of certain gains and losses that arise during the period but are deferred under pension accounting rules, as well as modifies the timing of reporting and adds certain disclosures. The guidance provides recognition and disclosure elements to be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2007 and measurement elements to be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008 and additional enhanced disclosure to be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. Effective with the Blackstone Transaction, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure elements of the authoritative guidance for retirement benefit compensation.

The Company uses a measurement date for the pension and postretirement benefits plan that coincides with its year end.

Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan

As of December 27, 2009, the Company maintains a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (“Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan”) that covers eligible union employees and provides benefits generally based on years of service and employees’ compensation. The Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan is funded in conformity with the funding requirements of applicable government regulations. The Company made contributions to the pension plan totaling $2.8 million in fiscal 2009, $2.5 million in fiscal 2008 and $1.1 million in fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2010, the Company expects to make contributions of $4.5 million.

During 2008, the United States financial markets experienced a significant downturn. As a result, the Company experienced significant losses on the assets in our pension plan, which led to an increase in our unfunded projected benefit obligation in comparison to years prior to 2008. The pension plan had a total unfunded status of $36.5 million as of December 28, 2008. During 2009, the United States economy experienced a slight rebound. As a result, our pension plan assets increased in comparison to 2008. This led to a reduction in our unfunded status to $32.8 million as of December 27, 2009.

In connection with the acquisition of the Armour Business on March 1, 2006, hourly employees covered under the union collective bargaining agreement were added to the noncontributory defined benefit pension plan. The liability related to the service period up to the date of acquisition was retained by The Dial Corporation. Additionally, the Company assumed the liability for postretirement health care and life insurance related to certain hourly employees covered under the union collective bargaining agreement for the Armour Business. In 2007, the collective bargaining agreement between the Company and the United Food & Commercial Workers Union (the “UFCW”) at the Ft. Madison, Iowa production facility was renewed. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, post retirement health benefits were eliminated. As such the Company recorded a curtailment gain of $9.2 million in 2007. Additionally, effective March 2008, the employees at the Ft. Madison facility stopped participating in the Company-sponsored pension plan and are now part of the UFCW’s multi-employer pension plan.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

    Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan Pension Benefits  
    Successor     Predecessor  
    Fiscal year
ended
December  27, 2009
    Fiscal  year
ended
December 28, 2008
    39 weeks
ended
December 30, 2007
    13 weeks
ended
April 2, 2007
 

Change in Benefit Obligation

       

Net benefit obligation at beginning of the period

  $ 75,212      $ 63,389      $ 66,567      $ 65,076   

Service cost

    1,815        1,539        1,489        472   

Interest cost

    4,437        4,264        2,940        980   

Amendments

    —          1,739        —          —     

Actuarial (gain) loss

    1,208        7,861        (4,650     946   

Gross benefits paid

    (3,932     (3,580     (2,957     (907
                               

Net benefit obligation at end of the period

    78,740        75,212        63,389        66,567   
                               

Change in Plan Assets

       

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period

    38,705        56,030        55,058        55,253   

Employer contributions

    2,777        2,501        1,140        —     

Actual return on plan assets

    8,398        (16,246     2,789        712   

Gross benefits paid

    (3,932     (3,580     (2,957     (907
                               

Fair value of plan assets at end of the period

    45,948        38,705        56,030        55,058   
                               

Funded status at end of the year

  $ (32,792   $ (36,507   $ (7,359   $ (11,509
                               

Reconciliation

       

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

          5,218   

Amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

          (37
             

Net amount recognized at end of the period

    NA        NA        NA      $ (6,328
             

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

       

Accrued pension benefits

  $ (32,792   $ (36,507   $ (7,359   $ (5,678

Accrued pension benefits (part of Accrued Liabilities)

        —          (650
                               

Net amount recognized at end of the period

  $ (32,792   $ (36,507   $ (7,359   $ (6,328
                               

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) / Income

       

Net loss / (gain)

  $ 18,656      $ 24,356      $ (4,191  

Prior service cost

    1,456        1,597        —       
                         

Net amount recognized at end of the period

  $ 20,112      $ 25,953      $ (4,191     NA   
                         

Accumulated benefit obligation

  $ 71,860      $ 68,246      $ 60,320      $ 63,163   
 

Weighted average assumptions

       

Discount rate

    5.94     6.05     6.48     6.00

Expected return on plan assets

    7.50     7.50     8.00     8.00

Rate of compensation increase

    3.00     3.00     3.50     3.50

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The following represents the components of net periodic benefit costs:

 

     Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan Pension Benefits  
     Successor     Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
    13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Service cost

   $ 1,815      $ 1,539      $ 1,489      $ 472   

Interest cost

     4,437        4,264        2,940        980   

Expected return on assets

     (2,867     (4,440     (3,248     (1,092

Amortization of prior service cost

     142        142        —          —     

Amortization of actuarial loss

     1,377        —          —          —     

Recognized net acturial loss

     —          —          —          —     
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 4,904      $ 1,505      $ 1,181      $ 360   
                                

Weighted average assumptions:

          

Discount rate

     6.05     6.48     6.00     6.00

Expected return on plan assets

     7.50     8.00     8.00     8.00

Rate of compensation increase

     3.00     3.50     3.50     3.50

The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the projected benefit obligation is set based on long-term high quality bonds that match the expected benefit payments. The projected return of plan assets assumption is based on projected long-term market returns for the various asset classes in which the plans are invested, weighted by the target asset allocations. The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases to salaries for pay-related plans.

Plan Assets

The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008, by asset category, are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 

Asset category

    

Equity securities

   61   59

Debt securities

   34   36

Cash

   5   5
            

Total

   100   100
            

The Company’s investment policy for the Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan is to invest approximately 60% of plan assets in equity securities, 35% in fixed income securities, and 5% in cash or cash equivalents. Periodically, the plan assets are rebalanced to maintain these allocation percentages and the investment policy is reviewed. Within each investment category, assets are allocated to various investment styles. Professional managers manage all assets and a consultant is engaged to assist in evaluating these activities. The expected long-term rate of return on assets was determined by assessing the rates of return on each targeted asset class, return premiums generated by portfolio management and by comparison of rates utilized by other companies.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The following table summarizes the Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

  Level 1:    Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
  Level 2:    Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
  Level 3:    Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions.

 

     December 27,
2009
   Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Cash Equivalents Common/Collective Trust Funds

   $ 2,170    $ —      $ 2,170    $ —  

Equity Securities Common/Collective Trust Funds

     27,857      —        27,857      —  

Fixed Income Common/Collective Trust Funds

     15,586      —        15,586      —  
                           

Total assets at fair value

   $ 45,613    $ —      $ 45,613    $ —  
                           

Total assets at fair value of $45,613 do not include a $335 receivable from broker that is included in total assets of the plan of $45,948.

Cash Flows

Contributions. The Company expects to contribute $4.5 million to the Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan during fiscal 2010.

Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan

The Company’s Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan (“Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan”) consists of hourly and salaried employees and has primarily noncontributory defined-benefit schedules. In September 2001, benefits provided to salaried employees were frozen. This plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals for salaried employees effective September 28, 2001. Salaried participants who, on that date, were actively employed and who had attained age 40, completed 5 years of vesting service, and whose sum of age and vesting services was 50 or more, were grandfathered. Grandfathered participants were entitled to continue to earn benefit service in accordance with the provisions of the plan with respect to periods of employment after September 28, 2001 but in no event beyond September 28, 2006. Subsequent to December 27, 2009, benefits of certain hourly employees were frozen. The curtailment gain which will be recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 is less than $100.

Birds Eye maintains an Excess Benefit Retirement Plan which serves to provide employees with the same retirement benefit they would have received from the Company’s retirement plan under the career average base pay formula, but for changes required under the 1986 Tax Reform Act and the compensation limitation under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code having been revised in the 1992 Omnibus Budget Reform Act. This plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals effective September 28, 2001. Participants who, on that date, were actively employed and who had attained age 40, completed 5 years of vesting service, and whose sum of age and vesting services was 50 or more, were grandfathered. Grandfathered participants were entitled to continue to earn benefit service in accordance with the provisions of the plan with respect to periods of employment after September 28, 2001 but in no event beyond September 28, 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Birds Eye maintains a non-tax qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which provides additional retirement benefits to two prior executives of the Company who retired prior to November 4, 1994.

For purposes of this disclosure, all defined-benefit pension plans acquired with Birds Eye Foods have been combined. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay near retirement. The Company’s funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of Federal laws and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of common stocks, corporate bonds and US government obligations. Plan assets do not include any of the Company’s own equity or debt securities.

 

     Birds Eye Foods
Pension Plan
Pension Benefits
 
     Successor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27, 2009
 

Change in Benefit Obligation

  

Net benefit obligation at December 23, 2009

   $ 148,890   
        

Net benefit obligation at end of the period

     148,890   
        

Change in Plan Assets

  

Fair value of plan assets at December 23, 2009

     101,710   
        

Fair value of plan assets at end of the period

     101,710   
        

Funded status at end of the year

   $ (47,180
        

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

  

Accrued pension benefits

   $ (46,459

Accrued pension benefits (part of Accrued Liabilities)

     (721
        

Net amount recognized at end of the period

   $ (47,180 ) 
        

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 144,400   

Weighted average assumptions

  

Discount rate

     5.80

Rate of compensation increase

     3.80

There was no significant pension expense related to this plan between our acquisition date of Birds Eye Foods December 23, 2009 and our fiscal year end December 27, 2009.

To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, the Company considered the current level of expected returns on risk-free investments (primarily government bonds), the historical level of the risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested and the expectations for future returns of each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Plan Assets

The following table sets forth the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans by asset category:

 

     December 27,
2009
 
  

Asset category

  

Equity securities

   48

Debt securities

   51

Cash

   1
      

Total

   100
      

Prior to the acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc., the investment policy for the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan was to invest approximately 50% of plan assets in equity securities and 50% in fixed income securities. Birds Eye Foods, Inc. used multiple investment funds and managers for investment of the assets of the plans. Oversight of the investment advisors was provided by an outside investment consulting firm and an Investment Committee that was comprised of Birds Eye Foods, Inc.’s management. The investment performance and adherence to investment policy was reviewed by the Investment Committee at Birds Eye Foods, Inc. The investment objective for the plans is to maintain a well-diversified portfolio of assets using multiple managers and diversified asset classes and styles to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk.

The investment policy for the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan is currently under review by Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC.

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The following table summarizes the Birds Eye Food Pension Plan’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

Level 1:

   Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

   Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3:

   Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions.

 

     Fair Value
As of
December 27,

2009
   Fair Value Measurements
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
      Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Cash Equivalents

           

Common/Collective Trust Funds

   $ 233    $ 233    $ —      $ —  

Equity Securities - Small Cap Domestic

           

Common/Collective Trust Funds

     159      —        159      —  

Mutual Funds

     9,873      9,873      —        —  

Equity Securities - Large Cap Domestic

           

Common/Collective Trust Funds

     332      —        332      —  

Mutual Funds

     32,013      32,013      —        —  

Equity Securities - International

           

Mutual Funds

     9,922      9,922      —        —  

Equity Securities - Stocks

           

Stocks

     430         430      —  

Fixed Income - Government Agencies

           

Common/Collective Trust Funds

     48,194      48,194      

Fixed Income - Debt Securities

           

Debt Securities

     554         554   
                           

Total assets at fair value

   $ 101,710    $ 100,235    $ 1,475    $ —  
                           

Cash Flows

Contributions. The Company expects to contribute $2,700 to the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan during fiscal 2010.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan

The Company maintains a postretirement benefits plan (“Pinnacle Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan”) that provides health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees, covers certain U.S. employees and their dependents and is self-funded. Employees who have 10 years of service after the age of 45 and retire are eligible to participate in the postretirement benefit plan. Effective March 19, 2004 and in connection with the acquisition of Aurora, liabilities were assumed related to eight retired employees (“Aurora Retirees”). Upon amendments that became effective on May 23, 2004, the Company’s net out-of-pocket costs for postretirement health care benefits was substantially reduced as cost sharing for retired employees, excluding the Aurora Retirees, was increased to 100%.

 

    Pinnacle Foods
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
    Successor          Predecessor  
    Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
         13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Change in Benefit Obligation

            

Net benefit obligation at beginning of the period

  $ 362      $ 1,047      $ 9,305           $ 8,928   

Acquisitions

    —          —          —               —     

Service cost

    —          —          728             246   

Interest cost

    24        19        371             132   

Curtailment Gain

    —          —          (9,145          —     

Actuarial gain

    (49     (677     (196          —     

Gross benefits paid

    —          (27     (16          (1
                                    

Net benefit obligation at end of the period

    337        362        1,047             9,305   
                                    
 

Change in Plan Assets

            

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period

    —          —          —               —     

Employer contributions

    —          27        16             1   

Gross benefits paid

    —          (27     (16          (1
                                    

Fair value of plan assets at end of the period

    —          —          —               —     
                                    

Funded status at end of the year

  $ (337   $ (362   $ (1,047        $ (9,305
                                    
 

Reconciliation

            

Unrecognized net actuarial gain

               (558

Unamortized prior service credit

               (1,220
                  

Net amount recognized at end of the period

    NA        NA        NA           $ (11,083
                  

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

            

Accrued other postretirement benefits

  $ (337   $ (362   $ (1,047        $ (11,083
                                    

Net amount recognized at end of the period

  $ (337   $ (362   $ (1,047        $ (11,083
                                    

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) / Income

            

Net loss / (gain)

  $ (828   $ (828   $ (196       
                              

Net amount recognized at end of the period

  $ (828   $ (828   $ (196          NA   
                              

Weighted average assumptions

            

Discount rate

    5.94     6.20     6.48          6.00

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The following represents the components of retiree welfare benefits:

 

     Pinnacle Foods
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
     Successor     Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
    13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Service cost

   $ 24      $ 19      $ 728      $ 246   

Interest cost

     —          —          371        132   

Amortization of:

          

Unrecognized prior service credit

     (49     (44     —          (84

Curtailment

     —          —          (9,145     —     
                                

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

   $ (25   $ (25   $ (8,046   $ 294   
                                

Weighted average assumptions:

          

Discount rate

     6.05     6.48     6.00     6.00

Expected return on plan assets

     NA        NA        NA        NA   

Rate of compensation increase

     NA        NA        NA        NA   

The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the projected benefit obligation is set based on long-term high quality bonds that match the expected benefit payments. The projected return of plan assets assumption is based on projected long-term market returns for the various asset classes in which the plans are invested, weighted by the target asset allocations. The rate of compensation increase represents the long-term assumption for expected increases to salaries for pay-related plans.

The assumed health care trend rates used in determining other post-retirement benefits at December 27, 2009 are 10.0% gradually decreasing to 4.5%. The assumed health care trend rates used in determining other post-retirement benefits at December 28, 2008 are 10.0% gradually decreasing to 4.5%. The assumed health care trend rates used in determining other post-retirement benefits at December 30, 2007 are 9.0% gradually decreasing to 5.0%. The assumed health care trend rates used in determining other post-retirement benefits at April 2, 2007 are 8.0% gradually decreasing to 5.0%.

 

     Pinnacle Foods
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
     Successor     Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
   Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
   39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
    13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Other post retirement benefits

            

Sensitivity of retiree welfare benefits

            

Effect of a one percentage point increase in assumed health care cost trend

            

on total service and interest cost components

   $ —      $ —      $ 3      $ 1   

on postretirement benefit obligation

     1      1      70        81   

Effect of a one percentage point decrease in assumed health care cost trend

            

on total service and interest cost components

   $ —      $ —      $ (3   $ 1   

on postretirement benefit obligation

     1      1      (60     (69

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Cash Flows

Contributions. The Company expects to contribute zero to the Pinnacle Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan during fiscal 2010.

Birds Eye Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan

Birds Eye sponsors benefit plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits (“Birds Eye Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan”) for certain current and former employees. For the most part, current employees are not eligible for the postretirement medical coverage.

 

     Birds Eye Foods  Other
Postretirement Benefits
 
     Successor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December 27, 2009
 

Change in Benefit Obligation

  

Net benefit obligation at December 23, 2009

   $ 3,252   
        

Net benefit obligation at end of the period

     3,252   
        

Funded status at end of the year

   $ (3,252
        

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

  

Accrued other postretirement benefits

   $ (2,849

Accrued liabilities

     (403
        

Net amount recognized at end of the period

   $ (3,252
        

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) / Income

  

Net loss / (gain)

   $ —     
        

Net amount recognized at end of the period

   $ —     
        

Weighted average assumptions

  

Discount rate

     5.80

For measurement purposes, a 9.1 percent rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 2009. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5 percent for 2029 and remain at that level thereafter.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

There was no other postretirement expense related to this plan between our acquisition date of Birds Eye Foods December 23, 2009 and our fiscal year end December 27, 2009.

 

     Birds Eye Foods  Other
Postretirement Benefits
Fiscal year ended
December 27,
2009
 
    

Other post retirement benefits

  

Sensitivity of retiree welfare benefits

  

Effect of a one percentage point increase in assumed health care cost trend

  

on total service and interest cost components

   $ 10   

on postretirement benefit obligation

     132   

Effect of a one percentage point decrease in assumed health care cost trend

  

on total service and interest cost components

   $ (9

on postretirement benefit obligation

     (115

Cash Flows

Contributions. The Company expects to contribute $403 to the Birds Eye Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan during fiscal 2010.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments for all Plans

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

     Pinnacle Foods
Pension Plan
   Birds Eye
Foods Pension
Plan
   Pinnacle Foods
Other Postretirement
Benefits Plan
   Birds Eye
Foods Other
Postretirement
Benefits Plan

2010

   $ 3,610    $ 8,168    —      403

2011

     3,487      8,373    —      396

2012

     3,408      8,661    —      371

2013

     3,334      8,492    —      332

2014

     3,328      9,172    —      307

2015 - 2019

     18,959      50,929    —      1,294

Savings Plans

Employees participate in 401(k) plans. Pinnacle matches 50% of employee contributions up to five percent of compensation for union employees after one year of continuous service and six percent of compensation for salaried employees and it is our current intent to continue the match at these levels. Employer contributions made by the Company relating to this plan were $2,784 for fiscal 2009, $2,744 for fiscal 2008, $1,728 for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007 and $790 for the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

In addition, the Company acquired a Non-Qualified 401(k) Plan with the Birds Eye Acquisition. Under the Non-Qualified 401(k) Plan, the Company allocates matching contributions for the benefit of “highly compensated employees” as defined under Section 414(q) of the Internal Revenue Code. There were no significant employer contributions to this plan from the date of the Birds Eye Acquisition December 23, 2009 to the end of the fiscal year December 27, 2009.

13. Taxes on Earnings

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

Provision for income taxes

 

     Successor               Predecessor  
     Fiscal year
ended
December  27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December  28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December  30,
2007
              13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Current

               

Federal

   $ (386   $ (192   $ 104             $ 55   

State

     161        257        35               6   

Non-U.S.

     213        2,214        2,434               (169
                                       
     (12     2,279        2,573               (108
                                       

Deferred

               

Federal

     (259,051     20,894        18,570               5,406   

State

     (18,660     3,808        3,387               986   

Non-U.S.

     —          55        216               —     
                                       
     (277,711     24,757        22,173               6,392   
                                       

Provision for income taxes

   $ (277,723   $ 27,036      $ 24,746             $ 6,284   
                                       

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

               

United States

   $ 24,295      $ (7,803   $ (30,564          $ (59,967

Non-U.S.

     585        6,258        6,601               (398
                                       

Total

   $ 24,880      $ (1,545   $ (23,963          $ (60,365
                                       

The effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate as explained below:

Effective Income Tax Rate

 

Federal statutory income tax rate

     35.0    35.0      35.0           35.0

State income taxes (net of federal benefit)

     -48.3    -170.7      -9.3           -1.1

Tax effect resulting from international activities

     1.9    -133.8      -7.5           0.0

Change in deferred tax valuation allowance

     -1,117.3    -1,470.3      -117.9           -53.3

Non-deductible expenses

     12.6    -20.3      -3.6           9.1

Tax Credits

     0.0    7.9      0.0           0.0

Other

     -0.2    2.4      0.0           -0.1
                                      

Effective income tax rate

     -1,116.3    -1,749.9      -103.3           -10.4
                                      

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     December 27,
2009
    December 28,
2008
 
    

Current

    

Accrued liabilities

     19,596        8,879   

Inventories

     (4,764     6,570   

Benefits and compensation

     13,329        5,983   

Other

     862        —     

Valuation allowance

     (3,353     (17,788
                
     25,670        3,644   
                
    

Non Current

    

Postretirement benefits

   $ 35,224      $ 12,901   

Accrued liabilities

     977        764   

Benefits and compensation

     628        577   

Net operating loss carryforwards

     335,942        342,604   

Federal & state tax credits

     9,539        398   

Alternative minimum tax

     1,901        1,901   

Hedging

     11,990        2,684   

Other intangible assets

     (30,745     (23,085

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

     (617,048     (314,726

Partnership Interest

     (8,648     —     

Plant assets

     (71,275     (41,247

Unremitted earnings

     (1,649     (1,198

Other

     887        236   

Valuation allowance

     (11,439     (300,510
                
     (343,716     (318,701
                

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ (318,046   $ (315,057
                
    

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet

    

Current deferred tax assets

   $ 25,670      $ 3,644   

Non-current deferred tax liabilities

     (343,716     (318,701
                

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ (318,046   $ (315,057
                
    

As described in Note 1, PFHC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Crunch Holding Corp.(“CHC”) on November 25, 2003. On March 19, 2004, PFHC was merged with and into Aurora, with Aurora surviving the Merger. The surviving company was renamed Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. (“PFGI’ or the “Predecessor”). On April 2, 2007, CHC, the parent to PFF (“the Company or Successor”), was acquired by Peak Holdings LLC (the “Blackstone Transaction”). As described in Note 3, on December 23, 2009, our wholly owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC acquired all of the common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc (“Birds Eye”).

The authoritative guidance for accounting for income taxes requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. A

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

review of all available positive and negative evidence needs to be considered, including a company’s performance, the market environment in which the company operates, the utilization of past tax credits, length of carryback and carryforward periods, and existing contracts or sales backlog that will result in future profits.

The authoritative guidance further states that where there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in recent years, concluding that a valuation allowance is not required is problematical. Therefore, cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. For all reporting periods prior December 27, 2009, management had determined that it was no longer more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize the deferred tax assets of both the Predecessor and the Company. This conclusion was reached due to cumulative losses recognized by the Predecessor in preceding years.

Based on a review of both the positive and negative evidence as of December 27, 2009, it has been determined that the Company has sufficient positive evidence to outweigh any negative evidence and support that it is more likely that not that substantially all of deferred tax assets will be realized. The evaluation of the realization of deferred tax assets is inherently subjective. Following are key items that provided positive evidence to support the reversal of the valuation allowance for substantially all of the deferred assets in the fourth quarter of 2009:

 

   

Positive earnings before tax in the U.S. for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

 

   

Continued positive earnings before tax and future taxable income

 

   

Lapse of cumulative loss history, primarily attributable to losses recognized in the Predecessor financial statements and certain non recurring expenses related to the Blackstone Transaction in April 2007

The reversal of the valuation allowance of $315.6 million is recorded as a benefit to the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance, deferred assets and liabilities have been recognized for the differences between the assigned values and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities recognized in a purchase business combination. As of the April 2, 2007 business combination date, the Company established a deferred tax liability of $268.0 million, net of valuation allowance of $236.0 million. The deferred tax liability relates to the book and tax basis differences for indefinite lived intangible assets consisting primarily of tradenames and goodwill. As of December 27, 2009, the remaining valuation allowance is $14.8 million, for certain state net operating loss carryovers, state tax credit carryovers, and foreign loss carryovers. In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition a valuation allowance of $12.1 million was established for foreign and state net operating losses and state tax credits for which the Company cannot assure that the realization of the associated deferred tax assets is more likely than not to occur. The tax benefit from any future release of the acquisition date valuation allowances would be reflected in the provision for income taxes.

CHC, the parent of the Company, is a loss corporation as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382. As of December 27, 2009 CHC has a federal Net Operating Loss Carryover of $1,130.1 million of which $898.1 million existed as of the business combination date and is subject to various Section 382 limitations. Approximately $255.4 million of the carryover from the Aurora transaction exceeds the estimated Section 382 limitation. As noted below, in connection with the adoption of the authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Predecessor reduced its deferred tax assets for this limitation. Section 382 places an annual limitation on CHC’s ability to utilize loss carryovers to reduce future taxable income. It is expected that CHC’s annual Section 382 limitation will approximate $14 million to $18 million, which may increase or

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

decrease pending resolution of certain tax matters. This annual limitation can affect the Company’s ability to utilize other tax attributes such as tax credit carryforwards. Our net operating loss carryovers and certain other tax attributes may not be utilized to offset Birds Eye income from recognized built in gains pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 384.

As of December 27, 2009 our valuation allowance for state net operating losses and credits is $13.8 million and the foreign valuation allowance is $1.0 million.

CHC’s federal net operating losses have expiration periods from 2017 through 2029. CHC and its subsidiaries also have state tax net operating loss carryforwards that are limited and vary in amount by jurisdiction. State net operating losses are approximately $643.7 million with expiration periods beginning in 2010 through 2029. State tax credits total $9.2 million of which $2.1 million expire on or before 2024 . The remaining $7.1 million of state credits do not expire. The Company’s foreign net operating losses of $1.0 million expire on or before December 2019.

Following are the changes in the deferred tax valuation allowance:

 

     Beginning
Balance
   Additions    Acquisitions     Deductions     Ending
Balance

Successor

            

Fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

   $ 318,298    $ 54    $ 12,063      $ (315,623   $ 14,792

Fiscal year ended December 28, 2008

     268,854      50,103      —          (659     318,298

39 weeks ended December 30, 2007

     331,858      45,814      (95,883     (12,935     268,854

Predecessor

            

13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

   $ 398,000    $ 39,670    $ —        $ (105,812   $ 331,858

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Authoritative Guidance for Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

We adopted the provisions of the authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes on January 1, 2007. As a result of adoption, we recognized a charge of $260 to the January 1, 2007 retained earnings balance and $1,070 increase to goodwill related to the Pinnacle Transaction. As of January 1, 2007, after the implementation, the Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $2,280, excluding liabilities for interest and penalties. The amount, if recognized, that would impact the Predecessor’s effective tax rate was $261. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (“UTB”) is as follows:

 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2007

   $  2,278   

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to prior periods

     —     

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to the current period

     —     

Decrease related to settlement with tax authorities

     —     

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statutes of limitations

     —     
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefit at April 2, 2007

   $ 2,278   
        

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to prior periods

     —     

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to the current period

     —     

Decrease related to settlement with tax authorities

     —     

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statutes of limitations

     (902
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 30, 2007

   $ 1,376   
        

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to prior periods

     97   

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to the current period

     —     

Decrease related to settlement with tax authorities

     —     

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statutes of limitations

     (985
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 28, 2008

   $ 488   
        

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to prior periods

     1,920   

Increase (decrease) for tax positions related to the current period

     1,035   

Decrease related to settlement with tax authorities

     —     

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statutes of limitations

     (33
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 27, 2009

   $ 3,410   
        

The Company’s liability for UTB as of December 27, 2009 is $3,410, reflecting a net increase of $2,922 principally for uncertainties related to business combinations. The amount, if recognized, that would impact the effective tax rate as of December 27, 2009 is $2,375. The amount of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits classified as a long-term liability is $2,375. A decrease in the UTB liability of approximately $413 may occur within the next twelve months from lapse of certain statute of limitations or resolution of uncertainties. The decrease, if realized, would be recorded as a tax benefit to the provision.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of the provision for income taxes. The Company’s liability includes accrued interest and penalties of $106 and $430 as of December 28, 2008 and December 27, 2009, respectively. A reduction in accrued interest of $16 was recorded during 2009 as the result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. No penalties were accrued.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Upon adoption, the Company also recorded a reduction of $102 million to its non-current federal and state deferred tax assets resulting from the excess of Aurora’s net operating loss carryover over its estimated limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. As the Company maintained a full valuation allowance against this deferred tax asset, the adjustment resulted in no impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statement of Operations of the Company.

The Company files income tax returns with the U.S. federal government and various state and international jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company’s 1999 and subsequent federal and state tax years remain open by statute, principally relating to net operating loss carryovers. International jurisdictions remain open for 2003 and subsequent periods. The Company does not have any open examinations that would result in a material change to the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions.

14. Financial Instruments

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodity prices.

The Company manages interest rate risk based on the varying circumstances of anticipated borrowings and existing variable and fixed rate debt, including the Company’s revolving line of credit. Examples of interest rate management strategies include capping interest rates using targeted interest cost benchmarks, hedging portions of the total amount of debt, or hedging a period of months and not always hedging to maturity, and at other times locking in rates to fix interests costs.

Certain parts of the Company’s foreign operations in Canada expose the Company to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The Company’s goal is to reduce its exposure to such foreign exchange risks on its foreign currency cash flows and fair value fluctuations on recognized foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and unrecognized firm commitments to acceptable levels primarily through the use of foreign exchange-related derivative financial instruments. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of its functional currency, the U.S. dollar.

The Company purchases raw materials in quantities expected to be used in a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business. The Company generally enters into agreements for either spot market delivery or forward delivery. The prices paid in the forward delivery contracts are generally fixed, but may also be variable within a capped or collared price range. Forward derivative contracts on certain commodities are entered into to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in the Company’s manufacturing process.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.

As of December 27, 2009 the Company had the following interest rate swaps and caps (in aggregate) that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
  Notional
Amount
  Fixed Rate Range   Index   Trade Dates   Maturity Dates

Interest Rate Swaps

  8   $ 683,258   1.43% - 3.33%   USD-LIBOR-BBA   Oct 2008 - Mar 2009   Jan 2011 - July 2012

Interest Rate Caps

  2   $ 800,000   2.50%   USD-LIBOR-BBA   Dec 2009   Jan 2011

According to the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly as Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate cash flow hedges recognized in the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to Interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. Due to the counterparty bank declaring bankruptcy in October 2008, the Company discontinued prospectively the hedge accounting on its interest rate derivatives with Lehman Brothers Specialty Financing on the bankruptcy date as those hedging relationships no longer met the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. The Company terminated these positions during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company continues to report the net gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge in AOCI which is expected to be reclassified into earnings during the original contractual terms of the derivative agreements as the hedged interest payments are expected to occur as forecasted. For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, $4,429 was reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to the terminated hedges. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $17,848 will be reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to both active and terminated hedges.

Cash Flow Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company’s operations in Canada have exposed the Company to changes in the US Dollar – Canadian Dollar (USD-CAD) foreign exchange rate. From time to time, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary purchases inventory denominated in US Dollars (USD), a currency other than its functional currency. The subsidiary sells that inventory in Canadian dollars. The subsidiary uses currency forward and collar agreements to manage its

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

exposure to fluctuations in the USD-CAD exchange rate. Currency forward agreements involve fixing the USD-CAD exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. Currency collar agreements involve the sale of Canadian Dollar (CAD) currency in exchange for receiving US dollars if exchange rates rise above an agreed upon rate and sale of USD currency in exchange for receiving CAD dollars if exchange rates fall below an agreed upon rate at specified dates.

As of December 27, 2009, the Company had the following foreign currency exchange contracts (in aggregate) that were designated as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
 

Notional Sold
in Aggregate

  Notional Purchased
in Aggregate
  USD to CAD
Exchange
Rates
  Trade Date   Maturity Dates

CAD Forward

  36   $43,000 CAD   $ 38,720 USD   1.086 - 1.178   May 2009 - July 2009   Jan 2010 - Dec 2010

CAD Collar

  12   $12,000 CAD   $ 10,619 USD   1.13   May 2009   Jan 2010 - Dec 2010

According to the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is recorded in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of the change in fair value of the derivative, as well as amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, are recognized directly in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Hedge ineffectiveness on foreign exchange cash flow hedges amounted to a $17 loss in the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Non-designated Hedges of Commodity Risk

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to commodity price risk but do not meet the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. From time to time, the Company enters into commodity forward contracts to fix the price of natural gas, diesel fuel and heating oil purchases at a future delivery date. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

As of December 27, 2009, the Company had the following natural gas swaps (in aggregate), diesel fuel and heating oil swaps (in aggregate), and diesel fuel swaps (in aggregate) that were not designated in qualifying hedging relationships:

 

Product

   Number of
Instruments
   Notional Amount    Price    Trade Dates    Maturity Dates

Natural Gas Swap

   1    127,364 MMBTU’s    $6.05 per MMBTU    Mar 2009    June 2010

Heating Oil Swap

   1    9,000 BBL’s    $45.15 per BBL    Mar 2009    Jan 2010

Diesel Fuel Swap

   1    1,710,000 Gallons    $2.46 per Gallon    Feb 2009    Jun 2010

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 27, 2009.

 

    

Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

    

Asset Derivatives

  

Liability Derivatives

    

Balance Sheet Location

   Fair Value   

Balance Sheet Location

   Fair Value

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

     

Interest Rate Contracts

  

Other assets, net

   $ 165   

Other long-term liabilities

   $ 21,145

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        —     

Accrued liabilities

     2,522
                   

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments as of December 27, 2009

      $ 165       $ 23,667
                   

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

        

Natural Gas Contracts

      $ —     

Accrued liabilities

   $ 57

Heating Oil Contracts

  

Other current assets

     25         —  

Diesel Fuel Contracts

  

Other current assets

     902         —  
                   

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as of December 27, 2009

      $ 927       $ 57
                   

The tables below present the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

 

     Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments for the
Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2009
 
     Gain/(Loss)  

Derivatives in Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships

   Recognized
in AOCI on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
   

Effective portion

reclassified from

AOCI to:

   Reclassified
from AOCI
into Earnings
(Effective
Portion)
   

Ineffective portion
reclassified from

AOCI to:

   Recognized in
Earnings on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 

Interest Rate Contracts

   $ (23,489  

Interest expense

   $ (18,592  

Interest expense

   $ —     

Foreign Exchange Contracts

     (5,360  

Cost of products sold

     2,508     

Cost of products sold

     (17
                              

Fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

   $ (28,849      $ (16,084      $ (17
                              

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging
Instruments

  

Recognized in

Earnings on:

   Recognized in
Earnings on
Derivative
 

Natural Gas Contracts

  

Cost of products sold

   $ (1,420

Heating Oil Contracts

  

Cost of products sold

     152   
           

Fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

      $ (1,268
           

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

The Company has an agreement with Barclays that contains a provision whereby the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company’s default on the indebtedness. As of December 27, 2009, the fair value of interest rate swaps and caps in a net liability position related to these agreements was $23,089, which includes accrued interest of $1,044 but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $983. For the same counterparty, the fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $2,599, which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $77. For the same counterparty, the fair value of natural gas swaps in a net liability position related to these agreements was $57. For the same counterparty, the fair value of heating oil contracts in a net asset position related to these agreements was $25. If the Company breached any of these provisions, it could be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $25,720. As of December 27, 2009, the Company has not posted any collateral related to these agreements.

The Company also has an agreement with Credit Suisse Group that contains a provision whereby the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company’s default on the indebtedness. As of December 27, 2009, the Company had one interest rate cap with this counterparty in an asset position with a fair value of $83.

15. Commitments and Contingencies

General

From time to time, the Company and its operations are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations, and proceedings, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of such items cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s general counsel and management are of the opinion that the final outcome of these matters should not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

No single item individually is, nor are all of them in the aggregate, material.

16. Related Party Transactions

Successor

Advisory Agreement

At the closing of the Blackstone Transaction, the Company entered into an advisory agreement with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group pursuant to which such entity or its affiliates provide certain strategic and structuring advice and assistance to us. In addition, under this agreement, affiliates of The Blackstone Group

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

provide certain monitoring, advisory and consulting services to the Company for an aggregate annual management fee equal to $2,500 for the year ended December 2007, and the greater of $2,500 or 1.0% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement governing the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility) for each year thereafter. Affiliates of Blackstone received reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with the Blackstone Transaction prior to the closing date and in connection with the provision of services pursuant to the agreement of merger. Expenses relating to the management fee were $2,500 for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $2,500 for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and $2,500 for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009. In addition, the Company reimbursed the Blackstone group out-of-pocket expenses totaling $44 and $110 for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008.

In addition, on April 2, 2007 and pursuant to the agreement of merger, an affiliate of Blackstone received transaction fees totaling $21,600 for services provided by Blackstone and its affiliates related to the Blackstone Transaction. This is included in the transaction fees described in footnote 1.

In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, the transaction and advisory fee agreement with an affiliate of Blackstone was amended and restated to include a provision that granted the affiliates a 1% transaction fee based on the transaction purchase price. This fee totaled $14,009. Also, there was an advisory fee with an affiliate for $3,005. These fees are contained within the $24,090 of transaction fees discussed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, as described in Note 3, the Company incurred an original issue discount, in connection with the Tranche C Term Loans. A portion of that discount, $750 related to loans from an affiliate of the Blackstone Group.

Supplier Costs

Graham Packaging, which is owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, supplies packaging for some of the Company’s products. Purchases from Graham Packaging were $8,729 for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $11,322 for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and $6,181 for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Customer Purchases

Performance Food Group, which is owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, is a food service supplier that purchases products from the Company. Sales to Performance Food Group were $3,906 for the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007, $5,007 for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 and $5,187 for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

Debt and Interest Expense

For the period April 2, 2007 to December 30, 2007, fees and interest expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for debt to the related party Blackstone Advisors L.P. totaled $1,463. Related party interest for Blackstone Advisors L.P for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 was $3,106. Related party interest for Blackstone Advisors L.P for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 was $1,446.

Notes receivable from officers

In connection with the capital contributions at the time of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, certain members of the Board of Directors and management purchased ownership units of our ultimate parent

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Peak Holdings LLC. To fund these purchases, certain members of management signed 30 day notes receivable at a market interest rate. The total of the notes receivable were $565 and were fully paid in January 2010.

Predecessor

Management fees

On November 25, 2003, the Company entered into a Management Agreement with JPMorgan Partners, LLC (“JPMP”) and J.W. Childs Associates, L.P. (“JWC”) whereby JPMP and JWC provide management, advisory and other services. The agreement called for quarterly payments of $125 to each of JPMP and JWC for management fees. For the period January 1, 2007 to April 1, 2007, management fees expensed and paid to JPMP and JWC were $250. In addition, the Company reimbursed JPMP and JWC for out-of-pocket expenses totaling $7 during the period January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007.

Leases and Aircraft

The Company leased office space owned by a party related to C. Dean Metropoulos, the Company’s former Chairman. The base rent for the office is $87 annually. Rent expense was $26 during the period January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007.

Beginning November 25, 2003, the Company began using an aircraft owned by a company indirectly owned by the former Chairman. In connection with the usage of the aircraft, the Company incurred net operating expenses of $688 during the period January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007. The Company also incurred direct costs totaling $78 during the period January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007 that were reimbursed to the Company by the owner of the aircraft.

Effective with the occurrence of the Blackstone Transaction, the contracts to lease the office space and aircraft were terminated. The Predecessor recorded a charge of $6.3 million related to these contract terminations. The charge was recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Predecessor immediately prior to the Blackstone Transaction.

Debt and Interest Expense

For the period January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007, fees and interest expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the debt to the related party, JPMorgan Chase Bank, amounted to $9. See Note 11.

Financial Instruments

The Company had entered into transactions for derivative financial instruments with JPMorgan Chase Bank to lower its exposure to interest rates, foreign currency, and natural gas prices. During the period January 1, 2007 to April 2, 2007, the net cash paid by the Company for the settlement of financial instruments totaled $84. See Note 14.

17. Segments

In the first quarter of 2010, we implemented a reorganization of the Company’s products into three operating segments: (i) Birds Eye Frozen, (ii) Duncan Hines Grocery and (iii) Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses. Prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistent presentation.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Segment performance is evaluated by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker and is based on earnings before interest and taxes. Transfers between segments and geographic areas are recorded at cost plus markup or at market. Identifiable assets are those assets, including goodwill, which are identified with the operations in each segment or geographic region. Corporate assets consist of prepaid and deferred tax assets. Unallocated corporate expenses consist of corporate overhead such as executive management, finance and legal functions and, in 2008, the gain on litigation settlement, and in 2009 the Birds Eye transaction costs.

 

     Successor             Predecessor  

SEGMENT INFORMATION

   Fiscal year
ended
December 27,
2009
    Fiscal year
ended
December 28,
2008
    39 weeks
ended
December 30,
2007
            13 weeks
ended
April 2,
2007
 

Net sales

            

Birds Eye Frozen Division

   $ 473,305      $ 457,480      $ 327,400          $ 137,015   

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

     854,737        803,991        605,646            172,756   

Specialty Foods Division

     314,889        294,937        204,852            66,816   
                                    

Total

   $ 1,642,931      $ 1,556,408      $ 1,137,898          $ 376,587   
                                    

Earnings before interest and taxes

            

Birds Eye Frozen Division

   $ 38,665      $ 20,966      $ 34,613          $ 6,551   

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

     145,861        135,575        73,809            25,956   

Specialty Foods Division

     6,740        (1,997     (2,126         505   

Unallocated corporate expenses

     (45,308     (3,128     (6,784         (54,784
                                    

Total

   $ 145,958      $ 151,416      $ 99,512          $ (21,772
                                    

Depreciation and amortization

            

Birds Eye Frozen Division

   $ 22,547      $ 20,071      $ 14,127          $ 3,563   

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

     22,716        22,196        15,237            3,971   

Specialty Foods Division

     20,205        20,242        16,307            2,629   
                                    

Total

   $ 65,468      $ 62,509      $ 45,671          $ 10,163   
                                    

Capital expenditures

            

Birds Eye Frozen Division

   $ 34,835      $ 14,130      $ 11,616          $ 2,129   

Duncan Hines Grocery Division

     14,442        14,626        8,739            3,216   

Specialty Foods Division

     3,953        3,842        2,580            811   
                                    

Total

   $ 53,230      $ 32,598      $ 22,935          $ 6,156   
                                    

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

            

Net sales

            

United States

   $ 1,625,434      $ 1,524,030      $ 1,105,554          $ 368,278   

Canada

     72,808        77,853        66,678            17,015   

Intercompany

     (55,311     (45,475     (34,334         (8,706
                                    

Total

   $ 1,642,931      $ 1,556,408      $ 1,137,898          $ 376,587   
                                    

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

   December 27,
2009
   December 28,
2008

Total assets

     

Birds Eye Frozen Division

   $ 2,057,562    $ 758,918

Duncan Hines Frozen Division

     1,945,986      1,660,992

Specialty Foods Division

     503,395      208,470

Corporate

     31,555      3,820
             

Total

   $ 4,538,498    $ 2,632,200
             

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

     

Long-lived assets

     

United States

   $ 412,171    $ 260,758

Canada

     37      40
             

Total

   $ 412,208    $ 260,798
             

18. Quarterly Results (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly financial data is presented below

 

     Quarter Ended        
     March
2009
    June
2009
    September
2009
   December
2009
    Fiscal
2009
 

Net sales

   $ 427,408      $ 408,822      $ 394,185    $ 412,516      $ 1,642,931   

Cost of products sold

     339,993        318,152        298,606      306,876        1,263,627   
                                       

Gross profit

     87,415        90,670        95,579      105,640        379,304   

Net (loss) earnings

     (2,100     2,525        10,393      291,785        302,603   
     Quarter Ended        
     March
2008
    June
2008
    September
2008
   December
2008
    Fiscal
2008
 

Net sales

   $ 362,171      $ 390,131      $ 389,228    $ 414,878      $ 1,556,408   

Cost of products sold

     286,755        303,057        303,986      324,131        1,217,929   
                                       

Gross profit

     75,416        87,074        85,242      90,747        338,479   

Net (loss) earnings

     (7,347     (12,566     1,419      (10,087     (28,581

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Net earnings during fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 were affected by the following unusual charges:

 

     Quarter Ended  
     March
2009
    June
2009
   September
2009
   December
2009
 

Cost of Product Sold

          

Write up of inventory to fair value (See Note 3)

             525   

Other expense (income), net

          

Merger related costs - Birds Eye Acquisition (See Note 3)

             24,090   

Impairment and restructuring charges (a)

             1,300   

Administrative expenses

          

Severance costs (b)

     2,377      

Interest expense

          

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market on terminated swap (see Note 14)

   1,312      1,082    1,040      995   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes (c)

           $ (315,600
     Quarter Ended  
     March
2008
    June
2008
   September
2008
   December
2008
 

Other expense (income), net

          

Gain on litigation settlement (See Note 8)

   (9,988        

Impairment and restructuring charges (a)

             15,100   

Interest expense

          

Unfavorable Mark to Market Adjustment (see Note 14)

             5,483   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market on terminated swap (see Note 14)

             1,259   

 

(a) Impairment and restructuring charges consist of the following:
   

Fourth quarter 2009 – Impairment charge for the Swanson tradename.

   

Fourth quarter 2008 – Impairment charges for Van de Kamp’s ($8,000), Mrs. Paul’s ($5,600), Lenders ($900) and Open Pit ($600) tradenames.

(b) In July of 2009, Jeffrey P. Ansell left his position as Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company to pursue other interests, effective July 10, 2009. As a result of the change, we recorded a provision for severance in the amount of $2,377.
(c) Includes the reversal of the deferred tax valuation allowance. (see Note 13).

19. Guarantor and Nonguarantor Statements

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1 and as a part of the related financings, the Company issued $325 million of 9.25% Senior Notes and $250 million ($199 million outstanding as of December 27, 2009) of 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes in private placements pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S. An additional $300 million of Senior Notes were issued on December 23, 2009, in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition.

The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior secured indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Senior Subordinated Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company.

The following consolidating financial information presents:

 

  (1) (a) Consolidating balance sheets as of December 27, 2009 and December 28, 2008 for the Successor.

(b) The related consolidating statements of operations for the Company, all guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries for the following:

 

  i. Successor’s fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

 

  ii. Successor’s fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

 

  iii. Successor’s 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007.

 

  iv. Predecessor’s 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007, immediately prior to the Blackstone Transaction.

(c) The related consolidating statements of cash flows for the Company, all guarantor subsidiaries and the nonguarantor subsidiaries for the following:

 

  i. Successor’s fiscal year ended December 27, 2009.

 

  ii. Successor’s fiscal year ended December 28, 2008.

 

  iii. Successor’s 39 weeks ending December 30, 2007.

 

  iv. Predecessor’s 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007, immediately prior to the Blackstone Transaction.

 

  (2) Elimination entries necessary to consolidate the Company with its guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the parent using the equity method of accounting. The guarantor subsidiaries are presented on a combined basis. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions and include a reclassification entry of net non-current deferred tax assets to non-current deferred tax liabilities.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 27, 2009

 

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —        $ 68,249      $ 5,625      $ —        $ 73,874   

Accounts receivable, net

    —          152,961        5,043        —          158,004   

Intercompany accounts receivable

    —          68,227        —          (68,227     —     

Inventories, net

    —          384,787        5,180        —          389,967   

Other current assets

    9,200        17,060        700        —          26,960   

Deferred tax assets

    —          24,839        831        —          25,670   
                                       

Total current assets

    9,200        716,123        17,379        (68,227     674,475   

Plant assets, net

    —          412,171        37        —          412,208   

Investment in subsidiaries

    1,642,385        4,695        —          (1,647,080     —     

Intercompany note receivable

    2,044,797        —          —          (2,044,797     —     

Tradenames

    —          1,658,812        —          —          1,658,812   

Other assets, net

    57,062        176,761        —          —          233,823   

Deferred tax assets

    115,733        —          —          (115,733     —     

Goodwill

    —          1,559,180        —          —          1,559,180   
                                       

Total assets

  $ 3,869,177      $ 4,527,742      $ 17,416      $ (3,875,837   $ 4,538,498   
                                       

Current liabilities:

         

Short-term borrowings

  $ —        $ 1,232      $ —        $ —        $ 1,232   

Current portion of long-term obligations

    37,170        1,058        —          —          38,228   

Accounts payable

    —          129,142        1,218        —          130,360   

Intercompany accounts payable

    60,376        —          7,851        (68,227     —     

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          46,067        2,981        —          49,048   

Accrued liabilities

    29,150        100,214        671        —          130,035   

Accrued income taxes

    —          455        —          —          455   
                                       

Total current liabilities

    126,696        278,168        12,721        (68,227     349,358   

Long-term debt

    2,846,983        2,268        —          —          2,849,251   

Intercompany note payable

    —          2,044,797        —          (2,044,797     —     

Pension and other postretirement benefits

    —          82,437        —          —          82,437   

Other long-term liabilities

    21,145        18,238        —          —          39,383   

Deferred tax liabilities

    —          459,449        —          (115,733     343,716   
                                       

Total liabilities

    2,994,824        2,885,357        12,721        (2,228,757     3,664,145   

Commitments and contingencies

    —          —          —          —          —     

Shareholder’s equity:

         

Pinnacle Common Stock, $.01 par value

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

    693,196        1,284,155        2,324        (1,286,479     693,196   

Notes receivable from officers

    (565     —          —          —          (565

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

    225,313        378,809        5,341        (384,150     225,313   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

    (43,591     (20,579     (2,970     23,549        (43,591
                                       

Total shareholder’s equity

    874,353        1,642,385        4,695        (1,647,080     874,353   
                                       

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

  $ 3,869,177      $ 4,527,742      $ 17,416      $ (3,875,837   $ 4,538,498   
                                       

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 28, 2008

 

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —        $ 2,257      $ 2,004      $ —        $ 4,261   

Accounts receivable, net

    —          86,860        5,311        —          92,171   

Intercompany accounts receivable

    —          166,077        761        (166,838     —     

Inventories, net

    —          186,197        4,666        —          190,863   

Other current assets

    5,346        3,839        386        —          9,571   

Deferred tax assets

    —          3,644        —          —          3,644   
                                       

Total current assets

    5,346        448,874        13,128        (166,838     300,510   

Plant assets, net

    —          260,758        40        —          260,798   

Investment in subsidiaries

    1,342,914        6,788        —          (1,349,702     —     

Intercompany note receivable

    923,478        —          —          (923,478     —     

Tradenames

    —          910,112        —          —          910,112   

Other assets, net

    26,964        139,649        —          —          166,613   

Goodwill

    —          994,167        —          —          994,167   
                                       

Total assets

  $ 2,298,702      $ 2,760,348      $ 13,168      $ (2,440,018   $ 2,632,200   
                                       

Current liabilities:

         

Short-term borrowings

  $ 26,000      $ 163      $ —        $ —        $ 26,163   

Current portion of long-term obligations

    12,500        250        —          —          12,750   

Accounts payable

    —          65,220        1,731        —          66,951   

Intercompany accounts payable

    166,456        —          382        (166,838     —     

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          29,203        4,090        —          33,293   

Accrued liabilities

    28,408        40,427        177        —          69,012   

Accrued income taxes

    —          20        —          —          20   
                                       

Total current liabilities

    233,364        135,283        6,380        (166,838     208,189   

Long-term debt

    1,745,875        564        —          —          1,746,439   

Intercompany note payable

    —          923,478        —          (923,478     —     

Pension and other postretirement benefits

    —          36,869        —          —          36,869   

Other long-term liabilities

    11,890        2,539        —          —          14,429   

Deferred tax liabilities

    —          318,701        —          —          318,701   
                                       

Total liabilities

    1,991,129        1,417,434        6,380        (1,090,316     2,324,627   

Commitments and contingencies

    —          —          —          —          —     

Shareholder’s equity:

         

Pinnacle Common Stock, $.01 par value

    —          —          —          —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

    427,323        1,284,155        2,324        (1,286,479     427,323   

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

    (77,290     84,386        4,967        (89,353     (77,290

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

    (42,460     (25,627     (503     26,130        (42,460
                                       

Total shareholder’s equity

    307,573        1,342,914        6,788        (1,349,702     307,573   
                                       

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

  $ 2,298,702      $ 2,760,348      $ 13,168      $ (2,440,018   $ 2,632,200   
                                       

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidated Statement of Operations - Successor

For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

 

     Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Net sales

   $ —        $ 1,625,434      $ 72,808    $ (55,311   $ 1,642,931   

Cost of products sold

     508        1,253,937        63,736      (54,554     1,263,627   
                                       

Gross profit

     (508     371,497        9,072      (757     379,304   

Operating expenses

           

Marketing and selling expenses

     662        117,724        5,447      —          123,833   

Administrative expenses

     4,590        55,859        2,288      —          62,737   

Research and development expenses

     74        4,488        —        —          4,562   

Intercompany royalties

     —          —          61      (61     —     

Intercompany technical service fees

     —          —          696      (696     —     

Other expense (income), net

     —          42,214        —        —          42,214   

Equity in (earnings) loss of investees

     (294,423     (374     —        294,797        —     
                                       

Total operating expenses

     (289,097     219,911        8,492      294,040        233,346   
                                       

Earnings before interest and taxes

     288,589        151,586        580      (294,797     145,958   

Intercompany interest (income) expense

     (25,188     25,188        —        —          —     

Interest expense

     121,170        (5     2      —          121,167   

Interest income

     —          82        7      —          89   
                                       

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     192,607        126,485        585      (294,797     24,880   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (109,996     (167,938     211      —          (277,723
                                       

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 302,603      $ 294,423      $ 374    $ (294,797   $ 302,603   
                                       

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidated Statement of Operations - Successor

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008

 

     Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations
and

Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Net sales

   $ —        $ 1,524,033      $ 77,850    $ (45,475   $ 1,556,408   

Cost of products sold

     57        1,201,233        61,312      (44,673     1,217,929   
                                       

Gross profit

     (57     322,800        16,538      (802     338,479   

Operating expenses

           

Marketing and selling expenses

     77        104,064        7,231      —          111,372   

Administrative expenses

     2,876        42,673        2,283      —          47,832   

Research and development expenses

     8        3,488        —        —          3,496   

Intercompany royalties

     —          —          67      (67     —     

Intercompany technical service fees

     —          —          735      (735     —     

Other expense (income), net

     —          24,363        —        —          24,363   

Equity in (earnings) loss of investees

     (67,485     (4,075     —        71,560        —     
                                       

Total operating expenses

     (64,524     170,513        10,316      70,758        187,063   
                                       

Earnings before interest and taxes

     64,467        152,287        6,222      (71,560     151,416   

Intercompany interest (income) expense

     (59,036     59,036        —        —          —     

Interest expense

     152,084        1,186        10      —          153,280   

Interest income

     —          264        55      —          319   
                                       

(Loss) earnings before income taxes

     (28,581     92,329        6,267      (71,560     (1,545

Provision for income taxes

     —          24,844        2,192      —          27,036   
                                       

Net (loss) earnings

   $ (28,581   $ 67,485      $ 4,075    $ (71,560   $ (28,581
                                       

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations - Successor

For the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007

 

 
     Pinnacle
Foods

Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
   Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Net sales

   $ —        $ 1,105,553      $ 66,679    $ (34,334   $ 1,137,898   

Cost of products sold

     —          877,111        51,868      (33,673     895,306   
                                       

Gross profit

     —          228,442        14,811      (661     242,592   

Operating Expenses

           

Marketing and selling expenses

     —          81,671        5,738      —          87,409   

Administrative expenses

     2,519        36,336        1,860      —          40,715   

Research and development expenses

     —          2,928        —        —          2,928   

Intercompany royalties

     —          —          96      (96     —     

Intercompany technical service fees

     —          —          565      (565     —     

Other expense (income), net

     (5,670     17,693        5      —          12,028   

Equity in (earnings) loss of investees

     (16,901     (4,168     —        21,069        —     
                                       

Total operating expenses

     (20,052     134,460        8,264      20,408        143,080   
                                       

Earnings before interest and taxes

     20,052        93,982        6,547      (21,069     99,512   

Intercompany interest (income) expense

     (55,545     55,545        —        —          —     

Interest expense

     124,306        198        —        —          124,504   

Interest income

     —          975        54      —          1,029   
                                       

(Loss) earnings before income taxes

     (48,709     39,214        6,601      (21,069     (23,963

Provision for income taxes

     —          22,313        2,433      —          24,746   
                                       

Net (loss) earnings

   $ (48,709   $ 16,901      $ 4,168    $ (21,069   $ (48,709
                                       

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations - Predecessor

For the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

 

 
     Pinnacle
Foods
Group, Inc.
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Net sales

   $ 233,444      $ 134,834      $ 17,015      $ (8,706   $ 376,587   

Cost of products sold

     171,438        116,165        14,062        (8,474     293,191   
                                        

Gross profit

     62,006        18,669        2,953        (232     83,396   

Operating expenses

          

Marketing and selling expenses

     22,677        9,927        2,371        —          34,975   

Administrative expenses

     12,667        4,697        350        —          17,714   

Research and development expenses

     1,056        381        —          —          1,437   

Intercompany royalties

     —          —          57        (57     —     

Intercompany technical service fees

     —          —          175        (175     —     

Other expense (income), net

     41,833        8,797        412        —          51,042   

Equity in loss (earnings) of investees

     6,018        254        —          (6,272     —     
                                        

Total operating expenses

     84,251        24,056        3,365        (6,504     105,168   
                                        

Loss before interest and taxes

     (22,245     (5,387     (412     6,272        (21,772

Intercompany interest (income) expense

     (465     465        —          —          —     

Interest expense

     39,067        12        —          —          39,079   

Interest income

     —          472        14        —          486   
                                        

Loss before income taxes

     (60,847     (5,392     (398     6,272        (60,365

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     5,802        626        (144     —          6,284   
                                        

Net loss

   $ (66,649   $ (6,018   $ (254   $ 6,272      $ (66,649
                                        

 

F-75


Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

 

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows - Successor

For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009

 

 
    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net earnings (loss) from operations

  $ 302,603      $ 294,423      $ 374      ($ 294,797   $ 302,603   

Non-cash charges (credits) to net earnings (loss)

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          65,453        15        —          65,468   

Restructuring and impairment charges

    —          1,300        —          —          1,300   

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    10,230        —          —          —          10,230   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

    4,429        —          —          —          4,429   

Amortization of discount on term loan

    28        —          —          —          28   

Change in value of financial instruments

    17        (309     —          —          (292

Equity in loss (earnings) of investees

    (294,423     (374     —          294,797        —     

Stock-based compensation charges

    —          3,190        —          —          3,190   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    —          (25     —          —          (25

Pension expense

    —          2,126        —          —          2,126   

Other long-term assets

    —          (1,007     —          —          (1,007

Other long-term liabilities

    —          1,160        —          —          1,160   

Deferred income taxes

    (109,996     (167,715     —          —          (277,711

Changes in working capital, net of acquisitions

         

Accounts receivable

    —          1,595        1,110        —          2,705   

Intercompany accounts receivable/payable

    (103,110     99,200        3,910        —          (0

Inventories

    —          12,560        226        —          12,786   

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          (3,002     (1,757     —          (4,759

Accounts payable

    —          (12,583     (787     —          (13,370

Accrued liabilities

    (1,549     20,868        466        —          19,785   

Other current assets

    (9,175     (2,975     (253     —          (12,403
                                       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    (200,946     313,886        3,303        —          116,243   
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    —          (1,314,746     —          —          (1,314,746

Capital expenditures

    —          (52,030     —          —          (52,030
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

    —          (1,366,776     —          —          (1,366,776
                                       

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Change in bank overdrafts

    —          (2,602     —          —          (2,602

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    —          (345     —          —          (345

Intercompany loans

    (1,376,705     1,376,705        —          —          —     

Repayments of intercompany loans

    255,945        (255,945     —          —          —     

Equity contributions

    264,325        —          —          —          264,325   

Reduction of equity contributions

    (2,207     —          —          —          (2,207

Debt acquisition costs

    (40,162     —          —          —          (40,162

Proceeds from bank term loans

    838,250        —          —          —          838,250   

Proceeds from bond issuances

    300,000        —          —          —          300,000   

Proceeds from short-term borrowing

    —          1,921        —          —          1,921   

Repayments of short-term borrowing

    —          (852     —          —          (852

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

    74,888        —          —          —          74,888   

Repayments of revolving credit facility

    (100,888     —          —          —          (100,888

Repayments of Successor’s long term obligations

    (12,500     —          —          —          (12,500
                                       

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    200,946        1,118,882        —          —          1,319,828   
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          318        —          318   

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    —          65,992        3,621        —          69,613   

Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period

    —          2,257        2,004        —          4,261   
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents-end of period

  $ —        $ 68,249      $ 5,625      $ —        $ 73,874   
                                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

         

Interest paid

  $ 117,466      $ 4      $ (2   $ —        $ 117,468   

Interest received

    —          82        7        —          89   

Income taxes paid

    —          201        388        —          589   

Non-cash investing activity:

         

Capital lease activity

    —          (1,200     —          —          (1,200

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

 

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows - Successor

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008

 

  

  

  

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net (loss) earnings from operations

  $ (28,581   $ 67,485      $ 4,075      $ (71,560   $ (28,581

Non-cash charges (credits) to net (loss) earnings

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          62,495        14        —          62,509   

Restructuring and impairment charges

    —          15,100        —          —          15,100   

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    4,714        —          —          —          4,714   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

    1,259        —          —          —          1,259   

Gain on litigation settlement

    —          (9,988     —          —          (9,988

Change in value of financial instruments

    5,489        (2,142     —          —          3,347   

Equity in loss (earnings) of investees

    (67,485     (4,075     —          71,560        —     

Stock-based compensation charges

    —          806        —          —          806   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    —          (25     —          —          (25

Pension expense

    —          (996     —          —          (996

Other long-term liabilities

    —          (320     —          —          (320

Deferred income taxes

    —          24,757        —          —          24,757   

Termination of derivative contracts

    (17,030     —          —          —          (17,030

Changes in working capital, net of acquisition

         

Accounts receivable

    654        6,721        (685     —          6,690   

Intercompany accounts receivable/payable

    100,779        (102,227     1,448        —          —     

Inventories

    —          (26,073     532        —          (25,541

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          3,699        1,189        —          4,888   

Accounts payable

    —          3,800        (381     —          3,419   

Accrued liabilities

    (10,543     (14,255     (4,669     —          (29,467

Other current assets

    (4,940     6,241        (83     —          1,218   
                                       

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

    (15,684     31,003        1,440        —          16,759   
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Capital expenditures

    —          (32,598     —          —          (32,598
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

    —          (32,598     —          —          (32,598
                                       

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    —          (238     —          —          (238

Equity contribution

    234        —          —          —          234   

Reduction of equity contributions

    (471     —          —          —          (471

Debt acquisition costs

    (704     —          —          —          (704

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

    —          324        —          —          324   

Repayments of short-term borrowings

    —          (1,531     —          —          (1,531

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

    101,008        —          —          —          101,008   

Repayments of revolving credit facility

    (75,008     —          —          —          (75,008

Repayments of long term obligations

    (9,375     —          —          —          (9,375
                                       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    15,684        (1,445     —          —          14,239   
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

        (138       (138

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    —          (3,040     1,302        —          (1,738

Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period

    —          5,297        702        —          5,999   
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents-end of period

  $ —        $ 2,257      $ 2,004      $ —        $ 4,261   
                                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

         

Interest paid

  $ 167,453      $ 295      $ —        $ —        $ 167,748   

Interest received

    —          272        47        —          319   

Income taxes paid

    —          (277     (4,059     —          (4,336

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

 

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows - Successor

For the 39 weeks ended December 30, 2007

 

  

  

  

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net (loss) earnings from operations

  $ (48,709   $ 16,901      $ 4,168      $ (21,069     (48,709

Non-cash charges (credits) to net (loss) earnings

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          45,660        11        —          45,671   

Restructuring and impairment charges

    —          1,200        —          —          1,200   

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    7,758        —          —          —          7,758   

Gain on extinguishment of subordinate notes

    (5,670     —          —          —          (5,670

Change in value of financial instruments

    —          177        —          —          177   

Equity in (earnings) loss of investees

    (16,901     (4,168     —          21,069        —     

Stock-based compensation charges

    —          2,468        —          —          2,468   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    —          (8,046     —          —          (8,046

Pension expense

    —          41        —          —          41   

Other long-term liabilities

      (236         (236

Deferred income taxes

    —          22,173        —          —          22,173   

Changes in working capital, net of acquisition

         

Accounts receivable

    (654     5,542        (61     —          4,827   

Intercompany accounts receivable/payable

    121,047        (119,526     (1,521     —          —     

Inventories

    —          33,869        (1,168     —          32,701   

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          (11,263     (113     —          (11,376

Accounts payable

    —          (6,304     (1,438     —          (7,742

Accrued liabilities

    37,626        (13,445     (369     —          23,812   

Other current assets

    —          846        244        —          1,090   
                                       

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    94,497        (34,111     (247     —          60,139   
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (1,325,980     5,549        813        —          (1,319,618

Capital expenditures

    —          (22,920     (15     —          (22,935

Sale of plant assets

    —          2,200        —          —          2,200   
                                       

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (1,325,980     (15,171     798        —          (1,340,353
                                       

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Change in bank overdrafts

    —          —          —          —          —     

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    —          (227     —          —          (227

Equity contributions

    420,664        —          —          —          420,664   

Reduction of equity contributions

    (391     —          —          —          (391

Debt acquisition costs

    (39,863     —          —          —          (39,863

Proceeds from bank term loan

    1,250,000        —          —          —          1,250,000   

Proceeds from bond issuances

    575,000        —          —          —          575,000   

Proceeds from notes payable borrowing

    50,000        3,438        —          —          53,438   

Repayments of notes payable

    (50,000     (2,068     —          —          (52,068

Repurchase of subordinate notes

    (44,199     —          —          —          (44,199

Intercompany loans

    (923,478     923,478        —          —          —     

Repayments of Successor’s long term obligations

    (6,250     —          —          —          (6,250

Repayments of Predecessor’s long term obligations

    —          (870,042     —          —          (870,042
                                       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    1,231,483        54,579        —          —          1,286,062   
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          151        —          151   

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    —          5,297        702        —          5,999   

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

    —          —          —          —          —     
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

  $ —        $ 5,297      $ 702      $ —        $ 5,999   
                                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

         

Interest paid

  $ 79,575      $ 22,160      $ —        $ —        $ 101,735   

Interest received

    —          975        54        —          1,029   

Income taxes paid

    —          22        137        —          159   

Non-cash investing activity:

         

Capital lease activity

    —          —          —          —          —     

Non-cash financing activity:

         

Equity contribution

    4,013        —          —          —          4,013   

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.

 

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows - Predecessor

For the 13 weeks ended April 2, 2007

 

  

  

  

    Pinnacle
Foods
Group Inc.
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 
         
         

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net loss

  $ (66,649   $ (6,018   $ (254   $ 6,272      $ (66,649

Non-cash charges (credits) to net loss

         

Depreciation and amortization

    6,401        3,749        13        —          10,163   

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    26,049        —          —          —          26,049   

Amortization of bond premium

    (5,360     —          —          —          (5,360

Change in value of financial instruments

    1,247        —          —          —          1,247   

Stock-based compensation charges

    8,778        —          —          —          8,778   

Equity in loss of investees

    6,018        254        —          (6,272     —     

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    366        (72     —          —          294   

Pension expense

    125        235        —          —          360   

Other long-term liabilities

    2,375        89        —          —          2,464   

Deferred income taxes

    5,573        819        —          —          6,392   

Changes in working capital

         

Accounts receivable

    (9,951     (8,049     (339     —          (18,339

Intercompany accounts receivable/payable

    19,760        (22,723     2,963        —          —     

Inventories

    7,237        13,573        (765     —          20,045   

Accrued trade marketing expense

    (540     3,835        (541     —          2,754   

Accounts payable

    5,734        7,694        858        —          14,286   

Accrued liabilities

    42,880        10,382        78        —          53,340   

Other current assets

    759        (622     (277     —          (140
                                       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    50,802        3,146        1,736        —          55,684   
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Capital expenditures

    (2,846     (2,165     (16     —          (5,027
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (2,846     (2,165     (16     —          (5,027
                                       

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Change in bank overdrafts

    —          —          (908     —          (908

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    (10     (45     —          —          (55

Equity contributions

    26        —          —          —          26   

Repayments of notes payable

    —          (210     —          —          (210

Repayments of long term obligations

    (45,146     —          —          —          (45,146
                                       

Net cash used in financing activities

    (45,130     (255     (908     —          (46,293
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          —          —          —     

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    2,826        726        812        —          4,364   

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

    2        12,335        —          —          12,337   
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

  $ 2,828      $ 13,061      $ 812      $ —        $ 16,701   
                                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

         

Interest paid

  $ 9,123      $ 12      $ —        $ —        $ 9,135   

Interest received

    —          472        14        —          486   

Income taxes refunded (paid)

    —          119        (222     —          (103

Non-cash investing activity:

         

Capital leases

    —          (1,129     —          —          (1,129

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(thousands of dollars)

 

     Six months ended
     June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Net sales

   $ 1,232,516    $ 836,230

Cost of products sold

     934,848      658,145
             

Gross profit

     297,668      178,085

Operating expenses

     

Marketing and selling expenses

     91,327      64,957

Administrative expenses

     60,492      29,503

Research and development expenses

     4,548      2,117

Other (income) expense, net

     8,809      8,394
             

Total operating expenses

     165,176      104,971
             

Earnings before interest and taxes

     132,492      73,114

Interest expense

     108,714      58,268

Interest income

     157      13
             

Earnings before income taxes

     23,935      14,859

Provision for income taxes

     5,831      14,434
             

Net earnings

   $ 18,104    $ 425
             

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

(thousands of dollars)

 

     June 27,
2010
    December 27,
2009
 

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 142,827      $ 73,874   

Accounts receivable, net

     155,623        158,004   

Inventories, net

     296,646        389,967   

Other current assets

     28,603        26,960   

Deferred tax assets

     35,657        25,670   
                

Total current assets

     659,356        674,475   

Plant assets, net

     421,666        412,208   

Tradenames

     1,658,812        1,658,812   

Other assets, net

     218,352        233,823   

Goodwill

     1,559,180        1,559,180   
                

Total assets

   $ 4,517,366      $ 4,538,498   
                

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 378      $ 1,232   

Current portion of long-term obligations

     4,336        38,228   

Accounts payable

     108,169        130,360   

Accrued trade marketing expense

     39,669        49,048   

Accrued liabilities

     152,586        130,035   

Accrued income taxes

     2,353        455   
                

Total current liabilities

     307,491        349,358   

Long-term debt (includes $129,310 and $109,237 owed to related parties)

     2,855,496        2,849,251   

Pension and other postretirement benefits

     78,454        82,437   

Other long-term liabilities

     34,508        39,383   

Deferred tax liabilities

     352,890        343,716   
                

Total liabilities

     3,628,839        3,664,145   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholder’s equity:

    

Pinnacle Common stock: par value $.01 per share, 100 shares authorized, issued 100 shares

     —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

     693,052        693,196   

Notes receivable from officers

     —          (565

Retained earnings

     243,417        225,313   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (47,942     (43,591
                

Total shareholder’s equity

     888,527        874,353   
                

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 4,517,366      $ 4,538,498   
                

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-81


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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

(thousands of dollars)

 

     Six months ended  
     June 27,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net earnings from operations

   $ 18,104      $ 425   

Non-cash charges (credits) to net earnings

    

Depreciation and amortization

     38,677        32,472   

Amortization of discount on term loan

     1,374        —     

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

     6,582        2,367   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swaps

     1,829        2,394   

Change in value of financial instruments

     1,251        110   

Stock-based compensation charge

     410        453   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

     (24     (13

Pension expense net of contributions

     (464     1,316   

Other long-term liabilities

     1,276        1,151   

Other long term assets

     156        (1,297

Deferred income taxes

     (3,957     15,037   

Changes in working capital

    

Accounts receivable

     2,487        (3,278

Inventories

     93,685        4,935   

Accrued trade marketing expense

     (9,441     (3,653

Accounts payable

     (8,070     14,933   

Accrued liabilities

     13,327        1,475   

Other current assets

     (4,650     (1,432
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     152,552        67,395   
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Capital expenditures

     (37,534     (31,145
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (37,534     (31,145
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Change in bank overdrafts

     (14,305     —     

Repayment of capital lease obligations

     (876     (138

Repayment of notes receivable from officers

     565        —     

Equity contributions

     350        250   

Repurchases of equity

     (904     (5

Debt acquisition costs

     (17     —     

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

     —          32,208   

Repayments of revolving credit facility

     —          (58,208

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

     497        —     

Repayments of short-term borrowings

     (1,350     (163

Repayments of long term obligations

     (30,143     (6,250
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (46,183     (32,306
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     118        122   

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     68,953        4,066   

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

     73,874        4,261   
                

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

   $ 142,827      $ 8,327   
                

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Interest paid

   $ 84,074      $ 65,128   

Interest received

     157        13   

Income taxes paid

     5,858        578   

Non-cash investing activity:

    

Capital lease activity

     (1,998     (1,227

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (unaudited)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

 

            Additional
Paid In
Capital
    Notes
Receivable
From Officers
    Retained
earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
    Total
Shareholder’s
Equity
 
                   
    Common Stock          
    Shares   Amount          

Balance at December 28, 2008

  100   $ —     $ 427,323      $ —        $ (77,290   $ (42,460   $ 307,573   

Equity contributions:

             

Cash

        250              250   

Repurchases of equity

        (5           (5

Equity related compensation

        453              453   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net earnings

            425          425   

Swap mark to market adjustments, net of income tax benefit of $43

              (6,026     (6,026

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swaps

              2,394        2,394   

Foreign currency translation

              (732     (732
                   

Total comprehensive loss

                (3,939
                                                 

Balance at June 28, 2009

  100   $ —     $ 428,021      $ —        $ (76,865   $ (46,824   $ 304,332   
                                                 

Balance at December 27, 2009

  100   $ —     $ 693,196      $ (565   $ 225,313      $ (43,591   $ 874,353   

Equity contribution:

             

Cash

        350              350   

Repurchases of equity

        (904           (904

Equity related compensation

        410              410   

Collection of notes receivable from officers

          565            565   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net earnings

            18,104          18,104   

Swap mark to market adjustments, net of tax benefit of $2,886

              (4,283     (4,283

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swaps, net of tax provision of $2,459

              (630     (630

Foreign currency translation, net of tax benefit of $151

              557        557   

Net gain on Pension and OPEB actuarial assumptions, net of tax provision of $3,769

              5        5   
                   

Total comprehensive income

                13,753   
                                                 

Balance at June 27, 2010

  100   $ —     $ 693,052      $ —        $ 243,417      $ (47,942   $ 888,527   
                                                 

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

1. Summary of Business Activities

Business Overview

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (hereafter referred to as the “Company” or “PFF”) is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of high quality, branded convenience food products, the products and operations of which are managed and reported in three operating segments: (i) Birds Eye Frozen, (ii) Duncan Hines Grocery and (iii) Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses.

