0001104659-15-012177.txt : 20150219 0001104659-15-012177.hdr.sgml : 20150219 20150219172413 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-15-012177 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20150219 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20150219 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20150219 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BALL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000009389 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: METAL CANS [3411] IRS NUMBER: 350160610 STATE OF INCORPORATION: IN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07349 FILM NUMBER: 15632743 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10 LONGS PEAK DRIVE CITY: BROOMFIELD STATE: CO ZIP: 80021-2510 BUSINESS PHONE: 3034695511 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: PO BOX 5000 CITY: BROOMFIELD STATE: CO ZIP: 80038-5000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: BALL BROTHERS CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19731115 8-K 1 a15-4962_18k.htm 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 19, 2015

 


 

BALL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Indiana

 

001-07349

 

35-0160610

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000

Broomfield, Colorado

 

80021-2510

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 469-3131

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

x     Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.      Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On February 19, 2015, Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Ball”), issued an announcement (the “Rule 2.7 Announcement”) pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers disclosing the terms of a recommended offer (the “Offer”) by Ball to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Rexam PLC, a public limited company registered in England and Wales (“Rexam”), in a cash and stock transaction (the “Acquisition”). In connection with the Acquisition, (i) Ball, Ball UK Acquisition Limited, a private limited company registered in England and Wales, and wholly owned subsidiary of Ball (“Bidco”), and Rexam entered into a Co-operation Agreement (the “Co-operation Agreement”), (ii) Ball, certain financial institutions party thereto as lenders (the “Revolver Lenders”) and initial facing agents, and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as lender and administrative agent and collateral agent for the Revolver Lenders, entered into a credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Revolver Lenders committed to provide a $3 billion multicurrency revolving credit facility for the benefit of Ball and certain of its subsidiaries with a maturity date of February 19, 2018 and (iii) Ball, certain financial institutions party thereto as lenders (the “Bridge Lenders”), and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as lender and administrative agent for the Bridge Lenders, entered into a bridge loan agreement (the “Bridge Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Bridge Lenders agreed to provide a £3.3 billion bridge term loan facility for the benefit of Ball and certain of its subsidiaries.

 

Rule 2.7 Announcement

 

On February 19, 2015, Ball issued the Rule 2.7 Announcement disclosing the terms of the Offer. For each Rexam share, Rexam holders will receive 407p in cash and 0.04568 new shares of Ball common stock, without par value, by means of a court sanctioned scheme of arrangement (the “Scheme”) between Rexam and Rexam shareholders under the UK Companies Act of 2006, as amended (the “Companies Act”).  The transaction values each Rexam share at 610p based on Ball’s 90-day volume weighted average price as of February 17, 2015, and an exchange rate of US $1.54: £1 on that date representing an equity value for Rexam of £4.3 billion ($6.6 billion).

 

The Acquisition will be conditioned upon, among other things, (i) approval of the issuance of shares of Ball common stock to the shareholders of Rexam in connection with the Offer by the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Ball’s common stock present at a shareholder meeting, (ii) approval of the Scheme by the holders of at least a majority in number representing at least 75% of the issued share capital of Rexam present at a shareholder meeting and approval of related resolutions by at least a 75% majority of the issued share capital of Rexam present at a further shareholder meeting (excluding shares held by Ball, if any) and the sanction of the High Court of England and Wales, (iii) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, as well as the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the antitrust laws of other jurisdictions in which the parties agree that an antitrust filing should be made, including the European Union and Brazil, and associated approvals and clearances and (iv) the absence of a material adverse effect on Rexam and certain other actions related to Rexam as described in the Rule 2.7 Announcement. The conditions to the Acquisition are set out in full in the Rule 2.7 Announcement. It is expected that, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all relevant conditions, the Acquisition will be completed in 2016.

 

Ball reserves the right, subject to the prior consent of the U.K. Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Panel”) and the Co-operation Agreement, to elect to implement the Acquisition by way of a takeover offer (as such term is defined in the Companies Act).

 

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Co-operation Agreement

 

On February 19, 2015, Rexam, Ball and Bidco entered into the Co-operation Agreement pursuant to which Ball agreed to determine the strategy for obtaining the regulatory and other clearances necessary for, and satisfying the regulatory pre-condition and conditions to, the Acquisition (the “Clearances”) and lead the correspondence with regulatory authorities.

 

Rexam agreed to provide Ball with such information and assistance as Ball may reasonably require for the purposes of obtaining all Clearances and making any submission, filing or notification to any regulatory authority.

 

Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement, Ball is required to take all steps necessary in order to satisfy the regulatory pre-condition to the Acquisition and obtain the other Clearances as promptly as practicable, including by making divestments, unless doing so would, in relation to the merger control proceedings in the E.U. and the United States (but not elsewhere in the world), give rise to divestitures (excluding enhancements or reconfigurations) of cans production facilities or, with respect to ends, production assets, which in aggregate generated revenue in excess of US$1,580,000,000 (based on European Central Bank average exchange rate for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014) during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Ball has also undertaken to Rexam that it will not, without prior written consent of Rexam, invoke conditions related to the Brazilian regulatory clearance.

 

Ball has the right to terminate the Co-operation Agreement if the Rexam board of directors withdraw or qualify their recommendation of the Scheme (or the Offer as the case may be), a competing proposal is recommended by the Rexam board of directors or implemented or a condition to the Acquisition (other than certain specified conditions set forth in the Co-operation Agreement ) has not been (or becomes incapable of being) satisfied or waived with the permission of the Panel. The Co-operation Agreement can be terminated by either Ball or Rexam if the Scheme (or the Offer as the case may be) is withdrawn or lapses with the permission of the Panel (other than as a result of certain specified conditions set forth in the Co-operation Agreement not being satisfied or waived), August 19, 2016, or such later date as agreed by Ball and Rexam, has passed (the “Long Stop Date”) or a Break Payment Event (as defined below) occurs.

 

By way of compensation for any loss suffered by Rexam in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Offer, the Co-operation Agreement and any other document relating to the Acquisition, Ball agreed in the Co-operation Agreement that, subject to certain limited circumstances, on the occurrence of a Break Payment Event (as defined below) Ball will pay to Rexam an amount in cash in pounds as follows:

 

(a)                                  £302 million, in the event that on or prior to the Long Stop Date (i) the pre-conditions or any regulatory condition shall not have been satisfied or waived by Ball or Bidco, (ii) Ball or Bidco invoke and are permitted by the Panel to invoke the pre-conditions or any regulatory condition; or (iii) the Ball board of directors has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation in favor of the Offer citing as a reason any divestitures (or enhancement or reconfigurations) requested by a competent authority in order for the pre-conditions or any regulatory condition to be satisfied;

 

(b)                                 £129 million, in the event that on or prior to the date falling 180 days after the date of the Rule 2.7 Announcement either (i) the Ball board of directors has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation in favor of the resolutions to approve the issuance of Ball common stock in connection with the Acquisition at a Ball shareholders’ meeting (citing a reason other than the reason referred to in (a)(iii) above) and such issuance has not been approved; or (ii) the Ball shareholders’ meeting referred to in (i) has not occurred; or

 

(c)                                  £43 million, in the event that on or prior to the date falling 180 days after the date of the Announcement both (i) the Ball board of directors has not withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation in favor

 

3



 

of the resolutions to approve the issuance of Ball common stock in connection with the Acquisition at a Ball shareholders’ meeting and (ii) the Ball shareholders have not approved such issuance;

 

each a “Break Payment Event.”

 

Further information relating to the Co-operation Agreement is contained in the Rule 2.7 Announcement.

 

Revolving Credit Agreement and Bridge Loan Agreement

 

On February 19, 2015, Ball, the Revolver Lenders, and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as lender and administrative agent and collateral agent for the Revolver Lenders, entered into the Revolving Credit Agreement, pursuant to which, subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Revolver Lenders committed to provide a $3 billion multicurrency revolving credit facility for the benefit of Ball and certain of its subsidiaries with a maturity date of February 19, 2018.

 

The Revolving Credit Agreement refinances and replaces that certain amended and restated credit agreement, dated as of June 13, 2013 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among Ball, certain subsidiaries of Ball as borrowers and guarantors, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto as lenders.

 

Ball will use borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement to repay any existing indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, to redeem all $500 million principal amount of its outstanding 6.75% senior notes due 2020 and all $500 million principal amount of its outstanding 5.75% senior notes due 2021 and for ongoing working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at Ball’s option, (i) the 1, 2, 3 or 6 month, or, subject to availability, 12 month LIBOR rate plus a margin or (ii) a base rate plus a margin. The margin added to LIBOR or the base rate will depend on Ball’s leverage ratio from time to time.

 

The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and covenants for a transaction of this type, including, among other things, covenants that restrict the ability of Ball and its subsidiaries to incur certain additional indebtedness, create or prevent certain liens on assets, engage in certain mergers or consolidations, engage in asset dispositions, declare or pay dividends and make equity redemptions or restrict the ability of its subsidiaries to do so, make loans and investments, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into sale-leaseback transactions or make voluntary payments, amendments or modifications to subordinate or junior indebtedness. The Revolving Credit Agreement also requires Ball to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 4.00 to 1.00 prior to the Acquisition and 5.50 to 1.00 on and after the Acquisition.

 

If an event of default under the Revolving Credit Agreement occurs, the commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding thereunder, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owed thereunder, may be declared immediately due and payable.

 

The multicurrency revolving facility and any interest rate or other hedging arrangements entered into with any of the Revolver Lenders or their affiliates are obligations of Ball and guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of Ball’s present and future material domestic subsidiaries, with certain exceptions in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement. All obligations thereunder are secured, with certain exceptions, by a valid first priority perfected lien or pledge on (i) 100% of the stock of each of Ball’s present and future direct and indirect material domestic subsidiaries and (ii) 65% of the stock of each of Ball’s present and future material first-tier foreign subsidiaries.

 

In addition, on February 19, 2015, Ball, the Bridge Lenders, and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as lender and administrative agent for the Bridge Lenders, entered into the Bridge Loan Agreement, pursuant to which,

 

4



 

subject to the conditions set forth therein, the Bridge Lenders agreed to provide a £3.3 billion bridge term loan facility for the benefit of Ball and certain of its subsidiaries.

 

Pursuant to the Bridge Loan Agreement, bridge term loans thereunder mature on the first anniversary of the initial funding under the Bridge Loan Agreement, which will not occur until the closing of the Acquisition. If the bridge term loans are not repaid on the maturity date (the “Rollover Date”), such bridge term loans will be automatically converted into rollover loans which mature on the seventh anniversary of the Rollover Date. At any time after the Rollover Date, Bridge Lenders may elect to exchange rollover loans for exchange notes of Ball which shall bear interest at 7.0% per annum and will have terms, including guarantees, covenants and events of default, substantially similar to those contained in Ball’s outstanding senior notes due 2023.

 

In addition, at any time following the 60th day after the initial funding under the Bridge Loan Agreement, Bridge Lenders holding a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the bridge term loans then outstanding may issue a securities demand pursuant to which Ball will be required to issue exchange securities in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of outstanding bridge term loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement. Such exchange securities shall bear interest at 7.0% per annum and will have terms, including guarantees, covenants and events of default, substantially similar to those contained in Ball’s outstanding senior notes due 2023.

 

Ball will use the proceeds from the Bridge Loan Agreement to pay the cash consideration of the Acquisition and any related transaction fees and expenses in connection with the consummation of the foregoing. The bridge term loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) 1.00% per annum and (y) at Ball’s option, the 1, 2, 3 or 6 month, or, subject to availability, 12 month LIBOR rate, in each case, plus a margin. The margin will initially be 3.5% per annum, and shall increase by 0.50% per annum each 3 months that any bridge term loans are outstanding, provided that the interest rate on bridge term loans shall not exceed 7.0% per annum. The rollover loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 7.0%.

 

The Bridge Loan Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and covenants for a transaction of this type, including, among other things, covenants that restrict the ability of Ball and its subsidiaries to incur certain additional indebtedness, create or prevent certain liens on assets, engage in certain mergers or consolidations, engage in asset dispositions, declare or pay dividends and make equity redemptions or restrict the ability of its subsidiaries to do so, make loans and investments, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into sale-leaseback transactions or make voluntary payments, amendments or modifications to subordinate or junior indebtedness. Certain of the covenants only apply while any bridge term loans are outstanding. If the bridge term loans are converted to rollover loans, the mandatory prepayment provisions, covenants and events of default under the Bridge Loan Agreement will be amended to reflect substantially the terms of Ball’s outstanding senior notes due 2023. If any rollover loans are exchanged for exchange notes, the exchange notes will have a make-whole premium, guarantees, covenants and events of default substantially similar to those contained in Ball’s outstanding senior notes due 2023.

 

Borrowings under the Bridge Loan Agreement will be subject to customary “certain funds” provisions consistent with the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Such provisions apply until the date that is the earlier of (i) August 19, 2016 or (ii) the date on which the scheme or offer under the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers with respect to the Acquisition has lapsed or been terminated or withdrawn (the “Certain Funds Period”).

 

During the Certain Funds Period, if certain material events of default under the Bridge Loan Agreement occur, the commitments under the Bridge Loan Agreement may be terminated and the principal amount outstanding thereunder, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owed thereunder, may be declared immediately due and payable.

 

The bridge term loans and rollover loans under the Bridge Loan Agreement are guaranteed, jointly and severally by all of Ball’s present and future material domestic subsidiaries, with certain exceptions in accordance with the terms of the Bridge Loan Agreement.

 

5



 

Each Revolver Lender and each Bridge Lender and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking, investment banking or financial advisory transactions with Ball and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, including as underwriters in connection with certain outstanding debt securities of Ball.  Such Revolving Lenders, Bridge Lenders and their affiliates have received customary compensation and expenses for these commercial banking, investment banking or financial advisory transactions.

 

Each Revolver Lender and each Bridge Lender or their affiliates are lenders under Ball’s Existing Credit Agreement.  Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch is administrative agent and as collateral agent under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

The foregoing summaries of the Acquisition, the Rule 2.7 Announcement, the Co-operation Agreement, the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Bridge Loan Agreement and the Acquisition contemplated thereby do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full text of the Rule 2.7 Announcement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, the full text of the Co-operation Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, the full text of the Revolving Credit Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the full text of the Bridge Loan Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and each of these exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

On February 19, 2015, Ball entered into the Revolving Credit Agreement as described under Item 1.01 above. The description of the Revolving Credit Agreement set forth in Item 1.01 above is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

On February 19, 2015, Ball entered into the Bridge Loan Agreement as described under Item 1.01 above. The description of the Bridge Loan Agreement set forth in Item 1.01 above is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

On February 19, 2015, Ball issued a press release announcing the terms of a recommended offer by Ball to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Rexam in a cash and stock transaction. The press release, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

6



 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Rule 2.7 Announcement, dated February 19, 2015.

 

 

 

2.2

 

Co-operation Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015, by and among Ball Corporation, Ball UK Acquisition Limited and Rexam PLC.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015, among Ball Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch and certain financial institutions party thereto as lenders and initial facing agents.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015, among Ball Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch and certain financial institutions party thereto as lenders.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated February 19, 2015.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of Rexam PLC (“Rexam”) by Ball Corporation (“Ball”), including the issuance of shares of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. In connection with the foregoing proposed issuance of Ball common stock, Ball expects to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). To the extent Ball effects the acquisition of Rexam as a Scheme under English law, the issuance of Ball common stock in the acquisition would not be expected to require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to an exemption provided by Section 3(a)(10) under the Act.  In the event that Ball determines to conduct the acquisition pursuant to an offer or otherwise in a manner that is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Act, it will file a registration statement with the SEC containing a prospectus with respect to the Ball common stock that would be issued in the acquisition. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BALL ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION THAT BALL WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BALL, THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF BALL COMMON STOCK, AND THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. The preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement, the registration statement/prospectus, in each case as applicable, and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed issuance of Ball common stock and the acquisition (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Ball with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC at Ball’s website, www.ball.com, or by contacting our Investor Relations department in writing at 10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000, Broomfield, CO 80021.

 

Ball and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Ball’s stockholders with respect to the proposed acquisition, including the proposed issuance of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. Information about Ball’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Ball’s common stock is set forth in Ball’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014 and Ball’s proxy statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. Information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and/or prospectus and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed acquisition and issuance of Ball common stock in the proposed acquisition.

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K, and the documents incorporated by reference into this Current Report, contains “forward-looking” statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Ball undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) Ball as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of Ball’s defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; interest rates affecting our debt; and successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures, including, with respect to the proposed Rexam PLC (“Rexam”)  acquisition, the effect of the announcement of the acquisition on our business relationships, operating results and business generally; the occurrence of any event or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of our definitive agreement with Rexam in respect of the acquisition; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us related to the definitive agreement with Rexam; and the failure to satisfy conditions to completion of the acquisition of Rexam, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 19, 2015

By:

/s/ Charles E. Baker

 

Name:

Charles E. Baker

 

Title:

Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

8



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Rule 2.7 Announcement, dated February 19, 2015.

 

 

 

2.2

 

Co-operation Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015, by and among Ball Corporation, Ball UK Acquisition Limited and Rexam PLC.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015, among Ball Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch and certain financial institutions party thereto as lenders and initial facing agents.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015, among Ball Corporation, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch and certain financial institutions party thereto as lenders.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release dated February 19, 2015.

 

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EX-2.1 2 a15-4962_1ex2d1.htm EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT A PROSPECTUS OR PROSPECTUS EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT AND INVESTORS SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY INVESTMENT DECISION IN RELATION TO THE NEW BALL SHARES EXCEPT ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION IN THE PROSPECTUS AND THE SCHEME DOCUMENT WHICH ARE PROPOSED TO BE PUBLISHED IN DUE COURSE.

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

19 February 2015

 

RECOMMENDED CASH AND SHARE OFFER

 

FOR

 

REXAM PLC

 

BY

 

BALL UK ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

a wholly-owned subsidiary of

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

Summary

 

·                  The Boards of Ball Corporation (“Ball”) and Rexam PLC (“Rexam”) are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended offer for the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Rexam by Ball UK Acquisition Limited (“Bidco”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ball (the “Offer”). The Offer is to be effected by means of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act (the “Scheme”).

 

·                  Under the terms of the Offer, Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will be entitled to receive:

 

for each Rexam Ordinary Share held

407 pence in cash

 



 

 

and

 

 

 

0.04568 of a New Ball Share

 

·                  The exchange ratio is based on Ball’s 90-day volume weighted average price as of 17 February 2015 and a value of 610 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share, valuing the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Rexam at approximately £4.3 billion.

 

·                  Based on Ball’s closing share price of US$74.39 and the exchange rate of US$1.54:£1 on 17 February 2015 (being the last practicable date prior to this announcement), the Offer:

 

·                  represents an indicative value of 628 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share

 

·                  values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Rexam at approximately £4.4 billion

 

·                  represents an attractive premium of approximately 40 per cent. to the Closing Price per Rexam Ordinary Share of 448 pence on 4 February 2015 (being the last Business Day before commencement of the Offer Period)

 

·                  Ball will provide a Mix and Match Facility, which will allow Rexam Ordinary Shareholders to elect to vary, subject to the availability of offsetting elections, the proportions in which they receive New Ball Shares and cash.

 

·                  In addition, Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will be entitled to the 2014 Final Dividend of 11.9 pence announced by Rexam today, subject to shareholder approval, and to any other dividends declared or paid by Rexam in respect of any completed six-month period ended 30 June or 31 December between the date of this announcement and the date of the day before the Effective Date consistent with Rexam’s past practice, provided that such dividends do not exceed the corresponding interim or final dividend paid or declared in respect of 2014.

 

·                  The combination of Ball and Rexam will create:

 

·                  a global leader in metal beverage packaging that will be better positioned to serve its combined customer base, through shared best practices, supply chain efficiency, manufacturing excellence and increased product innovation

 

·                  a company supplying the beverage, food, personal care, household product and aerospace industries with approximately US$15 billion in revenues

 

·                  a geographically diversified combined business with leading positions in North America, Latin America and Europe, as well as key developing regions including South America, Asia and the Middle East

 



 

·                  a long-term sustainable platform for employees built on an alignment of core values and shared culture to create a successful future

 

·                  The Ball Responsible Officers, having reviewed and analysed the potential benefits of the Offer, based on their experience of operating in the packaging sector and taking into account the factors Ball can influence, believe that the Combined Group, comprising both Ball and Rexam in their entirety, will be able to achieve net annual cost synergies of approximately US$300 million in the 3rd financial year of operations of the Combined Group.

 

·                  The combination is expected to be accretive to earnings per share within the first full year of completion and is in line with Ball’s strategy to increase Economic Value Added (“EVA”) dollars or returns greater than its weighted average cost of capital on its larger average invested capital base. The combination is expected to foster meaningful EVA dollar growth over the medium term.

 

·                  Upon completion of the Offer Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will hold New Ball Shares representing approximately 19 per cent. of the enlarged Ball share capital (excluding shares held in Treasury), assuming that approximately 32 million New Ball Shares are issued pursuant to the Offer, and accordingly will be able to participate in the value creation in the Combined Group.

 

·                  The Ball Board has approved the Offer and intends to recommend unanimously that Ball Shareholders vote in favour of the Offer.

 

·                  The Rexam Board, which has been so advised by Rothschild and Barclays as to the financial terms of the Offer, considers the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing advice to the Rexam Board, Rothschild and Barclays have taken into account the commercial assessments of the Rexam Directors.

 

·                  Accordingly, the Rexam Board believes that the terms of the Offer are in the best interests of Rexam Shareholders as a whole and intends to recommend unanimously that Rexam Ordinary Shareholders vote in favour of the resolutions to approve the Offer at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting, as all of the Rexam Directors who hold Rexam Ordinary Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own aggregate beneficial holdings of 876,458 Rexam Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 0.12 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Rexam in issue on 17 February 2015, being the last practicable date prior to this announcement.

 

·                  The Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Pre-Condition, Conditions and further terms that are set out in Appendix I to this announcement and will be set out in the Scheme Document. In order to become effective, the Scheme must be approved by a majority in number of the Rexam Ordinary Shareholders voting at the Court Meeting representing not less than 75 per cent. in value of the Rexam Ordinary Shares held by the Rexam Ordinary Shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the Court Meeting.

 



 

·                  The issuance of New Ball Shares requires approval by the requisite majority of Ball Shareholders at the Ball Shareholders’ meeting. Ball has committed to hold the Ball Shareholders’ meeting to approve the issuance within six months of the date of this announcement.

 

·                  The receipt of competition authority clearances in the E.U. and U.S. is a Pre-Condition to the Offer. In addition, Ball and Rexam have agreed that the absence of a requirement to make material divestitures in the E.U. and the U.S. on a combined basis is a Condition of the Offer. It is expected that the Scheme Document will be posted to Rexam Shareholders shortly after the satisfaction or waiver of the Pre-Condition. The Offer is expected to complete in the first half of 2016.

 

·                  Further information in relation to the publication of the Scheme Document and the Scheme timetable will be published in due course.

 

·                  Commenting on the Offer, Stuart Chambers, Chairman of Rexam, said:

 

“In recent years Rexam’s management team has led a transformation of the Group, returning approximately £1.5 billion of cash to shareholders since 2010 and creating a focused beverage can maker with a promising future. Notwithstanding that, the Rexam Board believes that the proposed combination with Ball will bring an enhanced ability to serve the demands of our increasingly global customers and represents a compelling opportunity for our shareholders.”

 

·                  Commenting on the Offer, Graham Chipchase, Chief Executive of Rexam, said:

 

“We believe that the proposed combination with Ball is an excellent opportunity for all stakeholders. Combining the two companies will create a truly global platform to deliver “best in class” service to customers based on a shared culture of manufacturing excellence and continued innovation. The proposed transaction offers our shareholders an attractive premium and an opportunity to participate in the value creation of the combined group through ownership of Ball shares.”

 

·                  Commenting on the Offer, John Hayes, Chairman, President & CEO of Ball, said:

 

“The combination of Ball and Rexam creates a global metal beverage packaging supplier capable of leveraging its geographic presence, innovative products and talented employees to better serve customers of all sizes in all regions across the globe; while at the same time generating significant shareholder value.”

 

This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of the following announcement, including the Appendices. The Pre-Condition, Conditions and certain further terms of the Offer are set out in Appendix I. Appendix II contains bases and sources of certain information contained within this document. Appendix III contains details of the director irrevocable undertakings given to Ball. Appendix IV contains information relating to the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement made in this announcement and the reports of Ball’s reporting accountant and lead financial adviser. Appendix V contains the definitions of certain terms used in this announcement.

 



 

Representing Ball as lead financial adviser is Greenhill. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and Goldman, Sachs & Co. also represent Ball as financial advisers. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as lead legal adviser, and Axinn, Veltrop and Harkrider LLP is acting as lead anti-trust adviser.

 

Representing Rexam as joint financial adviser/Rule 3 adviser are Rothschild and Barclays, as joint corporate broker and financial adviser are Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch International and as legal adviser is Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

 

Analyst and investor calls

 

Ball will host a conference call on Thursday, February 19, 2015, to discuss the proposed transaction. The call will begin at 6 a.m. Mountain Time (1 p.m. U.K. time). The North American toll-free number for the call is 800-920-2905, the U.K. toll-free number is (0) 800 528 0280 and other international callers should dial 212-271-4651. The following URL will display a webcast of the live call:

 

http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/gmdrcysf/lan/en

 

For those unable to listen to the live call, a taped replay will be available from 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time (3:30 p.m. U.K. time) on Thursday, February 19, 2015, until 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time (3:30 p.m. U.K. time) on February 26, 2015. To access the replay, call 800-633-8284 (toll-free North American callers) or (0) 800 692 0831 (toll-free U.K. callers) or 402-977-9140 (international callers) and use reservation number 21762045. A written transcript of the call will be posted within 48 hours of the call’s conclusion to Ball’s website at www.ball.com/investors.

 

Rexam will hold a presentation for analysts and investors to discuss its results for the full year 2014 at 9:00 a.m. UK time at the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre, 2 King Edward Street, London, EC1A 1HQ. Subject to certain restrictions, the presentation will be webcast live on www.rexam.com at the above time and subsequently will be available on demand.

 

The 09:00 UK conference can also be accessed via audio link by dialling:

 

UK: + 44 (0)20 3139 4830

 

US: +1 718 873 9077

 

Access code: 17347007#

 

A replay service will be available for 30 days:

 

UK Toll Free:

+44 (0)20 3426 2807

 

 

US Toll Free:

+1 866 535 8030

 

 

Password:

652556#

 



 

Enquiries

 

Ball

 

 

 

John Hayes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

+1 (303) 469-3131

 

 

Scott Morrison, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Bob Tettero, Vice President, Corporate Planning and Development

 

 

 

Ann Scott, Director, Investor Relations

 

 

 

Greenhill (Lead financial adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

David Wyles

+44 (0) 20 7198 7400

 

 

Pieter-Jan Bouten

 

 

 

Glenn Tilles

+1 (312) 846 5000

 

 

Douglas Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank (Financial adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

Richard Sheppard

+44 (0) 20 7545 8000

 

 

Niall Cullinane

+1 (212) 250 2500

 

 

Goldman Sachs (Financial adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

Peter Brundage

+1 (214) 855 1117

 

 

Nimesh Khiroya

+44 (0) 20 7774 9164

 

 

Kevin Guidotti

+1 (415) 249 7005

 

 

FTI Consulting (Public relations adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

Richard Mountain

+44 (0) 20 3727 1340

 

 

Andrew Lorenz

 

 



 

Rexam

 

 

 

Stuart Chambers, Chairman

+ 44 (0) 20 7227 4100

 

 

Graham Chipchase, Chief Executive

 

 

 

David Robbie, Finance Director

 

 

 

Marion Le Bot, Head of Investor Relations

 

 

 

Suniti Chauhan, Director of Corporate Development

 

 

 

Rothschild (Joint financial adviser/Rule 3 adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

Ravi Gupta

+44 (0) 20 7280 5000

 

 

Yuri Shakhmin

 

 

 

Nick Ivey

 

 

 

Barclays (Joint financial adviser/Rule 3 adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

Richard Taylor

+44 (0) 20 7623 2323

 

 

Andrew Owens

 

 

 

Asim Mullick

 

 

 

Credit Suisse (Joint corporate broker and financial adviser to Rexam)

 

 

+44 (0) 20 7888 8888

Stuart Field

 

 

 

Lewis Burnett

 

 

 

Merrill Lynch International (Joint corporate broker and financial adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

Jonathan Bewes

+44 (0) 20 7628 1000

 

 

Peter Luck

 

 



 

Tulchan Communications LLP (Communications adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

Martin Robinson

+44 (0) 20 7353 4200

 

 

Katharine Wynne

 

 

 

Andrew Grant

 

 

Greenhill & Co. International LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively as lead financial adviser to Ball and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ball for providing the protections afforded to clients of Greenhill & Co. International LLP, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Greenhill & Co. International LLP nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Greenhill & Co. International LLP in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Offer or otherwise.

 

Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority: BaFIN - Federal Financial Supervisory Authority). Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch is further authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of its authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available on request. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch is acting as financial adviser to Ball and no one else in connection with the contents of this announcement. Neither Deutsche Bank AG nor any other company in the Deutsche Bank Group will be responsible to any person other than Ball for providing the protections to clients under the UK regulatory regime nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Deutsche Bank nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Deutsche Bank in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

 

Goldman Sachs International, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, and its affiliate, Goldman, Sachs & Co, are acting as joint financial adviser to Ball and no one else in connection with the Offer and the other matters referred to in this announcement. In connection with the Offer and any other such matters, Goldman Sachs International and Goldman, Sachs & Co, their affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to anyone other than Ball for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in connection with the Offer or any other matter referred to herein.

 

Rothschild, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients

 



 

of Rothschild, or for providing advice in connection with the Offer or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

 

Barclays, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

 

Credit Suisse, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Credit Suisse nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content of this announcement or any other matter referred to herein. Neither Credit Suisse nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Credit Suisse in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

 

Merrill Lynch International, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

 

Further Information

 

This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or subscribe for, or any invitation to purchase or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or otherwise subscribe for any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Ball or Rexam in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable laws. The Offer will be made solely pursuant to the Scheme Document (or in the event that the Offer is to be implemented by means of a Takeover Offer, the Offer Document) which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how to vote in respect of the Offer. Any vote or response in relation to the Offer should be made solely on the basis of the Scheme Document (or Offer Document, as the case may be).

 

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

 

Ball reserves the right to elect in accordance with the Co-operation Agreement (summarised at Section 11), with the consent of the Panel (where necessary), to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer. In such event, the Takeover Offer will be implemented on substantially the same terms, subject to appropriate amendments, as those which would apply to the Scheme.

 

Information relating to Rexam Shareholders

 

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Rexam Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Rexam may be provided to Ball during the Offer Period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Code.

 



 

Overseas jurisdictions

 

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom (including Restricted Jurisdictions) should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or who are subject to the laws of another jurisdiction to vote their Rexam Ordinary Shares in respect of the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another to vote at the Court Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or to which they are subject. Any failure to comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction may constitute a violation of securities laws in that jurisdiction. This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside England.

 

Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Offer are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of acceptance of the Offer.

 

If the Offer is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Takeover Offer may not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into or by use of the mails or any other means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction.

 

Further details in relation to Rexam Shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the Scheme Document.

 

Notice to U.S. investors in Rexam

 

The Offer relates to the shares of an English company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The Offer, implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Exchange Act, as amended. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable to a scheme of arrangement involving a target company in England listed on the London Stock Exchange, which differ from the disclosure requirements of United States tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. If, in the future, Ball exercises its right to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer and determines to extend the Takeover Offer into the United States, the Offer will be made in compliance with applicable United States laws and regulations.

 

The New Ball Shares to be issued pursuant to the Offer have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. The New Ball Shares to be issued pursuant to the Offer will be issued pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) 

 



 

under the U.S. Securities Act. If, in the future, Ball exercises its right to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer or otherwise in a manner that is not exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act, it will file a registration statement with the SEC that will contain a prospectus with respect to the issuance of New Ball Shares. In this event, Rexam Shareholders and holders of Rexam ADRs are urged to read these documents and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information, and such documents will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Ball’s contact for enquiries identified above.

 

Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the New Ball Shares to be issued in connection with the Offer, or determined if this announcement is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

 

Rexam is incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. In addition, some of its officers and directors reside outside the United States, and some or all of its assets are or may be located in jurisdictions outside the United States. Therefore, investors may have difficulty effecting service of process within the United States upon those persons or recovering against Rexam or its officers or directors on judgments of United States courts, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. It may not be possible to sue Rexam or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws.

 

Notice to U.S. Investors in Ball

 

This Announcement may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of Rexam PLC (“Rexam”) by Ball Corporation (“Ball”), including the issuance of shares of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. In connection with the foregoing proposed issuance of Ball common stock, Ball expects to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). To the extent Ball effects the acquisition of Rexam as a Scheme under English law, the issuance of Ball common stock in the acquisition would not be expected to require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to an exemption provided by Section 3(a)(10) under the Act.  In the event that Ball determines to conduct the acquisition pursuant to an offer or otherwise in a manner that is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Act, it will file a registration statement with the SEC containing a prospectus with respect to the Ball common stock that would be issued in the acquisition. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BALL ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION THAT BALL WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BALL, THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF BALL COMMON STOCK, AND THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. The preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement, the registration statement/prospectus, in each case as applicable, and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed issuance of Ball common stock and the acquisition (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Ball with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC at Ball’s website,

 



 

www.ball.com, or by contacting our Investor Relations department in writing at 10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000, Broomfield, CO 80021.

 

Ball and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Ball’s stockholders with respect to the proposed acquisition, including the proposed issuance of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. Information about Ball’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Ball’s common stock is set forth in Ball’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014 and Ball’s proxy statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. Information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and/or prospectus and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed acquisition and issuance of Ball common stock in the proposed acquisition.

 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

 

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Ball, Rexam and the Combined Group and certain plans and objectives of Ball with respect thereto. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “goal”, “believe”, “hope”, “aim”, “continue”, “will”, “may”, “would”, “could” or “should” or other words of similar meaning or the negative thereof. There are several factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Among such factors are changes in the global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax rates and future business combinations or disposals. Factors that might affect: a) Ball and Rexam’s packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) Ball and Rexam (each as a whole) include those listed in (a) plus: changes in senior management; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in Ball’s containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labour cost changes; rates of return on assets of Ball and Rexam’s respective defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; and interest rates affecting Ball and Rexam’s respective debt, and c) Ball’s aerospace segment include funding, authorisation, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by Ball and/or Rexam in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environment, future developments and other factors they believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.

 



 

The factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause actual results, performance or achievements, industry results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and persons reading this announcement are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of this announcement. Neither Ball nor Rexam assumes any obligation to update or correct the information contained in this announcement (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by applicable law.

 

No Profit Forecast

 

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or a profit estimate and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per Ball Share or Rexam Share for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per Ball Share or Rexam Share.

 

Quantified Financial Benefits

 

No statement in the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, or this announcement generally, should be construed as a profit forecast or interpreted to mean that the Combined Group’s earnings in the first full year following the effective date of the Scheme, or in any subsequent period, would necessarily match or be greater than or be less than those of Ball and/or Rexam for the relevant preceding financial period or any other period.

 

Disclosure requirements of the Code

 

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day (as defined in the Code) following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day (as defined in the Code) following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

 

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies

 



 

must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Business Day (as defined in the Code) following the date of the relevant dealing.

 

Disclosures are therefore required in the shares of Ball and Rexam.

 

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

 

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

 

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

 

Publication on website

 

A copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rule 26.1 and Rule 26.2 of the Code will be available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in or subject to Restricted Jurisdictions, on Ball’s website at www.ball.com and on Rexam’s website at www.rexam.com by no later than noon (London time) on the day following this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of those websites nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on those websites (or any other websites referred to in this announcement) are incorporated into, or form part of, this announcement.

 

Requesting hard copy documents

 

In accordance with Rule 30.2 of the Code, a person so entitled may request a copy of this announcement (and any information incorporated into it by reference to another source) in hard copy form. A person may also request that all future documents, announcements and information sent to that person in relation to the Offer should be in hard copy form. For persons who have received a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested from either Ball by contacting Greenhill on +44 (0) 20 7198 7400 or Rexam by sending a request to 4 Millbank, London, SW1P 3XR or by contacting Rothschild on +44 20 7280 5000, as appropriate.

 



 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT A PROSPECTUS OR PROSPECTUS EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT AND INVESTORS SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY INVESTMENT DECISION IN RELATION TO THE NEW BALL SHARES EXCEPT ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION IN THE PROSPECTUS AND THE SCHEME DOCUMENT WHICH ARE PROPOSED TO BE PUBLISHED IN DUE COURSE.

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

19 February 2015

 

RECOMMENDED CASH AND SHARE OFFER

 

FOR

 

REXAM PLC

 

BY

 

BALL UK ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

a wholly-owned subsidiary of

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

1.                                      Introduction

 

The Boards of Ball and Rexam are pleased to announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended offer in the form of cash and shares pursuant to which Bidco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ball, will acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Rexam.

 

The Offer is to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act.

 

2.                                      The Offer

 

Under the terms of the Offer, which will be subject to the Pre-Condition and Conditions set out below and in Appendix I, Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will be entitled to receive:

 

for each Rexam Ordinary Share held

407 pence in cash

 



 

 

and

 

 

 

0.04568 of a New Ball Share

 

The exchange ratio is based on Ball’s 90-day volume weighted average price as of 17 February 2015 and a value of 610 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share, valuing the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Rexam at approximately £4.3 billion.

 

Based on Ball’s closing share price of US$74.39 and the exchange rate of US$1.54:£1 on 17 February 2015 (being the last practicable date prior to this announcement), the Offer:

 

·                  represents an indicative value of 628 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share

 

·                  values the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Rexam at approximately £4.4 billion

 

·                  represents an attractive premium of approximately 40 per cent. to the Closing Price per Rexam Ordinary Share of 448 pence on 4 February 2015 (being the last Business Day before commencement of the Offer Period)

 

Ball will provide a Mix and Match Facility, which will allow Rexam Ordinary Shareholders to elect, subject to offsetting elections, to vary the proportions in which they receive New Ball Shares and cash. Ball and Rexam will work together to seek to address costs of holding and dealing in Ball Shares for certain Rexam Ordinary Shareholders.

 

In addition, Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will be entitled to the 2014 Final Dividend of 11.9 pence announced by Rexam today, subject to shareholder approval, and to any other dividends declared or paid by Rexam in respect of any completed six-month period ended 30 June or 31 December between the date of this announcement and the date of the day before the Effective Date consistent with Rexam’s past practice, provided that such dividends do not exceed the corresponding interim or final dividend paid or declared in respect of 2014.

 

During the Offer Period, Ball and the members of the Ball Group will not authorise or pay any dividends, save for those paid: (i) in the ordinary course and consistent with its past practice over the last 18 months and, where applicable, its published dividend policy, and (ii) with reference to a record date after the Effective Date such that, if the Scheme is completed, the New Ball Shares rank for participation rateably and equally with all other Ball Shares then in issue.

 

The receipt of competition authority clearances in the E.U. and U.S. is a Pre-Condition to the Offer. In addition, Ball and Rexam have agreed that the absence of a requirement to make material divestitures in the E.U. and the U.S. on a combined basis is a Condition of the Offer.

 

It is expected that the Scheme Document will be posted to Rexam Shareholders shortly after the satisfaction or waiver of the Pre-Condition. The Offer is conditional, amongst other things, on: (i) approval by the requisite majorities of Rexam Ordinary Shareholders at the Meetings; (ii) the Scheme becoming effective no later than the Long Stop Date; (iii) approval by the requisite majority of Ball shareholders entitled to vote on such matter at a Ball Shareholders’ meeting to be held within 6 months

 



 

of the date of this announcement; and (iv) certain regulatory clearances being received.

 

3.                                      Recommendation

 

The Rexam Board, which has been so advised by Rothschild and Barclays as to the financial terms of the Offer, considers the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing their advice to the Rexam Board, Rothschild and Barclays have taken into account the commercial assessments of the Rexam Board. Accordingly, the Rexam Board intends to recommend unanimously that Rexam Ordinary Shareholders vote or procure votes in favour of the resolutions relating to the Offer at the Meetings, as all Rexam Directors who hold Rexam Ordinary Shares have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their entire aggregate holdings of 876,458 Rexam Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 0.12 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Rexam in issue on 17 February 2015, being the last practicable date prior to this announcement.

 

4.                                      Background to and reasons for the Rexam Board recommendation

 

In 2010 Rexam set out a plan to strengthen the foundations of its business and create a solid platform for the future. Rexam highlighted three areas that were fundamental to achieving these aims: managing costs, optimising cash and improving return on capital employed (“ROCE”) to achieve 15 per cent. ROCE by the end of 2013. Rexam also embarked on a transformation of the portfolio to become a 100 per cent. beverage can maker.

 

This strategy has resulted in considerable value creation for shareholders. Since 2010, Rexam has generated approximately £1.1 billion in free cash flow, made restructuring and efficiency savings of approximately £215 million and achieved its ROCE target. Following disposals of its plastic packaging businesses between 2011 and 2014, Rexam has become a focused global beverage can maker. In executing the strategy, Rexam has returned approximately £1.5 billion of cash to shareholders through special returns and ordinary dividends and delivered a total shareholder return of 82 per cent. since 1 January 2010.

 

Whilst Rexam has a clear and proven standalone strategy that would continue to deliver shareholder value, the Rexam Board believes that the proposed combination with Ball is compelling and will offer its stakeholders a stronger and more sustainable long-term future. The combined business will have a significantly enhanced global footprint and bring together a shared culture for manufacturing excellence and innovation which will uniquely position the enlarged group to deliver a “best in class” offering to customers and address the industry trends. The combination is also expected to yield significant synergy benefits through increased efficiency of supply, optimised operations, benefits of scale and eliminated duplication.

 

The Rexam Board believes that the Offer provides attractive value for Rexam Ordinary Shareholders through the premium offered, the significant cash component of the Offer and the opportunity for Rexam Ordinary Shareholders to participate in the value creation in the Combined Group through the equity component of the Offer.

 

In light of these factors and having received advice from its financial advisers, the Rexam Board intends to recommend unanimously the Offer to Rexam Ordinary Shareholders as set out in Section 3 above.

 

In the near term, given the anticipated timetable to closing including with regards to the regulatory clearance process as set out in Sections 18 and 19 below, Rexam’s well-established proactive management of the business will continue, with a clear and maintained focus of pursuing value creation

 



 

through focused investment, strengthened customer relationships, delivery on operational excellence and continued innovation.

 

5.                                      Interests in shares and irrevocable undertakings

 

The Rexam Directors who hold Rexam Ordinary Shares, being Stuart Chambers, Graham Chipchase, John Langston, Leo Oosterveer, Ros Rivaz, David Robbie and Johanna Waterous, have irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting in respect of their Rexam Ordinary Shares which amount in aggregate to 876,458 Rexam Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 0.12 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Rexam in issue on 17 February 2015, being the last practicable date prior to this announcement.

 

Further details of these irrevocable undertakings are set out in Appendix III to this announcement.

 

6.                                      Background to and reasons for the Offer

 

6.1                               Introduction

 

Ball has identified a number of compelling factors which underpin the commercial logic for the proposed acquisition of Rexam by Ball and make it highly attractive, substantially benefitting both the shareholders and the customers of the respective companies. The Combined Group would achieve higher standard and specialty unit volumes creating production efficiencies and diverse distribution capabilities in the highly-competitive packaging sector, and would be able to take advantage of greater efficiency and a broader and balanced production facility footprint in most regions, which would enable it to reduce critical manufacturing and supply chain costs across its combined operations.

 

As a result of its increased size, the Combined Group would be able to benefit from lower costs as a result of improved asset utilisation and more efficient sourcing from its metals and other direct and indirect material suppliers, as demonstrated by the significant cost savings achieved after similar combinations in 1998 (Reynolds), 2002 (Schmalbach-Lubeca) and 2009 (ABInBev plants). In addition, a key objective of the Offer is to enable the Combined Group to better serve customers in markets across the globe with its enhanced geographic footprint, broad and innovative product offerings, the ability to achieve efficiencies through production line optimisation and achievement of important financial savings and improved efficiencies relating to freight, logistics and warehousing. Rexam also shares Ball’s ‘customer-focused’ attitude, focus on sustainability initiatives and high ethical standards, and the Ball Directors expect this to facilitate the successful integration of the companies’ management and operations following completion of the proposed acquisition.

 

In particular, Ball expects the proposed acquisition to deliver long-term shareholder value by:

 

·                  further globalising and optimising its sourcing of direct and indirect materials, including benefitting from harmonising specifications and the Combined Group’s increased volume requirements

 

·                  delivering production, freight, warehousing and other efficiencies, which can be leveraged to the benefit of its customers and stakeholders

 

·                  lowering production costs through best practice sharing across the Combined Group

 



 

·                  initiating cost savings in respect of certain business support functions

 

·                  improving asset utilisation across its aluminium beverage can, end and bottle production lines

 

·                  broadening its geographic footprint and gaining access to new territories

 

·                  aligning its product portfolio of can sizes and shapes to compete against glass, plastics and other substrates and providing metal beverage packaging innovation to its highly diverse customer base serving the carbonated soft drink, beer, energy drink, juice, sparkling water and wine categories

 

·                  combining efforts on sustainability priorities including measureable progress toward operational priorities: safety, electricity, natural gas, water, waste, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and carbon

 

6.2                               The risk of self-supply and substrate substitution

 

The realisation of these synergies is critical to optimising prices to customers so that the Combined Group is better able to compete both with customers who are turning toward self-supply and to other materials such as PET and glass.

 

Certain of Ball and Rexam’s global and regional soft drink and beer customers have developed the capability to satisfy a large proportion of their own packaging requirements with aluminium cans and/or PET bottles. In many cases, customers operate these beverage packaging manufacturing plants in close proximity to their filling locations, reducing customers’ freight and warehousing costs and minimising production delays. In addition, the largest customers of Ball and Rexam are able to bring significant purchasing power to bear on raw materials suppliers such as aluminium can sheet producers and PET suppliers, and thereby take advantage of favourable metals and other raw materials prices globally.

 

Through the proposed acquisition of Rexam, Ball sees the opportunity to provide the Combined Group with the efficiency and geographic presence to better serve its customers on a stable, long-term basis with access to innovation to grow their brands. These synergies are expected to be directly proportional to the volume of sales made by the Combined Group and will further enable the Combined Group to compete with other packaging substrates like PET and glass.

 

6.3                               Lowering freight costs and improving operating efficiency

 

Both Ball and Rexam serve customers across a broad range of geographies. The Combined Group will benefit from lower transportation and warehousing costs by taking advantage of an enhanced plant footprint across the combined network to reduce shipping distances and thereby greatly reducing related costs and increasing the ability of customers to react swiftly to market trends. This is particularly true of some specialty size cans, of which specific sizes are only made in a few of Ball’s and Rexam’s plants.

 

While Ball expects the Offer to be highly transformative by allowing the combined entity to operate more effectively on a global scale, Ball and Rexam mutually acknowledge that the commercial synergies and benefits which form the rationale for the proposed acquisition could be undermined depending upon the nature of any potential remedies that might be demanded by the E.U. and U.S. anti-trust authorities. Importantly, the damage to the Combined Group’s operations would not be confined to a non-recurring or short-term financial impact. For these reasons, Ball and Rexam have agreed to include

 



 

the Pre-Condition and Condition 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals) of Part 2 of Appendix I to the Offer. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement summarised in Section 11, Ball has undertaken to take all steps necessary to satisfy this Pre-Condition and this Condition, subject to there not being an Anti-trust Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.                                      Financial benefits of the Offer

 

The Ball Responsible Officers, having reviewed and analysed the potential benefits of the Offer, based on their experience of operating in the packaging sector and taking into account the factors Ball can influence, believe that the Combined Group, comprising both Ball and Rexam in their entirety, will be able to achieve net annual cost synergies of approximately US$300 million in the 3rd financial year of operations of the Combined Group.

 

The principal sources of quantified synergies are as follows:

 

·                  approximately 44 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from lower general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses

 

·                  approximately 32 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from reduced costs due to optimising global sourcing via standardisation and greater purchasing volume for various direct and indirect materials

 

·                  approximately 22 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from lower freight, logistics and warehousing costs

 

·                  approximately 2 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from sharing best practices across the Combined Group to lower production costs and optimising the expanded production capabilities of the Combined Group

 

In addition to these quantified synergies, the Ball Responsible Officers believe that significant further value can be created through additional opportunities, including:

 

·                  revenue opportunities arising as a result of (i) the creation of a combined business with a global footprint that more closely matches the footprint of its customers and their needs for innovative products; and (ii) the Combined Group’s ability to provide a better, more cost-effective service to its customers

 

·                  balance sheet improvements through improved working capital, including better inventory management as a result of the larger plant network

 

It is envisaged that the realisation of the identified synergies will result in non-recurring integration costs of approximately US$300 million over the first three years. It is anticipated that the integration costs will have been incurred by the end of the 3rd financial year of operations of the Combined Group.

 

Aside from the integration costs, no material dis-synergies are expected in connection with the Offer. The expected synergies will accrue as a direct result of the success of the Offer and would not be achieved on a standalone basis.

 

As at the date of this announcement, the Ball Responsible Officers are in the process of preparing an integration plan for the Combined Group. However, the planning and the integration process will be

 



 

considered in greater detail following the successful completion of the Offer. As soon as practicable following completion of the Offer, the Combined Group will aim to have validated its initial synergy assumptions, agreed the proposed target operating model of the Combined Group and completed the proposed integration plan across the Combined Group’s business. The integration plan, once it is further developed, will set out the proposed scope of the integration process and specified objectives, proposed organisation structures and processes to be reviewed and subsequently implemented, together with an overall proposed integration programme and stakeholder communication and consultation timetable. Finalisation of the integration plan will be subject to engagement with appropriate stakeholders, including employee representative bodies and unions.

 

These statements of identified synergies and estimated costs savings relate to future actions and circumstances which by their nature involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a consequence, the identified synergies and estimated cost savings referred to may not be achieved, may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. For the purposes of Rule 28 of the Code, these statements of potential quantified synergies are the responsibility of Bidco in its capacity as offeror. Appendix IV to this announcement includes a copy of this Quantified Financial Benefits Statement and the supporting bases of belief. Appendix IV also includes reports in connection with this Quantified Financial Benefits Statement from each of Greenhill and PricewaterhouseCoopers, as required by Rule 28 of the Code. Each of Greenhill and PricewaterhouseCoopers have given and not withdrawn their consent to the publication of their report in the form and context in which they are included.

 

These statements are not intended as a profit forecast and should not be interpreted as such.

 

8.                                      Information on Ball, Bidco and Rexam

 

Ball

 

Ball is one of the world’s leading suppliers of metal packaging to the beverage, food, personal care and household products industries. The company was organised in 1880 and incorporated in the state of Indiana, U.S., in 1922. Ball’s packaging products are produced for a variety of end uses and are manufactured in facilities around the world. Ball also provides aerospace and other technologies and services to governmental and commercial customers within its aerospace and technologies segment. In 2014, Ball’s total consolidated net sales were US$8.6 billion. Ball’s packaging businesses were responsible for 89 per cent. of its net sales, with the remaining 11 per cent. contributed by its aerospace business.

 

Ball’s largest product lines are aluminium and steel beverage containers. Ball also produces steel food, aerosol, paint, general line and decorative specialty containers, as well as extruded aluminium aerosol and beverage containers and aluminium slugs. Ball sells its packaging products mainly to multi-national beverage, food, personal care and household products companies with which it has developed long-term customer relationships. Ball’s aerospace business is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of innovative aerospace systems for civil, commercial and national security aerospace markets. It produces spacecraft, instruments and sensors, radio frequency systems and components, data exploitation solutions and a variety of advanced aerospace technologies and products that enable remote imaging of the earth and deep space missions.

 

Ball believes strongly that by balancing economic, environmental and social impacts in its decision-making process, it will achieve long-term success. Third party endorsements such as Ball’s containers

 



 

and packaging sector leadership position on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, inclusion on the FTSE4Good Index and Ball’s Cut/4 CArboN target, which strives to reduce the carbon footprint of its beverage can per region by 25 per cent. from 2010 to 2020, aptly illustrate Ball’s commitment to a sustainable business model.

 

In the financial year ended 31 December 2014, Ball had revenue of US$8.6 billion (£5.6 billion), earnings before interest and taxes of US$0.8 billion (£0.5 billion) and comparable earnings per diluted share of US$3.88. Ball is listed on the New York Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of approximately US$10.5 billion (£6.8 billion) (as at 17 February 2015, being the last practicable date prior to this announcement).

 

Ball is headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, the United States and has over 14,500 employees worldwide.

 

Bidco

 

Bidco is a newly incorporated English private limited company, with Ball as its sole shareholder. Bidco has been formed at the direction of Ball for the purposes of making the Offer. Bidco has not traded since its date of incorporation, nor has it entered into any obligations other than in connection with the Offer.

 

Rexam

 

Rexam is a leading global beverage can maker. Rexam makes approximately 64 billion cans a year covering a broad range of can sizes, which are used for products such as carbonated soft drinks, beer, energy drinks and other drinks categories. Rexam partners with some of the world’s most famous and successful consumer brands.

 

Rexam has 55 can making plants in more than 20 countries across the globe and employs around 8,000 people. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

 

For the financial year ended 31 December 2014, Rexam generated sales of £3,832 million from continuing operations, underlying operating profit of £418 million and underlying profit before tax of £360 million.

 

Rexam Ordinary Shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange under the code REX and quoted in the U.S. in the form of Rexam ADRs under the symbol REXMY on the over the counter market. Rexam is a constituent member of the FTSE 250 Index.

 

9.                                      Management, headquarters and employees

 

Ball and Rexam attach great importance to the skills and experience of the existing management and employees of the respective groups. The combination will augment the world-class capabilities of both Ball and Rexam by employing a “best of both” approach, offering a tremendous opportunity for employees to progress in a business of greater international size and scope and to incorporate the skills and the talents present in both companies.

 

The Rexam Board and the Ball Board each recognise that in order to achieve the expected benefits of the Offer, operational and administrative restructuring will be required following completion of the Offer. The detailed steps for such a restructuring are not yet known, but Ball does intend to operate one head office for the Combined Group based in Colorado. It is also intended that, upon the Scheme

 



 

becoming effective, each of the chairman and non-executive directors of Rexam will resign from office as directors of Rexam.

 

Ball confirms that, following implementation of the Offer, the existing contractual and statutory employment rights, including in relation to pensions, of all Rexam employees will be fully observed. Further information in respect of employees and pensions will be set out in the Scheme Document.

 

10.                               Terms of Mix and Match Facility

 

Rexam Ordinary Shareholders (other than certain overseas shareholders) will be entitled to elect to vary the proportions in which they receive New Ball Shares and cash in respect of their holdings of Rexam Ordinary Shares. However, the total number of New Ball Shares to be issued and the maximum aggregate amount of cash to be paid under the Offer will not be varied as a result of elections under the Mix and Match Facility.

 

Accordingly, elections made by Rexam Ordinary Shareholders under the Mix and Match Facility will be satisfied only to the extent that other Rexam Ordinary Shareholders make off-setting elections. To the extent that elections cannot be satisfied in full, they will be scaled down on a pro rata basis. As a result, Rexam Ordinary Shareholders who make an election under the Mix and Match Facility will not know the exact number of New Ball Shares or the amount of cash they will receive until settlement of the consideration due to them in respect of the Offer.

 

The basis on which Rexam Ordinary Shareholders may vary the proportions in which they receive New Ball Shares and cash in respect of their holdings of Rexam Ordinary Shares will be set out in the Scheme Document to be published in due course.

 

In the event that a Rexam Ordinary Shareholder does not make an election under the Mix and Match Facility it will receive 407 pence in cash and 0.04568 of a New Ball Share for each Rexam Ordinary Share it holds.

 

Further details of the Mix and Match Facility (including the action to take in order to make a valid election, the deadline for making elections, and the basis on which entitlement to receive cash may be exchanged for an entitlement to additional New Ball Shares (or vice versa)) for Rexam Ordinary Shareholders and Rexam ADR holders will be included in the Scheme Document.

 

11.                               Offer-related arrangements

 

Confidentiality Agreement

 

Ball and Rexam have entered into a confidentiality agreement dated 19 January 2015 pursuant to which each of Ball and Rexam has undertaken to keep certain information relating to the Offer and to the other party confidential and not to disclose such information to third parties, except to certain permitted disclosees for the purposes of evaluating the Offer or if required by applicable laws or regulations. The confidentiality obligations of each party under this agreement continue for eighteen months following the termination of discussions between Ball and Rexam in relation to the Offer. The agreement also contains provisions pursuant to which each party has agreed not to solicit certain employees, suppliers and customers of the other party, subject to customary carve-outs, for a period of twelve months.

 



 

Co-operation Agreement

 

Rexam, Ball and Bidco have entered into the Co-operation Agreement pursuant to which Ball has agreed to determine the strategy for obtaining the Clearances and satisfying the Pre-Condition and lead the correspondence with regulatory authorities.

 

Rexam has agreed to provide Ball with such information and assistance as Ball may reasonably require for the purposes of obtaining all Clearances and making any submission, filing or notification to any regulatory authority.

 

Ball shall take or cause to be taken all steps necessary in order to satisfy the Pre-Condition and obtain the other Clearances as promptly as practicable, including by making divestments, unless doing so would, in relation to the merger control proceedings in the E.U. and the United States (but not elsewhere in the world), give rise to an Anti-trust Material Adverse Effect. Ball further undertakes to Rexam that it shall not, without the prior written consent of Rexam, invoke Condition 2(c) of Part 2 of Appendix I (Brazilian CADE clearance).

 

Anti-trust Material Adverse Effect is defined as divestitures (excluding enhancements or reconfigurations) of cans production facilities or, with respect to ends, production assets, which in aggregate generated revenue in excess of US$1,580,000,000 (based on the European Central Bank average exchange rate for the twelve months ended 31 December 2014) during the twelve months ended 31 December 2014.

 

Ball has the right to terminate the Co-operation Agreement if the Rexam Directors withdraw or qualify their recommendation of the Scheme (or the Offer as the case may be), a competing proposal is recommended by Rexam Directors or implemented or a Condition (other than a Specified Condition) has not been (or becomes incapable of being) satisfied or waived with the permission of the Panel. The Co-operation Agreement can be terminated by either Ball or Rexam if the Scheme (or an Offer as the case may be) is withdrawn or lapses with the permission of the Panel (other than as a result of a Specified Condition not being satisfied or waived), the Long Stop Date has passed or a Break Payment Event (as defined below) occurs.