On February 10, 2007, Crunch Holding Corp. (“CHC”), the parent company of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. (“PFGI”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Peak Holdings LLC (“Peak Holdings”), a Delaware limited liability company controlled by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, Peak Acquisition Corp. (“Peak Acquisition”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings, and Peak Finance LLC (“Peak Finance”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Peak Acquisition, providing for the acquisition of CHC. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the purchase price for CHC was $2,160.2 million in cash less the amount of indebtedness (including capital lease obligations) of CHC and its subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the closing and certain transaction costs. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, immediately prior to the closing, CHC contributed all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, PFGI, to a newly-formed Delaware limited liability company, PFF. At the closing, Peak Acquisition merged with and into CHC, with CHC as the surviving corporation, and Peak Finance merged with and into PFF, with PFF as the surviving entity.

As a result of the Merger, CHC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peak Holdings. This transaction closed on April 2, 2007 (the “Blackstone Transaction”).

On December 23, 2009 Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (“PFG LLC”), formerly known as PFGI, a subsidiary of PFF, purchased all of the outstanding common stock of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”) (the “Birds Eye Acquisition”). See Note 3, for a full description of the transaction and brands of Birds Eye.

2. Interim Financial Statements

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of June 27, 2010, the results of operations for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, and the cash flows for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009. The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 27, 2009.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

3. Acquisition

Acquisition of Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

On December 23, 2009, our wholly owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC acquired all of the common stock of Birds Eye. Birds Eye’s product offering includes an expanding platform of healthy, high-quality frozen vegetables and frozen meals and a portfolio of primarily branded specialty foods which are highly-complimentary to Pinnacle’s existing product offerings. Frozen products are marketed under the Birds Eye brand name. Birds Eye markets traditional boxed and bagged frozen vegetables, as well as steamed vegetables using innovative steam-in-packaging technology, under the Birds Eye and Birds Eye Steamfresh brands. Birds Eye’s complete bagged meals, marketed under the Birds Eye Voila! brand, offer consumers value-added meal solutions that include a protein, starch, and vegetables in one convenient package. Birds Eye’s branded specialty food products hold leading market share positions in their core geographic markets, and include Comstock and Wilderness fruit pie fillings and toppings, Brooks and Nalley chili and chili ingredients, and snack foods by Tim’s Cascade and Snyder of Berlin.

The authoritative guidance for business combinations and goodwill and other intangible assets which established accounting and reporting for business combinations requires that all business combinations be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not to be amortized, but tested for impairment on an annual basis.

In December 2007, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for business combinations. The guidance still requires business combinations to be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, but changed the manner of applying the method in a number of significant aspects. Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; in-process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset at the acquisition date; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. The Birds Eye Acquisition has been accounted for in accordance with these standards.

The cost of the Birds Eye Acquisition consisted of:

 

Stated purchase price

   $ 670,000

Net repayment of Birds Eye’s debt

     670,383
      

Total cost of acquisition

   $ 1,340,383
      

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The following table summarizes the allocation of the total cost of the Birds Eye Acquisition to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

Assets acquired:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,637

Account receivable

     67,697

Inventories

     212,612

Other current assets

     2,806

Assets held for sale

     7,402

Deferred tax assets

     797

Plant assets

     146,813

Tradenames

     750,000

Distributor relationships and license agreements

     52,875

Goodwill

     565,013

Other assets

     53
      

Fair value of assets acquired

     1,831,705

Liabilities assumed

  

Accounts payable

     78,652

Accrued liabilities

     59,455

Pension and post retirement benefit plans

     49,307

Capital leases

     1,657

Other long-term liabilities

     14,520

Deferred tax liabilities

     287,731
      

Total cost of acquisition

   $ 1,340,383
      

Based upon the allocation, the value assigned to intangible assets and goodwill totaled $1,367.9 million. Of the total intangible assets, $48.0 million has been assigned to distributor relationships. Distributor relationships are being amortized on an accelerated basis over 30 years, this life was based on an attrition rate based on industry experience which management believes is appropriate in the Company’s circumstances. The Company has also assigned $750.0 million to the value of the tradenames acquired, of which $624.0 million is allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $90.0 million is allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $36.0 million is allocated to the Specialty Foods segment. The values of the tradenames are not subject to amortization but are reviewed annually for impairment. Goodwill, which is also not subject to amortization, totaled $565.0 million, of which $304.6 million is allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $107.2 million is allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $153.2 million is allocated to the Specialty Foods segment. No new tax-deductible goodwill or intangible assets were created as a result of the Birds Eye Acquisition, but historical tax-deductible goodwill and intangible assets in the amount of $79.4 million existed as of the closing of the Birds Eye Acquisition. The above allocation is subject to adjustment, pending the receipt of additional information relative to Birds Eye’s tax matters. The allocation is expected to be finalized during the fourth quarter.

In accordance with the requirements of the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, inventories obtained in the Birds Eye Acquisition were required to be valued at fair value (net realizable value, which is defined as estimated selling prices less the sum of (a) costs of disposal and (b) a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort of the acquiring entity), which is $37.6 million higher than historical manufacturing cost. Cost of products sold for the six months ended June 27, 2010, and the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 includes pre-tax charges of $27.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to the finished products at December 23, 2009, which were subsequently sold. The remaining $10.1 million will be recognized principally in the third quarter of 2010.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Birds Eye Acquisition was financed through borrowings of $850.0 million in term loans (“the Tranche C Term Loans”), $300.0 million of 9.25% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “Senior Notes”), a $260.0 million equity contribution from The Blackstone Group L.P., a $3.1 million investment from members of the board and management, less transaction costs of $0.2 million and $24.1 million in the six months ended June 27, 2010 and fiscal year ended December 27, 2009, respectively, and deferred financing costs of $40.2 million. Included in the transaction costs of $0.2 million for the six months ended June 27, 2010 are primarily legal, accounting and other professional fees. Included in the transaction costs of $24.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 are: $19.3 million in merger, acquisition and advisory fees, $4.0 million in legal, accounting and other professional fees and $0.8 million in other costs. The costs are recorded in Other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company also incurred $11.8 million in original issue discount, in connection with the Tranche C Term Loans. This is recorded in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is being amortized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method which is consistent with the relevant authoritative guidance.

Pro forma Information

The following schedule includes consolidated statements of operations data for the unaudited pro forma results for the six months ended June 28, 2009 as if the Birds Eye Acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of fiscal 2009. The pro forma information includes the actual results with pro forma adjustments for the change in interest expense related to the Birds Eye Acquisition, purchase accounting adjustments related to fixed assets, intangible assets, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, and related adjustments to the provision for income taxes.

The unaudited pro forma information is provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not purport to represent what the consolidated results of operations would have been had the Birds Eye Acquisition occurred on the date indicated above, nor does it purport to project the consolidated results of operations for any future period or as of any future date.

 

     Six Months
ended

June 28, 2009
(unaudited)

Net sales

   $ 1,278,009

Earnings before interest and taxes

   $ 138,240

Net earnings

   $ 12,920

4. Fair Value Measurements

In January of 2010, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure. The updated guidance requires new disclosures for significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and activity within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The update provides amendments to the level of disaggregation that an entity should provide in each class of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosures about the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure as it relates to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

financial statements on at least an annual basis. The guidance for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities defines fair value, establishes a framework for fair value disclosure in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of this guidance apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and are to be applied prospectively with limited exceptions. The adoption of the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The provisions of the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure will be applied at such time a fair value measurement of a nonfinancial asset or nonfinancial liability is required, which may result in a fair value that is materially different than would have been calculated prior to the adoption of the guidance.

The guidance for financial assets and liabilities discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

 

Level 1:

   Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

   Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3:

   Unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions.

The Company’s population of financial assets and liabilities subject to recurring fair value measurements and the required disclosures are as follows:

 

     Fair Value
As of
June 27,

2010
   Fair Value Measurements
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
        Fair Value
As of
December 27,

2009
   Fair Value Measurements
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
        Level 1    Level 2   Level 3            Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Assets

                          

Interest rate derivatives

   $ —      $ —      $ —     $ —          $ 165    $ —      $ 165    $ —  

Foreign currency derivatives

     —        —        —       —            —        —        —        —  

Heating oil derivatives

     —        —        —       —            25      —        25      —  

Diesel fuel derivatives

     140      —        140     —            902      —        902      —  
                                                          

Total assets at fair value

   $ 140    $ —      $ 140   $ —          $ 1,092    $ —      $ 1,092    $ —  
                                                          
 

Liabilities

                          

Interest rate derivatives

   $ 28,996    $ —      $ 28,996   $ —          $ 21,145    $ —      $ 21,145    $ —  

Foreign currency derivatives

     1,634      —        1,634     —            2,522      —        2,522      —  

Natural gas derivatives

     126      —        126     —            57      —        57      —  

Diesel fuel derivatives

     427         427            —        —        —        —  
                                                          

Total liabilities at fair value

   $ 31,183    $ —      $ 31,183   $ —          $ 23,724    $ —      $ 23,724    $ —  
                                                          

The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Below are descriptions of the techniques used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments on the Company’s financial statements as of June 27, 2010.

The valuations of these instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate and foreign exchange forward curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments (or receipts) and the discounted expected variable cash receipts (or payments). The variable cash receipts (or payments) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. To comply with the provisions of the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees. The Company had no fair value measurements based upon significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of June 27, 2010 or December 27, 2009.

5. Other Expense (Income), net

 

     Six months ended
     June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Other expense (income), net consists of:

     

Amortization of intangibles/other assets

   $     8,585    $     8,394

Birds Eye Acquisition merger-related costs

     224      —  
             

Total other expense (income), net

   $ 8,809    $ 8,394
             

Birds Eye Acquisition merger-related costs. In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, as described in Note 3, the Company incurred costs of $224 in the six months ended June 27, 2010. These costs relate primarily to legal, accounting and other professional fees.

6. Inventories

 

     June 27,
2010
   December 27,
2009

Raw materials, containers and supplies

   $ 46,818    $ 40,912

Finished product

     249,828      349,055
             

Total

   $ 296,646    $ 389,967
             

The Company has various purchase commitments for raw materials, containers, supplies and certain finished products incident to the ordinary course of business. Such commitments are not at prices in excess of current market.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, inventories were required to be valued at fair value, which is $37.6 million higher than historical manufacturing cost. Cost of products sold for

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

the six months ended June 27, 2010 and the fiscal year ended December 27, 2009 includes pre-tax charges of $27.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to the finished products at December 23, 2009, which were subsequently sold. The remaining $10.1 million will be recognized principally in the third quarter of 2010.

7. Goodwill and Other Assets

Goodwill by segment is as follows:

 

     Birds Eye
Frozen
   Duncan Hines
Grocery
   Specialty
Foods
   Total

Balance, December 27, 2009

   $     575,958    $     739,475    $     243,747    $     1,559,180
                           

Balance, June 27, 2010

   $ 575,958    $ 739,475    $ 243,747    $ 1,559,180
                           

The authoritative guidance for business combinations requires that all business combinations be accounted for at fair value under the acquisition method of accounting. The authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis or more often when events indicate.

The Blackstone Transaction was accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations and resulted in $996,546 in goodwill for PFF, as of April 2, 2007.

The Birds Eye Acquisition was accounted for in accordance the authoritative guidance for business combinations and resulted in $565,013 in goodwill, as of December 27, 2009.

In the first quarter of 2010, we implemented a reorganization of the Company’s products into three operating segments: Birds Eye Frozen, Duncan Hines Grocery and Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen Division. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery Division. The Specialty Foods Division consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses.

As a result of the reorganization, the goodwill reallocation by segment resulted in $575,958 allocated to the Birds Eye Frozen segment, $739,475 allocated to the Duncan Hines Grocery segment and $243,747 allocated to the Specialty Foods segment.

The authoritative guidance for accounting for goodwill states that impairment is to be tested on an annual basis, unless an event occurs that could potentially reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its book value. The Company’s reorganization into new segments constituted such a change and goodwill was tested for impairment during the first quarter which resulted in no impairment charges.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Other Assets, net

 

     June 27, 2010
     Weighted Avg
Life
   Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net

Amortizable intangibles

          

Recipes

   10    $ 52,810    $ (17,163   $ 35,647

Customer relationships - Distributors

   36      125,438      (13,463     111,975

Customer relationships - Food Service

   7      36,143      (23,359     12,784

Customer relationships - Private Label

   7      9,214      (6,863     2,351

License

   7      4,875      (375     4,500
                        

Total amortizable intangibles

      $ 228,480    $ (61,223   $ 167,257

Deferred financing costs

        80,745      (30,415     50,330

Notes receivable (Roskam Baking)

        704      —          704

Other

        61      —          61
              

Total other assets, net

           $ 218,352
              
     December 27, 2009
     Weighted Avg
Life
   Gross Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Net

Amortizable intangibles

          

Recipes

   10    $ 52,810    $ (14,523   $ 38,287

Customer relationships - Distributors

   36      125,305      (10,154     115,151

Customer relationships - Food Service

   7      36,143      (21,655     14,488

Customer relationships - Private Label

   7      9,213      (6,316     2,897

License

   7      4,875      —          4,875
                        

Total amortizable intangibles

      $ 228,346    $ (52,648   $ 175,698

Deferred financing costs

        80,730      (23,833     56,897

Foreign currency swap (See Note 11)

        165      —          165

Notes receivable (Roskam Baking)

        1,009      —          1,009

Other

        54      —          54
              

Total other assets, net

           $ 233,823
              

Amortization during the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $8,585. Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows: remainder of 2010 - $8,593, 2011 - $16,167, 2012 - $15,808, 2013 - $15,471, 2014 - $12,188 and thereafter - $99,032. Amortization during the six months ended June 28, 2009 was $8,394.

Deferred financing costs, which relate to the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes entered into in connection with the Blackstone Transaction, amounted to $40,567. Deferred

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

financing costs in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, amounted to $40,253. Amortization of the deferred financing costs during the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $6,582. Amortization of the deferred financing costs during the six months ended June 28, 2009 was $2,367.

In February 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Roskam Baking, which began co-packing certain Duncan Hines products in April 2009. This agreement included a provision to loan Roskam $1,900. As of June 27, 2010 the balance of the notes receivable is $1,254, of which $550 is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Current Assets and $704 is recorded in Other Assets, net. This loan is being paid back to the Company based on cases produced and will be paid back in no longer than 5 years.

8. Restructuring Charges

Rochester, NY Office

The Rochester, NY office is the former headquarters of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. which was acquired by PFG on December 23, 2009, as described in Note 3. In connection with the consolidation of activities into PFG’s New Jersey offices, the Rochester office will be closed. Notification letters under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1988 were issued in the first quarter of 2010. Activities related to the closure of the Rochester office began in the 2nd quarter of 2010 and will result in the elimination of approximately 200 positions.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance with respect to accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities, the full cost of termination benefits of $7,587 related to employees who will not be retained beyond the minimum retention period were recorded in the first quarter and the full cost of termination benefits of $4,526 related to employees who will be retained beyond the minimum retention period will be recorded in the future service periods. Of the $4,526, $1,146 was recorded in the first quarter, $1,756 was recorded in the second quarter, $1,298 is expected to be recorded in the 3rd quarter and $326 is expected to be recorded in the 4th quarter.

The total cost of termination benefits recorded in the first quarter of 2010 was $8,733 and was recorded in the segments as follows: Birds Eye Frozen segment $6,172, Duncan Hines Grocery segment $1,591 and Specialty Foods segment $970. The total cost of termination benefits recorded in the second quarter of 2010 was $1,756 and was recorded in the segments as follows: Birds Eye Frozen segment $1,241, Duncan Hines Grocery segment $319 and Specialty Foods segment $196. The total cost of termination benefits for the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $10,489 and was recorded in the segments as follows: Birds Eye Frozen segment $7,413, Duncan Hines Grocery segment $1,910 and Specialty Foods segment $1,166.

The following table summarizes restructuring charges accrued as of June 27, 2010. These amounts are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, of which $6,729 is recorded in Accrued liabilities and $2,407 is recorded in Other long-term liabilities.

 

     Restructuring
Reserve
 

Balance as of December 27, 2009

   $ —     

Expense

     10,489   

Payments

     (1,353
        

Balance as of June 27, 2010

   $ 9,136   
        

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

9. Debt and Interest Expense

 

     June 27,
2010
    December 27,
2009
 

Short-term borrowings

    

- Revolving Credit Facility

   $ —        $ —     

- Notes payable

     378        1,232   
                

Total short-term borrowings

     378        1,232   
                

Long-term debt

    

- Senior Secured Credit Facility - Term Loans

   $ 1,199,422      $ 1,221,875   

- Senior Secured Credit Facility - Tranche C Term Loans

     842,310        850,000   

- 9.25% Senior Notes

     625,000        625,000   

- 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes

     199,000        199,000   

- Unamortized discount on long term debt

     (10,348     (11,722

- Capital lease obligations

     4,448        3,326   
                
     2,859,832        2,887,479   

Less: current portion of long-term obligations

     4,336        38,228   
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 2,855,496      $ 2,849,251   
                

 

     Six months ended

Interest expense

   June 27,
2010
   June 28,
2009

Third party interest expense

   $ 90,205    $ 45,654

Related party interest expense

     1,399      918

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

     6,658      2,367

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap (Note 11)

     1,829      2,394

Interest rate swap losses (Note 11)

     8,623      6,935
             

Total interest expense

   $ 108,714    $ 58,268
             

As part of the Blackstone Transaction as described in Note 1, Peak Finance LLC entered into a $1,375.0 million credit agreement (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”) in the form of (i) term loans in an initial aggregate amount of $1,250.0 million (the “Term Loans”) and (ii) revolving credit commitments in the initial aggregate amount of $125.0 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Peak Finance LLC merged with and into PFF on April 2, 2007 at the closing of the Blackstone Transaction. The term loan matures April 2, 2014. The Revolving Credit Facility matures April 2, 2013.

As part of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, as described in Note 3, the Company entered into an amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility in the form of (i) incremental term loans in the amount of $850.0 million (the “Tranche C Term Loans”) and (ii) an incremental revolving credit facility the amount of $25.0 million, bringing our total revolving credit commitment to $150.0 million. In connection with the Tranche C Term Loans, the Company also incurred $11.8 million in original issue discount fees. These fees are recorded in Long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and will be amortized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009.

The total combined amount of the Term Loans and the Tranche C Term Loans that were owed to affiliates of the Blackstone Group as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009, was $129,310 and $109,237, respectively.

The Company’s borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as amended, bear interest at a floating rate and are maintained as base rate loans or as Eurocurrency rate loans. Base rate loans bear interest at the base rate plus the applicable base rate margin, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The base rate is defined as the higher of (i) the prime rate and (ii) the Federal Reserve reported overnight funds rate plus 1/2 of 1%. Eurocurrency rate loans bear interest at the adjusted Eurocurrency rate, as described in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, plus the applicable Eurocurrency rate margin. Solely with respect to Tranche C Term Loans, the Eurocurrency rate shall be no less than 2.50% per annum. Solely with respect to Tranche C Term Loans, the base rate shall be no less than 3.50% per annum.

The applicable margins with respect to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility vary from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and agreed upon pricing grids based on the Company’s leverage ratio as defined in the credit agreement. The applicable margins with respect to the Senior Secured Credit Facility are currently:

Applicable Margin (per annum)

 

Revolving Credit Facilty and Letters of Credit     Term Loans     Tranche C Term Loans  

Eurocurrency

Rate for

Revolving Loans

and Letter of

Credit Fees

  Base Rate for
Revolving Loans
    Commitment
Fees Rate
    Eurocurrency
Rate for Term
Loans
    Base Rate for
Term Loans
    Eurocurrency
Rate for -

Term Loan C
    Base Rate for -
Term Loan C
 
2.25%   1.25   0.50   2.50   1.50   5.00   4.00

The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the "Guarantors"). In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facility is collateralized by first priority or equivalent security interests in (i) all the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each direct or indirect domestic subsidiary of the Company and 65% of the capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each direct foreign subsidiaries of the Company, or any of its domestic subsidiaries and (ii) certain tangible and intangible assets of the Company and those of the Guarantors (subject to certain exceptions and qualifications).

A commitment fee of 0.50% per annum is applied to the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. For the six months ended June 27, 2010, the weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 4.83%. For the six months ended June 28, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the term loan was 3.25%. For the six months ended June 28, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 3.29%. As of June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009, the Eurodollar interest rate on the term loan facility was 5.18% and 3.07% respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Company pays a fee for all outstanding letters of credit drawn against the Revolving Credit Facility at an annual rate equivalent to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar loans under the Revolving Credit Facility, less the fronting fee payable in respect of the applicable letter of credit. The fronting fee is equal to 0.125% per annum of the daily maximum amount then available to be drawn under such letter of credit. The fronting fees are computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. Total letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility cannot exceed $50,000 as of March 24, 2010 (previously $25,000). As of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009, the Company had utilized $33,503 and $22,072, respectively of the Revolving Credit Facility for letters of credit. As of June 27, 2010, there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, therefore, of the $150,000 Revolving Credit Facility available, the Company had an unused balance of $116,497 available for future borrowing and letters of credit. As of December 27, 2009, there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, therefore, of the $150,000 Revolving Credit Facility available, the Company had an unused balance of $127,928 available for future borrowing and letters of credit. The remaining amount that can be used for letters of credit as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009 was $16,497 and $2,928, respectively.

In accordance with the “Excess Cash Flow” requirements of the Senior Secured Credit Facility the Company made a mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans of $27.0 million in March 2010. Under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Excess cash flow is determined by taking consolidated net income (as defined) and adjusting it for certain items, including (1) all non cash charges and credits included in arriving at consolidated net income, (2) changes in working capital, (3) capital expenditures (to the extent they were not financed with debt), (4) the aggregate amount of principle payments of indebtedness and (5) certain other items defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The next excess cash flow payment will be made in March 2011.

The Term Loans mature in quarterly 0.25% installments from September 2007 to December 2013 with the remaining balance due in April 2014. The aggregate maturities of the term loan outstanding as of June 27, 2010 are no payment in 2010, $2.5 million in 2011, $12.5 million in 2012, $12.5 million in 2013 and $1,171.9 million in 2014. The Tranche C Term Loans matures in quarterly 0.25% installments from January 2010 to December 2013 with the remaining balance due in April 2014. The aggregate maturities of the Tranche C Term Loans outstanding as of December 27, 2009 are no payment in 2010, $7.2 million in 2011, $8.5 million in 2012, $8.5 million in 2013 and $818.1 million in 2014.

On April 2, 2007, as part of the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1, the Company issued $325.0 million of 9.25% Senior Notes (the “Senior Notes”) due 2015, and $250.0 million of 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Senior Subordinated Notes”) due 2017. On December 23, 2009, as part of the Birds Eye Acquisition described in Note 3, the Company issued an additional $300 million of 9.25% Senior Notes due in 2015 (the “Additional Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes and the Additional Senior Notes are collectively referred to herein as Senior Notes. The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior secured indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Subordinated Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company. See Note 17 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for Guarantor and Nonguarantor Financial Statements.

The Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time prior to April 1, 2011, and some or all of the Senior Subordinated Notes at any time prior to April 1, 2012, in each case at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to,

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

the redemption date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” is defined as the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Senior Note at April 1, 2011 or Senior Subordinated Note at April 1, 2012, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Senior Note through April 1, 2011 or Senior Subordinated Note through April 1, 2012 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points over (b) the principal amount of such note.

The Company may redeem the Senior Notes or the Senior Subordinated Notes at the redemption prices listed below, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1st of each of the years indicated below:

Senior Notes

 

Year

   Percentage  

2011

   104.625

2012

   102.313

2013 and thereafter

   100.000

Senior Subordinated Notes

 

Year

   Percentage  

2012

   105.313

2013

   103.542

2014

   101.771

2015 and thereafter

   100.000

In addition, until April 1, 2010, the Company was able to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus a premium equal to the rate per annum on the Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes, as the case may be, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds received by the Company from one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes or Senior Subordinated Notes, as the case may be, originally issued under the applicable indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such equity offering.

In December 2007, the Company repurchased $51.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes at a discounted price of $44.2 million. The Company currently has outstanding $199.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Subordinated Notes.

As market conditions warrant, the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates or significant shareholders (including The Blackstone Group L.P. and its affiliates) may from time to time, in their sole discretion, purchase, repay, redeem or retire any of the Company’s outstanding debt or equity securities (including any publicly issued debt or equity securities), in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer or otherwise.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion, as of June 27, 2010, is as follows:

 

     June 27, 2010

Issue

   Recorded
Amount
   Fair
Value

Senior Secured Credit Facility - Term Loans

   $ 1,199,422    $ 1,118,461

Senior Secured Credit Facility - Tranche C Term Loans

     842,310      842,310

9.25% Senior Notes

     625,000      635,938

10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes

     199,000      208,453
             
   $ 2,865,732    $ 2,805,162
             

The fair value is based on the quoted market price for such notes and borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturities.

10. Pension and Retirement Plans

Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan

The Company maintains a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (“Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan”) that covers eligible union employees and provides benefits generally based on years of service and employees’ compensation. The Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan is funded in conformity with the funding requirements of applicable government regulations. Plan assets consist principally of cash equivalent, equity and fixed income common collective trusts. Plan assets do not include any of the Company’s own equity or debt securities.

As a result of the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement with the union at our Imlay City location, effective May 11, 2010 pension benefits were frozen for certain participants. This resulted in a curtailment loss of $992 that was recorded in the second quarter of 2010.

In fiscal 2010, the Company expects to make contributions of $5.6 million to the Pinnacle Foods Pension Plan, of which $2.5 million was made in the six months ended June 27, 2010. The Company made contributions to the pension plan totaling $2.8 million in fiscal 2009, of which $1.0 million was made in the six months ended June 28, 2009.

The following represents the components of net periodic benefit costs:

 

     Pinnacle Foods
Pension  Plan
 
     Six months ended  

Pension Benefits

   June 27,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 

Service cost

   $ 698      $ 903   

Interest cost

     2,589        2,222   

Expected return on assets

     (2,051     (1,548

Amortization of:

    

prior service cost

     44        70   

actuarial loss

     464        688   

Curtailment loss

     992        —     
                

Net periodic cost

   $ 2,736      $ 2,335   
                

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan

The Company’s Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan (“Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan”) consists of hourly and salaried employees and has primarily noncontributory defined-benefit schedules. In September 2001, this plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals for salaried employees effective September 28, 2001. Salaried participants who, on that date, were actively employed and who had attained age 40, completed 5 years of vesting service, and whose sum of age and vesting services was 50 or more, were grandfathered. Grandfathered participants were entitled to continue to earn benefit service in accordance with the provisions of the plan with respect to periods of employment after September 28, 2001 but in no event beyond September 28, 2006. In the first and second quarters of 2010, benefits of certain hourly employees were frozen in connection with the renegotiation of our collective bargaining agreements. The curtailment gain recorded in the six months ended June 27, 2010 was $588.

The Company maintains an Excess Benefit Retirement Plan which serves to provide employees with the same retirement benefit they would have received from the Company’s retirement plan under the career average base pay formula, but for changes required under the 1986 Tax Reform Act and the compensation limitation under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code having been revised in the 1992 Omnibus Budget Reform Act. This plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals effective September 28, 2001. Participants who, on that date, were actively employed and who had attained age 40, completed 5 years of vesting service, and whose sum of age and vesting services was 50 or more, were grandfathered. Grandfathered participants were entitled to continue to earn benefit service in accordance with the provisions of the plan with respect to periods of employment after September 28, 2001 but in no event beyond September 28, 2006.

For purposes of this disclosure, all defined-benefit pension plans acquired with Birds Eye Foods have been combined. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay near retirement. The Company’s funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of Federal laws and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of common stocks, corporate bonds and US government obligations. Plan assets do not include any of the Company’s own equity or debt securities.

In fiscal 2010, the Company expects to make contributions of $2.7 million to the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan. Contributions of $0.9 million were made for the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan in the six months ended June 27, 2010.

 

     Birds Eye Foods
Pension  Plan
 
     Six months ended  

Pension Benefits

   June 27,
2010
 

Service cost

   $ 1,050   

Interest cost

     4,111   

Expected return on assets

     (4,103

Curtailment gain

     (588
        

Net periodic (benefit) cost

   $ 470   
        

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan

The Company maintains a postretirement benefits plan (“Pinnacle Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan”) that provides health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees, covers certain U.S. employees and their dependents and is self-funded. Employees who have 10 years of service after the age of 45 and retire are eligible to participate in the postretirement benefit plan.

 

     Pinnacle Foods
Other Postretirement
Benefits Plan
 
     Six months ended  
     June 27,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 

Interest cost

     9        9   

Amortization of:

    

Net actuarial gain

     (22     (22
                

Net periodic benefit

   $ (13   $ (13
                

Birds Eye Foods Other Postretirement Benefits Plan

The Company sponsors benefit plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for certain current and former employees. For the most part, current employees are not eligible for the postretirement medical coverage. Generally, other than pensions, the Company does not pay retirees’ benefit costs. Various exceptions exist, which have evolved from union negotiations, early retirement incentives and existing retiree commitments from acquired companies.

The Company has not prefunded any of its retiree medical or life insurance liabilities. Consequently there are no plan assets held in a trust, and there is no expected long-term rate of return assumption for purposes of determining the annual expense.

 

     Birds Eye Foods
Other Postretirement

Benefits Plan
     Six months ended
June 27, 2010

Interest cost

   $ 89
      

Net periodic cost

   $ 89
      

11. Financial Instruments

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. The primary risks managed by using derivative instruments are interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodity prices.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Company manages interest rate risk based on the varying circumstances of anticipated borrowings and existing variable and fixed rate debt, including the Company’s revolving line of credit. Examples of interest rate management strategies include capping interest rates using targeted interest cost benchmarks, hedging portions of the total amount of debt, or hedging a period of months and not always hedging to maturity, and at other times locking in rates to fix interests costs.

Certain parts of the Company’s foreign operations in Canada expose the Company to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The Company’s goal is to reduce its exposure to such foreign exchange risks on its foreign currency cash flows and fair value fluctuations on recognized foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and unrecognized firm commitments to acceptable levels primarily through the use of foreign exchange-related derivative financial instruments. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of its functional currency, the U.S. dollar.

The Company purchases raw materials in quantities expected to be used in a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business. The Company generally enters into agreements for either spot market delivery or forward delivery. The prices paid in the forward delivery contracts are generally fixed, but may also be variable within a capped or collared price range. Forward derivative contracts on certain commodities are entered into to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in the Company’s manufacturing process.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an up front premium.

As of June 27, 2010, the Company had the following interest rate swaps and caps (in aggregate) that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
  Notional
Amount
    Fixed Rate Range    

Index

 

Trade Dates

 

Maturity
Dates

Interest Rate Swaps

  8   $ 943,738      1.43% - 3.33   USD-LIBOR-BBA  

Oct 2008 - Mar

2009

 

Jan 2011 - July

2012

Interest Rate Swaps with Floors

  4     —   (1)    2.96% - 3.58   USD-LIBOR-BBA   Jan 2010   Jan 2012 - July 2012

Interest Rate Caps

  2     800,000      2.50   USD-LIBOR-BBA   Dec 2009   Jan 2011

 

(1) Interest rate swaps with floors are hedging the same debt as the interest rate caps and become effective after the interest rate caps mature. At that point, in January 2011 they will have a notional value of $300,000.

According to the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the six months ended June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly as Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There was no hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate cash flow hedges recognized in the six months ended June 27, 2010 or the six months ended June 28, 2009.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Amounts reported in AOCI related to derivatives will be reclassified to Interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. Due to the counterparty bank declaring bankruptcy in October 2008, the Company discontinued prospectively the hedge accounting on its interest rate derivatives with Lehman Brothers Specialty Financing on the bankruptcy date as those hedging relationships no longer met the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. The Company terminated these positions during the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company continues to report the net gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge in AOCI which is expected to be reclassified into earnings during the original contractual terms of the derivative agreements as the hedged interest payments are expected to occur as forecasted. For the six months ended June 27, 2010, $1,829 was reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to the terminated hedges. For the six months ended June 28, 2009, $2,394 was reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to the terminated hedges. During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that an additional $19,532 will be reclassified as an increase to Interest expense relating to both active and terminated hedges.

Cash Flow Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk

The Company’s operations in Canada have exposed the Company to changes in the US Dollar – Canadian Dollar (USD-CAD) foreign exchange rate. From time to time, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary purchases inventory denominated in US Dollars (USD), a currency other than its functional currency. The subsidiary sells that inventory in Canadian dollars. The subsidiary uses currency forward and collar agreements to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the USD-CAD exchange rate. Currency forward agreements involve fixing the USD-CAD exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. Currency collar agreements involve the sale of Canadian Dollar (CAD) currency in exchange for receiving US dollars if exchange rates rise above an agreed upon rate and sale of USD currency in exchange for receiving CAD dollars if exchange rates fall below an agreed upon rate at specified dates.

As of June 27, 2010, the Company had the following foreign currency exchange contracts (in aggregate) that were designated as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk:

 

Product

  Number of
Instruments
  Notional Sold in
Aggregate
  Notional Purchased
in Aggregate
  USD to CAD Exchange
Rates
 

Trade Date

 

Maturity Dates

CAD Forward

  30   $46,575 CAD   $43,325 USD   1.038-1.176   May 2009 -Mar 2010   Jul 2010 - Dec 2011

CAD Collar

  6   $6,000 CAD   $5,310 USD   1.13   May 2009   Jul 2010 - Dec 2010

According to the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is recorded in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portions of the change in fair value of the derivative, as well as amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, are recognized directly in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Hedge ineffectiveness on foreign exchange cash flow hedges amounted to a $35 gain in the six months ended June 27, 2010. Hedge ineffectiveness on foreign exchange cash flow hedges amounted to a $33 gain in the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Non-designated Hedges of Commodity Risk

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to commodity price risk but do not meet the authoritative guidance for derivative and hedge accounting. From time to time, the Company enters into commodity forward contracts to fix the price of natural gas and diesel fuel purchases at a future delivery date. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in Cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

As of June 27, 2010, the Company had the following natural gas swaps (in aggregate) and diesel fuel swaps (in aggregate) that were not designated in qualifying hedging relationships:

 

Product

   Number of
Instruments
   Notional Amount   

Price

   Trade Dates    Maturity Dates

Natural Gas Swap

   2    252,537 MMBTU’s    $4.70 - $5.87 per MMBTU    Jan 2010 - June
2010
   Oct 2010

Diesel Fuel Swap

   6    7,426,602 Gallons    $2.46 - $3.14 per Gallon    Feb 2009 - May
2010
   Jun 2010 - Dec
2010

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009.

 

     Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative  Instruments
     Asset Derivatives    Liability Derivatives
     Balance Sheet Location    Fair Value
As of

June 27,
2010
   Balance Sheet Location    Fair Value
As of

June 27,
2010

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

           

Interest Rate Contracts

      $ —      Accrued liabilities    $ 10,239
        —      Other long-term liabilities      18,757

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        —      Accrued liabilities      1,619
        —      Other long-term liabilities      15
                   

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

      $ —         $ 30,630
                   

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

           

Natural Gas Contracts

      $ —      Accrued liabilities    $ 126

Diesel Fuel Contracts

   Other current assets      140    Accrued liabilities      427
                   

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

      $ 140       $ 553
                   

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

     Balance Sheet Location    Fair Value
As of
December 27,
2009
   Balance Sheet Location    Fair Value
As of
December 27,
2009

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

           

Interest Rate Contracts

   Other assets, net    $ 165    Other long-term
liabilities
   $ 21,145

Foreign Exchange Contracts

        —      Accrued liabilities      2,522
                   

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

      $ 165       $ 23,667
                   

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

           

Natural Gas Contracts

      $ —      Accrued liabilities    $ 57

Heating Oil Contracts

   Other current assets      25         —  

Diesel Fuel Contracts

   Other current assets      902         —  
                   

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

      $ 927       $ 57
                   

The table below presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income as of the six months ending June 27, 2010 and the six months ended June 28, 2009.

 

Tabular Disclosure of the Effect of Derivative Instruments

Gain/(Loss)

                       

Derivatives in Cash Flow

Hedging Relationships

  Recognized
in AOCI on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
    Effective portion
reclassified from AOCI
to:
  Reclassified
from AOCI
into Earnings

(Effective
Portion)
    Ineffective portion
reclassified from AOCI to:
  Recognized
in Earnings
on Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)

Interest Rate Contracts

  $ (16,639   Interest expense   $ (10,452   Interest expense   $ —  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (477   Cost of products sold     (1,365   Cost of products sold     35
                         

Six months ended June 27, 2010

  $ (17,116     $ (11,817     $ 35
                         

Interest Rate Contracts

  $ (9,696   Interest expense   $ (9,328   Interest expense   $ —  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

    (1,210   Cost of products sold     2,098      Cost of products sold     33
                         

Six months ended June 28, 2009

  $ (10,906     $ (7,230     $ 33
                         

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

   Recognized in Earnings
on:
   Recognized in
Earnings on
Derivative
 

Natural Gas Contracts

   Cost of products sold    $ (380

Diesel Contracts

   Cost of products sold      (1,046
           

Six months ended June 27, 2010

      $ (1,426
           

Natural Gas Contracts

   Cost of products sold    $ (1,183

Heating Oil Swaps

   Cost of products sold      124   
           

Six months ended June 28, 2009

      $ (1,059
           

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

The Company has an agreement with Barclays that contains a provision whereby the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on the indebtedness. As of June 27, 2010, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $30,019, which includes accrued interest of $1,158 but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $1,255. For the same counterparty, the fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $1,690 which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $56. For the same counterparty, the fair value of natural gas contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $126. For the same counterparty, the fair value of diesel contracts in a net asset position related to these agreements was $427. If the Company breached any of these provisions, it could be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $32,262. As of June 27, 2010, the Company has not posted any collateral related to these agreements. As of December 27, 2009, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $23,089, which includes accrued interest of $1,044 but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $983. For the same counterparty, the fair value of foreign exchange derivative contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $2,599, which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $77. For the same counterparty, the fair value of natural gas contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $57. For the same counterparty, the fair value of heating oil contracts in a net asset position related to these agreements was $25. If the Company breached any of these provisions, it could be required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $25,720. As of December 27, 2009, the Company has not posted any collateral related to these agreements.

The Company also has an agreement with Credit Suisse Group that contains a provision whereby the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on the indebtedness. As of June 27, 2010, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $1,486, which excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk of $97. As of December 27, 2009, the fair value of interest rate contracts in a net liability position related to these agreements was $83, which does not include any adjustment for nonperformance risk.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

General

From time to time, the Company and its operations are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations, and proceedings, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Although the outcome of such items cannot be determined with certainty, the Company’s general counsel and management are of the opinion that the final outcome of these matters should not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Commitment of $3.5 Million Capital Expenditure

In working to resolve an environmental wastewater investigation by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) at the Company’s Birds Eye Foods Fennville MI production facility, on July 20, 2010, the Company and the MDNRE reached an agreement (“Administrative Consent Order” or “ACO”). Under the terms of the ACO, Birds Eye will construct a new $3.5 million wastewater treatment system at the facility and contribute a minimum of $70 thousand to the hookup of the City’s water supply extension to affected residents.

Lehman Brothers Special Financing

On June 4, 2010 Lehman Brothers Special Financing (LBSF) initiated a claim against the Company in LBSF’s bankruptcy proceeding for an additional payment from the Company of $19.7 million, related to certain derivative contracts which the Company had earlier terminated due to LBSF’s default as a result of its’ bankruptcy filing in 2008. In accordance with the terms of the contracts, following LBSF’s bankruptcy filing, the Company terminated the contracts and paid LBSF approximately $22.3 million. The Company believes that the claim is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.

13. Related Party Transactions

At the closing of the Blackstone Transaction, the Company entered into an advisory agreement with an affiliate of The Blackstone Group pursuant to which such entity or its affiliates provide certain strategic and structuring advice and assistance to us. In addition, under this agreement, affiliates of The Blackstone Group provide certain monitoring, advisory and consulting services to the Company for an aggregate annual management fee equal to the greater of $2,500 or 1.0% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement governing the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility). Affiliates of Blackstone also receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Expenses relating to the management fee were $2,250 in the six months ended June 27, 2010. The Company reimbursed the Blackstone group out-of-pocket expenses totaling $55 in the six months ended June 27, 2010. Expenses relating to the management fee were $1,250 in the six months ended June 28, 2009. The Company reimbursed the Blackstone group out-of-pocket expenses totaling $20 in the six months ended June 28, 2009.

In addition, on April 2, 2007 and pursuant to the agreement of merger, an affiliate of Blackstone received transaction fees totaling $21,600 for services provided by Blackstone and its affiliates related to the Blackstone Transaction.

In connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition, the transaction and advisory fee agreement with an affiliate of Blackstone was amended and restated to include a provision that granted the affiliates a 1% transaction fee based on the transaction purchase price. This fee totaled $14,009. Also, there was an advisory fee with an affiliate for $3,005. These fees are contained within the $24,090 of transaction fees discussed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Also, as described in Note 3, the Company incurred an original issue discount, in connection with the Tranche C Term Loans. A portion of that discount, $750 related to loans from an affiliate of the Blackstone Group.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Supplier Costs

Graham Packaging, which is owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, supplies packaging for some of the Company’s products. Purchases from Graham Packaging were $3,560 for the six months ended June 27, 2010. Purchases from Graham Packaging were $3,442 for the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Customer Purchases

Performance Food Group, which is owned by affiliates of The Blackstone Group, is a food service supplier that purchases products from the Company. Sales to Performance Food Group were $3,086 in the six months ended June 27, 2010. Sales to Performance Food Group were $2,671 in the six months ended June 28, 2009.

Interest Expense

For the six months ended June 27, 2010, fees and interest expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for debt to the related party Blackstone Advisors L.P. totaled $1,399. For the six months ended June 28, 2009, fees and interest expense recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for debt to the related party Blackstone Advisors L.P. totaled $918.

Notes receivable from officers

In connection with the capital contributions at the time of the Birds Eye Acquisition on December 23, 2009, certain members of the Board of Directors and management purchased ownership units of our ultimate parent Peak Holdings LLC. To fund these purchases, certain members of management signed 30 day notes receivable at a market interest rate. The total of the notes receivable were $565 and were fully paid in January 2010.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

14. Segments

In the first quarter of 2010, we implemented a reorganization of the Company’s products into three operating segments: Birds Eye Frozen, Duncan Hines Grocery and Specialty Foods. Our United States retail frozen vegetables (Birds Eye®), single-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Hungry-Man®, Swanson®), multi-serve frozen dinners and entrées (Birds Eye Voila!®), frozen seafood (Van de Kamp’s®, Mrs. Paul’s®), frozen breakfast (Aunt Jemima®), bagels (Lender’s®), and frozen pizza (Celeste®) are reported in the Birds Eye Frozen segment. Our baking mixes and frostings (Duncan Hines®), shelf-stable pickles, peppers and relish (Vlasic®), barbeque sauces (Open Pit®), pie fillings (Comstock®, Wilderness®), syrups (Mrs. Butterworth’s® and Log Cabin®), salad dressing (Bernstein’s®), canned meat (Armour®, Nalley®, Brooks®) and all Canadian Operations are reported in the Duncan Hines Grocery segment. The Specialty Foods segment consists of snack products (Tim’s Cascade® and Snyder of Berlin®) and our food service and private label businesses. Segment performance is evaluated by the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker and is based on earnings before interest and taxes. Transfers between segments and geographic areas are recorded at cost plus markup or at market. Identifiable assets are those assets which are identified with the operations in each segment or geographic region. Corporate assets consist of prepaid and deferred tax assets and assets held for sale. Unallocated corporate expenses consist of corporate overhead such as executive management, finance and legal functions and the costs to integrate the Birds Eye Foods Acquisition. Prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistent presentation.

 

     Six months ended  
     June 27,
2010
     June 28,
2009
 
SEGMENT INFORMATION      

Net sales

     

Birds Eye Frozen

   $ 555,047       $ 244,410   

Duncan Hines Grocery

     470,565         426,178   

Specialty Foods

     206,904         165,642   
                 

Total

   $ 1,232,516       $ 836,230   
                 

Earnings (loss) before interest and taxes

     

Birds Eye Frozen

   $ 65,035       $ 16,733   

Duncan Hines Grocery

     72,068         64,327   

Specialty Foods

     12,873         1,697   

Unallocated corporate expenses

     (17,484      (9,643
                 

Total

   $ 132,492       $ 73,114   
                 

Depreciation and amortization

     

Birds Eye Frozen

   $ 17,245       $ 12,001   

Duncan Hines Grocery

     11,721         10,850   

Specialty Foods

     9,711         9,621   
                 

Total

   $ 38,677       $ 32,472   
                 

Capital expenditures

     

Birds Eye Frozen

   $ 22,223       $ 21,177   

Duncan Hines Grocery

     12,464         9,608   

Specialty Foods

     4,845         1,587   
                 

Total

   $ 39,532       $ 32,372   
                 

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

     

Net sales

     

United States

   $ 1,218,736       $ 829,378   

Canada

     38,786         33,914   

Intercompany

     (25,006      (27,062
                 

Total

   $ 1,232,516       $ 836,230   
                 

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

     June 27,
2010
   December 27,
2009
SEGMENT INFORMATION      

Total assets

     

Birds Eye Frozen

   $ 2,020,560    $ 2,057,562

Duncan Hines Grocery

     1,972,102      1,945,986

Specialty Foods

     494,945      503,395

Corporate

     29,759      31,555
             

Total

   $ 4,517,366    $ 4,538,498
             

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

     

Long-lived assets

     

United States

   $ 421,635    $ 412,171

Canada

     31      37
             

Total

   $ 421,666    $ 412,208
             

15. Income Taxes

The income tax provision/(benefit) and related effective tax rates for the six months ended June 27, 2010 and June 28, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended  
     June 27,
2010
    June 28,
2009
 

Current Income Tax Provision/(Benefit)

   $ 9,786      $ (615

Deferred Income Tax Provision/(Benefit)

     (3,955     15,049   
                

Income Tax Provision

   $ 5,831      $ 14,434   
                

Effective Tax Rate

     24.4     97.1

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for income taxes under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

The Company regularly evaluates its deferred tax assets for future realization. A valuation allowance is established when the Company believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the Company’s tax provision in the period of change.

Based on a review of both the positive and negative evidence as of December 27, 2009, it was determined that the Company had sufficient positive evidence to outweigh any negative evidence and support that it is more likely that not that substantially all of deferred tax assets will be realized. This resulted in a reversal of $315.6 million of the valuation allowance in the period ended December 27, 2009.

As of June 27, 2010 we maintained a valuation allowance for certain state net operating loss carryovers, state tax credit carryovers, and foreign loss carryovers. As of June 28, 2009 we maintained a full valuation allowance against net federal and state deferred tax assets excluding indefinite lived intangible assets.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

During the second quarter, the Company recorded an out of period adjustment to correct an error in the tax effects of Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 27, 2009 and March 28, 2010. During the six months ended June, 27, 2010, this adjustment reduced the provision for income taxes by $3,700. Accordingly, Accumulated other comprehensive loss was increased by the related effect of this adjustment during the six months ended June 27, 2010. This adjustment is not material to any current or prior periods, nor is it expected to be material to the year ended December 26, 2010.

The Company’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits (“UTB”) as of June 27, 2010 is $3,405. The amount, if recognized, that would impact the effective tax rate as of June 27, 2010 was $2,370. The amount of the liability for UTB classified as a long-term liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet was $2,370. Certain statutes of limitation may expire within the next twelve months, which could cause a decrease of $801 in the UTB liability and a benefit to the provision for income taxes.

16. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the FASB issued the authoritative guidance for variable interest entities. This guidance clarifies the characteristics that identify a variable interest entity (VIE) and changes how a reporting entity identifies a primary beneficiary that would consolidate the VIE from a quantitative risk and rewards calculation to a qualitative approach based on which variable interest holder has controlling financial interest and the ability to direct the most significant activities that impact the VIE’s economic performance. This guidance requires the primary beneficiary assessment to be performed on a continuous basis. It also requires additional disclosures about an entity’s involvement with VIE, restrictions on the VIE’s assets and liabilities that are included in the reporting entity’s consolidated balance sheet, significant risk exposures due to the entity’s involvement with the VIE, and how its involvement with a VIE impacts the reporting entity’s consolidated financial statements. The authoritative guidance for variable interest entities was effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2010, the FASB updated the authoritative guidance for fair value disclosure. The updated guidance requires new disclosures for significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy and activity within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The update provides amendments to the level of disaggregation that an entity should provide in each class of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosures about the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

17. Guarantor and Nonguarantor Statements

In connection with the Blackstone Transaction described in Note 1 and as a part of the related financings, the Company issued $325 million of 9.25% Senior Notes and $250 million ($199 million outstanding as of December 27, 2009) of 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes in private placements pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S. An additional $300 million of Senior Notes were issued on December 23, 2009 in connection with the Birds Eye Acquisition.

The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, effectively subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior secured indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

The Senior Subordinated Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company and guaranteed on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that guarantee other indebtedness of the Company.

The following consolidating financial information presents:

 

  (1) (a) Consolidating balance sheets as of June 27, 2010 and December 27, 2009.

(b) The related consolidating statements of operations for the Company, all guarantor subsidiaries and the non- guarantor subsidiaries for the following:

i. Six months ended June 27, 2010.

ii. Six months ended June 28, 2009.

(c) The related consolidating statements of cash flows for the Company, all guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries for the following:

i. Six months ended June 27, 2010.

ii. Six months ended June 28, 2009.

 

  (2) Elimination entries necessary to consolidate the Company with its guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the parent using the equity method of accounting. The guarantor subsidiaries are presented on a combined basis. The principal elimination entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances and transactions and include a reclassification entry of net non-current deferred tax assets to non-current deferred tax liabilities.

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Balance Sheet

June 27, 2010

 

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —        $ 137,363      $ 5,464      $ —        $ 142,827   

Accounts receivable, net

    —          148,159        7,464        —          155,623   

Intercompany accounts receivable

    —          55,713        —          (55,713     —     

Inventories, net

    —          292,303        4,343        —          296,646   

Other current assets

    10,543        17,686        374        —          28,603   

Deferred tax assets

    —          35,084        573        —          35,657   
                                       

Total current assets

    10,543        686,308        18,218        (55,713     659,356   

Plant assets, net

    —          421,635        31        —          421,666   

Investment in subsidiaries

    1,690,228        6,162        —          (1,696,390     —     

Intercompany note receivable

    1,976,175        —          —          (1,976,175     —     

Tradenames

    —          1,658,812        —          —          1,658,812   

Other assets, net

    50,330        168,022        —          —          218,352   

Deferred tax assets

    135,395        —          —          (135,395     —     

Goodwill

    —          1,559,180        —          —          1,559,180   
                                       

Total assets

  $ 3,862,671      $ 4,500,119      $ 18,249      $ (3,863,673   $ 4,517,366   
                                       

Current liabilities:

         

Short-term borrowings

  $ —        $ 378      $ —        $ —        $ 378   

Current portion of long-term obligations

    2,935        1,401        —          —          4,336   

Accounts payable

    —          106,612        1,557        —          108,169   

Intercompany accounts payable

    49,814        —          5,899        (55,713     —     

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          35,669        4,000        —          39,669   

Accrued liabilities

    52,388        99,567        631        —          152,586   

Accrued income taxes

    215        2,138        —          —          2,353   
                                       

Total current liabilities

    105,352        245,765        12,087        (55,713     307,491   

Long-term debt

    2,852,450        3,046        —          —          2,855,496   

Intercompany note payable

    —          1,976,175        —          (1,976,175     —     

Pension and other postretirement benefits

    —          78,454        —          —          78,454   

Other long-term liabilities

    18,772        15,736        —          —          34,508   

Deferred tax liabilities

    (2,430     490,715        —          (135,395     352,890   
                                       

Total liabilities

    2,974,144        2,809,891        12,087        (2,167,283     3,628,839   

Commitments and contingencies

    —          —          —          —          —     

Shareholder’s equity:

         

Pinnacle Common Stock, $.01 par value

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

    693,052        1,284,155        2,324        (1,286,479     693,052   

Retained earnings

    243,417        424,965        5,839        (430,804     243,417   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

    (47,942     (18,892     (2,001     20,893        (47,942
                                       

Total shareholder’s equity

    888,527        1,690,228        6,162        (1,696,390     888,527   
                                       

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

  $ 3,862,671      $ 4,500,119      $ 18,249      $ (3,863,673   $ 4,517,366   
                                       

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 27, 2009

 

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
    Consolidated
Total
 

Current asset:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ —        $ 68,249      $ 5,625      $ —        $ 73,874   

Accounts receivable, net

    —          152,961        5,043        —          158,004   

Intercompany accounts receivable

    —          68,227        —          (68,227     —     

Inventories, net

    —          384,787        5,180        —          389,967   

Other current assets

    9,200        17,060        700        —          26,960   

Deferred tax assets

    —          24,839        831        —          25,670   
                                       

Total current assets

    9,200        716,123        17,379        (68,227     674,475   

Plant assets, net

    —          412,171        37        —          412,208   

Investment in subsidiaries

    1,642,385        4,695        —          (1,647,080     —     

Intercompany note receivable

    2,044,797        —          —          (2,044,797     —     

Tradenames

    —          1,658,812        —          —          1,658,812   

Other assets, net

    57,062        176,761        —          —          233,823   

Deferred tax assets

    115,733        —          —          (115,733     —     

Goodwill

    —          1,559,180        —          —          1,559,180   
                                       

Total assets

  $ 3,869,177      $ 4,527,742      $ 17,416      $ (3,875,837   $ 4,538,498   
                                       

Current liabilities:

         

Short-term borrowings

  $ —        $ 1,232      $ —        $ —        $ 1,232   

Current portion of long-term obligations

    37,170        1,058        —          —          38,228   

Accounts payable

    —          129,142        1,218        —          130,360   

Intercompany accounts payable

    60,376        —          7,851        (68,227     —     

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          46,067        2,981        —          49,048   

Accrued liabilities

    29,150        100,214        671        —          130,035   

Accrued income taxes

    —          455        —          —          455   
                                       

Total current liabilities

    126,696        278,168        12,721        (68,227     349,358   

Long-term debt

    2,846,983        2,268        —          —          2,849,251   

Intercompany note payable

    —          2,044,797        —          (2,044,797     —     

Pension and other postretirement benefits

    —          82,437        —          —          82,437   

Other long-term liabilities

    21,145        18,238        —          —          39,383   

Deferred tax liabilities

    —          459,449        —          (115,733     343,716   
                                       

Total liabilities

    2,994,824        2,885,357        12,721        (2,228,757     3,664,145   

Commitments and contingencies

    —          —          —          —          —     

Shareholder’s equity:

         

Pinnacle Common Stock, $.01 par value

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

    693,196        1,284,155        2,324        (1,286,479     693,196   

Notes receivable from officers

    (565     —          —          —          (565

Retained earnings

    225,313        378,809        5,341        (384,150     225,313   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

    (43,591     (20,579     (2,970     23,549        (43,591
                                       

Total shareholder’s equity

    874,353        1,642,385        4,695        (1,647,080     874,353   
                                       

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

  $ 3,869,177      $ 4,527,742      $ 17,416      $ (3,875,837   $ 4,538,498   
                                       

 

F-112


Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the six months ended June 27, 2010

 

     Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations     Consolidated
Total

Net sales

   $ —        $ 1,218,736      $ 38,786    $ (25,006   $ 1,232,516

Cost of products sold

     —          926,045        33,470      (24,667     934,848
                                     

Gross profit

     —          292,691        5,316      (339     297,668

Operating expenses

           

Marketing and selling expenses

     168        88,191        2,968      —          91,327

Administrative expenses

     2,545        56,722        1,225      —          60,492

Research and development expenses

     18        4,530        —        —          4,548

Intercompany royalties

     —          —          46      (46     —  

Intercompany technical service fees

     —          —          293      (293     —  

Other expense (income), net

     —          8,809        —        —          8,809

Equity in (earnings) loss of investees

     (46,156     (498     —        46,654        —  
                                     

Total operating expenses

     (43,425     157,754        4,532      46,315        165,176
                                     

Earnings before interest and taxes

     43,425        134,937        784      (46,654     132,492

Intercompany interest (income) expense

     (61,602     61,602        —        —          —  

Interest expense

     108,319        395        —        —          108,714

Interest income

     20        137        —        —          157
                                     

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     (3,272     73,077        784      (46,654     23,935

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (21,376     26,921        286      —          5,831
                                     

Net earnings

   $ 18,104      $ 46,156      $ 498    $ (46,654   $ 18,104
                                     

 

F-113


Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the six months ended June 28, 2009

 

     Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total

Net sales

   $ —        $ 829,378      $ 33,914      $ (27,062   $ 836,230

Cost of products sold

     37        653,721        31,102        (26,715     658,145
                                      

Gross profit

     (37     175,657        2,812        (347     178,085

Operating expenses

          

Marketing and selling expenses

     94        61,606        3,257        —          64,957

Administrative expenses

     1,597        26,804        1,102        —          29,503

Research and development expenses

     10        2,107        —          —          2,117

Intercompany royalties

     —          —          30        (30     —  

Intercompany technical service fees

     —          —          317        (317     —  

Other (income) expense, net

     —          8,394        —          —          8,394

Equity in (earnings) loss of investees

     (46,947     1,265        —          45,682        —  
                                      

Total operating expenses

     (45,246     100,176        4,706        45,335        104,971
                                      

Earnings before interest and taxes

     45,209        75,481        (1,894     (45,682     73,114

Intercompany interest (income) expense

     (13,571     13,571        —          —          —  

Interest expense

     58,355        (88     1        —          58,268

Interest income

     —          10        3        —          13
                                      

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     425        62,008        (1,892     (45,682     14,859

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     —          15,061        (627     —          14,434
                                      

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 425      $ 46,947      $ (1,265   $ (45,682   $ 425
                                      

 

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Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended June 27, 2010

 

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net earnings from operations

  $ 18,104      $ 46,156      $ 498      $ (46,654   $ 18,104   

Non-cash charges (credits) to net earnings

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          38,671        6        —          38,677   

Amortization of discount on term loan

    1,374        —          —          —          1,374   

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    6,582        —          —          —          6,582   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

    1,829        —          —          —          1,829   

Change in value of financial instruments

    (35     1,286        —          —          1,251   

Equity in loss (earnings) of investees

    (46,156     (498     —          46,654        —     

Stock-based compensation charges

    —          410        —          —          410   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    —          (24     —          —          (24

Pension expense net of contributions

    —          (464     —          —          (464

Other long-term liabilities

    —          1,276        —          —          1,276   

Other long-term assets

    —          156        —          —          156   

Deferred income taxes

    (21,617     17,660        —          —          (3,957

Changes in working capital, net of acquisition

         

Accounts receivable

    —          4,802        (2,315     —          2,487   

Intercompany accounts receivable/payable

    (36,010     36,980        (970     —          —     

Inventories

    —          92,739        946        —          93,685   

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          (10,397     956        —          (9,441

Accounts payable

    —          (8,383     313        —          (8,070

Accrued liabilities

    13,406        (25     (54     —          13,327   

Other current assets

    (1,368     (3,623     341        —          (4,650
                                       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    (63,891     216,722        (279     —          152,552   
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Capital expenditures

    —          (37,534     —          —          (37,534
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

    —          (37,534     —          —          (37,534
                                       

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Change in bank overdrafts

    —          (14,305     —          —          (14,305

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    —          (876     —          —          (876

Repayments of intercompany loans

    94,040        (94,040     —          —          —     

Repayment of notes receivable from officers

    565        —          —          —          565   

Equity contributions

    350        —          —          —          350   

Repurchases of equity

    (904     —          —          —          (904

Debt acquisition costs

    (17     —          —          —          (17

Proceeds from short-term borrowing

    —          497        —          —          497   

Repayments of short-term borrowing

    —          (1,350     —          —          (1,350

Repayments of long term obligations

    (30,143     —          —          —          (30,143
                                       

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    63,891        (110,074     —          —          (46,183
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          118        —          118   
            —     

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    —          69,114        (161     —          68,953   

Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of period

    —          68,249        5,625        —          73,874   
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents-end of period

  $ —        $ 137,363      $ 5,464      $ —        $ 142,827   
                                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

         

Interest paid

  $ 83,628      $ 446      $ —        $ —        $ 84,074   

Interest received

    20        137        —          —          157   

Income taxes paid

    —          5,850        8        —          5,858   

Non-cash investing activity:

         

Capital lease additions

    —          (1,998     —          —          (1,998

 

F-115


Table of Contents

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)—(Continued)

(thousands of dollars, except share amounts and where noted in millions)

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the six months ended June 28, 2009

 

    Pinnacle
Foods
Finance LLC
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Nonguarantor
Subsidiary
    Eliminations     Consolidated
Total
 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net earnings (loss) from operations

  $ 425      $ 46,947      $ (1,265   $ (45,682   $ 425   

Non-cash charges (credits) to net earnings (loss)

         

Depreciation and amortization

    —          32,465        7        —          32,472   

Amortization of debt acquisition costs

    2,367        —          —          —          2,367   

Amortization of deferred mark-to-market adjustment on terminated swap

    2,394        —          —          —          2,394   

Change in value of financial instruments

    (33     143        —          —          110   

Equity in loss (earnings) of investees

    (46,947     1,265        —          45,682        —     

Stock-based compensation charges

    —          453        —          —          453   

Postretirement healthcare benefits

    —          (13     —          —          (13

Pension expense

    —          1,316        —          —          1,316   

Other long-term liabilities

    —          1,151        —          —          1,151   

Other assets

    —          (1,297     —          —          (1,297

Deferred income taxes

    —          15,037        —          —          15,037   

Changes in working capital

         

Accounts receivable

    —          (1,074     (2,204     —          (3,278

Intercompany accounts receivable/payable

    (133,651     127,913        5,738        —          —     

Inventories

    —          3,967        968        —          4,935   

Accrued trade marketing expense

    —          (3,725     72        —          (3,653

Accounts payable

    —          13,494        1,439        —          14,933   

Accrued liabilities

    (8,751     13,178        (2,952     —          1,475   

Other current assets

    3,062        (3,328     (1,166     —          (1,432
                                       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    (181,134     247,892        637        —          67,395   
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Capital expenditures

    —          (31,145     —          —          (31,145
                                       

Net cash used in investing activities

    —          (31,145     —          —          (31,145
                                       

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Repayment of capital lease obligations

    —          (138     —          —          (138

Borrowings under revolving credit facility

    32,208        —          —          —          32,208   

Repayments of revolving credit facility

    (58,208     —          —          —          (58,208

Repayments of intercompany loans

    213,139        (213,139     —          —          —     

Equity contributions

    250        —          —          —          250   

Repurchases of equity

    (5     —          —          —          (5

Repayments of notes payable

    —          (163     —          —          (163

Repayments of long term obligations

    (6,250     —          —          —          (6,250
                                       

Net cash used in financing activities

    181,134        (213,440     —          —          (32,306
                                       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    —          —          122        —          122   
            —     

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    —          3,307        759        —          4,066   

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

    —          2,257        2,004        —          4,261   
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

  $ —        $ 5,564      $ 2,763      $ —        $ 8,327   
                                       

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

         

Interest paid

  $ 65,172      $ (44   $ —        $ —        $ 65,128   

Interest received

    —          10        3        —          13   

Income taxes paid

    —          193        385        —          578   

Non-cash investing activity:

         

Capital lease activity

    —          (1,227     —          —          (1,227

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholder

of Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

Rochester, New York

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Holdings LLC) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss)/income, cash flows and stockholder’s deficit for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended June 27, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended June 27, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, effective July 1, 2007, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Rochester, New York

October 2, 2009

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Information as of September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except for share information)

 

     June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 26,
2009
 
                 (Unaudited)  

Assets

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 75,799      $ 65,005      $ 44,396   

Accounts receivable trade, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $910, $794 and $799, respectively

     50,968        54,231        65,520   

Other receivables

     4,298        4,065        3,763   

Income taxes refundable

     2,527        —          239   

Inventories

     115,675        135,916        218,839   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     8,054        11,215        9,842   

Held for sale assets

     7,661        7,402        7,402   

Current deferred tax asset

     3,786        4,877        6,948   
                        

Total current assets

     268,768        282,711        356,949   

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     105,542        117,050        117,845   

Goodwill

     55,193        53,334        53,334   

Trademarks

     179,500        179,500        179,500   

Other intangible assets, net

     34,503        31,712        31,014   

Other assets

     12,994        9,290        8,462   
                        

Total assets

   $ 656,500      $ 673,597      $ 747,104   
                        

Liabilities and stockholder’s deficit

      

Current liabilities:

      

Current portion of obligations under capital leases

   $ 742      $ 579      $ 586   

Current portion of long-term debt

     4,500        4,756        4,758   

Accounts payable

     55,282        54,414        74,955   

Income taxes payable

     —          4,114        —     

Accrued interest

     6,195        4,973        3,601   

Accrued employee compensation

     15,851        6,656        8,145   

Accrued workers compensation

     9,585        8,781        9,178   

Other accrued liabilities

     24,157        21,590        40,444   

Growers payable due to Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc.

     6,343        6,232        7,303   
                        

Total current liabilities

     122,655        112,095        148,970   

Obligations under capital leases

     76        1,365        1,216   

Long-term debt

     719,386        698,460        738,582   

Other non-current liabilities

     63,288        61,878        53,999   

Non-current deferred tax liability

     37,515        43,604        46,248   
                        

Total liabilities

     942,920        917,402        989,015   
                        

Commitments and contingencies

      

Stockholder’s deficit:

      

Common stock, par value $.01; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding

     —          —          —     

Additional paid-in capital

     40        10        110   

Accumulated deficit

     (268,702     (215,057     (214,921

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

      

Unrealized loss on hedging activity, net of taxes

     (3,755     (4,259     (3,337

Pension and other postretirement benefits liability, net of taxes

     (14,003     (24,499     (23,763
                        

Total stockholder’s deficit

     (286,420     (243,805     (241,911
                        

Total liabilities and stockholder’s deficit

   $ 656,500      $ 673,597      $ 747,104   
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME

(Information for the three months ended September 27, 2008

and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except for share information)

 

    Fiscal years ended     Three months ended  
  June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 27,
2008
    September 26,
2009
 
                      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Net sales

  $ 782,714      $ 868,318      $ 935,644      $ 195,434      $ 181,113   

Cost of sales

    (548,190     (596,983     (669,427     (146,936     (139,316
                                       

Gross profit

    234,524        271,335        266,217        48,498        41,797   

Selling, administrative, and general expense

    (149,200     (148,833     (135,722     (32,389     (30,469

Restructuring

    (399     (690     (1,169     —          —     

Other expense

    (1,379     —          —          —          —     
                                       

Operating income

    83,546        121,812        129,326        16,109        11,328   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (2,272     —          —          —          —     

Interest expense

    (25,680     (63,100     (50,001     (13,746     (11,017
                                       

Pretax income from continuing operations

    55,594        58,712        79,325        2,363        311   

Tax provision

    (22,410     (21,491     (26,220     (1,120     (190
                                       

Income from continuing operations

    33,184        37,221        53,105        1,243        121   

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

    (42,080     830        540        368        15   
                                       

Net (loss)/income

  $ (8,896   $ 38,051      $ 53,645      $ 1,611      $ 136   
                                       

Net (loss)/income

  $ (8,896   $ 38,051      $ 53,645      $ 1,611      $ 136   

Other comprehensive income/(loss):

         

Pension liability and other postretirement benefits, net of taxes

    3,283        (913     (10,496     310        736   

Unrealized gain/(loss) on hedging activity, net of taxes

    1,314        (5,515     (504     463        922   
                                       

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    4,597        (6,428     (11,000     773        1,658   
                                       

Comprehensive (loss)/income

  $ (4,299   $ 31,623      $ 42,645      $ 2,384      $ 1,794   
                                       

Income from continuing operations allocated to common stockholder

  $ 1,727      $ 37,221      $ 53,105      $ 1,243      $ 121   
                                       

Net (loss)/income allocated to common stockholder

  $ (40,353   $ 38,051      $ 53,645      $ 1,611      $ 136   
                                       

Basic and diluted net (loss)/income per common share:

         

Income from continuing operations

  $ 1,918.89      $ 37,221.00      $ 53,105.00      $ 1,243.00      $ 121.00   

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

    (46,755.56     830.00        540.00        368.00        15.00   
                                       

Net (loss)/income

  $ (44,836.67   $ 38,051.00      $ 53,645.00      $ 1,611.00      $ 136.00   
                                       

Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

    900        1,000        1,000        1,000        1,000   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Information for the three months ended September 27, 2008

and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

    Fiscal years ended     Three months ended  
  June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 27,
2008
    September 26,
2009
 
                      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

Net (loss)/income

  $ (8,896   $ 38,051      $ 53,645      $ 1,611      $ 136   

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities—

         

Asset impairment charge and gain on sale of business within discontinued operations

    39,534        —          —          —          —     

Restructuring activity within discontinued operations

    9,836        (1,392     —          —          —     

Restructuring activity within continuing operations

    76        393        568        —          —     

Cash receipts from involuntary conversion

    226        —          —          —          —     

Amortization of certain intangible assets

    2,869        2,787        2,791        698        698   

Depreciation

    21,397        14,837        15,618        3,521        3,069   

Amortization of debt issue costs, amendment costs, debt discount and interest in kind (includes loss on early extinguishment of debt in 2007)

    7,392        35,081        16,048        2,017        5,921   

(Gain)/loss on derivatives

    —          —          (1,334     (124     725   

Loss/(gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment

    1,514        (290     (39     (585     17   

Deferred tax (benefit)/provision

    (4,144     15,131        11,782        (21     —     

Provision/(recoveries) on accounts receivable

    188        (114     104        99        25   

Other

    494        165        —          —          —     

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

         

Accounts receivable and other receivables

    11,570        (6,851     (3,134     (15,337     (11,012

Inventories

    17,885        (7,721     (20,742     (110,206     (82,379

Income taxes refundable/payable

    (71     (1,965     6,641        3,359        (4,353

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

    (23,672     3,699        (14,957     42,041        34,370   

Due to Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc.

    3,810        (5,135     (111     677        1,071   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (19,864     4,538        (18,856     (5,196     428   
                                       

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

    60,144        91,214        48,024        (77,446     (51,284
                                       

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

    (16,875     (21,610     (25,803     (8,901     (4,294

Proceeds from disposition of business

    92,781        2,590        —          —          —     

Proceeds from asset disposals

    6,806        624        875        845        —     

Cash receipts from involuntary conversion

    515        —          —          —          —     

(Issuance)/repayment of note receivable to Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc.

    (1,088     1,088        —          —          —     

Other

    331        39        —          —          —     
                                       

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

    82,470        (17,269     (24,928     (8,056     (4,294
                                       

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

(Information for the three months ended September 27, 2008

and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

    Fiscal years ended     Three months ended  
  June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 27,
2008
    September 26,
2009
 
                      (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

    450,000        306,900        1,308        —          —     

Net proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility

    —          —          —          64,900        36,200   

Payments on long-term debt

    (358,584     (3,375     (34,628     (31,125     (1,189

Cash paid for debt issuance costs

    (7,026     (8,728     —          —          —     

Payments on Termination Agreement with Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc.

    (10,000     —          —          —          —     

Payments on capital leases

    (807     (739     (540     (135     (142

Dividend to Birds Eye Holdings LLC (includes redemption of preferred stock in 2007)

    (284,183     (298,172     (190     —          —     

Birds Eye Holdings LLC investment

    18        40        160        160        100   
                                       

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

    (210,582     (4,074     (33,890     33,800        34,969   
                                       

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    (67,968     69,871        (10,794     (51,702     (20,609

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    73,896        5,928        75,799        75,799        65,005   
                                       

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 5,928      $ 75,799      $ 65,005      $ 24,097      $ 44,396   
                                       

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

         

Cash paid during the year for:

         

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

  $ 30,808      $ 21,880      $ 35,100      $ 10,828      $ 6,468   
                                       

Income taxes paid/(received) net

  $ 197      $ 4,958      $ 14,058      $ (2,046   $ 4,543   
                                       

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

         

Capital lease obligations incurred

  $ 38      $ —        $ 2,457      $ 2,457      $ —     
                                       

Property, plant and equipment purchases included in accounts payable

  $ 1,590      $ 933      $ 665      $ 959      $ 796   
                                       

Interest in kind included in long-term debt

  $ —        $ 30,751      $ 11,966      $ 964      $ 4,953   
                                       

Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

  $ (2,205   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     
                                       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT

FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007, JUNE 28, 2008

AND JUNE 27, 2009 AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 (unaudited)

(Information for the three months ended September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

 

    Common
stock
shares
  Common
stock
dollars
  Additional
paid-In
capital
    Accumulated other
comprehensive (loss)/income
    Total
stockholder’s
deficit
 
          Accumulated
deficit
    Hedging
activity
    Pension and other
postretirement
benefits liability
   

Balances, June 24, 2006

  900   $ —     $ 46,751      $ —        $ 446      $ (14,230   $ 32,967   

Net loss

  —       —       —          (8,896     —          —          (8,896

Birds Eye Holdings LLC investment

  —       —       18        —          —          —          18   

Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

  —       —       (2,205     —          —          —          (2,205

Dividends on preferred stock

  —       —       (29,252     —          —          —          (29,252

Dividends on common stock

  —       —       (10,272     —          —          —          (10,272

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of taxes

  —       —       —          —          —          3,283        3,283   

Unrealized gain on hedging activities, net of taxes

  —       —       —          —          1,314        —          1,314   

Effects of changing the pension plan measurement date pursuant to ASC Topic 715, net of taxes

  —       —       —          (1,089     —          —          (1,089

Effects of the recognition provisions of ASC Topic 715, net of taxes

  —       —       —          —          —          (2,143     (2,143
                                                 

Balances, June 30, 2007

  900     —       5,040        (9,985     1,760        (13,090     (16,275

Recapitalization related to transfer of ownership from Birds Eye Holdings LLC to the Company

  100     —       (5,040     5,040        —          —            

Adoption of FIN 48

  —       —       —          (3,636     —          —          (3,636

Net income

  —       —       —          38,051        —          —          38,051   

Birds Eye Holdings LLC investment

  —       —       40        —          —          —          40   

Dividend to Birds Eye Holdings LLC

  —       —       —          (298,172     —          —          (298,172

Net actuarial loss and prior service cost recognized in accordance with ASC
Topic 715

  —       —       —          —          —          (913     (913

Unrealized loss on hedging activities, net of taxes

  —       —       —          —          (5,515     —          (5,515
                                                 

Balances, June 28, 2008

  1,000     —       40        (268,702     (3,755     (14,003     (286,420

Net income

  —       —       —          53,645        —          —          53,645   

Birds Eye Holdings LLC investment

  —       —       160        —          —          —          160   

Dividend to Birds Eye Holdings LLC

  —       —       (190     —          —          —          (190

Net actuarial loss and prior service cost recognized in accordance with ASC
Topic 715

  —       —       —          —          —          (10,496     (10,496

Unrealized loss on hedging activities, net of taxes

  —       —       —          —          (504     —          (504
                                                 

Balances, June 27, 2009

  1,000     —       10        (215,057     (4,259     (24,499     (243,805

Net income (unaudited)

  —       —       —          136        —          —          136   

Birds Eye Holdings LLC investment (unaudited)

  —       —       100        —          —          —          100   

Unrealized gain on hedging activities, net of taxes (unaudited)

  —       —       —          —          922        —          922   

Net actuarial gain and prior service credit recognized in accordance with ASC
Topic 715

  —       —       —          —          —          736        736   
                                                 

Balances, September 26, 2009 (unaudited).

  1,000   $ —     $ 110      $ (214,921   $ (3,337   $ (23,763   $ (241,911
                                                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

Note 1.    Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies

Change in names of entities: Subsequent to June 27, 2009, the following name changes became effective:

 

Former name

 

New name

BE Foods Inc.

  Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

  Birds Eye Group, Inc.

The accompanying financial statements reflect the name changes for all periods presented.

Form of organization and nature of business: Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “Birds Eye Foods”), a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Holdings LLC, formerly Agrilink Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings LLC”). Birds Eye Foods was formed on July 1, 2007 for the purpose of holding a 100 percent interest in Birds Eye Holdings, Inc., which in turn has a 100 percent direct ownership of Birds Eye Group, Inc. (“Birds Eye Group”).

Birds Eye Holdings, Inc. and Birds Eye Group were previously 100 percent owned by Holdings LLC. Holdings LLC transferred its ownership interest in Birds Eye Holdings, Inc. to Birds Eye Foods on July 1, 2007, making Birds Eye Holdings, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Foods (“ownership transfer”). This transaction was accounted for as a reorganization of entities under common control and, accordingly, there was no change in basis of the underlying assets and liabilities. The accompanying consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009 and the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 are reflective of the change in reporting entity that occurred as a result of the ownership transfer on July 1, 2007. The Birds Eye Foods consolidated financial statements reflect the financial statements of Birds Eye Holdings, Inc. for periods prior to July 1, 2007.

Birds Eye Group is a producer and marketer of processed food products. All of Birds Eye Group’s current operating facilities are within the United States.

Holdings LLC was formed on August 19, 2002 (the Closing Date”), pursuant to the terms of a Unit Purchase Agreement by and among Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc., a New York agricultural cooperative (“Pro-Fac”), Birds Eye Group and Vestar/Agrilink Holdings LLC (“The Transaction”).

Unaudited Interim Financial Statements: The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the requirements of Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows have been included. Operating results for the three months ended September 26, 2009 are not necessarily the results to be expected for future interim periods or the full year.

Basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.

Fiscal year: The fiscal year of the Company ends on the last Saturday in June. Fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 both comprised 52 weeks and fiscal 2007 comprised 53 weeks. The three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 each comprised 13 weeks.

New accounting pronouncements:

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS”) No. 168 (ASC Topic 105) “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162. SFAS 168 (ASC Topic 105) replaces SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”, and identifies the sources of authoritative accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 168 (ASC Topic 105) for its interim period ended September 26, 2009. All references to authoritative accounting literature are in accordance with SFAS No. 168 (ASC Topic 105). There have been no changes to the content of the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures as a result of implementing SFAS No. 168 (ASC Topic 105).

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165 (ASC Topic 855), “Subsequent Events”, which provides guidance to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It also requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. This disclosure should alert all users of financial statements that an entity has not evaluated subsequent events after that date in the set of financial statements being presented. SFAS No. 165 (ASC Topic 855) is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company conducted an evaluation under SFAS No. 165 (ASC Topic 855) through November 10, 2009, the issuance date of the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (ASC 825-10-65), “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”. FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (ASC 825-10-65) amends SFAS No. 107 (ASC Topic 820), “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28 (ASC Topic 270), “Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in all interim financial statements. FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (ASC 825-10-65) became effective for the interim reporting period ended September 26, 2009. The adoption of FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 (ASC 825-10-65) did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161 (ASC Topic 815), Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”. SFAS No. 161 (ASC Topic 815) requires enhanced disclosures to help investors better understand the effect of an entity’s derivative instruments and related hedging activities on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Company adopted SFAS No. 161 (ASC Topic 815) during the interim period ended September 26, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 (ASC Topic 815) did not impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, however, additional footnote disclosures have been made.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160 (ASC Topic 810), “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements an Amendment of ARB No. 51”. SFAS No. 160 (ASC Topic 810) establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, this statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent’s equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. SFAS No. 160 (ASC Topic 810) clarifies that changes in a parent’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, this statement requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. Such gain or loss will be measured using the fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment on the deconsolidation date. SFAS No. 160 (ASC Topic 810) also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. SFAS No. 160 (ASC Topic 810) is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008, with retrospective presentation and disclosure for all periods presented. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company had no entities or arrangements that were affected by the adoption of SFAS No. 160 (ASC Topic 810) during the interim reporting period ended September 26, 2009.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R) (ASC Topic 805), “Business Combinations”, replacing SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations. This statement retains the fundamental requirements in SFAS No. 141 that the acquisition method of accounting (which SFAS No. 141 termed the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. This Statement also establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer: a) recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and c) determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This Statement clarifies that acquirers are required to expense costs related to any acquisitions. SFAS No. 141R (ASC Topic 805) will apply prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after fiscal years beginning December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. On September 26, 2009, the Company adopted this statement which had no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (ASC Topic 825), “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115”. This Statement provides companies with an option to measure, at specified election dates, many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently measured at fair value. A company that adopts SFAS No. 159 (ASC Topic 825) will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. This Statement also established presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company adopted this Statement in fiscal 2009. The Company has not elected the fair value option of SFAS No. 159 (ASC Topic 825).

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 (ASC Topic 820), “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS No. 157 (ASC Topic 820) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 (ASC Topic 820) is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

fiscal years. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-2 (ASC Topic 820) “Effective Date of FASB Statement 157” to allow a one-year deferral of adoption of SFAS No. 157 (ASC Topic 820) for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The Company elected this deferral and adopted these provisions on September 26, 2009, which had no impact on the consolidated financial statements. On June 29, 2008, the Company adopted the other provisions of SFAS No. 157 (ASC Topic 820) which had no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Trade accounts receivable: The Company accounts for trade receivables at outstanding billed amounts, net of allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of receivables overdue. Also included in the allowance, in their entirety, are those accounts that have filed for bankruptcy, been sent to collections, and any other accounts management believes are not collectible based on historical information. The Company periodically reviews the accounts included in the allowance to determine those to be written off. Generally, after a period of one year, or through legal counsel’s advice, accounts are written off. It is not Company policy to accrue interest on past due accounts. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $0.9 million as of June 28, 2008 and $0.8 million as of June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009.

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. The Company provides inventory reserves for obsolete or slow moving inventory based on changes in consumer demand and other economic conditions. These reserves at June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009 totaled $1.2 million, $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Property, plant, and equipment and related lease arrangements: Property, plant, and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method, half-year convention, utilizing the following lives:

 

     Depreciable
lives

Land improvements

   20 years

Buildings

   15 – 40 years

Machinery and equipment

   3 – 12 years

Lease arrangements are capitalized when such leases convey substantially all of the risks and benefits incidental to ownership. Assets subject to capital leases are amortized over either the lease term or the life of the related assets, depending upon available purchase options and lease renewal features. Amortization related to assets subject to capital leases is included within depreciation expense.

Held for sale assets are separately classified on the consolidated balance sheet. The recorded value is the lower of the carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. See Note 3 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding held for sale assets.

Goodwill: Goodwill includes the cost in excess of the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in purchase transactions. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested annually for impairment. The Company tests for impairment of goodwill using a two-step approach during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or at any other

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

time when impairment indicators exist. In the first step, the Company estimates the fair values of its reporting units. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. In the second step, the implied fair value of the goodwill is estimated as the fair value of the reporting unit used in the first step less the fair values of all other net tangible and intangible assets of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair market value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. In addition, goodwill of a reporting unit is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that goodwill may be impaired. See Note 6 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding goodwill.

Other intangible assets: Other intangible assets include customer relationships, non-competition agreements, employment contracts, trademarks, and a trademark royalty agreement. Trademarks have been deemed to have an indefinite life and are, therefore, not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 to 36 years. See Note 6 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding intangible assets.

Impairment of long-lived assets: The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360 (SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”), whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When the carrying value of the asset is in excess of the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition, this indicates that a long-lived asset may be impaired. When an impairment is indicated, the estimated future cash flows are then discounted, or another appropriate fair value methodology is utilized, to determine the estimated fair value of the asset and an impairment charge, if any, is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset.

Carrying values of intangible assets with indefinite lives (trademarks) are reviewed at least annually, for possible impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 350 (SFAS No. 142 “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets). The Company’s impairment review is based on a discounted cash flow approach that requires judgment with respect to future volume, revenue and expense growth rates and the selection of the appropriate discount rate. The Company uses estimates based on expected trends in making these assumptions. An impairment charge would be recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the net present value of estimated cash flows, which represents the estimated fair value of the asset. The Company uses its judgment in assessing whether assets may have become impaired between annual valuations. Indicators such as unexpected adverse, economic factors or competitive activities may signal that an asset has become impaired. See Note 6 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures.

The determination of the fair value and any potential subsequent impairment of the Company’s remaining long-lived assets require management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect its consolidated financial statements.

Derivative financial instruments: The Company does not engage in speculative derivatives. Derivative financial instruments are utilized to hedge interest rate risk and commodity price risk and are not held for trading purposes. See Note 7 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s hedging activities.

Income taxes: Birds Eye Foods and its consolidated subsidiaries are C Corporations subject to federal, state, and foreign taxation. Income taxes are provided on income for financial reporting purposes. Deferred income

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

taxes resulting from temporary differences between financial reporting and tax reporting are appropriately classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. See Note 9 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding tax matters.

Workers compensation: The Company is primarily self-insured for workers compensation. The Company accrues for the estimated losses from both asserted and unasserted claims. The estimate of the discounted liability for unasserted claims arising from unreported incidents is based on an analysis of historical claims data. The accrual for workers compensation at June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009 was $9.6 million, $8.8 million and $9.2 million, respectively.

Pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions: The Company and its subsidiaries have several pension plans and participated in one union sponsored pension plan. In addition, the Company sponsors benefit plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for certain current and former employees of the Company. Charges to income with respect to plans sponsored by the Company and its subsidiaries are based upon actuarially determined costs. Pension liabilities are funded by periodic payments to the various pension plan trusts. See Note 10 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding pension and postretirement benefits.

Revenue recognition: The Company recognizes revenue on shipments on the date the merchandise is received by the customer and title transfers. On this date, the customer’s price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Product sales are reported net of applicable cash discounts, sales allowances and promotions.

Promotional activities: The Company’s promotional activities are conducted either through the retail trade channel or directly with consumers and involve in-store displays; feature price discounts on products; consumer coupons; and similar activities. These activities are generally recognized at the time the related revenue is recorded, which normally precedes the actual cash expenditure. The recognition of these costs therefore requires management’s judgment regarding the volume of promotional offers that will be redeemed by either the retail trade channel or consumer. These estimates are made using various techniques including historical data on performance of similar promotional programs. The accrual for promotional activities at June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009, and September 26, 2009 was $5.6 million, $4.3 million, and $11.5 million, respectively.

Shipping and handling expense: The Company follows ASC Topic 605 (Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) 00-10 “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs” (Issue 00-10)). ASC Topic 605 requires that all amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling should be classified as revenues. Costs include amounts for shipping and handling; therefore, the Company charges its customers shipping and handling fees at the time the products are received by the customer and title transfers. The cost of shipping products to the customer is recognized at the time the products are shipped to the customer and are classified as selling expenses. The cost of shipping products to the customer classified as selling expenses was $21.0 million, $22.2 million and $20.8 million in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and $5.3 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009, respectively.

Advertising: Production costs of commercials and programming are charged to earnings in the period first aired. The costs of other advertising and marketing programs are expensed when incurred. Advertising expense, including marketing, incurred in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 amounted to approximately $33.5 million, $36.5 million and $35.5 million, respectively, and $5.4 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009, respectively.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Research and development: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The amount expensed on internal activities relating to the development of new products or the improvement of existing products was $3.0 million, $3.7 million and $4.0 million in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and $1.2 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009, respectively.

Comprehensive income: Under ASC Topic 220 (SFAS No. 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income”), the Company is required to display comprehensive income and its components as part of the financial statements. Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income/(loss), which includes certain changes in equity that are excluded from net income. The Company includes adjustments for unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefits costs and unrealized gains and losses on hedging transactions in other comprehensive income. The income taxes related to the Company’s unrecognized pension and other postretirement benefits costs amounted to approximately $2.1 million, $0.3 million and $6.2 million for fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and $0 for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009. The income taxes related to the Company’s unrealized losses/gains on hedging transactions amounted to approximately $0.8 million, $3.4 million and $0.3 million, in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009, respectively.

Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments: The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Long-term debt: The fair value of the long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities. See Note 8 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding long-term debt.

Interest rate swap: The fair value of the interest rate swap is based upon valuation models, assumptions and publicly available information as provided by an outside resource.

Net (loss)/income per common share: ASC Topic 260 (SFAS No. 128 “Earnings per Share”), requires the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss)/income allocated to common stockholder by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. The Company’s weighted average number of shares outstanding are the same for both the basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share calculations for the fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 and for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The following table provides the calculation of income from continuing operations allocated to common stockholder and net (loss)/income allocated to common stockholder:

 

(dollars in thousands)

  Fiscal years ended   Three months ended
  June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
  June 27,
2009
  September 27,
2008
  September  26,
2009
                  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)

Income from continuing operations

  $ 33,184      $ 37,221   $ 53,105   $ 1,243   $ 121

Less: Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

    2,205        —       —       —       —  

Less: Dividends on preferred stock

    29,252        —       —       —       —  
                               

Income from continuing operations allocated to common stockholder

  $ 1,727      $ 37,221   $ 53,105   $ 1,243   $ 121
                               

Net (loss)/income

  $ (8,896   $ 38,051   $ 53,645   $ 1,611   $ 136

Less: Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

    2,205        —       —       —       —  

Less: Dividends on preferred stock

    29,252        —       —       —       —  
                               

Net (loss)/income allocated to common stockholder

  $ (40,353   $ 38,051   $ 53,645   $ 1,611   $ 136
                               

Note 2.    Related party transactions

The transaction: In connection with the August 19, 2002 Transaction, Birds Eye Group entered into several agreements effective as of the Closing Date, including the following:

(i) Termination agreement. Pro-Fac, a significant shareholder of Holdings LLC, and Birds Eye Group entered into a letter agreement dated as of the Closing Date (the Termination Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the marketing and facilitation agreement between Pro-Fac and Birds Eye Group (the “Old Marketing and Facilitation Agreement”) which, until the Closing Date, governed the crop supply and purchase relationship between Birds Eye Group and Pro-Fac, was terminated. In consideration of such termination, Birds Eye Group agreed to pay Pro-Fac a termination fee of $10.0 million per year for five years. The final $10.0 million payment was made during the year ended June 30, 2007.

(ii) Amended and restated marketing and facilitation agreement. Pro-Fac and Birds Eye Group entered into an amended and restated marketing and facilitation agreement dated as of the Closing Date (the “Amended and Restated Marketing and Facilitation Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Marketing and Facilitation Agreement replaced the Old Marketing and Facilitation Agreement. Birds Eye Group pays Pro-Fac the commercial market value (“CMV”) of the crops supplied in installments corresponding to the dates of payment by Pro-Fac to its members for crops delivered. CMV is defined as the weighted average price paid by other commercial processors for similar crops sold under preseason contracts and in the open market in the same or competing market areas. Birds Eye Group makes payments to Pro-Fac for an estimated CMV for a particular crop year, subject to adjustments to reflect the actual CMV following the end of such year. Commodity committees of Pro-Fac meet with Birds Eye Group management to establish CMV guidelines, review calculations, and report to a joint CMV committee of Pro-Fac and Birds Eye Group. The CMV of crops supplied by Pro-Fac was $49.2 million, $18.3 million and $23.2 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively.

Under the Amended and Restated Marketing and Facilitation Agreement, Birds Eye Group determines the amount of crops which Birds Eye Group will acquire from Pro-Fac for each crop year. If the amount to

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

be purchased by Birds Eye Group during a particular crop year does not meet (i) a defined crop amount and (ii) a defined target percentage of Birds Eye Group’s needs for each particular crop, then certain shortfall payments will be made by Birds Eye Group to Pro-Fac. The defined crop amounts and targeted percentages were set based upon the needs of Birds Eye Group in the 2002 crop year (fiscal 2003). The shortfall payment provisions of the agreement include a maximum shortfall payment, determined for each crop, that can be paid over the term of the Amended and Restated Marketing and Facilitation Agreement. The aggregate shortfall payment amounts for all crops currently purchased by the Company under the agreement cannot exceed $4.5 million over the remaining term of the agreement.

Unless terminated earlier, the Amended and Restated Marketing and Facilitation Agreement will continue in effect until August 19, 2012. Birds Eye Group may terminate the Amended and Restated Marketing and Facilitation Agreement prior to August 19, 2012 upon the occurrence of certain events, including in connection with a change in control transaction affecting Birds Eye Group or Birds Eye Holdings Inc. Birds Eye Group may terminate the Amended and Restated Marketing Agreement as a result of a change in control without the payment of any termination fee. Also, Birds Eye Group may sell portions of its business and the volumes of crop purchases previously made by Birds Eye Group with respect to the sold business are disregarded for purposes of determining shortfall payments.

(iii) Management agreement. The Company and Vestar Capital Partners entered into a management agreement dated as of August 19, 2002 (the “Management Agreement”) pursuant to which Vestar Capital Partners, an investment firm and affiliate of Vestar Capital Partners IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the sole member of Vestar/Agrilink Holdings (“Vestar Capital Partners”), provides advisory and consulting services to the Company. In consideration for such services, the Company pays Vestar Capital Partners an annual management fee equal to the greater of $1.0 million or 0.7 percent of the Company’s earnings, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The management fee paid by the Company to Vestar Capital Partners was $1.0 million in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The Management Agreement does not include investment banking or other financial advisory services in connection with acquisitions, divestitures, refinancings, or restructurings. In fiscal 2007, the Company paid $1.3 million to Vestar Capital Partners for services rendered in relation to the Company’s refinancing.

Note 3.    Discontinued operations and held for sale assets

Non-brand frozen vegetables business: On December 21, 2006, the Company completed the sale of its non-brand frozen vegetable business, historically reported in the non-brand reporting segment, to Allens Inc. (“Allens”) and recognized a gain on sale of $0.6 million recorded within discontinued operations. The sale consisted primarily of inventory and manufacturing facilities in Brockport, Bergen and Oakfield, New York; Fairwater, Wisconsin; and Montezuma, Georgia. The sale also included the Chill Ripe and Garden Classic brand names and the assumption by Allens of several contractual obligations associated with the non-brand frozen vegetable business.

As part of the decision to exit the non-brand frozen vegetable business, the Company also completed the closure of its manufacturing facility in Watsonville, California. During fiscal 2007, the Company sold certain tangible personal property located at the Watsonville location. The Company recorded a $5.7 million impairment charge to write down the carrying value of the Watsonville personal property to its fair value less costs to sell.

This charge is included within discontinued operations. The building, improvements, and remaining land in Watsonville, California are currently held for sale and are expected to be sold in fiscal 2010.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The Company’s decision to exit the non-brand frozen vegetable business also resulted in the elimination of a number of administrative positions in both the Rochester, New York and Green Bay, Wisconsin locations.

The following table highlights the fiscal 2007, 2008 and 2009 non-brand frozen vegetable business pre-tax exit costs recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 420 (SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”). The liability is included in other accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are all reported within discontinued operations:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Termination
benefits
    Contract
termination
costs
    Pension
charge
    Total  

Liability balance June 24, 2006

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Expense

     6,206        6,576        1,500        14,282   

Cash payments

     (4,446     —          —          (4,446

Buyers share of termination benefits

     199        —          —          199   
                                

Liability balance June 30, 2007

     1,959        6,576        1,500        10,035   

Expense/(income)

     278        —          (1,500     (1,222

Cash payments

     (1,913     (6,576     —          (8,489
                                

Liability balance June 28, 2008

     324        —          —          324   

Cash payments

     (247     —          —          (247
                                

Liability balance June 27, 2009

   $ 77      $ —        $ —        $ 77   
                                

There are no remaining exit costs expected.

In fiscal 2007, the Company also recorded a pre-tax fixed asset impairment charge of $18.9 million and recognized accelerated depreciation charges of $2.2 million to reflect the shortened asset lives which coincided with the final production dates. In addition, the Company recorded inventory markdowns of $15.3 million. These costs are all recorded within discontinued operations.

As required by the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Agreement dated August 19, 2002, the net proceeds from the sale of the non-brand frozen vegetable business were used to pay down borrowings on that facility.

The Company allocated interest expense and a portion of amortization of debt issue costs to discontinued operations in fiscal 2007 in the amount of $3.8 million. In addition, the Company wrote off $0.8 million in deferred financing fees in fiscal 2007 which is also included in discontinued operations.

In conjunction with the closure of the Watsonville, California facility in fiscal 2007, the Company estimated and recorded a withdrawal liability based on information from the union sponsored pension plan of approximately $1.5 million. In fiscal 2008, based upon new information received by the Company from the union sponsored pension plan, the Company revised the estimated liability as it was determined the Company has no withdrawal liability.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Discontinued operations—In accordance with ASC Topic 360 (SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”), the operations of the non-brand frozen vegetable business have been presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss)/Income as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Fiscal years ended  
   June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Net sales

   $ 107,112      $ —        $ —     
                        

(Loss)/gain before income taxes and gain on sale (inclusive of asset impairment, restructuring, and deferred financing charges described above)

   $ (69,102   $ 1,334      $ 865   

Gain on sale

     595        —          —     
                        

(Loss)/gain before income taxes

     (68,507     1,334        865   

Income tax benefit/(provision)

     26,427        (504     (325
                        

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

   $ (42,080   $ 830      $ 540   
                        

Held for sale assets The major classes of assets included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as held for sale assets are as follows:

 

     Fiscal years ended

(dollars in thousands)

   June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 7,661    $ 7,402
             

Note 4.    Inventories

The major classes of inventories, net of inventory obsolescence reserves of $1.2 million, $1.5 million and $1.6 million as of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, respectively, are as follows:

 

     Fiscal years ended    Three months
ended

(dollars in thousands)

   June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009
   September  26,
2009
               (Unaudited)

Finished goods

   $ 94,319    $ 108,971    $ 199,942

Raw materials and supplies

     21,356      26,945      18,897
                    

Total inventories

   $ 115,675    $ 135,916    $ 218,839
                    

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Note 5.    Property, plant and equipment and related obligations

The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment and related obligations at June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Fiscal years ended  
   June 28, 2008     June 27, 2009  
   Owned
assets
    Leased
assets
    Total     Owned
assets
    Leased
assets
    Total  

Land

   $ 6,662      $ —        $ 6,662      $ 6,658      $ —        $ 6,658   

Land improvements

     1,778        —          1,778        1,827        —          1,827   

Buildings

     34,213        —          34,213        44,830        —          44,830   

Machinery and equipment

     130,565        4,001        134,566        138,637        2,531        141,168   

Construction in progress

     3,613        —          3,613        7,973        —          7,973   
                                                
     176,831        4,001        180,832        199,925        2,531        202,456   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (72,118     (3,172     (75,290     (84,762     (644     (85,406
                                                

Net

   $ 104,713      $ 829      $ 105,542      $ 115,163      $ 1,887      $ 117,050   
                                                

Obligations under capital leases

     $ 818          $ 1,944     

Less current portion

       (742         (579  
                        

Long-term portion

     $ 76          $ 1,365     

Interest capitalized in conjunction with construction amounted to approximately $0.1 million in fiscal 2007 and approximately $0.5 million in fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments primarily for warehouse, production and office facilities and equipment, together with the present value of the minimum lease payments related to capitalize leases, both as of June 27, 2009.

 

Fiscal year ending last Saturday in June

(dollars in thousands)

   Capital
leases
    Operating
leases
   Total future
commitment

2010

   $ 692      $ 7,233    $ 7,925

2011

     680        6,996      7,676

2012

     677        5,843      6,520

2013

     113        4,621      4,734

2014

     —          3,760      3,760

Later years

     —          17,688      17,688
                     

Net minimum lease payments

     2,162      $ 46,141    $ 48,303
               

Less amount representing interest

     (218     
             

Present value of minimum lease payments

   $ 1,944        

Total rent expense related to operating leases (including lease arrangements of less than one year which are not included in the previous table) amounted to $9.6 million, $7.7 million and $8.2 million for fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Note 6.    Accounting for goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill: The Company follows ASC Topic 350 (SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”), which requires that goodwill not be amortized, but instead be tested at least annually for impairment and expensed against earnings when its implied fair value is less than its carrying amount.

During the quarters ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, the Company performed an annual impairment test as required by ASC Topic 350. The fair value of the Company’s reporting units was determined and was compared to their carrying value, indicating that no impairment exists.

During fiscal 2008, the Company reversed a pre-acquisition valuation allowance against state income tax credits and carryforwards resulting in a decrease in goodwill of $3.6 million. In accordance with ASC Topic 740 (EITF 93-7 “Uncertainties Related to Income Taxes in a Purchase Business Combination”), the effect of income tax settlements that result from prior business combinations years should be applied to increase or decrease the goodwill balance attributable to that acquisition. Accordingly, during fiscal year 2009 the Company decreased its goodwill by $1.9 million to reflect the estimates of the tax settlements for the amounts incurred prior to The Transaction. There were no changes in goodwill during the three months ended September 26, 2009.

A summary of changes in the Company’s goodwill during fiscal 2008 and 2009 by business segment is outlined as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Fiscal years ended
   June 30,
2007
   Adjustments     June 28,
2008
   Adjustments     June 27,
2009

Frozen food group

   $ 48,227    $ (3,186   $ 45,041    $ (1,635   $ 43,406

Specialty food group

     10,587      (435     10,152      (224     9,928
                                    

Total

   $ 58,814    $ (3,621   $ 55,193    $ (1,859   $ 53,334
                                    

Intangible assets: As outlined in ASC Topic 350, certain intangibles with a finite life are required to be amortized. ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with indefinite lives not be amortized, however, are required to be tested annually for impairment. During the quarters ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, the Company performed an asset impairment test and concluded that the fair value of such assets exceeded their carrying value.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The following schedule sets forth the major classes of intangible assets held by the Company:

 

(dollars in thousands)

  Estimated
lives
  Fiscal years ended     Three months ended  
    June 28, 2008     June 27, 2009     September 26, 2009  
    Gross
carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
    Gross
carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
    Gross
carrying
amount
  Accumulated
amortization
 
                            (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  

Amortized intangible assets:

             

Customer relationships

  9-36 years   $ 36,191   $ (8,160   $ 36,191   $ (9,842   $ 36,191   $ (10,263

License agreement

  14 years     10,406     (4,406     10,406     (5,156     10,406     (5,343

Other

  5 years     2,344     (1,872     2,344     (2,231     2,344     (2,321
                                           

Total

      48,941   $ (14,438     48,941   $ (17,229     48,941   $ (17,927
                                           

Unamortized intangible assets:

             

Trademarks

      179,500       179,500       179,500  
                         

Total

    $ 228,441     $ 228,441     $ 228,441  
                         

The aggregate amortization expense associated with intangible assets was approximately $2.8 million in fiscal 2007, 2008 and 2009 and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009. The aggregate amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2010 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years is estimated as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending last Saturday in June

(dollars in thousands)

    

2010

   $ 1,841

2011

   $ 2,435

2012

   $ 1,657

2013

   $ 1,544

2014

   $ 1,543

Note 7.    Accounting for derivative instruments, hedging activities, and fair value measurements

Derivative instruments and hedging activities

ASC Topic 815 (SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”), requires the recognition of all derivative financial instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value. Changes in the fair values of those derivatives will be reported in earnings or other comprehensive income depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The accounting for gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of a derivative and the effect on the consolidated financial statements will depend on its hedge designation and whether the hedge is highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flow of the asset or liability hedged. Under the provisions of ASC Topic 815, the method that will be used for assessing the effectiveness of a hedging derivative, as well as the measurement approach for determining the ineffective aspects of the hedge, must be established at the inception of the hedge.

The Company, as a result of its operating and financing activities, is exposed to changes in certain commodity prices and interest rates which may adversely affect its results of operations and financial position. In seeking to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with such activities, the Company has entered into select derivative contracts.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Commodity prices: The Company is exposed to commodity price risk related to forecasted purchases of corrugated (unbleached kraftliner) in its manufacturing process. To mitigate this risk, the Company entered into two forward purchase contracts with effective terms from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009 and September 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, respectively. The forward purchase contracts were designated as cash flow hedges of the Company’s forecasted corrugated purchases. The contracts hedged approximately 80 percent of the Company’s annual usage. At June 27, 2009, the contracts were completed and the fair values of the agreements were $0. In fiscal 2008, the Company entered into a forward purchase contract with an effective term from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. The forward purchase contract was designated as a cash flow hedge of the Company’s forecasted corrugated purchases. The contract hedged approximately 80 percent of the Company’s annual usage. At June 28, 2008, the contract was completed and the fair value of the agreement was $0.

The Company is also exposed to commodity price risk related to forecasted diesel fuel purchases. To mitigate the risk, the Company entered into a forward purchase contract in fiscal 2009 with an effective term from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The forward purchase contract will hedge approximately 70 percent of the Company’s annual diesel fuel purchases. The forward purchase contract is a derivative in which the Company elected not to use “hedge accounting”, as defined by ASC Topic 815. Accordingly, the Company recognizes in income the fair value gains and losses of this contract. At June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009 the fair value of the contract was approximately $1.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Consequently, a $1.3 million unrealized gain and a $0.7 million unrealized loss was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the fiscal 2009 and the three months ended September 26, 2009 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, respectively. Forward purchase contracts in effect as of September 26, 2009 were as follows:

 

Notional Amount

   Maturity    Strategy    Fixed Price

285,000 gallons/month

   06/30/2010    Not applicable    $ 2.46

Interest rate swap agreement: In order to reduce the Company’s exposure to fluctuations in interest rates, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement. This agreement effectively converts a portion of the Company’s floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. Such agreements involve the exchange of fixed-rate and floating-rate payments over the life of the agreement without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. The Company’s swap agreement qualifies for cash flow hedge accounting. The Company’s policy is to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties it considers to be creditworthy. The interest rate swap contract is for a period of three years and became effective on June 30, 2007. The contract requires payment of a fixed rate of interest (4.87 percent) and the receiving of a variable rate of interest (three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) of 2.70 percent and 1.22 percent as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively. The notional principal amount of indebtedness was $296.0 million and $229.0 million as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively, and amortizes quarterly according to a fixed schedule.

Approximately 41 percent and 33 percent of the Company’s underlying debt is being hedged with this interest rate swap at June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively. Swap agreements in effect as of September 26, 2009 were as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)       
               Weighted
Average Variable
       

Notional Amount

   Maturity    Strategy    LIBOR Rate     Fixed Rate  

$190,000

   06/30/2010    Cash Flow Hedge    0.62   4.87

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Weighted-average variable rates are subject to change over time as LIBOR fluctuates. Notional amounts do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of the Company’s interest rate exposure.

Neither the Company nor the counterparty is required to collateralize its obligations under the swap agreements. The Company is exposed to loss if the counterparty defaults. Management does not anticipate any non-performance by counterparties to the Company’s swap agreements, in part because all counterparties have investment grade credit ratings. Risk management strategies, such as interest rate swaps, are reviewed by the Company’s senior management. The Company’s policy is to limit the maximum amount of positions that can be taken in any given instrument.

The fair value, on a gross basis, of the Company’s derivative financial instruments included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 26, 2009 is presented as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

  

Balance Sheet Location

   Fair Value

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:

     

Interest rate swap agreement

  

Other accrued liabilities ($5,408);

Accrued interest ($1,984)

   $ 7,392
         

Total Derivatives

      $ 7,392
         

Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

     

Forward purchase contract

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets    $ 608
         

Total Derivatives

      $ 608
         

The activity for the three months ended September 26, 2009 related to the Company’s derivative financial instruments is presented as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

  Amount of Gain
Recognized in Other
Comprehensive Income
on Derivatives
 

Location of Gain

(Loss)

Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

into Earnings

(effective portion)

  Amount of  Gain
(Loss)

Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
into Earnings
(effective portion)

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships:

     

Interest rate swap agreement

  $ 922   Not applicable   $ —  
         

Total

  $ 922     $ —  
             

(dollars in thousands)

  Amount of Loss
Recognized in Income
on Derivatives
 

Location of Loss
Recognized in Income

on Derivatives

   

Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

     

Forward purchase contract

  $ 725   Selling, administrative, and general expense  
         

Total

  $ 725    
         

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it determines that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of a hedged item, the derivative or hedged item expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or management determines that it is no longer appropriate to designate the derivative as a hedge instrument. The discontinuation of hedge accounting would result in a reclassification into earnings of any gains or losses that are currently being reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company does not expect to reclassify any amounts from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings within the next 12 months.

The Company designated this interest rate swap contract as a cash flow hedge. The fair value of the cash flow hedge is generally deferred to other comprehensive income. At June 27, 2009, the fair value of the contract was ($9.0) million. At June 27, 2009, $2.1 million is reported in accrued interest, $6.9 million is reported in other non-current liabilities and an after-tax unrealized loss of $4.3 million was reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholder’s deficit. At June 28, 2008, the fair value of the contract was ($7.7) million. At June 28, 2008, $1.6 million was reported in accrued interest, $6.1 million was reported in other non-current liabilities and an after-tax unrealized loss of $3.8 million was reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholder’s deficit.

Fair value measurements

The Company adopted ASC Topic 820 (SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”) on June 29, 2008, for financial assets and financial liabilities. ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. ASC Topic 820 discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The statement utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

 

Level 1:

   Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

   Inputs, other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3:

   Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments by the foregoing ASC Topic 820 fair value hierarchy levels as of June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009:

 

    Fiscal year ended
June 27, 2009
  Three months ended
September 26, 2009

(dollars in thousands)

  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total

Assets

               

Cash equivalents

    $ 60,878     $ 60,878     $ 41,121     $ 41,121

Commodity derivative

    $ 1,334     $ 1,334     $ 608     $ 608

Liabilities

               

Interest rate exchange agreement derivative

    $ 8,963     $ 8,963     $ 7,392     $ 7,392

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The Company primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavors to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs, such as forward rates, interest rates, and counterparties’ credit risks, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company is able to establish fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs. Commodity derivatives and interest rate derivatives are classified as Level 2 fair value based upon pricing models using market-based inputs. Model inputs can be verified and valuation techniques do not involve significant management judgment.

Note 8.    Debt

The following is a summary of long-term debt outstanding:

 

     Fiscal years ended     Three months
ended
 

(dollars in thousands)

   June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 26,
2009
 
                 (Unaudited)  

JPMorgan term loan facility

   $ 385,500      $ 381,000      $ 379,875   

UBS term loan facility

     340,751        322,717        327,670   

Other debt

     —          1,180        1,116   

Revolving Credit Facility

     —          —          36,200   

UBS original issue discount

     (2,365     (1,681     (1,521
                        

Total debt

     723,886        703,216        743,340   

Less current portion

     (4,500     (4,756     (4,758
                        

Total long-term debt

   $ 719,386      $ 698,460      $ 738,582   

Bank debt facilities: On March 22, 2007, Birds Eye Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and certain of its subsidiaries, executed an amended and restated credit agreement (the “New Senior Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks and other lenders arranged and managed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent. (the “Refinancing”). The New Senior Credit Facility is comprised of (i) a $125.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and (ii) a $450.0 million senior secured B term loan (the “Term Loan Facility”).

The proceeds received by Birds Eye Group from the New Senior Credit Facility were used, in part, to repay $163.1 million of outstanding term loans due under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement dated August 19, 2002 and complete a dividend payment to Birds Eye Holdings Inc. Birds Eye Holdings Inc. subsequently distributed its share of the proceeds to Holdings LLC. Birds Eye Group paid $7.0 million in fees in conjunction with the Refinancing which have been capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the underlying debt. In conjunction with the repayment, a pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt of $2.9 million was recorded in fiscal 2007 and reflects the write-off of certain deferred financing fees associated with the previous credit facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility matures in March 2012 and allows up to $40.0 million to be available in the form of letters of credit. As of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, (i) cash borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility were $0, $0, and $36.2 million, respectively, (ii) there were $18.0 million, $16.4 million and $16.1 million in letters of credit outstanding as of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, respectively, and therefore (iii) availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was $107.0 million, $108.6 million and $72.7 million as of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009,

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

respectively. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at Birds Eye Group’s option, at a base rate or the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus, in each case, an applicable percentage. The appropriate applicable percentage corresponds to Birds Eye Group’s Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio, as defined by the New Senior Credit Facility, and is adjusted quarterly based on the calculation of the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio. As of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, the Revolving Credit Facility bears interest in the case of base rate loans at the Base Rate, as defined in the New Senior Credit Facility, plus (i) .75 percent, and (ii) in the case of LIBOR loans at LIBOR plus 1.75 percent for loans under the Revolving Credit Facility. The unused commitment fee is .38 percent as of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009 on the daily average unused commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility and also varies based on Birds Eye Group’s Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio.

The Term Loan Facility bears interest at Birds Eye Group’s option, at a base rate or LIBOR plus, in each case, an applicable percentage. The Term Loan Facility bears interest in the case of base rate loans at the Base Rate, as defined in the New Senior Credit Facility, plus a fixed 1.25 percent and in the case of LIBOR loans at LIBOR plus 1.75 percent (to increase to 2.00 percent in the event that Birds Eye Group’s Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio is greater than 5.00 to 1.00). As of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, the interest rate under the Term Loan Facility was 4.45 percent, 2.97 percent and 2.19 percent, respectively.

The Term Loan Facility requires payments in quarterly installments in the amount of $1,125,000 starting June 30, 2007 and matures on March 22, 2013 upon which the balance is due. In fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, Birds Eye Group made mandatory payments of $1,125,000, $3,375,000 and $4,500,000, respectively. In the first three months of fiscal 2010, Birds Eye Group made mandatory payments of $1,125,000. A voluntary prepayment of $60.0 million was made in fiscal 2007. The Term Loan Facility is also subject to mandatory prepayments under various scenarios as defined in the New Senior Credit Facility. Provisions of the New Senior Credit Facility require that annual payments, within 105 days after the end of each fiscal year, commencing in fiscal 2008, in the amount of “excess cash flow,” as defined in the New Senior Credit Facility, be utilized to prepay the Term Loan Facility at an applicable percentage that corresponds to the Company’s Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio. The excess cash flow payment is based in part on Birds Eye Group’s operating income during the year less capital expenditures and cash interest. No “excess cash flow” payments were due for the years ended June 28, 2008 or June 27, 2009.

Birds Eye Group’s previous credit facility also included an “excess cash flow” provision. The amount of “excess cash flow” payment for the year ended June 24, 2006 was $8.6 million and was paid in fiscal 2007.

The New Senior Credit Facility contains customary covenants and restrictions on Birds Eye Group’s activities, including, but not limited to: (i) limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness; (ii) limitations on sale-leaseback transactions, liens, investments, loans, advances, guarantees, acquisitions, asset sales, and certain hedging agreements; (iii) restrictions or limitations on the ability to pay dividends and (iv) limitations on transactions with affiliates and other distributions. The Revolving Credit Facility also requires Birds Eye Group to maintain a maximum average total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) ratio (“Consolidated Net Senior Secured Leverage Ratio”) when amounts are outstanding on the last day of any fiscal quarter. As of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, Birds Eye Group was in compliance with all covenants, restrictions, and requirements under the terms of the New Senior Credit Facility.

Birds Eye Group’s obligations under the New Senior Credit Facility are collateralized by a first priority lien on: (i) substantially all existing or after-acquired assets, tangible or intangible, (ii) the capital stock of Birds Eye

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Group and its domestic subsidiaries, and (iii) 65% of the capital stock in certain foreign subsidiaries. Birds Eye Group’s obligations under the New Senior Credit Facility are guaranteed by Birds Eye Holdings Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries. See Note 13 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding guarantees and indemnifications.

On July 11, 2007 Birds Eye Foods, executed a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with UBS Loan Finance, LLC, as the lender and UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement consists of a $310.0 million term loan and was issued at a 1% discount. Birds Eye Foods paid $8.7 million in financing fees which have been capitalized and are being amortized over the life of the underlying debt.

The maturity date of the term loan facility is July 11, 2012 at which time the principal amount is due. The term loan facility bears interest at the Company’s option, at a Base Rate or LIBOR plus, in each case, an applicable percentage. The term loan facility bears interest in the case of base rate loans at the Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus: 3.5% through December 27, 2008, 4.0% from December 28, 2008 through December 26, 2009 and 4.5% thereafter. In the case of LIBOR loans, at LIBOR plus: 4.5% through December 27, 2008, 5.0% from December 28, 2008 through December 26, 2009 and 5.5% thereafter. The interest rate under this term loan facility was 6.08 percent at June 27, 2009, 7.97 percent at June 28, 2008 and 6.00 percent at September 26, 2009.

Birds Eye Foods may elect to pay interest (i) in cash, (ii) in kind or (iii) half in cash and half in kind. Interest paid in kind is calculated at a rate 0.75% higher than the rates outlined above and is added to the unpaid principal amount of the term loan.

The net proceeds from the Credit Agreement were used by the Company to pay a $298.2 million dividend to its parent, Holdings LLC.

The UBS Credit Facility contains customary covenants and restrictions on the Company’s activities, including, but not limited to: (i) limitations on the incurrence of indebtedness; (ii) limitations on sale-leaseback transactions, liens, investments, loans, advances, guarantees, acquisitions, and asset sales; and (iii) limitations on transactions with affiliates and other distributions. As of June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all covenants, restrictions, and requirements under the terms of the UBS Credit Facility.

The Company’s obligations under the UBS Credit Facility are not collateralized.

Other debt: In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, Birds Eye Group entered into a low interest rate loan with the power utility provider for its Darien facility as incentive to install new, more energy efficient equipment. The total amount of the loan is $1.3 million and bears an interest rate of 1.0%. The loan requires payments in equal monthly installments and matures in December 2013.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Revolving credit facility: Borrowings under the short-term Revolving Credit Facility were as follows:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Fiscal years ended     Three months
ended
 
   June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 26,
2009
 
                 (Unaudited)  

Balance at period end

   $ —        $ —        $ 36,200   

Rate at period end

     N/A        N/A        2.0

Maximum outstanding during the period

   $ 56,400      $ 78,600      $ 37,100   

Average amount outstanding during the period

   $ 20,854      $ 30,964      $ 8,737   

Weighted average interest rate during the period

     6.8     3.1     2.0

Senior subordinated notes—11 7/8 percent (due 2008): In fiscal 1999, Birds Eye Group issued Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Notes) for $200.0 million aggregate principal amount due November 1, 2008. On November 24, 2003, Birds Eye Group repaid $150.0 million of these Notes and on November 20, 2006 Birds Eye Group repurchased the remaining $50.0 million.

In conjunction with the fiscal 2007 repayment, a $0.6 million pre-tax gain on early extinguishment of debt was recorded and reflects the write off of the remaining unamortized premium.

Debt maturity schedule: The following table summarizes the Company’s future payments due on debt as of June 27, 2009:

 

Fiscal year ending last Saturday in June

(dollars in thousands)

    

2010

   $ 4,756

2011

     4,760

2012

     5,889

2013

     689,358

2014

     134
      

Total

   $ 704,897
      

Fair value: The estimated fair value of long-term debt outstanding, including the current portion, was approximately $693.0 million, $638.0 million and $690.5 million at June 28, 2008, June 27, 2009 and September 26, 2009, respectively. The fair value for long-term debt was estimated using either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or the current rates offered to the Company for debt with similar maturities.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Note 9.    Taxes on income

The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are C Corporations which are subject to federal, state, and foreign taxation.

The tax provision on pretax income from continuing operations includes the following:

 

     Fiscal years ended  

(dollars in thousands)

   June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Federal—

      

Current

   $ (24,094   $ (1,822   $ (16,501

Deferred

     3,535        (18,040     (10,806
                        
     (20,559     (19,862     (27,307

State and foreign—

      

Current

     (2,460     (4,538     2,063   

Deferred

     609        2,909        (976
                        
     (1,851     (1,629     1,087   
                        
   $ (22,410   $ (21,491   $ (26,220
                        

A reconciliation of the effective tax rate to the amount computed by applying the federal income tax rate to pretax income from continuing operations is as follows:

 

     Fiscal years ended  
     June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Statutory federal rate

   35.0   35.0   35.0

State and foreign income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

   3.3   4.0   3.9

Adjustment of state income tax reserves

   0.0   0.8   -2.3

Change in state valuation allowance

   3.1   -3.5   -3.0

Domestic manufacturing deduction

   0.0   -0.6   -1.1

Other, net

   -1.1   0.9   0.6
                  

Effective Tax Rate

   40.3   36.6   33.1
                  

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Deferred tax (liabilities)/assets consist of the following:

 

     Fiscal years ended  

(dollars in thousands)

   June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Liabilities—

    

Depreciation

   $ (16,732   $ (18,468

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     (44,480     (48,540

Basis difference in partnership interest

     (8,324     (8,258

Prepaid manufacturing expense

     (1,103     (1,073

Debt issue costs

     (215     (156
                

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (70,854     (76,495
                

Assets—

    

Inventories

     2,461        2,058   

Credits and operating loss carryforwards

     21,022        18,256   

Insurance accruals

     3,746        3,698   

Pension/post retirement benefit accruals

     15,748        19,869   

State tax accruals

     1,895        469   

Interest rate swap

     2,331        2,589   

Contribution carryforward

     772        —     

Other

     3,770        3,068   
                

Total deferred tax assets

     51,745        50,007   
                

Net deferred tax liability

     (19,109     (26,488

Valuation allowance

     (14,620     (12,239
                

Total

   $ (33,729   $ (38,727
                

The net deferred tax asset/(liability) is reflected on the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

 

     Fiscal years ended  

(dollars in thousands)

   June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Current deferred tax asset

   $ 3,786      $ 4,877   

Non-current deferred tax liability

     (37,515     (43,604
                

Total deferred taxes

   $ (33,729   $ (38,727
                

Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers the scheduled reversal of the deferred tax liabilities, the level of historical taxable income, and the projected future taxable income over the periods in which the temporary differences comprising the deferred tax assets will be deductible. The change in the valuation allowance recorded in the income tax provision totaled $1.7 million, $(3.0) million and $(2.4) million during the years ended June 30, 2007, June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The remaining change in valuation allowance totaling $ (3.6) million during the year ended June 28, 2008 was recorded as a reduction of goodwill. See Note 6 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”. The change in the Company’s valuation allowance during the year ended June 27, 2009 was due to enhanced profitability.

The Company has varying state net operating loss carryforwards depending on whether it files on a combined or separate company basis by jurisdiction. The tax effect of these state net operating loss carryforwards is $8 million. The expiration dates of the state net operating loss carryforwards vary. Ultimately, all state net operating loss carryforwards will expire on or before June 2026, if not utilized by the Company. The Company has state credits totaling $8.8 million of which $1.7 million expire on or before June 2021. The remaining $7.1 million in state credits do not expire. The Company’s June 27, 2009 foreign net operating loss carryforward is $1.3 million. These foreign net operating loss carryforwards expire on or before June 2019.

As of June 27, 2009, the Company maintained a valuation allowance in the amount of $12.2 million. The valuation allowance was established for foreign and state net operating losses and state tax credits which the Company cannot assure that realization of the net operating losses and credits is more likely than not to occur.

The Company was required to adopt ASC Topic 740-10-25 (FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”), on July 1, 2007. As a result of the adoption of ASC Topic 740-10-25, there was a $3.6 million cumulative effect adjustment for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as an adjustment to accumulated deficit as of July 1, 2007.

The following is a rollforward of the Company’s liability for income taxes associated with unrecognized tax benefits:

 

(dollars in thousands)

      

Balance as of July 1, 2007

   $ 4,767   

Tax positions related to current year

     72   
        

Balance as of June 28, 2008

     4,839   

Tax positions related to current year

     196   

Tax positions related to prior years:

  

Settlements

     (3,733

Lapses in statutes of limitations

     (54
        

Balance as of June 27, 2009

   $ 1,248   
        

The Company’s policy regarding interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters is to recognize such items as a component of the income tax provision. During the years ended June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, the Company recognized approximately $0.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of interest expense. Additionally, the Company had approximately $4.7 million and $0.6 million of interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax benefits accrued as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively.

If the unrecognized tax benefits were recognized, they would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods. Consistent with the provisions of ASC Topic 740-10-25, the Company has considered whether certain income tax liabilities should be classified as current or noncurrent based on management’s estimate of when these liabilities will be settled. The Company has concluded that these income tax liabilities are noncurrent and included them in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

It is reasonably possible that the liability associated with the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes may be the result of ongoing audits, settlements or the expiration of statutes of limitations. Currently, the Company is unable to estimate the range of increases or decreases to its unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company files numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in many state jurisdictions. The Company has been audited for U.S. federal income tax matters for years through June 25, 2005. The Company’s U.S. tax matters for the years June 25, 2005 through June 27, 2009 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Substantially all material state and local income tax matters have been concluded for years through June 28, 2003. The Company’s tax matters for 2003 through 2009 remain subject to examination by the respective state and local tax jurisdiction authorities.

During year ended June 27, 2009, the Company reached settlements with several state authorities. As a result, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $2.0 million, including interest and penalties.

Note 10.    Pensions, profit sharing, and other employee benefits

Pensions: In September 2006, the FASB issued ASC Topic 715 (SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”). ASC Topic 715 requires that employers recognize the funded status of their defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans on the consolidated balance sheet and record changes as a component of other comprehensive income in the year in which the changes are made. The Company and its subsidiaries adopted the recognition and related disclosure provisions of ASC Topic 715, prospectively, on June 30, 2007. The effect of the recognition provisions of ASC Topic 715, net of taxes, was to increase Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and Stockholder’s Deficit by $2.1 million as of June 30, 2007.

ASC Topic 715 also requires an entity to measure plan assets and benefit obligations, as of the date of its fiscal year-end statement of financial position for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. The Company and its subsidiaries early adopted this requirement and changed the measurement date of its pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans from March 31 to its June fiscal year end. The fiscal 2007 net periodic benefit cost was determined using the alternative transition method outlined in paragraph 19 of ASC Topic 715. Under this approach, the fiscal 2007 periodic benefit cost was set equal to twelve-fifteenths of the net periodic benefit cost determined for the period April 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The remaining three-fifteenths of the net periodic benefit cost for the period April 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 was charged to accumulated deficit. The impact of adopting the ASC Topic 715 measurement date provisions increased accumulated deficit by $1.1 million as of June 30, 2007.

In fiscal 2007, the Company’s Master Hourly Pension Plan and Master Salaried Retirement Plan were merged and the new combined plan is the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan (The “New Pension Plan). The New Pension Plan consists of hourly and salaried employees and has primarily noncontributory defined-benefit schedules.

In September 2001, the Company made the decision to freeze benefits provided under its Master Salaried Retirement Plan. This plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals effective September 28, 2001. Participants who, on that date, were actively employed and who had attained age 40, completed 5 years of vesting service, and whose sum of age and vesting services was 50 or more, were grandfathered. Grandfathered participants were

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

entitled to continue to earn benefit service in accordance with the provisions of the plan with respect to periods of employment after September 28, 2001 but in no event beyond September 28, 2006.

The Company maintains a non-tax qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which provides additional retirement benefits to two prior executives of the Company who retired prior to November 4, 1994. In July 2000, the Company adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement (“SERA”) to provide additional retirement benefits to its former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. The Separation Agreement with the former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer amended the SERA so as to provide full retirement benefits as outlined in the SERA beginning January 1, 2009.

The Company maintains an Excess Benefit Retirement Plan which serves to provide employees with the same retirement benefit they would have received from the Company’s retirement plan under the career average base pay formula, but for changes required under the 1986 Tax Reform Act and the compensation limitation under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code having been revised in the 1992 Omnibus Budget Reform Act. This plan was amended to freeze benefit accruals effective September 28, 2001. Participants who, on that date, were actively employed and who had attained age 40, completed 5 years of vesting service, and whose sum of age and vesting services was 50 or more, were grandfathered. Grandfathered participants were entitled to continue to earn benefit service in accordance with the provisions of the plan with respect to periods of employment after September 28, 2001 but in no event beyond September 28, 2006.

In fiscal 2008, the Company merged the Southland Frozen Foods Plan, in which a small number of former union hourly employees had vested pension benefits, into the Birds Eye Foods Pension Plan.

In fiscal 2007, the Company also participated in one union sponsored pension plan associated with its Watsonville, California manufacturing facility. Contributions to this plan were paid when incurred and billed by the sponsoring union or plan. In conjunction with the closure of the Watsonville, California facility in fiscal 2007, the Company withdrew from this plan and incurred no withdrawal liability.

For purposes of this disclosure, all defined-benefit pension plans have been combined. The benefits for these plans are based primarily on years of service and employees’ pay near retirement. The Company’s funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of Federal laws and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of common stocks, corporate bonds and US government obligations. Plan assets do not include any of the Company’s own equity or debt securities.

The following table sets forth the weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans by asset category:

 

     Fiscal years ended  
     June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Asset category:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   2.1   2.1

Fixed income

   53.7      53.9   

Equity securities

   44.2      44.0   
            

Total

   100.0   100.0
            

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The Company uses multiple investment funds and managers for investment of the assets of the plans. Oversight of the investment advisors is provided by an outside investment consulting firm and an Investment Committee comprised of Company’s management. The investment performance and adherence to investment policy is reviewed quarterly by the Investment Committee. The investment objective for the plans is to maintain a well-diversified portfolio of assets using multiple managers and diversified asset classes and styles to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk.

The Company has established the following general target asset allocation mix for its plan investments.

 

     Target  

Equities

   50

Fixed income

   50
      

Total

   100
      

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the plans’ projected benefit obligation and plan assets and the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Pension benefits  
   Fiscal years ended  
   June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

   $ 139,137      $ 134,378   

Service cost

     2,413        2,154   

Interest cost

     8,849        9,208   

Plan participants’ contributions

     50        47   

Curtailments

     —          (494

Actuarial (gain)/loss

     (3,649     891   

Benefits paid and actual expenses

     (11,478     (12,289

Plan amendment

     (944     90   
                

Benefit obligation at end of period

     134,378        133,985   
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

     109,184        101,555   

Actual return on plan assets

     1,668        (8,675

Employer contributions

     2,131        13,706   

Plan participants’ contributions

     50        47   

Benefits paid and actual expenses

     (11,478     (12,289
                

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

     101,555        94,344   
                

Funded status

   $ (32,823   $ (39,641
                

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:

    

Non-current assets

   $ —        $ —     

Current liabilities

     (574     (931

Non-current liabilities

     (32,249     (38,710
                

Net amount recognized in the balance sheet

   $ (32,823   $ (39,641
                

Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic pension cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss):

    

Transition asset/(obligation)

   $ —        $ —     

Prior service credit/(cost)

     921        486   

Net loss

     (23,250     (39,631
                

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (22,329   $ (39,145

Cumulative employer contributions in excess of net periodic pension cost

     (10,494     (496
                

Net amount recognized in balance sheet

   $ (32,823   $ (39,641
                

Amounts expected to be recognized in net periodic pension cost in the following fiscal year:

    

Amortization of (asset)/obligation

   $ —        $ —     

Amortization of prior service (credit)/cost

     (117     (79

Amortization of loss

     1,360        3,025   
                

Amounts expected to be recognized in the following year

   $ 1,243      $ 2,946   
                

Weighted-average assumptions

    

Assumptions used for projected benefit obligation:

    

Discount rate

     7.1     7.1

Rate of compensation increase

     3.8     3.8

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:

    

Discount rate

     6.6     7.1

Expected return on plan assets (1)

     8.3     8.3

Rate of compensation increase

     3.8     3.8

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

 

(1) To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, the Company considered the current level of expected returns on risk-free investments (primarily government bonds), the historical level of the risk premium associated with the other asset classes in which the portfolio is invested and the expectations for future returns of each asset class. The expected return for each asset class was then weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption.

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $131.5 million and $130.4 million at June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009, respectively.

Net periodic benefit cost in fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009 and the three months ended September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is comprised of the following:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Pension cost  
   Fiscal years ended     Three months ended  
   June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
    September 27,
2008
    September 26,
2009
 
                       (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

          

Service cost

   $ 2,913      $ 2,413      $ 2,154      $ 538      $ 550   

Interest cost

     8,765        8,849        9,208        2,302        2,310   

Expected return on plan assets

     (7,237     (8,634     (8,669     (2,167     (1,932

Amortization of prior service cost

     10        6        (117     (30     (20

Recognized actuarial loss

     1,018        955        1,360        340        756   

Curtailment loss

     —          —          (228     (57     —     
                                        

Net periodic benefit cost—Company plans

     5,469        3,589        3,708        926        1,664   

Net periodic benefit cost—union plans

     267        —          —          —          —     

Curtailment loss

     20        —          —          —          —     

Special termination benefits

     85        —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total periodic benefit costs

   $ 5,841      $ 3,589      $ 3,708      $ 926      $ 1,664   
                                        

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the retirement plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were:

 

     Birds Eye Foods
pension plan
   Excess benefit
retirement plan
   Supplemental
executive
retirement plan
   Supplemental
executive
retirement agreement
     Fiscal years ended    Fiscal years ended    Fiscal years ended    Fiscal years ended

(dollars in thousands)

   June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009
   June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009
   June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009
   June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 125,401    $ 124,931    $ 1,244    $ 1,221    $ 1,674    $ 1,620    $ 6,059    $ 6,213

Accumulated benefit obligation

     122,508      121,376      1,244      1,221      1,674      1,620      6,059      6,213

Fair value of plan assets

     101,555      94,344      —        —        —        —        —        —  

The Company expects to contribute $9.0 million in payments to its pension plans in fiscal 2010 of which $1.7 million was paid during the three months ended September 26, 2009.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Expected pension benefit payments, which reflect expected future service costs, as appropriate, over the next 10 years are as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending last Saturday in June

(dollars in thousands)

    

2010

   $ 8,656

2011

   $ 8,874

2012

   $ 9,163

2013

   $ 9,445

2014

   $ 9,676

2015-2019

   $ 53,454

Postretirement benefits other than pensions: The Company sponsors benefit plans that provide postretirement medical and life insurance benefits for certain current and former employees. For the most part, current employees are not eligible for the postretirement medical coverage. Generally, other than pensions, the Company does not pay retirees’ benefit costs. Various exceptions exist, which have evolved from union negotiations, early retirement incentives and existing retiree commitments from acquired companies.

The Company has not prefunded any of its retiree medical or life insurance liabilities. Consequently there are no plan assets held in a trust, and there is no expected long-term rate of return assumption for purposes of determining the annual expense.

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the plans’ projected benefit obligation and plan assets and the plans’ funded status and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009.

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Other benefits  
   Fiscal years ended  
   June 28,
2008
    June 27,
2009
 

Change in benefit obligation:

    

Benefit obligation at beginning of period

   $ 3,643      $ 3,409   

Service cost

     17        7   

Interest cost

     224        225   

Actuarial gain

     (111     (131

Benefits paid

     (364     (421
                

Benefit obligation at end of period

     3,409        3,089   
                

Change in plan assets:

    

Fair value of assets at beginning of period

     —          —     

Employer contributions

     364        421   

Benefits paid

     (364     (421
                

Fair value of assets at end of period

     —          —     
                

Funded status

   $ (3,409   $ (3,089
                

Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:

    

Current liabilities

   $ (457   $ (403

Non-current liabilities

     (2,952     (2,686
                

Net amount recognized in the balance sheet

   $ (3,409   $ (3,089
                

Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic pension cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

    

Accumulated loss

   $ (185   $ (54
                

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   $ (185   $ (54

Cumulative employer contributions in excess of net periodic benefit cost

     (3,224     (3,035
                

Net amount recognized in the balance sheet

   $ (3,409   $ (3,089
                

Amounts expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost in the following fiscal year:

    

Transition (asset)/obligation

     —          —     

Prior service (credit)/cost

     —          —     

Accumulated (gain)/loss

     —          —     

Weighted-average assumptions

    

Assumptions used for projected benefit obligation:

    

Discount rate

     7.1     7.1

Rate of compensation increase

     —          —     

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:

    

Discount rate

     6.6     7.1

Expected return on plan assets

     N/A        N/A   

Rate of compensation increase

     3.8     3.8

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

(dollars in thousands)

   Other benefits    Three months ended
   Fiscal years ended   
   June 30,
2007
    June 28,
2008
   June 27,
2009
   September 27,
2008
   September  26,
2009
                     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

             

Service cost

   $ 35      $ 17    $ 7    $ 2    $ —  

Interest cost

     237        224      225      56      52

Amortization of prior service credit

     (21     —        —        —        —  

Amortization of loss

     102        —        —        —        —  
                                   

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 353      $ 241    $ 232    $ 58    $ 52
                                   

For measurement purposes, a 9.1 percent rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 2009. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5 percent for 2029 and remain at that level thereafter.

The assumed health care trend rates can have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement benefits plan. A one-percentage point change in the assumed health care trend rates would have the following effect:

 

(dollars in thousands)

   1-percentage
point increase
   1-percentage
point decrease
 

Effect on total of service and interest cost components for fiscal 2009

   $ 10    $ (9

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation at June 27, 2009

   $ 132    $ (115

The Company expects to make payments of approximately $0.4 million to its other postretirement benefit plans in fiscal year 2010.

The Company expects to make postretirement benefit payments, which reflect expected future service costs, as appropriate, over the next 10 years as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending last Saturday in June

(dollars in thousands)

    

2010

   $ 403

2011

   $ 395

2012

   $ 399

2013

   $ 345

2014

   $ 320

2015-2019

   $ 1,332

Birds Eye Foods 401(k) plan: Under the Birds Eye Foods 401(k) Plan (“401(k)”), the Company contributes matching contributions to the plan for the benefit of employees who elect to defer a portion of their salary into the plan. The Company allocated approximately $1.0 million during fiscal 2007 and approximately $0.8 million during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 in the form of matching contributions to the plan.

In addition, Birds Eye Group also maintains a Non-Qualified 401(k) Plan in which the Company allocates matching contributions for the benefit of “highly compensated employees” as defined under Section 414(q) of

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

the Internal Revenue Code. The Company allocated approximately $0.6 million during fiscal 2007 and approximately $0.3 million during fiscal years 2008 and 2009 in the form of matching contributions to this plan.

Note 11.    Stockholder’s deficit and preferred stock

Common stock: There are 1000 common shares authorized and issued to Holdings LLC. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted by the Company’s stockholders. In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company paid a common stock dividend of approximately $298.2 million to Holdings LLC.

Preferred stock: In connection with The Transaction, 100 preferred shares were issued to Holdings LLC. Owners of preferred stock were entitled to a cumulative preferred stockholder return of 15% per annum of the original cost. This preferred return was computed based on a 360-day year consisting of 12 equal months and was compounded quarterly.

In March, 2007 the Company redeemed all of the outstanding preferred stock. The Company paid a price per preferred share equal to the product of the stockholder’s preferred capital plus the accumulated unpaid preferred returns.

In connection with the original issuance of the preferred stock, the Company incurred approximately $4.0 million in issuance costs. These costs were being accreted using the effective interest method through August 19, 2010 pursuant to the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Holding LLC’s Limited Liability Company Agreement. In conjunction with the redemption of the preferred units in March 2007, the accretion of the issuance costs was accelerated and the remaining $1.8 million of unamortized costs were recognized.

The following table reflects the preferred stock activity for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007:

 

(dollars in thousands)

      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 242,454   

Dividends on preferred stock

     29,252   

Accretion of preferred stock issuance costs

     2,205   

Redemption of preferred stock and accumulated unpaid returns

     (273,911
        

Balance at end of period

   $ —     
        

There was no preferred stock activity during the fiscal years ended June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009.

Note 12.    Operating segments

The Company is organized by product line for management reporting. The Company has three reportable segments in which it markets its products, they include: frozen food group, specialty food group, and industrial—other. The frozen food group includes two operating segments and the specialty food group includes three operating segments. The operating segments within each reportable segment have been aggregated in accordance with ASC Topic 280 (SFAS No. 131 “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”). Primarily all of each segments net sales are within the United States. See further discussion at Note 3 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s exit of the non-brand frozen vegetable business.

The Company’s frozen food group family of products includes traditional frozen vegetables as well as value added products marketed under recognizable brand names such as Birds Eye, Steamfresh, Voila!, C&W,

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Freshlike and McKenzie’s. Also included in frozen food group are store brand box sauce frozen vegetables. The Company’s specialty food group family of products includes a wide variety of product offerings, including fruit fillings and toppings (Comstock and Wilderness), chili and chili ingredients (Nalley and Brooks), salad dressings (Bernstein’s and Nalley) and snacks (Tim’s, Snyder of Berlin, and Husman). Specialty food group also includes store brand products such as fruit fillings and toppings, chili products, and other canned products as well as food service/industrial products such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, fruit fillings and toppings, and chili products. Industrial—other includes frozen industrial vegetables for a limited number of customers.

One customer accounted for 21 percent, 23 percent and 25 percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales in fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. This customer purchases products from the frozen food group and specialty food group operating segments.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company allocates resources to segments and evaluates the performance of segments based upon reported segment income before interest expense and income taxes and certain other non-recurring items. The Company does not have any intersegment sales.

The following table illustrates the Company’s operating segment information:

 

(dollars in millions)

   Fiscal year ended     Three months ended  
   June 30,
2007(4)
    June 28,
2008(4)
    June 27,
2009(4)
    September  27,
2008(4)
    September  26,
2009(4)
 
                       (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

Net sales:

          

Frozen food group

   $ 494.1      $ 587.4      $ 647.0      $ 125.3      $ 114.9   

Specialty food group

     275.2        274.4        279.4        68.6        66.1   

Industrial—other

     13.4        6.5        9.2        1.5        0.1   
                                        

Total continuing segments

   $ 782.7      $ 868.3      $ 935.6      $ 195.4      $ 181.1   
                                        

Operating income:

          

Frozen food group

   $ 45.1      $ 76.7      $ 81.6      $ 3.6      $ 0.1   

Specialty food group

     45.5        48.0        53.4        13.0        11.3   

Industrial—other

     (2.4     (2.2     (3.2     (0.5     (0.1

Restructuring (1)

     (0.4     (0.7     (1.2     —          —     

Other expense (2)

     (1.4     —          (1.3     —          —     

Transition costs (3)

     (2.9     —          —          —          —     
                                        

Operating income

     83.5        121.8        129.3        16.1        11.3   

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     (2.3     —          —          —          —     

Interest expense

     (25.6     (63.1     (50.0     (13.7     (11.0
                                        

Pretax income from continuing operations

   $ 55.6      $ 58.7      $ 79.3      $ 2.4      $ 0.3   
                                        

Depreciation expense:

          

Frozen food group

   $ 10.8      $ 9.5      $ 10.2      $ 2.1      $ 1.9   

Specialty food group

     4.9        5.2        5.2        1.3        1.2   

Industrial—other

     0.5        0.1        0.2        0.1        —     
                                        

Continuing segments

     16.2        14.8        15.6        3.5        3.1   

Discontinued operations

     5.2        —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total

   $ 21.4      $ 14.8      $ 15.6      $ 3.5      $ 3.1   
                                        

Amortization expense:

          

Frozen food group

   $ 1.8      $ 1.8      $ 1.8      $ 0.4      $ 0.4   

Specialty food group

     1.0        1.0        1.0        0.3        0.3   

Industrial—other

     —          —          —          —          —     
                                        

Total continuing segments

   $ 2.8      $ 2.8      $ 2.8      $ 0.7      $ 0.7   
                                        

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

 

(1) Represents restructuring charges which are not allocated to individual segments. This item is excluded from the Company’s evaluation of segment performance. See Note 14 to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s restructuring activities.
(2) Other expense is not allocated to individual segments. These items are excluded from the Company’s evaluation of segment performance.
(3) Represents incremental expenses incurred during the transition of the non-brand frozen vegetable business. Transition costs are not allocated to individual segments and are excluded from the Company’s evaluation of segment performance.
(4) Asset and capital expenditure information on a segment basis is not disclosed as this information is not separately identified and is not internally reported to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s chief operating decision maker.

Note 13.    Guarantees and indemnifications

In certain instances when the Company sells businesses or assets, the Company may retain certain liabilities for known exposures and provide indemnification to the buyer with respect to future claims for certain unknown liabilities existing, or arising from events occurring, prior to the sale date, including liabilities for taxes, legal matters, environmental exposures, labor contingencies, product liability, and other obligations. The terms of the indemnifications vary in duration, from one to three years for certain types of indemnities, to terms for tax indemnifications that are generally aligned to the applicable statute of limitations for the jurisdiction in which the tax is imposed, and to terms for certain liabilities (i.e., warranties of title and environmental liabilities) that typically do not expire. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications are either contractually limited to a specified amount or unlimited. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications are not determinable at this time, as any future payments would be dependent on the type and extent of the related claims, and all relevant defenses, which are not estimable. Historically, costs incurred to resolve claims related to these indemnifications have not been material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company enters into agreements with indemnification provisions in the ordinary course of business with its customers, suppliers, service providers and business partners. In such instances, the Company usually indemnifies, holds harmless and agrees to reimburse the indemnified party for claims, actions, liabilities, losses and expenses in connection with any Company infringement of third party intellectual property or proprietary rights, or when applicable, in connection with any personal injuries or property damage resulting from any Company products sold or services provided. Additionally, the Company may from time to time agree to indemnify and hold harmless its providers of services from claims, actions, liabilities, losses and expenses relating to their services to the Company, except to the extent finally determined to have resulted from the fault of the provider of services relating to such services. The level of conduct constituting fault of the service provider varies from agreement to agreement and may include conduct which is defined in terms of negligence, gross negligence, willful misconduct, omissions or other culpable behavior. The terms of these indemnification provisions are generally not limited. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions are unlimited. The maximum potential future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions are not determinable at this time, as any future payments would be dependent on the type and extent of the related claims, and all relevant defenses to the claims, which are not estimable. Historically, costs incurred to resolve claims related to these indemnification provisions have not been material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company has by-laws, policies, and agreements under which it indemnifies its directors and officers from liability for certain events or occurrences while the directors or officers are, or were, serving at the

 

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BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Information as of September 26, 2009 and for the three months ended

September 27, 2008 and September 26, 2009 is Unaudited)

 

Company’s request in such capacities. Furthermore, the Company is incorporated in the state of Delaware which requires corporations to indemnify their officers and directors under certain circumstances. The term of the indemnification period is for the director’s or officer’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited, but would be affected by all relevant defenses to the claims and insurance available to satisfy such claims.

Note 14.    Other matters

Restructuring: In fiscal 2007, the Company eliminated positions from various locations and departments within the Company. The reductions were part of an ongoing focus on low-cost operations and included both salaried and hourly positions. In conjunction with the reductions, the Company recorded a charge against earnings of approximately $0.4 million in fiscal 2007, comprising employee termination benefits. The Company liquidated $0.3 million in fiscal 2007 and the remaining liability was paid in fiscal 2008.

In fiscal 2008, the Company recognized a charge of approximately $0.7 million for payments to be provided and incurred in conjunction with the departure of a member of the Company’s senior management team. The Company paid $0.3 million in fiscal 2008 and the remaining liability was paid in fiscal 2009.

In fiscal 2009, the Company eliminated positions from various locations and departments within the Company. The reductions were part of an ongoing focus on cost reductions and included both salaried and hourly positions. In conjunction with the reductions, the Company recorded a charge against earnings of approximately $1.2 million in fiscal 2009, representing employee termination benefits. The Company paid $0.5 million in fiscal 2009 and the remaining liability will be paid in fiscal 2010.

Other expense: In June, 2007, the Company sold its idle manufacturing facility and administrative office in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The properties had a carrying value of $4.6 million and the Company recognized a loss on disposal of approximately $1.3 million within other expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the year ended June 30, 2007.

Collective bargaining/labor agreements: The Company has several collective bargaining or other labor agreements covering a total of approximately 1,025 employees. The Company has 3 agreements expiring in fiscal year 2010 covering approximately 505 employees, including one agreement covering approximately 305 employees that expires on December 31, 2009 which the Company plans to renew. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to negotiate these or other collective bargaining agreements on the same or more favorable terms as the current agreements, or at all, and without production interruptions, including labor stoppages. Failure to renew existing agreements or a prolonged labor dispute, including but not limited to a work stoppage, could adversely affect the Company’s business operations and financial performance.

Legal matters: The Company is a party to various legal proceedings from time to time in the normal course of its business. In the opinion of management, any liability that the Company might incur upon the resolution of these proceedings will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company maintains general liability insurance coverage in amounts deemed to be adequate by management.

 

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LOGO

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

Offers to Exchange

9  1/4% Senior Notes due 2015, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all of their outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 that were issued in a private offering on December 23, 2009, and 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all of their outstanding unregistered 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 that were issued in a private offering on August 17, 2010.

 

Until the date that is 90 days from the date of this prospectus, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions or otherwise.

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Delaware Registrants

(a) Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., Pinnacle Foods International Corp., Birds Eye Foods, Inc., BEMSA Holding, Inc. and GLK Holdings, Inc. are incorporated under the laws of Delaware.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) grants each corporation organized thereunder the power to indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of being or having been in any such capacity, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation in its certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders of monetary damages for violations of the directors’ fiduciary duty of care, except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.