 

By way of compensation for any loss suffered by Rexam in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Offer, the Co-operation Agreement and any other document relating to the Acquisition, Ball has undertaken in the Co-operation Agreement that, on the occurrence of a Break Payment Event (as defined below) Ball will pay or procure the payment to Rexam of an amount (the “Break Payment”) in cash in pounds as follows:

 

(a)                                 £302 million, being seven per cent. of the aggregate fully diluted value of the amount in cash and the indicative value of the New Ball Shares based on a value of 610 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share as set forth in this announcement, in the event that on or prior to the Long Stop Date (i) the Pre-Condition or any Regulatory Condition shall not have been satisfied or waived by Ball or Bidco, (ii) Ball or Bidco invoke and are permitted by the Panel to invoke the Pre-Condition or any Regulatory Condition; or (iii) the Ball Board has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation in favour of the Offer citing as a reason any divestitures (or enhancement or reconfigurations) requested by a competent authority in order for the Pre-Condition or any Regulatory Condition to be satisfied;

 

(b)                                 £129 million, being three per cent. of the aggregate fully diluted value of the amount in cash and the indicative value of the New Ball Shares based on a value of 610 pence per

 



 

Rexam Ordinary Share as set forth in this announcement, in the event that on or prior to the date falling 180 days after the date hereof either (i) the Ball Board has withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation in favour of the resolutions to approve the issuance of New Ball Shares at the Ball Shareholders’ meeting (citing a reason other than the reason referred to in (a)(iii) above) and such issuance has not been approved; or (ii) the Ball Shareholders’ meeting referred to in (i) has not occurred; or

 

(c)                                  £43 million, being one per cent. of the aggregate fully diluted value of the amount in cash and the indicative value of the New Ball Shares based on a value of 610 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share as set forth in this announcement, in the event that on or prior to the date falling 180 days after the date hereof both (i) the Ball Board has not withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation in favour of the resolutions to approve the issuance of New Ball Shares at the Ball Shareholders’ meeting and (ii) the Ball Shareholders have not approved the issuance of New Ball Shares;

 

each a “Break Payment Event”. The Co-operation Agreement further provides that no Break Payment is to be made if certain circumstances giving rise to termination of that agreement have occurred or the relevant Break Payment Event has been directly caused by a failure by Rexam to provide certain information and assistance that is not remedied within 30 days of a request of Ball to do so.

 

Only one break payment can be made and such payment would be Rexam’s exclusive remedy in the relevant circumstance, save in the case of fraud.

 

Ball may switch to a takeover offer structure with the consent of the Panel only having received the prior written consent of Rexam or if the Rexam Directors withdraw, modify or qualify their recommendation of the Offer.

 

The Co-operation Agreement contains provisions in relation to the Rexam employees’ incentive arrangements. Details of these arrangements are described in Section 9 of this announcement and will be set out in the Scheme Document.

 

Ball has agreed to certain customary restrictions on the conduct of its business during the period pending completion of the acquisition.

 

Ball and Rexam attach great importance to the skills and experience of the existing management and employees of the respective groups. The combination will augment the world-class capabilities of both Ball and Rexam by employing a “best of both” approach, offering a tremendous opportunity for employees to progress in a business of greater international size and scope and to incorporate the skills and the talents present in both companies.

 

The Rexam Board and the Ball Board each recognise that in order to achieve the expected benefits of the Offer, operational and administrative restructuring will be required following completion of the Offer. The detailed steps for such a restructuring are not yet known, but Ball does intend to operate one head office for the Combined Group based in Colorado. It is also intended that, upon the Scheme becoming effective, each of the chairman and non-executive directors of Rexam will resign from office as directors of Rexam.

 

Both Ball and Rexam recognise the importance of retaining the necessary skills and experience within the Rexam business in the period to the completion of the Offer (expected to be in the first half of 2016) and beyond. Ball and Rexam have therefore agreed in the Cooperation Agreement to certain retention

 



 

arrangements for certain Rexam employees (conditional upon completion of the Offer). Under these arrangements, Ball will offer participants in the Rexam LTIP the opportunity to exchange their awards under the Rexam Long Term Incentive Plan (“Rexam LTIP Awards”) for replacement awards over Ball Shares (or notional Ball Shares) (“Replacement Awards”).

 

The value of the Replacement Awards will be calculated by reference to a minimum proportion of the corresponding Rexam LTIP Award (three-quarters for 2014 awards and half for 2015 awards). A portion of the Replacement Awards will vest upon the Scheme becoming effective based on performance and time with the remaining to vest following completion of the Offer. If the Offer completes, Ball: (a) will make a cash payment equal to the shortfall on full vesting for 2013 awards, and (b) intends to compensate participants in the Rexam Sharesave Schemes who exercise their options conditional upon the Scheme being sanctioned. Ball has confirmed in the Co-operation Agreement that it will honour existing severance policies for two years following completion of the Offer and that it will make any severance payments or payments in lieu of notice as a lump sum payment.

 

The value of these retention arrangements for the Rexam Executive Directors is estimated to be as follows:

 

Director

 

Graham Chipchase
(£ million)

 

David Robbie
(£ million)

 

2013 LTIP

 

2.12

 

1.28

 

2014 LTIP Replacement Award

 

1.73

 

1.04

 

2015 LTIP Replacement Award

 

0.94

 

0.57

 

Sharesave

 

0.005

 

0.005

 

 

The above figures show the estimated aggregate value of what the Executive Directors would be entitled to receive on completion of the Offer in the ordinary course and reflecting the retention arrangements described above (excluding annual salary and benefits). These estimates are based, for illustrative purposes, on the closing share price for Ball Shares on 17 February of US$74.39 and assume: (i) that the Effective Date for the Offer will occur at the end of Q1 2016; and (ii) dividend equivalents per Rexam Share of 51.0 pence for the 2013 LTIP, 35.1 pence for the 2014 LTIP and 17.6 pence for the 2015 LTIP.

 

Rexam may make cash retention awards to employees (excluding the Rexam Executive Directors) on a discretionary basis to the extent they do not participate in the Rexam LTIP. No firm plans are currently in place in respect of such awards but Rexam has indicated that the total aggregate value of the awards will not exceed £12 million.

 

Rothschild and Barclays have advised the Rexam Board that the retention arrangements set out above are fair and reasonable. In providing this advice to the Rexam Board, Rothschild and Barclays have taken into account the commercial assessments of the Rexam Directors.

 



 

12.                               Financing

 

The cash consideration payable under the terms of the Offer (together with part of the costs and expenses payable in connection with the Offer) will be funded from the proceeds of a £3,300,000,000 bridge term loan facility entered into by Ball and arranged by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Keybanc Capital Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch (the “Bridge Facility Agreement”). Ball has entered into a loan agreement with Bidco pursuant to which Ball will advance to Bidco the funds necessary to settle the cash consideration in full.

 

Further details on the terms of Bridge Facility Agreement will be included in the Scheme Document.

 

Greenhill, lead financial adviser to Ball, is satisfied that resources are available to Bidco to enable it to satisfy in full the cash consideration payable under the terms of the Offer.

 

Pro forma leverage will be approximately 4.5 times net debt to EBITDA following this transaction (excluding the impact of synergies). Ball has a target of reducing its leverage to levels in the range of 3.0 times net debt to EBITDA in 2018, at which point it intends to re-initiate its share repurchase program.

 

13.                               Rexam share schemes

 

Ball will make appropriate proposals to participants in the Rexam share schemes in due course. Participants in Rexam share schemes will be contacted separately regarding the effect of the Offer on their rights under the Rexam share schemes and with the details of Ball’s appropriate proposals. Further details of the terms of such proposals will be included in the Scheme Document.

 

The Offer will extend to any Rexam Ordinary Shares (including any Treasury Shares) which are unconditionally allotted, issued or transferred, on or prior to the Scheme Record Time to satisfy the exercise of existing options under the Rexam share schemes on or prior to the Scheme Record Time. The Offer will not extend to any Rexam Ordinary Shares allotted, issued or transferred from Treasury to satisfy such options exercised at any time after the Scheme Record Time. In the event that the Scheme is sanctioned by the Court, the Rexam Ordinary Shares held in Treasury by Rexam will be cancelled prior to the Scheme Record Time. Any Rexam Ordinary Shares allotted, issued or transferred after the Scheme Record Time to satisfy such options will, subject to the Scheme becoming effective, be immediately transferred to Bidco (or its nominee) in exchange for the same consideration as Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will be entitled to receive under the terms of the Offer. The terms of this exchange are to be set out in the proposed amendments to Rexam’s articles of association which will be considered at the General Meeting.

 

14.                               Rexam ADRs

 

Ball and Rexam have agreed that they will put arrangements in place to allow holders of Rexam ADRs to participate in the Offer. The Depositary will contact holders of Rexam ADRs with further details of these proposals in due course.

 

Rexam ADR holders will not be entitled to attend either the Court Meeting or the General Meeting but may vote in such meetings by returning a voting instruction card (which will be sent out in due course) to the Depositary or by instructing their financial intermediary to do so. In addition, if Rexam ADR holders surrender their Rexam ADRs to the Depositary for cancellation and withdraw the Rexam Ordinary Shares underlying the Rexam ADRs in sufficient time to be entered on the Rexam register of

 



 

members, they may attend and vote at the meetings as a Rexam Ordinary Shareholder. However, any withdrawal of Rexam Ordinary Shares underlying the Rexam ADRs will result in the incurrence of cancellation fees, other expenses and any applicable taxes by the holder.

 

Following the Effective Date Ball intends to terminate Rexam’s ADR program.

 

15.                               De-listing of Rexam Ordinary Shares and cancellation of Rexam Share certificates and Treasury Shares

 

It is intended that dealings in Rexam Ordinary Shares, including Rexam Ordinary Shares underlying the Rexam ADRs, should be suspended at 5.00 p.m. London time on the Business Day prior to the Effective Date. It is further intended that an application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the trading of Rexam Ordinary Shares, including Rexam Ordinary Shares underlying the Rexam ADRs, on its market for listed securities and the UKLA will be requested to cancel the listing of Rexam Ordinary Shares, including Rexam Ordinary Shares underlying the Rexam ADRs, on the Official List to take effect on or shortly after the Effective Date.

 

Share certificates in respect of the Rexam Ordinary Shares (along with those for the Rexam B Shares (if applicable)) will cease to be valid and should be destroyed following the Effective Date. In addition entitlements to Rexam Ordinary Shares (along with those for the Rexam B Shares (if applicable)) held within the CREST system will be cancelled.

 

As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, it is intended that Rexam will be re-registered as a private limited company under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act.

 

In the event the Scheme is sanctioned by the Court, Rexam Ordinary Shares held in Treasury will be cancelled prior to the Scheme Record Time.

 

16.                               Dividend

 

Rexam Ordinary Shareholders will be entitled to any dividends declared or paid by Rexam in respect of any completed six-month period ended 30 June or 31 December between the date of this announcement and the date of the day before the Effective Date, provided that such dividends do not exceed the corresponding interim or final dividend paid or declared in respect of 2014.

 

17.                               Disclosure of interests in Rexam

 

Ball made an Opening Position Disclosure, setting out the details required to be disclosed by it under Rule 8 of the Code on 19 February 2015.

 

As at the close of business on 18 February 2015, being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this announcement, save for: (i) the disclosures in this Section 17, and (ii) the irrevocable undertakings referred to in Section 5 above, none of Ball or any of its directors or, so far as Ball is aware, any person acting, or deemed to be acting, in concert with Ball:

 

·                  had an interest in, or right to subscribe for, relevant securities of Rexam;

 

·                  had any short position in (whether conditional or absolute and whether in the money or otherwise), including any short position under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any delivery obligation or right to require another person to purchase or take delivery of, relevant securities

 



 

of Rexam;

 

·                  had procured an irrevocable commitment or letter of intent to accept the terms of the Offer in respect of relevant securities of Rexam; or

 

·                  had borrowed or lent any Rexam Ordinary Shares.

 

Furthermore, save for the irrevocable undertakings described in Section 5 above, no arrangement exists between Bidco, Ball or Rexam or any person acting in concert with Bidco, Ball or Rexam in relation to Rexam Ordinary Shares. For these purposes, an arrangement includes any indemnity or option arrangement, any agreement or any understanding, formal or informal, of whatever nature, relating to Rexam Ordinary Shares which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing in such securities.

 

The Rexam Directors may dispose of Rexam Ordinary Shares prior to the Effective Date in order to meet tax obligations arising from the vesting of options.

 

18.                               Scheme

 

It is intended that, once the Pre-Condition has been satisfied or waived, as applicable, the Offer will be effected by a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement between Rexam and the Scheme Shareholders under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The purpose of the Scheme is to provide for Bidco to become owner of the whole issued and to be issued share capital of Rexam.

 

Under the Scheme, the Offer is to be principally achieved by:

 

·                  the cancellation of the Scheme Shares held by Scheme Shareholders in consideration for which Scheme Shareholders will receive consideration on the basis set out in Section 2 of this announcement;

 

·                  amendments to Rexam’s articles of association to ensure that any Rexam Shares issued (other than to Bidco between approval of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Scheme Record Time will be subject to the Scheme and that any Rexam Shares issued after the Scheme Record Time will automatically be acquired by Bidco; and

 

·                  the issue of new Rexam Shares to Bidco (or its nominee) and the application of the reserve arising from the cancellation described above in paying up such shares in full as provided for in the Scheme.

 

Once the Pre-Condition has been satisfied or waived, as applicable, the Offer will be subject to the Conditions and further terms and conditions referred to in Appendix I to this announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document.

 

To become effective, the Scheme requires, amongst other things, the approval of the Scheme Shareholders by the passing of a resolution at the Court Meeting. The resolution must be approved by a majority in number representing not less than three-quarters of the voting rights of the holders of the Scheme Shares (or the relevant class or classes thereof, if applicable) present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting. To become effective, the Scheme also requires the passing of resolutions to approve certain matters relating to the Scheme and the proposed reduction of capital in order to facilitate the issue of the new Rexam Shares (in each case requiring the approval of the requisite majority at the General Meeting).

 



 

The issuance of New Ball Shares requires the consent of Ball Shareholders. Ball has committed to hold a meeting of its shareholders to approve the Offer within six months of the date of this announcement.

 

Following the Meetings, the Scheme must be sanctioned by the Court and the reduction of Rexam’s share capital in connection with the Scheme confirmed by the Court. The Scheme will become effective in accordance with its terms on delivery of the Reduction Court Order to the Registrar of Companies.

 

Upon the Scheme becoming effective, it will be binding on all Rexam Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they attended or voted at the Meetings and the consideration due under the Offer will be despatched by Bidco to Scheme Shareholders no later than 14 days after the Effective Date.

 

The Scheme Document will include full details of the Scheme, together with notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting and the expected timetable, and will specify the action to be taken by Scheme Shareholders.

 

The Scheme will be governed by English law. The Scheme will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code, the Panel, the London Stock Exchange and the FCA.

 

The Offer is expected to close in the first half of 2016.

 

19.                               Anti-trust approvals

 

The Offer and the posting of the Scheme Document are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Pre-Condition. The Offer will also be subject to the Conditions. If the Pre-Condition and Conditions have not been satisfied or waived by the Long Stop Date, or such later date as Ball may (with the approval of the Panel and the consent of Rexam) determine, the Offer will not proceed.

 

Ball and Rexam mutually acknowledge that the commercial synergies and benefits which form the rationale for the proposed acquisition could be undermined depending upon the nature of any potential remedies that might be demanded by the E.U. and U.S. anti-trust authorities. Importantly, the damage to the Combined Group’s operations would not be confined to a non-recurring or short-term financial impact. For these reasons, Ball and Rexam have agreed to include the Pre-Condition and Condition 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals) to the Offer.

 

20.                               Documents on website

 

Copies of the following documents required to be published pursuant to Rule 26.2 of the Code will be published on Ball’s website at www.ball.com and on Rexam’s website at www.rexam.com by no later than noon (London time) on the day following this announcement:

 

(a)                                 this announcement;

 

(b)                                 the Confidentiality Agreement;

 

(c)                                  the Co-operation Agreement;

 

(d)                                 the director irrevocable undertakings listed in Appendix III; and

 

(e)                                  Bidco’s financing arrangements in connection with the Offer as required by Rule 24.3(f) of the Code.

 



 

21.                               Overseas shareholders and holders of Rexam ADRs

 

The availability of the Offer and the distribution of this announcement to persons resident in, or citizens of, or otherwise subject to, jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Such persons should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their jurisdiction. Rexam Ordinary Shareholders and holders of Rexam ADRs who are in any doubt regarding such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.

 

This announcement is not intended and does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or to subscribe for, or any invitation to purchase or subscribe for, or the solicitation of any offer to purchase or otherwise subscribe for any securities. Rexam Shareholders and holders of Rexam ADRs are advised to read carefully the Prospectus, the Scheme Document and the Forms of Proxy once these have been despatched.

 

22.                               Fractional entitlements

 

Fractions of New Ball Shares will not be allotted to Rexam Ordinary Shareholders but will be aggregated and sold as soon as practicable after the Scheme becomes Effective. The net proceeds of such sale will then be paid in cash to the relevant Rexam Ordinary Shareholders in accordance with their fractional entitlements.

 

23.                               Dealing arrangements

 

Ball and Rexam will work together to seek to address the cost of holding and dealing in Ball Shares for certain Rexam Ordinary Shareholders.

 

24.                               Rexam B Shares

 

Ball has assumed that any outstanding Rexam B Shares in issue at the date of this announcement will have been redeemed by Rexam in accordance with its articles of association on or by 6 April 2015 (or on such earlier date as determined by the Rexam Board) and, in any event, prior to the posting of the Scheme Document and as such the Rexam B Shares will not be affected by the Offer.

 

25.                               Reserving the right to proceed by way of a Takeover Offer

 

Ball reserves the right to elect in accordance with the Co-operation Agreement to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rexam not already held by Ball as an alternative to the Scheme. In such an event, the Takeover Offer will be implemented on the same terms (subject to appropriate amendments), so far as applicable, as those which would apply to the Scheme and subject to the amendments referred to in Appendix I to this announcement.

 

If the Offer is effected by way of a Takeover Offer and such Takeover Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and sufficient acceptances are received, Ball intends to:

 

·                  make a request to the London Stock Exchange to cancel trading in Rexam Ordinary Shares on its market for listed securities

 

·                  make a request to the UKLA to cancel the listing of the Rexam Ordinary Shares from the Official List

 



 

·                  exercise its rights to apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act to acquire compulsorily the remaining Rexam Ordinary Shares (and if applicable the Rexam B Shares) in respect of which the Takeover Offer has not been accepted

 

26.                               General

 

Once the Pre-Condition has been satisfied or waived, as applicable, the Offer will be subject to the Conditions and other terms set out in this announcement and to the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Scheme Document. It is expected that the Scheme Document will be despatched to Rexam Shareholders no later than 28 days after the date on which the Pre-Condition is satisfied and/or waived, as applicable, save as the Panel may otherwise permit.

 

In deciding whether or not to vote or procure votes in favour of the resolutions relating to the Scheme at the Meetings in respect of their Rexam Ordinary Shares, Rexam Ordinary Shareholders should rely on the information contained, and follow the procedures described, in the Scheme Document.

 

Greenhill, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Rothschild and Barclays have each given and not withdrawn their consent to the publication of this announcement with the inclusion herein of the references to their names in the form and context in which they appear.

 

Representing Ball as lead financial adviser is Greenhill. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and Goldman, Sachs & Co. also represent Ball as financial advisers. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as lead legal adviser, and Axinn, Veltrop and Harkrider LLP is acting as lead anti-trust adviser.

 

Representing Rexam as joint financial adviser/Rule 3 adviser are Rothschild and Barclays, as joint corporate broker and financial adviser are Credit Suisse and Merrill Lynch International and as legal adviser is Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

 

Enquiries

 

 

 

 

 

Ball

 

 

 

 

 

John Hayes, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

+1 (303) 469-3131

 

 

 

Scott Morrison, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Bob Tettero, Vice President, Corporate Planning and Development

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Scott, Director, Investor Relations

 

 

 

 

 

Greenhill (Lead financial adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

 

 

David Wyles

 

+44 (0) 20 7198 7400

 

 

 

Pieter-Jan Bouten

 

 

 



 

Glenn Tilles

 

+1 (312) 846 5000

 

 

 

Douglas Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsche Bank (Financial adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Sheppard

 

+44 (0) 20 7545 8000

 

 

 

Niall Cullinane

 

+1 (212) 250 2500

 

 

 

Goldman Sachs (Financial adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Brundage

 

+1 (214) 855 1117

 

 

 

Nimesh Khiroya

 

+44 (0) 20 7774 9164

 

 

 

Kevin Guidotti

 

+1 (415) 249 7005

 

 

 

FTI Consulting (Public relations adviser to Ball)

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Mountain

 

+44 (0) 20 3727 1340

 

 

 

Andrew Lorenz

 

 

 

 

 

Rexam

 

 

 

 

 

Stuart Chambers, Chairman

 

+ 44 (0) 20 7227 4100

 

 

 

Graham Chipchase, Chief Executive

 

 

 

 

 

David Robbie, Finance Director

 

 

 

 

 

Marion Le Bot, Head of Investor Relations

 

 

 

 

 

Suniti Chauhan, Director of Corporate Development

 

 

 

 

 

Rothschild (Joint financial adviser/Rule 3 adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

 

 

Ravi Gupta

 

Yuri Shakhmin

 

+44 (0) 20 7280 5000

 



 

Nick Ivey

 

 

 

 

 

Barclays (Joint financial adviser/Rule 3 adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Taylor

 

Andrew Owens

 

Asim Mullick

 

+44 (0) 20 7623 2323

 

 

 

Credit Suisse (Joint corporate broker and financial adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

 

 

Stuart Field

 

Lewis Burnett

 

+44 (0) 20 7888 8888

 

 

 

Merrill Lynch International (Joint corporate broker and financial adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Bewes

 

Peter Luck

 

+44 (0) 20 7628 1000

 

 

 

Tulchan Communications LLP (Communications adviser to Rexam)

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Robinson

 

Katharine Wynne

 

Andrew Grant

 

+44 (0) 20 7353 4200

 

Greenhill & Co. International LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively as lead financial adviser to Ball and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Ball for providing the protections afforded to clients of Greenhill & Co. International LLP, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Greenhill & Co. International LLP nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a

 



 

client of Greenhill & Co. International LLP in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Offer or otherwise.

 

Deutsche Bank AG is authorised under German Banking Law (competent authority: BaFIN - Federal Financial Supervisory Authority). Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch is further authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of its authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available on request. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch is acting as financial adviser to Ball and no one else in connection with the contents of this announcement. Neither Deutsche Bank AG nor any other company in the Deutsche Bank Group will be responsible to any person other than Ball for providing the protections to clients under the U.K. regulatory regime nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any matters referred to in this announcement. Neither Deutsche Bank nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Deutsche Bank in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

 

Goldman Sachs International, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, and its affiliate, Goldman, Sachs & Co, are acting as joint financial adviser to Ball and no one else in connection with the Offer and the other matters referred to in this announcement. In connection with the Offer and any other such matters, Goldman Sachs International and Goldman, Sachs & Co, their affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees and agents will not regard any other person as their client, nor will they be responsible to anyone other than Ball for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in connection with the Offer or any other matter referred to herein.

 

Rothschild, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Rothschild, or for providing advice in connection with the Offer or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

 

Barclays, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

 

Credit Suisse, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Credit Suisse nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer, the content of this announcement or any other matter referred to herein. Neither Credit Suisse nor any of its subsidiaries, branches or affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Credit Suisse in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.

 



 

Merrill Lynch International, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for Rexam and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Rexam for providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International nor for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter referred to in this announcement.

 

Further Information

 

This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of any offer to sell or subscribe for, or any invitation to purchase or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or otherwise subscribe for any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Offer or otherwise nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of Ball or Rexam in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable laws. The Offer will be made solely pursuant to the Scheme Document (or in the event that the Offer is to be implemented by means of a Takeover Offer, the Offer Document) which will contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer, including details of how to vote in respect of the Offer. Any vote in response in relation to the Offer should be made solely on the basis of the Scheme Document (or Offer Document as the case may be).

 

This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document.

 

Subject to the terms of the Co-operation Agreement, Ball reserves the right to elect, with the consent of the Panel (where necessary), to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer. In such event, the Takeover Offer will be implemented on substantially the same terms, subject to appropriate amendments, as those which would apply to the Scheme.

 

Information relating to Rexam Shareholders

 

Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain other information provided by Rexam Shareholders, persons with information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of communications from Rexam may be provided to Ball during the Offer Period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Code.

 

Overseas jurisdictions

 

The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom (including Restricted Jurisdictions) should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or who are subject to the laws of another jurisdiction to vote their Rexam Ordinary Shares in respect of the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another to vote at the Court Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or to which they are subject. Any failure to comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction may constitute a violation of securities laws in that jurisdiction. This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law, the Listing Rules and the Code and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of any jurisdiction outside England.

 



 

Copies of this announcement and any formal documentation relating to the Offer are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of acceptance of the Offer.

 

If the Offer is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer (unless otherwise permitted by applicable law and regulation), the Takeover Offer may not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into or by use of the mails or any other means or instrumentality (including, without limitation, facsimile, e-mail or other electronic transmission, telex or telephone) of interstate or foreign commerce of, or any facility of a national, state or other securities exchange of any Restricted Jurisdiction and the Offer will not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means, instrumentality or facilities or from within any Restricted Jurisdiction.

 

Further details in relation to Rexam Shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the Scheme Document.

 

Notice to U.S. investors in Rexam

 

The Offer relates to the shares of an English company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The Offer, implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules or the proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Exchange Act, as amended. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to the disclosure requirements and practices applicable to a scheme of arrangement involving a target company in England listed on the London Stock Exchange, which differ from the disclosure requirements of United States tender offer and proxy solicitation rules. If, in the future, Ball exercises its right to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer and determines to extend the Takeover Offer into the United States, the Offer will be made in compliance with applicable United States laws and regulations.

 

The New Ball Shares to be issued pursuant to the Offer have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. The New Ball Shares to be issued pursuant to the Offer will be issued pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) under the U.S. Securities Act. If, in the future, Ball exercises its right to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer or otherwise in a manner that is not exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act, it will file a registration statement with the SEC that will contain a prospectus with respect to the issuance of New Ball Shares. In this event, Rexam Shareholders and holders of Rexam ADRs are urged to read these documents and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information, and such documents will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Ball’s contact for enquiries identified above.

 

Neither the SEC nor any U.S. state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the New Ball Shares to be issued in connection with the Offer, or determined if this announcement is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

 

Rexam is incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. In addition, some of its officers and directors reside outside the United States, and some or all of its assets are or may be located in jurisdictions outside the United States. Therefore, investors may have difficulty effecting service of

 



 

process within the United States upon those persons or recovering against Rexam or its officers or directors on judgments of United States courts, including judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws. It may not be possible to sue Rexam or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws.

 

Notice to U.S. Investors in Ball

 

This Announcement may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of Rexam PLC (“Rexam”) by Ball Corporation (“Ball”), including the issuance of shares of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. In connection with the foregoing proposed issuance of Ball common stock, Ball expects to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). To the extent Ball effects the acquisition of Rexam as a Scheme under English law, the issuance of Ball common stock in the acquisition would not be expected to require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to an exemption provided by Section 3(a)(10) under the Act.  In the event that Ball determines to conduct the acquisition pursuant to an offer or otherwise in a manner that is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Act, it will file a registration statement with the SEC containing a prospectus with respect to the Ball common stock that would be issued in the acquisition. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BALL ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION THAT BALL WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BALL, THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF BALL COMMON STOCK, AND THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. The preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement, the registration statement/prospectus, in each case as applicable, and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed issuance of Ball common stock and the acquisition (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Ball with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC at Ball’s website, www.ball.com, or by contacting our Investor Relations department in writing at 10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000, Broomfield, CO 80021.

 

Ball and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Ball’s stockholders with respect to the proposed acquisition, including the proposed issuance of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. Information about Ball’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Ball’s common stock is set forth in Ball’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014 and Ball’s proxy statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. Information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and/or prospectus and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed acquisition and issuance of Ball common stock in the proposed acquisition.

 



 

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

 

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Ball, Rexam and the Combined Group and certain plans and objectives of Ball with respect thereto. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as “anticipate”, “target”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “goal”, “believe”, “hope”, “aim”, “continue”, “will”, “may”, “would”, “could” or “should” or other words of similar meaning or the negative thereof. There are several factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Among such factors are changes in the global, political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory forces, future exchange and interest rates, changes in tax rates and future business combinations or disposals. Factors that might affect: a) Ball and Rexam’s packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) Ball and Rexam (each as a whole) include those listed plus: changes in senior management; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in Ball’s containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labour cost changes; rates of return on assets of Ball and Rexam’s respective defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; and interest rates affecting Ball and Rexam’s respective debt, and c) Ball’s aerospace segment include funding, authorisation, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and assessments made by Ball and/or Rexam in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, business strategies, operating environment, future developments and other factors they believe appropriate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. The factors described in the context of such forward-looking statements in this announcement could cause actual results, performance or achievements, industry results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although it is believed that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct and persons reading this announcement are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as at the date of this announcement. Neither Ball nor Rexam assumes any obligation to update or correct the information contained in this announcement (whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise), except as required by applicable law.

 

No Profit Forecast

 

No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit forecast or a profit estimate and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per Ball Share or Rexam Share for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per Ball Share or Rexam Share.

 



 

Quantified Financial Benefits

 

No statement in the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, or this announcement generally, should be construed as a profit forecast or interpreted to mean that the Combined Group’s earnings in the first full year following the effective date of the Scheme, or in any subsequent period, would necessarily match or be greater than or be less than those of Ball and/or Rexam for the relevant preceding financial period or any other period.

 

Disclosure requirements of the Code

 

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day (as defined in the Code) following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day (as defined in the Code) following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

 

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Business Day (as defined in the Code) following the date of the relevant dealing.

 

Disclosures are therefore required in the shares of Ball and Rexam.

 

If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

 

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

 

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

 



 

Publication on website

 

A copy of this announcement and the documents required to be published pursuant to Rule 26.1 and Rule 26.2 of the Code will be available free of charge, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in or subject to Restricted Jurisdictions, on Ball’s website at www.ball.com and on Rexam’s website at www.rexam.com by no later than noon (London time) on the day following this announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the contents of those websites nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on those websites (or any other websites referred to in this announcement) are incorporated into, or form part of, this announcement.

 

Requesting hard copy documents

 

In accordance with Rule 30.2 of the Code, a person so entitled may request a copy of this announcement (and any information incorporated into it by reference to another source) in hard copy form. A person may also request that all future documents, announcements and information sent to that person in relation to the Offer should be in hard copy form. For persons who have received a copy of this announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so requested from either Ball by contacting Greenhill on +44 (0) 20 7198 7400 or Rexam by sending a request to 4 Millbank, London, SW1P 3XR or by contacting Rothschild on +44 20 7280 5000, as appropriate.

 

Appendix I: Pre-Condition, Conditions and Further terms of the Offer

 

Appendix II: Sources of Information and Bases of Calculation

 

Appendix III: Details of Directors’ Irrevocable Undertakings

 

Appendix IV: Quantified Financial Benefits Statement

 

Appendix V: Definitions

 



 

APPENDIX I

 

PRE-CONDITION, CONDITIONS AND FURTHER TERMS OF THE OFFER

 

The Offer will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code, the Panel, the London Stock Exchange and the FCA.

 

The Scheme will be governed by English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. In addition, it will be subject to the terms and conditions set out below and to be set out in the Scheme Document.

 

Each of the Pre-Condition and Conditions shall be regarded as a separate Pre-Condition or Condition (as the case may be) and shall not be limited by reference to the Pre-Condition or any other Condition.

 

PART 1: Pre-Condition to the Offer

 

The making of the Offer by the posting of the Scheme Document will take place following the satisfaction of, or (to the extent permitted by the Panel), waiver of, the Pre-Condition below. Ball shall be entitled to waive the following Pre-Condition in whole or in part:

 

European Commission and HSR clearance

 

(a)              In so far as the Offer constitutes a concentration with a Community dimension within the scope of the Regulation:

 

(i)                                     the European Commission having issued a decision allowing the Offer to proceed under Article 6(1)(b), Article 6(2), Article 8(1) or Article 8(2) of the Regulation (or being deemed to have done so under Article 10(6) of the Regulation); and

 

(ii)                                  if any aspect of the Offer is referred to a competent authority of an E.U. or EFTA state or more than one such competent authority under Article 9 of the Regulation, confirmation having been received from each such competent authority that the Offer may proceed; and

 

(b)              all necessary notifications and filings having been made and all applicable waiting periods (including any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder having expired or been terminated in each case in respect of the Offer and the acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Rexam by any member of the Ball Group;

 

PART 2: Conditions of the Offer

 

The Offer will be subject to the satisfaction (or, where applicable, waiver in accordance with Part 3 of this Appendix I (Waiver and Invocation of the Pre-Condition and Conditions)) of the following Conditions:

 



 

1.                                     Scheme approval

 

The Offer will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming unconditional and becoming effective by no later than the Long Stop Date, or such later date (if any) as Ball and Rexam may (with the consent of the Panel) agree and, if required, the Court may allow.

 

(a)              The Scheme will be conditional upon:

 

(i)                                     its approval by a majority in number representing not less than 75 per cent. in value of the Rexam Ordinary Shareholders who are on the register of members of Rexam at the Voting Record Time and who are present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting (and at any separate class meeting which may be required by the Court, if applicable) or at any adjournment of any such meeting on or before the 22nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document (or such later date, if any, as Ball and Rexam may agree and the Court may allow);

 

(ii)                                  all resolutions in connection with or necessary to approve and implement the Scheme and any related reduction of capital being duly passed by the requisite majority or majorities at the General Meeting or at any adjournment of that meeting on or before the 22nd day after the expected date of the General Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document (or such later date, if any, as Ball and Rexam may agree and the Court may allow);

 

(iii)                               the sanction of the Scheme by the Court and confirmation of any related reduction of capital, in each case without modification or with modification on terms acceptable to Ball and Rexam, on or before the 22nd day after the expected date of the Court sanction hearing to be set out in the Scheme Document (or such later date, if any, as Ball and Rexam may agree and the Court may allow), and the confirmation of any related reduction of capital by the Court (if applicable) and:

 

(1)                                 the delivery of office copies of the Scheme Court Order to the Registrar of Companies; and

 

(2)                                 the registration of any reduction court order (and minute of the reduction of capital) being filed with and registered by the Registrar of Companies (if applicable).

 

In addition, subject as stated in Part 2 of this Appendix and to the requirements of the Panel, the Offer will be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the necessary actions to make the Scheme effective will not be taken unless the following Conditions (as amended if appropriate) have been satisfied (and continue to be satisfied pending the sanction of the Scheme) or, where relevant, waived in writing prior to the Scheme being sanctioned by the Court;

 

2.                                     Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals

 

European Commission clearance

 

(a)              In the event that the Pre-Condition set out in Part 1 (Pre-Condition to the Offer) is waived, in so far as the Offer constitutes a concentration with a Community dimension within the

 



 

scope of the Regulation:

 

(i)                                     the European Commission having issued a decision allowing the Offer to proceed under Article 6(1)(b), Article 6(2), Article 8(1) or Article 8(2) of the Regulation (or being deemed to have done so under Article 10(6) of the Regulation); and

 

(ii)                                  if any aspect of the Offer is referred to a competent authority of an E.U. or EFTA state or more than one such competent authority under Article 9 of the Regulation, confirmation having been received from each such competent authority that the Offer may proceed;

 

United States Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance

 

(b)              in the event that the Pre-Condition set out in Part 1 (Pre-Condition to the Offer) is waived, all necessary notifications and filings having been made and all applicable waiting periods (including any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder having expired or been terminated in each case in respect of the Offer and the acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Rexam by any member of the Ball Group;

 

Brazilian CADE clearance

 

(c)               Brazil’s Council for Economic Defence (“CADE”) having approved the consummation of the Offer unconditionally or, if approved with conditions, on such conditions as are reasonably satisfactory to Ball, pursuant to the Brazilian competition law of 30 November 2011, Title VII Chapter 3;

 

Level of divestitures

 

(d)              Ball having obtained confirmation that the Ball Group and/or the Rexam Group shall not, in connection with obtaining the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act or the Regulation nor in connection with obtaining any consents under the HSR Act or the Regulation or avoiding or settling an action or threatened action pursuant to the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, be required to sell, divest, (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any enhancements or reconfigurations of plants or the costs thereof), or otherwise dispose of any cans production facilities or, with respect to ends, production assets, where this would, taken together, give rise to an Anti-trust Material Adverse Effect;

 

Ball Shareholder approval

 

(e)               the issuance of New Ball Shares in connection with the Offer being duly approved, as required by section 312.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast at a Ball Shareholders’ meeting duly called and held for such purpose in accordance with applicable law and the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Ball;

 



 

General anti-trust and regulatory

 

(f)                all clearance decisions having been received or waiting periods (including any extensions thereof) having expired or been terminated under any anti-trust laws in jurisdictions where Ball and Rexam agree (in both cases acting reasonably and including the following jurisdictions which Ball and Rexam have so agreed: the E.U., the U.S. and Brazil) that an anti-trust filing should be made in each case in respect of the Offer and the acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Rexam by any member of the Ball Group;

 

(g)               there not continuing to be outstanding any statute, regulation, decision or order which would make the Offer, its implementation or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, any member of the Rexam Group by any member of the Ball Group, void, illegal and/or unenforceable under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction, in any case to an extent or in a manner which is material in the context of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group, as the case may be, or in the context of the Offer;

 

(h)              in any jurisdiction other than the United States, the E.U. (including its member states), and Brazil, no anti-trust regulator having decided or given notice of its decision to take, institute, implement any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference or withdrawal of a clearance decision, or having required any action or step to be taken or otherwise having done anything or having enacted or made any statute, regulation, decision, order or change to published practice (and in each case, not having withdrawn the same) and there not continuing to be outstanding any statute, regulation, decision or order which would or might reasonably be expected to, in any case to an extent or in a manner which is material in the context of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group, as the case may be, or in the context of the Offer:

 

(i)                                     make the Offer, its implementation or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, any member of the Rexam Group by any member of the Ball Group, void, illegal and/or unenforceable under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction, or otherwise directly or indirectly prevent, prohibit, or restrain, restrict, delay or otherwise interfere with the implementation of, or impose additional conditions or obligations with respect to, or otherwise impede, challenge, interfere, hinder the Offer or its implementation or require amendment to the terms of the Offer or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, any member of the Rexam Group by any member of the Ball Group, or otherwise challenge or interfere therewith;

 

(ii)                                  require any member of the Ball Group or any member of the Rexam Group to sell, divest, hold separate, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of their respective businesses, operations, product lines, assets or property which is material in the context of the Combined Group, or to prevent or materially delay any of the above;

 

(iii)                               require any member of the Combined Group to conduct its business or any part thereof in a specified manner or impose any limitation on the ability of all or any of them to conduct their respective businesses (or any part thereof) or to own, control or manage any of their assets or properties (or any part thereof);

 



 

(iv)                              impose any material limitation on, or result in a material delay in, the ability of any member of the Ball Group or any member of the Rexam Group to conduct, integrate or co-ordinate all or any part of its business with all or any part of the business of any other member of the Ball Group and/or the Rexam Group;

 

(v)                                 impose any material limitation on, or result in a material delay in, the ability of any member of the Ball Group directly or indirectly to acquire, hold or to exercise effectively all or any rights of ownership in respect of shares or loans or securities convertible into shares or any other securities (or the equivalent) in Rexam or on the ability of any member of the Rexam Group or any member of the Ball Group directly or indirectly to hold or exercise effectively all or any rights of ownership in respect of shares or loans or securities convertible into shares or any other securities (or the equivalent) in, or to exercise voting or management control over, any member of the Rexam Group;

 

(vi)                              require, prevent or materially delay a divestiture, or materially alter the terms envisaged for any proposed divestiture by any member of the Ball Group or the Rexam Group of any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) in or any business, asset or property of any member of the Rexam Group or any member of the Ball Group;

 

(vii)                           in the event that Ball elects to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer, require any member of the Ball Group or the Rexam Group to acquire, or offer to acquire any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) or interest in any member of the Rexam Group or any member of the Ball Group or any asset owned by any third party (other than in connection with the implementation of the Offer);

 

(viii)                        require any member of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group to relinquish, terminate or amend in any way any contract to which any member of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group is a party;

 

(ix)                              result in any member of the Rexam Group or any member of the Ball Group ceasing to be able to carry on business under any name under which it currently does so in any jurisdiction;

 

(x)                                 require any member of the Ball Group or any member of the Rexam Group or any of their respective affiliates to (A) invest, contribute or loan any capital or assets to; (B) guarantee or pledge capital assets for the benefit of; (C) maintain, support or guarantee a minimum level of capital or surplus in excess of the minimum regulatory requirements applicable in respect of such entity or in excess of any additional regulator-imposed buffer applicable as at the date hereof; or (D) provide any financial resources, keep-well or support of any nature whatsoever at any time to, any member of the Rexam Group which is material in the context of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group, as the case may be, or in the context of the Offer; or

 

(xi)                              otherwise materially adversely affect all or any of the business, assets, liabilities, profits, financial or trading position, operational performance or prospects of

 



 

 any member of the Rexam Group or any member of the Ball Group;

 

3.                                      Listing on the New York Stock Exchange, effectiveness of registration

 

(a)              confirmation having been received by Ball that the New Ball Shares have been approved for listing, subject to official notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange; and

 

(b)              in the event that the Offer is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, absent an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act, the Registration Statement having been declared effective by the SEC and no stop order having been issued or proceedings for suspension of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement having been initiated by the SEC and Ball having received all necessary U.S. state securities law or blue sky authorisations;

 

4.                                      Prospectus

 

the Prospectus shall have been approved by the UKLA, and made available to the public in accordance with The Prospectus Rules; and (ii) the UKLA shall have given notice on its website that it has received the information referred to in section 87H of the FSMA in relation to the Prospectus;

 

5.                                      Notifications, waiting periods and Authorisations (excluding anti-trust)

 

all notifications, filings or applications, other than any anti-trust or merger control notifications, filings or applications (and any related waiting period), which are necessary or are reasonably considered appropriate or desirable by Ball having been made in connection with the Offer and all necessary waiting and other time periods (including any extensions thereof) under any applicable legislation or regulations of any relevant jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated (as appropriate) and all statutory and regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with in each case in respect of the Offer and all Authorisations which are necessary or reasonably considered appropriate by Ball in any relevant jurisdiction for or in respect of the Offer or the acquisition or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or management of, Rexam or any other member of the Rexam Group by any member of the Ball Group having been obtained in terms and in a form reasonably satisfactory to Ball from all relevant Third Parties or (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) from any persons or bodies with whom any member of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group has entered into contractual arrangements and all such Authorisations necessary, appropriate or desirable to carry on the business of any member of the Rexam Group in any jurisdiction having been obtained and all such Authorisations remaining in full force and effect at the time at which the Offer becomes unconditional and there being no notice or intimation of any intention to revoke, suspend, restrict, impede, modify or not to renew such Authorisations, in each such case, to an extent or in a manner which is material in the context of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group, as the case may be, or in the context of the Offer;

 

6.                                      Pension liabilities

 

since 31 December 2013, except as Fairly Disclosed:

 

(i)                                     no member of the Rexam Group nor the trustees of the Rexam Pension Plan

 



 

having commenced the winding up of the Rexam Pension Plan;

 

(ii)                                  no liability having arisen under section 75 of the Pensions Act 1995 in relation to the Rexam Pension Plan;

 

(iii)                               no warning notice having been issued to any member of the Rexam Group by the Pensions Regulator (as defined in the Pensions Act 2004) to exercise its powers pursuant to sections 38 to 56 (inclusive) of the Pensions Act 2004 and sections 7 and 11 of the Pensions Act 1995 in relation to the Rexam Pension Plan;

 

(iv)                              no material liability to the PBGC has been incurred (other than for premiums);

 

(v)                                 no notice of intent to terminate any Rexam U.S. Pension Plan has been filed with the PBGC or distributed to participants therein and no amendment terminating any Rexam U.S. Pension Plan has been adopted; no proceedings to terminate any Rexam U.S. Pension Plan instituted by the PBGC are pending or are threatened and no event or condition has occurred which would reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Rexam U.S. Pension Plan; and

 

(vi)                              no Rexam U.S. Pension Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standards set forth in sections 302 and 303 of ERISA and no Rexam U.S. Pension Plan is in “at risk” status, within the meaning of section 303 of ERISA;

 

in the case of (ii) and (iii) above, to an extent that is or would be material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

7.                                      Rexam Shareholder resolutions

 

no resolution of Rexam Shareholders in relation to any acquisition or disposal of assets or shares (or the equivalent thereof) in any undertaking or undertakings (or in relation to any merger, consolidation, demerger, reconstruction, amalgamation or scheme) being passed at a meeting of Rexam Shareholders other than in relation to the implementation of the Offer and Rexam not having taken any action that requires or would require approval of Rexam Shareholders in general meeting pursuant to Rule 21.1 of the Code;

 

8.                                      Certain matters arising as a result of any arrangement, agreement, etc.

 

except as Fairly Disclosed, there being no provision of any agreement, arrangement, lease, licence, franchise, permit or other instrument to which any member of the Rexam Group is a party, or by or to which any such member or any of its assets is or are or may be bound, entitled or subject or any event or circumstance, which, in each case as a consequence of the Offer and the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of, Rexam or any other member of the Rexam Group or otherwise, would or would reasonably be expected to result in (in any case to an extent that is or would be material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer):

 

(i)                                     any monies borrowed by, or any other indebtedness or liabilities (actual or

 



 

contingent) of, or any grant available to, any such member being or becoming repayable or capable of being declared repayable, immediately or prior to its or their stated maturity date or repayment date, or the ability of any such member to borrow monies or incur any indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of becoming or being withdrawn or inhibited;

 

(ii)                                  any such agreement, arrangement, lease, licence, franchise, permit or other instrument, or the rights, liabilities, obligations, interests or business of any such member thereunder (or with any other person), being, or becoming capable of being, terminated or adversely affected, or any onerous obligation or liability arising or any adverse action occurring thereunder;

 

(iii)                               any such member ceasing to be able to carry on its business under any name under which it currently does so;

 

(iv)                              any material assets or interests of or used by any such member being or being required to be disposed of or charged or ceasing to be available to any such member or any right arising under which any such material asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or charged or could cease to be available to any such member otherwise than in the ordinary course of business;

 

(v)                                 the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or other security interest over the whole or any part of the business, property or assets of any such member or any such mortgage, charge or other security interest (whenever created, arising or having arisen) becoming enforceable;

 

(vi)                              the creation or acceleration of any liability, actual or contingent, by any such member, other than trade creditors or other liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vii)                           any liability of any such member to make any severance, termination, bonus or other payment to any of its directors or other officers;

 

(viii)                        any requirement on any such member to acquire, subscribe, pay up or repay any shares or other securities;

 

(ix)                              the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any such member in, or the business of any such member with, any person, firm, company or body (or any arrangement or arrangements relating to any such interest or business) being or becoming capable of being terminated, or adversely modified or affected or any onerous obligation or liability arising or any adverse action being taken thereunder; or

 

(x)                                 the value of any such member or its financial or trading position or prospects being materially prejudiced or adversely affected;

 

and no event having occurred which, under any provision of any agreement, arrangement, lease, licence, franchise, permit or other instrument to which any member of the Rexam Group is a party or by or to which any such member or any of its assets are or may be bound, entitled or subject, would or might reasonably be expected to result in any of the

 



 

events or circumstances as are referred to in sub-paragraphs (i) to (x) of this Condition, in each case which is or would be material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

9.                                      Certain events occurring since 31 December 2013

 

since 31 December 2013, except as Fairly Disclosed or as otherwise permitted under the Co-operation Agreement, no member of the Rexam Group having:

 

(i)                                     save for transactions between Rexam and any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries or between the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Rexam, issued or agreed to issue or authorised or proposed or announced its intention to authorise or propose the issue of additional shares (or other securities) of any class, or securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares, securities or convertible securities or transferred or sold, or agreed to transfer or sell or authorised or proposed the transfer or sale of any shares out of Treasury or purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities or reduced or made any other change to any part of its share capital;

 

(ii)                                  other than dividends (or other distributions whether payable in cash or otherwise) lawfully paid or made by any wholly-owned subsidiary of Rexam to Rexam or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other distribution whether payable in cash or otherwise, save for distributions to Rexam or a wholly owned subsidiary of Rexam by a wholly owned subsidiary of Rexam;

 

(iii)                               save for transactions between Rexam and any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries or between the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Rexam, or pursuant to the Offer, merged or demerged with any body corporate or acquired or disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or charged or created any security interest over any material assets or any right, title or interest in any material asset (including shares or loan capital (or the equivalent thereof) in any undertaking or undertakings and further including trade investments) or implemented, effected, authorised or proposed or announced any intention to implement, effect, authorise or propose any such merger, demerger, reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme, commitment, acquisition, disposal, transfer, mortgage, charge or security interest, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(iv)                              save for transactions between Rexam and any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries or between the wholly-owned subsidiaries of Rexam, made or authorised or proposed or announced an intention to propose any change to the terms of any of its loan capital, debentures or other indebtedness in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(v)                                 entered into, implemented or authorised the entry into of, or amended,

 



 

terminated or permitted to be terminated, any joint venture, asset or profit sharing arrangement, partnership or merger of business or corporate entities, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(vi)                              issued or agreed to issue, authorised or proposed or announced an intention to authorise or propose the issue of, or made any change in or to the terms of any debentures or (save for trade credit incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), incurred or increased, or agreed to incur or increase, any indebtedness or become, or agreed to become, subject to any material liability (actual or contingent) except as between Rexam and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries or between such subsidiaries in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(vii)                           implemented, effected, authorised or proposed or announced its intention to implement, effect, authorise or propose any composition, assignment, reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme, commitment or other transaction or arrangement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or entered into or varied, or made any offer to enter into or vary to a material extent, the terms of any contract, agreement or arrangement with any director or senior executive of any member of the Rexam Group;

 

(viii)                        entered into or varied or authorised, proposed or announced its intention to enter into or vary any material agreement, contract, transaction, arrangement or commitment (whether in respect of capital expenditure or otherwise) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice which is of a long-term, onerous or unusual nature or magnitude or which involves an obligation of a nature or magnitude which would be or might reasonably be expected to be materially restrictive or onerous on the business of any member of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group which taken together with any other such material agreement, contract, transaction, arrangement or commitment would be or might reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the Rexam Group or the Ball Group, as the case may be, taken as a whole;

 

(ix)                              other than in respect of a member of the Rexam Group which is dormant and was solvent at the relevant time, taken or proposed any step or corporate action, or had any legal proceedings instituted or threatened against it or petition presented or order made, in relation to the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, its winding-up (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or reorganisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, manager, trustee or similar officer of all or any material part of its assets or revenues or any analogous or equivalent steps or proceedings in any jurisdiction or appointed any analogous person in any jurisdiction or had any such person appointed, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(x)                                 been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to pay its debts as they fall due or commenced negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling or restructuring any of its indebtedness, or having stopped or

 



 

suspended (or threatened to stop or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(xi)                              entered into or changed the terms of, or made any offer (which remains open for acceptance) to enter into or vary the terms of, any contract, service agreement, commitment, transaction or arrangement which would be restrictive on the business of a member of the Rexam Group, as the case may be, other than to a nature and extent which is normal and consistent with past practice in the context of the business concerned, in each case, to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(xii)                           waived, compromised or settled any claim, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer, otherwise than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(xiii)                        terminated or varied the terms of any agreement or arrangement between any member of the Rexam Group and any other person in a manner which would or might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(xiv)                       except in relation to changes made or agreed as a result of, or arising from, legislation or changes to legislation, made or agreed or consented to any change to:

 

(1)                                 the terms of the trust deeds constituting the pension scheme(s) established by any member of the Rexam Group for its directors, officers, employees or their dependants;

 

(2)                                 the contributions payable to any such scheme(s) or to the benefits which accrue or to the pensions which are payable thereunder;

 

(3)                                 the basis on which qualification for, or accrual or entitlement to, such benefits or pensions are calculated or determined;

 

(4)                                 the basis upon which the liabilities (including pensions) of such pension schemes are funded, valued or made, or agreed or consented to; or

 

(5)                                 the trustees involving the appointment of a trust corporation,

 

in each case, which has an effect that is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

(xv)                          save as agreed in writing by Ball, proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any share option scheme, pension scheme obligations, incentive scheme or other benefit relating to the employment or termination of employment of any person employed by the Rexam Group, in each case to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or

 



 

in the context of the Offer;

 

(xvi)                       (except as disclosed on publicly available registers) made any alteration to the articles of association or other incorporation documents of Rexam or any material alteration to the memorandum or articles of association of any member of the Rexam Group (in each case, other than an alteration in connection with the Scheme) which in any such case is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

(xvii)                    entered into any contract, commitment, arrangement or agreement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or passed any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for acceptance) with respect to or announced an intention to, or to propose to, effect any of the transactions, matters or events referred to in this Condition; or

 

(xviii)                 having taken (or agreed or proposed to take) any action which requires, or would require, the consent of the Panel or the approval of Rexam Shareholders in general meeting in accordance with, or as contemplated by, Rule 21.1 of the Code;

 

10.                              No adverse change, litigation or regulatory enquiry

 

since 31 December 2013, except as Fairly Disclosed, there having been:

 

(i)                                     no material adverse change or deterioration in the business, assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, financial or trading position or profits, operational performance or prospects of any member of the Rexam Group which, in any such case, is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole and no circumstance having arisen which would or would reasonably be expected to result in any such material adverse change or deterioration;

 

(ii)                                  no agreement or arrangement between any member of the Rexam Group and any other person has been terminated or varied in a manner which, in any such case, would or might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(iii)                               no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or other legal proceedings to which any member of the Rexam Group is or may become a party (whether as a claimant, defendant or otherwise) and no enquiry, review or investigation by, or complaint or reference to, any Third Party against or in respect of any member of the Rexam Group (or any person in respect of which any such member has or may have responsibility or liability) having been threatened, announced, implemented or instituted by or against or remaining outstanding against or in respect of any member of the Rexam Group which, in any such case, has had, or might reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

(iv)                              no contingent or other material liability having arisen or become apparent to Ball or increased, which has had, or might reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, financial or trading position or

 



 

profits or prospects of any member of the Rexam Group which, in any such case, is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

(v)                                 no amendment or termination of any joint venture or partnership to which any member of the Rexam Group is a party having been agreed or permitted (in each case, to an extent which is material in the context of the Rexam Group as a whole); and

 

(vi)                              no action or steps having been taken and no omissions having been made which are reasonably likely to lead to or result in the withdrawal, cancellation, termination, modification or variation of any Authorisation held by or on behalf of any member of the Rexam Group which is necessary for the proper carrying on of its business and the withdrawal, cancellation, termination or modification of which has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

11.                               No discovery of certain matters regarding information and liabilities

 

except as Fairly Disclosed, Ball not having discovered:

 

(i)                                     that any financial, business or other information concerning the Rexam Group as contained in the information publicly disclosed prior to the date of this announcement at any time by or on behalf of any member of the Rexam Group or disclosed at any time to any member of the Ball Group or to any of their advisers by or on behalf of any member of the Rexam Group is misleading, contains a misrepresentation of any fact or omits to state a fact necessary to make that information not misleading, in each case to an extent which is, in any case itself or together with other factors, material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(ii)                                  that any member of the Rexam Group or any partnership, company or other entity in which any member of the Rexam Group has a significant economic interest and which is not a subsidiary undertaking of Rexam is subject to any liability (contingent or otherwise) which, in any such case, is material in the context of the Rexam Group or in the context of the Offer;

 

(iii)                               any information which affects the import of any information disclosed to Ball or its advisers at any time by or on behalf of any member of the Rexam Group and which is material and adverse in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer; and

 

(iv)                              that any past or present member of the Rexam Group has failed to comply in any material respect with any applicable legislation, regulations or other requirements, of any jurisdiction or any Authorisations with regard to the use, treatment, storage, carriage, disposal, spillage, release, discharge, accumulation, leak, emission, migration, production, supply or transportation of any waste or hazardous substance or any substance likely to impair the environment (including property) or harm human health or animal health or

 



 

otherwise relating to environmental matters, or that there has otherwise been any such use, treatment, storage, carriage, disposal, spillage, release, discharge, accumulation, leak, emission, migration, production, supply or transportation (whether or not the same, constituted a non-compliance by any person with any such legislation, regulation or requirement, and wherever the same may have taken place) any of which use, treatment, storage, carriage, disposal, spillage, release, discharge, accumulation, leak, emission, migration, production, supply or transportation would be likely to give rise to any material liability including any penalty for non-compliance (whether actual or contingent) on the part of any member of the Rexam Group, which, in any case, is, or which might reasonably be expected to be, material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(v)                                 that there is, or is reasonably likely to be, for any reason whatsoever:

 

(1)                                 any material obligation or liability (actual or contingent) or requirement of any past or present member of the Rexam Group; or

 

(2)                                 any circumstances existing (whether as a result of the Offer or otherwise) which would be reasonably likely to lead to any Third Party instituting (or whereby any past or present member of the Rexam Group would be likely to be required to institute) an environmental audit or take any steps which would in any such case be reasonably likely to result in any material actual or contingent liability,

 

to improve or install new plant or equipment to make good, remediate, repair, reinstate or clean up any property, asset or any controlled waters currently or previously owned, occupied, operated or made use of or controlled by or on behalf of any such past or present member of the Rexam Group or by any person for which a member of the Rexam Group is or has been responsible, or in which any such member may currently or previously have had or be deemed to have or have had an interest, under any environmental legislation, common law, regulation, notice, circular, Authorisation or order or other lawful requirement of any relevant authority or Third Party in any jurisdiction or to contribute to the cost thereof or associated therewith or indemnify any person in relation thereto, which, in any such case, is or might reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole;

 

(vi)                              that circumstances exist (whether as a result of making the Offer or otherwise) whereby a person or class of persons would be likely to have any claim or claims in respect of any product or process of manufacture or materials used therein currently or previously manufactured, sold or carried out by any past or present member of the Rexam Group which claim or claims would be likely to materially affect any member of the Rexam Group; and

 

(vii)                           that any member of the Rexam Group has failed to satisfy any requirement of any Third Party to (i) invest, contribute or loan any capital or assets to; (ii) guarantee or pledge capital assets for the benefit of; (iii) maintain, support or guarantee a minimum level of capital or surplus in excess of the minimum

 



 

regulatory requirements applicable in respect of such entity or in excess of any additional regulator-imposed buffer; or (iv) provide any financial resources, keep-well or support of any nature whatsoever at any time to, any member of the Rexam Group which is material in the context of the Rexam Group taken as a whole or in the context of the Offer;

 

12.                               Anti-corruption, sanctions and criminal property

 

except as Fairly Disclosed, Ball not having discovered:

 

(i)                                     any past or present member, director, officer or employee of the Rexam Group, or any other person for whom any such person may be liable or responsible, has not (in the course of the business of the Rexam Group or their engagement on it) complied with the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and any laws implementing the same, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 and/or the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977;

 

(ii)                                  any past or present member, director, officer or employee of the Rexam Group, or any other person for whom any such person may be liable or responsible, has engaged in any business with, made any investments in, made any funds or assets available to or received any funds or assets from: (a) any government, entity or individual in respect of which U.S. or E.U. persons, or persons operating in those territories, are prohibited from engaging in activities or doing business, or from receiving or making available funds or economic resources, by U.S. or E.U. laws or regulations, including the economic sanctions administered by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control, or HM Treasury in the U.K., or (b) any government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic sanctions of the United Nations or the European Union or any of their respective member states;

 

(iii)                               any asset of any member of the Rexam Group constitutes criminal property as defined by Section 340(3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; and

 

(iv)                              no member of the Rexam Group being engaged in any transaction which would cause Ball to be in breach of any law or regulation upon its acquisition of Rexam, including the economic sanctions of the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control, or HM Treasury in the U.K., or any government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic sanctions of the United Nations or the E.U. or any of their respective member states.