The bylaws of Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., Pinnacle Foods International Corp. and BEMSA Holding, Inc. and the certificate of incorporation of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. indemnify directors and officers to the full extent of the DGCL and also allow the board of directors to indemnify all other employees. However, in the case of an action or suit by or in the right of the corporations to procure a judgment in their favor (1) such indemnification shall be limited to expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person in the defense or settlement of such action or suit, and (2) no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action was brought determines such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper. The forgoing right of indemnification is not exclusive of any right to which such officer or director may be entitled as a matter of law and shall extend and apply to the estates of deceased officers and directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the corporations shall not be obligated to indemnify a director or officer in respect of a proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such director or officer, unless such proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized by the board of directors pursuant to the applicable procedure outlined in the bylaws.

The bylaws of GLK Holdings, Inc. indemnify directors and officers to the full extent of the DGCL and also allow the board of directors to indemnify all other employees to the extent permitted by law.

(b) Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, Avian Holdings LLC, Birds Eye Foods LLC and Rochester Holdco LLC are limited liability companies organized under the laws of Delaware.

Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”) empowers a Delaware limited liability company to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager of the limited liability company or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

 

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The limited liability company agreements of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, Avian Holdings LLC, Birds Eye Foods LLC and Rochester Holdco LLC indemnify members, officers, and their respective affiliates or agents to the full extent of the law for any act or omission performed or omitted in good faith and reasonably believed to be within the scope of such person’s authority; provided, however, that any indemnity shall be provided out of and to the extent of the limited liability company’s assets only, and neither the member nor the officer, as applicable, nor any other person covered under such provision, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

Washington Registrant

(a) Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated is incorporated under the laws of Washington State.

Sections 23B.08.510 and 23B.08.570 of the Washington Business Corporation Act (“WBCA”) authorizes Washington corporations to indemnify their directors, officers, employees and agents under certain circumstances against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings involving them as a result of their service in such capacities. Section 23B.08.560 of the WBCA authorizes a corporation by provision in its articles of incorporation, bylaws or a shareholder resolution to agree to indemnify a director and obligate itself to advance or reimburse expenses without regard to the provisions of Sections 23B.08.510 through 23B.08.550; provided however that no such indemnity shall be made for or on account of any (a) acts or omissions of a director that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (b) conduct in violation of Section 23B.08.310 of the WBCA (relating to unlawful distributions) or (c) any transaction from which a director personally received a benefit in money, property or services to which the director was not legally entitled.

The bylaws of Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated generally provide that the Corporation shall indemnify directors, officers and employees to the full extent permitted by law.

New York Registrants

(d) Seasonal Employers, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of New York.

Sections 202(a)(10) and 722 of the New York Business Corporations Law (“NYBCL”) permit a corporation to indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding (other than one by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor), whether civil or criminal, including an action by or in the right of any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, which any director or officer of the corporation serves or served in any capacity at the request of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or serves or served such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise in any capacity, against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees actually and necessarily incurred as a result of such action or proceeding, or any appeal therein, if such director or officer acted, in good faith, for a purpose which he reasonably believed to be in, or, in the case of service for any other corporation or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, in criminal actions or proceedings, in addition, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.

The bylaws of Seasonal Employers, Inc. indemnify directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted by the NYBCL and also allow the board of directors to indemnify all other corporate personnel to the extent permitted by law.

(e) GLK, LLC is a limited liability company organized under the laws of New York.

Section 420 of the New York Limited Liability Company Law provides that a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless, and advance expenses to, any member, manager

 

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or other person, or any testator or intestate of such member, manager or other person, from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever; provided, however, that no indemnification may be made to or on behalf of any member, manager or other person if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such person establishes: (a) that his or her acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of action so adjudicated or (b) that he or she personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled.

The limited liability company agreement of GLK, LLC indemnifies managers for any act performed or omission within the scope of the authority conferred on such manager by the limited liability company agreement, except for fraud, bad faith, gross negligence or an intentional breach of the limited liability company agreement.

Certain Other Arrangements

The registrants maintain a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy that covers the directors and officers of each of the registrants in amounts that the registrants believe are customary in their industry, including for liabilities in connection with the registration, offering and sale of the notes.

In addition, pursuant to the Transaction and Advisory Fee Agreement entered into with an affiliate of Blackstone, the Company has agreed to customary exculpation and indemnification provisions in favor of Blackstone, its affiliates and their respective partners, members, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence—Advisory Agreement” in the prospectus included in this registration statement.

 

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Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

  (a) Exhibits

 

2.1

   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2007, by and among Crunch Holding Corp., Peak Holdings LLC and Peak Acquisition Corp. (previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

2.2

   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger, by and between Aurora Foods Inc. and Crunch Equity Holding, LLC, dated as of November 25, 2003 (previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).

2.3

   Amendment No. 1, dated January 8, 2004, to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Merger, by and between Aurora Foods Inc. and Crunch Equity Holding, LLC, dated as of November 25, 2003 (previously filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).

2.4

   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 19, 2004, by and between Aurora Foods, Inc. and Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation (previously filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).

2.5

   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 1, 2006, by and between The Dial Corporation and Pinnacle Foods Groups Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on March 1, 2006 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).

2.6

   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 18, 2009, by and between Birds Eye Holdings, LLC, Birds Eye Foods, Inc. and Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on November 24, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1

   Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC Certificate of Formation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

   Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007 (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.3

   Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.4

   Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. Bylaws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.5

   Pinnacle Foods Group LLC Certificate of Formation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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3.6

   Pinnacle Foods Group LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.7

   Pinnacle Foods International Corp. Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.8

   Pinnacle Foods International Corp. Bylaws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.9

   State of Delaware Certificate of Conversion, dated September 25, 2007, converting Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. from a Corporation to a Limited Liability Company (previously filed as Exhibit 3.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.10+

   Birds Eye Foods, Inc Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.

3.11+

   Birds Eye Foods, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws.

3.12+

   Avian Holdings LLC Certificate of Formation, as amended.

3.13+

   Avian Holdings LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement.

3.14+

   Birds Eye Foods LLC Certificate of Formation, as amended.

3.15+

   Birds Eye Foods LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement.

3.16+

   BEMSA Holding, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.

3.17+

   BEMSA Holding, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws.

3.18+

   GLK Holdings, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation.

3.19+

   GLK Holdings, Inc. Bylaws.

3.20+

   GLK, LLC Articles of Organization, as amended.

3.21+

   GLK, LLC Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, as amended.

3.22+

   Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated Articles of Incorporation.

3.23+

   Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated Bylaws.

3.24+

   Rochester Holdco LLC Certificate of Formation, as amended.

3.25+

   Rochester Holdco LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement.

3.26+

   Seasonal Employers, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.

3.27+

   Seasonal Employers, Inc. Bylaws.

4.1

   Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of April 2, 2007, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee (previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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  4.2+    Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee.
  4.3    Form of Rule 144A Global Note, 9.25% Senior Notes due 2015 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.4    Form of Regulation S Global Note, 9.25% Senior Notes due 2015 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.5+    Form of Rule 144A Global Note, 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017.
  4.6+    Form of Regulation S Global Note, 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017.
  4.7    Supplemental Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of November 18, 2009, by and among Birds Eye Holdings, Inc., Birds Eye Group, Inc., Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated, Seasonal Employers, Inc., BEMSA Holding, Inc., GLK Holdings, Inc., GLK, LLC, Rochester Holdco LLC and Wilmington Trust Company, (previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.8    Form of 9.25% Senior Notes due 2015 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.9    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2009, by and among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., the guarantors and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. as the representatives of the initial purchasers (previously filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.10+    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2010, by and among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., the guarantors and Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and Banc of America Securities LLC as the representatives of the initial purchasers.
  5.1+    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
  5.2+    Opinion of Perkins Coie LLP.
10.3*    Employment Agreement, dated April 2, 2007 (Jeffrey P. Ansell) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4*    Employment Agreement, dated April 2, 2007 (Craig Steeneck) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5*    Director Service Agreement, dated April 2, 2007 (Roger Deromedi) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6    Transaction and Advisory Fee Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007, between Peak Finance LLC and Blackstone Management Partners V L.L.C. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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10.7    Trademark License Agreement by and between The Dial Corporation and Conagra, Inc., dated July 1, 1995 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2005 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8    Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2003, by and among Crunch Holding Corp., Pinnacle Foods Holding Corporation, Pinnacle Foods Corporation, Pinnacle Foods Management Corporation, Pinnacle Foods Brands Corporation, PF Sales (N. Central Region) Corp., PF Sales, LLC, PF Distribution, LLC, PF Standards Corporation, Pinnacle Foods International Corp., Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Group LLC (previously filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9    Lease, dated May 23, 2001, between Brandywine Operating Partnership, L.P. and Pinnacle Foods Corporation (Cherry Hill, New Jersey) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10    Lease, dated August 10, 2001, between 485 Properties, LLC and Pinnacle Foods Corporation (Mountain Lakes, New Jersey); Amendment No. 1, dated November 23, 2001; Amendment No. 2, dated October 16, 2003 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11    Swanson Trademark License Agreement (U.S.) by and between CSC Brands, Inc. and Vlasic International Brands Inc., dated as of March 24, 1998 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-1183900), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12    Swanson Trademark License Agreement (Non-U.S.) by and between Campbell Soup Company and Vlasic International Brands Inc., dated as of March 26, 1998 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13    Technology Sharing Agreement by and between Campbell Soup Company and Vlasic Foods International Inc., dated as of March 26, 1998 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. with the SEC on August 20, 2004 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14    Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated February 10, 2007 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Group Inc. filed with the SEC on February 15, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-118390), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.15    Securityholders Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007, among Peak Holdings LLC and the other parties hereto (previously filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.16*    Peak Holdings LLC 2007 Unit Plan, effective as of April 2, 2007 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.17*    Peak Holdings LLC Form of Award Management Unit Subscription Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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10.18    Securityholders Agreement, dated as of September 21, 2007 among Crunch Holding Corp. and the other parties hereto (previously filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.19*    Crunch Holding Corp. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of August 8, 2007 (previously filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.20*    Crunch Holding Corp. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.21    Trademark License Agreement, dated as of July 9, 1996, by and between The Quaker Oats Company, The Quaker Oats Company of Canada Limited and Van de Kamp’s, Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.22*    Enhanced Target Annual Bonus letter, dated June 11, 2007 (Craig Steeneck) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.23*    Supplemental Peak Holdings LLC Management Unit Subscription Agreement, dated June 11, 2007 (Craig Steeneck) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.24*    Modification of the Enhanced Target Annual Bonus letter, dated February 27, 2009 (Craig Steeneck) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.24 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.25*    Modification of the Supplemental Peak Holdings LLC Management Unit Subscription Agreement, dated February 27, 2009 (Craig Steeneck) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.25 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26*    Modification of the Peak Holdings LLC Form of Award Management Unit Subscription Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 10.26 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.27*    Modification of the Crunch Holding Corp. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (previously filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.28*    Employment offer letter, dated December 11, 2003 (Chris L. Kiser) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.28 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.29*    Severance benefit letter, dated October 7, 2008 (Chris L. Kiser) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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10.30*    Employment offer letter dated May 25, 2001 (Lynne M. Misericordia) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.31*    Employment offer letter dated May 25, 2001 (M. Kelley Maggs) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.31 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 3, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.32*    Separation Agreement, dated July 31, 2009 (Jeffrey P. Ansell). Previously filed as Exhibit 10.32 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on August 12, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.33*    Employment Agreement, dated July 13, 2009 (Robert J. Gamgort). Previously filed as Exhibit 10.33 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on August 12, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.34*    Peak Holdings LLC Management Unit Subscription Agreement, dated July 13, 2009 (Robert J. Gamgort). Previously filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on August 12, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.35*    Amendment to Director Services Agreement, dated July 31, 2009 (Roger Deromedi). Previously filed as Exhibit 10.35 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on August 12, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.36    Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated December 23, 2009, by and among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, the Revolving Commitment Increase Lenders, the Tranche C Term Lenders and the Guarantors. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.37    Amended and Restated Transaction and Advisory Fee Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2009, between Peak Finance LLC and Blackstone Management Partners V L.L.C. (previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 24, 2009 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.38    Employment offer letter dated November 24, 2008 (Edward L. Sutter) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.38 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 23, 2010 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.39    Employment offer letter dated October 28, 2008 (Sally Genster Robling) (previously filed as Exhibit 10.39 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 23, 2010 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.40+    Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated August 17, 2010, by and among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, the Tranche D Term Lenders and the Guarantors.
10.41    Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture, dated as of April 2, 2007, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee (previously filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.42    Form of Rule 144A Global Note, 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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10.43    Form of Regulation S Global Note, 10.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (previously filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.44    Credit Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007, among Peak Finance LLC (to be merged with and into Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC), Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. and other lenders party hereto (previously filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.45    Security Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007, among Peak Finance LLC (to be merged with and into Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC), Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Certain Subsidiaries of Borrower and Holdings identified herein and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.46    Guaranty, dated as of April 2, 2007, among Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Certain Subsidiaries of Borrower and Holdings identified herein and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
10.47    Intellectual Property Security Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007, among Peak Finance LLC (to be merged with and into Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC), Peak Finance Holdings LLC, Certain Subsidiaries of Borrower and Holdings identified herein and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (previously filed as Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on December 21, 2007 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (previously filed as Exhibit 12.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC filed with the SEC on March 23, 2010 (Commission File Number: 333-148297), and incorporated herein by reference).
21.1+    List of Subsidiaries.
23.1+    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (included as part of its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
23.2+    Consent of Perkins Coie LLP (included as part of its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2 hereto).
23.3+    Consent of Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP.
23.4+    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24.1+    Powers of Attorney.
25.1+    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company with respect to the Indenture governing the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015.
25.2+    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust FSB with respect to the Indenture governing the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017.
99.1+    Form of Letter of Transmittal.
99.2+    Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
99.3+    Form of Letter to Clients.
99.4+    Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

* Indentifies exhibits that consist of a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
+ Filed herewith.

 

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Item 22. Undertakings.

(a) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes:

(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;

(4) that, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the registrants are subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use; and

(5) that, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: Each of the undersigned registrants undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrants will be sellers to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

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(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

(c) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice president and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

   Director   October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

PINNACLE FOODS GROUP LLC
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

   Director   October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

PINNACLE FOODS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt.Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

BEMSA HOLDING, INC.
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

  

Director

  October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

GLK, LLC
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

   Director   October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

   Director   October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

ROCHESTER HOLDCO, LLC
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

   Director   October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mt. Lakes, State of New Jersey, on October 5, 2010.

 

SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC.
By:       /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
Name:   Craig Steeneck
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

*

Roger Deromedi

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  October 5, 2010

*

Robert J. Gamgort

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

  October 5, 2010

*

Jason Giordano

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Joseph Jimenez

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Prakash A. Melwani

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Jeff Overly

   Director   October 5, 2010

*

Raymond P. Silcock

   Director   October 5, 2010

/s/    CRAIG STEENECK         

Craig Steeneck

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

  October 5, 2010

 

*By:   /s/    CRAIG STEENECK        
 

Craig Steeneck

Attorney-in-fact

 

II-25

EX-3.10 2 dex310.htm BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED Birds Eye Foods, Inc Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

Exhibit 3.10

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BE FOODS INVESTMENTS, INC.

 

 

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is BE Foods Investments, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the state of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE THREE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

ARTICLE FOUR

The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is One Thousand (1,000) shares, all of which shall be shares of Common Stock, with a par value of $0.01 (One Cent) per share.

ARTICLE FIVE

The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Name

  

Address

Laura-Jayne Urso

  

Kirkland & Ellis

153 East 53rd Street, 36th Fl.

New York, NY 10022

ARTICLE SIX

The directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws, except as may be otherwise be provided in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE SEVEN

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


ARTICLE EIGHT

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders, or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

ARTICLE NINE

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he (or a person of whom he is the legal representative), is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article Nine, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Nine shall be a contract right and, subject to Sections 2 and 5 of this Article Nine, shall include the right to payment by the Corporation of the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

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Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article Nine or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article Nine shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article Nine is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article Nine shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 3. Nonexclusivity of Article Nine. The rights to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article Nine shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 4. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article Nine.

Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in Section 1 of this Article Nine in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of such proceeding’s final disposition unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

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Section 6. Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article Nine and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article Nine shall be deemed to be a contract right between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article Nine and the relevant provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article Nine or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article Nine, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article Nine with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

ARTICLE TEN

The Corporation hereby eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by law (as contemplated by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL) the personal liability of any person who serves as a director of the Corporation to the Corporation and/or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this Article 10 shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; provided further, however, that if in the future the DGCL is amended or modified (including, but not limited to, Section 102(a)(7)) to permit the elimination of the personal liability of a director of the Corporation to a greater extent than contemplated above, then the provisions of this Article Ten shall be deemed to be automatically amended to provide for the elimination of the personal liability of the directors of the Corporation to such greater extent. This Article Ten shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when this Article Ten becomes effective.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate of Incorporation from time to time and at any time in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders and directors are granted subject to such reservation.

 

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I, the undersigned, being the sole incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation in pursuance of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do make and file this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of June 2007.

 

/s/ Laura-Jayne Urso
Laura-Jayne Urso
Sole Incorporator

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BE FOODS INVESTMENTS, INC.

Under Section 242 of the Delaware Corporation Law

Pursuant to Section 242 of the Delaware Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the undersigned, being the President of BE Foods Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify the following:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is: BE Foods Investments, Inc.

SECOND: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 11, 2007.

THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to effect a change in Article One thereof, relating to the name of the corporation. Accordingly, Article One of the Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

“The name of the corporation is BE Foods, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).”

FOURTH: The amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation effected hereby was approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and by the stockholders of the Corporation.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the President of the Corporation, under the penalties of perjury, does hereby declare and certify that this is the act and deed of the Corporation and the facts stated herein are true, and accordingly has hereunto signed this Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation as of this 24th day of July 2007.

 

BE Foods Investments, Inc.
By:   /s/ Neil Harrison
Name:   Neil Harrison
Title:   President

 

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CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT

AND

REGISTERED OFFICE

* * * * *

BE Foods, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

That the registered office of the corporation in the state of Delaware is hereby changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801.

That the registered agent of the corporation is hereby changed to THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, the business address of which is identical to the aforementioned registered office as changed.

That the changes in the, registered office and registered agent of the corporation as set forth herein were duly authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors of the corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed by an authorized officer, this 14th day of August 2007.

 

/s/ Earl L. Powers
By: Earl L. Powers
Title: Secretary/Treasurer

 

* Any authorized officer or the chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors may execute this certificate.


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BE FOODS, INC.

Under Section 242 of the Delaware Corporation Law

Pursuant to Sections 242 of the Delaware Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the undersigned, being the Chief Executive Officer of BE Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) does hereby certify the following:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is: BE Foods, Inc.

SECOND: The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on June 11, 2007.

THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to effect a change in Article First thereof, relating to the name of the Corporation, accordingly Article I of the Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE FIRST

“The name of the Corporation is: Birds Eye Foods, Inc.”

FOURTH: The amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation effected hereby was approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned affirms as true the foregoing under penalties of perjury, and has executed this Certificate this 5th day of October 2009.

 

BE FOODS, INC.
By:   /s/ NEIL HARRISON
Name:    Neil Harrison
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
EX-3.11 3 dex311.htm BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS Birds Eye Foods, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws

Exhibit 3.11

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

Incorporated under the Laws of the

State of Delaware

AMENDED & RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall maintain a registered office in the State of Delaware. The Corporation may also have other offices at such places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any other business as may properly come before such meeting shall be held on such date, at such time and place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, and set forth in the notice of such meeting. At the annual meeting any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken, whether stated in the notice of meeting or not, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or, if no Chairman has been elected, by the President, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or, if none, by the President at the request of the holders of shares of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders. Special meetings shall be held at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of such meeting. Only if so determined by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, a meeting of stockholders may be held not at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication, as provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. At any special meeting any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken, whether stated in the notice of meeting or not, except as otherwise expressly provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3. Notice of Meeting: Notice of the date, time and place of any stockholders’ meeting, whether annual or special, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat not less than ten (10) nor more than fifty (50) days prior to the date of such meeting, in the manner prescribed by Law. Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given other than by announcement at the meeting so adjourned, unless otherwise ordered in connection with such adjournment. Such further notice, if any, shall be given as may be required by Law.


Section 4. Waiver of Notice: Notice of meeting need not be given to any stockholder who submits a signed waiver of notice, in person or represented by proxy, whether before or after the meeting. The attendance of any stockholder at a meeting, in person or represented by proxy, without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice by such stockholder.

Section 5. Quorum: Any number of stockholders, who are entitled to vote, who hold shares of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders and who shall be present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called shall constitute a quorum for all purposes except as may otherwise be provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 6. Adjournment of Meeting: Whether or not a quorum is present, a meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the chairman of the meeting or by the affirmative vote of the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereat holding shares representing at least a majority of the votes so present or represented and entitled to be cast (a “Majority Vote”), without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall attend. Any meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned in like manner and for such time or upon such call as may be determined by a Majority Vote. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. When a quorum is once present, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal or departure of any stockholder.

Section 7. Voting: Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting may vote either in person or by proxy duly appointed. Each stockholder of a class or series of stock other than Common Stock shall on each matter submitted to a vote at each meeting of the stockholders be entitled to such number of votes for each share of such stock as may be fixed in the Certificate of Incorporation, and each stockholder of Common Stock shall on each matter submitted to a vote at each meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock, in each case registered in his name on the books of the Corporation on the date fixed as a record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, as hereinafter provided. At all meetings of stockholders all matters, except as otherwise provided by Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, shall be determined by a Majority Vote. Where a separate vote by class is required, a majority of the votes represented by the shares of the stockholders of such class present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to be cast thereon shall be the act of such class. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the shareholder executing it, except in those cases where an irrevocable proxy is permitted by Law.

Unless required by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, the vote on any question need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall state the number of shares voted.


Section 8. Action by Stockholders Without a Meeting: Whenever, under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders are required or permitted to take any action by vote, such action may be taken without a meeting upon consent in writing or by electronic transmission, setting forth the action so taken, signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.

Section 9. List of Shareholders. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make a list of the shareholders entitled to vote at each meeting of shareholders, and make such list available for examination, in the manner prescribed by Law.

Section 10. Inspectors. The Board may, or if required by Law shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, in the manner, and with the powers, duties and obligations, prescribed or permitted by Law.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number and Qualifications: The Board of Directors shall not be less than one (1) and shall consist of such number as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any decrease in the number of directors shall be effective at the time of the next succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders unless there shall be vacancies in the Board of Directors in which case such decrease may become effective at any time prior to the next succeeding annual meeting to the extent of the number of such vacancies. All directors shall be at least eighteen years of age. The directors need not be stockholders.

Section 2. Responsibilities: The general management of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which may delegate to officers, employees and to committees of one (1) or more directors such powers and duties as it may from time to time see fit, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, and except as may otherwise be provided by Law.

Section 3. Election and Term of Office: Except as otherwise provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the directors shall be elected at each meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present by a plurality of the votes cast at such election. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated by the Bylaws, the directors shall cause the same to be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient. The directors chosen at any annual meeting shall hold office except as hereinafter provided, until the next annual election and until the election and qualification of their successors.

Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Directors: Any director may be removed from the Board of Directors, with or without cause, by a Majority Vote at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, and the office of such director shall forthwith become vacant. Any director may resign as a director or from membership in any committee of the


Board at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by an officer of the Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 5. Filling of Vacancies: Any vacancy among the directors, occurring from any cause whatsoever, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, provided, however, that the stockholders removing any director may at the same meeting fill the vacancy caused by such removal, and further provided, that if the directors fail to fill any such vacancy, the stockholders may fill such vacancy at the next annual meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose. In case of any increase in the number of directors, the additional directors may be elected by the vote of a majority of the directors in office prior to such increase. Any person elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office, subject to the right of removal as herein before provided, until the next annual election and until the election and qualification of his or her successor.

Section 6. Regular Meetings: The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of any business immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, provided a quorum is present. Other regular meetings may be held at such times as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or by the President.

Section 8. Notice and Place of Meetings: Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting shall be sufficiently given if mailed to each director at such director’s residence or usual place of business at least two (2) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or, if sent to such director at such place by telegraph, facsimile, cable or electronic transmission, or delivered personally or by telephone not later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time at which the meeting is to be held. No notice of the annual meeting shall be required if held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and if a quorum is present. Notice of meeting need not be given to any Director who submits a waiver of notice before or after the meeting, nor to any director who attends the meeting without protesting, at the beginning thereof, the lack of notice. Except as otherwise specifically required by Law or these Bylaws, a notice or waiver of notice of any regular or special meeting need not state the purposes of such meeting.

Section 9. Business Transacted at Meetings: Any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum shall be present, whether such business or proposed action be stated in the notice of such meeting or not, unless special notice of such business or proposed action shall be required by Law.


Section 10. Quorum and Manner of Acting: A majority of the entire Board of Directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the acts of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise provided by Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine without notice other than an announcement at the meeting. The directors shall act only as a Board and the individual directors shall have no power as such unless expressly delegated by the Board or any duly constituted committee of the Board.

Section 11. Action Without a Meeting: Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or the committee consent in writing or by electronic transmission to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the consents thereto in writing or by electronic transmission by the members of the Board of Directors or committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

Section 12. Participation by Telephone: Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. Participation by such means shall constitute the presence of the person at the meeting.

Section 13. Compensation: The Board of Directors may establish by resolution reasonable compensation for directors for services to the Corporation as a director, committee member or chairman of any committee and for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee: The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, may designate one (1) or more directors to constitute an Executive Committee to hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, which Committee shall, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, have and exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject only to such restrictions or limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time specify, or as limited by Law, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all instruments which may require it. Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any person ceasing to be a director shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Executive Committee. Any vacancy in the Executive Committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled from among the directors by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.


Section 2. Other Committees: The Board of Directors or any committee duly appointed by the Board of Directors may appoint other committees whose members are to be directors, and which committees shall exist for such time and have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the committee appointing them. Any member of such a committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or the committee appointing such committee. Any vacancy in a committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled by the Board of Directors or the committee appointing such committee.

Section 3. Powers of Committees. Any Executive Committee or other committee, to the extent allowed by Law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee or in the Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the power to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the authority to issue shares, and the authority to declare a dividend, except as limited by Delaware General Corporation Law or other applicable Law, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the Corporation. All acts done by any committee within the scope of its powers and duties pursuant to these Bylaws and the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be, and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors. The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary is empowered to certify that any resolution duly adopted by any such committee is binding upon the Corporation and to execute and deliver such certifications from time to time as may be necessary or proper to the conduct of the business of the Corporation. The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that any such committee shall not have nor exercise any authority of the Board.

Section 4. Resignation: Any member of a committee may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman of the Board, or if none, by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified therein.

Section 5. Quorum: A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the members of a committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. The members of a committee shall act only as a committee, and the individual members thereof shall have no powers as such.

Section 6. Record of Proceedings: Each committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and shall report the same to the Board of Directors when and as required by the Board of Directors.


Section 7. Organization, Meetings, Notices: A committee may hold its meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place upon which a majority of the committee may at any time agree. Each committee may make such rules as it may deem expedient for the regulation and carrying on of its meetings and proceedings. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, any notice of a meeting of such Committee may be given by the Secretary or by the Chairman of the Committee and shall be sufficiently given if mailed to each member at such member’s residence or usual place of business at least five (5) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or, if sent to him at such place by telegraph, facsimile, cable or electronic transmission, or delivered personally or by telephone, not later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time at which the meeting is to be held. Notice of meeting need not be given to any member of a committee who submits a waiver of notice before or after the meeting, nor to any member who attends the meeting without protesting, at the beginning thereof, the lack of notice.

Section 8. Compensation: The members of any committee shall be entitled to such compensation as may be allowed them by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number: The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and such Vice Presidents and other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election, Term of Office and Qualifications: The officers, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article V, shall be chosen by the Board of Directors. Each such officer shall, except as herein otherwise provided, hold office until the selection and qualification of his or her successor. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall be a director of the Corporation, and should the Chairman cease to be a director, shall ipso facto cease to be such Officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary or as otherwise prohibited by Law.

Section 3. Other Officers: Other officers, including without limitation, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers, may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors or committee thereof, which other officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or committee appointing them.

Section 4. Removal of Officers: Any officer of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless otherwise specifically provided in the resolution of the Board electing such officer, any officer shall automatically, without further action by the Board and without the necessity or acceptance of a resignation or relinquishment, be removed from all offices he or she may hold when he or she shall cease to be employed by at least one of the Corporation or, so long as shares of capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a


majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders are owned by Pinnacle Foods Group LLC or any successor thereto (“PFG”) or any of PFG’s subsidiaries, whether by death, retirement, termination with or without cause or otherwise.

Section 5. Resignation: Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by an officer of the Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary in order to make it effective.

Section 6. Filling of Vacancies: A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Compensation: The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or by any officer(s) or committee to whom such authority may be delegated by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Chairman of the Board of Directors: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if one is elected, shall be a director and may, but need not, be an employee of the Corporation or hold other offices in the Corporation. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he shall be present. The Chairman shall have power to call special meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee at any time and shall have such power and perform such other duties as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. President and Chief Executive Officer: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, and shall have such duties as customarily pertain to that office. The President shall have general management and supervision of the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and over its several officers, employees and agents, subject, however to control of the Board. He or she may appoint and remove agents and employees, other than officers referred to in this Article IV, and may sign, execute and deliver, in the name of the Corporation, all certificates, powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other obligations and instruments authorized by the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing, execution and delivery thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or except as otherwise provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation. The President shall perform such duties as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, perform and carry out the functions of the Chairman of the Board. The President shall designate the person or persons who shall exercise his powers and perform his duties in his absence or disability.

Section 10. Vice Chairman of the Board: One of the Vice Chairmen of the Board, if any are elected, shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, preside at meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. They shall have such powers and perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of Vice Chairman of the Board and such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.


Section 11. Vice Presidents: Each Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, First Vice President or Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these Bylaws.

Section 12. Secretary: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for any committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and affix it to any instrument when so authorized by the Board of Directors and may attest the affixing by his or her signature. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature.

Section 13. Assistant Secretary: Any Assistant Secretary shall be empowered and authorized to perform all of the duties of the Secretary in the absence of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Secretary or these Bylaws.

Section 14. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by persons authorized by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Directors at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all of the transactions effected by the Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer may be required to give bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties. He or she shall generally perform all duties appertaining to the office of treasurer of a corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

Section 15. Assistant Treasurer: Any Assistant Treasurer shall be empowered and authorized to perform all the duties of the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer or these Bylaws.

Section 16. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may designate such other officers having such duties and powers as it may specify from time to time.


ARTICLE VI

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. Issue of Certificates of Stock: Certificates of capital stock shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. They shall be numbered in the order of their issue, and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the President or any Vice President (or a comparable officer), and the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, and the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof shall be impressed, affixed or reproduced thereon. In case any officer or officers who shall have signed any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.

Section 2. Registration and Transfer of Shares: The name of each person owning a share of the capital stock of the Corporation together with the number of shares held by such person, the numbers of the certificates covering such shares and the dates of issue of such certificates shall be registered on the records of the Corporation by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person, or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, on surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares, accompanied by an assignment or power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, and with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. A record shall be made of each transfer. The Board of Directors may make other and further rules and regulations concerning the transfer and registration of certificates for stock.

Section 3. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates: The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificates therefor. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representatives, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond, in such sum not exceeding twice the value of the stock and with such surety or sureties as they may require, to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it by reason of the issue of such new certificate and against all other liabilities arising therefrom, or may remit such owner to such remedy or remedies as such owner may have under the laws of the State of Delaware.


ARTICLE VII

DIVIDENDS AND SURPLUS

Section 1. General Discretion of Directors: The Board of Directors shall have power to fix and vary the amount to be set aside or reserved as working capital of the Corporation, or as reserves, or for other proper purposes of the Corporation, and, subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, to determine whether any part of the surplus or net profits of the Corporation shall be declared in dividends and paid to the stockholders, and to fix the date or dates for the payment of dividends. Dividends may be paid in cash, property or shares of capital stock.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the same as that of PFG, so long as shares of capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders are owned by PFG, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise determine.

Section 2. Corporate Seal: The corporate seal shall be in such form as approved by the Board of Directors and may be altered at their pleasure. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

Section 3. Notices: Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice required by these Bylaws to be given shall be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post-office or letter box in a sealed wrapper with a first-class postage prepaid stamp thereon and addressed to the person entitled thereto at such person’s business or home address, as the same appears upon the books of the Corporation, or by telephoning, telegraphing, faxing or cabling the same to such person at such address; and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time it is mailed, telegraphed, faxed or cabled.

Section 4. Waiver of Notice: Any stockholder or director may at any time, by writing, by telegraph, by fax, by cable or by electronic transmission, waive any notice required to be given under these Bylaws, and if any stock-holder or director shall be present at any meeting, his presence shall constitute a waiver of such notice for such meeting, unless he protests his lack of notice by the end of the meeting.

Section 5. Contracts, Checks, Drafts: Except as otherwise required by Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts, promissory notes, bonds or other certificates or evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, checks, drafts, bills of exchange or other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the Corporation or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such persons as the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof may from time to time direct or as may be designated by any officer or officers of the Corporation to whom such power of designation may from time to time be delegated by the Board. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board or such officer may determine. Unless authorized by the Board of Directors or expressly permitted by these Bylaws, any officer or agent or employee shall not have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it pecuniarily liable for any purpose or to any amount.


Section 6. Deposits: All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such bank or banks, trust companies or other depositories as persons authorized by the Board of Directors may select, and, for the purpose of such deposit, checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation, may be endorsed for deposit, assigned and delivered by any officer of the Corporation, or by such agents of the Corporation, or by such person as the Board of Directors may authorize for that purpose.

Section 7. Voting Stock of Subsidiary Corporations: Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meetings, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or a Vice President (or comparable officer). Any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as the officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation, company, partnership or other entity in which the Corporation may own securities, or to execute written consents in lieu thereof. At any such meeting, or in giving any such consent, the officer shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 8. Cessation of Officership and Directorship: The authority granted by name to any individual shall immediately cease in the event that such individual ceases to be an officer or director of the Corporation or an affiliate thereof, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. Definitions. As used in these Bylaws, the term “entire Board of Directors” means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies; the term “Law” means the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable law, rule or regulation and, to the extent binding on the Corporation, the constitutions, rules and regulations of any exchange on which securities of the Corporation are listed, or of which the Corporation is a member, or of any self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction or authority over the Corporation.

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (a “Proceeding”), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such


capacity, and may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to such an action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become an employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; except that in the case of an action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (1) such indemnification shall be limited to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in the defense or settlement of such action or suit, and (2) no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 5 of this Article IX, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation in respect of a Proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such director or officer, unless such Proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized by the Board of Directors.

The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nobo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 2. Successful Defense. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article IX or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 3. Determination that Indemnification is Proper. Any indemnification of a present or former director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article IX (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation unless a determination is made that indemnification of the present or former director or officer is not proper in the circumstances because he or she has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article IX. Any indemnification of a present or former employee or agent of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article IX (unless ordered by a court) may be made by the Corporation upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in


Section 1 of this Article IX. Any such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

Section 4. Advance Payment of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article IX. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation’s counsel to represent such director, officer, employee or agent in any action, suit or proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to such action, suit or proceeding.

Section 5. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article IX, or advance of costs, charges and expenses to a director or officer under Section 4 of this Article IX, shall be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article IX is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved such request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnity or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within thirty (30) days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article IX shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section 4 of this Article IX where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of of this Article IX, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article IX, nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.


Section 6. Survival; Preservation of Other Rights. The foregoing indemnification provisions shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director, officer, employee and agent who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions as well as the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law are in effect and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any right or obligation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any action, suit or proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. Such a “contract right” may not be modified retroactively without the consent of such director, officer, employee or agent.

The indemnification provided by this Article IX shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 7. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article IX, provided that such insurance is available on acceptable terms, which determination shall be made by a vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 8. Severability. If this Article IX or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director or officer and may indemnify each employee or agent of the Corporation as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article IX that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, rescind, alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws; provided, however, that the stockholders shall have power to rescind, alter, amend or repeal any Bylaws made by the Board of Directors, and to enact Bylaws which if so expressed shall not be rescinded, altered, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

EX-3.12 4 dex312.htm AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, AS AMENDED Avian Holdings LLC Certificate of Formation, as amended

Exhibit 3.12

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC.

1. The name of the corporation is AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC.

2. The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

3. The purpose for which it is formed is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

4. The aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 3,000 all of which are to be common shares with a par value of $.01 per share.

5. The name and mailing address of the incorporator is:

 

Carla J. Penazek   

99 Garnsey Road

Pittsford, NY 14534

6. The Board of Directors of the corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal by-laws of the corporation, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter or repeal any by-law whether adopted by them or otherwise.

7. To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended in a manner more favorable to directors, a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does make this Certificate this 11th day of July, 2002, and hereby affirms the truth of the statements contained herein under penalties of perjury.

 

/s/ Carla J. Penazek
Carla J. Penazek
Incorporator

 

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CERTIFICATE OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK HOLDINGS

I, David M. Mehalick, being the duly elected Vice President of Agrilink Holdings Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the DGCL (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

1. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 11, 2002.

2. That the Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, adopted resolutions authorizing the Corporation to amend, integrate and restate the Corporation’s Certificate in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Restated Certificate”).

3. That the holders of a majority of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding capital stock approved and adopted the Restated Certificate in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL. Written notice of the adoption of the amendment and restatement of the Certificate herein certified has been given to those stockholders who were not present at the meeting held by the stockholders, as provided in the DGCL.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned affirms as true the foregoing under penalties of perjury and has executed this Certificate as of this 19th day of August 2002.

 

AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC.
By:   /s/ David M. Mehalick
Name:    David M. Mehalick
Title:   Vice President


RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC.

FIRST: The name of the corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) is Agrilink Holdings Inc.

SECOND: The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

THIRD: The, purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

FOURTH: AUTHORIZED SHARES

The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation has authority to issue is 1,000 shares, consisting of:

(1) 100 shares of 15% Series A Preferred Stock, par value 5.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); and

(2) 900 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

The Preferred Stock and the Common Stock are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Capital Stock.” Certain capitalized terms used in this Certificate of Incorporation are defined in Section 7 of Part B of this Article FOURTH.

B. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PREFERRED STOCK

Section 1. Dividends General Obligation. When and as declared by the Corporation’s board of directors and to the extent permitted under the DGCL, the Corporation shall pay preferential dividends to the holders of the Preferred Stock as provided in this Section 1. Except as otherwise provided herein, dividends on each share of the Preferred Stock (a “Share”) shall accrue at a rate of 15% per annum on a daily basis and, beginning on September 30, 2002, compound quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (i.e. 3.75% quarterly) on the sum of (i) the Liquidation Value thereof plus (ii) all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, from and including the date of issuance of such Share to and including the date on which the Liquidation Value of such Share (plus all accumulated and all accrued and unpaid but not yet accumulated dividends thereon) is paid. Such dividends shall accrue whether or not they have been declared and whether or not there are profits, surplus or other funds of the Corporation legally available for the payment of dividends. The date on which the Corporation initially issues any Share shall be deemed to be its “date of issuance” regardless of the number of times transfer of such Share is made on the stock records maintained by or for the Corporation and regardless of the number of certificates which may be issued to evidence such Share.


1B Dividend Reference Dates. To the extent not paid in cash on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning September 30, 2002 (the “Dividend Reference Dates”), all dividends which have accrued on each Share outstanding during the three-month period (or other period in the case of the initial Dividend Reference Date) ending upon each such Dividend Reference Date shall be accumulated and shall remain accumulated dividends with respect to such Share until paid. All dividends paid on a Share shall be applied first to and to the extent of unpaid dividends that have not been accumulated and then to and to the extent of accumulated dividends, if any.

1C Distribution of Partial Dividend Payments. Except as otherwise provided herein, if at any time the Corporation pays in cash less than the total amount of unpaid dividends accrued on the Preferred Stock then outstanding, such payment shall be distributed ratably among the shares of Preferred Stock based on the relative Liquidation Value (plus all accumulated and all accrued and unpaid but not yet accumulated dividends) of such Shares.

ID. Participation in Common Dividends. The holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to participate, on a share for share basis with the Common Stock, in all dividends declared or paid on the Common Stock.

Section 2. Liquidation. Upon any Liquidation of the Corporation, each holder of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid, before any distribution or payment is made upon any Junior Securities, an amount in cash equal to the aggregate Liquidation Value (plus all accumulated and all accrued and unpaid but not yet accumulated dividends) of all Shares held by such holder, and thereafter the holders of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to participate, on a share for share basis with the Common Stock, in all amounts available to be distributed to the holders of the Common Stock in any Liquidation of the Corporation. If, upon any such Liquidation of the Corporation, the assets to be distributed among the holders of the Preferred Stock are insufficient to permit payment to such holders of the aggregate amount which they are entitled to be paid in respect of their Preferred Stock, then the entire assets to be distributed shall be distributed ratably among the shares of Preferred Stock based on the relative Liquidation Value (plus all accumulated and all accrued and unpaid but not yet accumulated dividends) of such Shares. The Corporation shall mail written notice of such Liquidation, not less than 60 days prior to the payment date stated therein, to each record holder of Preferred Stock.

Section 3. Priority of Preferred Stock. So long as any Preferred Stock remains outstanding, (1) the Corporation shall not authorize or issue any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation that is senior to or pari passu with the Preferred Stock in priority with respect to dividends or distributions or upon Liquidation, and (2) neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries shall redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire directly or indirectly, or set apart funds for the redemption, purchase or acquisition any Junior Securities, nor shall the Corporation directly or indirectly pay or declare any dividend or make any distribution upon any Junior Securities (other than a dividend payable solely in Junior Securities).

 

2


Section 4. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by applicable law or in this Certificate of Incorporation, the Preferred Stock shall vote together with the Common Stock as one class and each holder of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote per Share on all matters to be voted on by the Corporation’s stockholders.

Section 5. Conversion.

5A. Conversion Procedure.

(i) Upon the occurrence of the Initial Public Offering, the Corporation may require by written notice to all holders of Preferred Stock that all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be converted into a number of shares of Common Stock computed by dividing (a) the sum of (I) the product of the number of Shares and the applicable Liquidation Value thereof plus (2) all accumulated and all accrued and unpaid but not yet accumulated dividends on such Shares la (b) the Conversion Price. In addition to the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the foregoing sentence, each Share shall be converted into one additional share of Common Stock.

(ii) The conversion of Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been effected as of the date on which the closing of the Initial Public Offering occurs, and the certificate or certificates representing the Shares shall be surrendered at the principal office of the Corporation on such date or as soon as practicable thereafter (or at such other place of which the Corporation notifies in writing the holders of the certificate or certificates representing such Shares). At such tune as such conversion has been effected, the rights of the holder of such Shares as such holder shall cease and the Person or Persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of record of the shares of Common Stock represented thereby.

(iii) As soon as possible after a conversion has been effected (but in any event within five business days in the case of subsection (a) below), the Corporation shall deliver to the converting holder:

(a) a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock issuable by reason of such conversion in such name or names and such denomination or denominations as the converting holder has specified; and

(b) payment of the amount payable under subsection (v) below with respect to such conversion.

(iv) The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to the holders of such Preferred Stock for any issuance tax in respect thereof or other cost incurred by the Corporation in connection with such conversion and the related issuance of shares of Common Stock.

 

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(v) If any fractional amount of a share of Common Stock would, except for the provisions of this subsection, be deliverable upon any conversion of a holder’s Preferred Stock, the Corporation, in lieu of delivering the fractional share therefor, shall pay an amount to the holder thereof equal to the product of the Conversion Price and such frictional amount.

5B. Conversion Price. The price per share at which each Share of Preferred Stock shall be subject to conversion pursuant to Section 5A (the “Conversion Price”) shall be the price per share received by the Corporation in respect of a share of Common Stock in the Initial Public Offering.

Section 6. Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. If the Corporation at any time (i) subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) shares of Preferred Stock into a greater number of shares or (ii) combines (by reverse stock split or otherwise) shares of Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares, then the Shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined, as the case may be, in the same manner.

Section 7. Definitions. As used in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Family Group” means, with respect to any individual, such individual’s spouse and descendants (whether natural or adopted) and any trust established and maintained for the benefit of such individual, such individual’s spouse or such individual’s descendants.

Initial Public Offering” means the Corporation’s first Public Offering.

Junior Securities” means (a) any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, whether now existing or hereafter authorized, that is junior to the Preferred Stock in priority with respect to dividends or distributions or upon Liquidation and (b) any rights, warrants, options, convertible or exchangeable securities, exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly, any class or series of capital stock described in clause (a) above, whether at the time of issuance or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of some future event.

Liquidation,” with respect to the Corporation, means the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. Neither the consolidation or merger of the Corporation into or with any other Person or Persons, nor the sale by the Corporation of all or any part of its assets, nor the reduction of the capital stock of the Corporation shall constitute a Liquidation.

Liquidation Value” means 51,375,000 per Share of the Preferred Stock

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

Public Offering” means a sale by the Corporation of Common Stock of the Corporation to the public in an offering pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as then in effect; provided that a Public Offering shall not include an offering made in connection with a business acquisition or combination or an employee benefit plan.

 

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C. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK

Section 1. Voting Rights. Except as otherwise required by applicable law and the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by the Corporation’s stockholders.

Section 2. Dividends. As and when dividends are declared or paid on the Common Stock, whether in cash, property or securities of the Corporation, subject to Section 1D of Part B of this Article Fourth, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to participate in such dividends ratably on a per share basis. The rights of the holders of Common Stock to receive dividends are subject to the provisions of the Preferred Stock.

Section 3. Liquidation. Subject to the provisions of the Preferred Stock, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to participate ratably on a per share basis in all amounts available to be distributed to the holders of the Common Stock in any Liquidation of the Corporation.

Section 4. Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. If the Corporation at any time (i) subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares or (ii) combines (by reverse stock split or otherwise) shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then the Shares of Preferred Stock shall be subdivided or combined, as the case may be, in the same manner and the Liquidation Value shall be proportionately adjusted.

D. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. Registration of Transfer. The Corporation shall keep at its principal office a register for the registration of Capital Stock. Upon the surrender of any certificate representing Capital Stock at such place, the Corporation shall, at the request of the record holder of such certificate, execute and deliver (at the Corporation’s expense) a new certificate or certificates in exchange therefor representing in the aggregate the number of shares represented by the surrendered certificate. Each such new certificate shall be registered in such name and shall represent such number of shares as is requested by the holder of the surrendered certificate and shall be substantially identical in form to the surrendered certificate, and dividends shall accrue on the Capital Stock represented by such new certificate from the date to which dividends have been fully paid on such Capital Stock represented by the surrendered certificate. The issuance of new certificates shall be made without charge to the holders of the surrendered certificates for any issuance tax in respect thereof or other cost incurred by the Corporation in connection with such issuance.

Section 2. Replacement. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation (an affidavit of the registered holder shall be satisfactory) of the ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate evidencing shares of any series of Capital Stock, and in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation (provided, that if the holder is a financial institution or other institutional investor its own agreement shall be satisfactory), or, in the case of any such mutilation upon surrender of such certificate, the Corporation shall (at its expense) execute and

 

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deliver in lieu of such certificate a new certificate of like kind representing the number of shares of such series represented by such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate and dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate, and dividends shall accrue on the Capital Stock represented by such new certificate from the date to which dividends have been fully paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate.

Section 3. Amendment and Waiver. No amendment, modification or waiver shall be binding or effective with respect to any provision of (i) Part B of this Article Fourth (or any definitions used therein) without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the Preferred Stock outstanding at the time such action is taken, (ii) Part C of this Article Fourth (or any definitions used therein) without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock, in each case outstanding at the time such action is taken, voting together as one class; provided, that any amendment of Part C shall affect each share of Common Stock equally, or (iii) Part A(1), Part A(2) (other than any amendment in connection with a subdivision or combination of Shares pursuant to Section 6 of Part B of this Article Fourth or Section 4 of Part C of this Article Fourth) or Part D of this Article Fourth (or any definitions used therein) without the prior approval of (a) the holders of a majority of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock voting together as one class and (b) the holders of a majority of the Preferred Stock in each case outstanding at the time such action is taken. Any approval required by this Section 3 may be obtained by vote at an annual or special meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders or without a meeting by written consent.

Section 4. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided hereunder, all notices referred to herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or by reputable overnight courier service, charges prepaid, and shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed or sent (i) to the Corporation, at its principal executive offices and (ii) to any stockholder, at such holder’s address as it appears in the stock records of the Corporation (unless otherwise indicated by any such bolder).

FIFTH: The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

SIXTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.

SEVENTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of

 

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such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders, or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

EIGHTH: The Corporation hereby eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by law (as contemplated by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL) the personal liability of any person who serves as a director of the Corporation to the Corporation and/or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this Article Eighth shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (1) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; provided further, however, that if in the future the DGCL is amended or modified (including, but not limited to, Section 102(a)(7)) to permit the elimination of the personal liability of a director of the Corporation to a greater extent than contemplated above, then the provisions of this Article Eighth shall be deemed to be automatically amended to provide for the elimination of the personal liability of the directors of the Corporation to such greater extent. This Article Eighth shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when this Article Eighth becomes effective.

NINTH: INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he (or a person of whom he is the legal representative), is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the, basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the DGCL (including, without limitation, Section 145 thereof), as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article Ninth, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Ninth shall be a contract right and, subject to Section 2 and Section 4 of this Article Ninth, shall include the right to payment by the Corporation of the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

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Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article Ninth or advance of expenses wider Section 4 of this Article Ninth shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the director or officer, If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article Ninth is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of expense; in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article Ninth shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation- Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholder) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 3. Nonexclusivity of Article Ninth. The rights to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article Ninth shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be promoter, director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 4. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article Ninth.

 

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Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in Section 1 of this Article Ninth in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of such proceeding’s final disposition unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

Section 6. Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article Ninth and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article Ninth shall be deemed to be a contract right between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article Ninth and the relevant provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article Ninth or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article Ninth, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article Ninth with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC.

AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC, (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation, by unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation:

RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be amended by changing the Article thereof numbered “1” so that, as amended, said Article shall read as follows:

1. The name of the corporation is BIRDS EYE HOLDINGS, INC.

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of the sole shareholder of the Corporation, written consent to said amendment has been signed by the holder of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation and such written consent has been delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH: That the capital of said Corporation shall not be reduced under or by reason of said amendment.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said AGRILINK HOLDINGS INC has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by Dennis M. Mullen, its President this 23rd day of January, 2003 and he does hereby affirm the truth of the statements contained herein under penalty of perjury.

 

/s/ Dennis M. Mullen
Dennis M. Mullen, President

 

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CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT

AND

REGISTERED OFFICE

* * * * *

Birds Eye Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

That the registered office of the corporation in the state of Delaware is hereby changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

That the registered agent of the corporation is hereby changed to The Corporation Trust Company, the business address of which is identical to the aforementioned registered office as changed.

That the changes in the registered office and registered agent of the corporation as set forth herein were duty authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors of the corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed by an authorized officer, this 9th day of March, 2004.

 

Birds Eye Holdings, Inc.
/s/ Earl L. Powers
Earl L. Powers
Secretary/Treasurer


STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION OF

BIRDS EYE HOLDINGS, INC.

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY PURSUANT TO

SECTION 18-214 OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY ACT

December 24, 2009

1.) The jurisdiction where the Company first formed is Delaware.

2.) The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Delaware.

3.) The Corporation filed its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 11, 2002.

4.) The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate is “Birds Eye Holdings, Inc.”

5.) The name of the limited liability company into which the Corporation is to be converted as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is “Avian Holdings LLC”.

[signature to follow on next page]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company as of the date first written above.

 

BIRDS EYE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:    /s/ Craig Steeneck
  Craig Steeneck
  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to the Certificate of Conversion]


CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC

This Certificate of Formation of Avian Holdings LLC (the “Company”), is being duly executed and filed by Philip R. Russ, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del C. § 18-101, et seq).

 

FIRST:    The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is Avian Holdings LLC.
SECOND:    The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
THIRD:    The name and address of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation of Avian Holdings LLC this 24th day of December, 2009.

 

By:   /s/ Philip R. Russ
  Name: Philip R. Russ
  Title: Authorized Person
EX-3.13 5 dex313.htm AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT Avian Holdings LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement

Exhibit 3.13

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC

The undersigned is executing this Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Agreement”) as of December 24, 2009, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company (the “Company”) pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq., as amended from time to time (the “Act”), and does hereby agree as follows:

1. Formation. A certificate of formation of the Company (the “Certificate”) was executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 24, 2009.

2. Name. The name of the limited liability company shall be “Avian Holdings LLC”, or such other name as the Member may from time to time hereafter designate.

3. Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth therefor in Section 18-101 of the Act.

4. Purpose. The Company is formed for the purpose of engaging in any lawful business permitted by the Act or the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company may do business. The Company shall have the power to engage in all activities and transactions which the Member deems necessary or advisable in connection with the foregoing.

5. Offices. The principal place of business and office of the Company shall be located at, and the Company’s business shall be conducted from, such place or places as the Member may designate from time to time.

The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be located at c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall be The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The Member may from time to time change the registered agent or office by an amendment to the certificate of formation of the Company.

6. Member. Birds Eye Foods, Inc. is the sole member of the Company (the “Member”). The name and business or residence address of the Member is Birds Eye Foods, Inc., c/o Pinnacle Foods Group LLC, 6 Executive Campus, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002, attention: Kelley Maggs.

7. Term. The term of the Company shall commence on the date of filing of the certificate of formation of the Company in accordance with the Act and shall continue until the Company is dissolved and its affairs are wound up in accordance with Section 17 of this Agreement and a certificate of cancellation is filed in accordance with the Act.


8. Board of Directors; Delegation of Authority and Duties.

(a) Member and Board of Directors. The Member, acting through the Board (defined below), shall manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, and shall possess all rights and powers as provided in the Act and otherwise by law. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, the Member hereby consents to the exercise by the Board of all such powers and rights conferred on them by the Act with respect to the management and control of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as explicitly set forth in this Agreement, if a vote, consent or approval of the Member is required by the Act or other applicable law with respect to any act to be taken by the Company or matter considered by the Board, the Member agrees that it shall be deemed to have consented to or approved such act or voted on such matter in accordance with a vote of the Board on such act or matter. No Member, in his or its capacity as a Member, shall have any power to act for, sign for or do any act that would bind the Company; provided, that the Member shall have the power to act for and bind the Company with respect to actions taken on the date of this Agreement in connection with the Subsidiary Merger, including, without limitation, the appointment of the board of directors of any subsidiary of the Company.

(b) Delegation by Board. The Board shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other persons the Board’s rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of the Member, a Director (as defined below) or the Company (including Officers), and to delegate by a management agreement or another agreement with, or otherwise to, other persons. The Board may authorize any person (including, without limitation, the Member or any Officer or Director) to enter into and perform under any document on behalf of the Company.

(c) Committees. The Board may, from time to time, designate one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of at least two Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the enabling resolution and until dissolved by the Board, shall have and may exercise any or all of the authority of the Board. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the representatives thereof shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the representatives present shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution. The Board may dissolve any committee at any time, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate or this Agreement.

9. Establishment of Board of Directors.

(a) Directors. There shall be established a Board of Directors composed of up to 8 persons (“Directors”), each of whom shall be elected by the Member. Any Director may be removed from the Board at any time by the Member. Each Director shall remain in office until his or her death, resignation or removal. In the event of death, resignation or removal of a Director, the party or parties, as applicable, which appointed such Director shall fill the vacancy created.

(b) Absence. A Director may, in isolated instances arising from exigent circumstances, designate a person to act as his substitute and in his place at any meeting of the Board. Such person shall have all power of the absent Director, and references herein to a “Director” at a meeting shall be deemed to include his substitute. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Directors shall not be deemed to be “members” or “managers” (as such terms are defined in the Act) of the Company.

 

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(c) No Individual Authority. No Director has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditures or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company or authorize any of the foregoing, other than acts that are authorized by the Board.

(d) Chairman. The Board shall designate a Director to serve as chairman. The chairman shall, unless a majority of Directors present determine otherwise, preside at all meetings of the Board. If the chairman is absent at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the Directors present shall designate another Director to serve as interim chairman for that meeting. The chairman shall have no authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditure or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company or authorize any of the foregoing. The chairman shall initially be Roger Deromedi.

10. Officers. The Member may, from time to time as it deems advisable, designate natural persons as officers of the Company (the “Officers”) or successor Officers of the Company and assign titles to any such person. Unless the Member decides otherwise, if the title is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authorities and duties that are normally associated with that office. Any delegation pursuant to this Section 8 may be revoked at any time by the Member. An Officer may be removed with or without cause at any time by the Member.

11. Capital Contributions. The Member shall make capital contributions to the Company from time to time, which amounts shall be set forth in the books and records of the Company.

12. Transfers of Member Interest. The Member may sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer or encumber (collectively, a “Transfer”) any of its Limited Liability Company Interest in the Company to any Person so long as such Transfer is in writing.

13. Resignation. The Member shall have the right to resign from the Company so long as such resignation is in writing. The provisions hereof with respect to distributions upon resignation are exclusive and no Member shall be entitled to claim any further or different distribution upon resignation under Section 18-604 of the Act or otherwise.

14. Allocations and Distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of the Company shall be made at such times and in such amounts as the Member may determine. Distributions shall be made to (and profits and losses of the Company shall be allocated among) the Member.

15. Return of Capital. The Member has the right to receive any distributions which include a return of all or any part of such Member’s capital contribution, provided that upon the dissolution and winding up of the Company, the assets of the Company shall be distributed as provided in Section 18-804 of the Act.

 

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16. Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up upon the occurrence of an event causing a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Act, except the Company shall not be dissolved upon the occurrence of an event that terminates the continued membership of a Member if (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event there are at least two Members of the Company, or (ii) within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such event, all remaining Members agree in writing to continue the business of the Company and to the appointment, effective as of the date of such event, of one or more additional Members. In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the Company shall be applied in the manner, and in the order of priority set forth in Section 18-804 of the Act.

17. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of the Member.

18. Other Business. The Member may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of every kind and description, independently or with others. The Company shall not have any rights in or to such independent ventures or the income or profits therefrom by virtue of this Agreement.

19. Limited Liability. The Member shall not have any liability for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company except to the extent provided by the Act.

20. Exculpation; Indemnification. Neither the Member, the Officers nor any of their respective affiliates or agents (collectively, “Covered Persons”) shall be liable to the Company or any other person or entity who has an interest in the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Covered Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 21 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and neither the Member nor the Officer, as applicable, nor any other Covered Person, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

21. Banking Matters. The Member and each Officer and any agent or employee of the Company, or other person designated by such Member or Officer is hereby authorized and empowered (A) to (i) establish one or more domestic or international accounts (including but not limited to, depository, checking, disbursement, custodian, or investment accounts, and other accounts as deemed necessary or expeditious for business purposes of the Company) (“Accounts”), in the name of the Company with any bank, trust company, savings and

 

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loan institution, brokerage firm or other financial institution which said Member or Officer shall from time to time designate as a depository of funds, securities or other property of the Company, for any purpose and on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by such person on behalf of the Company; and (ii) close Accounts of the Company now or hereafter established; and (B) to assign, limit or revoke any and all authority of any agent or employee of the Company, or other person designated by such Member or Officer to (i) sign checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money drawn on the Company’s Accounts, and all notes of the Company and all acceptances and endorsements of the Company; (ii) execute or initiate electronic fund transfers; (iii) execute or initiate foreign currency exchange transactions; (iv) execute or initiate the investment of monies; and (v) initiate requests for information for any Account of the Company.

22. Authorized Person. Philip R. Russ is hereby designated as an “authorized person” within the meaning of the Act, and has executed, delivered and filed the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Upon the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, Philip R. Russ’s powers as an “authorized person” ceased.

23. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a writing duly signed by the Member.

24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law rules.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the dale first written above.

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: EVP & CFO

[Signature Page to the LLC Agreement]

EX-3.14 6 dex314.htm BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, AS AMENDED Birds Eye Foods LLC Certificate of Formation, as amended

Exhibit 3.14

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINIK MERGER CORP.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is Agrilink Merger Corp. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the state of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE THREE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

ARTICLE FOUR

The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is One Thousand (1,000) shares, all of which shall be shares of Common Stock, with a par value of 50.01 (One Cent) per share.

ARTICLE FIVE

The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Name

  

Address

Laura-Jayne Urso   

Kirkland & Ellis

153 East 53rd Street, 36th Fl.

New York, NY 10022

ARTICLE SIX

The directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws, except as may he otherwise be provided in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE SEVEN

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


ARTICLE EIGHT

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he (or a person of whom he is the legal representative), is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article Eight, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Eight shall be a contract right and, subject to Sections 2 and 5 of this Article Eight, shall include the right to payment by the Corporation of the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article Eight or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article Eight shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article Eight is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article Eight shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation.


Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 3. Nonexclusivity of Article Eight. The rights to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article Eight shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 4. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article Eight.

Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in Section 1 of this Article Eight in defending a proceeding Allan be paid by the Corporation in advance of such proceeding’s final disposition unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

Section 6. Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article Eight and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article Eight shall be deemed to be a contract right between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article Eight and the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article Eight or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article Eight, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or


merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article Eight with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

ARTICLE NINE

The Corporation hereby eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by law (as contemplated by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL) the personal liability of any person who serves as a director of the Corporation to the Corporation and/or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this Section 9 shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; provided further, however, that if in the future the DGCL is amended or modified (including, but not limited to, Section 102(a)(7)) to permit the elimination of the personal liability of a director of the Corporation to a greater extent than contemplated above, then the provisions of this Section 9 shall be deemed to be automatically amended to provide for the elimination of the personal liability of the directors of the Corporation to such greater extent. This Section 9 shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when this Section 9 becomes effective.

ARTICLE TEN

The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate of Incorporation from time to time and at any time in the mariner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders and directors are granted subject to such reservation.


I, the undersigned, being the sole incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation in pursuance of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do make and file this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 31st day of July 2002.

/s/ Laura-Jayne Urso

Laura-Jayne Urso

Sole Incorporator


CERTIFICATE OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK MERGER CORP.

I, David M. Mehalick being the duly elected Vice President of Agrilink Merger Corp., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the DGCL (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

1. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 31, 2002.

2. That the Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, adopted resolutions authorizing the Corporation to amend, integrate and restate the Corporation’s Certificate in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Restated Certificate”).

3. That the holders of a majority of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding capital stock approved and adopted the Restated Certificate in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Written notice of the adoption of the amendment and restatement of the Certificate herein certified has been given to those stockholders who were not present at the meeting held by the stockholders, as provided in the DGCL.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned affirms as true the foregoing under penalties of perjury and has executed this Certificate as of this 19th day of August 2002.

 

AGRILINK MERGER CORP.
By:   /s/ David M. Mehalick

Name: David M. Mehalick

Title: Vice President


RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK MERGER CORP.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is Agrilink Merger Corp. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE TWO

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the state of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

ARTICLE THREE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

ARTICLE FOUR

The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is Eleven Thousand (11,000) shares, all of which shall be shares of Common Stock, with a par value of $0.01 (One Cent) per share.

ARTICLE FIVE

The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

Name

  

Address

Laura-Jayne Urso

  

Kirkland & Ellis

153 East 53rd Street, 36th Fl.

New York, NY 10022

ARTICLE SIX

The directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal By-Laws, except as may be otherwise be provided in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE SEVEN

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.


ARTICLE EIGHT

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders, or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

ARTICLE NINE

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he (or a person of whom he is the legal representative), is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article Nine, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Nine shall be a contract right and, subject to Sections 2 and 5 of this Article Nine, shall include the right to payment by the Corporation of the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

2


Section 2. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article Nine or advance of expenses under Section 5 of this Article Nine shall be made promptly, and in any event within 30 days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article Nine is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advancing of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within 30 days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article Nine shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his tight to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shag be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 3. Nonexclusivity of Article Nine. The rights to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article Nine shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 4. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this Article Nine.

Section 5. Expenses. Expenses incurred by any person described in Section 1 of this Article Nine in defending a proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of such proceeding’s final disposition unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

 

3


Section 6. Employees and Agents. Persons who are not covered by the foregoing provisions of this Article Nine and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Contract Rights. The provisions of this Article Nine shall be deemed to be a contract right between the Corporation and each director or officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article Nine and the relevant provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article Nine or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 8. Merger or Consolidation. For purposes of this Article Nine, references to “the Corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article Nine with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he or she would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

ARTICLE TEN

The Corporation hereby eliminates, to the fullest extent permitted by law (as contemplated by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL) the personal liability of any person who serves as a director of the Corporation to the Corporation and/or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that this Article 10 shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director. (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; provided further, however, that if in the future the DGCL is amended or modified (including, but not limited to, Section 102(a)(7)) to permit the elimination of the personal liability of a director of the Corporation to a greater extent than contemplated above, then the provisions of this Article 10 shall be deemed to be automatically amended to provide for the elimination of the personal liability of the directors of the Corporation to such greater extent. This Article 10 shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when this Article 9 becomes effective.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provisions contained in this Certificate of Incorporation from time to time and at any time in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders and directors are granted subject to such reservation.

 

4


CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

of

AGRILINK FOODS, INC,

a New York corporation

And

AGRILINK MERGER CORP,

a Delaware corporation

It is hereby certified that:

1. The constituent business corporations participating in the merger herein certified are:

(i) Agrilink Foods, Inc., which is incorporated under the laws of the State of New York; and

(ii) Agrilink Merger Corp., which is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2. An Agreement of Merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed, and acknowledged by each of the aforesaid constituent corporations in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of Section 252 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, to wit, by Agrilink Foods, Inc. in accordance with the laws of the State of its incorporation and by Agrilink Merger Corp. in the same manner as is provided in Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

3. The name of the surviving corporation in the merger herein certified is Agrilink Merger Corp., which will continue its existence as said surviving corporation under its present name upon the effective date of said merger pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

4. The Certificate of Incorporation of Agrilink Merger Corp., the surviving corporation, is to be amended and changed by reason of the merger herein certified by striking out articles ONE and thereof, relating to the name, of said surviving corporation, and by substituting in lieu thereof the following articles;

“ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is Agrilink Foods, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).”

and said Certificate of Incorporation as so amended and changed shall continue to be the Certificate of Incorporation of said surviving corporation until further amended and changed in accordance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


5. The executed Agreement of Merger between the aforesaid constituent corporations is on file at an office of the aforesaid surviving corporation, the address of which is as follows:

Agrilink Foods, Inc.

90 Linden Oaks

Rochester, NY 14625

6. A copy of the aforesaid Agreement of Merger will be furnished by the aforesaid surviving corporation, on request, and without cost, to any stockholder of each of the aforesaid constituent corporations.

7. The authorized capital stock of Agrilink Foods, Inc. consists of 11,000 common stock shares, par value $.01 per share.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned constituent corporations have executed this Certificate of Merger as of this 19th day of August 2002.

 

AGRILINK FOODS, INC.

a New York Corporation

By:   /s/ David M. Mehalick
 

Name: David M. Mehalick

Title: Vice President

AGRILINK. MERGER CORP.

a New York Corporation

By:   /s/ David M. Mehalick
 

Name: David M. Mehalick

Title: Vice President


CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF REGISTERED AGENT

AND

REGISTERED OFFICE

* * * * *

Agrilink Foods, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

That the registered office of the corporation in the state of Delaware is hereby changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

That the registered agent of the corporation is hereby changed to THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, the business address of which is identical to the aforementioned registered office as changed.

That the changes in the registered office and registered agent of the corporation as set forth herein were duly authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors of the corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed by an authorized officer, this 18th day of October, 2002.

 

Agrilink Foods, Inc.
/s/ Timothy J. Benjamin
Timothy J. Benjamin, Vice President


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AGRILINK FOODS, INC.

AGRILINK FOODS, INC. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify:

FIRST: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation, by unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board, adopted a resolution proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation:

RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be amended by changing the Article thereof numbered “ONE” so that, as amended, said Article shall read as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

SECOND: That in lieu of a meeting and vote of the sole shareholder of the Corporation, written consent to said amendment has been signed by the holder of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation and such written consent has been delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


FOURTH: That the capital of said Corporation shall not be reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said AGRILINK FOODS, INC. has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by Dennis M. Mullen, its President this 23rd day of January, 2003 and he does hereby affirm the truth of the statements contained herein under penalty of perjury.

/s/ Dennis M. Mullen
Dennis M. Mullen, President

 

2


CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

OF

CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO.

(a California corporation)

INTO

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

It is hereby certified that:

1. BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC. (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Corporation”) is a business corporation of the State of Delaware.

2. The Corporation is the owner of all of the outstanding shares of stock of CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO., which is a business corporation of the State of California.

3. The laws of the jurisdiction of organization of CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO. permit the merger of a business corporation of that jurisdiction with a business corporation of another jurisdiction.

4. The Corporation hereby merges CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO. into the Corporation.

5. The following is a copy of the resolutions adopted on September 17, 2004 by the Board of Directors of the Corporation to merge the said CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO. into the Corporation:

RESOLVED, that CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO, be merged into this Corporation, and that all of the estate, property, rights, privileges, powers, and franchises of CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO. be vested in and held and enjoyed by this Corporation as fully and entirely and without change or diminution as the same were before held and enjoyed by CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO. in its name.

RESOLVED, that this Corporation assume all of the obligations of CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO.

RESOLVED, that this Corporation shall cause to be executed and filed and/or recorded the documents prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, by the laws of the State of California, and by the laws of any other appropriate jurisdiction and will clause to be performed all necessary acts within the jurisdiction of organization of CALIFORNIA & WASHINGTON CO. and of this Corporation and in any other appropriate jurisdiction.

Executed on September 17, 2004

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.
By:   /s/ Dennis M. Mullen
  Dennis M. Mullen, Chairman, CEO and President


CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP AND MERGER

*****

LINDEN OAKS CORPORATION, A DELAWARE CORPORATION

MERGES INTO

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION

Pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law

Birds Eye Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (or “Parent”), does hereby certify that:

FIRST: Linden Oaks Corporation, a Delaware corporation (or “Linden Oaks Corporation”) was incorporated on the 20th day of June, 1997, in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law Title 8 §§ 102 et seq., (the “Delaware General Corporation Law”), which permits the merger of a Delaware corporation with and into another Delaware corporation.

SECOND: Linden Oaks Corporation is authorized to issue Three Thousand (3,000) shares of common stock having a par value of One Cent ($.01) per share (the “Linden Oaks Stock”). Parent is holder of record of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Linden Oaks Stock.

THIRD: Parent was incorporated on the 31st day of July, 2002, in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.

FOURTH: In accordance with §253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of Parent, on its own behalf and as sole stockholder of Linden Oaks Corporation, has directed that Linden Oaks Corporation be merged with and into Parent, and in furtherance of the merger, the Board of Directors of Parent duly adopted the following resolutions of merger at a Board meeting duly convened on January 23, 2008:

WHEREAS: the Board of Directors acknowledges that this Corporation, Birds Eye Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation, owns One Hundred Percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Linden Oaks Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

IT IS HEREBY

RESOLVED: that the Board of Directors of this Corporation deems that it would be advisable to merge the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Linden Oaks Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with and into this Corporation, with this Corporation serving as the surviving corporation to the merger, and assume all of the assets, obligations, rights and liabilities of Linden Oaks Corporation (the “Merger”).

RESOLVED FURTHER: that the Merger is hereby approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its own capacity and in the capacity as sole stockholder of Linden Oaks Corporation.


RESOLVED FURTHER: that the Agreement and Plan of Merger circulated to the Board of Directors at this meeting and attached as an Exhibit to the minutes of this meeting is hereby approved and adopted in all respects.

RESOLVED FURTHER: that the Certificate of Ownership and Merger circulated to the Board of Directors at this meeting and attached as an Exhibit to the minutes of this meeting is hereby approved for filing with the Delaware Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, and adopted in all respects.

RESOLVED FURTHER: that the merger described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger shall be structured so as to qualify as a tax free reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated hereunder.

RESOLVED FURTHER: that the proper officers of the Corporation be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the Certificate of Ownership and Merger and cause the same to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, as appropriate or necessary, and to do all acts and things, whatsoever, whether within or without the State of Delaware that may be in any way necessary or appropriate to effectuate the Merger contemplated in these resolutions and to comply with the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger.

FIFTH: Linden Oaks Corporation and Parent have adopted and approved (and adopted resolutions approving) an. Agreement and Plan of Merger that delineates the terms and conditions of the merger.

SIXTH: Both Linden Oaks Corporation and Parent, in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, have caused the Agreement and Plan of Merger to be approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged.

SEVENTH: Parent shall be the surviving corporation to the merger, and Parent shall continue its business without change as the survivor upon and after the effective date of the merger. The name of the surviving corporation shall remain “Birds Eye Foods, Inc.”

EIGHTH: The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Parent shall remain the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the surviving corporation contemplated in the Agreement and Plan of Merger without change or amendment.

NINTH: The executed original of such Agreement and Plan of Merger shall be maintained at 90 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New York 14625, and a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger shall be furnished upon request and without cost to any current or future stockholder of any constituent party.

TENTH: The effective legal date of the merger contemplated by this certificate and related documents shall be 11:59 p.m. on February 2, 2008.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent has caused this cert sate to be signed, affirmed, acknowledged and attested to by its duly authorized officer this 24th day of January, 2008, and such certificate is the act and deed of Parent and the facts stated herein are true.

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

A Delaware Corporation

By:   /s/ Timothy Benjamin
 

Name: Timothy Benjamin

Title: Vice President


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

Under Section 242 of the Delaware Corporation Law

Pursuant to Sections 242 of the Delaware Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the undersigned, being the Chief Executive Officer of Birds Eye Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) does hereby certify the following:

FIRST: The name of the Corporation is: Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

SECOND: The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was tiled with the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 31, 2002.

THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to effect a change in Article First thereof, relating to the name of the Corporation, accordingly Article I of the Certificate of Incorporation shall be amended to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE FIRST

“The name attic Corporation is: Birds Eye Group, Inc.”

FOURTH: The amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation effected hereby was approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, and by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned affirms as true the foregoing under penalties of perjury, and has executed this Certificate this 5th day of October 2009.

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.
By:   /s/ NEIL HARRISON

Name: Neil Harrison

Title: Chief Executive Officer


STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION OF

BIRDS EYE GROUP, INC.