 

PART 3: Waiver and Invocation of the Pre-Condition and Conditions

 

Subject to the requirements of the Panel, Ball reserves the right (but shall be under no obligation, except as provided in the Co-operation Agreement) to waive, in whole or in part, the Pre-Condition and all or any of the Conditions except for Condition 1 (Scheme approval), which cannot be waived. Except as provided in the Co-operation Agreement, Ball shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as fulfilled the Pre-Condition or any of the Conditions which are capable of being waived by a date earlier than the date specified in the Condition set out in Condition 1 (Scheme Approval) for the fulfillment thereof,

 



 

notwithstanding that other Conditions may at any earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such Conditions may not be capable of fulfillment.

 

Conditions 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals) to 12 (Anti-corruption, sanctions and criminal property) (inclusive) must be fulfilled or waived by no later than the Scheme being sanctioned by the Court, failing which the Scheme will lapse. Ball shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as satisfied any of Conditions 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals) to 12 (Anti-corruption, sanctions and criminal property) (inclusive) by a date earlier than the latest date specified above for the fulfilment or waiver thereof, notwithstanding that any such Condition or the other Conditions of the Scheme and the Offer may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.

 

If Ball is required by the Panel to make an offer for Rexam Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Code, Ball may make such alterations to the Pre-Condition, Conditions and further terms of the Offer as are necessary to comply with the provisions of that Rule.

 

PART 4: Implementation by Way of a Takeover Offer

 

Ball may (in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Co-operation Agreement) implement the Offer by making, directly or indirectly through a subsidiary or nominee of Ball, a Takeover Offer as an alternative to the Scheme. In such event, the Offer will be implemented on substantially the same terms, subject to appropriate amendments, as those which would apply to the Scheme. The acceptance condition would be set at 90 per cent. of the shares to which such Offer relates (or such lesser percentage (being more than 50 per cent.) as Ball may decide with the consent of the Panel). Further, if sufficient acceptances of the Offer are received and/or sufficient Rexam Shares are otherwise acquired, it is the intention of Ball to apply the provisions of the Companies Act to compulsorily acquire any outstanding Rexam Shares to which such Offer relates.

 

In the event that the Offer is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer, the Rexam Shares acquired shall be acquired with full title guarantee, fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges, encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights and interests of any nature and together with all rights now or hereafter attaching or accruing to them, including voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or after the date of this announcement save as provided in the Co-operation Agreement.

 

PART 5: Certain Further Terms of the Offer

 

The availability of the Offer to Rexam Ordinary Shareholders who are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of relevant jurisdictions. Therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom and any Rexam Ordinary Shareholders who are not resident in the United Kingdom will need to inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements.

 



 

The New Ball Shares will be issued credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ball Shares, save that they will not participate in any dividend payable by Ball with reference to a record date prior to the Effective Date.

 



 

APPENDIX II

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASES OF CALCULATION

 

Unless stated otherwise in this announcement:

 

·                  financial information concerning Rexam has been extracted from the Annual Report and Accounts of Rexam for the year ended 31 December 2013 and Rexam’s full year 2014 preliminary results announcement;

 

·                  financial information concerning Ball has been extracted from Ball’s Q4 earnings announcement for the year ended 31 December 2014;

 

·                  the value of the fully diluted share capital of Rexam under the terms of the Offer of £4.4 billion is based upon 706,513,377 Rexam Ordinary Shares in issue as at 17 February 2015 and includes Rexam Ordinary Shares which could fall to be issued on exercise in full of options granted under the Rexam Share Option Schemes, net of the expected proceeds to Rexam from exercise of those options;

 

·                  the closing market price of a Rexam Ordinary Share is the middle market price extracted from the Daily Official List for the relevant day;

 

·                  Rexam announced on 19 February 2015 that, for the purposes of Rule 2.10 of the Code, as at the close of business on 17 February 2015 there were 704,838,995 Rexam Ordinary Shares in issue, the ISIN number for which is GB00BMHTPY25;

 

·                  information relating to Rexam has been provided by persons duly authorised or appointed by the Board of Rexam or extracted from published sources;

 

·                  synergy numbers are unaudited and are based on analysis by Ball’s management and on Ball’s and Rexam’s internal records;

 

·                  information relating to Ball has been provided by persons duly authorised or appointed by the Board of Ball or extracted from published sources; and

 

·                  where amounts are shown in both U.S. dollars and sterling in this announcement, an exchange rate of £1.00/US$1.54 has been used, which was derived from data provided by Bloomberg as at 10.00 pm GMT on 17 February 2015 (being the last practicable dealing date prior to the date of this announcement).

 



 

APPENDIX III

 

DETAILS OF DIRECTORS’ IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS

 

Irrevocable Undertakings from Rexam Directors

 

Ball has received irrevocable undertakings in relation to the Offer from certain Rexam Directors who hold Rexam Ordinary Shares in respect of 876,458 Rexam Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 0.12 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of Rexam in issue on 17 February 2015, being the last practicable date prior to this announcement.

 

The irrevocable undertaking includes undertakings:

 

(a)              to vote, or procure the vote, in favour (or to submit, or procure the submission of, Forms of Proxy voting in favour) of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Special Resolution at the General Meeting; and

 

(b)              if Ball exercises its right to structure the Offer as a Takeover Offer, to accept, or procure the acceptance of, such Takeover Offer.

 

The obligations of the Rexam Directors under the irrevocable undertakings shall lapse and cease to have effect on the earlier of the following occurrences:

 

(i)                                     this announcement is not released by 08:00 a.m. (London time) on 19 February 2015 (or such later time or date as Ball and Rexam may agree); or

 

(ii)           the Scheme does not become effective or, if Ball elects to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer, the Takeover Offer does not become unconditional as to acceptances, in each case by 19 August 2016 (or such later date as Ball and Rexam may agree in writing); or

 

(iii)          the Takeover Offer or Scheme lapses or is withdrawn (however this shall not apply where the Offer is withdrawn or lapses solely as a result of Ball exercising its right to implement the Offer by way of a Takeover Offer rather than a Scheme or vice versa); or

 

(iv)          if Ball announces, with the consent of any relevant authority (if required) and before the Scheme Document or the formal document containing the Offer is posted, that it does not intend to proceed with the Offer and no new, revised or replacement Scheme or Offer is contemporaneously announced in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code by Ball.

 



 

APPENDIX IV

 

QUANTIFIED FINANCIAL BENEFITS STATEMENT

 

Part A

 

Section 7 of this announcement (Financial Benefits of the Offer) contains statements of estimated cost savings and synergies arising from the Offer (together, the “Quantified Financial Benefits Statement”).

 

A copy of the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement is set out below:

 

“The Ball Responsible Officers, having reviewed and analysed the potential benefits of the Offer, based on their experience of operating in the packaging sector and taking into account the factors Ball can influence, believe that the Combined Group, comprising both Ball and Rexam in their entirety, will be able to achieve net annual cost synergies of approximately US$300 million in the 3rd financial year of operations of the Combined Group.

 

The principal sources of quantified synergies are as follows:

 

·                  approximately 44 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from lower general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses

 

·                  approximately 32 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from reduced costs due to optimising global sourcing via standardisation and greater purchasing volume for various direct and indirect materials

 

·                  approximately 22 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from lower freight, logistics and warehousing costs

 

·                  approximately 2 per cent. of the identified synergies are expected to be generated from sharing best practices across the Combined Group to lower production costs and optimising the expanded production capabilities of the Combined Group

 

In addition to these quantified synergies, the Ball Responsible Officers believe that significant further value can be created through additional opportunities, including:

 

·                  revenue opportunities arising as a result of (i) the creation of a combined business with a global footprint that more closely matches the footprint of its customers and needs for innovative products; and (ii) the Combined Group’s ability to provide a better, more cost-effective service to its customers

 

·                  balance sheet improvements through improved working capital, including better inventory management as a result of the larger plant network.

 

It is envisaged that the realisation of the identified synergies will result in non-recurring integration costs

 



 

of approximately US$300 million over the first three years. It is anticipated that the integration costs will have been incurred by the end of the 3rd financial year of operations of the Combined Group.

 

Aside from the integration costs, no material dis-synergies are expected in connection with the Offer. The expected synergies will accrue as a direct result of the success of the Offer and would not be achieved on a standalone basis.”

 

Further information on the bases of belief supporting the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, including the principal assumptions and sources of information, is set out below:

 

Bases of Belief

 

Initial discussions were held between senior finance and strategy personnel from Ball and Rexam in January 2015 for the purposes of allowing Ball to quantify initial estimates of potential synergies and associated costs relating to the Offer.

 

Ball then established a framework to refine these estimates through diligence discussions. Ball engaged with the relevant functional heads and other personnel at Ball and Rexam to provide input into the development process so it could assess and reach a conclusion on the nature and quantum of the identified synergy initiatives.

 

In preparing the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, both Ball and Rexam have shared certain information to facilitate Ball’s analysis and evaluation of the potential synergies available as a result of the Offer. In circumstances where data has been limited for commercial or other reasons, estimates and assumptions have been made to aid the development of individual synergy initiatives. Where appropriate, assumptions were used to estimate the costs of implementing the new structures, systems and processes required to realise the synergies.

 

The cost bases used as the basis for the quantification exercise are 12 months actual cost base to December 2014.

 

The exchange rate used to convert between USD and GBP is 1.524. The exchange rate used to convert between USD and EUR is 1.131.

 

Reports

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, as reporting accountants to Ball has provided a report under Rule 28.1(a) of the Code stating that, in its opinion, the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement has been properly compiled on the basis stated.

 

Greenhill, as lead financial adviser to Ball, has provided a report for the purposes of the Code stating that, in its opinion and subject to the terms of the report, the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, for which the Ball Responsible Officers are responsible, has been prepared with due care and consideration.

 

Copies of these reports are included in Parts B and C of this Appendix IV. PricewaterhouseCoopers and Greenhill have given and not withdrawn their consent to the publication of their reports in the form and

 



 

context in which they are included.

 

Notes

 

1.              The statements of estimated cost savings and synergies relate to future actions and circumstances which, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a result, the cost savings and synergies referred to may not be achieved, or may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. No statement in the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, or this announcement generally, should be construed as a profit forecast or interpreted to mean that Ball’s earnings in the full first full year following the Offer, or in any subsequent period, would necessarily match or be greater than or be less than those of Ball and/or Rexam for the relevant preceding financial period or any other period.

 

2.              Due to the scale of the Combined Group, there may be additional changes to the Combined Group’s operations. As a result, and given the fact that the changes relate to the future, the resulting cost savings may be materially greater or less than those estimated.

 

3.              In arriving at the Quantified Financial Benefits Statement, the Ball Responsible Officers have assumed that:

 

a.              there will be no significant impact on the underlying operations of either business; and

 

b.              there will be no material change to macroeconomic, political or legal conditions in the markets or regions in which in the Combined Group operates which will materially impact on the implementation of or costs to achieve the proposed cost savings; and

 

c.               there will be no material change in exchange rates.

 



 

Part B

 

Report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

19 February 2015

 

The Ball Responsible Officers

Ball Corporation

10 Long Peak Drive

Broomfield

Colorado 80021

United States

 

Greenhill & Co. International LLP (the “Lead Financial Adviser”)

Lansdowne House

57 Berkeley Square

London W1J 6ER

United Kingdom

 

Recommended acquisition of Rexam by Ball pursuant to a scheme of arrangement

 

We report on the statement (the “Statement”) by the Ball Responsible Officers set out in the section titled: “Financial Benefits of the Offer” of the Rule 2.7 Announcement dated 19 February 2015 (the “Announcement”) to the effect that:

 

“The Ball Responsible Officers, having reviewed and analysed the potential benefits of the Offer, based on their experience of operating in the packaging sector and taking into account the factors Ball can influence, believe that the Combined Group, comprising both Ball and Rexam in their entirety, will be able to achieve net annual cost synergies of approximately US$300 million in the 3rd financial year of operations of the Combined Group”.

 

This Statement has been made in the context of disclosure in Section 7 (Financial benefits of the Offer) of the Announcement setting out the bases of belief of the Ball Responsible Officers supporting the Statement and their analysis and explanation of the underlying constituent elements.

 

This report is required by Rule 28.1(a)(i) of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “City Code”) and is given for the purpose of complying with that rule and for no other purpose.

 

Responsibility

 

It is the responsibility of the Ball Responsible Officers to make the Statement in accordance with the City Code.

 

It is our responsibility to form our opinion as required by Rule 28.1(a)(i) of the City Code, as to whether



 

the Statement has been properly compiled on the basis stated.

 

Save for any responsibility which we may have to those persons to whom this report is expressly addressed or to the shareholders of Ball as a result of the inclusion of this report in the Announcement, and for any responsibility arising under Rule 28.1(a)(i) of the City Code to any person as and to the extent therein provided, to the fullest extent permitted by law we do not assume any responsibility and will not accept any liability to any other person for any loss suffered by any such other person as a result of, arising out of, or in connection with this report or our statement, required by and given solely for the purposes of complying with Rule 23.3(b) of the City Code, consenting to its inclusion in the Announcement.

 

Basis of Opinion

 

We conducted our work in accordance with the Standards for Investment Reporting issued by the Auditing Practices Board in the United Kingdom.

 

We have discussed the Statement together with the relevant bases of belief (including sources of information and assumptions) with the Ball Responsible Officers and with Ball’s Lead Financial Adviser. Our work did not involve any independent examination of any of the financial or other information underlying the Statement.

 

Since the Statement and the assumptions on which it is based relate to the future and may therefore be affected by unforeseen events, we can express no opinion as to whether the actual benefits achieved will correspond to those anticipated in the Statement and the differences may be material.

 

Our work has not been carried out in accordance with auditing or other standards and practices generally accepted in the United States of America or other jurisdictions and accordingly should not be relied upon as if it had been carried out in accordance with those standards and practices.

 

Opinion

 

In our opinion, on the basis of the foregoing, the Statement has been properly compiled on the basis stated.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England with registered number OC303525. The registered office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 1 Embankment Place, London, WC2N 6RH. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for designated investment business.

 



 

Part C

 

Report from Greenhill & Co. International LLP

 

19 February 2015

 

The Ball Responsible Officers

Ball Corporation

10 Long Peak Drive

Broomfield

Colorado 80021

United States

 

Recommended acquisition of Rexam by Ball pursuant to a scheme of arrangement

 

We report on the statement regarding quantified financial benefits (the “Statement”) made by Ball and set out in Section 7 (Financial Benefits of the Offer) and Appendix IV, Part A of the Rule 2.7 Announcement dated 19 February 2015 (the “Announcement”) for which Ball is solely responsible under Rule 28 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “City Code”).

 

We have discussed the Statement (including the assumptions and sources of information referred to therein) with those officers and employees of Ball who developed the underlying plans. The Statement is subject to uncertainty as described in this announcement and our work did not involve an independent examination of any of the financial or other information underlying the Statement.

 

We have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of all the financial and other information provided to us by or on behalf of the Company, or otherwise discussed with or reviewed by us, and we have assumed such accuracy and completeness for the purposes of providing this letter.

 

We do not express any view as to the achievability of the quantified financial benefits identified by Ball.

 

We have also reviewed the work carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers and have discussed with them the opinion set out in Part B of Appendix IV of the Announcement.

 

This letter is provided to you solely in connection with Ball’s potential acquisition of Rexam and for no other purpose. We accept no responsibility to any person other than Ball in respect of the contents of this letter; no person other than the Ball Responsible Officers can rely on the contents of this letter, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) to any other person, in respect of this letter, its contents or the work undertaken in connection with this letter or any of the results that can be derived from this letter or any written or oral information provided in connection with this letter, and any such liability is expressly disclaimed except to the extent that such liability cannot be excluded by law.

 

On the basis of the foregoing, we consider that the Statement, for which Ball is solely responsible, has been prepared with due care and consideration.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Greenhill & Co. International LLP

 



 

APPENDIX V

 

DEFINITIONS

 

The following definitions apply throughout this announcement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

2014 Final Dividend

the final dividend declared by the Rexam Board in respect of the year ended 31 December 2014 and announced with the publication of Rexam’s preliminary results on 19 February 2015, in an amount of 11.9 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share

 

 

Annual Report and Accounts of Rexam

the annual report and audited financial statements of Rexam for the year ended 31 December 2013

 

 

“Anti-trust Material Adverse Effect”

means to sell, divest (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any enhancements or reconfigurations of plants or the costs thereof), or to otherwise dispose of, any cans production facilities or, with respect to ends, production assets, which in aggregate generated revenue in excess of US$1,580,000,000 (based on the European Central Bank average exchange rate for the twelve months ended 31 December 2014) during the twelve months ended 31 December 2014

 

 

associated undertaking

shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 19 of Schedule 6 to The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/410) but for this purpose ignoring paragraph 19(1)(b) of Schedule 6 to those regulations

 

 

Authorisations

for the purposes of the Conditions, means authorisations, orders, grants, recognitions, determinations, confirmations, consents, licences, clearances, permissions, exemptions and approvals

 

 

Ball

Ball Corporation

 

 

Ball Directors

the directors of Ball; “Ball Board” means the Ball Directors collectively, and “Ball Director” means any one of them as required by the context

 



 

Ball Group

Ball and its subsidiary undertakings and associated undertakings

 

 

Ball Responsible Officers

means, collectively, John Hayes in his capacity as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ball, Scott Morrison in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer of Ball and Charles Baker in his capacity as General Counsel of Ball

 

 

Ball Shareholders

holders of Ball Shares from time to time

 

 

Ball Shares

the ordinary shares, each of no par value, in the share capital of Ball

 

 

Barclays

Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank

 

 

“Bidco”

means Ball UK Acquisition Limited

 

 

Business Day

a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday, public or bank holiday) on which banks are generally open for business in London and New York

 

 

Clearances

means all consents, approvals, clearances, permissions, waivers and/or filings that are necessary in order to satisfy the Pre-Condition, the Regulatory Conditions and the Conditions and all consents, approvals, clearances, permissions, waivers and/or filings that are necessary and all waiting periods that may need to have expired, from or under the laws or practices applied by any regulatory authority in connection with the implementation of the Offer

 

 

Closing Price

means the closing middle market price of a Rexam Ordinary Share on a particular trading day as derived from the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List

 

 

Code

the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers

 

 

Combined Group

the enlarged group following the Offer, comprising the Ball Group

 



 

 

 

and the Rexam Group

 

 

 

Companies Act

 

the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time

 

 

 

Conditions

 

the conditions of the Offer, as set out in Appendix I to this announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document

 

 

 

Confidentiality Agreement

 

means the confidentiality agreement entered into between Ball and Rexam on 19 January 2015

 

 

 

Co-operation Agreement

 

the agreement dated 19 February 2015 between Ball, Bidco and Rexam and relating, among other things, to the implementation of the Offer

 

 

 

Court

 

the High Court of Justice in England and Wales

 

 

 

Court Meeting

 

the meeting or meetings of the Scheme Shareholders as may be convened pursuant to an order of the Court under section 896 of the Companies Act for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, approving the Scheme (with or without amendment approved or imposed by the Court and agreed to by Ball and Rexam) including any adjournment, postponement or reconvention of any such meeting, notice of which shall be contained in the Scheme Document

 

 

 

“Credit Suisse”

 

Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited

 

 

 

Daily Official List

 

the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange

 

 

 

Dealing Disclosure

 

an announcement pursuant to Rule 8 of the Code containing details of dealings in interests in relevant securities of a party to an offer

 

 

 

Deposit Agreement

 

the deposit agreement between the Depositary, Rexam and the holders and beneficial owners of Rexam ADRs

 



 

Depositary

 

The Bank of New York Mellon in its role as the Depositary for the Rexam ADRs under the Deposit Agreement

 

 

 

Effective Date

 

the date on which:

 

(a) the Scheme becomes effective in accordance with its terms; or

 

(b) if Ball elects to implement the offer by way of a Takeover Offer, the date the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects

 

 

 

EFTA

 

the European Free Trade Association

 

 

 

E.U.

 

the European Union

 

 

 

Fairly Disclosed

 

the information which has been fairly disclosed: (i) in writing prior to the date of this announcement by or on behalf of Rexam to Ball or Ball’s financial, accounting, tax or legal advisers (specifically as Ball’s advisers in relation to the Offer); (ii) in Rexam’s published annual and/or half year report and accounts for the relevant financial period or periods referred to in the relevant Condition; (iii) in a public announcement made in accordance with the U.K. Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules by Rexam prior to the date of this announcement; or (iv) in this announcement

 

 

 

FCA” or “Financial Conduct Authority

 

the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority or its successor from time to time

 

 

 

Forms of Proxy

 

the form of proxy in connection with each of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, which shall accompany the Scheme Document

 

 

 

General Meeting

 

the general meeting of Rexam Ordinary Shareholders to be convened in connection with the Scheme to consider and if thought fit pass, inter alia, the Special Resolution including any adjournment thereof

 

 

 

Greenhill

 

Greenhill & Co. International LLP

 



 

HSR Act

 

the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (as amended)

 

 

 

Listing Rules

 

the listing rules and regulations made by the FCA under Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended), and contained in the UKLA’s publication of the same name (as amended from time to time)

 

 

 

London Stock Exchange

 

London Stock Exchange plc

 

 

 

Long Stop Date

 

19 August 2016, or such later date as Ball and Rexam may agree, with the Panel’s consent and the Court may approve (if such approval is required)

 

 

 

Meetings

 

the Court Meeting and the General Meeting

 

 

 

New Ball Shares

 

the new Ball Shares proposed to be issued to Rexam Ordinary Shareholders in connection with the Offer

 

 

 

Offer

 

the proposed acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rexam by Bidco to be effected by the Scheme (or by the Takeover Offer under certain circumstances described in this announcement)

 

 

 

Offer Document

 

in the event Ball elects to implement the Offer by means of a Takeover Offer, the document containing the Takeover Offer to be sent to Rexam Shareholders

 

 

 

Offer Period

 

the period which commenced on 5 February 2015, and ending on the date on which the Scheme becomes effective, lapses or is withdrawn (or such other date as the Panel may decide)

 

 

 

Official List

 

the Official List of the FCA

 

 

 

Opening Position Disclosure

 

an announcement containing details of interests or short positions in, or rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of a party to the

 



 

 

 

offer if the person concerned has such a position, as defined in Rule 8 of the Code

 

 

 

overseas shareholders

 

Rexam Shareholders residing in, or subject to, any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom

 

 

 

Panel

 

the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers

 

 

 

Pre-Condition

 

the regulatory pre-condition to the Offer, as set out in Appendix I to this announcement

 

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, in its capacity as reporting accountants to Ball. The registered office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 1 Embankment Place, London, WC2N 6RH

 

 

 

“Prospectus”

 

the prospectus document to be produced by Ball and sent (or otherwise made publicly available) to Rexam Ordinary Shareholders and holders of Rexam ADRs (other than persons in Restricted Jurisdictions) at the same time as the Scheme Document in respect of the New Ball Shares to be issued to Rexam Ordinary Shareholders in connection with the Offer

 

 

 

“Quantified Financial Benefits Statement”

 

as defined in Part A of Appendix IV to this announcement

 

 

 

“Reduction Court Order”

 

the order of the Court confirming the reduction of Rexam’s share capital under section 648 Companies Act provided for in connection with the Scheme

 

 

 

Registrar of Companies

 

the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales

 

 

 

Regulation

 

Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/2004

 

 

 

Regulatory Conditions

 

means the conditions to the Scheme (or the Takeover Offer, as the case may be) which are set out in Condition 2 (Specific anti-trust and

 



 

 

 

regulatory clearances and approvals), other than the condition set forth in paragraph (e) (Ball Shareholder approval) of Condition 2

 

 

 

Replacement Awards

 

awards over Ball Shares granted to participants in the Rexam LTIP in circumstances described in paragraph 11 of this announcement

 

 

 

Restricted Jurisdiction

 

any jurisdiction where local laws or regulations may result in a significant risk of civil, regulatory or criminal exposure if information concerning the Offer is sent or made available to Rexam Shareholders in that jurisdiction (in accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code)

 

 

 

Rexam

 

Rexam PLC

 

 

 

Rexam ADRs

 

American Depositary Receipts, each evidencing a Rexam American Depositary Share, which represents five Rexam Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

“Rexam B Shares”

 

redeemable, non-voting, preference shares with a nominal value of 57 pence each in the capital of Rexam carrying the rights set out in the articles of association of Rexam;

 

 

 

Rexam Directors

 

the directors of Rexam; “Rexam Board” means the Rexam Directors collectively, and “Rexam Director” means any one of them as required by the context

 

 

 

Rexam Executive Directors

 

means, collectively, Graham Chipchase in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Rexam, and David Robbie in his capacity as Finance Director of Rexam

 

 

 

Rexam Group

 

Rexam and its subsidiary undertakings and associated undertakings and, where the context permits, each of them

 

 

 

Rexam Pension Plan

 

means the Rexam pension plan governed by a trust deed and rules dated 18 December 2007 (as amended from time to time)

 



 

“Rexam Ordinary Shareholders”

 

holders of Rexam Ordinary Shares from time to time

 

 

 

“Rexam Ordinary Shares”

 

the ordinary shares with a nominal value of 80 5/14 pence each in the share capital of Rexam

 

 

 

Rexam Shareholders

 

holders of Rexam Shares from time to time

 

 

 

Rexam Shares

 

the Rexam Ordinary Shares and Rexam B Shares

 

 

 

Rothschild

 

N M Rothschild & Sons Limited

 

 

 

Scheme

 

the proposed scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act between Rexam and Rexam Shareholders to implement the Offer

 

 

 

Scheme Court Order

 

the order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme under section 899 of the Companies Act

 

 

 

Scheme Document

 

the document to be dispatched to Scheme Shareholders setting out the terms and conditions of the Offer including the particulars required by section 897 of the Companies Act

 

 

 

Scheme Record Time

 

the time and date specified in the Scheme Document as the record time for the Scheme

 

 

 

Scheme Shareholders

 

holders of Scheme Shares

 

 

 

Scheme Shares

 

shall mean:

 

·                  Rexam Shares in issue at the date of the Scheme Document;

 

·                  any Rexam Shares issued after the date of the Scheme Document and prior to the Voting Record Time; and

 

·                  any Rexam Shares issued at or after the Voting Record Time,

 

 

 

 

 

in each case, save for any Rexam Shares legally or beneficially held

 



 

 

 

by any member of the Ball Group

 

 

 

SEC

 

the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

 

 

 

Special Resolution

 

the special resolution to be proposed by Rexam at the General Meeting in connection with, amongst other things, the approval of the Scheme, the amendment of Rexam ‘s articles of association and such other matters as may be necessary to implement the Scheme and the delisting of the Rexam Ordinary Shares

 

 

 

Specified Conditions

 

means the Pre-Condition and the conditions set forth in Condition 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals), Condition 3 (Listing on the New York Stock Exchange, effectiveness and registration), Condition 4 (Prospectus) and Condition 5 (Notifications, waiting periods and Authorisations) of Part 2 of Appendix 1, with such consequential amendments as may be reasonably necessary as a result of any election by Ball to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer

 

 

 

subsidiary undertaking”, “associated undertaking” and “undertaking

 

shall have the meanings given by the Companies Act (but for these purposes ignoring paragraph 20(1)(b) of Schedule 4A to the Companies Act)

 

 

 

Takeover Offer

 

should the Offer be implemented by way of a takeover offer as defined in Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Companies Act, the offer to be made by or on behalf of Ball to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rexam and, where the context admits, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer

 

 

 

Third Party

 

means a central bank, government or governmental, quasi-governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory, professional, environmental or investigative body or authority (including any national anti-trust or merger control authority), court, trade agency, professional association, institution, works council, employee representative body or any other body or person whatsoever in any jurisdiction

 



 

Treasury” or “Treasury Shares

 

shares held as treasury shares as provided for in section 724 of the Companies Act

 

 

 

U.K.” or “United Kingdom

 

the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

 

 

 

UKLA

 

the Financial Conduct Authority acting in its capacity as the competent authority for listing under Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

 

 

 

U.S.” or “United States

 

the United States of America, its possessions and territories, all areas subject to its jurisdiction or any subdivision thereof, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia

 

 

 

U.S. Exchange Act

 

the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

 

 

 

U.S. Securities Act

 

the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended

 

 

 

Voting Record Time

 

6.00 p.m. (London time) on the day prior to the day immediately before the Court Meeting or any adjournment thereof (as the case may be)

 

All times referred to are London time unless otherwise stated.

 

All references to “GBP”, “pence”, “sterling” or”£” are to the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

All references to “U.S. dollar”, “USD” or “US$” are to the lawful currency of the United States.

 

All references to statutory provision or law or to any order or regulation shall be construed as a reference to that provision, law, order or regulation as extended, modified, replaced or re-enacted from time to time and all statutory instruments, regulations and orders from time to time made thereunder or deriving validity therefrom.

 


EX-2.2 3 a15-4962_1ex2d2.htm EX-2.2

Exhibit 2.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

Dated 19 February 2015

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

BALL UK ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

-and-

 

REXAM PLC

 


 

CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT

 


 

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
40 Bank Street
Canary Wharf
London E14 5DS

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.

Effectiveness and terms of the Acquisition

2

 

 

 

2.

Undertakings to fulfil Regulatory Pre-condition and obtain Clearances

2

 

 

 

3.

Implementation of the Acquisition

4

 

 

 

4.

Qualifications

9

 

 

 

5.

Information on Rexam and Ball and Responsibility for Information

9

 

 

 

6.

Conduct of Business

9

 

 

 

7.

Break Payment

11

 

 

 

8.

Obligations not implied

12

 

 

 

9.

Warranties

12

 

 

 

10.

Announcements

13

 

 

 

11.

Ball Guarantee

13

 

 

 

12.

Time of the Essence

14

 

 

 

13.

Termination

14

 

 

 

14.

Costs and expenses

15

 

 

 

15.

Remedies and Waivers

15

 

 

 

16.

Invalidity

16

 

 

 

17.

Notices

16

 

 

 

18.

General

17

 

 

 

19.

Governing Law

18

 

 

 

20.

Agent for service

18

 



 

THIS DEED is made the 19th day of February 2015.

 

AMONG:

 

(1)                                 BALL CORPORATION, a corporation registered in Indiana and whose registered office is at 10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000, Broomfield, Colorado 80021-2510, United States of America (“Ball”);

 

(2)                                 BALL UK ACQUISITION LIMITED, a private limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 9441371 and whose registered office is at c/o Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DS, United Kingdom (“Bidco”); and

 

(3)                                 REXAM PLC, a public limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 00191285 and whose registered office is at 4 Millbank, London SW1P 3XR (“Rexam”).

 

WHEREAS:

 

(A)                               Bidco, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ball, proposes to announce an intention to make a recommended offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rexam on the terms of and subject to the conditions referred to in the Offer Announcement (as defined below).

 

(B)                               The parties to this agreement have agreed to take certain steps to effect completion of the Acquisition (as defined below) and are entering into this agreement to record their respective obligations relating to such matters.

 

THIS DEED WITNESSES AS FOLLOWS:

 

1.                                      Effectiveness and terms of the Acquisition

 

1.1                               The obligations of the parties under this Agreement, other than this sub-clause 1.1, clauses 9 (Warranties), 11 (Ball Guarantee), 14 (Costs and Expenses), 15 (Remedies and Waivers), 16 (Invalidity), 17 (Notices), 18 (General), 19 (Governing Law) and 20 (Agent for service) shall be conditional on the release of the Offer Announcement via a Regulatory Information Service at or before 8.00 a.m. on 19 February 2015, or such other date and time as may be agreed among the parties. This sub-clause 1.1, clauses 9 (Warranties), 11 (Ball Guarantee), 14 (Costs and Expenses), 15 (Remedies and Waivers), 16 (Invalidity), 17 (Notices), 18 (General), 19 (Governing Law) and 20 (Agent for service) shall take effect on and from the date of this Agreement.

 

1.2                               The terms of the Acquisition shall be as set out in the Offer Announcement (including the Conditions), together with such other terms as may be agreed by the parties in writing and, where required by the Code, approved by the Panel.  The terms of the Acquisition shall be set out in the Scheme Document or the Offer Document (as applicable).

 

2.                                      Undertakings to fulfil Regulatory Pre-condition and obtain Clearances

 

2.1                               Save with respect to filings and other productions or submissions of documents or information required by Law to be made by Rexam and without prejudice to Ball’s and Bidco’s obligations to consult and cooperate with Rexam set forth in this clause 2, Ball shall be responsible for:

 

2.1.1                                   determining the strategy for satisfying the Regulatory Pre-condition and obtaining any other Clearances; and

 

2.1.2                                   contacting and corresponding with the Relevant Authorities in relation to the Regulatory

 

2



 

Pre-condition and any other Clearances.

 

2.2                               Rexam undertakes to assist Ball in relation to satisfying the Regulatory Pre-condition and the Regulatory Conditions and obtaining the Proxy Approval and in communicating with any Relevant Authority in relation to the Clearances and the Proxy Approval and to promptly provide such information and assistance to Ball as Ball may reasonably require for the purposes of obtaining any Clearance and the Proxy Approval and making a submission, filing or notification to any Relevant Authority as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

2.3                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, during the Continuance Period:

 

2.3.1                                   Ball shall take or cause to be taken all steps necessary in order to satisfy the Regulatory Pre-condition and obtain the Clearances as promptly as possible, including to divest assets, properties or businesses (including any related tangible or intangible properties and customer contracts) and to enter into such other arrangements (including the enhancement or reconfiguration of any such assets, properties or businesses), unless doing so would, taking together all such commitments to the Relevant Authorities in the European Union and the United States of America (but only such commitments to the Relevant Authorities in the European Union and United States of America taken together), give rise to an Antitrust Material Adverse Effect;

 

2.3.2                                   Ball shall not effect or commit to effect any transaction which would be an alternative to, or inconsistent with, or would be reasonably likely to preclude, impede, or prejudice the effectiveness of any steps referred to in sub-clause 2.3.1;

 

2.3.3                                   nothing contained in this Agreement shall require either party or its respective Affiliates to take, or cause to be taken, any action with respect to the divestiture of any assets, properties or businesses of Rexam or any of its Affiliates, or Ball or any of its Affiliates, or any combination thereof, that is not conditional on completion of the Acquisition, except as otherwise agreed by the parties; and

 

2.3.4                                   nothing contained in this Agreement shall restrict the right of Ball to determine the strategy to obtain Clearances, including the timing and sequencing of any remedy discussions with Relevant Authorities.

 

2.4                               Each party undertakes to keep the other party reasonably informed of any developments which are material or potentially material to the obtaining of the Regulatory Pre-condition, other Clearances and the Proxy Approval.

 

2.5                               Each party undertakes to the other party, except to the extent that to do so is prohibited by the Relevant Authority or by Law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to Rexam, Rule 21.2 of the Code):

 

2.5.1                                   to provide as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event before any applicable deadline or due date, all such information as may reasonably be required by the other parties to determine in which jurisdictions any merger control or similar filing with a Relevant Authority may be necessary or desirable and for inclusion in any submission to any Relevant Authority for the purpose of obtaining the Clearances or the Proxy Approval and to provide all such other assistance as may reasonably be required in connection with obtaining the Clearances or the Proxy Approval, including assistance in connection with such pre-notification contacts with Relevant Authorities as Ball considers desirable or appropriate in the circumstances;

 

2.5.2                                   to provide, or procure the provision of, to the other parties (or their Advisers) draft copies of all filings, notifications, submissions, responses and significant communications to be

 

3



 

made to any Relevant Authority in relation to obtaining any Clearance or the Proxy Approval, at such time as will allow the other parties (and their Advisers) a reasonable opportunity to provide comments on such filings, notifications, submissions, responses and communications before they are submitted or sent (and, in relation to any remedy proposal and to the extent practicable, provide any substantively new proposal in draft form to the other parties at least two (2) full Business Days in advance of the submission of such substantively new proposal to any Relevant Authority);

 

2.5.3                                   to have regard in good faith to comments made by the other parties (and their Advisers) on the filings, notifications, submissions, responses and communications provided pursuant to sub-clause 2.5.2;

 

2.5.4                                   to promptly notify the other parties (or their Advisers) of and provide copies of all filings, notifications, submissions, responses and communications in the form submitted or sent to any Relevant Authority by or on behalf of the other parties in relation to obtaining any Clearances or the Proxy Approval;

 

2.5.5                                   to use all reasonable endeavours to procure that each party and its Advisers are able to attend all meetings, hearings or telephone calls with any Relevant Authority in connection with obtaining the Clearances or the Proxy Approval and to make oral submissions during such meetings, hearings or telephone calls; and

 

2.5.6                                   to promptly notify the other parties (or their Advisers) of and provide copies of any communications (or in the case of non-written communications, reasonable details of the contents of any such communication) from any Relevant Authority in relation to obtaining any Clearances or the Proxy Approval.

 

2.6                               Ball undertakes to Rexam that it shall not, without the prior written consent of Rexam, invoke (or treat as incapable of satisfaction) the Condition referred to in Section 2(c) of Part 2 of Appendix I to the Offer Announcement (Brazilian CADE clearance).

 

3.                                      Implementation of the Acquisition

 

Ball’s and Bidco’s undertakings

 

3.1                               During the Continuance Period, each of Ball and Bidco undertakes to Rexam:

 

3.1.1                                   that it shall reasonably co-operate with Rexam and its Advisers and take or cause to be taken all such legally permissible steps as are within its power and are necessary or reasonably requested by Rexam to implement the Acquisition in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions (including the Conditions) of, the Offer Announcement, the Scheme Document or the Offer Document (as applicable); and

 

3.1.2                                   to keep Rexam reasonably informed of the progress towards satisfaction (or otherwise) of any Condition and if it is, or becomes aware of any matter which it believes to be material in the context of the satisfaction of any of the Conditions, it shall give Rexam written notice of such matter and, prior to Ball exercising any right it may have under sub-clause 13.1.2, provide Rexam with reasonable opportunity to remedy such matter (to the extent the matter is capable of being remedied).

 

3.2                               Rexam undertakes to the other parties to keep the other parties reasonably informed of the progress towards satisfaction (or otherwise) of any Regulatory Condition and, if it is, or becomes, aware of any matter which it believes to be material in the context of the satisfaction of any of the Regulatory Conditions, it shall as soon as reasonably practicable give written notice to make the substance of any such matter known to the other parties, so far as it is aware of the same and provide such details and further information as the other parties may reasonably request.

 

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3.3                               Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, Ball shall promptly provide such reasonable assistance and information requested by Rexam and shall co-operate and consult with Rexam if requested by Rexam in the preparation and publication of any document or filing which is required or which Rexam considers to be necessary or appropriate in accordance with the requirements of the Code, the Act, the Listing Rules, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act or any other Laws for the purposes of implementing the Acquisition.

 

3.4                               Where the Acquisition is being implemented by way of the Scheme, Ball undertakes that before the Sanction Hearing, it shall deliver a notice in writing to Rexam either:

 

3.4.1                                   confirming the satisfaction or waiver of all Conditions (other than the Condition set forth in Section 1 of Part 2 of Appendix I to the Offer Announcement (Scheme Approval)); or

 

3.4.2                                   if applicable, confirming its intention to invoke a Condition,

 

and, if sub-clause 3.4.2 applies, it shall, promptly following the event or circumstance giving rise to the intention to invoke a Condition, provide to Rexam in writing reasonable details of the event which has occurred, or circumstance which has arisen, which it considers as being sufficiently material for the Panel to permit Ball to invoke any of the Conditions.

 

Preparation of Proxy Statement and Ball Shareholders Meeting

 

3.5                               Ball undertakes to Rexam to:

 

3.5.1                                   as promptly as reasonably practicable, prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement to be issued to Ball Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) in connection with the Acquisition and issuance of New Ball Shares, unless Ball is unable to do so because Rexam has failed to provide all such information and assistance reasonably requested by Ball in connection with the preparation of the Proxy Statement;

 

3.5.2                                   provide Rexam and its legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on drafts of the Proxy Statement (including amendments and supplements thereto), prior to filing such document with the SEC and transmitting it to the Ball Shareholders. Ball shall in good faith consider all comments reasonably and promptly proposed by Rexam or its legal counsel regarding the Proxy Statement;

 

3.5.3                                   promptly notify Rexam (and/or its nominated Advisers) of and provide copies of any significant communications (including written comments or requests for additional information received from the SEC) sent to or received from the SEC in relation to the Proxy Statement;

 

3.5.4                                   use best endeavours to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC so as to be able to hold the Ball Shareholders Meeting on or before the Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date. Ball shall establish a record date for the Ball Shareholders Meeting, commence a broker search pursuant to Section 14a-13 of the Exchange Act in connection therewith, and thereafter transmit the Proxy Statement to Ball shareholders as promptly as reasonably practicable after being informed by the SEC staff that it will have no further comments on the document;

 

3.5.5                                   subject to the Proxy Statement having been cleared by the SEC, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the Ball Shareholders (such meeting, as adjourned or postponed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the “Ball Shareholders Meeting”) as promptly as practicable and no later than the Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date, save as permitted in sub-clause 3.5.6, for the purpose of obtaining the approval of the issue of the New Ball Shares by the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast as required by Section 312.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the “Ball

 

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Shareholders Approval”), it being understood that the obligations of Ball pursuant to this sub-clause 3.5.5 shall be extinguished by the making of any Ball Adverse Recommendation Change or any Condition (other than a Specified Condition) becoming incapable of satisfaction by the Long Stop Date or being invoked (and the Panel having agreed that such Condition is incapable of satisfaction or invocation, as the case may be) and in accordance with the Scheme Document or the Offer Document (as applicable);

 

3.5.6                                   that it shall be entitled to adjourn or postpone the Ball Shareholders’ Meeting:

 

(a)                                 up to on or before the Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date, only:

 

(1)                                 with the prior written consent of Rexam (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); or

 

(2)                                 if at the time for which the Ball Shareholders Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Proxy Statement) there are insufficient Ball Shares represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Ball Shareholders’ Meeting, in which case the meeting shall be adjourned for a reasonable period of time; or

 

(3)                                 for a reasonable period of time, to allow additional time for solicitation of proxies if necessary to obtain the Ball Shareholders Approval; or

 

(4)                                 to allow reasonable additional time for the filing and distribution to Ball Shareholders prior to the Ball Shareholders Meeting of any supplemental or amended disclosure which the Ball Board has determined in good faith, is required;

 

(b)                                 after the Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date, only with the prior written consent of Rexam;

 

3.5.7                                   subject to sub-clause 3.6, use all reasonable endeavours to solicit from the Ball Shareholders proxies in favour of the approval of the issue of New Ball Shares;

 

3.5.8                                   subject to sub-clause 3.6, procure that the Board of Ball shall unanimously and unconditionally recommend the approval of the issue of New Ball Shares in connection with the Acquisition by the holders of Ball Shares as required by Section 312.03 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual (the “Ball Recommendation”), include the Ball Recommendation in the Proxy Statement and use all reasonable endeavours to obtain the Ball Shareholders Approval;

 

3.5.9                                   subject to the Ball Shareholders Approval being obtained, use all reasonable endeavours to cause all New Ball Shares to be issued to Rexam Shareholders pursuant to the Scheme or Offer (as the case may be) to be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

3.5.10                            for so long as the Acquisition is being implemented by way of the Scheme, use all reasonable endeavours to cause all New Ball Shares issued to Rexam Shareholders upon the Scheme becoming effective to be issued in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act and in reliance on exemptions from registration under state “blue sky” or securities laws; and

 

3.5.11                            procure that the New Ball Shares to be issued to Rexam Shareholders pursuant to the Scheme or the Offer (as the case may be) shall be credited as fully paid and rank pari passu with each other and all other shares of Ball common stock issued and outstanding, save to

 

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the extent expressly provided otherwise in the Offer Announcement or as otherwise agreed between the parties to this Agreement.

 

3.6                               Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-clause 3.5, at any time prior to the Ball Shareholders Approval, the Board of Ball may make a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change only if the members of the Board of Ball determine in good faith by a majority vote, based on written advice from outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would breach their fiduciary duties as directors under applicable Law.  The Board of Ball shall not make a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change until Ball has provided Rexam with prior written notice of its intention to consider making a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change (confirming receipt of the advice from outside legal counsel and that such advice is consistent with the decision to make a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change) and reasonable opportunity for Rexam to provide representations direct to the Board of Ball against them making a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change.

 

Preparation of Ball Shareholder Communications

 

3.7                               Ball undertakes to Rexam to:

 

3.7.1                                   provide, or procure the provision to Rexam (and/or its Advisers) of draft copies of the prospectus to be issued to Rexam Shareholders and any other written communication or other documentation to be issued to Ball or Rexam Shareholders (the “Ball Shareholder Communication”), in each case, in connection with the Acquisition and the issuance of the New Ball Shares pursuant to the Scheme or the Offer (as applicable) so far as reasonably practicable at such time as will allow Rexam (and/or its Advisers) reasonable notice of and reasonable opportunity to:

 

(a)                                 participate in any significant meetings and telephone calls Ball (and/or its Advisers) may have with the UK Listing Authority, any other Relevant Authority or any Ball Shareholders (or their representatives) in connection with any Ball Shareholder Communication, subject to any legal or regulatory impediment to such attendance; and

 

(b)                                 review and comment on such drafts and Ball (and/or its Advisers) shall in good faith consider all comments reasonably and promptly proposed by Rexam (and/or its Advisers) before such drafts are submitted or sent to the UK Listing Authority, any other Relevant Authority or the Ball Shareholders following which time Rexam (or such Advisers) shall be provided with copies of any Ball Shareholder Communication in the form submitted or sent as soon as reasonably practicable;

 

3.7.2                                   promptly notify Rexam (and/or its Advisers) of and provide copies of any significant written communications (or, in the case of non-written communications, reasonably detailed summaries of significant non-written communications) sent to or received from the UK Listing Authority or any other Relevant Authority in relation to any Ball Shareholder Communication; and

 

3.7.3                                   submit the relevant Ball Shareholder Communication to the Relevant Authority as required for final approval and, if such approval is received, publish the Ball Shareholder Communication promptly thereafter.

 

Switching to an Offer and Scheme Process

 

3.8                               To the extent that the Acquisition is being implemented by means of the Scheme, Ball will instruct counsel to appear on its or Bidco’s behalf at the Sanction Hearing and will undertake to

 

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the Court to be bound by the terms of the Scheme insofar as it relates to it and to Bidco. If the Acquisition is implemented by way of an Offer the obligations of the parties pursuant to this sub-clause 3.8 relating to the Scheme or Scheme Document shall be of no force and effect.

 

3.9                               Ball shall be entitled, with the consent of the Panel, to implement the Acquisition by way of the Offer rather than the Scheme (such an election being a “Switch”) only where:

 

3.9.1                                   Rexam provides its prior written consent, in which case sub-clause 3.10 shall apply (an “Agreed Switch”); or

 

3.9.2                                   Rexam makes a Rexam Adverse Recommendation Change.

 

3.10                        In the event of an Agreed Switch:

 

3.10.1                            the acceptance condition to the Offer (the “Acceptance Condition”) shall be set at not less than ninety (90) per cent (or such lesser percentage as may be agreed between the parties in writing after, to the extent necessary, consultation with the Panel, being in any case more than fifty (50) per cent of the Rexam Shares) of the Rexam Shares to which the Offer relates;

 

3.10.2                            neither Ball nor Bidco shall take any such action which would cause the Offer not to proceed, to lapse or to be withdrawn in each case for non-fulfilment of the Acceptance Condition prior to the 60th day after publication of the Offer Document and Ball shall ensure that the Offer remains open for acceptances until such time;

 

3.10.3                            Ball shall ensure that the only pre-conditions of the Offer shall be the Regulatory Pre-condition and that the only conditions of the Offer shall be the Conditions (unless the parties agree otherwise in writing);

 

3.10.4                            Ball shall keep Rexam informed, on a regular basis and in any event by the next Business Day following a written request from Rexam of the number of Rexam Shareholders that have validly returned their acceptance or withdrawal forms or incorrectly completed their acceptance or withdrawal forms and the identity of such shareholders; and

 

3.10.5                            promptly following an event or circumstance which Ball considers as being sufficiently material for the Panel to permit Ball to invoke any of the Conditions, Ball shall provide reasonable details of such event or circumstance.

 

3.11                        Where Ball elects to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, Ball shall prepare the Offer Document and shall consult with Rexam in relation thereto.  Ball agrees to submit, or procure the submission of drafts and revised drafts of the Offer Document to Rexam for review and comments and, upon reasonable request and where necessary, to discuss any comments with Rexam in good faith for the purposes of preparing revised drafts.  Ball agrees to afford Rexam reasonable opportunity to consider such draft and final documents in order to provide comments. In addition, where Ball elects to implement the Acquisition by way of an Offer, Ball shall prepare a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to the New Ball Shares to be issued in the Acquisition (the “Registration Statement”) and the obligations of Ball in sub-clause 3.5 shall apply to the process for preparation of such Registration Statement mutatis mutandis.

 

3.12                        In the event of any Switch, the parties agree that all provisions relating to the Scheme and its implementation in this Agreement shall apply to the Offer or its implementation mutatis mutandis.

 

Rexam Employee Incentive Arrangements

 

3.13                        The parties agree that the provisions of Schedule 2 shall apply in respect of existing employee incentive arrangements of Rexam.

 

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4.                                      Qualifications

 

4.1                               Nothing in clause 2 or sub-clauses 3.1 to 3.5 (inclusive) shall require any party to provide or disclose to the other parties or any of their respective Advisers, any information:

 

4.1.1                                   that is commercially or competitively sensitive or confidential or which constitutes a trade secret and, in each case, has not previously been disclosed to the other parties;

 

4.1.2                                   in circumstances that would result in the loss or waiver of any privilege that subsists in relation to such information (including legal privilege); or

 

4.1.3                                   in circumstances that would result in that party being in breach of a material contractual obligation,

 

and any such information shall, to the extent practicable and deemed appropriate by the disclosing party, be provided or disclosed to the other parties’ legal counsel (and, to the extent reasonably necessary, its other Advisers) on an “external advisers only” basis, with a non-confidential version of any relevant filing, notification, submission or communication being provided to the other parties.

 

4.2                               Ball and Bidco shall have the right, in their absolute discretion, to waive any of the Conditions that are identified in the Offer Announcement as being capable of waiver and nothing in this Agreement (including any of the undertakings set forth in clauses 2 and 3) shall oblige (or be deemed to oblige) Ball or Bidco to waive any Condition.

 

5.                                      Information on Rexam and Ball and Responsibility for Information

 

5.1                               If the Acquisition is being implemented by means of the Scheme, Ball undertakes:

 

5.1.1                                   to provide to Rexam for the purposes of inclusion in the Scheme Document all such information about Ball, Bidco, other members of the Ball Group and their respective Personnel as may reasonably be required by Rexam (having regard to the Code and applicable regulations) for inclusion in the Scheme Document (including all information that would be required under the Code or applicable regulations); and

 

5.1.2                                   to procure that the Ball Responsible Officers accept responsibility for all information in the Scheme Document relating to Ball, Bidco, other members of the Ball Group and their respective Personnel.

 

5.2                               If any supplemental circular or document is required to be published in connection with the Scheme or, subject to the prior written consent of Ball, any variation or amendment to the Scheme, Ball shall promptly provide such co-operation and information necessary to comply with Law and all regulatory provisions) as Rexam may reasonably request in order to finalise such document.

 

6.                                      Conduct of Business

 

6.1                               Subject to sub-clauses 6.2 and 6.3, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, as consented to in writing by Rexam or as required by applicable Law, during the Continuance Period, Ball shall not (and shall procure that no member of its Group shall):

 

6.1.1                                   authorise or pay any dividends on or make any distribution in cash or in otherwise with respect to its shares, except that it may:

 

(a)                                 continue to pay dividends in the ordinary course and consistent with its past practice over the last 18 months (including as to amount, record date and payment date) and, where applicable, its published dividend policy; and

 

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(b)                                 pay dividends and other distributions with reference to a record date after the Effective Date (so, that if the Acquisition is completed, the New Ball Shares rank for participation in such dividends and other distributions rateably and equally with all other Ball Shares then in issue);

 

6.1.2                                   other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, allot or issue any shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares, or grant any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or any such securities, in each case, that are issued or granted at less than the fair market value of the relevant security on the date of issuance or grant;

 

6.1.3                                   consolidate or reclassify any of its shares;

 

6.1.4                                   other than on arms’ length terms, directly or indirectly, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, cancel or reduce, any of its shares or any rights, warrants or options to acquire such shares, it being expressly agreed that Ball may continue to return capital to shareholders by way of share repurchases in the ordinary course and consistent with its past practice over the last three years and, where applicable, its published return of capital policy;

 

6.1.5                                   adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution of Ball or any material member of its Group, other than with respect to any reorganization of Ball’s Group which does not provide for or result in any transfer of assets, rights or liabilities by any member of Ball’s Group to an entity which is not a member of Ball’s Group;

 

6.1.6                                   amend its constitutional documents in any manner that would have an adverse impact on the value of, or rights attaching to the New Ball Shares; and

 

6.1.7                                   agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

6.2                               Notwithstanding the restrictions in sub-clause 6.1, Ball (and the other members of the Ball Group) may:

 

6.2.1                                   grant options or awards in respect of shares to employees, in the normal and ordinary course in accordance with Ball’s employee incentive plans and consistent with past practice during the previous three years; and

 

6.2.2                                   issue any shares to the extent necessary to satisfy any such options or awards vesting or due to be settled.

 

6.3                               The restrictions contained in sub-clauses 6.1.1 to 6.1.4 (inclusive) shall not apply to any transaction or arrangement between one  member of Ball’s Group and another  member of Ball’s Group, in each case including Ball.

 

6.4                              Ball and Bidco agree that Rexam shall be entitled to approve any distribution in cash or otherwise to Rexam Shareholders, which is:

 

6.4.1                                   declared in accordance with applicable Law and accounting principles in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice over the last three years (including as to amount, record date and payment date, provided that the return of cash by way of a B share scheme and a share capital consolidation announced on 8 January 2013, following completion of the sale by Rexam of its Personal Care business, shall not be considered as effected in the ordinary course of business and shall not be used as a reference for Rexam’s past practice) and, where available, its published dividend policy; and

 

6.4.2                                   declared or paid in respect of any completed six-month period ending on 30 June or 31 December of each calendar year, provided that such date falls before the Effective Date.

 

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7.                                      Break Payment

 

7.1                               By way of compensation for any loss suffered by Rexam in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Acquisition, this Agreement and any other document relating to the Acquisition, Ball undertakes that on the occurrence of any of the events listed below (each, a “Break Payment Event”), Ball shall pay or shall procure the payment by a member of its Group (provided that such member belongs outside the European Economic Area for VAT purposes and is not required by Law to make any deductions or withholdings on account of tax from a Break Payment) to Rexam an amount (the “Break Payment”) in cash, in pounds, equal to, as applicable:

 

7.1.1                                   £302,000,000 (being seven per cent of the Offer Value) in the event that on or prior to the Long Stop Date:

 

(a)                                 the Regulatory Pre-condition or any Regulatory Condition shall not have been satisfied or waived by Ball or Bidco;

 

(b)                                 Ball or Bidco invoke and are permitted by the Panel to invoke the Regulatory Pre-condition or any Regulatory Condition; or

 

(c)                                  a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change has occurred citing as a reason for the withdrawal or modification constituting the Ball Adverse Recommendation Change the requirement for an actual or potential Antitrust Remedy;

 

7.1.2                                   £129,000,000 (being three per cent of the Offer Value) in the event that on or prior to the Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date:

 

(a)                                 a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change has occurred citing a reason other than the reason referred to in sub-clause 7.1.1(c) and the Ball Shareholders Approval has not been obtained at the Ball Shareholders Meeting; or

 

(b)                                 the Ball Shareholders Meeting has not occurred;

 

7.1.3                                   £43,000,000 (being one per cent of the Offer Value) in the event that on or prior to the Shareholder Approval Long Stop, both:

 

(a)                                 a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change has not occurred; and

 

(b)                                 the Ball Shareholders Approval has not been obtained at the Ball Shareholders Meeting;

 

in each of sub-clauses 7.1.1 to 7.1.3 (inclusive), provided, and only to the extent, that:

 

(1)                                 at the time a Break Payment Event occurs, a termination pursuant to sub-clauses 13.1.2, 13.1.3(ii), 13.1.4 or 13.1.7 has not occurred; and

 

(2)                                 the relevant Break Payment Event has not been directly caused by Rexam’s failure to provide (or to cause to be provided) to Ball or its Advisers assistance and information reasonably requested by them for the purpose of satisfying the Regulatory Pre-Condition, a Regulatory Condition or obtaining the Proxy Approval, which information relates to Rexam, is in the possession of or reasonably obtainable by Rexam, a member of the Rexam Group or their Advisers or Representatives); provided that Ball shall have notified Rexam in writing as soon as reasonably practicable following it becoming aware of any such failure by Rexam to provide such information or assistance and Rexam shall have not remedied any such failure within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice and there being a corresponding deferral of the Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date or the Long Stop Date (as applicable) for performance of any

 

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obligation of Ball hereunder.