FROM A CORPORATION TO A

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY PURSUANT TO

SECTION 18-214 OF THE LIMITED LIABILITY ACT

December 24, 2009

1.) The jurisdiction where the Company first formed is Delaware.

2.) The jurisdiction immediately prior to filing this Certificate is Delaware.

3.) The Corporation filed its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and was incorporated in the State of Delaware on July 31, 2002.

4.) The name of the Corporation immediately prior to filing this Certificate is “Birds Eye Group, Inc.”

5.) The name of the limited liability company into which the Corporation is to be converted as set forth in its Certificate of Formation is “Birds Eye Foods LLC”.

[signature to follow on next page]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Conversion to Limited Liability Company as of the date first written above.

 

BIRDS EYE GROUP. INC.
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to the Certificate of Conversion]


CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC

This Certificate of Formation of Birds Eye Foods LLC (the “Company”), is being duly executed and filed by Philip R. Russ, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (6 Del C. § 18-101, et seq).

 

  FIRST: The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is Birds Eye Foods LLC.

 

  SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

 

  THIRD: The name and address of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Formation of Birds Eye Foods LLC this 24th day of December, 2009.

By:   /s/ Philip R. Russ
 

Name: Philip R. Russ

Title: Authorized Person


Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

6 Executive Campus, Suite 100

Cherry Hill, New Jersey 02002

Attention; Kelley Maggs

CONSENT TO USE OF NAME

Birds Eye Foods, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby consents to the formation of Birds Eye Foods LLC in the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the said Birds Eye Foods, Inc. has caused this consent to be executed by an authorized officer this 24th day of December 2009.

By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

EX-3.15 7 dex315.htm BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT Birds Eye Foods LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement

Exhibit 3.15

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC

The undersigned is executing this Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Agreement”) as of December 24, 2009, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company (the “Company”) pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq., as amended from time to time (the “Act”), and does hereby agree as follows:

1. Formation. A certificate of formation of the Company (the “Certificate”) was executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 24, 2009.

2. Name. The name of the limited liability company shall be “Birds Eye Foods LLC”, or such other name as the Member may from time to time hereafter designate.

3. Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth therefor in Section 18-101 of the Act.

4. Purpose. The Company is formed for the purpose of engaging in any lawful business permitted by the Act or the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company may do business. The Company shall have the power to engage in all activities and transactions which the Member deems necessary or advisable in connection with the foregoing.

5. Offices. The principal place of business and office of the Company shall be located at, and the Company’s business shall be conducted from, such place or places as the Member may designate from time to time.

The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be located at c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall be The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The Member may from time to time change the registered agent or office by an amendment to the certificate of formation of the Company.

6. Member. Avian Holdings LLC is the sole member of the Company (the “Member”). The name and business or residence address of the Member is Avian Holdings LLC, c/o The Blackstone Group, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154.

7. Term. The term of the Company shall commence on the date of filing of the certificate of formation of the Company in accordance with the Act and shall continue until the Company is dissolved and its affairs are wound up in accordance with Section 17 of this Agreement and a certificate of cancellation is filed in accordance with the Act.


8. Board of Directors; Delegation of Authority and Duties.

(a) Member and Board of Directors. The Member, acting through the Board (defined below), shall manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, and shall possess all rights and powers as provided in the Act and otherwise by law. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, the Member hereby consents to the exercise by the Board of all such powers and rights conferred on them by the Act with respect to the management and control of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as explicitly set forth in this Agreement, if a vote, consent or approval of the Member is required by the Act or other applicable law with respect to any act to be taken by the Company or matter considered by the Board, the Member agrees that it shall be deemed to have consented to or approved such act or voted on such matter in accordance with a vote of the Board on such act or matter. No Member, in his or its capacity as a Member, shall have any power to act for, sign for or do any act that would bind the Company; provided, that the Member shall have the power to act for and bind the Company with respect to actions taken on the date of this Agreement in connection with the Subsidiary Merger, including, without limitation, the appointment of the board of directors of any subsidiary of the Company.

(b) Delegation by Board. The Board shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other persons the Board’s rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of the Member, a Director (as defined below) or the Company (including Officers), and to delegate by a management agreement or another agreement with, or otherwise to, other persons. The Board may authorize any person (including, without limitation, the Member or any Officer or Director) to enter into and perform under any document on behalf of the Company.

(c) Committees. The Board may, from time to time, designate one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of at least two Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the enabling resolution and until dissolved by the Board, shall have and may exercise any or all of the authority of the Board. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the representatives thereof shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the representatives present shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution. The Board may dissolve any committee at any time, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate or this Agreement.

9. Establishment of Board of Directors.

(a) Directors. There shall be established a Board of Directors composed of up to 8 persons (“Directors”), each of whom shall be elected by the Member. Any Director may be removed from the Board at any time by the Member. Each Director shall remain in office until his or her death, resignation or removal. In the event of death, resignation or removal of a Director, the party or parties, as applicable, which appointed such Director shall fill the vacancy created.

(b) Absence. A Director may, in isolated instances arising from exigent circumstances, designate a person to act as his substitute and in his place at any meeting of the Board. Such person shall have all power of the absent Director, and references herein to a “Director” at a meeting shall be deemed to include his substitute. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Directors shall not be deemed to be “members” or “managers” (as such terms are defined in the Act) of the Company.


(c) No Individual Authority. No Director has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditures or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company or authorize any of the foregoing, other than acts that are authorized by the Board.

(d) Chairman. The Board shall designate a Director to serve as chairman. The chairman shall, unless a majority of Directors present determine otherwise, preside at all meetings of the Board. If the chairman is absent at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the Directors present shall designate another Director to serve as interim chairman for that meeting. The chairman shall have no authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditure or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company or authorize any of the foregoing. The chairman shall initially be Roger Deromedi.

10. Officers. The Member may, from time to time as it deems advisable, designate natural persons as officers of the Company (the “Officers”) or successor Officers of the Company and assign titles to any such person. Unless the Member decides otherwise, if the title is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authorities and duties that are normally associated with that office. Any delegation pursuant to this Section 8 may be revoked at any time by the Member. An Officer may be removed with or without cause at any time by the Member.

11. Capital Contributions. The Member shall make capital contributions to the Company from time to time, which amounts shall be set forth in the books and records of the Company.

12. Transfers of Member Interest. The Member may sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer or encumber (collectively, a “Transfer”) any of its Limited Liability Company Interest in the Company to any Person so long as such Transfer is in writing.

13. Resignation. The Member shall have the right to resign from the Company so long as such resignation is in writing. The provisions hereof with respect to distributions upon resignation are exclusive and no Member shall be entitled to claim any further or different distribution upon resignation under Section 18-604 of the Act or otherwise.

14. Allocations and Distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of the Company shall be made at such times and in such amounts as the Member may determine. Distributions shall be made to (and profits and losses of the Company shall be allocated among) the Member.


15. Return of Capital. The Member has the right to receive any distributions which include a return of all or any part of such Member’s capital contribution, provided that upon the dissolution and winding up of the Company, the assets of the Company shall be distributed as provided in Section 18-804 of the Act.

16. Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up upon the occurrence of an event causing a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Act, except the Company shall not be dissolved upon the occurrence of an event that terminates the continued membership of a Member if (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event there are at least two Members of the Company, or (ii) within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such event, all remaining Members agree in writing to continue the business of the Company and to the appointment, effective as of the date of such event, of one or more additional Members. In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the Company shall be applied in the manner, and in the order of priority set forth in Section 18-804 of the Act.

17. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of the Member.

18. Other Business. The Member may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of every kind and description, independently or with others. The Company shall not have any rights in or to such independent ventures or the income or profits therefrom by virtue of this Agreement.

19. Limited Liability. The Member shall not have any liability for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company except to the extent provided by the Act.

20. Exculpation; Indemnification. Neither the Member, the Officers nor any of their respective affiliates or agents (collectively, “Covered Persons”) shall be liable to the Company or any other person or entity who has an interest in the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Covered Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 21 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and neither the Member nor the Officer, as applicable, nor any other Covered Person, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

21. Banking Matters. The Member and each Officer and any agent or employee of the Company, or other person designated by such Member or Officer is hereby authorized and empowered (A) to (i) establish one or more domestic or international accounts (including but not limited to, depository, checking, disbursement, custodian, or investment


accounts, and other accounts as deemed necessary or expeditious for business purposes of the Company) (“Accounts”), in the name of the Company with any bank, trust company, savings and loan institution, brokerage firm or other financial institution which said Member or Officer shall from time to time designate as a depository of funds, securities or other property of the Company, for any purpose and on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by such person on behalf of the Company; and (ii) close Accounts of the Company now or hereafter established; and (B) to assign, limit or revoke any and all authority of any agent or employee of the Company, or other person designated by such Member or Officer to (i) sign checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money drawn on the Company’s Accounts, and all notes of the Company and all acceptances and endorsements of the Company; (ii) execute or initiate electronic fund transfers; (iii) execute or initiate foreign currency exchange transactions; (iv) execute or initiate the investment of monies; and (v) initiate requests for information for any Account of the Company.

22. Authorized Person. Philip R. Russ is hereby designated as an “authorized person” within the meaning of the Act, and has executed, delivered and filed the Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. Upon the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, Philip R. Russ’s powers as an “authorized person” ceased.

23. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a writing duly signed by the Member.

24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law rules.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to the LLC Agreement]

EX-3.16 8 dex316.htm BEMSA HOLDING, INC. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED BEMSA Holding, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

Exhibit 3.16

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

BEMSA HOLDING, INC.

1. The name of the corporation is BEMSA Holding, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”).

2. The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

3. The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is: To engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

4. The aggregate number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is two hundred (200), all of which are without par value and are of the same class and are to be Common shares. Any and all shares without par value may be issued for such consideration expressed in dollars as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

5. The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

 

NAME

  

MAILING ADDRESS

Betty Zabratanski    3600 N. River Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131

The name and mailing address of each person who is to serve as a director until the first annual meeting of the stockholders or until a successor is elected and qualified, is as follows:

 

NAME

  

MAILING ADDRESS

Howard M. Dean    3600 N. River Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Richard E. Bailey    3600 N. River Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Thomas A. Ravencroft    3600 N. River Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131

6. The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

7. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized:

To make, alter or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation.

By a majority of the whole board, to designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. The by-laws may provide that in the


absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the board of directors, or in the by-laws of the Corporation, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the board of directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution, or amending the by-laws of the Corporation; and, unless the resolution or by-laws expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of stock.

When and as authorized by the stockholders in accordance with law, to sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation, including its good will and its corporate franchises, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration, which may consist in whole or in part of money or property including shares of stock in, and/or other securities of, any other corporation or corporations, as its board of directors shall deem expedient and for the best interests of the Corporation.

8. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the by-laws of the Corporation shall so provide.

Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the by-laws may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or in the by-laws of the Corporation.

Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation wider the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs, If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or glass of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this Corporation.

 

2


9. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

10. A directors of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.

I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, do make this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of June, 1998.

/s/ Betty Zabratanski Incorporator
Betty Zabratanski Incorporator

 

3


CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

MERGING

BIRDS EYE TEMPCO, INC.

WITH AND INTO

BEMSA HOLDINGS, INC.

BEMSA Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, does hereby certify that:

FIRST: BEMSA Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (or “BEMSA Holdings”), was organized on the 4 th day of June, 1998, in accordance with Delaware Code Title 8 §§102 et seq., the General Corporation Law of Delaware (or “Delaware General Corporation Law”), which permits the merger of a Delaware corporation with and into another Delaware corporation.

SECOND: Birds Eye Tempco, Inc., a Delaware corporation (or “Birds Eye Tempco, Inc.”), was incorporated on the 24th day of January, 2008, in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.

THIRD: Birds Eye Tempco, Inc. is authorized to issue One Thousand (1,000) shares of capital stock having One Cent ($.01) par value per share, of which One Thousand (1,000) shares are issued, outstanding and held of record by a single stockholder.

FOURTH: In accordance with §251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Sole Stockholder of Birds Eye Tempco, Inc. has unanimously approved (and adopted resolutions approving) an Agreement and Plan of Merger proposing to merge Birds Eye Tempco, Inc. with and into BEMSA Holdings at a meeting duly conducted on January 24, 2008. The Agreement and Plan of Merger constitutes the “Agreement of Merger” required pursuant to §251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

FIFTH: In accordance with §251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of Birds Eye Tempco, Inc. has unanimously approved (and adopted resolutions approving) an Agreement and Plan of Merger proposing to merge Birds Eye Tempco, Inc. with and into BEMSA Holdings by Unanimous Written Consent duly executed by all Directors and delivered on January 24, 2008.

SIXTH: In accordance with §251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Board of Directors of BEMSA Holdings has unanimously approved (and adopted resolutions approving) an Agreement and Plan of Merger proposing to merge Birds Eye Tempco, Inc. with and into BEMSA Holdings by Unanimous Written Consent duly executed by all Directors and delivered on January 24, 2008.

SEVENTH: Both BEMSA Holdings and Birds Eye Tempe, Inc., in accordance with §251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, have caused the Agreement and Plan of Merger to be approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged.


EIGHTH: The name of the surviving entity to the merger shall remain “BEMSA Holdings, Inc.”

NINTH: The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of BEMSA Holdings shall remain the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the surviving entity contemplated in the Agreement and Plan of Merger without amendment or other modification.

TENTH: The executed original of such Agreement and Plan of Merger shall be maintained at the corporate offices of the surviving entity located at 90 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New York 14625 and a copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger shall be furnished upon request and without cost to any current or future stockholder of any constituent party.

ELEVENTH: The effective legal date and time of the merger contemplated by this Certificate and related documents shall be 11:59 p.m. on February 2, 2008.

[THE BALANCE OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, BEMSA Holdings Inc, has caused this certificate to be signed, affirmed and acknowledged by its Assistant Secretary on this 29th day of January, 2008, and such certificate is the act and deed of BEMSA Holdings, Inc., and the facts stated herein are true.

 

BEMSA HOLDINGS, INC.
BY:   /s/ Timothy Benjamin

Name: Timothy Benjamin

Title: Assistant Secretary

 

3

EX-3.17 9 dex317.htm BEMSA HOLDING, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS BEMSA Holding, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws

Exhibit 3.17

BEMSA Holding, Inc.

Incorporated under the Laws of the

State of Delaware

AMENDED & RESTATED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

BEMSA Holding, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall maintain a registered office in the State of Delaware. The Corporation may also have other offices at such places, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any other business as may properly come before such meeting shall be held on such date, at such time and place as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, and set forth in the notice of such meeting. At the annual meeting any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken, whether stated in the notice of meeting or not, except as otherwise expressly provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, or, if no Chairman has been elected, by the President, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board or, if none, by the President at the request of the holders of shares of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders. Special meetings shall be held at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of such meeting. Only if so determined by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, a meeting of stockholders may be held not at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication, as provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. At any special meeting any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken, whether stated in the notice of meeting or not, except as otherwise expressly provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3. Notice of Meeting: Notice of the date, time and place of any stockholders’ meeting, whether annual or special, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat not less than ten (10) nor more than fifty (50) days prior to the date of such meeting, in the manner prescribed by Law. Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given other than by announcement at the meeting so adjourned, unless otherwise ordered in connection with such adjournment. Such further notice, if any, shall be given as may be required by Law.


Section 4. Waiver of Notice: Notice of meeting need not be given to any stockholder who submits a signed waiver of notice, in person or represented by proxy, whether before or after the meeting. The attendance of any stockholder at a meeting, in person or represented by proxy, without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice by such stockholder.

Section 5. Quorum: Any number of stockholders, who are entitled to vote, who hold shares of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders and who shall be present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called shall constitute a quorum for all purposes except as may otherwise be provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 6. Adjournment of Meeting: Whether or not a quorum is present, a meeting may be adjourned from time to time by the chairman of the meeting or by the affirmative vote of the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereat holding shares representing at least a majority of the votes so present or represented and entitled to be cast (a “Majority Vote”), without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall attend. Any meeting at which a quorum is present may also be adjourned in like manner and for such time or upon such call as may be determined by a Majority Vote. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. When a quorum is once present, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal or departure of any stockholder.

Section 7. Voting: Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting may vote either in person or by proxy duly appointed. Each stockholder of a class or series of stock other than Common Stock shall on each matter submitted to a vote at each meeting of the stockholders be entitled to such number of votes for each share of such stock as may be fixed in the Certificate of Incorporation, and each stockholder of Common Stock shall on each matter submitted to a vote at each meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock, in each case registered in his name on the books of the Corporation on the date fixed as a record date for the determination of its stockholders entitled to vote, as hereinafter provided. At all meetings of stockholders all matters, except as otherwise provided by Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, shall be determined by a Majority Vote. Where a separate vote by class is required, a majority of the votes represented by the shares of the stockholders of such class present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to be cast thereon shall be the act of such class. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the shareholder executing it, except in those cases where an irrevocable proxy is permitted by Law.

Unless required by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation, or determined by the chairman of the meeting to be advisable, the vote on any question need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall state the number of shares voted.

Section 8. Action by Stockholders Without a Meeting: Whenever, under the Delaware General Corporation Law, stockholders are required or permitted to take any action by vote, such action may be taken without a meeting upon consent in writing or by electronic transmission, setting forth the action so taken, signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.

 

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Section 9. List of Shareholders. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make a list of the shareholders entitled to vote at each meeting of shareholders, and make such list available for examination, in the manner prescribed by Law.

Section 10. Inspectors. The Board may, or if required by Law shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, in the manner, and with the powers, duties and obligations, prescribed or permitted by Law.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. Number and Qualifications: The Board of Directors shall not be less than one (1) and shall consist of such number as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Any decrease in the number of directors shall be effective at the time of the next succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders unless there shall be vacancies in the Board of Directors in which case such decrease may become effective at any time prior to the next succeeding annual meeting to the extent of the number of such vacancies. All directors shall be at least eighteen years of age. The directors need not be stockholders.

Section 2. Responsibilities: The general management of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which may delegate to officers, employees and to committees of one (1) or more directors such powers and duties as it may from time to time see fit, subject to the limitations hereinafter set forth, and except as may otherwise be provided by Law.

Section 3. Election and Term of Office: Except as otherwise provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the directors shall be elected at each meeting of the shareholders for the election of directors at which a quorum is present by a plurality of the votes cast at such election. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated by the Bylaws, the directors shall cause the same to be held as soon thereafter as may be convenient. The directors chosen at any annual meeting shall hold office except as hereinafter provided, until the next annual election and until the election and qualification of their successors.

Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Directors: Any director may be removed from the Board of Directors, with or without cause, by a Majority Vote at any special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, and the office of such director shall forthwith become vacant. Any director may resign as a director or from membership in any committee of the Board at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by an officer of the Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

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Section 5. Filling of Vacancies: Any vacancy among the directors, occurring from any cause whatsoever, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, provided, however, that the stockholders removing any director may at the same meeting fill the vacancy caused by such removal, and further provided, that if the directors fail to fill any such vacancy, the stockholders may fill such vacancy at the next annual meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose. In case of any increase in the number of directors, the additional directors may be elected by the vote of a majority of the directors in office prior to such increase. Any person elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office, subject to the right of removal as herein before provided, until the next annual election and until the election and qualification of his or her successor.

Section 6. Regular Meetings: The Board of Directors shall hold an annual meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of any business immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, provided a quorum is present. Other regular meetings may be held at such times as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or by the President.

Section 8. Notice and Place of Meetings: Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place as shall be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting shall be sufficiently given if mailed to each director at such director’s residence or usual place of business at least two (2) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or, if sent to such director at such place by telegraph, facsimile, cable or electronic transmission, or delivered personally or by telephone not later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time at which the meeting is to be held. No notice of the annual meeting shall be required if held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and if a quorum is present. Notice of meeting need not be given to any Director who submits a waiver of notice before or after the meeting, nor to any director who attends the meeting without protesting, at the beginning thereof, the lack of notice. Except as otherwise specifically required by Law or these Bylaws, a notice or waiver of notice of any regular or special meeting need not state the purposes of such meeting.

Section 9. Business Transacted at Meetings: Any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum shall be present, whether such business or proposed action be stated in the notice of such meeting or not, unless special notice of such business or proposed action shall be required by Law.

Section 10. Quorum and Manner of Acting: A majority of the entire Board of Directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the acts of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors, unless otherwise provided by Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine without notice other than an announcement at the meeting. The directors shall act only as a Board and the individual directors shall have no power as such unless expressly delegated by the Board or any duly constituted committee of the Board.

 

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Section 11. Action Without a Meeting: Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or the committee consent in writing or by electronic transmission to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the consents thereto in writing or by electronic transmission by the members of the Board of Directors or committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

Section 12. Participation by Telephone: Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. Participation by such means shall constitute the presence of the person at the meeting.

Section 13. Compensation: The Board of Directors may establish by resolution reasonable compensation for directors for services to the Corporation as a director, committee member or chairman of any committee and for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee: The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, may designate one (1) or more directors to constitute an Executive Committee to hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, which Committee shall, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, have and exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject only to such restrictions or limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time specify, or as limited by Law, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all instruments which may require it. Any member of the Executive Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any person ceasing to be a director shall ipso facto cease to be a member of the Executive Committee. Any vacancy in the Executive Committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled from among the directors by a resolution of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 2. Other Committees: The Board of Directors or any committee duly appointed by the Board of Directors may appoint other committees whose members are to be directors, and which committees shall exist for such time and have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the committee appointing them. Any member of such a committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or the committee appointing such committee. Any vacancy in a committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled by the Board of Directors or the committee appointing such committee.

 

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Section 3. Powers of Committees. Any Executive Committee or other committee, to the extent allowed by Law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee or in the Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the power to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the authority to issue shares, and the authority to declare a dividend, except as limited by Delaware General Corporation Law or other applicable Law, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the Corporation. All acts done by any committee within the scope of its powers and duties pursuant to these Bylaws and the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be, and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors. The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary is empowered to certify that any resolution duly adopted by any such committee is binding upon the Corporation and to execute and deliver such certifications from time to time as may be necessary or proper to the conduct of the business of the Corporation. The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent the Board from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that any such committee shall not have nor exercise any authority of the Board.

Section 4. Resignation: Any member of a committee may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman of the Board, or if none, by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified therein.

Section 5. Quorum: A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the members of a committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. The members of a committee shall act only as a committee, and the individual members thereof shall have no powers as such.

Section 6. Record of Proceedings: Each committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and shall report the same to the Board of Directors when and as required by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Organization, Meetings, Notices: A committee may hold its meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place upon which a majority of the committee may at any time agree. Each committee may make such rules as it may deem expedient for the regulation and carrying on of its meetings and proceedings. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, any notice of a meeting of such Committee may be given by the Secretary or by the Chairman of the Committee and shall be sufficiently given if mailed to each member at such member’s residence or usual place of business at least five (5) days before the day on which

 

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the meeting is to be held, or, if sent to him at such place by telegraph, facsimile, cable or electronic transmission, or delivered personally or by telephone, not later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the time at which the meeting is to be held. Notice of meeting need not be given to any member of a committee who submits a waiver of notice before or after the meeting, nor to any member who attends the meeting without protesting, at the beginning thereof, the lack of notice.

Section 8. Compensation: The members of any committee shall be entitled to such compensation as may be allowed them by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Number: The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and such Vice Presidents and other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election, Term of Office and Qualifications: The officers, except as provided in Section 3 of this Article V, shall be chosen by the Board of Directors. Each such officer shall, except as herein otherwise provided, hold office until the selection and qualification of his or her successor. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall be a director of the Corporation, and should the Chairman cease to be a director, shall ipso facto cease to be such Officer. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except the offices of President and Secretary or as otherwise prohibited by Law.

Section 3. Other Officers: Other officers, including without limitation, one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries or Assistant Treasurers, may from time to time be appointed by the Board of Directors or committee thereof, which other officers shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or committee appointing them.

Section 4. Removal of Officers: Any officer of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless otherwise specifically provided in the resolution of the Board electing such officer, any officer shall automatically, without further action by the Board and without the necessity or acceptance of a resignation or relinquishment, be removed from all offices he or she may hold when he or she shall cease to be employed by at least one of the Corporation or, so long as shares of capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders are owned by Birds Eye Group, Inc. or any successor thereto (“BEG”) or any of BEG’s subsidiaries, whether by death, retirement, termination with or without cause or otherwise.

Section 5. Resignation: Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by an officer of the Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary in order to make it effective.

 

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Section 6. Filling of Vacancies: A vacancy in any office shall be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Compensation: The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or by any officer(s) or committee to whom such authority may be delegated by the Board of Directors.

Section 8. Chairman of the Board of Directors: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if one is elected, shall be a director and may, but need not, be an employee of the Corporation or hold other offices in the Corporation. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which he shall be present. The Chairman shall have power to call special meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee at any time and shall have such power and perform such other duties as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. President and Chief Executive Officer: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, and shall have such duties as customarily pertain to that office. The President shall have general management and supervision of the property, business and affairs of the Corporation and over its several officers, employees and agents, subject, however to control of the Board. He or she may appoint and remove agents and employees, other than officers referred to in this Article IV, and may sign, execute and deliver, in the name of the Corporation, all certificates, powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other obligations and instruments authorized by the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing, execution and delivery thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or except as otherwise provided by Law or the Certificate of Incorporation. The President shall perform such duties as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, perform and carry out the functions of the Chairman of the Board. The President shall designate the person or persons who shall exercise his powers and perform his duties in his absence or disability.

Section 10. Vice Chairman of the Board: One of the Vice Chairmen of the Board, if any are elected, shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, preside at meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. They shall have such powers and perform such duties as usually pertain to the office of Vice Chairman of the Board and such other powers and duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors.

Section 11. Vice Presidents: Each Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, First Vice President or Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these Bylaws.

Section 12. Secretary: The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for any committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be

 

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prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and affix it to any instrument when so authorized by the Board of Directors and may attest the affixing by his or her signature. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature.

Section 13. Assistant Secretary: Any Assistant Secretary shall be empowered and authorized to perform all of the duties of the Secretary in the absence of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Secretary or these Bylaws.

Section 14. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by persons authorized by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Directors at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors, or whenever they may require it, an account of all of the transactions effected by the Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer may be required to give bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties. He or she shall generally perform all duties appertaining to the office of treasurer of a corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

Section 15. Assistant Treasurer: Any Assistant Treasurer shall be empowered and authorized to perform all the duties of the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer or these Bylaws.

Section 16. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may designate such other officers having such duties and powers as it may specify from time to time.

ARTICLE VI

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. Issue of Certificates of Stock: Certificates of capital stock shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. They shall be numbered in the order of their issue, and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the President or any Vice President (or a comparable officer), and the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, and the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof shall be impressed, affixed or reproduced thereon. In case any officer or officers who shall have signed any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.

 

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Section 2. Registration and Transfer of Shares: The name of each person owning a share of the capital stock of the Corporation together with the number of shares held by such person, the numbers of the certificates covering such shares and the dates of issue of such certificates shall be registered on the records of the Corporation by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer. The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person, or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, on surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares, accompanied by an assignment or power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, and with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. A record shall be made of each transfer. The Board of Directors may make other and further rules and regulations concerning the transfer and registration of certificates for stock.

Section 3. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates: The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificates therefor. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representatives, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond, in such sum not exceeding twice the value of the stock and with such surety or sureties as they may require, to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it by reason of the issue of such new certificate and against all other liabilities arising therefrom, or may remit such owner to such remedy or remedies as such owner may have under the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE VII

DIVIDENDS AND SURPLUS

Section 1. General Discretion of Directors: The Board of Directors shall have power to fix and vary the amount to be set aside or reserved as working capital of the Corporation, or as reserves, or for other proper purposes of the Corporation, and, subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, to determine whether any part of the surplus or net profits of the Corporation shall be declared in dividends and paid to the stockholders, and to fix the date or dates for the payment of dividends. Dividends may be paid in cash, property or shares of capital stock.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 1. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the same as that of BEG, so long as shares of capital stock of the Corporation representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of stockholders are owned by BEG, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise determine.

Section 2. Corporate Seal: The corporate seal shall be in such form as approved by the Board of Directors and may be altered at their pleasure. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

 

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Section 3. Notices: Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice required by these Bylaws to be given shall be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post-office or letter box in a sealed wrapper with a first-class postage prepaid stamp thereon and addressed to the person entitled thereto at such person’s business or home address, as the same appears upon the books of the Corporation, or by telephoning, telegraphing, faxing or cabling the same to such person at such address; and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time it is mailed, telegraphed, faxed or cabled.

Section 4. Waiver of Notice: Any stockholder or director may at any time, by writing, by telegraph, by fax, by cable or by electronic transmission, waive any notice required to be given under these Bylaws, and if any stock-holder or director shall be present at any meeting, his presence shall constitute a waiver of such notice for such meeting, unless he protests his lack of notice by the end of the meeting.

Section 5. Contracts, Checks, Drafts: Except as otherwise required by Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts, promissory notes, bonds or other certificates or evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, checks, drafts, bills of exchange or other orders for the payment of money out of the funds of the Corporation or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such persons as the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof may from time to time direct or as may be designated by any officer or officers of the Corporation to whom such power of designation may from time to time be delegated by the Board. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board or such officer may determine. Unless authorized by the Board of Directors or expressly permitted by these Bylaws, any officer or agent or employee shall not have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it pecuniarily liable for any purpose or to any amount.

Section 6. Deposits: All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such bank or banks, trust companies or other depositories as persons authorized by the Board of Directors may select, and, for the purpose of such deposit, checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation, may be endorsed for deposit, assigned and delivered by any officer of the Corporation, or by such agents of the Corporation, or by such person as the Board of Directors may authorize for that purpose.

Section 7. Voting Stock of Subsidiary Corporations: Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meetings, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or a Vice President (or comparable officer). Any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as the officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation, company, partnership or other entity in which the Corporation may own securities, or to execute written consents in lieu thereof. At any such meeting, or in giving any such consent, the officer shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

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Section 8. Cessation of Officership and Directorship: The authority granted by name to any individual shall immediately cease in the event that such individual ceases to be an officer or director of the Corporation or an affiliate thereof, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors.

Section 9. Definitions. As used in these Bylaws, the term “entire Board of Directors” means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies; the term “Law” means the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable law, rule or regulation and, to the extent binding on the Corporation, the constitutions, rules and regulations of any exchange on which securities of the Corporation are listed, or of which the Corporation is a member, or of any self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction or authority over the Corporation.

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. Nature of Indemnity. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (a “Proceeding”), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer, of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, and may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to such an action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was or has agreed to become an employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; except that in the case of an action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (1) such indemnification shall be limited to expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in the defense or settlement of such action or suit, and (2) no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 5 of this Article IX, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation in respect of a Proceeding (or part thereof) instituted by such director or officer, unless such Proceeding (or part thereof) has been authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

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The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

Section 2. Successful Defense. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 1 of this Article IX or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 3. Determination that Indemnification is Proper. Any indemnification of a present or former director or officer of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article IX (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation unless a determination is made that indemnification of the present or former director or officer is not proper in the circumstances because he or she has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article IX. Any indemnification of a present or former employee or agent of the Corporation under Section 1 of this Article IX (unless ordered by a court) may be made by the Corporation upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article IX. Any such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

Section 4. Advance Payment of Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article IX. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Corporation deems appropriate. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation’s counsel to represent such director, officer, employee or agent in any action, suit or proceeding, whether or not the Corporation is a party to such action, suit or proceeding.

 

13


Section 5. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation under Sections 1 and 2 of this Article IX, or advance of costs, charges and expenses to a director or officer under Section 4 of this Article IX, shall be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days, upon the written request of the director or officer. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article IX is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved such request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnity or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within thirty (30) days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article IX shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section 4 of this Article IX where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article IX, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article IX, nor the fact that there has been an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel, and its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 6. Survival; Preservation of Other Rights. The foregoing indemnification provisions shall be deemed to be a contract between the Corporation and each director, officer, employee and agent who serves in any such capacity at any time while these provisions as well as the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law are in effect and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any right or obligation then existing with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any action, suit or proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts. Such a “contract right” may not be modified retroactively without the consent of such director, officer, employee or agent.

The indemnification provided by this Article IX shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

Section 7. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such

 

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person and incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article IX, provided that such insurance is available on acceptable terms, which determination shall be made by a vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 8. Severability. If this Article IX or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director or officer and may indemnify each employee or agent of the Corporation as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article IX that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, rescind, alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws; provided, however, that the stockholders shall have power to rescind, alter, amend or repeal any Bylaws made by the Board of Directors, and to enact Bylaws which if so expressed shall not be rescinded, altered, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

 

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EX-3.18 10 dex318.htm GLK HOLDINGS, INC. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION GLK Holdings, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation

Exhibit 3.18

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.

1. The name of the corporation is GLK HOLDINGS, INC.

2. The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

3. The purpose for which it is formed is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

4. The aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 3,000 all of which are to be common shares with a par value of $.01 per share.

5. The name and mailing address of the incorporator is:

 

Carla J. Penazek

Pittsford, NY 14534

   99 Garnsey Road

6. The Board of Directors of the corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal by-laws of the corporation, but the stockholders may make additional by-laws and may alter or repeal any by-law whether adopted by them or otherwise.

7. To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended in a manner more favorable to directors, a director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does make this Certificate this 12th day of February, 2003, and hereby affirms the truth of the statements contained herein under penalties of perjury.

 

/s/ Carla J. Penazek
Carla J. Penazek
Incorporator
EX-3.19 11 dex319.htm GLK HOLDINGS, INC. BYLAWS GLK Holdings, Inc. Bylaws

Exhibit 3.19

BY-LAWS

of

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.


Table of Contents

 

     Page

ARTICLE 1 - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

   1

Annual Meeting

   1

Special Meetings

   1

Place of Meetings

   1

Notice of Meetings

   1

Record Dates

   1

Quorum

   2

Voting

   2

Proxies

   2

Conduct of Meetings

   2

Action Without a Meeting

   2

ARTICLE 2 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   3

Election and Powers

   3

Number

   3

Vacancies

   3

Removal

   3

Meetings

   3

Place of Meetings

   3

Notice of Meeting

   3

Waiver of Notice

   4

Quorum

   4

Action Without a Meeting

   4

Personal Attendance by Conference Communication Equipment

   4

Compensation

   4

Executive Committee and Other Committees

   4

ARTICLE 3 - OFFICERS

   5

Election of Officers

   5

Removal

   5

Compensation

   5

Chairman of the Board

   5

President

   5

Vice Presidents

   6

Secretary

   6

Treasurer

   6


ARTICLE 4 - SHARE CERTIFICATES

   6

Form

   6

Transfer of Shares

   6

Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

   7

ARTICLE 5 - INDEMNIFICATION

   7

ARTICLE 6 - AMENDMENTS

   7


By-laws

of

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.

ARTICLE 1 - MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

1.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and set forth in the notice of the meeting, for the election of directors and for the transaction of such business as may properly be brought before such meeting.

1.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation may be held at any time in the interval between annual meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, or by request of a majority of the Board of Directors, which written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and matters proposed to be acted upon thereat.

1.3 Place of Meetings. Annual and special meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

1.4 Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice of the date, time and place of all meetings of the shareholders shall be given personally, or by first class mail, not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the day fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder entitled to vote at said meeting, and, unless the meeting is an annual meeting, such notice must also state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and must indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person or persons calling the meeting. Such notice must also be given to any shareholder who, by reason of any action proposed at such meeting, would be entitled to have his stock appraised, if such action were taken, and such notice must specify the proposed action and state the fact that if the action is taken, the dissenting shareholder shall have appraisal rights. Such notice shall be given to the shareholder personally or by mailing it, postage prepaid and addressed to him or her at his or her address as it appears on the books of the Corporation, unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him or her be mailed to some other address, in which event it shall be mailed to the address designated in such request. The notices, as provided for in this Section, are not required to be given to any shareholder who submits a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, whether before or after the meeting. The attendance of any shareholder at a meeting, in person or by proxy, without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice by him or her. No notice of an adjourned meeting of shareholders need be given, if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

1.5 Record Dates. For the purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a shareholders’ meeting or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a date of record which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days

 

1


before said meeting date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a date of record which shall not be more than ten (10) days prior to such action for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or the allotment of any rights, or for any other action, the Board of Directors may fix a date of record which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action.

1.6 Quorum. At all meetings of shareholders, except as otherwise provided by law, a quorum shall exist if there is present in person or represented by proxy, shareholders owning a majority in number of votes of the shares of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, in order to constitute a quorum; but if there be no quorum, the holders of such shares so present or represented may by majority vote adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall attend. At any such adjournment of the meeting, which a quorum shall attend, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. When a quorum is once present, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholder.

1.7 Voting. At all meetings of the shareholders, each shareholder entitled to vote thereat may vote in person or by proxy, and shall have one (1) vote for each share standing in his name on the books of the Corporation as of the record date fixed for the meeting, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendments thereto. Upon demand of the shareholders holding ten percent (10%) in interest of the shares, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, voting shall be by ballot. A plurality of votes cast shall be sufficient to elect directors, and a majority of votes cast in favor of or against such action shall be sufficient to take any other corporate action, except as otherwise provided by law or these By-Laws.

1.8 Proxies. Every proxy shall be in writing, subscribed by the shareholder or his duly authorized attorney and dated. No proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date unless such proxy shall, on its face, name a longer period for which it is to remain in force.

1.9 Conduct of Meetings. Meetings of the shareholders shall be presided over by the President of the Corporation or, in his absence, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or, in the absence of both of them, by a Chairman to be chosen at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of the meeting, if present.

1.10 Action Without a Meeting. Whenever Shareholders are required or permitted to take any action by vote, such action may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a written consent, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

 

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ARTICLE 2 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2.1 Election and Powers. The Board of Directors shall have the management and control of the affairs and business of the Corporation. The directors shall be elected by the shareholders at each annual meeting of shareholders and each director shall serve until his successor is elected or appointed and qualified, unless his directorship be theretofore vacated by resignation, death, removal or otherwise.

2.2 Number. The number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be such number as shall be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted prior to the election of directors at the annual meeting of shareholders. In the absence of such resolution the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting shall be the number last fixed by the Board of Directors. Any Board action designating a change in the number of directors shall require a vote of a majority of the entire Board. The “entire Board”, as used in this Article, shall mean the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

2.3 Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors (including any resulting from an increase in the number of directors) created for any reason except the removal by the shareholders of a director or directors without cause, may be filled by vote of the Board of Directors. If, however, the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, vacancies may be filled by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office. A director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy under this Section shall hold office until the next meeting of shareholders at which the election of directors is in the regular order of business, and until his successor has been duly elected or appointed and qualified.

2.4 Removal. At any meeting of the shareholders duly called, any director may, by vote of the holders of a majority in number of votes of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors, be removed from office, with or without cause. In the case of removal without cause, another director may be elected by the shareholders in the place of the person so removed, to serve for the remainder of the term.

2.5 Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at any time, upon call from the Chairman of the Board, the President or at least one-third (1/3) of the directors.

2.6 Place of Meetings. Regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

2.7 Notice of Meeting. Notice of the place, date and time of every regular and special meeting shall be given to each director by delivering the same to him or her personally or sending the same to him or her by telegraph or leaving the same at his or her residence or usual place of business, at least two (2) days before the meeting, or shall be mailed to each director, postage prepaid and addressed to him or her at the last known mailing address according to the records of the Corporation, at least three (3) days before the meeting. No notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors need be given other than by announcement at the meeting, subject to the provisions of Section 2.9.

 

3


2.8 Waiver of Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who submits a signed written waiver thereof, whether before, during or after the meeting, nor to any director who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him or her.

2.9 Quorum. A majority of the entire Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at each meeting of the Board of Directors.

2.10 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof at a duly held meeting may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or the committee consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. Such resolution and the written consents thereto by the members of the Board of Directors or committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or the committee.

2.11 Personal Attendance by Conference Communication Equipment. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

2.12 Compensation. Directors shall receive such compensation for their services as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. Nothing in this Section will be construed to preclude a director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and from receiving compensation therefor.

2.13 Executive Committee and Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, appoint an Executive Committee, or any other committee, to consist of one (1) or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Executive Committee shall have, and may exercise between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and other committees shall have those powers conferred upon them by the Board of Directors, except that no committee shall have power:

 

  (a) To submit to shareholders any action requiring shareholder approval;

 

  (b) To fill vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee thereof;

 

  (c) To fix compensation of directors for service on the Board of Directors or any committee thereof;

 

  (d) To repeal, amend or adopt by-laws;

 

4


  (e) To amend or repeal any Board resolution which is not, by its terms, amendable or repealable by such committee;

 

  (f) To approve, adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required to be submitted to stockholders for approval.

In the absence, or upon the disqualification, of any member of the Executive Committee or of any other committee, the members thereof present at any meeting may appoint a member of the Board of Directors previously designated by the Board of Directors as a committee alternate to act in place of such absent or disqualified member. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill vacancies in it, or dissolve it. The Executive Committee and any other committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, and may appoint such committees and assistants as may from time to time be necessary or appropriate, unless the Board of Directors shall provide otherwise. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee and of any other committee shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE 3 - OFFICERS

3.1 Election of Officers. The Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee), at any duly held meeting thereof, shall elect a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer of the Corporation, and may elect a Chairman of the Board from among the directors of the Corporation, one or more Vice Presidents and any other officers. Each such officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors or until his successor shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualifies, or until he shall have resigned, shall have deceased or shall have been removed in the manner provided in Section 3.2. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. Any vacancies in the above offices shall be filled by the Board.

3.2 Removal. Any officers of the Corporation may be removed with or without cause by a vote of the majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation then in office at a meeting called for that purpose whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation may be served thereby.

3.3 Compensation. The Board of Directors shall fix the compensation of all officers of the Corporation.

3.4 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may direct.

3.5 President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee), have the general management of the affairs of the Corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders. If there be no Chairman of the Board, or in his absence or inability to act, the President shall perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee).

 

5


3.6 Vice Presidents. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) as an Executive Vice President. At the request of the President, or in his absence or during his disability, the Executive Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the functions of the President. If there be no Executive Vice President, or if there be more than one (1), the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) may determine which one or more of the Vice Presidents shall perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions; if such determination is not made by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee), the President may make such determination; otherwise, any of the Vice Presidents may perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions. Each Vice President shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President.

3.7 Secretary. The Secretary shall keep full minutes of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors in books provided for that purpose. He shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law. He shall be the custodian of the records and of the seal or seals of the Corporation. He shall affix the corporate seal to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation, under the seal, is duly authorized by the Board of Directors (or Executive Committee), and when so affixed may attest the same. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President.

3.8 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep correct and complete books and records of account for the Corporation. Subject to the control and supervision of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President, or such other officer as the President may designate, the Treasurer shall establish and execute programs for the provision of the capital required by the Corporation, including negotiating the procurement of capital and maintaining adequate sources for the Corporation’s current borrowing from lending institutions. He shall maintain banking arrangements to receive, have custody of and disburse the Corporation’s moneys and securities. He shall invest the Corporation’s funds as required, establish and coordinate policies for investment of pension and other similar trusts, and provide insurance coverage as required. He shall direct the granting of credit and the collection of accounts due the Corporation. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President.

ARTICLE 4 - SHARE CERTIFICATES

4.1 Form. The interest of each shareholder of the Corporation shall be evidenced by certificates for shares in such form not inconsistent with the law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and any amendments thereof, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

4.2 Transfer of Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the registered holder thereof, in person or by his attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for the same number of shares, with a proper assignment and powers of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly signed by the person appearing by the certificate to be the owner of the shares represented thereby, with such proof of the

 

6


authenticity of the signature as the Corporation, or its agents, may reasonably require. Such certificate shall have affixed thereto all stock transfer stamps required by law. The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such other rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the Corporation.

4.3 Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The holder of any certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any mutilation, loss, theft or destruction thereof, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, cause one or more new certificates, for the same number of shares in aggregate, to be issued to such holder upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate, or, in case of an alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft or destruction and the deposit of indemnity, by way of bond or otherwise, in such form and amount and with such sureties as the Board of Directors may require, to indemnify the Corporation and transfer agent and registrar, if any, against loss or liability by reason of the issuance of such new certificates; but the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, refuse to issue such new certificates save upon the order of some court having jurisdiction in such matters.

ARTICLE 5 - INDEMNIFICATION

The Corporation shall indemnify (a) any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, and (b) any director or officer of the Corporation who served any other company in any capacity at the request of the Corporation, in the manner and to the maximum extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, as amended from time to time; and the Corporation may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, indemnify all other corporate personnel to the extent permitted by law.

ARTICLE 6 - AMENDMENTS

The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a majority vote of the entire Board at any meeting. However, any By-Laws adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed at any meeting of shareholders by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon.

 

7

EX-3.20 12 dex320.htm GLK, LLC ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION, AS AMENDED GLK, LLC Articles of Organization, as amended

Exhibit 3.20

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

OF

GREAT LAKES KRAUT COMPANY, LLC

Under Section 293 of the Limited Liability Company Law

The undersigned, for the purpose of forming a limited liability company pursuant to Section 203 of the New York Limited Company Law, hereby certifies:

The name of the limited liability company is GREAT LAKES KRAUT COMPANY, LLC.

2. The office of the limited liability company shall be located it the County of Monroe, State of New York.

3. There is no rent or date upon which the limited liability company is to dissolve other than the events set forth in this statute.

4. The Secretary of State of the State of New York is hereby designated u the agent at the limited liability company upon whom process in any action or proceeding against it may be served and the address to which the Secretary of State shall main a copy of process in any action, or proceeding against the company which may be served upon him is P.O. Box 217, 400 Clark Street, Bear Creek, Wisconsin 54922.

5. The limited liability company-shall be managed by one or more managers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed these Articles of Organization this 13th day of June, 1997 and hereby affirm the truth of the statecraft° contained herein under penalties of perjury.

 

/s/  David M. Mehalick        

David M. Mehalick

Organizer


STATE OF NEW YORK

Monroe County

Leslie Smith being duly sworn, deposeth and, saith that she is the Bookkeeper for THE BRIGHTON-PITTSFORD POST, a weekly newspaper published in the Town of Pittsford, County and State aforesaid, and that a notice, of which the annexed is a printed copy, was published in the said paper at least once in each week, for 6 successive weeks, commencing on the 24 day of Sept., 1997 and ending on the 29 day of Oct. 1997.

 

/s/  Leslie Smith        
Sworn-to before me, this 29th day of October, 1997
/s/  Rosamond Parish        
Notary Public, State of N.Y.
Expires   5/98


AIDF-24

AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION

STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF MONROE                 SS:

CITY OF ROCHESTER

Rebecca Lewis being duly sworn in, says that she is a Classified Associate for WMT Publications, Inc., the publisher of CITY NEWSPAPER, a weekly newspaper published in Rochester, New York, and that the notice annexed hereto was published in said paper one in each week by 6 successive weeks, the first published on 29 day of October, 1997 and the last published on the day of 3 December, 1997.

Rebecca Lewis

Sales Representative

Sworn to me before this 21 day of December, 1997

 

/s/ Diane H. Diamond

DIANE H. DIAMOND

Notary Public, State of New York

Qualified in Monroe County

My Commission Expires July 12, 1999


CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION

OF

GREAT LAKES KRAUT COMPANY, LLC

Under Section 211 of the Limited Liability Company Law

1. The name of the limited liability company is GREAT LAKES KRAUT COMPANY, LLC.

2. The Articles of Organization were filed by the Department of State on June 16, 1997.

3. The Articles of Organization, as now in full force and effect, are hereby amended as follows:

(a) To change the name of the limited liability company to GLK, LLC. The Paragraph designated “I.” in the Articles of Organization is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

1. The name of the limited liability company is GLK, LLC.

(b) To change the address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of process served upon him to 90 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New York 14625. The Paragraph designated “4.” in the Articles of Organization is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

4. The Secretary of State of the State of New York is hereby designated as the agent of the limited liability company upon whom process in any action or proceeding against it may be served and the address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of process in any action or proceeding against the limited liability company which may be served upon him is 90 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New York 14625.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Certificate of Amendment this 27 day of 2003.

 

/s/  David J. Pico        
Name:    David J. Pico
Title:    V.P. Finance / Authorized Person
EX-3.21 13 dex321.htm GLK, LLC AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED GLK, LLC Amended and Restated Operating Agreement, as amended

Exhibit 3.21

AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GLK, LLC

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED OPERATING AGREEMENT is made as of the 31st day of March, 2003, by and among GLK, LLC, a New York limited liability company having its principal offices located at 90 Linden Place, Rochester, New York (the “Company”), and the members and whose names appear on Schedule A to this Agreement (the “Members”).

PREAMBLE

The Company was duly formed upon the filing of its Articles of Organization with the New York State Department of State pursuant to the New York Limited Liability Company Law as amended (the “LLC Law”) under the name “Great Lakes Kraut Company, LLC”;

The initial members of the Company were Birds Eye Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation formerly known as Agrilink Foods, Inc. (“Birds Eye”), and Flanagan Brothers Incorporated, a Wisconsin corporation (“FB”);

The Company, Birds Eye and FB were parties to an Operating Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997 (the “Original Operating Agreement”);

Pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated as of March 2, 2003, (a) GLK Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Birds Eye (“Holdings”), contributed $11.1 million to the Company in exchange for 39.928 membership units of the Company, (b) GLK Acquisition, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of FB, acquired all the assets of the Company, with the sole exception of a subordinated note (and related payment in kind notes) owed by Birds Eye, and assumed all of the liabilities of the Company, in exchange for the redemption by the Company of the 50 membership units owned by FB; and (c) the Company agreed to change its name to “GLK, LLC”.

The parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Original Operating Agreement as hereinafter set forth to govern the business operations of the Company (the Original Operating Agreement, as so amended and restated, this “Agreement”).

ARTICLE 1

THE COMPANY

1.1 Formation. The Company was formed as a limited liability company on June 16, 1997 under the name “Great Lakes Kraut Company, LLC”.

1.2 Name. The name of the Company is GLK, LLC. The business of the Company may, however, be conducted under any other name designated in writing by the Members. If the Company does business under a name other than as set forth in its Articles of Organization, then the Company shall file an assumed-named certificate as required by Section 130 of the General Business Law of the State of New York.


1.3 Principal Office and Place of Business. The principal office of the Company shall be at 90 Linden Place, Rochester, Monroe County, New York or at such other location as may hereafter be determined by the Members.

1.4 Term. The term of the Company commenced on the filing of the Articles of Organization and shall continue in perpetuity from and after the date of such filing, unless its existence is sooner terminated in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

1.5 Purpose. The Company has been formed to engage in any business purpose permitted under the LLC Law and as may be determined by the Members. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not engage in any business for which any statute of the State of New York, other than the LLC Law, specifically requires some other business entity or natural person to be formed or used for such business.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

2.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms when capitalized are defined terms and shall have the meanings set forth below:

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble Section above.

Capital Account” means, as to any Member, the Capital Contributions made by such Member to the Company as of any date, properly adjusted to reflect such Member’s allocations of Profits, Losses and Distributions. In calculating the Capital Account of a Member, Distributions to such Member shall be valued as reflected on the books of the Company.

Capital Contributions” means contributions to the capital of the Company by the Members.

Cash Flow” means the total cash receipts of the Company, less (a) costs of goods sold and all operating expenses of the Company (other than expenses not involving cash expenditures, such as depreciation), (b) all principal payments on loans made to the Company or secured by the Company property, (c) capital expenditures, and (d) reserves for working capital or other purposes in such amounts as the Members may determine.

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

Distribution” means cash or other property, from any source, including Cash Flow, distributed to the Members by the Company.

LLC Law” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble Section above.

Majority-in-Interest” means the Member(s) whose aggregate Percentage Membership Interest(s) constitute more than one-half of the aggregate Percentage Membership Interests in the Company.


Management Committee” means the committee appointed in accordance with Article 5 hereof.

Manager” means any member of the Management Committee.

Member” means any Person who has been admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to Article 3 or Article 7 of this Agreement.

Membership Interest” shall mean all of the rights of a Member in the Company, including a Member’s right to (a) share in the Profits and Losses of, and receive Distributions from, the Company, (b) inspect the Company’s books and records, and (c) subject to the terms of this Agreement, participate in the management of and vote on matters that come before the Company.

Percentage Membership Interest” shall mean, as to a Member, the percentage ownership of Membership Interests by said Member as set forth after the Member’s name on Schedule A, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Person” shall mean any corporation, firm, joint venture, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, natural person, partnership, trust, or other entity.

Profits” or “Losses” shall mean the profits or losses of the Company determined in accordance with the accounting method followed by the Company for federal income tax purposes, and shall include without limitation each item of Company income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit to be received or borne by the Members.

Unit” shall mean a Member’s ownership interest in the Company.

ARTICLE 3

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS

3.1 Capital Contributions. Each of the Members has made on or prior to the date hereof the capital contributions set forth on Schedule A, and each Member shall receive the number of Units in the Company set forth on Schedule A in exchange for such contributions.

3.2 No Additional Capital Contributions Required. No Member shall be required to contribute any additional capital to the Company, unless required by a vote of all of the Members. No Member shall have any personal liability for any obligation of the Company.

3.3 Interest. No Member shall be entitled to interest on his Capital Contribution.

3.4 Withdrawal of Capital Contributions. Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, no Member shall have the right to withdraw from the Company or to demand or receive the return of his Capital Contribution.

3.5 No Priority. No Member shall have priority over any other Member as to return of Capital Contributions, allocation of Profits or Losses, or Distributions.


3.6 Capital Accounts. A separate Capital Account shall be maintained for each Member and shall be credited with the amount of the initial and subsequent Capital Contributions made by such Member and such Member’s share of the Company’s Profits as determined in Article 4 hereof. Each such Capital Account shall be charged to reflect all Distributions and withdrawals of a Member’s Capital Contributions and such Member’s share of the Company’s Losses.

3.7 Loans. Any Member may, at any time, make or cause a loan to be made to the Company in any amount and on those terms as approved by at least a Majority-In-Interest of the Members.

ARTICLE 4

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

4.1 Allocation of Profits and Losses and Cash Flow.

(a) Profits and Losses shall be allocated among the Members in accordance with each Member’s Percentage Membership Interest at the close of business on the day on which such allocation is to be made. Profits and Losses of the Company shall be determined (i) at the close of each fiscal year; (ii) in accordance with paragraph (b) below, (iii) upon the dissolution of the Company, and (iv) upon the winding up of the Company’s business. Profits and Losses of the Company shall be computed in accordance with the accounting method followed by the Company for federal income tax purposes, applied in a consistent manner.

(b) In the event of a transfer of a Member’s Membership Interest in accordance with Article 7 of this Agreement, Profits and Losses for that fiscal year shall be allocated between the Members to reflect their varying interests during the fiscal year. For purposes of computing the interest of each Member, the Company shall make an interim closing of its books, as of the transfer of the Membership Interest, and compute Profits and Losses applicable to the period of time before and after that date using the accrual method of accounting. Any transfer of a Membership Interest in accordance with Article 7 shall be effective as of the last day of the calendar month in which the transfer of the Membership Interest occurs.

4.2 Allocation of Gains and Losses Upon Sale or Liquidation. Gains and losses recognized by the Company upon the sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or upon the liquidation of the Company, shall be allocated to the Members in the same proportions as Profits and Losses are allocated to the Members.

4.3 Built-in Gains and Losses. In accordance with Section 704(c) of the Code and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to the property contributed to the capital of the Company shall, solely for income tax purposes, be allocated among the Members so as to take account of variations between the adjusted basis of the property contributed and the fair value of the property. The allocations shall be made using such reasonable methods as the Management Committee shall determine.

4.4 Allocations for Tax Purposes. Except as provided in Section 4.1(b) and 4.3 above, for federal and state income tax purposes each item of income, gain, loss or deduction shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Percentage Membership Interests.


4.5 Distributions of Cash Flow from Operations. The timing and amount of Distributions of available Cash Flow shall be determined by the Members. Distributions of available Cash Flow will be made in the same proportions as Profits and Losses are allocated to the Members.

4.6 Distribution from Sale.

(a) Distributions of proceeds received from a sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company shall be made to the Members in the same proportions as Profits and Losses are allocated to the Members.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.6, Distributions of proceeds from the sale arising from the liquidation of the Company shall be distributed and applied in the manner set forth in Section 8.3 below.

4.7 Limit on Changes in Allocations. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary set forth in this Article 4, if, as of any date, a Member shall have a legal obligation to the Company for the payment of money or the contribution of property, and such obligation is past due, such Member’s share of Distributions shall be reduced by an amount equal to such past due monetary legal obligation or the designated value of the legal obligation to contribute such past due property.

ARTICLE 5

MANAGEMENT

5.1 Management Committee.

(a) (i) The Company shall be managed by a Management Committee which shall consist of three individuals appointed by a Majority-in-Interest of the Members. The number of individuals comprising the Management Committee may be increased by a written consent signed by a Majority-in-Interest of the Members, and the Management Committee may appoint an individual to fill any resulting additional position on the Management Committee, who shall hold office until the next meeting of the Members. Each Manager shall be entitled to one vote on all matters requiring action of the Management Committee.

(ii) Any Manager may be removed and replaced at any time by the affirmative vote of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members.

(iii) The Managers shall serve without compensation; provided, however, that the Company shall reimburse Managers for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing their duties hereunder. The Management Committee shall manage, control, administer and operate the day-to-day business and affairs of the Company. Any person dealing with the Company may conclusively rely upon a certificate signed by any Manager as to the identity of the Managers and the authority of each Manager to perform any act, or execute and deliver any instrument for the Company. The Managers shall devote such time to the business and affairs of the Company as is necessary to carry out the duties set forth in this Agreement.


(b) A meeting of the Management Committee may be called at any time by any Manager. Meetings of the Management Committee shall be held at least once per year at the Company’s principal place of business or at any other place designated by two or more Managers and may be held in person or telephonically. Not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before each meeting, the Manager calling the meeting shall give written notice thereof to each Manager entitled to vote at the meeting (provided that if notice is delivered personally or by facsimile, 48 hours shall be sufficient). The notice shall state the place, date, hour and purpose of the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, each Manager who is entitled to notice shall be deemed to waive such notice if before or after the meeting the Manager signs a waiver of the notice or is present at the meeting in person or by proxy without objecting to the lack of notice. At any meeting of the Management Committee, the presence in person or by proxy of at least a majority of the Management Committee constitutes a quorum. A Manager may vote either in person or by written proxy signed by the Manager or by his or her duly authorized attorney-in-fact. The affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Management Committee shall be required to approve any matter coming before the Management Committee. In lieu of holding a meeting, the Management Committee may vote or otherwise take action by unanimous written consent.

(c) A meeting of the Members may be called at any time by any Manager or any Member. Meetings of Members shall be held at the Company’s principal place of business or at any other place designated by the Management Committee, and may be held in person or telephonically. Not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before each meeting, the Person calling the meeting shall give written notice thereof to each Member entitled to vote at the meeting. The notice shall state the place, date, hour and purpose of the meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Member who is entitled to notice shall be deemed to waive such notice if before or after the meeting the Member signs a waiver of the notice or is present at the meeting in person or by proxy without objecting to the lack of notice. Unless this Agreement provides otherwise, at a meeting of Members, the presence in person or by proxy of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members constitutes a quorum. A Member may vote either in person or by written proxy signed by the Member or by the Member’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the affirmative vote of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members shall be required to approve any matter coming before the Members. In lieu of holding a meeting, the Members may vote or otherwise take action by a written instrument indicating the consent of Members holding the requisite Percentage Membership Interests as is required for Members to take action under this Agreement. If such consent is not unanimous, prompt notice shall be given to those Members who have not consented in writing but who would have been entitled to vote thereon had such action been taken at a meeting.

5.2 Limitation on Authority of Members. No Member is an agent of the Company solely by virtue of being a Member, and no Member has authority to act for the Company solely by virtue of being a Member. Any Member who takes any action or binds the Company in violation of this Section 5.2 shall be solely responsible for any loss and expense incurred by the Company as a result of the unauthorized action and shall indemnify and hold the Company harmless with respect to the loss or expense.


5.3 Personal Service. No Member shall be required to perform services for the Company solely by virtue of being a Member. Unless approved by the Members, no Member shall perform services for the Company or be entitled to compensation for services performed for the Company. Upon substantiation of the amount and purposes thereof, however, a Member shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the activities of the Company.

5.4 Related Party Transactions. Each Member understands and acknowledges that the conduct of the Company’s business may involve business dealings and undertakings with Members and their affiliates. In any of those cases, those dealings and undertakings shall be at arms length and on commercially reasonable terms.

5.5 Liability and Indemnification.

(a) No Manager shall be liable, responsible, or accountable in damages or otherwise, to any Member or to the Company for any act performed by such Manager within the scope of the authority conferred on him or her by this Agreement or by the Management Committee, except for fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or an intentional breach of this Agreement.

(b) The Company shall indemnify each Manager for any act performed or omission of any Manager within the scope of the authority conferred on him or her by this Agreement or by the Management Committee, except for fraud, bad faith, gross negligence, or an intentional breach of this Agreement.

5.6 Power of Attorney.

(a) Each Member constitutes and appoints each of the Managers as the Member’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, and in the Member’s name, place, and stead to make, execute, sign, acknowledge and file all documents, certificates and other instruments required to be filed by the Company under the laws of the State of New York or of any other state or jurisdiction or which the Management Committee otherwise deems necessary or appropriate in connection with the operation of the business of the Company or to reflect any action taken by the Members;

(b) The foregoing power of attorney is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall survive the death or disability of a Member. It also shall survive the transfer of a Membership Interest, except that if the transferee is admitted as a Member, this power of attorney shall survive the delivery of the assignment for the sole purpose of enabling the Managers to execute, acknowledge, and file any documents needed to effectuate the substitution. Each Member shall be bound by any representations made by the Managers acting in good faith pursuant to this power of attorney, and each Member hereby waives any and all defenses which may be available to contest, negate, or disaffirm the action of the Managers taken in good faith under this power of attorney.


ARTICLE 6

BOOKS AND RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND TAX MATTERS

6.1 The books and records of the Company shall at all times be maintained at the principal office of the Company. The Company shall retain in its record book copies of the minutes of meetings of Members and Managers, actions by written consent, notices of meetings and waivers of notice, and other similar records. Each Member, or its duly authorized agent, shall have full, complete and unrestricted access to all of the Company’s books and records at all times. The Company will file income tax returns on a calendar year basis. At the close of each calendar year, an accounting shall be made of the operations for the year, which shall include the preparation of a balance sheet as at the close of the year and a statement of the operations of the Company for the year. Based on the determinations so made, the Company shall, within the time required (including extensions), file all necessary information returns.

6.2 Tax Matters Member. Birds Eye shall be the Company’s “tax matters partner,” as that term is defined in the Code. The tax matters partner shall have the authority to make all Company elections permitted under the Code, including without limitation, elections of methods of depreciation and elections under Section 754 of the Code.

ARTICLE 7

WITHDRAWAL AND TRANSFERS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

7.1 Restrictions on Disposition. No Member shall encumber, hypothecate or transfer, by sale, gift, bequest, assignment, operation of law or otherwise any Membership Interests now or hereafter owned by such Member without the prior written consent of the Management Committee and the other Members.

7.2 Condition Precedent for Transfer. Without limiting the foregoing, no Member shall effect, in any manner, any transfer of a Membership Interest unless the proposed transferee, as a condition precedent to such transfer, consents in writing to the continuance of the terms and conditions of this Agreement by dating and executing a counterpart copy thereof and delivering it to the Company with copies to the other Members.

7.3 Confidential Information. Each of the Members hereby agrees that it will not at any time disclose or authorize anyone else to disclose or use or make known for its own or another’s benefit, any “confidential information, knowledge, or data” of the Company, whether or not patentable, in any way acquired by it during the term of its affiliation with the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “confidential information, knowledge, or data” of the Company shall include, but not be limited to, matters not readily available to the public which are: (a) of a technical nature such as but not limited to methods, know-how, formulae, compositions, drawings, blueprints, compounds, processes, discoveries, machines, inventions, computer programs, and similar items; (b) of a business nature such as but not limited to information about sales or lists of customers, prices, costs, purchasing, profits, markets, product strengths and weaknesses; and (c) pertaining to future developments such as but not limited to research and development, or future marketing or merchandising plans or ideas of the Company.


7.4 Remedies. Each of the Members further agrees that monetary damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach or threatened breach of the terms and conditions of Section 7.3 and that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, injunctive relief will be necessary to prevent irreparable injury to the Company and the remaining Members. Accordingly, each of the Members hereby agrees that in addition to any other relief to which the Company and the remaining Members may be entitled, any court having jurisdiction may enter an appropriate injunctive order or other equitable relief to prevent such breach or threatened breach. In addition, the above should not be interpreted to limit the availability of injunctive or other equitable relief to cases of breach or threatened breach of Section 7.3 and to limit remedies for the breach or threatened breach of any other provisions, it being specifically agreed that the Company and the remaining Members shall be entitled to all remedies available under law or equity with respect to such breach or threatened breach.

ARTICLE 8

DISSOLUTION

8.1 Dissolution of the Company. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up upon the first to occur of the following events:

(a) the bankruptcy, death, dissolution, expulsion or incapacity of any Member;

(b) upon the written agreement of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members; or

(c) by operation of law.

8.2 Continuance of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 8.1(a), the remaining Members shall have the right to continue the business of the Company. Such right can be exercised only by the affirmative vote of a Majority-in-Interest of the Members, within 90 days after the occurrence of any event described in Section 8.1(a) to continue the business of the Company. If not so exercised, the right of the Members to continue the business of the Company shall expire and the Company’s affairs shall be wound up as provided in Section 8.3 below.

8.3 Winding-Up and Distribution.

(a) Upon the dissolution of the Company, the affairs of the Company shall be wound up and all of its debts and liabilities discharged in the order of priority as provided by applicable law. Thereafter, the assets of the Company, net of the expenses of dissolution, if any, shall be distributed to the Members in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

(b) The winding up of the affairs of the Company and the distribution of its assets shall be conducted by a person selected to act as liquidator by the Management Committee or, if there is no Management Committee then in place, by a Majority-in-Interest of the remaining Members. Said liquidator is hereby authorized to do all acts authorized by law for these purposes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the liquidators in carrying out such winding up and distribution shall have full power and authority to sell all or any of the Company’s assets or to distribute the same in kind to the Members. Each Member shall receive


his, her, or its share, minus any deficit in such Member’s Capital Account, of the assets in cash and/or kind, and the portion of such share that is received in kind may vary from Member to Member, as the liquidator in his or her sole discretion may decide. Any assets distributed in kind shall be subject to all agreements relating thereto which shall survive the termination of the Company.

ARTICLE 9

GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Notices. All notices, demands or requests provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing. All notices, demands and requests to be sent to any or all of the Members shall be personally delivered or sent by express delivery, facsimile, or first class mail, postage prepaid, to the address set forth on Schedule A. All notices, demands or requests shall be effective on personal delivery or if mailed, three days following their deposit in the mail as required by this Section 9.1. Any address for the sending of notice may be changed by a Member sending a notice to that effect to the Company and the other Members.

9.2 Merger and Amendment. This Agreement, including the Schedules hereto, contains the sole and entire agreement and understanding of the Members with respect to the subject matter hereof. All prior discussions, negotiations, commitments, and understandings relating thereto are merged herein. This Agreement (including any Schedule) can be changed or terminated only by a writing signed by all of the Members. Each Member may grant or withhold its approval of amendments in its discretion and copies of each amendment shall be furnished to each Member.

9.3 Waiver. No consent or waiver, express or implied, by any Member to or of any breach or default in the performance of another Member’s obligations under this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of any other obligation under this Agreement.

9.4 Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the full extent permitted by law.

9.5 Binding Agreement. Subject to the restrictions on transfers and encumbrances set forth herein, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Members and their respective heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Whenever, in this Agreement, a reference to any Member is made, the reference shall include the heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the Member.

9.6 Arbitration. Any and all disputes or controversies whether of law or fact of any nature whatsoever arising from or respecting this Agreement shall be decided by Arbitration by the American Arbitration Association in accordance with the rules and regulations of that Association. Arbitration shall take place in Rochester, New York or any other location mutually agreeable to the parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by a panel of three arbitrators may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Reasonable notice of a time and place of


arbitration shall be given to all persons, other than the parties, as shall be required by law, in which case such persons or their authorized representatives shall have the right to attend and participate in all of the arbitration hearings in such matter as the law shall require. The expenses of arbitration shall be borne by the unsuccessful party to the arbitration, provided that each party shall bear the cost of its won experts, evidence, and legal counsel, unless specified differently in the award.

9.7 Definitions and Articles, Sections and Paragraph References. As used in this Agreement, the singular includes the plural and the masculine, feminine and neuter gender each include the other where the context so indicates. References to Articles, Sections and paragraphs shall be references to the Articles, Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement.

9.8 No Rights Created in Third Persons. This Agreement is intended solely for the benefit of the Members and, except as expressly set forth herein with respect to the Managers of the Company, does not create any rights in persons not who are not Members.

9.9 Execution. Each Member has signed a signature page to this Agreement. The original of this Agreement and of each signature page shall be retained by the Company and a copy furnished to each Member.

9.10 Governing Law. This Agreement and the obligations of the Members hereunder shall be interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

9.11 Tax Matters. The Members of the Company and the Company intend that the Company be treated as a partnership for all income tax purposes and will file any and all forms deemed necessary in furtherance thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GLK, LLC
By:   /s/ Timothy Benjamin
  Timothy Benjamin, Manager

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.
By:   /s/ Dennis M. Mullen
  Dennis M. Mullen, President

 

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Earl L. Powers
  Earl L. Powers, Secretary


SCHEDULE A

List of Members, Capital Contributions And Percentage of Membership Interests

 

Name and Address

   Initial Capital
Contribution
   No. of Units    Percentage Interest  

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

90 Linden Place

Rochester, NY 14625

   $
 
8,206,000
June 30, 1997
   50.000    55.6

GLK Holdings, Inc.

90 Linden Place

Rochester, NY 14625

   $
 
11,100,000
March 2, 2003
   39.928    44.4

Total

   $ 19,306,000    89.928    100.0


FIRST AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED

OPERATING AGREEMENT

OF

GLK, LLC

This First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of GLK, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), is dated as of December 23, 2009 by and among Birds Eye Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Birds Eye Group”), and GLK Holdings, Inc. (“GLK Holdings”, and together with Birds Eye, the “Members”).

Background

The Members are party to that certain Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of the Company dated as of March 31, 2003 (the “Operating Agreement”) of the Company.

Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, the Members amend the Operating Agreement as follows:

1. The first sentence of Section 5.1(a)(i) of the Operating Agreement is hereby amended by replacing such first sentence in its entirety with the following:

“The Company shall be managed by a Management Committee which shall consist of up to eight individuals appointed by a Majority-in-Interest of the Members.”

2. The Operating Agreement, as amended hereby, is and shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed.

3. This Amendment shall be interpreted, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above written.

 

MEMBERS:
BIRDS EYE GROUP, INC.
By:        /s/  Craig Steeneck        
  Name: Craig Steeneck
  Title: EVP & CFO

 

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.
By:        /s/  Craig Steeneck        
  Name: Craig Steeneck
  Title: EVP & CFO
EX-3.22 14 dex322.htm KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated Articles of Incorporation

Exhibit 3.22

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED

I, the undersigned person of the age of eighteen years of more, as incorporator of a corporation under the Washington Business Corporation Act, adopt the following Articles of Incorporation for such corporation:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of this corporation is KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED.

ARTICLE II

DURATION

The period of its duration is perpetual.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSES

This corporation is organized for the following purposes:

(a) To engage in any business, trade, or activity which may lawfully be conducted by a corporation organized under the Washington Business Corporation Act.

(b) To engage in all such activities as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the purposes of this corporation or any of them and to exercise any and all powers authorized or permitted to be done by a corporation under any laws that may be now or hereafter applicable or available to this corporation.

The foregoing clauses of this Article III shall each be construed as purposes and powers, and the matters expressed in each clause shall be in no way limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms or any other clauses, but shall be regarded as independent purposes and powers; and nothing contained in these clauses shall be deemed in any way to limit or exclude any power, right, or privilege given to this corporation by law or otherwise.


ARTICLE IV

SHARES

This corporation shall have authority to issue fifty thousand (50,000) shares of common stock, having no par value.

ARTICLE V

CONTRACTS IN WHICH DIRECTORS HAVE INTEREST

Any contract or other transaction between this corporation and one or more of its directors, or between this corporation and any corporation, firm, association, or other entity of which one or more of its directors are stockholders, members, directors, officers, or employees or in which they are interested, shall be valid for all purposes, notwithstanding the presence of such director or directors at the meeting of the Board of Directors which acts upon or in reference to such contract or transaction and notwithstanding his or their participation in such action, by voting or otherwise, even though his or their presence or vote, or both, might have been necessary to obligate this corporation .upon such contract or transaction; provided, that the fact of such interest shall be disclosed to or known by the Directors acting on such contract or transaction.

ARTICLE VI

DIRECTORS

The number of directors of this corporation shall be fixed by the Bylaws and may be increased or decreased from time to time in the manner specified therein. The initial Board of Directors shall consist of one (1) director, and the name and address of the person who shall serve as director until the first annual meeting of shareholders and until his successor is elected and qualified, unless he resigns or is removed is:

TIMOTHY D. KENNEDY

    15812 Bowman Hilton Road

Puyallup, WA 98372        


ARTICLE VII

BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, or repeal the Bylaws for this corporation, subject to the power of the shareholders to amend or repeal such Bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the initial registered office of this corporation is 15812 Bowman Hilton Road, Puyallup, Washington, 98372, and the name of its initial registered agent is TIMOTHY D. KENNEDY.

ARTICLE IX

PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

Preemptive rights shall exist with respect to shares of stock or securities convertible into shares of stock of this corporation.

ARTICLE X

CUMULATIVE VOTING

The right to cumulate votes in the election of directors shall exist with respect to shares of stock of this corporation.


ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

This corporation reserves the right, to amend or repeal any of the provisions contained in these Articles of Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law, and the rights of the shareholders of this corporation are granted subject to this reservation.

ARTICLE XII

INCORPORATOR

The name and, address of the incorporator is:

 

   TIMOTHY D. KENNEDY   
   15812 Bowman Hilton Road   
   Puyallup, WA 98372   

DATED: 5-9-86

 

/s/ Timothy D. Kennedy
TIMOTHY D. KENNEDY


CONSENT TO SERVE AS REGISTERED AGENT

I, TIMOTHY D. KENNEDY, hereby consent to serve as Registered Agent, in the State of Washington, for the KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INC. I understand that as agent for the corporation it will be my responsibility to receive service of process in the name of the corporation, to forward all mail to the corporation, and to immediately notify the office of the Secretary of State in the event of my resignation, or of any changes in the registered office address of the corporation for which I am agent.