 

7.2                               Ball shall pay or procure the payment of the relevant Break Payment by electronic bank transfer to a bank account designated by Rexam within seven (7) days of the occurrence of the Break Payment Event.

 

7.3                               The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that, at the date of this Agreement, it is not possible to ascertain the amount of the overall loss that Rexam would incur as a result of a Break Payment Event and each Break Payment represents a genuine pre-estimate by the parties of the amount of the overall loss that Rexam would incur as a result of such Break Payment Event.

 

7.4                               The parties to this Agreement intend and shall use all reasonable endeavours to secure that the Break Payment is not treated for VAT purposes as consideration for a taxable supply.  If, however, the Break Payment is treated by H. M. Revenue & Customs or any other tax authority, in whole or in part, as consideration for a taxable supply, then the amount of the Break Payment shall be regarded as inclusive of VAT.

 

7.5                               In the event that the applicable Break Payment has been made in accordance with sub-clause 7.1 and this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with sub-clause 13.1.6, except with respect to fraud, Rexam’s right to receive the relevant Break Payment shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Rexam against Ball and Bidco for any and all losses and damages suffered in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In no event shall Ball or Bidco be required to pay a Break Payment more than once or to pay more than one Break Payment.

 

7.6                               In the event that a Break Payment Event has occurred, prior to the payment of the Break Payment pursuant to sub-clause 7.2 of this Agreement, Rexam shall provide to Ball a properly completed and executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E certifying that Rexam is a publicly-traded NFFE (within the meaning of such Form W-8BEN-E) and any other documentation reasonably requested by Ball or by Bidco as Rexam may provide in accordance with Law to establish that the withholding of tax is not required with respect to the Break Payment.

 

8.                                      Obligations not implied

 

8.1                               Nothing in this Agreement shall impose any obligation on Rexam or the Rexam Directors to recommend an Offer or the Scheme proposed by Ball or any member of its Group.

 

8.2                               For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall oblige Ball to make or consent to the release of the Offer Announcement, make an Offer or propose the Scheme with respect to Rexam.

 

8.3                               Nothing in this Agreement shall be taken to restrict the Rexam Directors or the directors of any other member of Rexam Group from complying with all relevant legislation, orders of court or regulations, including without limitation, the Code, the Listing Rules or the rules and regulations of any applicable regulatory body (including the Panel and the UK Listing Authority).

 

9.                                     Warranties

 

9.1                               Each party warrants to each of the other parties that:

 

9.1.1                                   it is a company duly organised and validly existing under the Laws of its country or state of incorporation;

 

9.1.2                                   it has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

9.1.3                                   this Agreement constitutes its binding obligations in accordance with the terms hereof;

 

9.1.4                                   the execution and delivery of, and performance of its obligations under, this Agreement

 

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will not:

 

(a)                                 result in a breach of any provision of its constitutional documents;

 

(b)                                 result in a breach of or constitute a default or give rise to any right of termination under any material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(c)                                  result in a breach of any Law or regulation to which it is subject or any order, judgment or decree of any court or Government Authority to which it is a party or by which it is bound; or

 

(d)                                 require the consent or approval of its shareholders or of any other person (other than a consent referred to in this Agreement).

 

9.2                               None of the warranties under this Agreement shall survive, and no party shall have any claim against any other party for breach of warranty after, the Effective Date save in respect of any rights with respect to any antecedent breach.

 

10.                               Announcements

 

10.1                        Subject to sub-clauses 10.2 and 10.3 prior to satisfaction or waiver (as the case may be) of the Conditions, and unless the Rexam Recommendation is not given or is withdrawn, modified or qualified, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, except as may be agreed by the parties, no announcement or statement shall be made by Ball in connection with the Acquisition except on a joint basis or on terms agreed in advance by the parties.

 

10.2                        The restriction in sub-clause 10.1 shall not apply to any announcement or statement required by Law, the Panel, the UK Listing Authority or the rules of any relevant stock exchange provided that Ball will, if practicable, consult in good faith with Rexam as to the content and timing of such announcement or statement and the extent of the required disclosure giving Rexam a reasonable opportunity to provide comments on the form and content of such an announcement.

 

10.3                        The restriction in sub-clause 10.1 shall not apply to Ball to the extent that (a) it elects to announce an Offer under the Code and such announcement is not in breach of the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, (b) it is making an announcement or statement related to a Competing Proposal, (c) proxy solicitation or other communications to Ball Shareholders is undertaken for the purposes of obtaining or relating to the Ball Shareholders Approval (provided that Ball will, if practicable, consult in good faith with Rexam as to the content and timing of such communications and that the consultation obligations relating to the Proxy Statement set out in sub-clause 3.5.2 continue to apply) or (d) it is making an announcement or statement with respect to a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change.  The provisions of sub-clauses 10.1 and 10.2 shall not apply to any disclosure in connection with any dispute between the parties regarding this Agreement or the Acquisition.

 

11.                               Ball Guarantee

 

11.1                        Ball irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Rexam the performance and observance by Bidco of all its obligations under this Agreement (the “Guarantee”).

 

11.2                        The Guarantee is to be a continuing security which shall remain in full force and effect until the obligations of Bidco under this Agreement have been fulfilled or shall have expired in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Guarantee is to be, in addition, and without prejudice to, and shall not merge with, any other right, remedy, guarantee or security which Rexam may now or hereafter hold in respect of all or any of the obligations of Bidco under this Agreement,

 

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provided that in no circumstances shall the Guarantee entitle Rexam to recover more than once with respect to the same loss.

 

11.3                        The liability of Ball under the Guarantee shall not be affected, impaired or discharged by reason of any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this provision, might operate to release or otherwise exonerate Bidco from its obligations hereunder including, without limitation:

 

11.3.1                            any amendment, variation or modification to, or replacement of this Agreement;

 

11.3.2                            the taking, variation, compromise, renewal, release, refusal or neglect to perfect or enforce any rights, remedies or securities against Bidco or any other person;

 

11.3.3                            any time or indulgence or waiver given to, or composition made with, Bidco or any other person; or

 

11.3.4                            Bidco becoming insolvent, going into receivership or liquidation or having an administrator appointed.

 

11.4                        The Guarantee shall constitute primary obligations of Ball and Rexam shall not be obliged to make any demand on Bidco or any other person before enforcing its rights against Ball under the Guarantee.

 

11.5                        If at any time any one or more of the provisions of the Guarantee is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any law, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way affected if impaired thereby.

 

11.6                        The provisions of this clause 11 shall be without prejudice to the provisions of sub-clause 7.5 of this Agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, save with respect to fraud, a Break Payment (if paid in accordance with sub-clause 7.1) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Rexam against Ball and Bidco for any and all losses and damages suffered in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

12.                               Time of the Essence

 

Any time, date or period referred to in any provision of this Agreement may be extended (subject to the terms of this Agreement) by mutual agreement between Rexam and Ball but as regards any time, date or period originally fixed or any time, date or period so extended, time shall be of the essence.

 

13.                               Termination

 

13.1                        Subject to the requirements of the Code and the Panel, this Agreement may be terminated and, subject to sub-clauses 13.4, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease forthwith as follows:

 

13.1.1                            upon agreement in writing between Ball and Rexam at any time prior to the Effective Date;

 

13.1.2                            upon service of written notice by Ball to Rexam stating that any Condition (other than a Specified Condition) which has not been waived is (or becomes) incapable of satisfaction by the Long Stop Date and if Ball notifies Rexam that notwithstanding that it has the right to waive such Condition, it will not do so, or if any Condition which is incapable of waiver (other than any Specified Condition) becomes incapable of satisfaction by the Long Stop Date, in each case in circumstances where the invocation of the relevant Condition (or confirmation that the Condition is incapable of satisfaction, as appropriate) is permitted by the Panel;

 

13.1.3                            upon service of written notice by Ball to Rexam, following a Competing Proposal being announced (including an offer on a pre-conditional basis, whether pursuant to Rule 2.4 or Rule 2.7 of the Code), and such Competing Proposal being (i) recommended by the Rexam

 

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Board or (ii) completed, or becoming effective, or being declared or becoming unconditional in all respects;

 

13.1.4                            upon service of written notice by Ball to Rexam, following a Rexam Adverse Recommendation Change;

 

13.1.5                            upon service of written notice either by Ball to Rexam or by Rexam to Ball, if the Effective Date has not occurred by the Long Stop Date;

 

13.1.6                            upon service of written notice either by Ball to Rexam or by Rexam to Ball following the occurrence of a Break Payment Event; or

 

13.1.7                            upon service of written notice either by Ball to Rexam or by Rexam to Ball if the Acquisition has lapsed prior to the Long Stop Date and with the permission of the Panel in accordance with the Code otherwise than as a result of a Specified Condition not being satisfied or waived.

 

13.2                        A party shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement under sub-clause 13.1 (other than under sub-clauses 13.1.1, 13.1.3, 13.1.5 and 13.1.6) to the extent that the relevant event giving rise to termination has occurred as a result of such party’s breach of this Agreement.

 

13.3                        Subject to the provisions of this Agreement which are expressly provided to survive termination in sub-clause 13.4, and without prejudice to any liability of any party in respect of any antecedent breach hereof or to any accrued rights of any party hereto (including the payment of any Break Payment pursuant to clause 7, if applicable), upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to this clause 13, there shall be no liability under this Agreement on the part of Rexam, Bidco or Ball as between each other.

 

13.4                        Clauses 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20 and sub-clauses 8.3, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5, 18.6 and 18.7 and Schedule 1 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

14.                               Costs and expenses

 

Without prejudice to clause 7 (if applicable), each party shall pay its own costs and expenses in relation to the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and any other agreement incidental to the implementation of the Acquisition or referred to in this Agreement.

 

15.                               Remedies and Waivers

 

15.1                        No waiver of any right, power or remedy provided by Law or under this Agreement shall have effect unless given by notice in writing.

 

15.2                        No relaxation, forbearance, indulgence, omission or delay (together “indulgence”) of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall be construed as a waiver thereof and shall not affect the ability of that party subsequently to exercise that right, power or privilege or to pursue any remedy, nor shall any indulgence constitute a waiver of any other right, power or privilege, nor will any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder.

 

15.3                        Save as set forth in sub-clause 7.5, the rights, powers and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers and remedies provided by Law and for the avoidance of doubt any Break Payment paid under clause 7 shall not exclude Rexam from making any claim for losses and damages suffered in connection with fraud.

 

15.4                        Without prejudice to any other rights and remedies which the other party may have, each party (each being, as applicable, for the purposes of this sub-clause the “undertaking party) acknowledges and agrees that the other party may be materially harmed by a breach of any of the

 

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provisions of this Agreement and that damages alone may not be an adequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, the undertaking party acknowledges that, save as set forth in sub-clause 7.5, the other party shall be entitled to the remedies of injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief (and the undertaking party agrees that it shall not contest the appropriateness or availability thereof), for any threatened or actual breach of any provision of this Agreement and no proof of special damages shall be necessary for the enforcement by the other party of its rights under this Agreement.

 

16.                               Invalidity

 

Each of the provisions of this Agreement are severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, void, invalid or unenforceable under the Laws of any jurisdiction, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction shall not be affected, and the legality, validity and enforceability of the whole of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction shall not be affected. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, void, invalid or unenforceable under the Laws of any jurisdiction but would be valid, binding and enforceable if some part of the provision were deleted or amended, then the provision shall apply with the minimum modifications necessary to make it valid, binding and enforceable in that instance under the Law of that jurisdiction without affecting the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Agreement under the Laws of that jurisdiction or of that provision under the Laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

17.                               Notices

 

17.1                        Notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing and in English by personal delivery or recorded delivery mail, by read-receipted or acknowledged email or by facsimile transmission, with a confirmation copy despatched by personal delivery or recorded delivery mail, and shall be effective when received.  Notices shall be given as follows:

 

17.1.1                            if to Rexam:

 

FAO:                               David Gibson, General Counsel

Address:             4 Millbank, London SW1P 3XR

Email:                        david.gibson@rexam.com

 

Copied to:

 

FAO:                               Julian Long and David Sonter, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

Address: 65 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1HS

Email:                        julian.long@freshfields.com and david.sonter@freshfields.com

 

17.1.2                            if to Ball or Bidco:

 

FAO:                               Charles E. Baker, Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Address:
             10 Longs Peak Drive,  Broomfield, Colorado 80021, United States

Fax:                                   303.460.2691

Email:                        cbaker@ball.com

 

Copied to:

 

FAO:                               Michael Hatchard and Scott Hopkins, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
Address:
             40 Bank Street, London E14 5DS

Fax:                                   44.20.7072.7020 and 44.20.7072.7187

Email:                        michael.hatchard@skadden.com and scott.hopkins@skadden.com

 

or to such other address, email address or facsimile number (as applicable) as may from

 

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time to time be notified in writing by the recipient to each other party as being the recipient’s address, email address or facsimile number (as applicable) for service.

 

17.2                        Any notice given under this Agreement shall, in the absence of earlier receipt, be deemed to have been duly given as follows:

 

17.2.1                            if personally delivered, be deemed to have been received at the time of delivery;

 

17.2.2                            if posted to an inland address in the United Kingdom, be deemed to have been received on the second Business Day after the date of posting and if posted to an overseas address, be deemed to have been received on the fifth Business Day after the date of posting;

 

17.2.3                            if sent by facsimile transmission, be deemed to have been received upon receipt by the sender of a facsimile transmission report (or other appropriate evidence) that the facsimile has been transmitted to the addressee; or

 

17.2.4                            if sent by email, at the time of sending, provided that the sender receives a read receipt message or an acknowledgement from the recipient indicating that the email has been delivered to the recipient,

 

provided that where, in the case of delivery by hand or facsimile transmission, delivery or transmission occurs after 5.00 pm on a Business Day or on a day which is not a Business Day, receipt shall be deemed to occur at 9.00 a.m. on the next following Business Day.

 

18.                               General

 

18.1                        Entire Agreement:

 

18.1.1                            This Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the whole agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any previous agreement whether written or oral between any of the parties in relation to the subject matter of this Agreement (other than the Confidentiality Agreement).

 

18.1.2                            Each party acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it is not relying upon any pre-contractual statement that is not set out in this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

18.1.3                            No party shall have any right of action against any other party to this Agreement (or any of their respective Representatives or Advisers) arising out of or in connection with any pre-contractual statement that is not set out in this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

18.1.4                            For the purposes of this sub-clause 18.1, “pre-contractual statement” means any draft, agreement, undertaking, representation, warranty, promise, assurance or arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether or not in writing, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement made or given by any person at any time prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

18.1.5                            Nothing in this sub-clause 18.1 shall limit any liability in respect of any fraudulent misrepresentation or misstatement.

 

18.2                        Each of the parties shall, and shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that any other person shall, do and execute and perform all such further deeds, documents, assurances, acts and things as may reasonably be required to give effect to such party’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

18.3                        Nothing in this Agreement and no action taken by the parties under this Agreement shall constitute a partnership, association, joint venture or other co-operative entity between any of the parties.

 

18.4                        The parties to this Agreement do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be

 

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enforceable, by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, by any person who is not a party to this Agreement. This Agreement may be rescinded, amended or varied in any way and at any time by the parties in writing without the consent of any third party.

 

18.5                        No amendment, variation, change or addition to this Agreement shall be effective or binding on any party unless reduced to writing and executed by or on behalf of each of the parties. If the Agreement is varied, this variation shall not constitute a general waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall remain in force, except as, and only to the extent that, they are varied.

 

18.6                        This Agreement is personal to the parties and no party shall assign, transfer, charge or create a trust over all or any part of the benefit of, or its rights or benefits under, this Agreement without the prior written consent of each of the other parties.

 

18.7                        This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the parties on separate counterparts, but shall not be effective until each party has executed at least one counterpart. Each counterpart shall constitute an original of this Agreement, but all the counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

18.8                        Each party shall execute or, so far as it is able, procure that as necessary its Representatives shall execute all such documents and/or do and/or refrain from doing or, so far as each is able, procure as necessary that its Representatives shall do and/or refrain from doing such acts and things as any other party shall reasonably require to give effect to this Agreement.

 

19.                               Governing Law

 

19.1                        This Agreement (together with all documents to be entered into pursuant to it which are not expressed to be governed by another Law) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by, construed and take effect in accordance with English Law; provided however, that the exercise of, and compliance by the members of the Board of Ball with, their fiduciary duties to Ball and the Ball Shareholders shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, Indiana Law.

 

19.2                        The courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any claim, legal action, proceedings, dispute or matter of difference which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, non-contractual disputes or claims and claims for set-off or counterclaim) or the legal relationships established by this Agreement (“Proceedings”), and each of the parties irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction and waives any objection to any Proceedings in such courts or on the grounds of venue or on the grounds that such Proceedings have been brought in an inappropriate forum.

 

20.                               Agent for service

 

20.1                        Ball appoints Bidco as its agent under this Agreement for service of process in the event that recourse is sought to the English courts in relation to any Proceedings. Ball irrevocably undertakes not to revoke the agent’s authority.  Any claim form, judgment or other notice of legal process shall be sufficiently served on Ball if delivered to Bidco at its registered office address in England from time to time or such other address in England as Ball notifies the other parties of in writing in accordance with clause 17.

 

20.2                        Ball agrees not to revoke the authority of its agent and if, for any reason it does so, it shall promptly appoint another agent with an address in England and notify the other parties of the agent’s details.  If Ball fails to appoint another agent within fourteen (14) days after another party making the request in writing, that other party may, at the expense of Ball, appoint one on behalf of Ball.

 

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SCHEDULE 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

In this agreement, its recitals and schedules, unless the context requires otherwise, each of the following expressions shall have the meaning set opposite it:

 

2013 LTIP Award

 

means an award granted in 2013 under the LTIP which is subsisting immediately prior to the Sanction Date; 

 

 

 

2014 LTIP Award

 

means an award granted in 2014 under the LTIP which is subsisting immediately prior to the Sanction Date; 

 

 

 

2015 LTIP Award

 

means an award granted in 2015 under the LTIP which is subsisting immediately prior to the Sanction Date; 

 

 

 

“Acquisition”

 

means the proposed acquisition by Bidco of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rexam not owned by Ball or an Affiliate of Ball, to be implemented by means of the Scheme or, should Ball so elect in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and with the consent of the Panel, by means of the Offer;

 

 

 

“Act”

 

means the Companies Act 2006, as amended;

 

 

 

“Advisers”

 

in relation to Ball means Greenhill & Co. International LLP, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP, Slaughter and May, FTI Consulting and in relation to Rexam means N M Rothschild & Sons Limited, Barclays Bank Plc, Tulchan Communications and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, including (unless the context requires otherwise) partners in and directors and employees of such advisers;

 

 

 

“Affiliate”

 

in relation to a party, means any person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party, and for these purposes a party shall be deemed to control a person if such party possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of the person, whether through the ownership of over fifty (50) per cent of the voting securities or the right to appoint over fifty (50) per cent of the relevant Board by contract or otherwise;

 

 

 

“Agreed Form”

 

in relation to any document, means such document in the terms agreed between the parties as at the date of this Agreement, subject to any further changes as the parties may agree, initialed by or on behalf of both Rexam and Ball for identification purposes;

 

 

 

“Agreement”

 

means this agreement executed and delivered as a deed, as amended, amended and restated or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms including the Schedules hereto;

 

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“Antitrust Material Adverse Effect”

 

means to sell, divest (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any enhancements or reconfigurations of plants or the costs thereof) or to otherwise dispose of, any cans production facilities or, with respect to ends, production assets, which in aggregate generated revenue in excess of $1,580,000,000 (based on the European Central Bank average exchange rate for the twelve months ended 31 December 2014) during the twelve (12) months ended 31 December 2014;

 

 

 

“Antitrust Remedy”

 

means any and all divestitures (or enhancements or reconfigurations) requested by a Relevant Authority in order for the Regulatory Pre-condition and any of the Regulatory Conditions to be satisfied;

 

 

 

“Approach”

 

means an approach, offer, enquiry, proposal or similar action;

 

 

 

“Ball Adverse Recommendation Change”

 

means any failure to include the Ball Recommendation in the Proxy Statement (including an announcement by Ball that it will not convene the Ball Shareholders Meeting), or any withdrawal, modification or qualification without Rexam’s consent of the Ball Recommendation or any failure to reaffirm or re-issue the Ball Recommendation within five (5) Business Days of Rexam’s request to do so, it being understood that the following shall not constitute a Ball Adverse Recommendation Change: any holding statement(s) (including the mere issuance of a public communication that is similar in nature to a “stop, look and listen” communication of the type contemplated by Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act or similar disclosure or communication) issued by the Ball Board to Ball Shareholders following a change of circumstances so long as (i) any such holding statement contains an express statement that such recommendation is not withdrawn and does not contain a statement that the Ball Board intends to withdraw such recommendation and (ii) if the Ball Board publicly clarifies that it maintains the Ball Recommendation before the date falling ten (10) Business Days prior to the Ball Shareholders Meeting;

 

 

 

“Ball Group”

 

means Ball and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings;

 

 

 

“Ball Recommendation”

 

has the meaning set out in sub-clause 3.5.8;

 

 

 

“Ball Responsible Officers”

 

means, collectively, John Hayes in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of Ball, Scott Morrison in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer of Ball and Charles Baker in his capacity as General Counsel of Ball;

 

 

 

“Ball Shares”

 

means the shares of common stock, without par value, of Ball;

 

 

 

“Ball Shareholders”

 

means holders of Ball Shares;

 

 

 

“Ball Shareholders Approval”

 

has the meaning set out in sub-clause 3.5.5;

 

 

 

“Ball Shareholders Meeting”

 

has the meaning set out in sub-clause 3.5.5;

 

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“Board”

 

means the board of directors of any relevant person;

 

 

 

“Break Payment”

 

has the meaning given to it in sub-clause 7.1;

 

 

 

“Business Day”

 

means a day (other than Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday), on which banks in the City of London and New York City are open for business generally;

 

 

 

“Clearances”

 

means all consents, approvals, clearances, permissions, waivers and/or filings that are necessary in order to satisfy the Regulatory Pre-condition, the Regulatory Conditions and the Conditions and all consents, approvals, clearances, permissions, waivers and/or filings that are necessary and all waiting periods that may need to have expired, from or under the Laws or practices applied by any Relevant Authority in connection with the implementation of the Acquisition, and any reference to Clearances having been “satisfied” shall be construed as meaning that the foregoing have been obtained or, where appropriate, made or expired in accordance with the Regulatory Pre-condition, the relevant Regulatory Condition or Condition;

 

 

 

“Code”

 

means the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;

 

 

 

“Competing Asset Proposal”

 

means an Approach (whether or not conditional) made by or on behalf of a third party which is not acting in concert with Ball in relation to a transaction that constitutes a disposal of a significant proportion or value (being thirty (30) per cent or more) of the undertaking, assets or business of the Rexam Group taken as a whole, whether implemented in a single transaction or a series of transactions;

 

 

 

“Competing Offer Proposal”

 

means an Approach (whether or not conditional) made by or on behalf of a third party which is not acting in concert with Ball in relation to:

 

(a)                   an offer, scheme of arrangement, merger, acquisition or business combination involving Rexam or any member of Rexam Group, the purpose of which is to acquire all or a substantial proportion (being thirty (30) per cent or more when aggregated with shares already held by the relevant third party and anybody acting in concert with that third party) of the issued or to be issued share capital of Rexam;

 

(b)                   a demerger or any material reorganisation, division or split of the Rexam Group, in each case, to the extent that such action is subject to the consent of Rexam Shareholders pursuant to Rule 21 of the Code; or

 

(c)                    a transaction which would be an alternative to, or is inconsistent with, or would be reasonably likely materially to preclude, impede, delay or prejudice the implementation of the Acquisition,

 

in each case, whether implemented in a single transaction or a series of transactions;

 

 

 

“Competing Proposal”

 

means a Competing Asset Proposal or a Competing Offer Proposal;

 

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“Conditions”

 

means the Regulatory Pre-condition to pursuing the Acquisition, and the conditions to implementation of the Acquisition, in each case set out in Appendix 1 to the Offer Announcement, with such consequential amendments as may be reasonably necessary as a result of any election by Ball to implement the Acquisition by way of the Offer;

 

 

 

“Confidentiality Agreement”

 

means the confidentiality agreement entered into between Ball and Rexam on 19 January 2015;

 

 

 

“Continuance Period”

 

means the period between the date of the Offer Announcement and the earliest to occur of: (i) the Effective Date and (ii) the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with clause 13;

 

 

 

“Court”

 

means the High Court of Justice in England and Wales;

 

 

 

“Court Meeting”

 

means the meeting or meetings of Scheme Shareholders as may be convened pursuant to an order of the Court under section 896 of the Act for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, approving the Scheme (with or without any amendment approved or imposed by the Court and agreed to by Rexam and Ball) including any adjournment, postponement or reconvention of any such meeting, notice of which shall be contained in the Scheme Document;

 

 

 

DBP

 

means the Rexam Deferred Bonus Plan 2011 (as amended);

 

 

 

“Effective Date”

 

means the date upon which:

 

(a)                   the Scheme becomes effective in accordance with its terms; or

 

(b)                   if Ball elects to implement the Acquisition by way of the Offer, the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects and Ball’s nominees constitute a majority of the Board of Rexam;

 

 

 

ESOS

 

means the Rexam Executive Share Option Scheme 2007;

 

 

 

“Exchange Act”

 

means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

 

 

“FCA”

 

means the Financial Conduct Authority;

 

 

 

“FCA Handbook”

 

means the FCA’s Handbook of rules and guidance as amended from time to time;

 

 

 

“FSMA”

 

the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

 

 

 

“General Meeting”

 

means the meeting of shareholders of Rexam to be convened for the purpose of considering, and if thought fit, approving the shareholder resolutions necessary to enable Rexam to implement the Scheme, including (a) a resolution amending the articles of association of Rexam and (b) a resolution approving Rexam’s participation in the Scheme and the allotment and issue of new Rexam Ordinary Shares to Ball, pursuant to the Scheme;

 

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Good Leaver

 

means an employee who: (i)  is dismissed by reason of redundancy; or (ii) resigns in response to (a) a repudiatory breach of contract, (b) a material diminution in their total remuneration or any decrease in their base salary, (c) a material diminution in their seniority or responsibilities, (d) an expectation that they will relocate their place of work by more than 25 miles; or (iii) ceases to be employed by reason of (a) their death, (b) their employer ceasing to be a member of the Ball Group, (c) the business or part of a business in which they work being transferred to a person which is not a member of the Ball Group, (d) retirement with the agreement of the participant’s employer and (e) disability, ill-health or injury (evidenced to the satisfaction of the participant’s employer) and construed in accordance with local laws or policies;

 

 

 

“Government Authority”

 

means any nation or government or any agency, public or regulatory authority, instrumentality, department, commission, court, arbitrator, ministry, tribunal or board of any nation or government or political subdivision thereof, in each case, whether foreign or domestic and whether national, supranational, federal, provincial, state, regional, local or municipal;

 

 

 

“Group”

 

in relation to any person, means its subsidiaries, subsidiary undertakings and holding companies and the subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings of any such holding company;

 

 

 

“Guarantee”

 

has the meaning given to it in clause 11.1;

 

 

 

“Law”

 

means any applicable statutes, common laws, rules, ordinances, regulations, codes, orders, judgments, injunctions, writs, decrees, governmental guidelines or interpretations having the force of law or bylaws, in each case, of a Government Authority;

 

 

 

“Listing Rules”

 

means the rules and regulations made by the UK Listing Authority under the FSMA, and contained in the UK Listing Authority’s publication of the same name;

 

 

 

“Long Stop Date”

 

means 19 August 2016 or such later date as Ball and Rexam may agree, with the Panel’s consent and as the Court may approve (if such approval is required);

 

 

 

LTIP

 

means the Rexam Long Term Incentive Plan 2009;

 

 

 

“New Ball Shares”

 

means the ordinary shares in Ball, to be allocated pursuant to the Scheme (or the Offer) as the case may be;

 

 

 

“Offer”

 

should Ball elect to effect the Acquisition by way of a takeover offer (as that term is defined in section 974 of the Act), means the offer to be made by Bidco (or Ball or an Affiliate of Ball), for all of Rexam Shares (not already owned by Ball or any associate (as that term is defined in Section 988 of the Act) of Ball) on the terms and subject to the conditions to be set out in the related Offer Document and form of acceptance including, where the context requires, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal thereof;

 

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“Offer Announcement”

 

means the joint press announcement of a firm intention to proceed with the Acquisition in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code in the Agreed Form;

 

 

 

“Offer Document”

 

means the document which would be despatched to (amongst others) holders of Rexam Shares pursuant to which the Offer would be made if Ball elects to implement the Acquisition by means of an Offer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

 

 

“Offer Value”

 

means £4.3 billion, being the aggregate fully diluted value of the amount in cash and the indicative value of the New Ball Shares, based on a value of 610 pence per Rexam Ordinary Share;

 

 

 

“Panel”

 

means the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers;

 

 

 

“Personnel”

 

in relation to any person, means its Board, members of their immediate families, related trusts and persons acting in concert with them, as such expressions are construed in accordance with the Code;

 

 

 

Phantom Plan

 

means the Rexam Inc. 2007 Phantom Stock Plan;