DATED: 5-9-86

 

/s/ Timothy D. Kennedy

TIMOTHY D. KENNEDY

Registered Agent

15812 Bowman Hilton Road

Puyallup, WA 98372

EX-3.23 15 dex323.htm KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED BYLAWS Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated Bylaws

Exhibit 3.23

BY-LAWS

of

KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED

ARTICLE 1

Stockholders

Section 1.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Washington as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, the President, the Board of Directors, or the holders of ten percent of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at such meeting, to be held at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Washington as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 1.3. Notice of Meetings. Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

Section 1.4. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time, to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 1.5. Quorum. At each meeting of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by law or the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on a matter at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of the foregoing, where a separate vote by class or classes is required for any matter, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Two or more classes or series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are entitled to vote together as a


single class at the meeting. In the absence of a quorum of the holders of any class of stock entitled to vote on a matter, the holders of such class so present or represented may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting of such class from time to time in the manner provided by Section 1.4 of these by-laws until a quorum of such class shall be so present or represented. Shares of its own capital stock belonging on the record date for the meeting to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

Section 1.6. Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Vice Chairman of the Board by the President, or in the absence of the President by a Vice President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons by a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 1.7. Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by such stockholder that has voting power upon the matter in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Every proxy shall be in writing, subscribed by the shareholder or his duly authorized attorney and dated. No proxy which is dated more than eleven (11) months before the meeting at which it is offered shall be accepted, unless such proxy shall, on its face, name a longer period for which it is to remain in force. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power, regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot and need not be conducted by inspectors unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting shall so determine. In all matters, unless otherwise provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by class or classes is required, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or classes present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes, except as otherwise provided by law or by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws.


Section 1.8. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall not be more than seventy days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than seventy days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 1.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

Section 1.10. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting. Whenever shareholders are required or permitted to take any action by vote, such action may be taken without a meeting on written consent, setting forth the action so taken, signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. Such written consent shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of shareholders.

ARTICLE 2

Board of Directors

Section 2.1. Powers; Number; Qualifications. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by law or in the certificate of incorporation. The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, the number thereof to be determined from time to time by the Board. Directors need not be stockholders.


Section 2.2. Election; Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of Directors or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class or from any other cause may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director.

Section 2.3. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such places within or without the State of Washington and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine, and if so determined notice thereof need not be given.

Section 2.4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or place within or without the State of Washington whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, by the President or by any two directors. Reasonable notice thereof shall be given by the person or persons calling the meeting.

Section 2.5. Participation in Meetings by Conference Telephone Permitted. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting pursuant to this by-law shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

Section 2.6. Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At all meetings of the Board of Directors one-third of the entire Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board unless the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws shall require a vote of a greater number. In case at any meeting of the Board a quorum shall not be present, the members of the Board present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present.

Section 2.7. Organization. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board by the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or in the absence of the Vice Chairman of the Board by the President, or in their absence by a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary, or in the absence of the Secretary an Assistant Secretary, shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.


Section 2.8. Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

Section 2.9. Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

ARTICLE 3

Committees

Section 3.1. Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in these by-laws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have power or authority in reference to amending the certificate of incorporation (except that a committee may, to the extent authorized in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by the Board of Directors, fix the designations and any of the preferences or rights of such shares relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of assets of the Corporation or the conversion into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation or fix the number of shares of any series of stock or authorize the increase or decrease of the shares of any series), adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, removing or indemnifying directors or amending these by-laws; and, unless the resolution, these by-laws or the certificate of incorporation expressly so provides, no such committee shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger.


Section 3.2. Committee Rules. Unless the Board of Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may adopt, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is then present shall be the act of such committee, and in other respects each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to Article 2 of these by-laws.

ARTICLE 4

Officers

Section 4.1. Officers; Election. As soon as practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders in each year, the Board of Directors shall elect a President and a Secretary, and it may, if it so determines, elect from among its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board may also elect one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as the Board may deem desirable or appropriate and may give any of them such further designations or alternate titles as it considers desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws otherwise provide.

Section 4.2. Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors electing any officer, each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board or to the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective. The Board may remove any officer with or without cause at any time. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation, but the election of an officer shall not of itself create contractual rights. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board at any regular or special meeting.

Section 4.3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the Corporation as shall be stated in these by-laws or in a resolution of the Board of Directors that is not inconsistent with these by-laws and, to the extent not so stated, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board. The Board may require any officer, agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or her duties.

Section 4.4. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may direct.


Section 4.5. President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have the general management of the affairs of the Corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders. If there be no Chairman of the Board, or in his absence or inability to act, the President shall perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.6. Vice Presidents. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be designated by the Board of Directors as an Executive Vice President. At the request of the President, or in his absence or during his disability, the Executive Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the functions of the President. If there be no Executive Vice President, or if there be more than one, the Board of Directors may determine which one or more of the Vice Presidents shall perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions; if such determination is not made by the Board of Directors, the President may make such determination; otherwise, any of the Vice Presidents may perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions. Each Vice President shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors and the President.

Section 4.7. Secretary. The Secretary shall have the duty to record the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and any committees in a book to be kept for that purpose. He shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws or as required by law. He shall be the custodian of the records and of the seal or seals of the Corporation. He shall affix the corporate seal to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation, under the seal, is duly authorized by the Board of Directors, and when so affixed may attest the same. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors and the President.

Section 4.8. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep correct and complete books and records of account for the Corporation. Subject to the control and supervision of the Board of Directors and the President, or such other officer as the President may designate, the Treasurer shall establish and execute programs for the provision of the capital required by the Corporation, including negotiating the procurement of capital and maintaining adequate sources for the Corporation’s current borrowing from lending institutions. He shall maintain banking arrangements to receive, have custody of and disburse the Corporation’s moneys and securities. He shall invest the Corporation’s funds as required, establish and coordinate policies for investment of pension and other similar trusts, and provide insurance coverage as required. He shall direct the granting of credit and the collection of accounts due the Corporation. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors and the President.

ARTICLE 5

Stock

Section 5.1. Certificates. Every holder of stock in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an


Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation, representing the number of shares of stock in the Corporation owned by such holder. If such certificate is manually signed by one officer or manually countersigned by a transfer agent or by a registrar, any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided by law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Section 5.2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

ARTICLE 6

Miscellaneous

Section 6.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.2. Seal. The Corporation may have a corporate seal which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

Section 6.3. Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders, Directors and Committees. Whenever notice is required to be given by law or under any provision of the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning


of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these by-laws.

Section 6.4. Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Employees. The Corporation shall indemnify to the full extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person or such person’s testator or intestate is or was a director, officer or employee of the Corporation or serves or served at the request of the Corporation any other enterprise as a director, officer or employee. The rights provided to any person by this by-law shall be enforceable against the Corporation by such person who shall be presumed to have relied upon it in serving or continuing to serve as a director, officer or employee as provided above. No amendment of this by-law shall impair the rights of any person arising at any time with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment. For purposes of this by-law, the term “Corporation” shall include any predecessor of the Corporation and any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed by the Corporation in a consolidation or merger.

Section 6.5. Form of Records. Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.

Section 6.6. Amendment of By-Laws. These by-laws may be amended or repealed, and new by-laws adopted, by the Board of Directors, but the stockholders entitled to vote may adopt additional by-laws and may amend or repeal any by-law whether or not adopted by them.

EX-3.24 16 dex324.htm ROCHESTER HOLDCO LLC CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION, AS AMENDED Rochester Holdco LLC Certificate of Formation, as amended

Exhibit 3.24

CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION

OF

ROCHESTER HOLDCO LLC

This Certificate of Formation of Rochester HoIdco LLC (the “LLC”) has been duly executed and is being filed by the undersigned, as an authorized person, to form a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Act (6 Del. C. § 18-101, et. seq.).

FIRST: The name of the limited liability company formed hereby is: Rochester HoIdco LLC.

SECOND: The address of the registered office of the LLC in the State of Delaware is c/o Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

THIRD: The name and address of the registered agent for service of process on the LLC in the State of Delaware is: Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Certificate of Formation as of this 29th day of June 2009.

 

By:    /s/ Laura-Jayne Urso
  Laura-Jayne Urso Authorized Person


STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE OF AGENT

AMENDMENT OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

The limited liability company organized and existing under the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the limited liability company is Rochester Holdco LLC

2. The Registered Office of the limited liability company in the State of Delaware is changed to Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street (street), in the City of Wilmington, Zip Code 19801. The name of the Registered Agent at such address upon whom process against this limited liability company may be served is THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY.

 

By:    /s/ Anthony LoBue
  Authorized Person

 

Name:   Anthony LoBue
  Print or Type
EX-3.25 17 dex325.htm ROCHESTER HOLDCO LLC AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT Rochester Holdco LLC Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement

Exhibit 3.25

AMENDED AND RESTATED

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

OF

ROCHESTER HOLDCO LLC

The undersigned is executing this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Agreement”) of Rochester Holdco LLC (the “Company”) as of December 23, 2009.

1. Formation. A certificate of formation of the Company (the “Certificate”) was executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 29, 2009.

2. Name. The name of the limited liability company shall be “Rochester Holdco LLC”, or such other name as the Member may from time to time hereafter designate.

3. Definitions. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth therefor in Section 18-101 of the Act.

4. Purpose. The Company is formed for the purpose of engaging in any lawful business permitted by the Act or the laws of any jurisdiction in which the Company may do business. The Company shall have the power to engage in all activities and transactions which the Member deems necessary or advisable in connection with the foregoing.

5. Offices. The principal place of business and office of the Company shall be located at, and the Company’s business shall be conducted from, such place or places as the Member may designate from time to time.

The registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be located at c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name and address of the registered agent of the Company for service of process on the Company in the State of Delaware shall be The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The Member may from time to time change the registered agent or office by an amendment to the certificate of formation of the Company.

6. Member. Birds Eye Foods, Inc. is the sole member of the Company (the “Member”). The name and business or residence address of the Member is Birds Eye Foods, Inc., 90 Linden Oaks, Rochester, New York 14625.

7. Term. The term of the Company shall commence on the date of filing of the certificate of formation of the Company in accordance with the Act and shall continue until the Company is dissolved and its affairs are wound up in accordance with Section 17 of this Agreement and a certificate of cancellation is filed in accordance with the Act.


8. Board of Directors; Delegation of Authority and Duties.

(a) Member and Board of Directors. The Member, acting through the Board (defined below), shall manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, and shall possess all rights and powers as provided in the Act and otherwise by law. Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, the Member hereby consents to the exercise by the Board of all such powers and rights conferred on them by the Act with respect to the management and control of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as explicitly set forth in this Agreement, if a vote, consent or approval of the Member is required by the Act or other applicable law with respect to any act to be taken by the Company or matter considered by the Board, the Member agrees that it shall be deemed to have consented to or approved such act or voted on such matter in accordance with a vote of the Board on such act or matter. No Member, in his or its capacity as a Member, shall have any power to act for, sign for or do any act that would bind the Company; provided, that the Member shall have the power to act for and bind the Company with respect to actions taken on the date of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the appointment of the board of directors of any subsidiary of the Company.

(b) Delegation by Board. The Board shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other persons the Board’s rights and powers to manage and control the business and affairs of the Company, including to delegate to agents and employees of the Member, a Director (as defined below) or the Company (including Officers), and to delegate by a management agreement or another agreement with, or otherwise to, other persons. The Board may authorize any person (including, without limitation, the Member or any Officer or Director) to enter into and perform under any document on behalf of the Company.

(c) Committees. The Board may, from time to time, designate one or more committees, each of which shall be comprised of at least two Directors. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the enabling resolution and until dissolved by the Board, shall have and may exercise any or all of the authority of the Board. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the representatives thereof shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the representatives present shall be necessary for the adoption of any resolution. The Board may dissolve any committee at any time, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate or this Agreement.

9. Establishment of Board of Directors.

(a) Directors. There shall be established a Board of Directors composed of up to 8 persons (“Directors”), each of whom shall be elected by the Member. Any Director may be removed from the Board at any time by the Member. Each Director shall remain in office until his or her death, resignation or removal. In the event of death, resignation or removal of a Director, the party or parties, as applicable, which appointed such Director shall fill the vacancy created.

(b) Absence. A Director may, in isolated instances arising from exigent circumstances, designate a person to act as his substitute and in his place at any meeting of the Board. Such person shall have all power of the absent Director, and references herein to a “Director” at a meeting shall be deemed to include his substitute. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Directors shall not be deemed to be “members” or “managers” (as such terms are defined in the Act) of the Company.


(c) No Individual Authority. No Director has the authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditures or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company or authorize any of the foregoing, other than acts that are authorized by the Board.

(d) Chairman. The Board shall designate a Director to serve as chairman. The chairman shall, unless a majority of Directors present determine otherwise, preside at all meetings of the Board. If the chairman is absent at any meeting of the Board, a majority of the Directors present shall designate another Director to serve as interim chairman for that meeting. The chairman shall have no authority or power to act for or on behalf of the Company, to do any act that would be binding on the Company or to make any expenditure or incur any obligations on behalf of the Company or authorize any of the foregoing. The chairman shall initially be Roger Deromedi.

10. Officers. The Member may, from time to time as it deems advisable, designate natural persons as officers of the Company (the “Officers”) or successor Officers of the Company and assign titles to any such person. Unless the Member decides otherwise, if the title is one commonly used for officers of a business corporation formed under the Delaware General Corporation Law, the assignment of such title shall constitute the delegation to such person of the authorities and duties that are normally associated with that office. Any delegation pursuant to this Section 8 may be revoked at any time by the Member. An Officer may be removed with or without cause at any time by the Member.

11. Capital Contributions. The Member shall make capital contributions to the Company from time to time, which amounts shall be set forth in the books and records of the Company.

12. Transfers of Member Interest. The Member may sell, assign, pledge or otherwise transfer or encumber (collectively, a “Transfer”) any of its Limited Liability Company Interest in the Company to any Person so long as such Transfer is in writing.

13. Resignation. The Member shall have the right to resign from the Company so long as such resignation is in writing. The provisions hereof with respect to distributions upon resignation are exclusive and no Member shall be entitled to claim any further or different distribution upon resignation under Section 18-604 of the Act or otherwise.

14. Allocations and Distributions. Distributions of cash or other assets of the Company shall be made at such times and in such amounts as the Member may determine. Distributions shall be made to (and profits and losses of the Company shall be allocated among) the Member.

15. Return of Capital. The Member has the right to receive any distributions which include a return of all or any part of such Member’s capital contribution, provided that upon the dissolution and winding up of the Company, the assets of the Company shall be distributed as provided in Section 18-804 of the Act.


16. Dissolution. The Company shall be dissolved and its affairs wound up upon the occurrence of an event causing a dissolution of the Company under Section 18-801 of the Act, except the Company shall not be dissolved upon the occurrence of an event that terminates the continued membership of a Member if (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event there are at least two Members of the Company, or (ii) within ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such event, all remaining Members agree in writing to continue the business of the Company and to the appointment, effective as of the date of such event, of one or more additional Members. In the event of dissolution, the Company shall conduct only such activities as are necessary to wind up its affairs (including the sale of the assets of the Company in an orderly manner), and the assets of the Company shall be applied in the manner, and in the order of priority set forth in Section 18-804 of the Act.

17. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only upon the written consent of the Member.

18. Other Business. The Member may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of every kind and description, independently or with others. The Company shall not have any rights in or to such independent ventures or the income or profits therefrom by virtue of this Agreement.

19. Limited Liability. The Member shall not have any liability for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Company except to the extent provided by the Act.

20. Exculpation; Indemnification. Neither the Member, the Officers nor any of their respective affiliates or agents (collectively, “Covered Persons”) shall be liable to the Company or any other person or entity who has an interest in the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Covered Person shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage or claim incurred by such Covered Person by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Covered Person in good faith on behalf of the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Member or Officer, as applicable, by this Agreement; provided, however, that any indemnity under this Section 21 shall be provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, and neither the Member nor the Officer, as applicable, nor any other Covered Person, shall have personal liability on account thereof.

21. Banking Matters. The Member and each Officer and any agent or employee of the Company, or other person designated by such Member or Officer is hereby authorized and empowered (A) to (i) establish one or more domestic or international accounts (including but not limited to, depository, checking, disbursement, custodian, or investment accounts, and other accounts as deemed necessary or expeditious for business purposes of the Company) (“Accounts”), in the name of the Company with any bank, trust company, savings and loan institution, brokerage firm or other financial institution which said Member or Officer shall from time to time designate as a depository of funds, securities or other property of the Company, for any purpose and on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by such person on


behalf of the Company; and (ii) close Accounts of the Company now or hereafter established; and (B) to assign, limit or revoke any and all authority of any agent or employee of the Company, or other person designated by such Member or Officer to (i) sign checks, drafts and orders for the payment of money drawn on the Company’s Accounts, and all notes of the Company and all acceptances and endorsements of the Company; (ii) execute or initiate electronic fund transfers; (iii) execute or initiate foreign currency exchange transactions; (iv) execute or initiate the investment of monies; and (v) initiate requests for information for any Account of the Company.

22. Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a writing duly signed by the Member.

23. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed under, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law rules.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the dale first written above.

 

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.
By:    /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Craig Steeneck

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to the LLC Agreement]

EX-3.26 18 dex326.htm SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED Seasonal Employers, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

Exhibit 3.26

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

SEASONAL EMPLOYERS INC.

Under Section 402 of the Business Corporation Law

The undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to Section 402 of the New York Business Corporation Law, hereby certifies:

1. The name of the corporation is Seasonal Employers, Inc.

2. The purpose for which it is formed is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Business Corporation Law, provided that the corporation is not formed to, nor will it, engage in any act or activity requiring the consent or approval of any state official department, board, agency or other body without such consent or approval first being obtained.

3. The office of the corporation shall be located in the                      County of Monroe, State of New York.

4. No shareholders shall have any preemptive right to purchase shares or other securities to be issued or subjected to rights or options to purchase, as such preemptive right is defined and construed under the laws of the State of New York.

5. The aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000, all of which are to be common shares with no par value.

6. No director of the corporation shall be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for damages for any breach of duty in such capacity except where a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to said director establishes: that the director’s acts or omissions were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; that the director personally gained a financial profit or other advantage to which he was not entitled; or that the director’s acts violated Section 719 of the New York Business Corporation Law. The


corporation, to the fullest extent allowed by law, shall indemnify any director of the corporation against all liability, judgments, fines amounts paid in settlement, costs, and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by reason of the fact that he is or was a director of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of any other entity including, without limitation, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, or employee benefit plans.

7. The Secretary of State of the State of New York is hereby designated as the agent of the corporation upon whom process in any action or proceeding against it may be served and the address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of process in any action or proceeding against the corporation which may be served upon him is: Seasonal Employers, Inc., 90 Linden Place, Rochester, New York 14625.

8. The incorporator is of the age of eighteen years or older.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Certificate this 13th day of March, 1990 and hereby affirm the truth of the statements contained herein under penalty of perjury.

 

/s/ Steven D. Searls
Steven D. Searls
Incorporator
The Granite Buidling
130 East Main Street
Rochester, New York 14604


CERTIFICATE OF CHANGE

OF

SEASONAL EMPLOYERS INC.

UNDER SECTION 805-A OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW

1. The name of the corporation is Seasonal Employers, Inc., It was incorporated under the name Seasonal Employers Inc.,

2. The Certificate of Incorporation of said corporation was filed by the Department of State on the March 21, 1990

3. The following was authorized by the Board of Directors:

To change the post office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of process in any action or proceeding against the corporation which may be served on him to: do C T Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10011.

To designate C T CORPORATION SYSTEM, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10011 as its registered agent in New York upon whom all process against the corporation may be served.

 

/s/ Earl L. Powers
Earl L. Powers
Name and Capacity of Signer

 

By:   /s/ Earl L. Powers
  Name: Earl L. Powers
  Title: Vice President & Treasurer
EX-3.27 19 dex327.htm SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC. BYLAWS Seasonal Employers, Inc. Bylaws

Exhibit 3.27

BY-LAWS

of

SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC.

ARTICLE I

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS

SECTION 1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and hour as may be fixed by the Board of Directors and named in the call, for the election of directors and for the transaction of such business as may properly be brought before such meeting.

SECTION 2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation may be held at any time in the interval between annual meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President, or by request of a majority of the Board of Directors, which written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the Meeting and matters proposed to be acted upon thereat. Nothing contained herein shall limit the right and power of directors and shareholders to require a special meeting for the election of directors pursuant to Section 603 of the Business Corporation Law, as that Section may from time to time be amended.

SECTION 3 Place of Meetings. Annual and special meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place within or without the State of New York as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

SECTION 4 Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice of the date, time and place of all meetings of the shareholders shall be given personally, or by first class mail, not less than ten (10) days nor more than fifty (50) days before the day fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder entitled to vote at said meeting, and, unless the meeting is an annual meeting, such notice must also state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and must indicate that it is being issued by or at the direction of the person or persons calling the meeting. Such notice must also be given to any shareholder who, by reason of any action proposed at such meeting, would be entitled to have his stock appraised, if such action were taken, and such notice must specify the proposed action and state the fact that if the action is taken, the dissenting shareholder shall have appraisal rights. Such notice shall be given to the shareholder by leaving the same with him at his residence or usual place of business or by mailing it, postage prepaid and addressed to him at his address as it appears on the books of the Corporation, unless he shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, in which event it shall be mailed to the address designated in such request. The notices, as provided for in this Section, are not required to be given to any shareholder who submits a signed waiver of notice, in person or by proxy, whether before or after the meeting. The attendance of any shareholder at a meeting, in person or by proxy, without protesting prior to the conclusion of the meeting the lack of notice of such meeting, shall constitute a waiver of notice by him. No notice of an adjourned meeting of shareholders need be given, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.


SECTION 5 Record Dates. For the purposes of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a shareholders’ meeting or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a date of record which shall not be more than fifty (50) days nor less than ten (10) days before said meeting date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a meeting, or for determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or the allotment of any rights, or for any other action, the Board of Directors may fix a date of record which shall not be more than fifty (50) days prior to such action.

SECTION 6 Quorum. At all meetings of shareholders, except as otherwise provided by law, a quorum shall exist if there is present in person or represented by proxy, shareholders owning a majority in number of the shares of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, in order to constitute a quorum; but if there be no quorum, the holders of such shares so present or represented may by majority vote adjourn the meeting from time to time, but not for a period of over thirty (30) days at any one time, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall attend. At any such adjournment of the meeting, which a quorum shall attend, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. When a quorum is once present, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholder.

SECTION 7 Voting. At all meetings of the shareholders, each shareholder entitled to vote thereat may vote in person or by proxy, and shall have one (1) vote for each share standing in his name on the books of the Corporation as of the record date fixed for the meeting, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or any amendments thereto. Upon demand of the shareholders holding ten percent (10%) in interest of the shares, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, voting shall be by ballot. A plurality of votes cast shall be sufficient to elect directors, and a majority of votes cast shall be sufficient to take any other corporate action, except as otherwise provided by law or these By-Laws.

SECTION 8 Proxies. Every proxy shall be in writing, subscribed by the shareholder or his duly authorized attorney and dated. No proxy which is dated more than eleven (11) months before the meeting at which it is offered shall be accepted, unless such proxy shall, on its face, name a longer period for which it is to remain in force.

SECTION 9 Conduct of Meetings. Meetings of the shareholders shall be presided over by the President of the Corporation or, in his absence, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or, in the absence of both of them, by an Executive Vice President, if any, or, in the absence of all such officers, by a Chairman to be chosen at the Meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of the Meeting, if present.

SECTION 10 Action Without a Meeting. Whenever shareholders are required or permitted to take any action by vote, such action may be taken without a meeting on written consent, setting forth the action so taken, signed by the holders of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. Such written consent shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of shareholders.

 

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ARTICLE II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1 Election and Powers. The Board of Directors shall have the management and control of the affairs and business of the Corporation. The directors shall be elected by the shareholders at each annual meeting of shareholders and each director shall serve until his successor is elected or appointed and qualified, unless his directorship be theretofore vacated by resignation, death, removal or otherwise.

SECTION 2 Number. The number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall be such number, not less than three (3), as shall be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted prior to the election of directors at the annual meeting of shareholders. In the absence of such resolution the number of directors to be elected at such annual meeting shall be the number last fixed by the Board of Directors. Any Board action designating a change in the number of directors shall require a vote of a majority of the entire Board. The “entire Board”, as used in this Article, shall mean the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, where all of the shares are owned beneficially and of record by less than three (3) shareholders, the number of directors may be less than three (3), but not less than the number of shareholders.

SECTION 3 Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors (including any resulting from an increase in the number of directors) created for any reason except the removal by the shareholders of a director or directors without cause, may be filled by vote of the Board of Directors. If, however, the number of directors then in office is less than a quorum, vacancies may be filled by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office. A director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy under this Section shall hold office until the next meeting of shareholders at which the election of directors is in the regular order of business, and until his successor has been duly elected or appointed and qualified.

SECTION 4 Removal. At any meeting of the shareholders duly called, any director may, by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors, be removed from office, with or without cause. In the case of removal without cause, another director may be elected by the shareholders in the place of the person so removed, to serve for the remainder of the term.

SECTION 5 Meetings. Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times as the directors may from time to time determine. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at any time, upon call from the Chairman of the Board, the President or at least one-third (1/3) of the directors.

 

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SECTION 6 Place of Meetings. Regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation or at such other place, within or without the State of New York, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

SECTION 7 Notice of Meeting. Notice of the place, day and hour of every regular and special meeting shall be given to each director by delivering the same to him personally or sending the same to him by telegraph or\leaving the same at his residence or usual place of business, at least one (1) day before the meeting, or shall be mailed to each director, postage prepaid and addressed to him at the last known mailing address according to the records of the Corporation, at least three (3) days before the meeting. No notice of any adjourned meeting of the Board of Directors need to be given other than by announcement at the meeting, subject to the provisions of Section 9 of this Article.

SECTION 8 Waiver of Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any director who submits a signed written waiver thereof, whether before, during or after the meeting, nor to any director who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him.

SECTION 9 Quorum. A majority of the entire Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at each meeting of the Board of Directors; but if at any meeting there be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than by announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall attend. At any such adjournment, at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

SECTION 10 Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof at a duly held meeting may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or the committee consent in writing to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. Such resolution and the written consents thereto by the members of the Board of Directors or committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or the committee.

SECTION 11 Personal Attendance by Conference Communication Equipment. Any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

SECTION 12 Compensation. Directors as such shall not receive any stated compensation for their services, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed sum and expenses of attendance may be

SECTION 13 Executive Committee and Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, appoint an Executive Committee, or any other committee, to consist of three (3) or more directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Executive Committee shall have, and may exercise between meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of

 

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Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and other committees shall have those powers conferred upon them by the Board of Directors, except that no committee shall have power:

 

  (a) To submit to shareholders any action requiring share-holder approval;

 

  (b) To fill vacancies in the Board of Directors or in any committee thereof;

 

  (c) To fix compensation of directors for service on the Board of Directors or any committee thereof;

 

  (d) To repeal, amend or adopt by-laws;

 

  (e) To amend or repeal any Board resolution which is not, by its terms, amendable or repealable by such committee;

In the absence of any member of the Executive Committee or of any other committee, the members thereof present at any meeting may appoint a member of the Board of Directors previously designated by the Board of Directors as a committee alternate to act in place of such absent member. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill vacancies in it, or dissolve it. The Executive Committee and any other committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, and may appoint such committees and assistants as may from time to time be necessary, unless the Board of Directors shall provide otherwise. A majority of the members of the Executive Committee and of any other committee shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

SECTION 1 Election of Officers. The Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee), at any duly held meeting thereof, shall elect a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer of the Corporation, and may elect a Chairman of the Board from among the directors of the Corporation, one or more Vice Presidents and any other officers. Each such officer shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors or until his successor shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualifies, or until he shall have resigned, shall have deceased or shall have been removed in the manner provided in Section 3 of this Article. Any two offices may be held by the same person, except that no person shall hold the office of President and Secretary concurrently. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if all of the stock of the Corporation shall ever be owned by one person, such person may hold all or any combination of offices. Any vacancies in the above offices shall be filled by the Board.

SECTION 2 Assistant and Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) may elect one or more Assistant Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries and such other subordinate officers or agents as it may deem proper from time to time, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee). The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the President to appoint and remove such assistant and subordinate officers and agents and prescribe the powers and duties thereof.

 

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SECTION 3 Removal. Any officers of the Corporation may be removed with or without cause by a vote of the majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation then in office at a meeting called for that purpose (or, except in the case of an officer elected by the Board of Directors, by the Executive Committee) whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation may be served thereby.

SECTION 4 Compensation. The Board of Directors shall fix the compensation of all officers of the Corporation who are elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee shall fix the compensation of all other officers of the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may authorize the President to fix the compensation of such assistant and subordinate officers and agents as he is authorized to appoint and remove.

SECTION 5 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if there be one, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors may direct.

SECTION 6 President. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee), have the general management of the affairs of the Corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders. If there be no Chairman of the Board, or in his absence or inability to act, the President shall perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board, subject, however, to the control of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee).

SECTION 7 Vice Presidents. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) as an Executive Vice President. At the request of the President, or in his absence or during his disability, the Executive Vice President shall perform the duties and exercise the functions of the President. If there be no Executive Vice President, or if there be more than one (1), the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) may determine which one or more of the Vice Presidents shall perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions; if such determination is not made by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee), the President may make such determination; otherwise, any of the Vice Presidents may perform any of such duties or exercise any of such functions. Each Vice President shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President.

SECTION 8 Secretary. The Secretary shall keep full minutes of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors in books provided for that purpose. He shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-Laws or as required by law. He shall be the custodian of the records and of the Seal or Seals of the Corporation. He shall affix the Corporate Seal to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation, under the Seal, is duly authorized by the Board of Directors (or Executive Committee), and when so affixed may attest the same. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President.

 

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SECTION 9 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep correct and complete books and records of account for the Corporation. Subject to the control and supervision of the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President, or such other officer as the President may designate, the Treasurer shall establish and execute programs for the provision of the capital required by the Corporation, including negotiating the procurement of capital and maintaining adequate sources for the Corporation’s current borrowing from lending institutions. He shall maintain banking arrangements to receive, have custody of and disburse the Corporation’s moneys and securities. He shall invest the Corporation’s funds as required, establish and coordinate policies for investment of pension and other similar trusts, and provide insurance coverage as required. He shall direct the granting of credit and the collection of accounts due the Corporation. He shall have such other powers and duties as may be properly designated by the Board of Directors (or the Executive Committee) and the President.

ARTICLE IV

SHARE CERTIFICATES

SECTION 1 Form and Signatures. The interest of each shareholder of the Corporation shall be evidenced by certificates for shares in such form not inconsistent with the law or the Certificate of Incorporation, and any amendments thereof, as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. The share certificates shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation. Where any share certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent or registered by a registrar, other than the Corporation itself or its employee, or if the shares are listed on a registered national security exchange, the signatures of any such President, Vice President, Secretary, or Assistant Secretary, may be facsimiles engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before the share certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person had not ceased to be such officer.

SECTION 2 Transfer of Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the Registered holder thereof, in person or by his attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for the same number of shares, with a proper assignment and powers of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly signed by the person appearing by the certificate to be the owner of the shares represented thereby, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation, or its agents, may reasonably require. Such certificate shall have affixed thereto all stock transfer stamps required by law. The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such other rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the Corporation.

SECTION 3 Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The holder of any certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any mutilation, loss, theft or destruction thereof, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, cause one or more new certificates, for the same number of shares in aggregate, to be issued to such holder upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate, or, in case of an alleged loss, theft or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft or

 

7


destruction and the deposit of indemnity, by way of bond or otherwise, in such form and amount and with such sureties as the Board of Directors may require, to indemnify the Corporation and transfer agent and registrar, if any, against loss or liability by reason of the issuance of such new certificates; but the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, refuse to issue such new certificates save upon the order of some court having jurisdiction in such matters.

SECTION 4 Stock Ledgers. The Stock Ledgers of the Corporation containing the names and addresses of the shareholders and the number of shares held by them respectively shall be maintained at the principal office of the Corporation, or if there be a transfer agent, at the office of such transfer agent, as the Board of Directors shall determine.

SECTION 5 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Corporation may have one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars of its stock or of any class or classes of its shares whose respective duties the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE V

INDEMNIFICATION

The Corporation shall indemnify (a) any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, and (b) any director or officer of the Corporation who served any other company in any capacity at the request of the Corporation, in the manner and to the maximum extent

ARTICLE VI

FINANCES

SECTION 1 Dividends. Subject to law and to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, and any amendments thereof, the Board of Directors may declare dividends on the stock of the Corporation, payable upon such dates as the Board of Directors may designate.

SECTION 2 Reserves. Before payment of any dividends, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums, as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall deem conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

SECTION 3 Bills, Notes, Etc. All checks or demands for money and notes or other instruments evidencing indebtedness or obligations of the Corporation shall be made in the name of the Corporation and shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

 

8


ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 Power to Amend. The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a majority vote of the entire Board at any meeting. However, any By-Laws adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed at any meeting of shareholders by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting by the holders of shares entitled to vote thereon.

SECTION 2 Notice of Amendment Affecting Election of Directors. If any By-Law regulating an impending election of directors is adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors, there shall be set forth in the Notice of the next Meeting of shareholders for the election of directors the By-Law so adopted, amended or repealed, together with a concise statement of the changes made.

 

9

EX-4.2 20 dex42.htm SENIOR NOTES INDENTURE Senior Notes Indenture

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of August 17, 2010

Among

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC,

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.,

the Guarantors listed herein

and

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB,

as Trustee

8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017

 

 

 


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)

   4.03;12.02; 12.05

      (b)

   N.A.

      (c)(1)

   12.04

      (c)(2)

   12.04

      (c)(3)

   N.A.

      (d)

   N.A.

      (e)

   12.05

      (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

      (b)

   7.05;12.02

      (c)

   7.01

      (d)

   7.01

      (e)

   6.14

316(a)(last sentence)

   2.09

      (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

      (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

      (a)(2)

   N.A.

      (b)

   6.07

      (c)

   2.12;9.04

317(a)(1)

   6.08

      (a)(2)

   6.12

      (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

 

          Page
   ARTICLE 1   
   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   

Section 1.01

   Definitions    1

Section 1.02

   Other Definitions    31

Section 1.03

   Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act    32

Section 1.04

   Rules of Construction    32

Section 1.05

   Acts of Holders    33
   ARTICLE 2   
   THE NOTES   

Section 2.01

   Form and Dating; Terms    34

Section 2.02

   Execution and Authentication    36

Section 2.03

   Registrar and Paying Agent    36

Section 2.04

   Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    37

Section 2.05

   Holder Lists    37

Section 2.06

   Transfer and Exchange    37

Section 2.07

   Replacement Notes    49

Section 2.08

   Outstanding Notes    49

Section 2.09

   Treasury Notes    49

Section 2.10

   Temporary Notes    50

Section 2.11

   Cancellation    50

Section 2.12

   Defaulted Interest    50

Section 2.13

   CUSIP/ISIN Numbers    51
   ARTICLE 3   
   REDEMPTION   

Section 3.01

   Notices to Trustee    51

Section 3.02

   Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased    51

Section 3.03

   Notice of Redemption    52

Section 3.04

   Effect of Notice of Redemption    52

Section 3.05

   Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price    53

Section 3.06

   Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part    53

Section 3.07

   Optional Redemption    53

Section 3.08

   Mandatory Redemption    54

Section 3.09

   Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds    54

 

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          Page
   ARTICLE 4   
   COVENANTS   

Section 4.01

   Payment of Notes    56

Section 4.02

   Maintenance of Office or Agency    57

Section 4.03

   Reports and Other Information    57

Section 4.04

   Compliance Certificate    58

Section 4.05

   Taxes    58

Section 4.06

   Stay, Extension and Usury Laws    59

Section 4.07

   Limitation on Restricted Payments    59

Section 4.08

   Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries    65

Section 4.09

   Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock    67

Section 4.10

   Asset Sales    72

Section 4.11

   Transactions with Affiliates    75

Section 4.12

   Liens    77

Section 4.13

   Corporate Existence    77

Section 4.14

   Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control    77

Section 4.15

   Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries    79

Section 4.16

   Discharge and Suspension of Covenants    79
   ARTICLE 5   
   SUCCESSORS   

Section 5.01

   Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets    81

Section 5.02

   Successor Corporation Substituted    83
   ARTICLE 6   
   DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01

   Events of Default    83

Section 6.02

   Acceleration    85

Section 6.03

   Other Remedies    86

Section 6.04

   Waiver of Past Defaults    86

Section 6.05

   Control by Majority    86

Section 6.06

   Limitation on Suits    86

Section 6.07

   Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment    87

Section 6.08

   Collection Suit by Trustee    87

Section 6.09

   Restoration of Rights and Remedies    87

Section 6.10

   Rights and Remedies Cumulative    87

Section 6.11

   Delay or Omission Not Waiver    88

Section 6.12

   Trustee May File Proofs of Claim    88

Section 6.13

   Priorities    88

Section 6.14

   Undertaking for Costs    89

 

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          Page
   ARTICLE 7   
   TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01

   Duties of Trustee    89

Section 7.02

   Rights of Trustee    90

Section 7.03

   Individual Rights of Trustee    91

Section 7.04

   Trustee’s Disclaimer    91

Section 7.05

   Notice of Defaults    91

Section 7.06

   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes    92

Section 7.07

   Compensation and Indemnity    92

Section 7.08

   Replacement of Trustee    93

Section 7.09

   Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    94

Section 7.10

   Eligibility; Disqualification    94

Section 7.11

   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers    94
   ARTICLE 8   
   LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

Section 8.01

   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance    94

Section 8.02

   Legal Defeasance and Discharge    94

Section 8.03

   Covenant Defeasance    95

Section 8.04

   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance    95

Section 8.05

   Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions    97

Section 8.06

   Repayment to Issuers    97

Section 8.07

   Reinstatement    97
   ARTICLE 9   
   AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   

Section 9.01

   Without Consent of Holders of Notes    98

Section 9.02

   With Consent of Holders of Notes    99

Section 9.03

   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act    100

Section 9.04

   Revocation and Effect of Consents    100

Section 9.05

   Notation on or Exchange of Notes    101

Section 9.06

   Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    101

Section 9.07

   Payment for Consent    101

Section 9.08

   Additional Voting Terms    101
   ARTICLE 10   
   GUARANTEES   

Section 10.01

   Guarantee    102

Section 10.02

   Limitation on Guarantor Liability    103

Section 10.03

   Execution and Delivery    104

 

-iii-


          Page

Section 10.04

   Subrogation    104

Section 10.05

   Benefits Acknowledged    104

Section 10.06

   Release of Guarantees    104
   ARTICLE 11   
   SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 11.01

   Satisfaction and Discharge    105

Section 11.02

   Application of Trust Money    106
   ARTICLE 12   
   MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 12.01

   Trust Indenture Act Controls    106

Section 12.02

   Notices    106

Section 12.03

   Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes    108

Section 12.04

   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    108

Section 12.05

   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    108

Section 12.06

   Rules by Trustee and Agents    108

Section 12.07

   No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    109

Section 12.08

   Governing Law    109

Section 12.09

   Waiver of Jury Trial    109

Section 12.10

   Force Majeure    109

Section 12.11

   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    109

Section 12.12

   Successors    109

Section 12.13

   Severability    109

Section 12.14

   Counterpart Originals    110

Section 12.15

   Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    110

Section 12.16

   Qualification of Indenture    110

 

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 to Be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors

 

-iv-


INDENTURE, dated as of August 17, 2010, among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (and its successors in interest) (the “Company”), Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (and its successors in interest) (“Finance Co.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) listed on the signature pages hereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers have duly authorized the creation of an issue of $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Initial Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

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 applicable series of Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Indebtedness” 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, including Indebtedness 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 Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes and other than Exchange Notes issued for such Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.01 and 4.09 hereof.

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

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


Agent” means the Registrar or any Paying Agent.

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

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

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

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

Asset Sale” means:

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

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

in each case, other than:

(a) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete or worn out equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) no longer used in the ordinary course of business;

(b) 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;

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

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

(e) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

-2-


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

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

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

(i) foreclosures, condemnation or any similar action on assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture;

(j) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

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

(l) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Indenture;

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

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

(o) any sale to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Jackson, Tennessee in connection with a Sale and Lease-back Transaction that does not result in the recognition of the sale or the asset transfer in accordance with GAAP, or any similar transaction.

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

board of directors” means, with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation, and with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person, or board of directors of the general partner or general manager of such Person serving a similar function.

Broker-Dealer” means a Person that is a “Broker” or a “Dealer” within the meaning of the Exchange Act.

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

 

-3-


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 or membership interests (whether general or limited); 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.

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

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

Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) euro, or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU and local currencies held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

(3) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(4) certificates of deposit, time deposits 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 commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(5) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (3), (4) and (8) entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper rated at least P-1 by Moody’s or at least A-1 by S&P and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by a Person with a rating of “A” or higher by S&P or “A2” or higher by Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

-4-


(7) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;

(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(9) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(10) Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s; and

(11) investment funds investing 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (10) above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (1) and (2) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (1) and (2) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

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

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

(2) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than the Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies holding directly or indirectly 100% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme.

 

-5-


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

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

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

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

(3) interest income for such period.

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

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

(1) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses (including relating to the Transaction to the extent incurred on or prior to April 1, 2008), severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded,

(2) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded,

 

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(3) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations shall be excluded,

(4) any after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,

(5) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Company shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,

(6) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3)(a) of Section 4.07(a) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Company will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash or Cash Equivalents) to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein,

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

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

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

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

 

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(11) any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, issuance or repayment of Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (in each case, including any such transaction consummated prior to April 2, 2007 and any such transaction undertaken but not completed) and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction shall be excluded,

(12) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve months after April 2, 2007 that are so required to be established as a result of the Transaction in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded; and

(13) the following items shall be excluded:

(a) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133; and

(b) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk).

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from (i) business interruption insurance (or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is (a) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (b) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days or not so reimbursed within 365 days)) and (ii) reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Permitted Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under the Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than clause (3)(d) of Section 4.07(a) hereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under clause (3)(d) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” as of any date of determination means, the ratio of (1) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available

 

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immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, less the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date to (2) the Company’s EBITDA for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such event for which such calculation is being made shall occur, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, all obligations relating to Receivables Facilities) and (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Company.

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

(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor,

(2) to advance or supply funds

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

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

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

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall 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 Holders and the Issuers.

 

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Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

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

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A 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 any 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 provisions of this Indenture.

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

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Company or any parent corporation thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company or the applicable parent corporation thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

 

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

(1) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise and similar taxes (such as the Pennsylvania capital tax) and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(b) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, (y) bank fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, in each case, to the extent included in Fixed Charges), together with items excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (1)(t) through (z) thereof to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, the Existing Senior Notes, the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Credit Facilities and (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes, the Existing Senior Notes or the Senior Subordinated Notes, and, in each case, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(e) the amount of any restructuring charges, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or reserves deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions after April 2, 2007, and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities; plus

(f) any other non-cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(g) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary deducted (and not added back) in such period in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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(h) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees (including termination fees) and related indemnities and expenses paid or accrued in such period under the Sponsor Management Agreement or otherwise to the Investors to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 4.11 hereof (and similar fees paid by the Company or its Affiliates to investors in the Company or its Affiliates prior to the Issue Date) and deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(i) the amount of net cost savings projected by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or initiated during or prior to 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 during such period from such actions; provided that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable, (y) such actions have been or are taken no later than 36 months after April 2, 2007 and (z) the aggregate amount of cost savings added pursuant to this clause (i) shall not exceed $30.0 million for any four consecutive quarter period (which adjustments may be incremental to pro forma cost savings adjustments made pursuant to the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”); plus

(j) the amount of loss or discount on sale of Receivables and related assets to the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a Receivables Facility; plus

(k) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations; plus

(l) any costs or expense incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof; and

(2) decreased by (without duplication) (a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and (b) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations; and

(3) increased or decreased by (without duplication), as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Interpretation No. 45 (Guarantees).

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

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

 

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

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

(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Company; and

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and

(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Company) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an officer’s certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Company on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Existing Senior Notes” means the $625.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015, consisting of $325.0 million aggregate principal amount issued on April 2, 2007 and $300.0 million additional aggregate principal amount issued on December 23, 2009.

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Company in good faith; provided that if the fair market value is equal to or exceeds $25.0 million, such determination shall be made by the board of directors of the Company in good faith.

 

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Finance Co.” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the recitals hereto.

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

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

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

 

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EBITDA as set forth in footnote 3 to the “Summary Historical Consolidated and Combined Financial Data” under “Summary” in the Offering Circular to the extent such adjustments, without duplication, continue to be applicable to such four-quarter period.

Fixed Charge Coverage Test” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.07(a).

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:

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

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

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

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

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on April 2, 2007.

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

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

Government Securities” means securities that are:

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

(2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

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

 

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Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under this Indenture.

Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

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

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Note Register.

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

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

(a) in respect of borrowed money;

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

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

(d) representing any Hedging Obligations; or

(e) during a Suspension Period only, obligations of the lessee for rental payments in respect of Sale and Lease-back Transactions in an amount equal to the present value of such obligations during the remaining term of the lease using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction determined in accordance with GAAP,

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

 

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(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and

(3) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (1) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person, but only to the extent of the fair market value of the assets subject to such Lien;

provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (b) obligations under or in respect of Receivables Facilities.

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

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

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

Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Initial Purchasers” means Barclays Capital Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

Interest Payment Date” means, with respect to the Notes, March 1 and September 1 of each year to stated maturity.

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.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

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

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

(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

 

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

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Company in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

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

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

(b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

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

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

Investors” means The Blackstone Group and each of its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.

Issue Date” means August 17, 2010, the date of the original issuance of the Initial Notes hereunder.

Issuers” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the recitals hereto.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Indebtedness required (other than required by clause (1) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.

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

Notes” means the Initial Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall also include any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture.

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

Offering Circular” means the offering circular, dated August 10, 2010, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

 

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

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of each Issuer by an Officer of each Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of each of the Issuers, that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee and meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture, if any. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuers.

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 Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and cash or Cash Equivalents between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided, that any cash or Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof.

Permitted Holders” means each of the Investors and members of management of the Company (or its direct or indirect parent companies) on the Issue Date who are holders of Equity Interests of the Company (or any of its direct or indirect parent companies) and any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, such Investors and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies.

Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided, that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

 

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(4) any Investment in securities or other assets, including earnouts, not constituting cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to the provisions described under Section 4.10 hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(5) any Investment existing on April 2, 2007;

(6) any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

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

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

(7) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (10) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(8) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed 3.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(9) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (exclusive of Disqualified Stock) of the Company, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof;

(10) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09 hereof;

(11) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (2), (5) and (9) of Section 4.11(b) hereof);

(12) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment;

(13) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (13) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities), not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(14) Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Company are necessary or advisable to effect any Receivables Facility or any repurchase in connection therewith;

 

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(15) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $10.0 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;

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

(17) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) 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 of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

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

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

(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;

(5) minor survey exceptions, minor 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 other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(6) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (4), (12) or (20) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided, that Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (20) extend only to assets of Foreign Subsidiaries;

(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

 

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(8) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or assets owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(10) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

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

(12) Liens on specific items of inventory of other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(13) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;

(14) 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;

(15) Liens in favor of any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(16) Liens on equipment of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business to the Company’s clients;

(17) Liens on accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility;

(18) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9); provided, however, that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

 

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(19) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(20) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which obligations do not exceed $30.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(21) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (5) under Section 6.01 hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(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 in the ordinary course of business;

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

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

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

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

(27) during a Suspension Period only, Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is secured equally and ratably with (or on a basis subordinated to) the Notes), and Indebtedness represented by Sale and Leaseback Transactions in an amount not to exceed 15% of Total Assets at any one time outstanding.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Receivables Facility” means any of one or more receivables financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

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

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

Record Date” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means February 15 or August 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

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

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

 

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

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A 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 Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

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

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

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

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

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” means, with respect to any Person, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person (including any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.” Unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries shall mean Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, including, without limitation, Finance Co.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Credit Facilities” means the Credit Facility under the Credit Agreement dated as of April 2, 2007 by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof).

Senior Indebtedness” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Guarantor outstanding under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes or Notes and related Guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of any Issuer or any Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Issue Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of any Issuer or any Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(2) all Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) owing to a Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) or any Affiliate of such Lender (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into); provided, that such Hedging Obligations are permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture;

 

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(3) any other Indebtedness of any Issuer or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Subordinated Notes or any related Guarantee; and

(4) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3);

provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) any obligation of such Person to the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries;

(b) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(c) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

(d) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

(e) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

Senior Subordinated Notes” means the $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 10 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 issued on April 2, 2007 and any Additional Notes (as defined in the indenture, dated as of April 2, 2007, among the Issuers, the Guarantors party thereto and the Wilmington Trust Company, relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes).

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

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

Similar Business” means any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any reasonable extension thereof or any business that is similar, reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto.

Sponsor Management Agreement” means the management agreement between certain of the management companies associated with the Investors and the Issuers, as amended from time to time.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,

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

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

 

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Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar 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) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or is consolidated under GAAP with such Person at such time; and

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

(x) more than 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 Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and

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

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

Transaction” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the issuance of a portion of the Existing Senior Notes in connection therewith, the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities as in effect on April 2, 2007 and the refinancing of debt in existence on April 2, 2007, including the tender offer and consent solicitation of the 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued by Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.

Transaction Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 10, 2007, among Crunch Holding Corp., Peak Holdings LLC, Peak Acquisition Corp. and Peak Finance LLC.

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 three Business Days prior to the date the applicable notice of redemption is given (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 September 1, 2013.

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

Trustee” means Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

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

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

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

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

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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

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

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

(3) each of:

(a) the Subsidiary to be so designated; and

(b) its Subsidiaries

has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

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

(1) the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test; or

(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such designation,

in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

 

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

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

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

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

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

(2) the sum of all such payments.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section

“Acceptable Commitment”

   4.10

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.11

“Asset Sale Offer”

   4.10

“Authentication Order”

   2.02

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.14

“Change of Control Payment Date”

   4.14

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“Covenant Suspension Event”

   4.16

“DTC”

   2.03

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.10

“incur”

   4.09

“incurrence”

   4.09

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02

“Note Register”

   2.03

“Offer Amount”

   3.09

“Offer Period”

   3.09

“Pari Passu Indebtedness”

   4.10

“Paying Agent”

   2.03

“Purchase Date”

   3.09

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section

“Redemption Date”

   3.07

“Refinancing Indebtedness”

   4.09

“Refunding Capital Stock”

   4.07

“Registrar”

   2.03

“Restricted Payments”

   4.07

“Reversion Date”

   4.16

“Second Commitment”

   4.10

“Successor Company”

   5.01

“Successor Person”

   5.01

“Suspended Covenants”

   4.16

“Suspension Period”

   4.16

“Treasury Capital Stock”

   4.07

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

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

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

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.

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

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

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

(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

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

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

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

Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.

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

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

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

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

(e) The Issuers may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuers prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

 

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

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

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

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.

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

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

 

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

(i) a written certificate from the Depositary, together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of each Regulation S Temporary Global Note, to the extent the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream provide such certificates in the ordinary course of their business (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof); and

(ii) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuers,

beneficial interests in each Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Regulation S Permanent Global Note of the same series pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of the corresponding Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee shall cancel the corresponding Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

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

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

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

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

 

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

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of each 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 shall nevertheless be valid.

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

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall upon an Authentication Order authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes and Exchange Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued hereunder. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers 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, the Issuers or Affiliates of the Issuers.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuers shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agent. The Registrar shall have an office or agency where Notes may be presented for transfer and exchange. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall, to the extent that it is capable, act as such. Either Issuer or any Subsidiaries of the Issuers may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

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

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Registrar and the Paying Agent for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

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Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers 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 Issuers 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 an Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If an Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to an Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

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

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the applicable Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days or (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (i) or (ii) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

 

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

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than 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)(i).

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, 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 Issuers 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.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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

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

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

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

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect 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)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

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

 

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

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

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

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

(B) if the transfer 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; or

(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 required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

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

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

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

 

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

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

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

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

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

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof and an Opinion of Counsel in accordance with Sections 2.06(b)(iv) and 2.06(c)(iii) hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers, and accepted for exchange in the 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 Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

 

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

(i) Private Placement Legend.

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

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

In addition, in the case of any Note that is a Regulation S Global Note, such Note shall bear an additional legend substantially in the following form unless otherwise agreed to by the Issuers and the Holder of such Note:

“BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

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

 

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(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note representing Notes shall 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 (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. 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 ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

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

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED 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 shall be 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

 

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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 shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the applicable 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 shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the applicable Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

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

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

(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part.

(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, 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.

(v) The Issuers shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased 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.

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

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

 

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

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

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the reasonable judgment of (i) the Trustee to protect the Trustee or (ii) the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

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

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those 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 either Issuer or an Affiliate of either Issuer holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide 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 Issuers, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either Issuer) 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 shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by either Issuer, or by any Affiliate of either Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether

 

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the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not either Issuer or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of either Issuer or of such other obligor.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

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

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

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

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

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

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

 

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

Section 2.13 CUSIP/ISIN Numbers.

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

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 3 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

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

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers 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 shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; no Notes of less than $2,000 can be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to 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.

 

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Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

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

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

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

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

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

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

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions pursuant to Section 3.07(f) hereof;

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

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

(i) to the extent provided in Section 3.07(f), any condition to such redemption.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at its expense; provided that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 3 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price (except as provided for in Section 3.07(f) hereof). The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall

 

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be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof and the satisfaction of any conditions pursuant to Section 3.07(f) hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

(a) With respect to the Notes, prior to noon Eastern Time on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

(b) If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions pursuant to Section 3.07(f) hereof. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption or purchase date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note, except that the Trustee is permitted to request an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer’s Certificate if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

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(b) Until September 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by them at a redemption price equal to 108.25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds received by them from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

(c) Except pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this Section 3.07, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to September 1, 2013.

(d) On and after September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Notes Percentage  

2013

   106.188

2014

   104.125

2015

   102.063

2016 and thereafter

   100.000

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

(f) Any redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

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

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuers shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer

 

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Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(v) that 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 whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

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

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, 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;

(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuers shall select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased) or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures; and

 

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

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

(f) The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note, except that the Trustee is permitted to request an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer’s Certificate if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased; provided, that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Issuers, jointly and severally, shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than an Issuer or a Subsidiary of an Issuer, holds as of noon Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Issuers 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 Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional 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 Issuers shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) required under Section 2.03 where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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

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

Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Company 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 Company shall file with the SEC (and make available to the Trustee and Holders of the Notes (without exhibits), without cost to any Holder, within 15 days after the Company files them with the SEC) from and after the Issue Date,

(1) within 90 days (or any other time period then in effect under the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act with respect to the filing of a Form 10-K by a non-accelerated filer) 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;

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

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

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

 

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in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that the Company shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Company shall 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 each case within 15 days after the time the Company would be required to file such information with the SEC, if it were subject to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(b) In the event that any direct or indirect parent company of the Company becomes a guarantor of the Notes, the Company may satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Company by furnishing financial information relating to such parent; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of clause of clause (3) of Section 6.01 until at least 120 days after the date any report hereunder is due.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) Each Issuer and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuers shall promptly (which shall be no more than twenty (20) Business Days) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

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

 

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Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

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

Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (7) and (8) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

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

(IV) make any Restricted Investment

 

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(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (I) through (IV) above (other than any exception thereto contained in clauses (I) through (IV)) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

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

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

(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after April 2, 2007 (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (2) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (6)(c), (9) and (14) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof, is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning January 1, 2007, to the end of the Company’s recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus

(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Company since immediately after April 2, 2007 (other than net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) from the issue or sale of:

(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Company, excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any direct or indirect parent company of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries after April 2, 2007 to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (4) Section 4.07(b) hereof; and

(y) Designated Preferred Stock;

and (B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (6) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; or

 

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(ii) debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Company;

provided, however, that this clause (b) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below), (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Company sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(c) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Company following April 2, 2007 (other than (i) net cash proceeds to the extent such net cash proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (12)(a) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, (ii) contributions from a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) any Excluded Contributions); plus

(d) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by means of:

(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after April 2, 2007; or

(ii) the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than in each case to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007; plus

(e) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $25.0 million, shall be set forth in writing by an Independent Financial Advisor), at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (7) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment.

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

(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(2) (a) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent contributed to the Company (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock and any Excluded Contributions) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (b) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (6) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, which is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

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

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

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

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

(4) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (4) do not exceed in any calendar year $15.0 million (which shall increase to $30.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company) (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $20.0 million in any calendar year (which shall increase to $40.0 million subsequent to the consummation of an underwritten public Equity Offering by the Company or any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Company)); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount equal to:

(a) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the Company, Equity Interests of any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to members of management, directors or consultants of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after April 2, 2007, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests are not Excluded Contributions and have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (3) of Section 4.07(a) hereof; plus

 

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(b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after April 2, 2007; less

(c) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (a) and (b) of this clause (4);

and provided further that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from members of management of the Company, any of the Company’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parent companies will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

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

(6) (a) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Company after April 2, 2007;

(b) the declaration and payment of dividends to a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of such parent corporation issued after April 2, 2007, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Company from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

(c) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (2) of this Section 4.07(b);

provided, however, in the case of each of (a) and (c) of this clause (6), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;

 

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(7) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (7) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or marketable securities, not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million and 1.5% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(8) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;

(9) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock (or the payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent entity to fund a payment of dividends on such entity’s common stock), following the first public offering of the Company’s common stock or the common stock of any of its direct or indirect parent companies after April 2, 2007, of up to 6% per annum of the net cash proceeds received by or contributed to the Company in or from any such public offering, other than public offerings with respect to the Company’s common stock registered on Form S-8 and other than any public sale constituting an Excluded Contribution;

(10) Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (11) not to exceed 2.0% of Total Assets at the time made;

(12) distributions or payments of Receivables Fees;

(13) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Transaction and the fees and expenses related thereto or made to fund amounts owed to Affiliates (including dividends to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to fund such payment), in each case to the extent permitted by Section 4.11 hereof;

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

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

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

 

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(b) so long as the Company is treated as a pass-through entity of which such direct or indirect parent is owner, member or a partner (directly or through entities that are pass-through entities), or is a member of a consolidated or combined group that includes such direct or indirect parent, federal, state and local income taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Company and its Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Company and its Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) members of a consolidated or combined group of which the Company was the common parent;

(c) customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(d) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses of any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(e) fees and expenses other than to Affiliates of the Company related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent entity; and

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

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (11) and (16) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(c) The Company will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investment.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof or under clause (7), (10) or (11) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

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

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

 

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(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; 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 shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities and the related documentation, Hedging Obligations, the indenture governing the Existing Senior Notes and the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes and the related documentation;

(2) this Indenture and the Notes;

(3) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof on the property so acquired;

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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(10) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other agreements or arrangements relating solely to such joint venture;

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

(12) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (11) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing; and

(13) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Company, are necessary or advisable to effect such Receivables Facility.

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

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

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

(1) the incurrence of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof), up to an aggregate principal amount of $1,600.0 million outstanding at any one time;

(2) the incurrence by the Company and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by (a) the Notes (including any Guarantees) and the exchange notes and related guarantees to be issued in exchange for Notes and the Guarantees pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (other than any Additional Notes);

 

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(3) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2) of this Section 4.09(b));

(4) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock issued and outstanding under this clause (4) not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding; so long as such Indebtedness exists at the date of such purchase, lease or improvement, or is created within 270 days thereafter;

(5) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims; provided, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;

(6) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or 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 a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (6));

(7) Indebtedness of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not Finance Co. or a Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided further that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(8) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor or Finance Co. incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is neither Finance Co. or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, in the case of Finance Co., or the Guarantee of the Notes, in the case of such Guarantor; provided further that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (8);

 

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(9) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (9);

(10) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes) for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 4.09, exchange rate risk or commodity pricing risk;

(11) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12) (a) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary equal to 200.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company since immediately after April 2, 2007 from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or cash contributed to the capital of the Company (in each case, other than proceeds of an Excluded Contribution or from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (3)(b) and (3)(c) of Section 4.07(a) hereof to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments or to make other Investments, payments or exchanges pursuant to Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments specified in clauses (1) and (3) of the definition thereof) and (b) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (12)(b), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $150.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (12)(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (12)(b) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (12)(b));

(13) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to refund or refinance any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (2), (3), (4) and (12) of this Section 4.09(b), this clause (13) and clause (14) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(a) has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced,

 

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(b) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (i) Indebtedness subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated or pari passu to the Notes or the Guarantee at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced or refunded or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively, and

(c) shall not include:

(i) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (other than Finance Co.) that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company; or

(ii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (other than Finance Co.) that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Finance Co. or a Guarantor;

and provided further that subclause (a) of this clause (13) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness;

(14) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (x) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided, that after giving effect to such acquisition or merger, either

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

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

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

(16) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

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

 

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

(18) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(19) Indebtedness issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company to the extent described in clause (4) of Section 4.07(b) hereof;

(20) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company not to exceed at any one time outstanding and together with any other Indebtedness incurred under this clause (20) $50.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (20) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (20) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) from and after the first date on which such Foreign Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this clause (20);

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

(22) Indebtedness owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(24) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business.

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

(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (24) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under Section 4.09(a); provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Facilities on the Issue Date will be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; and

 

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

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

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

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

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, neither Issuer will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be. For the purposes of this Indenture, Indebtedness that is unsecured is not deemed to be subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured, and Senior Indebtedness is not deemed to be subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate, directly or indirectly, 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 of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

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(2) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, 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; provided that the amount of:

(a) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto or, if incurred or increased subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or increase had taken place on the date of such balance sheet, as determined by the Company) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Company and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing,

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

(c) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed 5.0% of Total Assets at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

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

(1) to permanently reduce:

(a) Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(b) Obligations under Senior Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien, which Lien is permitted by this Indenture, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(c) Obligations under other Senior Indebtedness (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided, that to the extent the Issuers reduce Obligations under Senior Indebtedness other than the Notes, the Issuers shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided under Section 3.07 hereof through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below under Section 4.10(c) hereof) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be prepaid; or

(d) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

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(2) to make (a) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that if such business is not a Restricted Subsidiary, such Investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) an Investment in properties, (c) capital expenditures or (d) acquisitions of other assets, that, in each of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d), are used or useful in a Similar Business or replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

provided that, in the case of clause (2) 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 such 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 (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

(c) Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Issuers will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $25.0 million by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuers may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 450 days or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $25.0 million or less.

To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Indenture. If the aggregate amount payable in respect of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.

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

 

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(e) The Issuers 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 or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

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 of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or its 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 on an arm’s-length basis; and

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of the board of directors of the Company approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.11(a).

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

(1) transactions between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

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

(3) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses to the Investors pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring and advisory fees and related expenses accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Sponsor Management Agreement, or any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not more disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Company to the Holders when, taken as a whole, compared to the Sponsor Management Agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

(4) the payment of reasonable and customary fees paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, current or former officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) transactions in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of

 

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view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Company or its 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 on an arm’s-length basis;

(6) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);

(7) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (7) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Holders when taken as a whole;

(8) [RESERVED];

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

(10) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Permitted Holder or to any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility;

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

(13) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees or consultants of the Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Company in good faith; and

(14) investments by the Investors in securities of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Investors in connection therewith) so long as (i) the investment is being offered generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms and (ii) the investment constitutes less than 5% of the proposed or outstanding issue amount of such class of securities.

 

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Section 4.12 Liens.

The Issuers shall not, and the Company shall not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee, on any asset or property of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

(2) in all other cases, the Notes or the Guarantees are equally and ratably secured, except that the foregoing shall not apply to (A) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees, (B) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred pursuant to clause (1) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and (C) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof; provided that, with respect to Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under this subclause (C), at the time of incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 5.0 to 1.0.

Section 4.13 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuers shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) their corporate or other existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of the Company’s other Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuers or any such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided 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 Company in good faith 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.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes to the address of such Holder appearing in the security register or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, with the following information:

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

 

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

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

(4) that unless the Issuers default 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 on 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 such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Notes, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes, or a specified portion thereof, and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(7) that if the Issuers are redeeming less than all of the Notes, the Holders of the remaining Notes will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 thereafter;

(8) if such notice is mailed prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and

(9) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14, that a Holder must follow.

The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations under this Indenture by virtue thereof.

 

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(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent permitted by law,

(1) accept for payment all Notes issued by them or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,

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

(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

(c) The Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(d) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06 hereof.

Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Company shall not permit any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital market debt securities), other than Finance Co. or a Guarantor, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness (or any interest on such Indebtedness) of either Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:

(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Restricted Subsidiary’s Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes; and

(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;

provided, that this Section 4.15 shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.16 Discharge and Suspension of Covenants.

(a) If after 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 then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively

 

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referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), Section 4.07 hereof, Section 4.08 hereof, Section 4.09 hereof, Section 4.10 hereof, Section 4.11 hereof, Section 4.14 hereof, Section 4.15 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof shall not be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”).

(b) During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.”

(c) In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) 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, then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion Date is referred to in this Section 4.16 as the “Suspension Period.” The Guarantees of the Guarantors will be suspended during the Suspension Period. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales shall be reset to zero.

(d) During any Suspension Period, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction; provided, however, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction if (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred a Lien to secure the Indebtedness attributable to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction pursuant to Section 4.12 hereof without equally and ratably securing the Notes pursuant to the covenant described under such covenant; and (ii) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in that Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is at least equal to the fair market value of the property sold and otherwise complies with Section 4.10 hereof; provided, further, that the provisions of this clause (d) shall cease to apply on and subsequent to the Reversion Date following such Suspension Period.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any such reinstatement, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture with respect to the Notes; provided that (1) with respect to Restricted Payments made after such reinstatement, the amount of Restricted Payments made will be calculated as though the limitations contained in Section 4.07 hereof had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period; and (2) all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(3).

(f) The Issuers shall deliver promptly to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate notifying it of any such Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date under this Section 4.16.

 

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ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

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

(a) The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) the Company is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided, that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(2) the Successor Company, if other than the Company, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

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

(4) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,

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

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction;

(5) each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(a)(2) hereof shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for the Company under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding the clauses (3) and (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,

(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, and

(2) the Company may merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Company in the United States and any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof, so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

 

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(c) Subject to certain limitations described in this Indenture governing release of a Guarantee upon the sale, disposition or transfer of a guarantor, no Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (A) such Guarantor is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(2) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof.

(d) Subject to certain limitations described in this Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (i) merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or either Issuer, (ii) merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.

(e) Finance Co. may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not Finance Co. is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Finance Co.’s properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(1) (a) concurrently therewith, a corporate Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (which may be the continuing Person as a result of such transaction) expressly assumes all the obligations of Finance Co. under the Notes, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and the Registration Rights Agreement if the exchange offer contemplated therein has not been consummated or if the Issuers continue to have an obligation to file or maintain the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement as provided under such agreement; or

 

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(b) after giving effect thereto, at least one obligor on the notes shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof;

(2) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) Finance Co. shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with the Indenture.

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 assets of either Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which such Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to such Issuer shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to such Issuer), and may exercise every right and power of such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as such Issuer herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of such Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) An “Event of Default” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(2) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Notes;

(3) failure by either Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;

(4) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or

 

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any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

(a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $25.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;

(5) failure by any Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $25.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

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

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

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

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

(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in a proceeding in which the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

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(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries 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 that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

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

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

(8) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, as the case may be, denies that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (4) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:

(1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or

(2) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(3) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01(a) hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, all outstanding Notes shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

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 of all of the Notes rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest, Additional Interest, if any, or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived. In addition, the Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if, in the best judgment of the Trustee, acceleration is not in the best interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

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Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder, including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer; provided, subject to Section 6.02 hereof, 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 principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) Holders of the Notes have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

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(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

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, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(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 Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

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Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.13 Priorities.

If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(i) to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due to them under this Indenture, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

(ii) to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, 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 Additional Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(iii) to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct, including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.13.

 

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Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but shall not otherwise be required to verify the contents thereof.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

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

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.

 

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(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of the Notes unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, or whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, except to the extent expressly provided in Section 3.06, 3.09(f), the last paragraph of Section 9.01 and Section 9.06 hereof. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from an Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of such Issuer.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) In the event the Issuers are required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuers will provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuers’ obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuers. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable and the amount thereof.

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 either Issuer or any Affiliate of either 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 or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold (and shall be fully protected in withholding) from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee in accordance with Section 12.02 hereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

 

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Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

Within 60 days after each April 15, beginning on April 15, 2011, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Issuers and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

The Issuers, jointly and severally, shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, either Issuer, any Guarantor or any other Person, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall be entitled to defend the claim (provided, however, that if a conflict of interest exists in the judgment of the Trustee, the Issuers shall not be entitled to assume the defense of such claim) and the Trustee may have separate counsel, and the Issuers shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense to the extent incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(6) or (7) 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.

 

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The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

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

(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

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

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

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.

The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof 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 Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

 

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(b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16(d) hereof and clauses (4) and (5) of Section 5.01(a), Sections 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document, and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(a)(3), 6.01(a)(4), 6.01(a)(5), 6.01(a)(6) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries or that, taken together, would constitute Significant Subsidiares), 6.01(a)(7) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries that are Significant Subsidiaries or that, taken together, would constitute Significant Subsidiaries) and 6.01(a)(8) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

(1) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date;

 

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(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,

(a) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(b) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes or the indenture pursuant to which the Existing Senior Notes were issued, the Senior Subordinated Notes or the indenture pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(6) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;

(7) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of any Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and

(8) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

 

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Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including either Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuers.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuers, any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or this Indenture) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and any Guarantee or the Notes without the consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(4) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(6) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon any Issuer or any Guarantor;

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof;

(9) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;

(10) to add a Guarantor under this Indenture;

(11) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Circular to the extent that such provision in such “Description of Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes; or

(12) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes.

 

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Upon the request of the Issuers 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 and Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate; provided, that the Trustee is permitted to request an Opinion of Counsel (i) if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) the assets of such Guarantor exceed 4.0% of Total Assets.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding 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 or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuers 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 shall join with the Issuers in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

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Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (other than provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof to the extent that any such amendment or waiver does not have the effect of reducing the principal of or changing the fixed final maturity of any such Note or altering or waiving the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;

(4) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

(7) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(8) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;

(9) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(10) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers, in exchange for all Notes, may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors and board of managers, as the case may be, approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuers and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel will be required for the Trustee to execute any amendment or supplement adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture, provided, that that the Trustee is permitted to request an Opinion of Counsel (i) if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) the assets of such Guarantor exceed 4.0% of Total Assets.

Section 9.07 Payment for Consent.

Neither the Issuers nor any Affiliate of the Issuers shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to all Holders and is paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 9.08 Additional Voting Terms.

All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and no series of Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate series on any matter. Determinations as to whether Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article Nine.

 

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ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

Subject to this Article 10, from and after the consummation of the Transaction, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other Obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of either Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed

 

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hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.

Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against either Issuer for liquidation or reorganization, should either Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of either Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall be pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as 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 Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery.

To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President, one of its Vice Presidents or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

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

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuers shall cause any newly created or acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Subrogation.

Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

Section 10.05 Benefits Acknowledged.

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.06 Release of Guarantees.

A Guarantee by a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(1) (A) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor, in each case made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(B) the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities or such other guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

 

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(C) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or

(D) the exercise by the Issuers of their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the discharge of the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(2) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:

(1) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) (A) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers and any Issuer or any Guarantor have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated 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 theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(B) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Existing Senior Notes (or the indenture governing the Existing Senior Notes), the Senior Subordinated Notes (or the indenture governing the Senior Subordinated Notes) or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which any Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which any Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

 

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(C) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(D) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (A) of clause (2) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive.

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 either Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers 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 the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

Section 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by either Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to either Issuer and/or any Guarantor:

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Facsimile: (973) 541-6693

Attention: General Counsel

 

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with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Attention: Richard Fenyes, Esq.

If to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Facsimile: (203) 453-1183

Attention: Pinnacle Foods Finance Administrator

Either Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall 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 shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to Applicable Procedures.

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.

 

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If the Issuers mail a notice or communication to Holders, they shall 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 Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Subject to Section 7.02(b), upon any request or application by either Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

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.

 

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Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of either Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the Issuers and the Guarantors) or any of their parent companies shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 12.08 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.10 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 12.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuers or their Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.12 Successors.

All agreements of each Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) and Section 10.06 hereof.

Section 12.13 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 12.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.16 Qualification of Indenture.

The Issuers and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Issuers and the Guarantors any such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
  Name:   Craig Steeneck
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
  Name:   Craig Steeneck
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
PINNACLE FOODS GROUP LLC,
As Guarantor
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
  Name:   Craig Steeneck
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
PINNACLE FOODS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
As Guarantor
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
  Name:   Craig Steeneck
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

AVIAN HOLDINS LLC

BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC

KENNEDY ENDEAVORS INCORPORATED

SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC.

BEMSA HOLDING, INC.

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.

GLK, LLC

ROCHESTER HOLDCO, LLC,

as Guarantors

By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name:   Kelley Maggs
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Secretary

Signature Page to Senior Indenture


WILMINGTON TRUST FSB,
as Trustee
By:   /s/ Joseph P. O’Donnell
  Name:   Joseph P. O’Donnell
  Title:   Vice President

Signature Page to Senior Indenture


EXHIBIT A

[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]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP [            ]

ISIN [             ]1

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

representing up to

$[                    ]

8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

No. ___

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC and PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of ________________________ United States Dollars] on September 1, 2017.

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

 

1

144A ISIN: US72347QAF00

144A CUSIP: 72347Q AF0

Regulation S ISIN: USU72284AD12

Regulation S CUSIP: U72284 AD1

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: [                    ]

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB,
as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

Dated: [            ]

 

A-4


[Back of Note]

8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( the “Company”), and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with the Company, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.25% per annum from August 17, 2010* until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 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 Issue Date; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be March 1, 2011*. The Issuers 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 interest rate on the Notes; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, 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. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, 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, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust FSB, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

* With respect to the Initial Notes.

 

A-5


4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers’ designated as their 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b) and 5(c) hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option before September 1, 2013.

(b) At any time prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice in accordance with paragraph 7, 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 date of redemption (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.

(c) Until September 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by them at a redemption price equal to 108.25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds received by them from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

(d) On and after September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with paragraph 7, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   106.188

2014

   104.125

2015

   102.063

2016 and thereafter

   100.000

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

A-6


(f) Any redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction.

6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions pursuant to Section 3.07(f) of the Indenture.

8. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Issuers shall 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 thereafter) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). The Change of Control Offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.

(b) If the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries consummate an Asset Sale, when the aggregate amount of the Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including any Additional Notes) that is at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value, if less) plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate amount payable in respect of the Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuers prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

 

A-7


9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter. 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 Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Offer, except for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within twenty (20) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

13. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

14. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2010, among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

 

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15. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

16. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Attention: General Counsel

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: ____________________________________________________________________

        (Insert assignee’ 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 Issuers. 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).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 4.10             ¨ Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________

Date: _____________________

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:    
 

Signature Guarantee*: __________________________________

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $_________. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease

in Principal

Amount

  

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.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

1 Bloomfield Road

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Attention: General Counsel

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Attention: Pinnacle Foods Finance Administrator

 

  Re: 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

_______________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to _______________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. ¨ CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 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 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

 

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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 Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to either Issuer or any subsidiary of either Issuer;

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.

 

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(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.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

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: 72347Q AF0), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP: U72284 AD1), 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: 72347Q AF0), or

 

  (ii) ¨ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP: U72284 AD1), or

 

  (iii) ¨ Unrestricted Global Note (                    ); or

 

(b) ¨ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c) ¨ an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

1 Bloomfield Road

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Attention: General Counsel

Wilmington Trust FSB

246 Goose Lane, Suite 105

Guilford, CT 06437

Attention: Pinnacle Foods Finance Administrator

 

  Re: 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

___________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $__________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE.

a) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

b) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted

 

C-1


Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

c) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for 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 OF THE SAME SERIES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES.

a) ¨ CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued 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

 

C-2


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.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers and are dated ______________________.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

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EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of __________, among __________________ (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, the “Issuers”), and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, each Issuer and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of August 17, 2010, providing for the issuance of $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (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 Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders 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 as follows:

(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and severally, irrevocable and unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, 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 Issuers 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

(ii) 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

 

D-1


performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against either 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.

(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of either Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.

(d) This Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.

(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.

(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.

(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.

(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or fraudulent conveyance 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 Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under this Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

D-2


(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against either Issuer for liquidation or reorganization, should either Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of either Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(l) This Guarantee shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking pari passu with any other future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.

(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.01(c) of the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving entity or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as the case may be, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;

 

D-3


(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and

(D) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture;

(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary may (i) merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or either Issuer, (ii) merge with an Affiliate of the Company solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Guaranteeing Subsidiary in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(5) Releases.

The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

(1) (A) any sale, exchange or transfer (by merger or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (including any sale, exchange or transfer), after which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, in each case made in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(B) the release or discharge of the guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facilities or the guarantee which resulted in the creation of the Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee;

(C) the designation of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(D) the exercise by the Issuers of their Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the discharge of the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and

(2) the Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in the Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.

(6) No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary or any of its parent companies (other than the Issuers and the Guarantors) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

D-4


(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders of Notes against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 2(k) hereof or elsewhere in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

D-5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST FSB,
as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

D-6

EX-4.5 21 dex45.htm FORM OF RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE, 8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017 Form of Rule 144A Global Note, 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Exhibit 4.5

Form of Rule 144A Global Note, 8.25% Senior Notes Due 2017

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. 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 ISSUERS OR THEIR 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.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED


INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

-2-


CUSIP 72347Q AF0

ISIN US72347QAF00

RULE 144A GLOBAL NOTE

representing up to

$400,000,000.00

8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

No. A-1

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC and PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto on September 1, 2017.

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

 

-3-


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: August 17, 2010

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

-4-


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB,
as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

Dated: August 17, 2010

 

-5-


8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( the “Company”), and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with the Company, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.25% per annum from August 17, 2010* until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 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 Issue Date; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be March 1, 2011*. The Issuers 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 interest rate on the Notes; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, 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. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, 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, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust FSB, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. This

 

* With respect to the Initial Notes.

 

-6-


Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers’ designated as their 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b) and 5(c) hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option before September 1, 2013.

(b) At any time prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice in accordance with paragraph 7, 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 date of redemption (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.

(c) Until September 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by them at a redemption price equal to 108.25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds received by them from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

(d) On and after September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with paragraph 7, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   106.188

2014

   104.125

2015

   102.063

2016 and thereafter

   100.000

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

(f) Any redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction.

 

-7-


6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions pursuant to Section 3.07(f) of the Indenture.

8. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Issuers shall 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 thereafter) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). The Change of Control Offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.

(b) If the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries consummate an Asset Sale, when the aggregate amount of the Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including any Additional Notes) that is at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value, if less) plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate amount payable in respect of the Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuers prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter. 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 Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a

 

-8-


Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Offer, except for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within twenty (20) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

13. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

14. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2010, among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

15. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

16. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of

 

-9-


redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Attention: General Counsel

 

-10-


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: ________________________________________________________________________

(Insert assignee’ 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 Issuers. 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).

 

-11-


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 4.10              ¨ Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________

Date: _____________________

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:    
 
Signature Guarantee*:    

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

-12-


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $399,700,000.00. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of
decrease
in Principal
Amount
   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
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

 

-13-

EX-4.6 22 dex46.htm FORM OF REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE, 8.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017 Form of Regulation S Global Note, 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Exhibit 4.6

Form of Regulation S Global Note, 8.25% Senior Notes Due 2017

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. 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 ISSUERS OR THEIR 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.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A QUALIFIED


INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANING GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON, AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

-2-


CUSIP U72284 AD1

ISIN USU72284AD12

REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE

representing up to

$400,000,000.00

8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

No. S-1

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC and PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

promise to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto on September 1, 2017.

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1

Record Dates: February 15 and August 15

 

-3-


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated: August 17, 2010

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

-4-


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB,
as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

Dated: August 17, 2010

 

-5-


8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ( the “Company”), and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with the Company, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.25% per annum from August 17, 2010* until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 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 Issue Date; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be March 1, 2011*. The Issuers 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 interest rate on the Notes; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, 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. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, 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, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust FSB, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. This

 

 

*

With respect to the Initial Notes.

 

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Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers’ designated as their 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017. The Issuers shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b) and 5(c) hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option before September 1, 2013.

(b) At any time prior to September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice in accordance with paragraph 7, 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 date of redemption (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.

(c) Until September 1, 2013, the Issuers may, at their option, on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by them at a redemption price equal to 108.25% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds received by them from one or more Equity Offerings; provided that (i) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.

(d) On and after September 1, 2013, the Issuers may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with paragraph 7, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the security register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on September 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2013

   106.188

2014

   104.125

2015

   102.063

2016 and thereafter

   100.000

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

(f) Any redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, the completion of an Equity Offering or other corporate transaction.

 

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6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

7. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions pursuant to Section 3.07(f) of the Indenture.

8. OFFERS TO REPURCHASE.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Issuers shall 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 thereafter) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). The Change of Control Offer shall be made in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture.

(b) If the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries consummate an Asset Sale, when the aggregate amount of the Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Issuers shall make an offer to all Holders of the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including any Additional Notes) that is at least $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value, if less) plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in the Indenture. If the aggregate amount payable in respect of the Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuers prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 thereafter. 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 Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a

 

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Note selected for redemption or tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase with a Change of Control or an Asset Sale Offer, except for the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.

10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the Trust Indenture Act) are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required within twenty (20) Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuers propose to take with respect thereto.

13. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

14. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2010, among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

15. GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

16. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of

 

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redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuers at the following address:

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Attention: General Counsel

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                  (Insert assignee’ 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 Issuers. 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).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 4.10             ¨ Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$_______________

Date: _____________________

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:    

 

Signature Guarantee*:    
 

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $300,000.00. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount
   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
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

 

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EX-4.10 23 dex410.htm REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 4.10

 

 

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

$400,000,000 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

dated August 17, 2010

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
1.    DEFINITIONS    1
2.    EXCHANGE OFFER    4
3.    SHELF REGISTRATION    8
4.    ADDITIONAL INTEREST    9
5.    REGISTRATION PROCEDURES    10
6.    REGISTRATION EXPENSES    17
7.    INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION    18
8.    RULES 144 AND 144A    22
9.    UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS    22
10.    MISCELLANEOUS    23

 

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of August 17, 2010, among PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Co.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”) the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (the “Guarantors”) and Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC (together, the “Initial Purchasers”).

This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase Agreement, dated August 10, 2010 (the “Purchase Agreement”), between the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, which provides for, among other things, the sale by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers of $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 8.25% senior notes due 2017 (the “Notes”). The Notes are issued under an indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, the Guarantors are required to guarantee, on an unsecured senior basis with respect to the Notes (the “Guarantees”) the Issuers’ obligations under the Notes and the Indenture. References to the “Securities” shall mean, collectively, the Notes and the Guarantees. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent holder or holders of the Securities. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers’ obligations under the Purchase Agreement.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest: See Section 4(a) hereof.

Advice: See the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.

Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Applicable Period: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Business Day: Shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 14d-1 under the Exchange Act.

Effectiveness Date: With respect to any Shelf Registration Statement, the 90th day after the Filing Date with respect thereto; provided, however, that if the Effectiveness Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, then the Effectiveness Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.


Effectiveness Period: See Section 3(a) hereof.

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

Exchange Notes: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Notes Guarantees: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Securities: See Section 2(a) hereof.

Filing Date: The 90th day after the delivery of a Shelf Notice as required pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof; provided, however, that if the Filing Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, then the Filing Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

FINRA: See Section 5(r) hereof.

Guarantees: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Guarantors: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Security or Registrable Securities.

Indenture: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Information: See Section 5(n) hereof.

Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.

Inspectors: See Section 5(n) hereof

Issue Date: August 17, 2010, the date of original issuance of the Notes.

Issuers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Notes: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Participant: See Section 7(a) hereof

Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2(b) hereof.

 

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Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association, firm or other legal entity.

Private Exchange: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2(b) hereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed pursuant to Rule 434 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.

Records: See Section 5(n) hereof.

Registrable Securities: Each Security upon its original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Security as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees) upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto, until, in each case, the earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees) has been declared effective by the SEC and such Security, Exchange Security or such Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Security has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security or Exchange Securities that may be resold without restriction under state and federal securities laws, (iii) such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the applicable Indenture or (iv) the later of (x) the date which is two years after the date the Securities were originally issued and (y) the date upon which such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, has been resold in compliance with Rule 144; provided that such Security, Exchange Security or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees) does not bear any restrictive legend relating to the Securities Act and does not bear a restricted CUSIP number.

Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Issuers that covers any of the Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, including, in each case, the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

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Rule 144: Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A: Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

Rule 405: Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Rule 415: Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

Rule 424: Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

SEC: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.

Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Notice: See Section 2(c) hereof.

Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement: Any Registration Statement relating to a Shelf Registration.

Shelf Suspension Period: See Section 3(a) hereof.

Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.

TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee under any indenture (if different) governing the Exchange Securities and Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees).

Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

Except as otherwise specifically provided, all references in this Agreement to acts, laws, statutes, rules, regulations, releases, forms, no-action letters and other regulatory requirements (collectively, “Regulatory Requirements”) shall be deemed to refer also to any amendments thereto and all subsequent Regulatory Requirements adopted as a replacement thereto having substantially the same effect therewith; provided that Rule 144 shall not be deemed to amend or replace Rule 144A.

2. Exchange Offer

(a) Unless the Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC one or more Registration Statements (each, an “Exchange Offer Registration

 

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Statement”) on an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange any and all of the Registrable Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the applicable series of the Issuers (such debt securities, the “Exchange Notes”), guaranteed, to the extent applicable, on an unsecured senior basis by the Guarantors, (the “Exchange Notes Guarantees” and, together with the Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Securities”), that are substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes except that the Exchange Notes (i) shall contain no restrictive legend thereon, (ii) shall accrue interest from (A) the later of (x) the last date on which interest was paid on such Notes or (y) if such Notes are surrendered for exchange on a date in a period that includes the record for an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such exchange and as to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment date or (B) if no such interest has been paid, from the Issue Date and (iii) shall be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all material respects to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical trust indenture as are necessary to comply with the TIA) and which, in either case, have been qualified under the TIA. The Exchange Offer shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and other applicable laws. The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to (x) prepare and file with the SEC the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Exchange Offer; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 20 Business Days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 360th day following the Issue Date.

Each Holder (including, without limitation, each Participating Broker-Dealer) that participates in the Exchange Offer, as a condition to participation in the Exchange Offer, will be required to represent to the Issuers in writing (which may be contained in the applicable letter of transmittal) that: (i) any Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for Registrable Securities tendered are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the Person receiving such Exchange Securities, whether or not such recipient is such Holder itself; (ii) at the time of the commencement or consummation of the Exchange Offer neither such Holder nor, to the actual knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder has an arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; (iii) neither the Holder nor, to the knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) of either Issuer; (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, neither such Holder nor, to the knowledge of such Holder, any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Securities; and (v) if such Holder is a Participating Broker Dealer, such Holder has acquired the Registrable Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will comply with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, the prospectus delivery requirements thereunder).

Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Securities that are Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), Exchange Securities as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers, and the Issuers shall have no further obligation to register Registrable Securities (other than Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) and Exchange Securities as to which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

 

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(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a “Participating Broker Dealer”), whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities in compliance with the Securities Act.

The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that such period shall not be required to exceed 90 days, such longer period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the “Applicable Period”).

If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchasers hold any Notes acquired by them that have the status of an unsold allotment in the initial distribution, the Issuers, upon the request of the Initial Purchasers, shall simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes issue and deliver to the Initial Purchasers, in exchange (the “Private Exchange”) for such Notes held by any such Holder, a like principal amount of notes (the “Private Exchange Notes”) of the Issuers, guaranteed by the Guarantors, that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes except for the placement of a restrictive legend on such Private Exchange Notes. The Private Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes if permitted by the CUSIP Service Bureau.

In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:

(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of record entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

(2) use their respective reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 Business Days from the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders (or longer if required by applicable law);

 

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(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York or in Wilmington, Delaware;

(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Exchange Offer remains open; and

(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Exchange Offer.

As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and any Private Exchange, the Issuers shall:

(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any Private Exchange;

(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange; and

(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange; provided that, in the case of any Notes held in global form by a depositary, authentication and delivery to such depositary of one or more replacement Notes in global form in an equivalent principal amount thereto for the account of such Holders in accordance with the Indenture shall satisfy such authentication and delivery requirement.

The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; (ii) no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuers; (iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the Issuers deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange and (iv) the Holders shall have satisfied customary conditions relating to the delivery of Securities and the execution and delivery of customary documentation relating to the Exchange Offer.

The Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Notes (and related guarantees) shall be issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture substantially identical in all material respects to the Indenture and which, in either case, have been qualified under the TIA or are exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Securities shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture or such other indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.

 

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(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 360 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests in writing to the Issuers at any time within 30 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Securities on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of either Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act) and so notifies the Issuers within 30 days after such Holder first becomes aware of such restrictions, in the case of each of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this sentence, then the Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Trustee (to deliver to the Holders) written notice thereof (the “Shelf Notice”) and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

3. Shelf Registration

If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by Section 2(c) hereof, then:

(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall promptly file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Securities (the “Initial Shelf Registration”). The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings).

The Issuers shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of (i) the date that is two years from the Issue Date, (ii) such shorter period ending when all Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or, if applicable, a Subsequent Shelf Registration or (iii) the date upon which all Registrable Securities have been sold (the “Effectiveness Period”); provided, however, that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise provided herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time, the Issuers may delay the filing of any Initial Shelf Registration Statement or delay or suspend the effectiveness thereof, for a reasonable period of time, but not in excess of 60 consecutive days or more than three (3) times during any calendar year (each, a “Shelf Suspension Period”), if the Board of Directors or the members or Board of Managers, as applicable, of each Issuer determines reasonably and in good faith that the filing of any such Initial Shelf Registration Statement or the continuing effectiveness thereof would require the disclosure of non-public material information that, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors or the members or Board of Managers, as applicable, of each Issuer, would be detrimental to either Issuer if so disclosed or would otherwise materially adversely affect a financing, acquisition, disposition, merger or other material transaction or such action is required by applicable law.

 

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(b) Withdrawal of Stop Orders; Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the Securities registered thereunder), the Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall file an additional Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Securities covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective. As used herein the term “Shelf Registration” means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration.

(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuers shall promptly supplement and amend the Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities (or their counsel) covered by such Registration Statement with respect to the information included therein with respect to one or more of such Holders, or, if reasonably requested by any underwriter of such Registrable Securities, with respect to the information included therein with respect to such underwriter.

4. Additional Interest

(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree to pay, jointly and severally, as liquidated damages, additional interest on the Notes (“Additional Interest”) if (A) the Issuers have neither (i) exchanged Exchange Securities for all Securities validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer nor (ii) had a Shelf Registration Statement declared effective, in either case on or prior to the 360th day after the Issue Date, (B) notwithstanding clause (A), the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 360th day after the date such Shelf Registration Statement filing was requested or required or (C), if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the Securities registered thereunder), then Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum (which rate will be increased by an additional 0.25% per annum for each subsequent 90-day period that such Additional Interest continues to accrue, provided that the rate at which such Additional Interest accrues may in no event exceed 1.00% per annum) (such Additional Interest to be calculated by the Issuers) commencing on the (x) 361st day after the Issue Date, in the case of (A) above, (y) the 361st day after the date such Shelf Registration Statement filing was requested or required in the case of (B) above or (z) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the case of (C) above; provided, however,

 

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that upon the exchange of the Exchange Securities for all Securities tendered (in the case of clause (A) of this Section 4), upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of (B) of this Section 4), or upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of (C) of this Section 4), Additional Interest on the Notes in respect of which such events relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4, the Issuers shall not be obligated to pay Additional Interest provided in Section 4(a)(B) during a Shelf Suspension Period permitted by Section 3(a) hereof.

(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within five Business Days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid. Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each March 1 and September 1 (to the holders of record on the February 15 and August 15 immediately preceding such dates), in each case commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by the Issuers by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the Registrable Securities, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30 day months and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.

5. Registration Procedures

In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder the Issuers shall:

(a) Use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC (prior to the applicable Filing Date in the case of a Shelf Registration), a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by Section 2 or 3 hereof, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Issuers have received prior written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers shall furnish to and afford counsel for the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) or counsel for such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, and counsel to the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed

 

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(in each case at least three Business Days prior to such filing). The Issuers shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object.

(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period, the Applicable Period or until consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus in all material respects. The Issuers shall be deemed not to have used their reasonable best efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective if they voluntarily take any action that is reasonably expected to result in selling Holders of the Registrable Securities covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Securities not being able to sell such Registrable Securities or such Exchange Securities during that period unless such action is required by applicable law or permitted by this Agreement.

(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Issuers have received written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within three Business Days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or resales of Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuers contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (iv) of the receipt by the Issuers of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer

 

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or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming known that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Issuers’ determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

(d) Use their reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction.

(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if requested during the Effectiveness Period by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any) or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders or counsel for either of them reasonably request to be included therein and (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuers have received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment.

(f) If (l) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement) and to their respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, upon request and at the sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits.

(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3

 

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hereof), or each such Participating Broker Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the Issuers, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 5, the Issuers hereby consent to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Securities pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities or any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that where Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers or Registrable Securities are offered other than through an underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Securities held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Issuers shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where they are not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject them to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where they are not then so subject or (C) subject themselves to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where they are not then so subject.

(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (subject to applicable requirements contained in the Indenture) and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.

(j) Use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other U.S. governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the

 

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underwriter or underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder’s business, in which case the Issuers will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals.

(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Issuers, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof) or to the purchasers of the Exchange Securities to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, (i) provide the Trustee with certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities.

(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities (including, without limitation, a customary condition to the obligations of the underwriters that the underwriters shall have received “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of the Issuers, or of any business acquired by the Issuers, for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities), and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Securities and, in such connection, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters with respect to the business of the Issuers (including any acquired business, properties or entity, if applicable), and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities, and confirm the same in writing if and when reasonably requested; (ii) obtain the written opinions of counsel to the Issuers, and written updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing

 

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underwriter or underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions reasonably requested in underwritten offerings; and (iii) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the sellers and underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures reasonably acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any). The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder.

(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any Initial Purchaser, any selling Holder of such Registrable Securities being sold (with respect to a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof), or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer (with respect to any such Registration Statement), as the case may be, or underwriter (any such Initial Purchasers, Holders, Participating Broker-Dealers, underwriters, attorneys, accountants or agents, collectively, the “Inspectors”), upon written request, at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of each Issuer and subsidiaries of each Issuer (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Issuer and any of its subsidiaries to supply all information (“Information”) reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such due diligence responsibilities. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records and Information confidential, to use the Information only for due diligence purposes, to abstain from using the Information as the basis for any market transactions in Securities of the Issuers and that it will not disclose any of the Records or Information that the Issuers determine, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i) the disclosure of such Records or Information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the release of such Records or Information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such Records or Information is necessary or advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector, in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising hereunder or thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records or Information has been made generally available to the public other than by an Inspector or an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) thereof; provided, however, that prior notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Issuers of the potential disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of this sentence to permit the Issuers to obtain a protective order (or waive the provisions of this paragraph (n)) and that such Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of the Holder or any Inspector.

 

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(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the Holders of the Registrable Securities, to effect such changes (if any) to such indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

(p) Comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to their securityholders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement, a consolidated earning statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any fiscal quarter (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Issuer after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods; provided that this requirement shall be deemed satisfied by the Issuers by complying with Section 4.03 of the Indenture.

(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, the related guarantee and the related indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of each Issuer, enforceable against each Issuer in accordance with their respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications. If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Securities by Holders to the Issuers (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuers), in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be, the Issuers shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Securities that such Registrable Securities are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees), as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

(r) Use reasonable efforts to cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

(s) Use their respective reasonable best efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Securities and/or Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

 

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The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuers may exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any seller so long as such seller fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such seller not materially misleading.

If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Issuers, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of the securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Issuers, or (ii) in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be required.

Each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Issuers that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuers shall give any such notice, each of the Applicable Period and the Effectiveness Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Securities to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof or (y) the Advice.

6. Registration Expenses

All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Issuers of their obligations under Sections 2, 3, 5 and 8 shall be borne by the Issuers, jointly and severally, whether or not the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky

 

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laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States (x) where the Holders of Registrable Securities are located, in the case of the Exchange Securities, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement or in respect of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) fees and expenses of the Trustee, any exchange agent and their counsel, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Securities selected by the Holder of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers) exclusive of any counsel retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(m) hereof (including, without limitation, the expenses of any “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, if any, and any fees associated with making the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities eligible for trading through The Depository Trust Company, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Issuers desire such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuers, (ix) internal expenses of the Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual audit, (xi) any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if applicable and (xii) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.

7. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) The Issuers and the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Securities and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Securities during the Applicable Period, and each Person, if any, who controls such Person or its affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “Participant”) against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any Participant may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon:

(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus; or

 

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(ii) the omission or alleged omission to state, in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or any other document or any amendment or supplement thereto, a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

and agree (subject to the limitations set forth in the proviso to this sentence) to reimburse, as incurred, the Participant for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by the Participant in connection with investigating, defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, neither the Issuers nor the Guarantors will be liable in any case under this Section 7(a) to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or alleged omission made in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information relating to any Participant furnished to the Issuers by such Participant specifically for use therein. The indemnity provided for in this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability that the Issuers may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be liable under this Section 7 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the Issuers and the Guarantors, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(b) Each Participant, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, their respective directors (or equivalent), their respective officers who sign any Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus, or (ii) the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Participant furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of such Participant specifically for use therein; and subject to the limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, will reimburse, as incurred, any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by the Issuers, the Guarantors or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending against or appearing as a third-party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. The indemnity provided for in this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability that the Participants may otherwise have to the indemnified parties. The Participants shall not be liable under this Section 7 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement or

 

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compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by the Participants, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof in writing; but the omission to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from any liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel, other than local counsel if not appointed by the indemnifying party, retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person); (ii) such action includes both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded (based on the advice of counsel to the indemnified person) that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. It is understood and agreed that the indemnifying person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or separate but related or substantially similar proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) representing the indemnified parties under paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Section 7, as the case may be, who are parties to such action or actions. Any such separate firm for any Participants shall be designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities and Exchange Securities sold by all such Participants in the case of paragraph (a) of this Section 7 or the Issuers in the case of paragraph (b) of this Section 7. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement,

 

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compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include any statement as to, or any admission of, fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. All fees and expenses reimbursed pursuant to this paragraph (c) shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.

(d) After notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such indemnified party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the third sentence of paragraph (c) of this Section 7 or (ii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party. After such notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party, the indemnifying party will not be liable for the costs and expenses of any settlement of such action effected by such indemnified party without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), unless such indemnified party waived in writing its rights under this Section 7, in which case the indemnified party may effect such a settlement without such consent.

(e) In circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 is unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (other than by virtue of the failure of an indemnified party to notify the indemnifying party of its right to indemnification pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 7, where such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party (through the forfeiture of substantial rights or defenses)), each indemnifying party, in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Participants on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion that the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) of the Securities received by the Issuers bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the Participants in connection with the sale of the Securities. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand, or the Participants on the other hand, the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or alleged statement or omission, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances. The parties agree that it would not be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by

 

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pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (e). Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (e), no Participant shall be obligated to make contributions hereunder that in the aggregate exceed the total discounts, commissions and other compensation or net proceeds on the sale of Securities received by such Participant in connection with the sale of the Securities, less the aggregate amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the untrue or alleged untrue statements or the omissions or alleged omissions to state a material fact, and no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, For purposes of this paragraph (e), each person, if any, who controls a Participant within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Participants, and each director, member or manager, as applicable, of each Issuer and the Guarantors, each officer of each Issuer and the Guarantors and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers and the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers.

8. Rules 144 and 144A

The Issuers covenant and agree that they will use their reasonable best efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, if at any time the Issuers are not required to file such reports, the Issuers will, upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities, make available such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A. The Issuers further covenant and agree, for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding that they will take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act and Rule 144A unless the Issuers are then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and reports filed thereunder satisfy the information requirements of Rule 144A then in effect.

9. Underwritten Registrations.

The Issuers shall not be required to assist in an underwritten offering unless requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities. If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable Securities included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.

No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

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10. Miscellaneous

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers have not as of the date hereof, and the Issuers shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to any of their securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Issuers’ other issued and outstanding securities, if any, under any such agreements. The Issuers will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of their securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.

(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Issuers shall not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable Securities as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of (I) each Issuer, and (II) (A) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Securities and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including, without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:

(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Securities or any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the

 

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case may be, set forth on the records of the registrar under the applicable Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial Purchasers as follows:

Barclays Capital Inc.

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, New York 10019

Attention: Syndicate Registration

with a copy to:

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

80 Pine Street

New York, New York 10005

Attention: John A. Tripodoro, Esq.

(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in Section 10(d)(i);

(iii) if to the Issuers, at the address as follows:

c/o Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.

One Bloomfield Avenue

Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046

Facsimile: (973) 541-6693

Attention: Kelley Maggs

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Attention: Richard Fenyes, Esq.

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and upon receipt of confirmation, if sent by facsimile.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.

(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the indenture.

 

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(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto 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.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

(j) Notes Held by Either Issuer or Its Affiliates. Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by either Issuer or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Securities and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein and replaced hereby.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

PINNACLE FOODS GROUP LLC
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

PINNACLE FOODS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
 

Name: Craig Steeneck

Title: Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.

AVIAN HOLDINS LLC

BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC

KENNEDY ENDEAVORS INCORPORATED

SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC.

BEMSA HOLDING, INC.

GLK HOLDINGS, INC.

GLK, LLC

ROCHESTER HOLDCO, LLC

By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
 

Name: Kelley Maggs

Title: Senior Vice President and Secretary

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

By:   /s/ Peter Toal
 

Title: Managing Director

Authorized Signatory

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
By:   /s/ Robert A. Kobre
  Title: Managing Director
  Authorized Signatory
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
By:   /s/ John McCusker
  Title: Managing Director
  Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

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EX-5.1 24 dex51.htm OPINION OF SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Exhibit 5.1

SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP

425 LEXINGTON AVENUE

NEW YORK, N.Y. 10017-3954

(212) 455-2000

 

 

FACSIMILE (212) 455-2502

October 5, 2010

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

One Bloomfield Avenue

Mountain Lakes, New Jersey 07046

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC”), and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, the “Issuers”), and the subsidiaries of the Issuers listed on Schedule I hereto (collectively, the “Guarantors”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by the Issuers and the Guarantors with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the issuance by the Issuers of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Exchange Notes”) and $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) and the issuance by the Guarantors of guarantees (the “Guarantees”) with respect to the Exchange Notes. The 2015 Senior Exchange Notes and the related Guarantees will be issued under the indenture, dated as of April 2, 2007, as supplemented (the “2015 Notes Indenture”),


OCTOBER 5, 2010

 

among the Issuers, the Guarantors and The Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trustee”), relating to the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes, and the 2017 Senior Exchange Notes will be issued under the indenture, dated as of August 17, 2010 (the “2017 Notes Indenture” and, together with the 2015 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee relating to the 2017 Senior Exchange Notes. The Issuers will offer the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes in exchange for $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 and the 2017 Senior Exchange Notes in exchange for $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their outstanding 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017.

We have examined the Registration Statement and the Indentures, which have been filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement. We also have examined the originals, or duplicates or certified or conformed copies, of such corporate and other records, agreements, documents and other instruments and have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have relied upon certificates or comparable documents of public officials and of officers and representatives of the Issuers and the Guarantors.

In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified or conformed copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We also have assumed that the Indentures are the valid and legally binding obligation of the Trustee.

 

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OCTOBER 5, 2010

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. When the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indentures upon the exchange, the Exchange Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their terms.

2. When (a) the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indentures upon the exchange and (b) the Guarantees have been duly issued, the Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantors enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms.

Our opinions set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 above are subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

Insofar as the opinions expressed herein relate to or are dependent upon matters governed by the law of the State of Washington, we have relied upon the opinion of Perkins Coie LLP, dated the date hereof, which is being filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

We do not express any opinion herein concerning any law other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law of the United States, the Delaware General Corporation Law (including the statutory provisions, all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and reported judicial decisions interpreting the foregoing), the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and, to the extent set forth herein, the law of the State of Washington.

 

-3-


OCTOBER 5, 2010

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT LLP

 

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Schedule I

Guarantors

 

Entity Name

   Jurisdiction of
Incorporation  or
Formation

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

   Delaware

Pinnacle Foods International Corp.

   Delaware

Avian Holdings LLC

   Delaware

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

   Delaware

Birds Eye Foods LLC

   Delaware

BEMSA Holding, Inc.

   Delaware

GLK Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

GLK, LLC

   New York

Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated

   Washington

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

   Delaware

Pinnacle Foods International Corp.

   Delaware

Rochester Holdco LLC

   Delaware

Seasonal Employers, Inc.

   New York
EX-5.2 25 dex52.htm OPINION OF PERKINS COIE LLP Opinion of Perkins Coie LLP

Exhibit 5.2

October 5, 2010

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

 

Re: Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.
     Registration Statement on Form S-4 initially filed on October 5, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated, a Washington corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the guarantees by the Company of the Exchange Notes (as defined below). The Company is one of several guarantors (such guarantors, including the Company, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) in connection with a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together, the “Co-Issuers”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on October 5, 2010. The Co-Issuers will exchange (i) up to $300,000,000 of their 9 1/4% senior notes due 2015 (the “9 1/4% Exchange Notes”) for all of their outstanding unregistered 9 1/4% senior notes due 2015 (the “9 1/4% Old Notes”); (ii) up to $400,000,000 of their 8 1/4% senior notes due 2017 (the “8 1/4% Exchange Notes”, and together with the 9 1/4% Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) for all of their outstanding unregistered 8 1/4% senior notes due 2017 (the “8 1/4% Old Notes”, and together with the 9 1/4% Old Notes, the “Old Notes”); and (iii) the respective related guarantees of the Exchange Notes for the unregistered guarantees of the Old Notes, of the Subsidiary Guarantors, pursuant to the Indentures (as defined below), as applicable, in each case registered under the Securities Act.

We understand that (i) the 9 1/4% Exchange Notes will represent the same debt as the 9 1/4% Old Notes and the Co-Issuers will issue the 9 1/4% Exchange Notes under the same indenture, dated April 2, 2007, by and among the Co-Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee (the “Trustee), as supplemented by the supplemental indentures dated December 23, 2009 (the “9 1/4% Indenture”), used for the issuance of the 9 1/4% Old Notes; and (ii) the 8 1/4% Exchange Notes will represent the same debt as the 8 1/4% Old Notes and the Co-Issuers will issue the 8 1/4% Exchange Notes under the same indenture, dated August 17, 2010, by and among the Co-Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (the “8 1/4% Indenture”, and together with the 9 1/4 % Indenture, the “Indentures”), used for the issuance of the 8 1/4% Old Notes.


Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

October 5, 2010

 

In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined originals or copies of such documents, records, certificates of public officials and certificates of officers and representatives of the Company as we have considered necessary to provide a basis for the opinions expressed herein, including the following:

 

  1. Executed copies of each of the Indentures (including the guarantees), as provided to us by the Company;

 

  2. Executed copy of the purchase agreement, dated December 9, 2009, by and among the Co-Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc. (the “2009 Initial Purchasers”), as provided to us by the Company (the “2009 Purchase Agreement”);

 

  3. Executed copy of the Joinder Agreement to the 2009 Purchase Agreement, dated December 23, 2009, as provided to us by the Company;

 

  4. Executed copy of the purchase agreement, dated August 10, 2010, by and among the Co-Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Barclays Capital Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (the “2010 Initial Purchasers”), as provided to us by the Company (the “2010 Purchase Agreement”, and together with the 2009 Purchase Agreement, the “Purchase Agreements”);

 

  5. Executed copy of the registration rights agreement dated December 23, 2009, by and among the Co-Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the 2009 Initial Purchasers, as provided to us by the Company;

 

  6. Executed copy of the registration rights agreement dated August 17, 2010, by and among the Co-Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the 2010 Initial Purchasers, as provided to us by the Company;

 

  7. Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as certified on October 1, 2010 by the Washington Secretary of State and as certified by an officer of the Company to be a true and complete copy of such Articles of Incorporation as of the date hereof;

 

  8. Bylaws of the Company, as certified by an officer of the Company to be a true and complete copy of such Bylaws as of the date hereof;


Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

October 5, 2010

 

  9. Certificate of Existence for the Company, issued by the Washington Secretary of State, dated October 1, 2010, as confirmed by CT Corporation System on October 5, 2010 (the “Certificate of Existence”); and

 

  10. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, as certified by an officer of the Company as of the date hereof.

The documents listed in items 1 through 6 above are herein collectively referred to as the “Transaction Documents”.

As to matters of fact material to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied on (a) information in public authority documents (and all opinions based on public authority documents are as of the date of such public authority documents and not as of the date of this opinion letter), (b) information provided in certificates of officers/representatives of the Company and (c) the representations and warranties of the Company in the Purchase Agreements. We have not independently verified the facts so relied on.

We have relied, without investigation, on the following assumptions:

1. Original documents reviewed by us are authentic, copies of original documents reviewed by us conform to the originals, and all signatures on executed documents are genuine.

2. When the Exchange Notes proposed to be issued pursuant to the terms of the Indenture are issued, they will conform to the description: (i) with respect to the 9 1/4% Exchange Notes, the notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to, and as described in, the 9 1/4% Indenture; and (ii) with respect to the 8 1/4% Exchange Notes, the notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to, and as described in, the 8 1/4% Indenture.

3. All individuals have sufficient legal capacity to perform their functions with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and exclusions stated below, we express the following opinions:

1. The Company is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Washington and has the necessary corporate power and authority to guarantee (i) the 9 1/4% Exchange Notes pursuant to the terms of the 9 1/4% Indenture; and (ii) the 8 1/4% Exchange Notes pursuant to the terms of the 8 1/4% Indenture.

2. The Company’s guarantee of (i) the 9 1/4% Exchange Notes pursuant to the terms of the 9 1/4% Indenture; and (ii) the 8 1/4% Exchange Notes pursuant to the terms of the 8 1/4% Indenture, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and the Indentures have been validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.


Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

October 5, 2010

 

In rendering the opinion 1 above with respect to valid existence of the Company, we have relied solely upon and such opinion 1 above is as of the date of the date of the Certificate of Existence.

For purposes of expressing the opinions herein, we have examined the laws of the State of Washington and our opinions are limited to such laws.

The opinions expressed herein are limited to matters expressly stated herein, and no other opinions may be implied or inferred. We disclaim any undertaking or obligation to update these opinions for events and circumstances occurring after the date hereof or as to facts relating to prior events that are subsequently brought to our attention.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely on the opinions expressed herein as if this opinion were addressed directly to it. You may refer to and produce a copy of this opinion letter in connection with the assertion of a defense as to which this opinion letter is relevant and necessary and in response to a court order. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus or any prospectus supplement which is part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder nor do we admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement within the meaning of the term “expert” as used in the Securities Act or the related rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Perkins Coie LLP

PERKINS COIE LLP
EX-10.40 26 dex1040.htm FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement

Exhibit 10.40

Execution Copy

FOURTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of August 17, 2010

among

PINNACLE FOOD FINANCE LLC,

as the Borrower,

PEAK FINANCE HOLDINGS LLC,

as Holdings,

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Administrative Agent and Syndication Agent

and,

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL, BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES AND CREDIT SUISSE

SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

and

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES AND CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Co-Documentation Agents


This Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement (this “Amendment”) is dated as of August 17, 2010 and is entered into by and among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), Peak Finance Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”), as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”), the Tranche D Term Lenders (as defined below) and, for purposes of Sections IV and V hereof, the Guarantors listed on the signature papers hereto, and is made with reference to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007 (as amended by that certain First Amendment, Resignation, Waiver, Consent and Appointment Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2009, that certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2009 and that certain Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2010, and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Borrower, Holdings, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the other Agents named therein. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as set forth in the Credit Agreement after giving effect to this Amendment.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested the issuance of Incremental Term Loans in the form of a new tranche of term loans pursuant to and on the terms set forth in Section 2.14(a) of the Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the proceeds of such new term loans will be used to prepay the Tranche C Term Loans; and

WHEREAS, the Borrower, Holdings, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders and/or Additional Lenders providing the Incremental Term Loans (the “Tranche D Term Lenders”) have agreed to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as provided for herein, among other things, to effect the addition of a new tranche of Incremental Term Loans to the Credit Agreement pursuant to Section 2.14(a) thereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION I. INCREMENTAL TERM LOANS

 

1.1 Incremental Term Loan.

A. The Borrower confirms and agrees that (i) it has requested an additional tranche of term loans, to be referred to in the Credit Agreement as Tranche D Term Loans, in the amount of $442,300,000 from the Tranche D Term Lenders pursuant to and on the terms set forth in Section 2.14(a) of the Credit Agreement, effective on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, (ii) on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower will borrow (and hereby requests funding of) the full amount of Tranche D Term Loans from the Tranche D Term Lenders and (iii) prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent a timely Committed Loan Notice with respect to the Tranche D Term Loan Borrowing.


B. Each Tranche D Term Lender agrees that (i) effective on and at all times after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, in addition to all Initial Term Loans and Tranche C Term Loans of such Lender (if any) outstanding prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, such Tranche D Term Lender will be bound by all obligations of a Lender under the Credit Agreement in respect of the Tranche D Term Commitment in the amount set forth on its Lender Addendum delivered to the Administrative Agent on or before the Fourth Amendment Effective Date and (ii) on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date such Tranche D Term Lender will fund Tranche D Term Loans in the amount of such Tranche D Term Lender’s Tranche D Term Commitment. On the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, each Tranche D Term Lender which was not a Lender prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date will become a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement. The obligations of the Tranche D Term Lenders hereunder are in all respects several and not joint. No Tranche D Term Lender is or ever shall be in any respect responsible or liable for any obligation of any other Tranche D Term Lender or any other Lender.

SECTION II. AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

2.1 Amendments to Section 1: Definitions.

A. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following definitions in proper alphabetical sequence:

“Fourth Amendment” means that certain Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 17, 2010, among the Borrower, Holdings, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto.

“Fourth Amendment Effective Date” means the date of satisfaction of the conditions precedent referred to in Section III of the Fourth Amendment.

“Tranche D Term Commitment” means, as to each Tranche D Term Lender, its obligation to make a Tranche D Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(iii) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the caption “Tranche D Term Commitment” on Schedule 1 to the Lender Addendum delivered by such Lender, or, as the case may be, in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Term Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. As of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, the initial aggregate amount of the Tranche D Term Commitments shall be $442,300,000.

“Tranche D Term Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Tranche D Term Commitment or a Tranche D Term Loan at such time.

“Tranche D Term Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(iii).

B. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating clause (a) of the definition of “Applicable Rate” in its entirety to read as follows:

“(a)(x)(i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans that are Tranche C Term Loans, 5.00% and (ii) for Base Rate Loans that are Tranche C Term Loans, 4.00% and (y)(i) for Eurocurrency Rate Loans that are Tranche D Term Loans, 4.25 % and (ii) for Base Rate Loans that are Tranche D Term Loans, 3.25%”


C. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the first sentence of the definition of “Base Rate” in its entirety to read as follows:

““Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its “Prime Rate,” (c) solely with respect to Tranche C Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 3.50% per annum and (d) solely with respect to Tranche D Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 2.75% per annum.”

D. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Class” in its entirety to read as follows:

““Class” (a) when used with respect to Lenders, refers to whether such Lenders are Revolving Credit Lenders, Initial Term Lenders, Tranche C Term Lenders or Tranche D Term Lenders, (b)when used with respect to Commitments, refers to whether such Commitments are Revolving Credit Commitments, Initial Term Commitments, Tranche C Term Commitments or Tranche D Term Commitments and (c) when used with respect to Loans or a Borrowing, refers to whether such Loans, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Credit Loans, Initial Term Loans, Tranche C Term Loans or Tranche D Term Loans.”

E. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the last sentence of the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate” as follows:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Eurocurrency Rate for Tranche C Term Loans that are Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall at no time be less than 2.50% per annum and the Eurocurrency Rate for Tranche D Term Loans that are Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall at no time be less than 1.75%.”

F. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Facility” in its entirety to read as follows:

““Facility” means the Initial Term Loans, the Tranche C Term Loans, the Tranche D Term Loans or the Revolving Credit Facility, as the context may require.”

G. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Lender Addendum” in its entirety to read as follows:

““Lender Addendum” means, with respect to any initial Lender, Tranche C Term Lender, Tranche D Term Lender or Revolving Commitment Increase Lender, a Lender Addendum, substantially in the form of Exhibit J, or otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to be executed and delivered by such Lender on the Closing Date, the Second Amendment Effective Date, or the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, as applicable, as provided in Section 10.23.”


H. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Term Commitment” in its entirety to read as follows: ““Term Commitment” means, as to any Term Lender, its Initial Term Commitment, Tranche C Term Commitment and/or Tranche D Term Commitment, as applicable.”

I. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Term Lender” in its entirety to read as follows: ““Term Lender” means, any Initial Term Lender, any Tranche C Term Lender and/or any Tranche D Term Lender.”

J. Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of “Term Loan” in its entirety to read as follows: ““Term Loans” means, Initial Term Loans, Tranche C Term Loans and/or Tranche D Term Loans, as applicable.”

 

2.2 Amendment to Section 2.01(a). Section 2.01(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“The Term Borrowings. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each Initial Term Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars in an amount equal to such Initial Term Lender’s Initial Term Commitment on the Closing Date, (ii) each Tranche C Term Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars in an amount equal to such Tranche C Term Lender’s Tranche C Term Commitment on the Second Amendment Effective Date and (iii) each Tranche D Term Lender severally agrees to make to the Borrower a single loan denominated in Dollars in an amount equal to such Tranche D Term Lender’s Tranche D Term Commitment on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.”

 

2.3 Amendment to Section 2.05(a). Section 2.05(a)(i) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to include the following parenthetical directly before the proviso:

“(except to the extent provided in Section 2.05(d))”.

 

2.4 Amendment to Section 2.05(b). Section 2.05(b)(v) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“(X) Each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied (a) pro rata to the Initial Term Loans, Tranche C Term Loans and Tranche D Term Loans and (b) in direct order of maturity to repayments thereof required pursuant to Section 2.07(a); and (Y) each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares subject to clause (vi) of this Section 2.05(b).”

 

2.5 Amendment to Section 2.05. Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to include the following new clause (d) directly following clause (c) thereon:

“(d) Any (i) amendment, amendment and restatement or other modification of this Agreement consummated on or prior to the first anniversary of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date or (ii) voluntary prepayment of all or any portion of the Tranche D Term


Loans consummated on or prior to the first anniversary of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date with the proceeds of any other Indebtedness, including a substantially concurrent issuance or incurrence of new bank term loans under this Agreement (which voluntary prepayment shall be deemed to have occurred even if a portion of the Tranche D Term Loans are replaced, converted or re-evidenced with, into or by such new loans), the effect of which, in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii), is to decrease the Applicable Margin (or otherwise decrease the interest rate) with respect to any of the Tranche D Term Loans (including by virtue of any such replacement, conversion or re-evidencing), shall be accompanied by a fee payable to such Lenders (which shall include any Tranche D Term Lender that is repaid in connection with any such amendment, amendment and restatement or other modification) in an amount equal to 1.0% of the aggregate principal amount of such amended, amended and restated, modified or prepaid Tranche D Term Loans.

 

2.6 Amendment to Section 2.07. Section 2.07(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“Term Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of (i) the Initial Term Lenders (A) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of September 2007, an aggregate amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate amount of all Initial Term Loans outstanding on the Closing Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05) and (B) on the Maturity Date for the Term Loans, the aggregate principal amount of all Initial Term Loans outstanding on such date, (ii) the Tranche C Term Lenders (A) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of March 2010, an aggregate amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate amount of all Tranche C Term Loans outstanding on the Second Amendment Effective Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05) and (B) on the Maturity Date for the Term Loans, the aggregate principal amount of all Tranche C Term Loans outstanding on such date, and (iii) the Tranche D Term Lenders (A) on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the last Business Day of December 2010, an aggregate amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate amount of all Tranche D Term Loans outstanding on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date (which payments shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05) and (B) on the Maturity Date for the Term Loans, the aggregate principal amount of all Tranche D Term Loans outstanding on such date.”

 

2.7 Amendment to Section 7.10. Section 7.10 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of (i) any Credit Extension (other than the Borrowing of the Tranche C Term Loans and Tranche D Term Loans), whether directly or indirectly, in a manner inconsistent with the uses set forth in the preliminary statements to this Agreement or (ii) the Tranche C Term Loans, for any purpose other


than to pay the consideration for the acquisition of all of the equity interests in Birds Eye Foods, Inc., to repay any indebtedness of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. or its subsidiaries, or to pay fees, costs and expenses related to such transactions, in each case in this clause (ii), on the Second Amendment Effective Date or (iii) the Tranche D Term Loans, for any purpose other than to finance the prepayment of the Tranche C Term Loans on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date and to pay related fee, costs and expenses.”

 

2.8 Amendment to Section 10.23. Section 10.23 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

Delivery of Lender Addenda. Each initial Lender, each Revolving Commitment Increase Lender, each Tranche C Term Lender and each Tranche D Term Lender shall become a party to this Agreement by delivering to the Administrative Agent a Lender Addendum duly executed by such Lender, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.”

 

2.9 Amendment to Exhibit J. Exhibit J to the Credit Agreement is hereby replaced in its entirety with the form of Lender Addendum attached hereto as Exhibit A.

SECTION III. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

This Amendment shall become effective only upon the satisfaction of all of the following conditions precedent (the date of satisfaction of such conditions being referred to herein as the “Fourth Amendment Effective Date”):

A. Execution. The Administrative Agent shall have (i) executed this Amendment and (ii) received a counterpart signature page of this Amendment duly executed by each of the Loan Parties and each Tranche D Term Lender.

B. Fees and Expenses. The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced on or before the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, reimbursement or other payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower in connection with the Fourth Amendment or under any other Loan Document (including all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel to the Administrative Agent, incurred in connection with this Amendment).

C. Committed Loan Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Committed Loan Notice relating to the Borrowing of the Tranche D Term Loan on the Fourth Amendment Effective Date.

D. Opinion of Counsel to Loan Parties. The Administrative Agent shall have received an executed copy of a written opinion of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP, counsel for the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Lender and the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement, dated as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, in form and substance substantially identical to the opinion delivered in connection with the Credit Agreement on the Second Amendment Effective Date, and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.


E. No Default or Event of Default. No event has occurred and is continuing or will result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, and the effectiveness of, this Amendment (including, without limitation, any Credit Extension under the Amended Agreement) that would constitute a Default or an Event of Default.

F. Representations and Warranties. (i) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Section IV below shall be true and correct in all material respects (both before and after giving effect to the Amendment); provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided, further that, any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates.

G. Section 2.14 Officer’s Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received an officer’s certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower certifying that (i) (a) at the time the Borrower provided notice to the Administrative Agent of its request for Incremental Acquisition Loans consisting of an additional tranche of term loans, (b) upon the effectiveness of this Amendment and (c) at the time the Tranche D Term Loans are made (and after giving effect thereto), no Default or Event of Default existed or shall exist, as applicable, and (ii) attached to such certificate is the calculation of the Senior Secured Incurrence Test showing that after giving effect to the incurrence of the Tranche D Term Loans, the Senior Secured Incurrence Test (on a Pro Forma Basis) will be satisfied.

H. Other Documents. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received customary corporate documents and certificates (including a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower with respect to the solvency (on a consolidated basis) of the Borrower and its subsidiaries) each in form and substance substantially identical to those delivered in connection with the Credit Agreement on the Closing Date and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

SECTION IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Tranche D Term Lenders to enter into this Amendment and to amend the Credit Agreement in the manner provided herein, each Loan Party which is a party hereto represents and warrants to each of the Administrative Agent and the Tranche D Term Lenders that the following statements are true and correct in all material respects:

A. Corporate Power and Authority. Each Loan Party which is party hereto has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Amendment and to carry out the transactions contemplated by, and to perform its obligations under, this Amendment and under the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment (the “Amended Agreement”) and the other Loan Documents.

B. Authorization of Agreements. The execution and delivery of this Amendment and the performance of this Amendment and the Amended Agreement and the other Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Loan Party party hereto and thereto.


C. No Conflict. The execution and delivery by each Loan Party of this Amendment and the performance by each Loan Party party hereto and thereto of this Amendment and the Amended Agreement and the other Loan Documents do not and will not (i) violate (A) any provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or partnership agreement, other constitutive documents or by-laws of Holdings, the Borrower or any Loan Party or (B) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority where any such violation referred to in clause (A) or (B) of this Section IV.C.(i), individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of the applicable Loan Party, (iii) except as permitted under the Amended Agreement, result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of each Loan Party (other than any Liens created under any of the Loan Documents in favor of Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders), or (iv) require any approval of stockholders or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of each Loan Party, except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Fourth Amendment Effective Date and except for any such approvals of stockholders or partners the failure of which to obtain will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

D. Governmental Consents. No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with the execution and delivery by each Loan Party of this Amendment and the performance by, or enforcement against, each Loan Party party hereto and thereto of this Amendment and the Amended Agreement and the other Loan Documents, except for such actions, consents and approvals the failure to obtain or make which could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or which have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

E. Binding Obligation. This Amendment and the Amended Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties party thereto and each constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party to the extent a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by Debtor Relief Laws and by general principles of equity.

F. Incorporation of Representations and Warranties from Credit Agreement. The representations and warranties contained in Article V of the Amended Agreement are and will be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date; provided that, to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; provided, further that, any representation and warranty that is qualified as to “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct (after giving effect to any qualification therein) in all respects on such respective dates.

G. Absence of Default. No event has occurred and is continuing or will result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, and the effectiveness of, this Amendment (including, without limitation, any Credit Extension under the Amended Agreement) that would constitute a Default or an Event of Default.


H. Patriot Act. To the extent applicable, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of each Loan Party (including the Target and its Subsidiaries) is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, 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, and (ii) the Patriot Act. No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental 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, as amended.

SECTION V. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT

Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges that it has reviewed the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and this Amendment and consents to the amendment of the Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Amendment. Each Guarantor hereby confirms that each Loan Document to which it is a party or otherwise bound and all Collateral encumbered thereby will continue to guarantee or secure, as the case may be, to the fullest extent possible in accordance with the Loan Documents the payment and performance of all “Obligations” under each of the Loan Documents to which is a party (in each case as such terms are defined in the applicable Loan Document (as amended hereby)).

Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or otherwise bound shall continue in full force and effect and that all of its obligations thereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be impaired or limited by the execution or effectiveness of this Amendment.

Each Guarantor (other than Holdings) acknowledges and agrees that (i) notwithstanding the conditions to effectiveness set forth in this Amendment, such Guarantor is not required by the terms of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to consent to the amendments to the Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Amendment and (ii) nothing in the Credit Agreement, this Amendment or any other Loan Document shall be deemed to require the consent of such Guarantor to any future amendments to the Credit Agreement.

SECTION VI. MISCELLANEOUS

A. Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement and the Other Loan Documents.

(i) On and after the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the “Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment.


(ii) Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall not constitute a waiver of any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Agent or Lender under, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

B. Headings. Section and Subsection headings in this Amendment are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

C. Integration, Applicable Law and Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Sections 10.12 (Integration), 10.16 (Governing Law) and 10.17 (Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury) of the Credit Agreement shall apply with like effect to this Amendment.

D. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery by telecopier or other electronic method of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Amendment. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures delivered by telecopier or other electronic method be confirmed by a manually signed original thereof; provided that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any document or signature delivered by telecopier or other electronic method.

E. Severability. If any provision of this Amendment is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Amendment shall not be affected or impaired thereby. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

BORROWER:     PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC
      By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
        Name: Craig Steeneck
        Title: EVP & CFO

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement


GUARANTORS:   PEAK FINANCE HOLDINGS LLC
    By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
      Name: Craig Steeneck
      Title: EVP & CFO
    PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.
    By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
      Name: Craig Steeneck
      Title: EVP & CFO
    PINNACLE FOODS GROUP LLC
    By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
      Name: Craig Steeneck
      Title: EVP & CFO
    PINNACLE FOODS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    By:   /s/ Craig Steeneck
      Name: Craig Steeneck
      Title: EVP & CFO
    BIRDS EYE FOODS, INC.
    By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
      Name: Kelley Maggs
      Title: SVP

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement


AVIAN HOLDINGS LLC
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP
BIRDS EYE FOODS LLC
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP
KENNEDY ENDEAVORS, INCORPORATED
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP
SEASONAL EMPLOYERS, INC.
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement


BEMSA HOLDING, INC.
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP
GLK HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP
GLK, LLC
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP
ROCHESTER HOLDCO LLC
By:   /s/ Kelley Maggs
  Name: Kelley Maggs
  Title: SVP

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Administrative Agent

By:   /s/ Diane Rolfe
  Name: Diane Rolfe
  Title: Director

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as a Tranche D Term Lender

By:   /s/ Diane Rolfe
  Name: Diane Rolfe
  Title: Director

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement


Exhibit A

Exhibit J to Credit Agreement

FORM OF

LENDER ADDENDUM

LENDER ADDENDUM, dated as of [_______] (this “Lender Addendum”), to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2007 (as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC (the “Borrower”), Peak Finance Holdings LLC (“Holdings”), Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and Collateral Agent, Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P., as Syndication Agent, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and General Electric Capital Corporation, as Co-Documentation Agents, and each lender from time to time party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

Upon execution and delivery of this Lender Addendum by the parties hereto as provided in Section 10.23 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby becomes a party to the Credit Agreement with all the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder having the Commitments set forth in Schedule 1 hereto, effective as of the Closing Date.

THIS LENDER ADDENDUM SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

This Lender Addendum may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page hereof by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Lender Addendum to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on the date first above written.

 

[LENDER]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


Accepted this___ day of
______________

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC,

as Borrower

By:    
  Title:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Administrative Agent

By:    
  Title:


Schedule 1

COMMITMENTS AND NOTICE ADDRESS

 

1.    Name of Lender:        
   Notice Address:        
          
          
   Attention:        
   Telephone:        
   Facsimile:        
2.    Revolving Credit Commitment:
3.    Initial Term Commitment:
4.    Tranche C Term Commitment:
5.    Tranche D Term Commitment:
EX-21.1 27 dex211.htm LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES List of Subsidiaries

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Formation

Avian Holdings LLC

   Delaware

BEMSA Holding, Inc.

   Delaware

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

   Delaware

Birds Eye Foods LLC

   Delaware

Curtice Burns Foods of Canada Limited

   Ontario, Canada

GLK Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

GLK, LLC

   New York

Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated

   Washington

Pinnacle Foods Canada Corporation

   Ontario, Canada

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

   Delaware

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

   Delaware

Pinnacle Foods International Corp.

   Delaware

Rochester Holdco LLC

   Delaware

Seasonal Employers, Inc.

   New York
EX-23.3 28 dex233.htm CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4, of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC of our report dated March 23, 2010, except for Note 10 and Note 17, as to which the date is June 9, 2010 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and our report dated March 10, 2008, except for Note 10 and Note 17, as to which the date is June 9, 2010 relating to the financial statements of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 5, 2010

EX-23.4 29 dex234.htm CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

Exhibit 23.4

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. on Form S-4 of our report dated October 2, 2009 related to the consolidated balance sheets of Birds Eye Foods, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Birds Eye Holdings LLC) and subsidiaries as of June 28, 2008 and June 27, 2009 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss)/income, cash flows and stockholder’s deficit for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended June 27, 2009 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”) appearing in the prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Rochester, New York

October 5, 2010

EX-24.1 30 dex241.htm POWERS OF ATTORNEY Powers of Attorney

Exhibit 24.1

OMNIBUS POWERS OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of Craig Steeneck and Kelley Maggs, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to sign in any and all capacities (including, without limitation, in his or her capacity as an officer, director or manager, as the case may be, of the registrants listed below), one or more Registration Statements on Form S-4 and any amendments, including post-effective amendments, thereto relating to the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 and the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (collectively, the “Notes”) of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp. (the “Issuers”) and the guarantees relating to the Notes, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, as contemplated under the Registration Rights Agreements, dated as of December 23, 2009 and August 17, 2010, each among the Issuers, the Guarantors named therein, Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC, relating to the Notes, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and anything necessary to be done to enable the registrants listed below to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all the rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute, or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This power of attorney shall not revoke or in any way modify any power of attorney previously executed by the undersigned.

[Balance of Page Intentionally Blank]


This Omnibus Powers of Attorney may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS HEREOF, each of the undersigned has subscribed his or her name as of the 5th day of October, 2010.

 

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp.

Avian Holdings LLC

Birds Eye Foods, Inc.

Birds Eye Foods LLC

BEMSA Holding, Inc.

GLK Holdings, Inc.

GLK, LLC

Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

Pinnacle Foods International Corp.

Rochester Holdco LLC

Seasonal Employers, Inc.


/s/ ROGER DEROMEDI
Roger Deromedi

 

/s/ ROBERT J. GAMGORT
Robert J. Gamgort

 

/s/ JASON GIORDANO
Jason Giordano

 

/s/ JOSEPH JIMENEZ
Joseph Jimenez

 

/s/ PRAKASH A. MELWANI
Prakash A. Melwani

 

/s/ JEFF OVERLY
Jeff Overly

 

/s/ RAYMOND P. SILCOCK
Raymond P. Silcock

 

/s/ CRAIG STEENECK
Craig Steeneck
EX-25.1 31 dex251.htm FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILTY - 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibilty - 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)  ¨

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   51-0055023

(Jurisdiction of incorporation of

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

(302) 651-1000

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Michael A. DiGregorio

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Wilmington Trust Company

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

(302) 651-8793

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent of service)

 

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.1

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

Delaware

 

20-8720036

06-6704812

(State or other jurisdiction or

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

 

9  1/4% Senior Notes due 2015

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

1

SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL OBLIGORS

 

 

 


TABLE OF ADDITIONAL OBLIGORS

 

Exact Name of Obligor Guarantor as Specified in its
Charter

  

State or other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization

  

IRS Employer
Identification
Number

  

Address, Including Zip Code and telephone
Number, Including Area Code, of Obligor
Guarantor’s Principal Executive Offices

Avian Holdings LLC

   Delaware    43-1967893    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Birds Eye Foods, Inc

   Delaware    26-0398310    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Birds Eye Foods LLC

   Delaware    16-0845824    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

BEMSA Holding, Inc

   Delaware    36-4234252    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

GLK Holdings, Inc

   Delaware    56-2395973    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

GLK, LLC

   New York    16-1529269    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated

   Washington    91-1350382    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

   Delaware    94-3303521    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Pinnacle Foods International Corp

   Delaware    26-1143457    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Rochester Holdco LLC

   Delaware    27-0460385    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Seasonal Employers, Inc

   New York    16-1375253    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620


ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

(a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

  State Bank Commissioner

Ten Independence Mall

  555 East Lockerman Street, Suite 210

Philadelphia, PA 19106-1574

  Dover, Delaware 19901

(b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

 

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

Exhibit 1. Copy of the Charter of Wilmington Trust Company:

Exhibit 2 - Certificate of Authority of Wilmington Trust Company to commence business – included in Exhibit 1 above.

Exhibit 3 - Authorization of Wilmington Trust Company to exercise corporate trust powers – included in Exhibit 1 above.

Exhibit 4. Copy of By-Laws of Wilmington Trust Company.

Exhibit 5. Not applicable

Exhibit 6. Consent of Wilmington Trust Company required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Exhibit 7. Copy of most recent Report of Condition of Wilmington Trust Company.

Exhibit 8. Not applicable.

Exhibit 9. Not applicable.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 1st day of October, 2010.

 

[SEAL]     WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Attest:   /s/ Michael H. Wass     By:   /s/ Christopher J. Slaybaugh
  Assistant Secretary     Name: Christopher J. Slaybaugh
      Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT 1*

AMENDED CHARTER

Wilmington Trust Company

Wilmington, Delaware

As existing on May 9, 1987

 

 

* Exhibit 1 also constitutes Exhibits 2 and 3.


Amended Charter

or

Act of Incorporation

of

Wilmington Trust Company

Wilmington Trust Company, originally incorporated by an Act of the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, entitled “An Act to Incorporate the Delaware Guarantee and Trust Company”, approved March 2, A.D. 1901, and the name of which company was changed to “Wilmington Trust Company” by an amendment filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on March 18, A.D. 1903, and the Charter or Act of Incorporation of which company has been from time to time amended and changed by merger agreements pursuant to the corporation law for state banks and trust companies of the State of Delaware, does hereby alter and amend its Charter or Act of Incorporation so that the same as so altered and amended shall in its entirety read as follows:

First: - The name of this corporation is Wilmington Trust Company.

Second: - The location of its principal office in the State of Delaware is at Rodney Square North, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle; the name of its resident agent is Wilmington Trust Company whose address is Rodney Square North, in said City. In addition to such principal office, the said corporation maintains and operates branch offices in the City of Newark, New Castle County, Delaware, the Town of Newport, New Castle County, Delaware, at Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware, at Greenville, New Castle County Delaware, and at Milford Cross Roads, New Castle County, Delaware, and shall be empowered to open, maintain and operate branch offices at Ninth and Shipley Streets, 418 Delaware Avenue, 2120 Market Street, and 3605 Market Street, all in the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, and such other branch offices or places of business as may be authorized from time to time by the agency or agencies of the government of the State of Delaware empowered to confer such authority.

Third: - (a) The nature of the business and the objects and purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted or carried on by this Corporation are to do any or all of the things herein mentioned as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or could do and in any part of the world, viz.:

 

  (1) To sue and be sued, complain and defend in any Court of law or equity and to make and use a common seal, and alter the seal at pleasure, to hold, purchase, convey, mortgage or otherwise deal in real and personal estate and property, and to appoint such officers and agents as the business of the Corporation shall require, to make by-laws not inconsistent with the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State, to discount bills, notes or other evidences of debt, to receive deposits of money, or securities for money, to buy gold and silver bullion and foreign coins, to buy and sell bills of exchange, and generally to use, exercise and enjoy all the powers, rights, privileges and franchises incident to a corporation which are proper or necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation hereby created.

 

  (2) To insure titles to real and personal property, or any estate or interests therein, and to guarantee the holder of such property, real or personal, against any claim or claims, adverse to his interest therein, and to prepare and give certificates of title for any lands or premises in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere.


  (3) To act as factor, agent, broker or attorney in the receipt, collection, custody, investment and management of funds, and the purchase, sale, management and disposal of property of all descriptions, and to prepare and execute all papers which may be necessary or proper in such business.

 

  (4) To prepare and draw agreements, contracts, deeds, leases, conveyances, mortgages, bonds and legal papers of every description, and to carry on the business of conveyance in all its branches.

 

  (5) To receive upon deposit for safekeeping money, jewelry, plate, deeds, bonds and any and all other personal property of every sort and kind, from executors, administrators, guardians, public officers, courts, receivers, assignees, trustees, and from all fiduciaries, and from all other persons and individuals, and from all corporations whether state, municipal, corporate or private, and to rent boxes, safes, vaults and other receptacles for such property.

 

  (6) To act as agent or otherwise for the purpose of registering, issuing, certificating, countersigning, transferring or underwriting the stock, bonds or other obligations of any corporation, association, state or municipality, and may receive and manage any sinking fund therefore on such terms as may be agreed upon between the two parties, and in like manner may act as Treasurer of any corporation or municipality.

 

  (7) To act as Trustee under any deed of trust, mortgage, bond or other instrument issued by any state, municipality, body politic, corporation, association or person, either alone or in conjunction with any other person or persons, corporation or corporations.

 

  (8) To guarantee the validity, performance or effect of any contract or agreement, and the fidelity of persons holding places of responsibility or trust; to become surety for any person, or persons, for the faithful performance of any trust, office, duty, contract or agreement, either by itself or in conjunction with any other person, or persons, corporation, or corporations, or in like manner become surety upon any bond, recognizance, obligation, judgment, suit, order, or decree to be entered in any court of record within the State of Delaware or elsewhere, or which may now or hereafter be required by any law, judge, officer or court in the State of Delaware or elsewhere.

 

  (9) To act by any and every method of appointment as trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity in the receiving, holding, managing, and disposing of any and all estates and property, real, personal or mixed, and to be appointed as such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian or bailee by any persons, corporations, court, officer, or authority, in the State of Delaware or elsewhere; and whenever this Corporation is so appointed by any person, corporation, court, officer or authority such trustee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee, assignee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, guardian, bailee, or in any other trust capacity, it shall not be required to give bond with surety, but its capital stock shall be taken and held as security for the performance of the duties devolving upon it by such appointment.

 

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  (10) And for its care, management and trouble, and the exercise of any of its powers hereby given, or for the performance of any of the duties which it may undertake or be called upon to perform, or for the assumption of any responsibility the said Corporation may be entitled to receive a proper compensation.

 

  (11) To purchase, receive, hold and own bonds, mortgages, debentures, shares of capital stock, and other securities, obligations, contracts and evidences of indebtedness, of any private, public or municipal corporation within and without the State of Delaware, or of the Government of the United States, or of any state, territory, colony, or possession thereof, or of any foreign government or country; to receive, collect, receipt for, and dispose of interest, dividends and income upon and from any of the bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property held and owned by it, and to exercise in respect of all such bonds, mortgages, debentures, notes, shares of capital stock, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other property, any and all the rights, powers and privileges of individual owners thereof, including the right to vote thereon; to invest and deal in and with any of the moneys of the Corporation upon such securities and in such manner as it may think fit and proper, and from time to time to vary or realize such investments; to issue bonds and secure the same by pledges or deeds of trust or mortgages of or upon the whole or any part of the property held or owned by the Corporation, and to sell and pledge such bonds, as and when the Board of Directors shall determine, and in the promotion of its said corporate business of investment and to the extent authorized by law, to lease, purchase, hold, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, mortgage and convey real and personal property of any name and nature and any estate or interest therein.

(b) In furtherance of, and not in limitation, of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, it is hereby expressly provided that the said Corporation shall also have the following powers:

 

  (1) To do any or all of the things herein set forth, to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world.

 

  (2) To acquire the good will, rights, property and franchises and to undertake the whole or any part of the assets and liabilities of any person, firm, association or corporation, and to pay for the same in cash, stock of this Corporation, bonds or otherwise; to hold or in any manner to dispose of the whole or any part of the property so purchased; to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business so acquired, and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct and management of such business.

 

  (3) To take, hold, own, deal in, mortgage or otherwise lien, and to lease, sell, exchange, transfer, or in any manner whatever dispose of property, real, personal or mixed, wherever situated.

 

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  (4) To enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every kind with any person, firm, association or corporation, and, without limit as to amount, to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange, warrants, bonds, debentures, and other negotiable or transferable instruments.

 

  (5) To have one or more offices, to carry on all or any of its operations and businesses, without restriction to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, to purchase or otherwise acquire, to hold, own, to mortgage, sell, convey or otherwise dispose of, real and personal property, of every class and description, in any State, District, Territory or Colony of the United States, and in any foreign country or place.

 

  (6) It is the intention that the objects, purposes and powers specified and clauses contained in this paragraph shall (except where otherwise expressed in said paragraph) be nowise limited or restricted by reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause of this or any other paragraph in this charter, but that the objects, purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses of this paragraph shall be regarded as independent objects, purposes and powers.

Fourth: - (a) The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is forty-one million (41,000,000) shares, consisting of:

 

  (1) One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Preferred Stock”); and

 

  (2) Forty million (40,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock”).

(b) Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors each of said series to be distinctly designated. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every particular, except that there may be different dates from which dividends, if any, thereon shall be cumulative, if made cumulative. The voting powers and the preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding; and, subject to the provisions of subparagraph 1 of Paragraph (c) of this Article Fourth, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly granted authority to fix by resolution or resolutions adopted prior to the issuance of any shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock, the voting powers and the designations, preferences and relative, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such series, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:

 

  (1) The distinctive designation of, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock which shall constitute such series, which number may be increased (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by like action of the Board of Directors;

 

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  (2) The rate and times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, dividends, if any, on Preferred Stock of such series shall be paid, the extent of the preference or relation, if any, of such dividends to the dividends payable on any other class or classes, or series of the same or other class of stock and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;

 

  (3) The right, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series to convert the same into or exchange the same for, shares of any other class or classes or of any series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;

 

  (4) Whether or not Preferred Stock of such series shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions on which, Preferred Stock of such series may be redeemed.

 

  (5) The rights, if any, of the holders of Preferred Stock of such series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation.

 

  (6) The terms of the sinking fund or redemption or purchase account, if any, to be provided for the Preferred Stock of such series; and

 

  (7) The voting powers, if any, of the holders of such series of Preferred Stock which may, without limiting the generality of the foregoing include the right, voting as a series or by itself or together with other series of Preferred Stock or all series of Preferred Stock as a class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation if there shall have been a default in the payment of dividends on any one or more series of Preferred Stock or under such circumstances and on such conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.

 

  (c) (1) After the requirements with respect to preferential dividends on the Preferred Stock (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), if any, shall have been met and after the Corporation shall have complied with all the requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums as sinking funds or redemption or purchase accounts (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), and subject further to any conditions which may be fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth, then and not otherwise the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

 

  (2) After distribution in full of the preferential amount, if any, (fixed in accordance with the provisions of section (b) of this Article Fourth), to be distributed to the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, distribution or sale of assets, dissolution or winding-up, of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation, tangible and intangible, of whatever kind available for distribution to stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.

 

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  (3) Except as may otherwise be required by law or by the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote in respect of each share of Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders.

(d) No holder of any of the shares of any class or series of stock or of options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of any class or series of stock or of other securities of the Corporation shall have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of any class or series or any additional shares of any class or series to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the Corporation of any class or series, or carrying any right to purchase stock of any class or series, but any such unissued stock, additional authorized issue of shares of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock, or carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors to such persons, firms, corporations or associations, whether such holders or others, and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion.

(e) The relative powers, preferences and rights of each series of Preferred Stock in relation to the relative powers, preferences and rights of each other series of Preferred Stock shall, in each case, be as fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in the resolution or resolutions adopted pursuant to authority granted in section (b) of this Article Fourth and the consent, by class or series vote or otherwise, of the holders of such of the series of Preferred Stock as are from time to time outstanding shall not be required for the issuance by the Board of Directors of any other series of Preferred Stock whether or not the powers, preferences and rights of such other series shall be fixed by the Board of Directors as senior to, or on a parity with, the powers, preferences and rights of such outstanding series, or any of them; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may provide in the resolution or resolutions as to any series of Preferred Stock adopted pursuant to section (b) of this Article Fourth that the consent of the holders of a majority (or such greater proportion as shall be therein fixed) of the outstanding shares of such series voting thereon shall be required for the issuance of any or all other series of Preferred Stock.

(f) Subject to the provisions of section (e), shares of any series of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

(g) Shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall determine and on such terms and for such consideration as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.

(h) The authorized amount of shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock may, without a class or series vote, be increased or decreased from time to time by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

 

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Fifth: - (a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be conducted and managed by a Board of Directors. The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be not less than five nor more than twenty-five as fixed from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board, provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be reduced so as to shorten the term of any director at the time in office, and provided further, that the number of directors constituting the whole Board shall be twenty-four until otherwise fixed by a majority of the whole Board.

(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of directors constituting the whole Board permits, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. At the annual meeting of stockholders in 1982, directors of the first class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting, directors of the second class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting and directors of the third class shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting. Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason, and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the directors, may be filled by the Board of Directors, acting by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and any directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors. At such election, the stockholders shall elect a successor to such director to hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors of the Corporation may be removed at any time without cause, but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) cast at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose.

(d) Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors. Such nominations shall be made by notice in writing, delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of the stockholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to stockholders, such written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than the close of the seventh day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders. Notice of nominations which are proposed by the Board of Directors shall be given by the Chairman on behalf of the Board.

(e) Each notice under subsection (d) shall set forth (i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee.

(f) The Chairman of the meeting may, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedure, and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

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(g) No action required to be taken or which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied.

Sixth: - The Directors shall choose such officers, agents and servants as may be provided in the By-Laws as they may from time to time find necessary or proper.

Seventh: - The Corporation hereby created is hereby given the same powers, rights and privileges as may be conferred upon corporations organized under the Act entitled “An Act Providing a General Corporation Law”, approved March 10, 1899, as from time to time amended.

Eighth: - This Act shall be deemed and taken to be a private Act.

Ninth: - This Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

Tenth: - The Board of Directors, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, may designate any of their number to constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee, to the extent provided in said resolution, or in the By-Laws of the Company, shall have and may exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

Eleventh: - The private property of the stockholders shall not be liable for the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

Twelfth: - The Corporation may transact business in any part of the world.

Thirteenth: - The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation by a vote of the majority of the entire Board. The stockholders may make, alter or repeal any By-Law whether or not adopted by them, provided however, that any such additional By-Laws, alterations or repeal may be adopted only by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).

Fourteenth: - Meetings of the Directors may be held outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by the Board, and the Directors may keep the books of the Company outside of the State of Delaware at such places as may be from time to time designated by them.

Fifteenth: - (a) (1) In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, and except as otherwise expressly provided in sections (b) and (c) of this Article Fifteenth:

 

  (A) any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with or into (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder), which, after such merger or consolidation, would be an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder, or

 

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  (B) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or

 

  (C) the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, or

 

  (D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or

 

  (E) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any similar transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder,

shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for the purpose of this Article Fifteenth as one class (“Voting Shares”). Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that some lesser percentage may be specified, by law or in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.

 

  (2) The term “business combination” as used in this Article Fifteenth shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of clauses (A) through (E) of paragraph 1 of the section (a).

(b) The provisions of section (a) of this Article Fifteenth shall not be applicable to any particular business combination and such business combination shall require only such affirmative vote as is required by law and any other provisions of the Charter or Act of Incorporation or By-Laws if such business combination has been approved by a majority of the whole Board.

(c) For the purposes of this Article Fifteenth:

 

  (1) A “person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.

 

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  (2) “Interested Stockholder” shall mean, in respect of any business combination, any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary) who or which as of the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote on such business combination, or immediately prior to the consummation of any such transaction:

 

  (A) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the Voting Shares, or

 

  (B) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within two years prior thereto was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of not less than 10% of the then outstanding voting Shares, or

 

  (C) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded in any share of capital stock of the Corporation which were at any time within two years prior thereto beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, and such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

  (3) A person shall be the “beneficial owner” of any Voting Shares:

 

  (A) which such person or any of its Affiliates and Associates (as hereafter defined) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or

 

  (B) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or

 

  (C) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

  (4) The outstanding Voting Shares shall include shares deemed owned through application of paragraph (3) above but shall not include any other Voting Shares which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

 

  (5) “Affiliate” and “Associate” shall have the respective meanings given those terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981.

 

  (6)

“Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security (as defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on December 31, 1981) is owned,

 

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directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Investment Stockholder set forth in paragraph (2) of this section (c), the term “Subsidiary” shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.

(d) majority of the directors shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article Fifteenth on the basis of information known to them, (1) the number of Voting Shares beneficially owned by any person (2) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, (3) whether a person has an agreement, arrangement or understanding with another as to the matters referred to in paragraph (3) of section (c), or (4) whether the assets subject to any business combination or the consideration received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation, or any Subsidiary has an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more.

(e) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteenth shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

Sixteenth: Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter or Act of Incorporation or the By-Laws of the Corporation (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this Charter or Act of Incorporation by the By-Laws), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal any provision of Articles Fifth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth or Sixteenth of this Charter or Act of Incorporation.

Seventeenth:

(a) a Director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Laws as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.

(b) Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.”

 

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ADOPTED: January 21, 2009

EXHIBIT 4

BY-LAWS

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

ARTICLE 1

Stockholders’ Meetings

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the third Thursday in April each year at the principal office at the Company or at such other date, time or place as may be designated by resolution by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 3. Notice. Notice of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given by mailing to each stockholder at least ten (10) days before said meeting, at his last known address, a written or printed notice fixing the time and place of such meeting.

Section 4. Quorum. A majority in the amount of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding on the record date, as herein determined, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders for the transaction of any business, but the holders of a smaller number of shares may adjourn from time to time, without further notice, until a quorum is secured. At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in the stockholder’s name on the books of the Company on the record date for any such meeting as determined herein.

ARTICLE 2

Directors

Section 1. Management. The affairs and business of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Number. The authorized number of directors that shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by or pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the Board of Directors within the parameters set by the Charter of the Company. No more than two directors may also be employees of the Company or any affiliate thereof.


Section 3. Qualification. In addition to any other provisions of these Bylaws, to be qualified for nomination for election or appointment to the Board of Directors, a person must have not attained the age of sixty-nine years at the time of such election or appointment, provided however, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may waive such qualification as to a particular candidate otherwise qualified to serve as a director upon a good faith determination by such committee that such a waiver is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall not be qualified to continue to serve as directors upon the termination of their service in those offices for any reason.

Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at the principal office of the Company or elsewhere in its discretion at such times to be determined by a majority of its members, or at the call of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall be called upon the written request of a majority of the directors.

Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the directors elected and qualified shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 7. Notice. Written notice shall be sent by mail to each director of any special meeting of the Board of Directors, and of any change in the time or place of any regular meeting, stating the time and place of such meeting, which shall be mailed not less than two days before the time of holding such meeting.

Section 8. Vacancies. In the event of the death, resignation, removal, inability to act or disqualification of any director, the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, shall have the right to elect the successor who shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred, and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 9. Organization Meeting. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after its election by the stockholders shall appoint an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and shall elect from its own members a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, who may be the same person. The Board of Directors shall also elect at such meeting a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer, who may be the same person, and may appoint at any time such committees as it may deem advisable. The Board of Directors may also elect at such meeting one or more Associate Directors. The Board of Directors, or a committee designated by the Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers as they may deem advisable.

 

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Section 10. Removal. The Board of Directors may at any time remove, with or without cause, any member of any committee appointed by it or any associate director or officer elected by it and may appoint or elect his successor.

Section 11. Responsibility of Officers. The Board of Directors may designate an officer to be in charge of such departments or divisions of the Company as it may deem advisable.

Section 12. Participation in Meetings. The Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee, as the case may be, by conference telephone, video facilities or other communications equipment. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all of the members of the Board of Directors or the committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the Board of Directors or such committee.

ARTICLE 3

Committees of the Board of Directors

Section 1. Audit Committee.

(A) The Audit Committee shall be composed of not less than three (3) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board.

(B) The Audit Committee shall have general supervision over the Audit Services Division in all matters however subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; it shall consider all matters brought to its attention by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division, review all reports of examination of the Company made by any governmental agency or such independent auditor employed for that purpose, and make such recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect thereto or with respect to any other matters pertaining to auditing the Company as it shall deem desirable.

(C) The Audit Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

 

3


Section 2. Compensation Committee.

(A) The Compensation Committee shall be composed of not less than three (3) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

(B) The Compensation Committee shall in general advise upon all matters of policy concerning compensation, including salaries and employee benefits.

(C) The Compensation Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

Section 3. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

(A) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be composed of not less than three (3) members, who shall be selected by the Board of Directors from its own members, none of whom shall be an officer or employee of the Company, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

(B) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall provide counsel and make recommendations to the Chairman of the Board and the full Board with respect to the performance of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, candidates for membership on the Board of Directors and its committees, matters of corporate governance, succession planning for the Company’s executive management and significant shareholder relations issues.

(C) The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall meet whenever and wherever its Chairperson, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or a majority of the Committee’s members shall deem it to be proper for the transaction of its business. A majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The acts of the majority at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the Committee.

Section 4. Other Committees. The Company may have such other committees with such powers as the Board may designate from time to time by resolution or by an amendment to these Bylaws.

 

4


Section 5. Associate Directors.

(A) Any person who has served as a director may be elected by the Board of Directors as an associate director, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

(B) Associate directors shall be entitled to attend all meetings of directors and participate in the discussion of all matters brought to the Board of Directors, but will not have a right to vote.

Section 6. Absence or Disqualification of Any Member of a Committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee created under Article III of these Bylaws, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

ARTICLE 4

Officers

Section 1. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall have such further authority and powers and shall perform such duties the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time.

Section 2. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of Chief Executive Officer conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.

Section 3. President. The President shall have the powers and duties pertaining to the office of the President conferred or imposed upon him by statute, incident to his office or as the Board of Directors may assign to him from time to time. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board.

Section 4. Duties. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, as designated by the Board of Directors, shall carry into effect all legal directions of the Board of Directors and shall at all times exercise general supervision over the interest, affairs and operations of the Company and perform all duties incident to his office.

Section 5. Vice Presidents. There may be one or more Vice Presidents, however denominated by the Board of Directors, who may at any time perform all of the duties of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and/or the President and such other powers and duties incident to their respective offices or as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned may assign to them from time to time.

 

5


Section 6. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors, as well as the committees thereof, to the keeping of accurate minutes of all such meetings, recording the same in the minute books of the Company and in general notifying the Board of Directors of material matters affecting the Company on a timely basis. In addition to the other notice requirements of these Bylaws and as may be practicable under the circumstances, all such notices shall be in writing and mailed well in advance of the scheduled date of any such meeting. He shall have custody of the corporate seal, affix the same to any documents requiring such corporate seal, attest the same and perform other duties incident to his office.

Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have general supervision over all assets and liabilities of the Company. He shall be custodian of and responsible for all monies, funds and valuables of the Company and for the keeping of proper records of the evidence of property or indebtedness and of all transactions of the Company. He shall have general supervision of the expenditures of the Company and periodically shall report to the Board of Directors the condition of the Company, and perform such other duties incident to his office or as the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may assign to him from time to time.

Section 8. Controller. There may be a Controller who shall exercise general supervision over the internal operations of the Company, including accounting, and shall render to the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee at appropriate times a report relating to the general condition and internal operations of the Company and perform other duties incident to his office.

There may be one or more subordinate accounting or controller officers however denominated, who may perform the duties of the Controller and such duties as may be prescribed by the Controller.

Section 9. Audit Officers. The officer designated by the Board of Directors to be in charge of the Audit Services Division of the Company, with such title as the Board of Directors shall prescribe, shall report to and be directly responsible to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors.

There shall be an Auditor and there may be one or more Audit Officers, however denominated, who may perform all the duties of the Auditor and such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the Audit Services Division.

Section 10. Other Officers. There may be one or more officers, subordinate in rank to all Vice Presidents with such functional titles as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, who shall ex officio hold the office of Assistant Secretary of the Company and who may perform such duties as may be prescribed by the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.

 

6


Section 11. Powers and Duties of Other Officers. The powers and duties of all other officers of the Company shall be those usually pertaining to their respective offices, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President and the officer in charge of the department or division to which they are assigned.

Section 12. Number of Offices. Any one or more offices of the Company may be held by the same person, except that (A) no individual may hold more than one of the offices of Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Audit Officer and (B) none of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may hold any office mentioned in Section 12(A).

ARTICLE 5

Stock and Stock Certificates

Section 1. Transfer. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Company and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded.

Section 2. Certificates. Every holder of stock shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Company by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or a Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Company. The corporate seal affixed thereto, and any of or all the signatures on the certificate, may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Duplicate certificates of stock shall be issued only upon giving such security as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Record Date. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining such consent.

 

7


ARTICLE 6

Seal

The corporate seal of the Company shall be in the following form:

Between two concentric circles the words “Wilmington Trust Company” within the inner circle the words “Wilmington, Delaware.”

ARTICLE 7

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Company shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE 8

Execution of Instruments of the Company

The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, however denominated by the Board of Directors, shall have full power and authority to enter into, make, sign, execute, acknowledge and/or deliver and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary shall have full power and authority to attest and affix the corporate seal of the Company to any and all deeds, conveyances, assignments, releases, contracts, agreements, bonds, notes, mortgages and all other instruments incident to the business of this Company or in acting as executor, administrator, guardian, trustee, agent or in any other fiduciary or representative capacity by any and every method of appointment or by whatever person, corporation, court officer or authority in the State of Delaware, or elsewhere, without any specific authority, ratification, approval or confirmation by the Board of Directors, and any and all such instruments shall have the same force and validity as though expressly authorized by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 9

Compensation of Directors and Members of Committees

Directors and associate directors of the Company, other than salaried officers of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for attending meetings of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. Directors and associate directors who serve as members of committees, other than salaried employees of the Company, shall be paid such reasonable honoraria or fees for services as members of committees as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine and directors and associate directors may be authorized by the Company to perform such special services as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine in accordance with any guidelines the Board of Directors may adopt for such services, and shall be paid for such special services so performed reasonable compensation as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

8


ARTICLE 10

Indemnification

Section 1. Persons Covered. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was a director or associate director of the Company, a member of an advisory board the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries may appoint from time to time or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company shall be required to indemnify such a person in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors.

The Company may indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person who was or is made or threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he, or a person for whom he is the legal representative, is or was an officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such person. The Company may indemnify any such person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall pay the expenses incurred in defending any proceeding involving a person who is or may be indemnified pursuant to Section 1 in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that the payment of expenses incurred by such a person in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by that person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 10 or otherwise.

Section 3. Certain Rights. If a claim under this Article 10 for (A) payment of expenses or (B) indemnification by a director, associate director, member of an advisory board the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries may appoint from time to time or a person who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, is not paid in full within sixty days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

 

9


Section 4. Non-Exclusive. The rights conferred on any person by this Article 10 shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Charter or Act of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 5. Reduction of Amount. The Company’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.

Section 6. Effect of Modification. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.

ARTICLE 11

Amendments to the Bylaws

These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and any new Bylaw or Bylaws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Board of Directors then in office.

ARTICLE 12

Miscellaneous

Whenever used in these Bylaws, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular unless the context requires otherwise and the use of either gender shall include both genders.

 

10


EXHIBIT 6

Section 321(b) Consent

Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.

 

    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Dated: October 1, 2010     By:   /s/ Christopher J. Slaybaugh
    Name: Christopher J. Slaybaugh
    Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT 7

This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.

REPORT OF CONDITION

 

WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY

  of     Wilmington    
Name of Bank               City

in the State of Delaware, at the close of business on June 30, 2010:

 

      Thousands of Dollars  

ASSETS

  

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

   234,318   

Securities:

   627,765   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell:

   41,850   

Loans and leases held for sale:

   8,509   

Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance:

   7,061,058   

Premises and fixed assets:

   120,329   

Other real estate owned:

   42,644   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies:

   1,227   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures:

   5,513   

Intangible assets:

   6,280   

Other assets:

   629,875   

Total Assets:

   8,779,168   
      Thousands of Dollars  

LIABILITIES

  

Deposits

   6,649,712   

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

   742,436   

Other borrowed money:

   28,980   

Other Liabilities:

   413,723   

Total Liabilities

   7,834,851   
      Thousands of Dollars  

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Common Stock

   500   

Surplus

   379,847   

Retained Earnings

   670,148   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   (106,178

Total Equity Capital

   944,317   

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   8,779,168   
EX-25.2 32 dex252.htm FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILTY - 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017 Form T-1 Statement of Eligibilty - 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017

Exhibit 25.2

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Federal Charter   52-1877389
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. employer identification no.)

Harborplace Tower, Suite 2620

111 S. Calvert Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

(410) 468-4325

(Address of principal executive offices)

Michael A. DiGregorio

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Wilmington Trust Company

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001

(302) 651-8793

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP. 1

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-8720036
Delaware   06-6704812
(State of incorporation)  

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

1 Bloomfield Avenue

Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code

 

 

8  1/4% Senior Notes due 2017

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

1

SEE TABLE OF ADDITIONAL OBLIGORS

 

 

 


TABLE OF ADDITIONAL OBLIGORS

 

Exact Name of Obligor Guarantor as Specified in its
Charter

   State or other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or
Organization
   IRS Employer
Identification
Number
  

Address, Including Zip Code and telephone

Number, Including Area Code, of Obligor

Guarantor’s Principal Executive Offices

Avian Holdings LLC

   Delaware    43-1967893    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Birds Eye Foods, Inc

   Delaware    26-0398310    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Birds Eye Foods LLC

   Delaware    16-0845824    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

BEMSA Holding, Inc

   Delaware    36-4234252    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

GLK Holdings, Inc

   Delaware    56-2395973    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

GLK, LLC

   New York    16-1529269    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Kennedy Endeavors, Incorporated

   Washington    91-1350382    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Pinnacle Foods Group LLC

   Delaware    94-3303521    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Pinnacle Foods International Corp

   Delaware    26-1143457    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Rochester Holdco LLC

   Delaware    27-0460385    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

Seasonal Employers, Inc

   New York    16-1375253    1 Bloomfield Avenue
         Mt. Lakes, New Jersey 07046
         (973) 541-6620

 

Item 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

    Office of Thrift Supervision
    1475 Peachtree Street, N.E.
    Atlanta, GA 30309

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

    Yes.


Item 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

 

Item 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS. List below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

 

  1. A copy of the Federal Stock Savings Bank Charter for Wilmington Trust FSB, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

  2. The authority of Wilmington Trust FSB to commence business was granted under the Federal Stock Savings Bank Charter for Wilmington Trust FSB, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

  3. The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Federal Stock Savings Bank charter, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

  4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1.

 

  5. Not applicable.

 

  6. The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1.

 

  7. Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

  8. Not applicable.

 

  9. Not applicable.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust FSB, a federal savings bank, organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Guilford and State of Connecticut on the 1st day of October, 2010.

 

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB
By:   /s/ Joseph P. O’Donnell
Name:   Joseph P. O’Donnell
Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT 1

Charter No. 6012

FEDERAL STOCK SAVINGS BANK CHARTER

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB

As existing on June 10, 1994.


FEDERAL STOCK SAVINGS BANK CHARTER

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB

SECTION 1. Corporate Title. The full corporate title of the savings bank is Wilmington Trust FSB.

SECTION 2. Office. The home office shall be located in Salisbury, Maryland.

SECTION 3. Duration. The duration of the savings bank is perpetual.

SECTION 4. Purpose and Powers. The purpose of the savings bank is to pursue any or all of the lawful objectives of a Federal savings bank chartered under Section 5 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act and to exercise all of the express, implied, and incidental powers conferred thereby and by all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, subject to the Constitution and laws of the United States as they are now in effect, or as they may hereafter be amended, and subject to all lawful and applicable rules, regulations, and orders of the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”).

SECTION 5. Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of the capital stock which the savings bank has the authority to issue is 10,000,000, all of which shall be common stock of par value of $1.00 per share. The shares may be issued from time to time as authorized by the Board of Directors without the approval of its shareholders, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5 or to the extent that such approval is required by governing law, rule, or regulation. The consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in full before their issuance and shall not be less than the par value. Neither promissory notes nor future services shall constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the savings bank. The consideration for the shares shall be cash, tangible or intangible property (to the extent direct investment in such property would be permitted to the savings bank), labor, or services actually performed for the savings bank, or any combination of the foregoing. In the absence of actual fraud in the transaction, the value of such property, labor, or services, as determined by the Board of Directors of the savings bank, shall be conclusive. Upon payment of such consideration, such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the surplus of the savings bank which is transferred to stated capital upon the issuance of shares of as a share dividend shall be deemed to be the consideration for their issuance.

Except for shares issuable in connection with the conversion of the savings bank from the mutual to stock form of capitalization, no shares of common stock (including shares issuable upon conversion, exchange, or exercise of other securities) shall be issued, directly or indirectly, to officers, directors, or controlling persons of the savings bank other than as part of a general public offering or as qualifying shares to a director, unless the issuance or the plan under which they would be issued has been approved by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast as a legal meeting.


The holders of the common stock shall exclusively possess all voting power. Each holder of shares of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder, except as to the cumulation of votes for the election of directors. Subject to any provision for a liquidation account, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the savings bank, the holders of the common stock shall be entitled, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of the savings bank, to receive the remaining assets of the savings bank available for distribution, in cash or in kind. Each share of common stock shall have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of common stock.

SECTION 6. Preemptive Rights. Holders of the capital stock of the savings bank shall not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares of the savings bank which may be issued.

SECTION 7. Directors. The savings bank shall be under the direction of a Board of Directors. The authorized number of directors, as stated in the savings bank’s bylaws, shall not be fewer than five nor more than fifteen except when a greater number is approved by the OTS.

SECTION 8. Amendment of Charter. Except as provided in Section 5, no amendment, addition, alteration, change, or repeal of this charter shall be made, unless such is first proposed by the Board of Directors of the savings bank, then preliminarily approved by the OTS, which preliminary approval may be granted by the OTS pursuant to regulations specifying preapproved charter amendments, and thereafter approved by the shareholders by a majority of the total votes eligible to be cast at a legal. Any amendment, addition, alteration, change, or repeal so acted upon shall be effective upon filing with the OTS in accordance with regulatory procedures or on such other date as the OTS may specify in its preliminary approval.


EXHIBIT 4

BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST FSB

As Amended April 28, 2008

ARTICLE I — HOME OFFICES

The home office of this savings bank shall be at 111 South Calvert Street, Suite 2620, Baltimore, Maryland.

ARTICLE II — SHAREHOLDERS

SECTION 1. Place of Meetings. All annual and special meetings of shareholders shall be held at the home office of the savings bank or at such other place in or outside the State in which the principal place of business of the savings bank is located as the board of directors may determine.

SECTION 2. Annual Meeting. A meeting of the shareholders of the savings bank for the election of directors and for the transaction of any other business of the savings bank shall be held annually within 120 days after the end of the savings bank’s fiscal year or at such otherdate and time within at such 120-day period as the board of directors may determine.

SECTION 3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by the regulations of the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”), may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, one of the presidents or a majority of the board of directors, and shall be called by the chairman of the board, one of the presidents, or the secretary upon the written request of the holders of not less than one-tenth of all of the outstanding capital stock of the savings bank entitled to vote at the meeting. Such written request shall state the purpose or purposes of the meeting and shall be delivered to the home office of the savings bank addressed to the chairman of the board, one of the presidents, or the secretary.

SECTION 4. Conduct of Meetings. The board of directors shall designate, when present, either the chairman of the board or one of the presidents to preside at such meetings.

SECTION 5. Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose(s) for which the meeting is called shall be delivered not fewer than 20 nor more than 50 days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the chairman of the board, one of the presidents, the secretary or the directors calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the mail, addressed to the shareholder at the address as it appears on the stock transfer books or records of the savings bank as of the record date prescribed in


Section 6 of this Article II with postage prepaid. When any shareholders’ meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. It shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time or place of any meeting adjourned for less than 30 days or of the business to be transacted at the meeting, other than an announcement at the meeting at which such adjournment is taken.

SECTION 6. Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the board of directors shall fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders. Such date in any case shall be not more than 60 days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not fewer than 10 days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders, is to be taken. When a determination of shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment.

SECTION 7. Voting Lists. At least 20 days before each meeting of the shareholders, the officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the savings bank shall make a complete list of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting, or any adjournment, arranged in alphabetical order, with the address and the number of shares held by each. This list of shareholders shall be kept on file at the home office of the savings bank and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder at any time during usual business hours for a period of 20 days prior to such meeting. Such list also shall be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and shall be subject to inspection by any shareholder during the entire time of the meeting. The original stock transfer book shall constitute prima facie evidence of the shareholders entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at any meeting of shareholders.

In lieu of making the shareholder list available for inspection by shareholders as provided in the preceding paragraph, the board of directors may elect to follow the procedures prescribed in §552.6(d) of the OTS’s regulations as now or hereafter in effect.

SECTION 8. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the savings bank entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares is represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The shareholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to constitute less than a quorum.

SECTION 9. Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, as determined by a majority of the board of directors. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months from the date of its execution except for a proxy coupled with an interest.


SECTION 10. Voting of Shares in the Name of Two or More Persons. When ownership stands in the name of two or more persons, in the absence of written directions to the savings bank to the contrary, at any meeting of the shareholders of the savings bank any one or more of such shareholders may cast, in person or by proxy, all votes to which such ownership is entitled. In the event an attempt is made to cast conflicting votes, in person or by proxy, by the several persons in whose names shares of stock stand, the vote or votes to which those persons are entitled shall be cast as directed by a majority of those holding such and present in person or by proxy at such meeting, but no votes shall be cast for such stock if a majority cannot agree.

SECTION 11. Voting of Shares by Certain Holders. Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by any officer, agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such provision, as the board of directors of such corporation may determine. Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian, or conservator may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares into his name. Shares standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote shares held by him without a transfer of such shares into his name. Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer into his name if authority to do so is contained in an appropriate order of the court or other public authority by which such receiver was appointed.

A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

Neither treasury shares of its own stock held by the savings bank nor shares held by another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors of such other corporation are held by the savings bank, shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time for purposes of any meeting.

SECTION 12. Cumulative Voting. Every shareholder entitled to vote at an election for directors shall have the right to vote, in person by proxy, the number of shares owned by the shareholder for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the shareholder has a right to vote, or to cumulate the votes by giving one candidate as many votes as the number of such directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares shall equal or by distributing such votes on the same principle among any number of candidates.

SECTION 13. Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the board of directors may appoint any persons other than nominees for office as inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any adjournment. The number of inspectors shall be either one or three. Any such appointment shall not be altered at the meeting. If inspectors of election are not so appointed, the chairman of the board or one of the presidents may, or on the request of not fewer than 10 percent of the votes represented at the meeting shall, make such appointment at the meeting.


If appointed at the meeting, the majority of the votes present shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed. In case any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment by the board of directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the chairman of the board or one of the presidents.

Unless otherwise prescribed by regulations of the OTS, the duties of such inspectors shall include: determining the number of shares and the voting power of each share, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies; receiving votes, ballots or consents; hearing and determining all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the rights to vote; counting and tabulating all votes or consents; determining the result; and such acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders.

SECTION 14. Director Elections. The board of directors may nominate candidates for election as directors. Ballots bearing the names of all persons nominated by the board of directors and by shareholders shall be provided for use at the annual meeting. However, if the board of directors shall fail or refuse to act at least 20 days prior to the annual meeting, nominations for directors may be made at the annual meeting by any shareholder entitled to vote and shall be voted upon.

SECTION 15. New Business. Any new business to be taken up at the annual meeting shall be stated in writing and filed with the secretary of the savings bank at least five days before the annual meeting, and all business so stated, proposed and filed shall be considered at the annual meeting; but no other proposal shall be acted upon at the annual meeting. Any shareholder may make any other proposal at the annual meeting and the same may be discussed and considered, but unless stated in writing and filed with the secretary at least five days before the meeting, such proposal shall be laid over for action at an adjourned, special or annual meeting of the shareholders taking place 30 days or more thereafter. This provision shall not prevent the consideration and approval or disapproval at the annual meeting of reports of officers, directors, and committees; but in connection with such reports, no new business shall be acted upon at such annual meeting unless stated and filed as herein provided.

SECTION 16. Informal Action by Shareholders. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be given by all shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter.

ARTICLE III — BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of this savings bank shall be under the direction of its board of directors. The board of directors shall annually elect a chairman of the board and one or more presidents and shall designate, when present, either the chairman of the board, one of the presidents, an executive vice president, a senior vice president, or a vice president to preside at its meetings.


SECTION 2. Number and Term. The board of directors shall consist of six members. The directors shall be elected annually, and shall serve for the ensuing year and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

SECTION 3. Regular and Special Meetings. Regular and special meetings of the board of directors may be called by or at the request of the chairman of the board, one of the presidents or one-third of the directors. The persons authorized to call meetings of the board of directors may fix any place as the place for holding that meeting.

Members of the board of directors may participate in regular or special meetings by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation shall constitute presence in person and, if the board of directors so determines, shall constitute attendance for purpose of entitlement to compensation pursuant to Section 11 of this Article.

SECTION 4. Qualification. Each director shall at all times be the beneficial owner of not less than 100 shares of capital stock of the savings bank unless the savings bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company.

SECTION 5. Notice. Written notice of any special meeting shall be given to each director at least two days prior thereto when delivered personally or by telegram or at least five days prior thereto when delivered by mail at the address at which the director is most likely to be reached. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage prepaid if mailed or when delivered to the telegraph company if sent by telegram. Any director may waive notice of any meeting by a writing filed with the secretary. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the board of directors need to be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

SECTION 6. Quorum. A majority of the number of directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the board of directors; but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time. Notice of any adjourned meeting shall be given in the same manner as prescribed by Section 5 of this Article III.

SECTION 7. Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the directors present at a duly convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the board of directors, unless a greater number is prescribed by the regulations of the OTS or these bylaws.

SECTION 8. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the board of directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all of the directors.


SECTION 9. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by sending a written notice of such resignation to the home office of the savings bank addressed to the chairman of the board or one of the presidents. Unless otherwise specified, such resignation shall take effect upon receipt by the chairman of the board or one of the presidents. More than three consecutive absences from regular meetings of the board of directors, unless excused by resolution of the board of directors, shall automatically constitute a resignation, effective when such resignation is accepted by the board of directors.

SECTION 10. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors although less than a quorum of the board of directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected to serve until the next election of directors by the shareholders. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors for may be filled by election by the board of directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the shareholders.

SECTION 11. Compensation. Directors, as such, may receive a stated salary for their services. By resolution of the board of directors, a reasonable fixed sum, and reasonable expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance, whether in person or by telephone, at any regular or special meeting of the Board of directors.

Members of either standing or special committees may be allowed such compensation for attendance, whether in person or by telephone, at committee meetings as the Board of directors may determine from time to time.

SECTION 12. Presumption of Assent. A director of the savings bank who is present at a meeting of the board of directors at which action on any savings bank matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless his dissent or abstention shall be entered into the minutes of the meeting or unless he shall file a written dissent to such action with the person acting as the secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall forward such dissent by registered mail to the secretary of the savings bank within five days after the date a copy of the minutes of the meeting is received. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.

SECTION 13. Removal of Directors. At a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, any director may be removed for cause by a vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors. If less than the entire board is to be removed, no one of the directors may be removed if the votes cast against the removal would be sufficient to elect a director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the class of directors of which such director is a part. Whenever the holders of the shares of any class are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the charter or supplemental sections thereto, the provisions of this section shall apply, in respect to the removal of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of that class and not to the vote of the outstanding shares as a whole.


ARTICLE IV — EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. Appointment. The board of directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of the full board, may designate an executive committee. The designation of any committee pursuant to this Article IV and the delegation of authority shall not operate to relieve the board of directors, or any director, of any responsibility imposed by law or regulation.

SECTION 2. Authority. The executive committee, when the board of directors is not in session, shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of directors except to the extent, if any, that such authority shall be limited by the resolution appointing the executive committee; and except also that the executive committee shall not have the authority of the board of directors with reference to: the declaration of dividends; the amendment of the charter or bylaws of the savings bank, or recommending to the stockholders a plan of merger, consolidation or conversion; the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the savings bank otherwise than in the usual and regular course of its business; a voluntary dissolution of the savings bank; a revocation of any of the foregoing; or the approval of a transaction in which any member of the executive committee, directly or indirectly, has any material beneficial interest.

SECTION 3. Tenure. Subject to the provisions of Section 8 of this Article IV, each member of the executive committee shall hold office until the next regular annual meeting of the board of directors following his or her designation and until a successor is designated as a member of the executive committee.

SECTION 4. Meetings. Regular meetings of the executive committee may be held without notice at such times and places as the executive committee may fix from time to time by resolution. Special meetings of the executive committee may be called by any member thereof upon not less than one day’s notice stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting, which notice may be written or oral. Any member of the executive committee may waive notice of any meeting and no notice of any meeting need be given to any member thereof who attends in person. The notice of a meeting of the executive committee need not state the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting.

SECTION 5. Quorum. A majority of the members of the executive committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting thereof, and action of the Executive committee must be authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

SECTION 6. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the executive committee at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the members of the executive committee.

SECTION 7. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the executive committee may be filled by a resolution adopted by a majority of the full board of directors.


SECTION 8. Resignations and Removal. Any member of the executive committee may be removed at any time with or without cause by a resolution adopted by a majority of the full board of directors. Any member of the executive committee may resign from the executive committee at any time by giving written notice to the one of the presidents or secretary of the savings bank. Unless otherwise specified, such resignation shall take effect upon its receipt; the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 9. Procedure. The executive committee shall elect a presiding officer from its members and may fix its own rules of procedure which shall not be inconsistent with these bylaws. It shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the board of directors for its information at the meeting held next after the proceedings shall have occurred

SECTION 10. Other Committees. The board of directors may by resolution establish an audit, loan or other committee composed of directors as they may determine to be necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the business of the savings bank and may prescribe the duties, constitution, and procedures thereof.

ARTICLE V — OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Positions. The officers of this savings bank shall be one or more presidents, one or more vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the board of directors. The board of directors may also designate the chairman of the board as an officer. One of the presidents shall be the chief executive officer, unless the board of directors designates the chairman of the board as chief executive officer. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be held by the same person and a vice president may also be either the secretary or the treasurer. The board of directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president or senior vice president. The board of directors also may elect or authorize the appointment of such other officers as the business of this savings bank may require. The officers shall have such authority and perform such duties as the board of directors may from time to time authorize or determine. In the absence of action by the board of directors, the officers shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices.

SECTION 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of this savings bank shall be elected annually at the first meeting of the board of directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders. If the election of officers is not held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as possible. Each officer shall hold office until a successor has been duly elected and qualified or until the officer’s death, resignation, or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Election or appointment of an officer, employee, or agent shall not of itself create contractual rights. The board of directors may authorize the savings bank to enter into an employment contract with any officer in accordance with regulations of the OTS; but no such contract shall impair the right of the board of directors to remove any officer at any time in accordance with Section 3 of this Article V.


SECTION 3. Removal. Any officer may be removed by the board of directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the savings bank would be served thereby, but such removal, other than for cause, shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed.

SECTION 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise may be filled by the board of directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

SECTION 5. Remuneration. The remuneration of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the board of directors.

ARTICLE VI — CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

SECTION 1. Contracts. To the extent permitted by regulations of the OTS, and except as otherwise prescribed by these bylaws with respect to certificates for shares, the board of directors may authorize any officer, employee or agent of the savings bank to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the savings bank. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the savings bank and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by the board of directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the savings bank shall be signed by one or more officers, employees or agents of the savings bank in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the board of directors.

SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the savings bank not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the savings bank in any duly authorized depositories as the board of directors may select.

ARTICLE VII — CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER

SECTION 1. Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of capital stock of the savings bank shall be in such form as shall be determined by the board of directors and approved by the OTS. Such certificates shall be signed by the chief executive officer or by any other officer of the savings bank authorized by the board of directors, attested by the secretary or an assistant secretary, and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof. The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may be facsimiles if the certificate is manually signed on behalf of a transfer agent or a registrar other than the savings bank itself or one of its employees. Each certificate for shares of capital stock shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name and address of the person to whom the shares are issued, the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the savings bank. All certificates surrendered to the savings bank for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of shares has been surrendered and canceled, except that in the case of a lost or destroyed certificate, a new certificate may be issued upon such terms and indemnity to the savings bank as the board of directors may prescribe.


SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of the capital stock of the savings bank shall be made only on its stock transfer books. Authority for such transfer shall be given only by the holder of record or by his legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of such authority, or by his attorney authorized by a duly executed power of attorney and filed with the savings bank. Such transfer shall be made only on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares of capital stock stand on the books of the savings bank shall be deemed by the savings bank to be the owner for all purposes.

ARTICLE VIII — FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of this savings bank shall end on the 31st day of December of each year.

ARTICLE IX — DIVIDENDS

Subject to the terms of the savings bank’s charter and the regulations and orders of the OTS, the board of directors may, from time to time, declare, and the savings bank may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of capital stock.

ARTICLE X — CORPORATE SEAL

The board of directors shall approve a savings bank seal which shall be two concentric circles between which shall be the name of the savings bank. The year of incorporation or an emblem may appear in the center.

ARTICLE XI — AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended in a manner consistent with regulations of the OTS at any time by a majority of the full board of directors or by a majority vote of the votes cast by the stockholders of the savings bank at any legal meeting.


EXHIBIT 6

Section 321(b) Consent

Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust FSB hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.

 

    WILMINGTON TRUST FSB
Dated: October 1, 2010     By:   /s/ Joseph P. O’Donnell
    Name:   Joseph P. O’Donnell
    Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT 7

This form is intended to assist state nonmember banks and savings banks with state publication requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities for your state publication requirements.

REPORT OF CONDITION

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB   of     BALTIMORE    
Name of Bank               City

in the State of Maryland , at the close of business on June 30, 2010:

 

     Thousands of Dollars  

ASSETS

  

Cash, Deposits & Investment Securities:

   700,143   

Mortgage back Securities:

   1,183   

Mortgage Loans:

   548,963   

Non-Mortgage Loans:

   524,462   

Repossessed Assets:

   1,661   

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock:

   6,236   

Office Premises and Equipment:

   16,010   

Other Assets:

   163,794   

Total Assets:

   1,962,452   
     Thousands of Dollars  

LIABILITIES

  

Deposits

   1,395,302   

Escrows

   1,042   

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

   137,403   

Other Liabilities:

   171,487   

Total Liabilities

   1,705,234   
     Thousands of Dollars  

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Common Stock

   274,166   

Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Certain Securities

   84   

Retained Earnings

   (17,032

Other Components of Equity Capital

   0   

Total Equity Capital

   257,218   

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

   1,962,452   
EX-99.1 33 dex991.htm FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL Form of Letter of Transmittal

Exhibit 99.1

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

OFFERS TO EXCHANGE

$300,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015

AND $400,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE

2017, EACH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,

AS AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL OF THEIR OUTSTANDING UNREGISTERED 9 1/4% SENIOR

NOTES DUE 2015 AND 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017, RESPECTIVELY

 

THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 A.M. MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY

TIME, ON                     , 2010 (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”) UNLESS THE OFFER IS

EXTENDED. TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 12:00 A.M. MIDNIGHT,

NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                     , 2010.

The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offers is:

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB

 

By Registered or Certified Mail:    By Regular Mail:    By Overnight Courier or Hand Delivery:

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Address: Corporate Capital Markets

1100 North Market Street

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: Sam Hamed

Telephone: (302) 636-6181

  

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Address: Corporate Capital Markets

1100 North Market Street

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: Sam Hamed

Telephone: (302) 636-6181

  

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Address: Corporate Capital Markets

1100 North Market Street

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: Sam Hamed

Telephone: (302) 636-6181

   By Facsimile Transmission   
   (eligible institutions only):   
   (302) 636-4139   
   Telephone Inquiries:   
   (302) 636-6181   

DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

Holders of Outstanding Notes (as defined below) should complete this Letter of Transmittal either if Outstanding Notes are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of Outstanding Notes are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at the book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder pursuant to the procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offers—Book-Entry Delivery Procedures” and “The Exchange Offers—Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” in the Prospectus (as defined below) and an “Agent’s Message” (as defined below) is not delivered. If tender is being made by book-entry transfer, the holder must have an Agent’s Message delivered in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal.


Holders of Outstanding Notes whose certificates for such Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis must tender their Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offers—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “holder” for purposes of this Letter of Transmittal means any person in whose name Outstanding Notes are registered or any other person who has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder or any person whose Outstanding Notes are held of record by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated                     , 2010 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”) of Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC”), and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, the “Issuers”), and certain of the Issuers’ subsidiaries (each, a “Guarantor” and collectively, the “Guarantors”), and this Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which together constitute the Issuers’ offer (the “Exchange Offers”) to exchange up to $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Exchange Notes”) and up to $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for any and all of its outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Outstanding Notes”) and 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Outstanding Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Outstanding Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”). The Outstanding Notes are unconditionally guaranteed (the “Old Guarantees”) by the Guarantors and the Exchange Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “New Guarantees”) by the Guarantors. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, the Guarantors offer to issue the New Guarantees with respect to all Exchange Notes issued in the Exchange Offers in exchange for the Old Guarantees of the Outstanding Notes for which such Exchange Notes are issued in the Exchange Offers. Throughout this Letter of Transmittal, unless the context otherwise requires and whether so expressed or not, references to the “Exchange Offers” include the Guarantors’ offer to exchange the New Guarantees for the Old Guarantees, references to the “Exchange Notes” include the related New Guarantees and references to the “Outstanding Notes” include the related Old Guarantees.

For each Outstanding Note of any series of the Outstanding Notes accepted for exchange, the holder of such Outstanding Note will receive an Exchange Note of the corresponding series of the Exchange Notes having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Outstanding Note. The 2015 Senior Exchange Notes will accrue interest at a rate of 9 1/4% per annum payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 2017 Senior Exchange Notes will accrue interest at a rate of 8 1/4% per annum payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning given them in the Prospectus.

YOUR BANK OR BROKER CAN ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT, WHOSE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action that the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offers.

 

2


PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND THE PROSPECTUS

CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW.

 

 

List below the Outstanding Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and aggregate principal amounts of Outstanding Notes should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed hereto.

All Tendering Holders Complete Box 1:

 

Box 1*

Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered Herewith

 

Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered
Holder(s)
(Please fill in, if blank, exactly as name(s)
appear(s) on Certificate(s))
   Series of
Outstanding
Notes
   Certificate or
Registration
Number(s) of
Outstanding
Notes**
   Aggregate
Principal
Amount
Represented by
Outstanding
Notes
   Aggregate
Principal
Amount of
Outstanding
Notes Being
Tendered***
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
   
Total:              
         
                     

 

* If the space provided is inadequate, list the certificate numbers and principal amount of Outstanding Notes on a separate signed schedule and attach the list to this Letter of Transmittal.
** Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
*** The minimum permitted tender is $2,000 in principal amount. All tenders must be in the amount of $2,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Unless otherwise indicated in this column, the holder will be deemed to have tendered the full aggregate principal amount represented by such Outstanding Notes. See instruction 2.

 

Box 2

Book-Entry Transfer

 

  ¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

  Name of Tendering Institution: ________________________________________________________

  Account Number:  __________________________________________________________________

  Transaction Code Number:  ___________________________________________________________

Holders of Outstanding Notes that are tendering by book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC can execute the tender through DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program (“ATOP”), for which the transaction will be eligible. DTC participants that are accepting the Exchange Offers must transmit their acceptances to DTC, which will verify the acceptance and execute a book-entry delivery to the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC. DTC will then send a computer-generated message (an “Agent’s Message”) to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance in which the holder of the Outstanding Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of, and makes the representations and warranties contained in, this Letter of Transmittal, and the DTC

 

3


participant confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Outstanding Notes all provisions of this Letter of Transmittal (including any representations and warranties) applicable to it and such beneficial owner as fully as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and transmitted this Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent. Each DTC participant transmitting an acceptance of the Exchange Offers through the ATOP procedures will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal. Delivery of an Agent’s Message by DTC will satisfy the terms of the Exchange Offers as to execution and delivery of a Letter of Transmittal by the participant identified in the Agent’s Message. DTC participants may also accept the Exchange Offers by submitting a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery through ATOP.

 

Box 3

Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

(See Instruction 1 below)

 

  ¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

  Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): __________________________________________________________

  Window Ticket Number (if any): __________________________________________________________

  Name of Eligible Guarantor Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: ________________________________

  Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: __________________________________________

  IF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER:

  Name of Tendering Institution: ____________________________________________________________

  Account Number: _______________________________________________________________________

  Transaction Code Number: ________________________________________________________________

 

Box 4

Return of Non-Exchanged Outstanding Notes

Tendered by Book-Entry Transfer

 

  ¨ CHECK HERE IF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.

 

Box 5

Participating Broker-Dealer

 

  ¨ CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES AND WISH TO RECEIVE TEN (10) ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

  Name: _________________________________________________________

  Address: _______________________________________________________

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the

 

4


Securities Act in connection with any resale or transfer of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. A broker-dealer may not participate in the Exchange Offers with respect to Outstanding Notes acquired other than as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. Any broker-dealer who purchased Outstanding Notes from the Issuers to resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities Act.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

 

5


Ladies and Gentlemen:

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offers, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Issuers the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of all or any portion of the Outstanding Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers (including, if the Exchange Offers are extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Issuers all right, title and interest in and to such Outstanding Notes as are being tendered herewith.

The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent of the Issuers, in connection with the Exchange Offers) with respect to the tendered Outstanding Notes, with full power of substitution and resubstitution (such power of attorney being deemed an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to (1) deliver certificates representing such Outstanding Notes, or transfer ownership of such Outstanding Notes on the account books maintained by the book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes, together, in each such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Issuers, (2) present and deliver such Outstanding Notes for transfer on the books of the Issuers and (3) receive all benefits or otherwise exercise all rights and incidents of beneficial ownership of such Outstanding Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offers.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (a) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, (b) when such tendered Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange, the Issuers will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and (c) the Outstanding Notes tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies when accepted by the Issuers. The undersigned hereby further represents that any Exchange Notes acquired in exchange for Outstanding Notes tendered hereby will have been acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the undersigned, that neither the holder of such Outstanding Notes nor any such other person is engaged in or intends to engage in, nor has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, the distribution of such Exchange Notes, and that neither the holder of such Outstanding Notes nor any such other person is an “affiliate,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Issuers or any Guarantor. If the undersigned is a person in the United Kingdom, the undersigned represents that its ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business.

The undersigned also acknowledges that the Exchange Offers are being made based on the Issuers’ understanding of an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, including Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the SEC’s letter to Shearman & Sterling, dated July 2, 1993, or similar no-action letters, that the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by each holder thereof (other than a broker-dealer who acquires such Exchange Notes directly from the Issuers for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act or any such holder that is an “affiliate” of the Issuers or the Guarantors within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder’s business and such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of such Exchange Notes and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes. If a holder of the Outstanding Notes is an affiliate of the Issuers or the Guarantors, is not acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business, is engaged in or intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Notes or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be

 

6


acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offers, such holder (x) may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and (y) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale transaction. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive the Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for the Outstanding Notes, it represents that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale or transfer of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Issuers or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the tendered Outstanding Notes or transfer ownership of such Outstanding Notes on the account books maintained by the book-entry transfer facility. The undersigned further agrees that acceptance of any and all validly tendered Outstanding Notes by the Issuers and the issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Issuers of their obligations under the Registration Rights Agreements, dated as of December 23, 2009 and August 17, 2010, each among the Issuers, the guarantors listed therein, Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC (the “Registration Rights Agreements”), and that the Issuers shall have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder except as provided in Section 8 (indemnification) of such agreements. The undersigned will comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreements.

The Exchange Offers are subject to certain conditions as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offers—Conditions to the Exchange Offers.” The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Issuers), as more particularly set forth in the Prospectus, the Issuers may not be required to exchange any of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby and, in such event, the Outstanding Notes not exchanged will be returned to the undersigned at the address shown above, promptly following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offers. In addition, the Issuers may amend the Exchange Offers at any time prior to the Expiration Date if any of the conditions set forth under “The Exchange Offers—Conditions to the Exchange Offers” occur.

All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the undersigned. Tendered Outstanding Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the procedures set forth in the terms of this Letter of Transmittal.

Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Registration Instructions” below, please deliver the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing the Outstanding Notes for any Outstanding Notes not exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of the Outstanding Notes, please credit the account indicated above. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” below, please send the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing the Outstanding Notes for any Outstanding Notes not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown above in the box entitled “Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered Herewith.”

THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED “DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED HEREWITH” ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.

 

7


Box 6

SPECIAL REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 4 and 5)

To be completed ONLY if certificates for the Outstanding Notes not tendered and/or certificates for the Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.

 

Issue:    ¨        Outstanding Notes not tendered to:   
   ¨        Exchange Notes to:   
Name(s):        
      (Please Print or Type)   
Address:        
          
      (Include Zip Code)   
Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number.   
          
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number:   
          

 

Box 7

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 4 and 5)

To be completed ONLY if certificates for the Outstanding Notes not tendered and/or certificates for the Exchange Notes are to be sent in the name of someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.

 

Send:    ¨        Outstanding Notes not tendered to:   
   ¨        Exchange Notes to:   
Name(s):        
      (Please Print or Type)   
Address:        
          
      (Include Zip Code)   
Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number.   
          
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number:   
          

 

8


Box 8

TENDERING HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE

(Complete accompanying substitute form W-9)

Must be signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) of the Outstanding Notes exactly as their name(s) appear(s) on the Outstanding Notes hereby tendered or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by properly completed bond powers or endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth the full title of such person. See Instruction 4.

__________________________________________________________________________

(Signature(s) of Holder(s))

Date: _____________________________________________________________

Name(s): __________________________________________________

(Please Type or Print)

Capacity (full title): __________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________

(Including Zip Code)

Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number: ______________________________

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number: _________________________

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(If Required—See Instruction 4)

Authorized Signature:________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Title: _____________________________________________________________

Name of Firm: ______________________________________________________

Address of Firm: ____________________________________

 __________________________________________________

(Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number: _____________________________________

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number: ________________________

9


Box 9

PAYER’S NAME: THE BANK OF NEW YORK

Substitute

 

Form W-9

 

Department of the

Treasury Internal

Revenue Service

 

Payer’s Request for

Taxpayer

Identification Number

(TIN)

   Part 1—PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.     
      Name
       
      Social Security Number
      OR
       
      Employer Identification Number
       

Part 3—

Awaiting TIN    ¨

  

Part 2—Certification—UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT:

(1)    The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and

(2)    I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and

(3)    I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

 

  

 

CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONS—You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because of under-reporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out such item (2).

 

  

 

The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.

  

 

Sign Here:

   Signature                                                                                                                                               
     Date

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFERS. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

 

10


YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU

CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 3 OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

 I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 28% of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld and, if the Exchange Agent is not provided with a TIN within 60 days, such amounts will be paid over to the Internal Revenue Service.

Signature ______________________________                 Date ______________________________

11


GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number for the payee (You) to Give the Payer.—Social security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employee identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer. All “Section” references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. “IRS” is the Internal Revenue Service.

 

For this type of account:   

Give the

SOCIAL SECURITY

number of—

1.    Individual    The individual
2.    Two or more individuals (joint account)    The actual owner of the account or, if combined account fund, the first individual on the account1
3.    Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)    The minor2
4.   

a.      The usual revocable savings trust account (grantor is also trustee)

   The grantor-trustee1
  

b.      So-called trust that is not a legal or valid trust under state law

   The actual owner1
5.    Sole proprietorship    The owner3

 

For this type of account:   

Give the EMPLOYER

IDENTIFICATION number of

6.    Sole proprietorship    The owner3
7.    A valid trust, estate, or pension trust    The legal entity4
8.    Corporate    The corporation
9.    Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization account    The organization
10.    Partnership    The partnership
11.    A broker or registered nominee    The broker or nominee
12.    Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments    The public entity

 

1. List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that person’s number must be furnished.
2. Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s social security number.
3. You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or “doing business as” name. You may use either your social security number or your employer identification number (if you have one).
4. List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the taxpayer identification number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)

 

NOTE: IF NO NAME IS CIRCLED WHEN THERE IS MORE THAN ONE NAME, THE NUMBER WILL BE CONSIDERED TO BE THAT OF THE FIRST NAME LISTED.

 

12


GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Obtaining a Number

If you don’t have a taxpayer identification number or you don’t know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at the local Social Administration office, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM, and apply for a number.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding

Payees specifically exempted from withholding include:

 

   

An organization exempt from tax under Section 501(a), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7), if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2).

 

   

The United States or a state thereof, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision or wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing.

 

   

An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

   

A foreign government and any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof.

Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

 

   

A corporation.

 

   

A financial institution.

 

   

A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States.

 

   

A real estate investment trust.

 

   

A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a).

 

   

An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

   

A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.

 

   

A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

   

A foreign central bank of issue.

 

   

A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or described in Section 4947.

Payments of dividends and patronage dividends generally exempt from backup withholding include:

 

   

Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441.

 

   

Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and that have at least one nonresident alien partner.

 

   

Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.

 

   

Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

 

   

Section 404(k) payments made by an ESOP.

Payments of interest generally exempt from backup withholding include:

 

   

Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.

 

13


   

Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under Section 852).

 

   

Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.

 

   

Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451.

 

   

Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

 

   

Mortgage interest paid to you.

Certain payments, other than payments of interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that are exempt from information reporting are also exempt from backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under Sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N.

Exempt payees described above must file Form W-9 or a substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE “EXEMPT” IN PART 2 OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.

Privacy Act Notice.—Section 6109 requires you to provide your correct taxpayer identification number to payers, who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the number for identification purposes and may also provide this information to various government agencies for tax enforcement or litigation purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

Penalties

(1) Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.—If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(2) Civil Penalty for False Information with Respect to Withholding.—If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.—Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

 

14


INSTRUCTIONS

FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERS

General

Please do not send certificates for Outstanding Notes directly to the Issuers. Your certificates for Outstanding Notes, together with your signed and completed Letter of Transmittal and any required supporting documents, should be mailed or otherwise delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the first page hereof. The method of delivery of Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents is at your sole option and risk and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, or overnight or hand delivery service is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.

1. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. A holder of Outstanding Notes (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) may tender the same by (i) properly completing and signing this Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile hereof (all references in the Prospectus to the Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to include a facsimile thereof) and delivering the same, together with the certificate or certificates, if applicable, representing the Outstanding Notes being tendered and any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at its address set forth above on or prior to the Expiration Date, (ii) complying with the procedure for book-entry transfer described below or (iii) complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes and (i) whose Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot comply with the book-entry transfer procedures on a timely basis, must tender their Outstanding Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in “The Exchange Offers—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus and by completing Box 3. Holders may tender their Outstanding Notes if: (i) the tender is made by or through an Eligible Guarantor Institution (as defined below); (ii) the Exchange Agent receives (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), on or prior to the Expiration Date, a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery in the form provided with this Letter of Transmittal that (a) sets forth the name and address of the holder of Outstanding Notes, if applicable, the certificate number(s) of the Outstanding Notes to be tendered and the principal amount of Outstanding Notes tendered; (b) states that the tender is being made thereby; and (c) guarantees that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, together with the Outstanding Notes or a book-entry confirmation, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, will be deposited by the Eligible Guarantor Institution with the Exchange Agent; or (iii) the Exchange Agent receives a properly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal, or facsimile thereof and the certificate(s) representing all tendered Outstanding Notes in proper form or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of the Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at the appropriate book-entry transfer facility and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.

Any Holder who wishes to tender Outstanding Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating to such Outstanding Notes prior to the Expiration Date. Failure to complete the guaranteed delivery procedures outlined above will not, of itself, affect the validity or effect a revocation of any Letter of Transmittal form properly completed and executed by a holder who attempted to use the guaranteed delivery procedures.

No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be accepted. Each tendering holder, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of the Outstanding Notes for exchange.

 

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2. Partial Tenders; Withdrawals. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will be accepted only in the principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If less than the entire principal amount of Outstanding Notes evidenced by a submitted certificate is tendered, the tendering holder(s) must fill in the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes tendered in the column entitled “Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered Herewith” in Box 1 above. A newly issued certificate for the Outstanding Notes submitted but not tendered will be sent to such holder promptly after the Expiration Date, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal. All Outstanding Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered in full unless otherwise clearly indicated. Outstanding Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offers may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date, after which tenders of Outstanding Notes are irrevocable.

To be effective with respect to the tender of Outstanding Notes, a written notice of withdrawal (which may be by telegram, telex, facsimile or letter) must: (i) be received by the Exchange Agent at the address for the Exchange Agent set forth above before the Issuers notify the Exchange Agent that they have accepted the tender of Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers; (ii) specify the name of the person who tendered the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn; (iii) identify the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn (including the principal amount of such Outstanding Notes, or, if applicable, the certificate numbers shown on the particular certificates evidencing such Outstanding Notes and the principal amount of Outstanding Notes represented by such certificates); (iv) include a statement that such holder is withdrawing its election to have such Outstanding Notes exchanged; (v) specify the name in which any such Outstanding Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder; and (vi) be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on this Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature guarantee). The Exchange Agent will return the properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes promptly following receipt of notice of withdrawal. If Outstanding Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be credited with the withdrawn Outstanding Notes or otherwise comply with the book-entry transfer facility’s procedures. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility of notices of withdrawals, including time of receipt, will be determined by the Issuers, and such determination will be final and binding on all parties.

Any Outstanding Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offers. Any Outstanding Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder (or, in the case of Outstanding Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent’s account at the book entry transfer facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described above, such Outstanding Notes will be credited to an account with such book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder) promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offers. Properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described under the caption “The Exchange Offers—Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” in the Prospectus at any time prior to the Expiration Date.

Neither the Issuers, any affiliate or assigns of either Issuer, the Exchange Agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give such notification (even if such notice is given to other persons).

3. Beneficial Owner Instructions. Only a holder of Outstanding Notes (i.e., a person in whose name Outstanding Notes are registered on the books of the registrar or, or, in the case of Outstanding Notes held through book-entry, such book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder), or the legal representative or attorney-in-fact of a holder, may execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal. Any beneficial owner of Outstanding Notes who wishes to accept the Exchange Offers must arrange promptly for the appropriate holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his or her behalf through the execution and delivery to the appropriate holder of the “Instructions to Registered Holder from Beneficial Owner” form accompanying this Letter of Transmittal.

 

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4. Signature on this Letter of Transmittal; Written Instruments and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates (or on such security listing) without alteration, addition, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

If any of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

If a number of Outstanding Notes registered in different names are tendered, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of Outstanding Notes.

When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Outstanding Notes (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are required. If, however, this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes listed or the Exchange Notes are to be issued, or any untendered Outstanding Notes are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes, such Outstanding Notes must be endorsed or accompanied by separate written instruments of transfer or exchange in form satisfactory to the Issuers and duly executed by the registered holder, in each case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Outstanding Notes and the signatures on such certificates must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal, any certificates or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Issuers, submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuers, in their sole discretion, of such persons’ authority to so act.

Endorsements on certificates for the Outstanding Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 4 must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or another “eligible guarantor institution” within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (an “Eligible Guarantor Institution”).

Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution, unless Outstanding Notes are tendered: (i) by a registered holder (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include the book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on a security listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) who has not completed the box entitled “Special Registration Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal; or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Guarantor Institution.

5. Special Registration and Delivery Instructions. Tendering holders should indicate, in the applicable Box 6 or Box 7, the name and address in/to which the Exchange Notes and/or certificates for Outstanding Notes not exchanged are to be issued or sent, if different from the name(s) and address(es) of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the tax identification number or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. A holder tendering the Outstanding Notes by book-entry transfer may request that the Outstanding Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the book-entry transfer facility as such holder may designate. See Box 4.

 

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If no such instructions are given, the Exchange Notes (and any Outstanding Notes not tendered or not accepted) will be issued in the name of and sent to the holder signing this Letter of Transmittal or deposited into such holder’s account at the applicable book-entry transfer facility.

6. Transfer Taxes. The Issuers shall pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer and exchange of the Outstanding Notes to them or their order pursuant to the Exchange Offers. If, however, the Exchange Notes are delivered to or issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the transfer and exchange of Outstanding Notes to the Issuers or their order pursuant to the Exchange Offers, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.

Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Outstanding Notes listed in this Letter of Transmittal.

7. Waiver of Conditions. The Issuers reserve the absolute right to waive, in whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offers set forth in the Prospectus.

8. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Securities. Any holder whose Outstanding Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, should promptly contact the Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the first page hereof for further instructions. The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen certificate(s) have been completed.

9. No Conditional Tenders; No Notice of Irregularities. No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Outstanding Notes for exchange. The Issuers reserve the right, in their reasonable judgment, to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Outstanding Notes. The Issuers’ interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Notes must be cured within such time as the Issuers shall determine. Although the Issuers intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes, neither the Issuers, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give such notice nor shall they incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holder promptly following the Expiration Date.

10. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number set forth on the first page hereof.

IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE OR COPY THEREOF (TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATES OF OUTSTANDING NOTES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.

 

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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

Under U.S. federal income tax law, a tendering holder whose Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder provides the Exchange Agent with either (i) such holder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) on the Substitute Form W-9 attached hereto, certifying (A) that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such holder of Outstanding Notes is awaiting a TIN), (B) that the holder of Outstanding Notes is not subject to backup withholding because (x) such holder of Outstanding Notes is exempt from backup withholding, (y) such holder of Outstanding Notes has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (z) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the holder of Outstanding Notes that he or she is no longer subject to backup withholding and (C) that the holder of Outstanding Notes is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien); or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such holder of Outstanding Notes is an individual, the TIN is such holder’s social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the holder of Outstanding Notes may also be subject to certain penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and any payments that are made to such holder may be subject to backup withholding (see below).

Certain holders of Outstanding Notes (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. However, exempt holders of Outstanding Notes should indicate their exempt status on the Substitute Form W-9. For example, a corporation should complete the Substitute Form W-9, providing its TIN and indicating that it is exempt from backup withholding. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, the holder must submit a Form W-8BEN, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual’s exempt status. A Form W-8BEN can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. See the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9” for more instructions. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements.

If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold 28% of any payments made to the holder of Outstanding Notes or other payee. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, provided the required information is furnished. The Exchange Agent cannot refund amounts withheld by reason of backup withholding.

A holder who does not have a TIN may check the box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 if the surrendering holder of Outstanding Notes has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the holder of Outstanding Notes or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding. Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Paying Agent will withhold 28% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is provided to the Paying Agent and, if the Paying Agent is not provided with a TIN within 60 days, such amounts will be paid over to the Internal Revenue Service. The holder of Outstanding Notes is required to give the Paying Agent the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the Outstanding Notes. If the Outstanding Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9” for additional guidance on which number to report.

 

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EX-99.2 34 dex992.htm FORM OF LETTER TO BROKERS, DEALERS Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers

Exhibit 99.2

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

OFFERS TO EXCHANGE

$300,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015

AND $400,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE

2017, EACH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS

AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL OF THEIR OUTSTANDING 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015

AND 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017, RESPECTIVELY

                    , 2010

To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,

        Trust Companies and other Nominees:

As described in the enclosed Prospectus, dated                     , 2010 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”), and Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC”) and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, the “Issuers”) and certain subsidiaries of the Issuers (the “Guarantors”), are offering to exchange (the “Exchange Offers”) an aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 of their 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Exchange Notes”) and $400,000,000 of their 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”), each of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for any and all of their outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Outstanding Notes”) and 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Outstanding Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Outstanding Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”) in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal. The terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects (including principal amount, interest rate and maturity) to the terms of the Outstanding Notes for which they may be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offers, except that the Exchange Notes are freely transferable by holders thereof. The Outstanding Notes are unconditionally guaranteed (the “Old Guarantees”) by the Guarantors, and the Exchange Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “New Guarantees”) by the Guarantors. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, the Guarantors offer to issue the New Guarantees with respect to all Exchange Notes issued in the Exchange Offers in exchange for the Old Guarantees of the Outstanding Notes for which such Exchange Notes are issued in the Exchange Offers. Throughout this letter, unless the context otherwise requires and whether so expressed or not, references to the “Exchange Offers” include the Guarantors’ offer to exchange the New Guarantees for the Old Guarantees, references to the “Exchange Notes” include the related New Guarantees and references to the “Outstanding Notes” include the related Old Guarantees. The Issuers will accept for exchange any and all Outstanding Notes properly tendered according to the terms of the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. Consummation of the Exchange Offers is subject to certain conditions described in the Prospectus.

WE URGE YOU TO PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS FOR WHOM YOU HOLD OUTSTANDING NOTES REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME OR IN THE NAME OF YOUR NOMINEE. PLEASE BRING THE EXCHANGE OFFERS TO THEIR ATTENTION AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.

Enclosed are copies of the following documents:

 

  1. The Prospectus;


  2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use in connection with the tender of Outstanding Notes and for the information of your clients, including a Substitute Form W-9 and Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 (providing information relating to U.S. federal income tax backup withholding);

 

  3. A form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery; and

 

  4. A form of letter, including a letter of instructions to a registered holder from a beneficial owner, which you may use to correspond with your clients for whose accounts you hold Outstanding Notes that are registered in your name or the name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients’ instructions regarding the Exchange Offers.

Your prompt action is requested. Please note that the Exchange Offers will expire at 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on                     , 2010 (the “Expiration Date”), unless the Issuers otherwise extend the Exchange Offers.

To participate in the Exchange Offers, certificates for Outstanding Notes, together with a duly executed and properly completed Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, or a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Outstanding Notes into the account of Wilmington Trust FSB (the “Exchange Agent”), at the book-entry transfer facility, with any required signature guarantees, and any other required documents, must be received by the Exchange Agent by the Expiration Date as indicated in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal.

The Issuers will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or to any other persons (other than the Exchange Agent) in connection with the solicitation of tenders of the Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers. However, the Issuers will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the tender of the Outstanding Notes to it or its order, except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal.

If holders of the Outstanding Notes wish to tender, but it is impracticable for them to forward their Outstanding Notes prior to the Expiration Date or to comply with the book-entry transfer procedures on a timely basis, a tender may be effected by following the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus and in the Letter of Transmittal.

Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Exchange Offers should be addressed to the Exchange Agent at its address and telephone number set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained from the Exchange Agent.

 

Very truly yours,

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE ISSUERS OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENTS ON BEHALF OF EITHER OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFERS, OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS EXPRESSLY CONTAINED THEREIN.

 

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EX-99.3 35 dex993.htm FORM OF LETTER TO CLIENTS Form of Letter to Clients

Exhibit 99.3

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

OFFER TO EXCHANGE

$300,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES

DUE 2015 AND $400,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 8 1/4%

SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017, EACH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS

OUTSTANDING 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015 AND 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE

2017, RESPECTIVELY

                    , 2010

To Our Clients:

Enclosed for your consideration are a Prospectus, dated                     , 2010 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”), and a Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), relating to the offer (the “Exchange Offers”) by Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC”) and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, the “Issuers”) and certain subsidiaries of the Issuers (the “Guarantors”), to exchange (the “Exchange Offers”) an aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 of their 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Exchange Notes”) and $400,000,000 of their 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”), each of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for any and all of their outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Outstanding Notes”) and 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Outstanding Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Outstanding Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”) in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal. The terms of the Exchange Notes are identical in all material respects (including principal amount, interest rate and maturity) to the terms of the Outstanding Notes for which they may be exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offers, except that the Exchange Notes are freely transferable by holders thereof, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the enclosed Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal. The Outstanding Notes are unconditionally guaranteed (the “Old Guarantees”) by the Guarantors, and the Exchange Notes are unconditionally guaranteed (the “New Guarantees”) by the Guarantors. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, the Guarantors offer to issue the New Guarantees with respect to all Exchange Notes issued in the Exchange Offers in exchange for the Old Guarantees of the Outstanding Notes for which such Exchange Notes are issued in the Exchange Offers. Throughout this letter, unless the context otherwise requires and whether so expressed or not, references to the “Exchange Offers” include the Guarantors’ offer to exchange the New Guarantees for the Old Guarantees, references to the “Exchange Notes” include the related New Guarantees and references to the “Outstanding Notes” include the related Old Guarantees. The Issuers will accept for exchange any and all Outstanding Notes properly tendered according to the terms of the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. Consummation of the Exchange Offers is subject to certain conditions described in the Prospectus.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXCHANGE OFFERS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 A.M. MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON                     , 2010 (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”), UNLESS THE ISSUERS EXTEND THE EXCHANGE OFFERS.

The enclosed materials are being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of the Outstanding Notes held by us for your account but not registered in your name. A tender of such Outstanding Notes may only be made by us as the registered holder and pursuant to your instructions. Therefore, the Issuers urge beneficial owners of


Outstanding Notes registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to contact such registered holder promptly if such beneficial owners wish to tender their Outstanding Notes in the Exchange Offers.

Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish to tender any or all such Outstanding Notes held by us for your account, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal. If you wish to have us tender any or all of your Outstanding Notes, please so instruct us by completing, signing and returning to us the “Instructions to Registered Holder from Beneficial Owner” form that appears below. We urge you to read the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal carefully before instructing us as to whether or not to tender your Outstanding Notes.

The accompanying Letter of Transmittal is furnished to you for your information only and may not be used by you to tender Outstanding Notes held by us and registered in our name for your account or benefit.

If we do not receive written instructions in accordance with the below and the procedures presented in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, we will not tender any of the Outstanding Notes on your account.

 

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INSTRUCTIONS TO REGISTERED HOLDER FROM BENEFICIAL OWNER

The undersigned beneficial owner acknowledges receipt of your letter and the accompanying Prospectus dated                     , 2010 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”), and a Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), relating to the offer (the “Exchange Offers”) by Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC”) and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, the “Issuers”) and certain subsidiaries of the Issuers (the “Guarantors”) to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $300,000,000 of their 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Exchange Notes”) and $400,000,000 of their 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”), each of which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for any and all of their outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Senior Outstanding Notes”) and 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Senior Outstanding Notes” and, together with the 2015 Senior Outstanding Notes, the “Outstanding Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

This will instruct you, the registered holder, to tender the principal amount of the Outstanding Notes indicated below held by you for the account of the undersigned, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal.

 

Principal Amount Held for Account Holder(s)   Principal Amount to be Tendered*
     
     
     
     
     

 

* Unless otherwise indicated, the entire principal amount held for the account of the undersigned will be tendered.

If the undersigned instructs you to tender the Outstanding Notes held by you for the account of the undersigned, it is understood that you are authorized (a) to make, on behalf of the undersigned (and the undersigned, by its signature below, hereby makes to you), the representations and warranties contained in the Letter of Transmittal that are to be made with respect to the undersigned as a beneficial owner of the Outstanding Notes, including but not limited to the representations that the undersigned (i) is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Issuers or the Guarantors, (ii) is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of Exchange Notes, (iii) is acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business and (iv) is not a broker-dealer tendering Outstanding Notes acquired for its own account directly from the Issuers. If a holder of the Outstanding Notes is an affiliate of the Issuers or the Guarantors, is not acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business, is engaged in or intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Notes or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offers, such holder may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to exemptions from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act and must comply with such requirements in connection with any secondary resale transaction.

 

3


SIGN HERE
 

Dated: ______________________________________________

 

Signature(s): _____________________________________________________

 

Print Name(s): ______________________________________________________________

 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________

 

__________________________________________________________________________

        (Please include Zip Code)

 

Telephone Number ___________________________________________________________

(Please include Area Code)

 

Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number: _______________________________

 

My Account Number With You: _________________________________________________

 

 

4

EX-99.4 36 dex994.htm FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

Exhibit 99.4

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE LLC

PINNACLE FOODS FINANCE CORP.

NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

OFFERS TO EXCHANGE

$300,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015

AND $400,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THEIR 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE

2017, EACH OF WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS

AMENDED, FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015 AND 8 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2017, RESPECTIVELY

This form, or one substantially equivalent hereto, must be used to accept the Exchange Offers made by Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC”), and Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, the “Issuers”), and the Guarantors, pursuant to the Prospectus, dated                     , 2010 (the “Prospectus”), and the enclosed Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), if the certificates for the Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or if the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or time will not permit all required documents to reach the Exchange Agent prior to 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offers. Such form may be delivered or transmitted by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery to Wilmington Trust FSB (the “Exchange Agent”) as set forth below. In addition, in order to utilize the guaranteed delivery procedure to tender the Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers, a completed, signed and dated Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) must also be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 12:00 a.m. midnight, New York City time, on the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offers. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Letter of Transmittal.

The Exchange Agent is:

WILMINGTON TRUST FSB

 

By Registered or Certified Mail:    By Regular Mail:    By Overnight Courier or Hand Delivery:

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Address: Corporate Capital Markets

1100 North Market Street

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: Sam Hamed

Telephone: (302) 636-6181

  

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Address: Corporate Capital Markets

1100 North Market Street

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: Sam Hamed

Telephone: (302) 636-6181

  

Wilmington Trust FSB

c/o Wilmington Trust Company

Address: Corporate Capital Markets

1100 North Market Street

Rodney Square North

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: Sam Hamed

Telephone: (302) 636-6181

   By Facsimile Transmission   
   (eligible institutions only):   
   (302) 636-4139   
   Telephone Inquiries:   
   (302) 636-6181   

DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.


This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution (as defined in the Prospectus), such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space in Box 8 provided on the Letter of Transmittal for Guarantee of Signatures.

 

2


Ladies and Gentlemen:

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Issuers the principal amount of Outstanding Notes indicated below, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in “The Exchange Offers—Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” section of the Prospectus.

 

Certificate Number(s) (if known) of Outstanding Notes or

Account Number at Book-Entry Transfer Facility

   Aggregate Principal
Amount
Represented by
Outstanding Notes
   Aggregate Principal Amount of
Outstanding Notes Being
Tendered
           
           
           
           
           

 

PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN

____________________________________________

(Signature(s) of Record Holder(s))

____________________________________________

(Please Type or Print Name(s) of Record Holder(s))

Dated:______________________

  Address: ____________________________________________________________

(Zip Code)

____________________________________________

(Daytime Area Code and Telephone No.)

 

  ¨ Check this Box if the Outstanding Notes will be delivered by book-entry transfer to The Depository Trust Company.

  Account Number:

3


THE ACCOMPANYING GUARANTEE MUST BE COMPLETED.

 

GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY

(Not to be used for signature guarantee)

The undersigned, a member of a recognized signature medallion program or an “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), hereby (a) represents that the above person(s) “own(s)” the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4(b)(2) under the Exchange Act, (b) represents that the tender of those Outstanding Notes complies with Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act and (c) guarantees to deliver to the Exchange Agent, at its address set forth in the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates representing all tendered Outstanding Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation (a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of the Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal within three (3) New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.

Name of Firm: _______________________________________________________
(Authorized Signature)
Address: ____________________________________________________________
                                                                 (Zip Code)
Area Code and Tel. No.: ________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________________________________
(Please Type or Print)
Title: ________________________________________________________________
Dated: ___________________

NOTE:    DO NOT SEND OUTSTANDING NOTES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY. OUTSTANDING NOTES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

4


INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

 

1. Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

A properly completed and duly executed copy of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and any other documents required by this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth on the cover page hereof prior to the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offers. The method of delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and any other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the holders and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the holders use an overnight or hand delivery service, properly insured. If such delivery is by mail, it is recommended that the holders use properly insured, registered mail with return receipt requested. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery. For a description of the guaranteed delivery procedure, see Instruction 1 of the Letter of Transmittal. No notice of Guaranteed Delivery should be sent to the Issuers.

 

2. Signatures on this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

If this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes referred to herein, the signatures must correspond with the name(s) written on the face of the Outstanding Notes without alteration, addition, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of any Outstanding Notes listed, this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed as the name of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Outstanding Notes without alteration, addition, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Issuers, evidence satisfactory to the Issuers of their authority so to act must be submitted with this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

 

3. Questions and Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.

Questions and requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the cover hereof. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offers.

 

5

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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----