 

 

 

“Proceedings”

 

has the meaning set out in sub-clause 19.2;

 

 

 

“Proxy Approval”

 

means the approval by the SEC of the Proxy Statement;

 

 

 

“Proxy Statement”

 

has the meaning set out in sub-clause 3.5.1;

 

 

 

“Regulatory Conditions”

 

means the conditions to the Scheme (or the Offer, as the case may be) which are set out in Section 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals) of Part 2 of Appendix 1 to the Offer Announcement, other than the Condition set forth in paragraph (e) (Ball Shareholder approval);

 

 

 

“Regulatory Information Service”

 

means a regulatory information service as defined in the FCA Handbook;

 

 

 

“Regulatory Pre-condition

 

means the pre-condition to the Scheme (or the Offer, as the case may be) which is set out in Part 1 (Pre-condition to the Offer) of Appendix 1 to the Offer Announcement;

 

 

 

“Relevant Authority”

 

means any government or governmental, quasi-governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory, environmental or investigative body, person, court, trade or regulatory agency, association or institution or any competition, antitrust or supervisory body, in each case in any jurisdiction;

 

 

 

“Representatives”

 

means in relation to each party, the directors, employees, agents, consultants of, and any individuals seconded to work for, such party (including persons who, at the relevant time, occupied such position);

 

24



 

Rexam Adverse Recommendation Change

 

means any failure to include the Rexam Recommendation in the Scheme Document, or any withdrawal, modification or qualification without Ball’s consent of the Rexam Board Recommendation or any failure to reaffirm or re-issue the Rexam Board Recommendation within five (5) Business Days of Ball’s request to do so, it being understood that the following shall not constitute a Rexam Adverse Recommendation Change: any holding statement(s) (including the mere issuance of a public communication that is similar in nature to a “stop, look and listen” communication of the type contemplated by Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act or similar disclosure or communication) issued by the Rexam Board to Rexam Shareholders following a change of circumstances so long as (i) any such holding statement contains an express statement that such recommendation is not withdrawn and does not contain a statement that the Rexam Board intends to withdraw such recommendation and (ii) if the Rexam Board publicly clarifies that it maintains the Rexam Recommendation before the earlier of (x) five (5) Business Days following the date of the holding statement or (y) ten (10) Business Days prior to the Court Meeting;

 

 

 

“Rexam Directors”

 

means the directors of Rexam from time to time;

 

 

 

“Rexam Group”

 

means Rexam and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings;

 

 

 

“Rexam Ordinary Shares”

 

means ordinary shares with a nominal value of 80 5/14 pence each in the capital of Rexam;

 

 

 

“Rexam Recommendation”

 

means the unanimous and unqualified recommendation by the Rexam Directors to (i) Scheme Shareholders to vote in favour of the Scheme and the Scheme Resolutions (including any resolutions required to approve and implement the Acquisition) when presented to such holders or (ii) Rexam Shareholders to accept the Offer if Ball elects to proceed with the Offer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

 

 

“Rexam Redeemable B Shares”

 

means the redeemable, non-voting preference shares with a nominal value of fifty-seven (57) pence each in the capital of Rexam;

 

 

 

Rexam Share Plans

 

means the Rexam Sharesave Plans, the Rexam Long Term Incentive Plan, the Rexam Deferred Bonus Plan, the Rexam ESOS and the Rexam Phantom Plan;

 

 

 

“Rexam Shareholders”

 

means holders of Rexam Shares;

 

 

 

“Rexam Shares”

 

means the Rexam Ordinary Shares and Rexam Redeemable B Shares;

 

 

 

Sanction Date

 

means the date the Court sanctions the Scheme, pursuant to Section 899 of the Act;

 

 

 

“Sanction Hearing”

 

means the Court hearing at which Rexam will seek an order sanctioning the Scheme, pursuant to Section 899 of the Act including any adjournment thereof;

 

25



 

“Scheme”

 

means the scheme of arrangement proposed to be made under Sections 895 to 899 of the Act between Rexam and the Scheme Shareholders to be contained in the Scheme Document, the principal terms of which are set out in the Offer Announcement, with or subject to any modification, amendment, revision, addition or condition approved or imposed by the Court and agreed to by Rexam and Ball;

 

 

 

“Scheme Document”

 

means the document to be dispatched to Scheme Shareholders setting out the terms and conditions of the Scheme including the particulars required by Section 897 of the Act;

 

 

 

“Scheme Meetings”

 

means the Court Meeting and the General Meeting;

 

 

 

“Scheme Record Time”

 

means the time and date specified in the Scheme Document;

 

 

 

“Scheme Resolutions”

 

means the resolutions to be proposed at the Scheme Meetings as set out in the notices of those meetings;

 

 

 

“Scheme Shareholders”

 

means holders of Scheme Shares;

 

 

 

“Scheme Shares”

 

means Rexam Shares in issue on the date of the Scheme Document together with any further Rexam Shares (if any) issued after the date of dispatch of the Scheme Document and prior to the Voting Record Time, other than any Rexam Shares held by Ball or any Affiliate of Ball;

 

 

 

“SEC”

 

means U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

 

 

 

“Securities Act”

 

means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

 

 

 

“Shareholder Approval Long Stop Date”

 

means 19 August 2015;

 

 

 

Sharesave Plans

 

means the UK Sharesave Plan and the Rexam Savings Related Share Option Scheme 2007 (Republic of Ireland) (as amended);

 

 

 

“Specified Conditions”

 

means the Regulatory Pre-condition and the Conditions set forth in Section 2 (Specific anti-trust and regulatory clearances and approvals), Section 3 (Listing on the New York Stock Exchange, effectiveness and registration), Section 4 (Prospectus) and Section 5 (Notifications, waiting periods and Authorisations) of Part 2 of Appendix 1 of the Offer Announcement, with such consequential amendments as may be reasonably necessary as a result of any election by Ball to implement the Acquisition by way of the Offer;

 

 

 

Trust

 

means the Rexam employee benefit trust established by a trust deed dated 10 November 1994 between Rexam and Rexam Trustees (Jersey) Limited;

 

26



 

UK Listing Authority

 

means the FCA acting in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part VI of the FSMA;

 

 

 

UK Sharesave Plan

 

means the Rexam Savings Related Share Option Scheme 2007 (as amended);

 

 

 

“VAT”

 

means, within the European Union, such taxation levied in accordance with (but subject to derogations from) Council Directive 2006/112/EC and elsewhere, any taxation levied by reference to value added or sales;

 

 

 

“Voting Record Time”

 

means 6.00 p.m. (London time) on the day prior to the day immediately before the date of the Court Meeting or any adjournment, postponement or reconvention thereof; and

 

 

 

“£” or “pounds” or “pence”

 

means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

20.3                        In this Agreement:

 

20.3.1                            the recitals, schedules and annexures form an integral part of this Agreement;

 

20.3.2                            the headings are for convenience only and shall not affect its interpretation;

 

20.3.3                            expressions used in this Agreement shall have the same meanings as in the Act (excluding its Schedules), unless the context requires otherwise or they are otherwise defined in this Agreement;

 

20.3.4                            a reference to the provisions of law includes a reference to any provision which from time to time amends, extends, consolidates or replaces that provision and any subordinate legislation made under any such provisions;

 

20.3.5                            words denoting the singular number shall include the plural, the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and neuter, and vice versa;

 

20.3.6                            references to sub-clauses, clauses and Schedules are, unless otherwise stated, to sub-clauses, clauses of and Schedules to this Agreement;

 

20.3.7                            reference to “acting in concert”, “all reasonable efforts” and “offer” shall be construed in accordance with the Code;

 

20.3.8                            references to a “party” means a party to this Agreement and “parties” means all parties in this Agreement;

 

20.3.9                            a “subsidiary undertaking” is to be construed in accordance with Section 1162 of the Act and a “subsidiary” or “holding company” is to be construed in accordance with Section 1159 of the Act;

 

20.3.10                     references to persons shall include individuals, corporations (wherever incorporated), unincorporated associations (including partnerships), trusts, any form of governmental body, agency or authority, and any other organisation of any nature (in each case, whether or not having separate legal personality); and

 

20.3.11                     a reference to any English legal term for any action, remedy, method or form of judicial proceeding, legal document, court or any other legal concept or matter will be deemed to include a reference to the corresponding or most similar legal term in any jurisdiction other than England, to the extent that such jurisdiction is relevant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the terms of this Agreement.

 

27



 

20.4                        In construing this Agreement, the rule known as the ejusdem generis rule shall not apply and accordingly general words introduced or followed by the word “other” or “including” or “in particular” shall not be given a restrictive meaning because they are followed or preceded (as the case may be) by particular examples intended to fall within the meaning of the general words.

 

28


 


 

SCHEDULE 2

 

REXAM INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

 

Rexam and Ball agree that the following arrangements will, where appropriate subject to the Acquisition becoming effective in all respects, be implemented with respect to Rexam’s existing incentive arrangements. For the avoidance of doubt, references to Rexam employees in this Schedule 2 shall include the executive directors of Rexam, unless otherwise stated.

 

In the event that the Acquisition is effected by way of an Offer, references to “Sanction Date” in this Schedule 2 shall be read as if they referred to the date on which the Offer becomes or is declared unconditional in all respects.

 

1.                                      Provisions of general application

 

1.1                               If the Acquisition is effected by way of Scheme, Rexam and Ball agree that shareholder approval will be sought for an amendment to the articles of association of Rexam so that any Rexam Shares issued after the Scheme Record Time pursuant to the exercise of options or vesting of awards under the Rexam Share Plans will be compulsorily acquired by Ball and/or its nominee on the same terms as were available to other Rexam Shareholders under the Scheme (but excluding any mix and match election).

 

1.2                               Ball agrees that participants in the Rexam Share Plans shall be able, in accordance with and to the extent permitted under the provisions of the relevant Rexam Share Plans, and pursuant to the provisions of this Schedule 2, to exercise their options or realize their vested awards and, where applicable, receive the same consideration in respect of the Rexam Shares that they acquire or receive under such options or awards as is offered to Rexam Shareholders under the Scheme. In the event that the value of the cash amount received by any participant in a Rexam Share Plan in connection with the Scheme is less than the amount of income tax and employee’s social security contributions which arises and is payable at or around the point of exercise or vesting (“Employee Tax Liability”), Ball agrees that Rexam shall be permitted to make appropriate arrangements to enable participants to pay such Employee Tax Liability provided always that such arrangements shall not oblige either Rexam or Ball to incur additional costs.

 

1.3                               Ball acknowledges and agrees that annual pay reviews for Rexam employees shall be carried out by Rexam in the ordinary course of business and in line with past practice.

 

1.4                               As at the date of this Agreement but discounting awards and options granted under a Rexam Share Plan due to vest or be exercised in the normal course in February and March 2015, the Trust holds not less than 1,457,587 unallocated Rexam Shares.  Subject always to Rexam’s ability to make recommendations to the trustee of the Trust to use the unallocated Rexam Shares to satisfy awards vesting in the normal course prior to the Effective Date, the parties agree that the trustee of the Trust will be requested to agree to satisfy certain options and awards vesting or becoming exercisable as a consequence of the Acquisition, using these unallocated Rexam Shares in priority to Rexam issuing Rexam Shares to satisfy such options and awards. In the event that the trustee of the Trust does not agree to such a request, the unallocated Rexam Shares shall remain in the Trust.

 

29



 

1.5                               Rexam confirms that the table in the Appendix of this Schedule 2 correctly details the number of Rexam Shares subject to awards under each of the Rexam Share Plans as at the date of this Agreement.

 

1.6                               Rexam agrees to co-operate with Ball and use its reasonable endeavours to provide such details to Ball in relation to the Rexam Share Plans and agree any amendments required to be made to the Rexam Share Plans as Ball reasonably requires in order to facilitate the implementation of the arrangements set out in this Schedule 2, provided that any such amendments are of an administrative nature only.

 

1.7                               Rexam agrees to assist Ball and their advisors to prepare, in a form to be agreed between Rexam and Ball, communications (or, if applicable, multiple series of communications) to each of the participants in the Rexam Share Plans to enable Ball to satisfy its obligations under Rule 15 of the Code, and to send, or arrange for the sending of such communications (or series of communications, as the case may be) to participants at the appropriate time(s) (such time(s) to be agreed between the parties).

 

2.                                      Sharesave Plans

 

As certain options under the Sharesave Plans will become exercisable following the Sanction Date (and in the case of the UK Sharesave Plan for twenty days prior to the Sanction Date) over less than the full number Rexam Shares that could otherwise be acquired on maturity of the related savings contracts, Ball agrees that it will make (or procure that Rexam will make) a one off cash payment to those participants in the Sharesave Plans who exercise their options conditional on Court Sanction of an amount equal to the additional profit which the participants would have received had they been able to exercise their options over the full number of Rexam Shares otherwise available on the maturity of their savings contracts.  For the avoidance of doubt, any such cash payment would be subject to deductions for income tax and employee’s social security contributions.

 

3.                                      Deferred Bonus Plan

 

The parties acknowledge and agree that those awards subsisting under the DBP at the Sanction Date will vest on that date as a consequence of the Acquisition pursuant to the rules of the DBP.

 

4.                                      Executive Share Option Scheme and Phantom Plan

 

The parties acknowledge and agree that options under the ESOS and Phantom Plan are already exercisable and that the Rexam remuneration committee will exercise its discretion to provide that the options under the ESOS and Phantom Plan lapse on or before the Effective Date.

 

5.                                      Long Term Incentive Plan

 

5.1                               Ball acknowledges and agrees that awards under the LTIP will vest and/or become exercisable in consequence of the Acquisition and that the Rexam remuneration committee has confirmed that:

 

(a)                                 it anticipates (based on the measurement of achievement of the applicable performance conditions to date) its determination of the extent to which the performance conditions relating to the 2014 LTIP Awards and 2015 LTIP Awards are satisfied will not result in the number of Rexam Shares that vest pursuant to those awards exceeding 40% and 50% respectively of the maximum number of Rexam Shares subject to such awards;

 

30



 

(b)                                 it will test the performance conditions relating to the 2014 LTIP Awards and 2015 LTIP Awards by reference to the applicable reduced performance period and as to the actual satisfaction of the applicable performance conditions shortly prior to the Effective Date (resulting in a “performance adjusted award”). For the avoidance of doubt, no discretion shall be applied to increase the extent to which the 2014 LTIP Awards and 2015 LTIP Awards vest pursuant to actual satisfaction of the applicable performance conditions; and

 

(c)                                  it will apply a time pro rata reduction of the performance adjusted awards on vesting to reflect the time elapsed between the date commencing on the first day of the performance period applicable to the corresponding award and the Effective Date.

 

5.2                               Within 10 Business Days of the Effective Date, Ball will pay (or procure that Rexam will pay) any holder of a 2013 LTIP Award who (i) is employed by the Group at the Effective Date, (ii) has obtained an appraisal rating of “good” or above in his most recent annual appraisal and (iii) where applicable in view of the relevant Rexam employee’s role, has been certified by the Rexam remuneration committee (as constituted immediately prior to the Effective Date) as contributing to the successful completion of the Acquisition (such employees having been identified by the Rexam remuneration committee as soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement and notified in writing to Ball), a one off cash payment calculated as follows:

 

(M — N) x Y

 

Where:

 

M is the maximum number of Rexam Shares in respect of which the 2013 LTIP Award was granted,

 

N is the number of Rexam Shares in respect of which the 2013 LTIP Award actually vested (on the normal vesting date or the Sanction Date), and

 

Y is the higher of (i) 628 pence and (ii) the cash consideration payable under the Acquisition per Rexam Share plus the number of Ball Shares payable under the Acquisition per Rexam Share multiplied by the closing price of a Ball Share (as expressed in pounds sterling and as converted using the exchange rate prevailing as at the Effective Date) on the Effective Date.

 

5.3                               Ball will offer each holder of a 2014 LTIP Award and each holder of a 2015 LTIP Award, in each case, who is in the employment of the Rexam Group at the Effective Date and has not already become a leaver under the LTIP rules (each an “Original Award”), the opportunity to exchange their Original Awards for awards in respect of Ball Shares or Ball notional shares (each a “Replacement Award” and comprising of a “Change of Control Replacement Award” and a “Post-Change of Control Replacement Award”) on the following terms:

 

(a)                                 The Change of Control Replacement Award (Vesting on closing)

 

The Change of Control Replacement Award shall be calculated as follows:

 

(A x P x (T/1095) x Y) + D

 

31



 

Where:

 

A is the number of Rexam Shares subject to the Original Award,

 

D is the value of any dividend equivalents (if applicable) accrued on the Original Award at the Effective Date calculated in accordance with normal and historic practice and the LTIP rules,

 

P is the higher of (i) actual performance vesting (calculated in accordance with paragraph 5.1(b) above) and (ii) 40% performance vesting in respect of the 2014 LTIP Award or 50% performance vesting in respect of the 2015 LTIP Award,

 

T is the number of days in the period commencing on the first day of the performance period applicable to the corresponding Original Award and ending on the Effective Date (but shall not be more than 1,095), and

 

Y is the higher of (i) 628 pence and (ii) the cash consideration payable under the Acquisition per Rexam Share plus the number of Ball Shares payable under the Acquisition per Rexam Share multiplied by the closing price of a Ball Share (as expressed in pounds sterling and as converted using the exchange rate prevailing as at the Effective Date) on the Effective Date.

 

(b)                                 The Post-Change of Control Replacement Award (Vesting post-closing)

 

The Post-Change of Control Replacement Award shall be calculated as follows:

 

A x Q x Z

 

Where:

 

A is the number of Rexam Shares subject to the Original Award,

 

Q is the difference between (i) 75% in respect of 2014 LTIP Award (or actual performance (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with paragraph 5.1(b), if higher) or 50% in respect of 2015 LTIP Award (or actual performance (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with paragraph 5.1(b), if higher) and (ii) P x (T/1095) (see paragraph 5.3(a) above), and

 

Z is the higher of (i) 628 pence and (ii) the cash consideration payable under the Acquisition per Rexam Share plus the number of Ball Shares payable under the Acquisition per Rexam Share multiplied by the closing price of a Ball Share (as expressed in pounds sterling and as converted using the exchange rate prevailing as at the date on which the award vests) on the date on which a holder of a Post Change of Control Replacement Award ceases to be an employee of the Ball Group and is a Good Leaver, or the date on which the Original Award would have otherwise vested in the ordinary course (as the case may be).

 

(c)                                  The Change of Control Replacement Award shall vest on the Effective Date and be payable in cash within 10 Business Days thereafter.

 

(d)                                 The Post-Change of Control Replacement Award shall vest on the earlier of the date on which the holder of such an award becomes a Good Leaver or the date on which the

 

32



 

Original Award would have otherwise vested in the ordinary course and may be settled in cash or by the transfer or issue of Ball Shares, as determined at the discretion of the Ball.

 

(e)                                  Where any Replacement Award (or part thereof) is settled in cash, the cash payment shall be converted into the currency in which the holder’s basic salary is paid at the prevailing exchange rate on the vesting date.

 

(f)                                   If the holder of a Replacement Award ceases to be an employee of the Group otherwise than as a Good Leaver then the Replacement Award shall lapse immediately.

 

(g)                                  All payments on vesting of the Replacement Awards will be subject to any withholding for income tax and social security contributions that Rexam is required to make.

 

5.4                               Rexam and Ball agree that if the Acquisition does not occur, Ball shall not have any liability to make any payment to Rexam employees pursuant to this paragraph 5.

 

6.                                      Severance Arrangements

 

6.1                               Ball confirms that the existing employment rights of all Rexam employees will be fully observed and pension obligations complied with. In addition, Ball has confirmed to Rexam that for a period of two years from the Effective Date, Rexam employees will continue to benefit from terms relating to redundancy and severance (including, for the avoidance of doubt, terms relating to redundancy and severance for international assignees pursuant to Rexam’s international assignment policies) which apply as at the date of this Agreement.

 

6.2                               Ball agrees that, notwithstanding any contractual ability to do otherwise pursuant to the relevant Rexam employee’s service contract, if the employment of any Rexam employee who is a Good Leaver is terminated within two years of the Effective Date Ball shall:

 

(a)                                 not require such Rexam employee to serve any period of his/ her notice period; and

 

(b)                                 subject to the Rexam employee entering into a customary severance/settlement agreement (including an appropriate release of claims against the Group) if: (i) required to do so by Ball; and (ii) such agreements are lawful and effective in the relevant jurisdiction, in respect of any severance payment or payment in lieu of notice payable to such Rexam employee, pay (or procure that Rexam pays) such payments in a single lump sum within 30 Business Days of the date on which such employee’s employment terminates.  For the avoidance of doubt, the payment shall not be reduced by reason of the accelerated receipt or to take account of any duty to mitigate which may apply to the Rexam employee and this clause 6.2(b) shall not entitle a Good Leaver to notice or a severance payment in circumstances where this would not otherwise be due.

 

6.3                               In order to ensure equality of treatment of Rexam employees across employee bands in the period of two years after the Effective Date, Ball has agreed that Rexam may equalize the minimum payment (to include pay in lieu of notice and any amount paid during any notice or garden leave period) that it is required to provide its employees (or, where employees are employed at will, the applicable severance terms) (the “Notice Payment”) in order that in that two year period:

 

(a)                                 Rexam employees in bands 1 and 2 have a minimum Notice Payment of 12 months’ salary; and

 

33



 

(b)                                 Rexam employees in band 3 have a minimum Notice Payment of 9 months’ salary.

 

7.                                      Notification of Ongoing Employment

 

Ball acknowledges that Rexam employees will want to understand their future within the combined business as soon as reasonably practicable.  In light of that Ball has agreed that:

 

(a)                                 prior to the Effective Date, it will notify all employees within Rexam’s broad band 0 and broad band 1 whether or not it has identified a permanent role for them following the Effective Date;

 

(b)                                 in the three months following the Effective Date, it will use its best efforts to notify all employees within Rexam’s broad band 2 whether or not it has identified a permanent role for them following the Effective Date; and

 

(c)                                  in the six months following the Effective Date, it will notify all employees within Rexam’s broad band 2, to the extent not already notified pursuant to (b) above, and broad band 3 whether or not it has identified a permanent role for them following the Effective Date;

 

8.                                      Retention Arrangements

 

8.1                               Ball has agreed that, for the purpose of protecting the business to be acquired pursuant to the Acquisition, Rexam may make cash retention awards to employees whose recruitment and/or retention is considered critical for achieving the successful completion of the Acquisition.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Rexam executive directors may not receive retention awards pursuant to this paragraph 8.1.

 

8.2                               Without prejudice to paragraph 6.3, Rexam and Ball agree to work in good faith to determine by the date which is the earlier of (a) three months prior to the Effective Date; and (b) 15 months following the date of this Agreement what additional amount Ball may want to pay to Rexam employees who may be required to work for a period of between 6 and 12 months following the Effective Date, such terms being offered on a case by case basis to reflect individual employee’s circumstances including but not limited to the expected duration of their employment following the Effective Date and existing entitlements on termination, and to be made by way of an appropriate mechanism to include, without limitation:

 

(a)                                 a lump sum payment to be based on an agreed formula (to be paid in addition to any existing entitlement);

 

(b)                                 an increase in base salary during the retention period; and/or

 

(c)                                  an increase in severance pay.

 

34



 

APPENDIX

 

 

 

Number of Rexam Shares subject to awards

 

Rexam Share Plan

 

Grant:

 

Number of shares

 

Rexam Long Term Incentive Plan 2009 Share Settled Awards

 

March 2012

 

3,725,860

 

 

 

September 2012

 

17,869

 

 

 

November 2012

 

181,452

 

 

 

April 2013

 

2,710,759

 

 

 

September 2013

 

122,222

 

 

 

April 2014

 

2,739,443

 

 

 

September 2014

 

102,453

 

 

 

Total

 

9,600,058

 

Rexam Long Term Incentive Plan 2009 Cash Settled Awards

 

March 2012

 

2,951,802

 

 

 

September 2012

 

98,369

 

 

 

November 2012

 

44,433

 

 

 

April 2013

 

2,216,850

 

 

 

September 2013

 

147,227

 

 

 

April 2014

 

2,474,694

 

 

 

September 2014

 

141,575

 

 

 

Total

 

8,074,950

 

Rexam Deferred Bonus Plan

 

2012

 

88,547

 

 

 

2013

 

83,880

 

 

 

2014

 

30,489

 

 

 

Total

 

202,916

 

Rexam ESOS

 

June 2007

 

289,665

 

 

 

September 2007

 

7,227

 

 

35



 

 

 

March 2008

 

232,971

 

 

 

Total

 

529,863

 

Rexam Phantom Plan

 

June 2007

 

155,292

 

 

 

September 2007

 

16,357

 

 

 

March 2008

 

157,284

 

 

 

September 2008

 

22,218

 

 

 

Total

 

351,151

 

Rexam UK Sharesave Plan

 

September 2008

 

1,197

 

 

 

October 2009

 

123,575

 

 

 

December 2009

 

49,576

 

 

 

September 2010

 

55,203

 

 

 

September 2011

 

32,197

 

 

 

December 2011

 

22,464

 

 

 

September 2012

 

243,703

 

 

 

September 2013

 

149,410

 

 

 

September 2014

 

301,470

 

 

 

Total

 

978,795

 

Rexam Irish Sharesave Plan

 

September 2008

 

9,334

 

 

 

September 2010

 

11,334

 

 

 

September 2011

 

2,150

 

 

 

September 2012

 

62,169

 

 

 

September 2013

 

22,695

 

 

 

September 2014

 

18,328

 

 

 

Total

 

126,010

 

Grand Total

 

 

 

19,863,743

 

 

36



 

DULY EXECUTED AND DELIVERED as a DEED on the date and year first above written:

 

 

SIGNED as a DEED and DELIVERED by

 

BALL CORPORATION,

 

a company incorporated in Indiana, United States of America,

 

acting by person who, in accordance with the laws of that

 

territory, is acting under the authority of that company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles E. Baker

 

Name:

Charles E. Baker

 

Title:

General Counsel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNED as a DEED and DELIVERED by

 

BALL UK ACQUISITION LIMITED

 

acting by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Charles E. Baker

 

Name:

Charles E. Baker

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in the presence of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ani Kusheva

 

Name of Witness: Ani Kusheva

 

Address: of Skadden, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5DS

 

Occupation: Solicitor

 

 

37



 

SIGNED as a DEED and DELIVERED by

 

REXAM PLC

 

acting by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Graham Chipchase

 

Name:

Graham Chipchase

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in the presence of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David Gibson

 

Name of Witness: David Gibson

 

Address: 4 Millbank, London SW1P 3XR

 

Occupation: Solicitor

 

 

38


EX-10.1 4 a15-4962_1ex10d1.htm EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Copy

 


 

$3,000,000,000
Multicurrency Revolving Facility

 


 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

BALL CORPORATION,

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
as Administrative Agent

 

and

 

VARIOUS LENDING INSTITUTIONS

 

Dated as of February 19, 2015

 


 

ARRANGED BY:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS INC.,
RBS SECURITIES INC.,
and
COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A.,
“RABOBANK NEDERLAND”, NEW YORK BRANCH

 

as Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

 

and

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
and
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Initial Facing Agents

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1

 

 

1.1

Definitions

1

1.2

Accounting Terms; Financial Statements

52

1.3

Calculation of Exchange Rate

53

1.4

Timing of Performance

53

 

 

ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF U.S. DOLLAR, STERLING, EURO AND ALTERNATIVE CURRENCY CREDITS

53

 

 

2.1

The Commitments

53

2.2

Notes

53

2.3

Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings

56

2.4

Borrowing Options

56

2.5

Notice of Borrowing

56

2.6

Conversion or Continuation

57

2.7

Disbursement of Funds

58

2.8

Utilization of Multicurrency Revolving Commitments in an Alternative Currency

59

2.9

[Reserved]

61

2.10

Letters of Credit

61

2.11

Pro Rata Borrowings

71

 

 

ARTICLE III INTEREST AND FEES

72

 

 

3.1

Interest

72

3.2

Fees

73

3.3

Computation of Interest and Fees

73

3.4

Interest Periods

74

3.5

Compensation for Funding Losses

74

3.6

Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc.

75

3.7

Replacement of Affected Lenders

78

 

 

ARTICLE IV REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS; PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS

79

 

 

4.1

Voluntary Reduction of Commitments; Defaulting Lenders

79

4.2

Mandatory Reduction of Commitments

82

4.3

Voluntary Prepayments

83

4.4

Mandatory Prepayments

84

4.5

Application of Prepayments

85

4.6

Method and Place of Payment

86

4.7

Net Payments

87

 

i



 

ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

92

 

 

5.1

Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness

92

5.2

Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension

94

5.3

Conditions Precedent to Credit Extensions for Designated Existing Notes Refinancing

96

5.4

Conditions Precedent to Credit Extensions for Target Notes Refinancing

96

5.5

Conditions Precedent to all Other Credit Extensions

97

 

 

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

98

 

 

6.1

Corporate Status

98

6.2

Corporate Power and Authority

98

6.3

No Violation

99

6.4

Governmental Approvals

99

6.5

Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities Projections; Etc.

99

6.6

Litigation

101

6.7

True and Complete Disclosure

101

6.8

Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations

101

6.9

Taxes

101

6.10

Labor Relations

101

6.11

Security Documents

102

6.12

Compliance With ERISA

102

6.13

Foreign Pension Matters

103

6.14

Ownership of Property

103

6.15

Capitalization of Company

103

6.16

Subsidiaries

104

6.17

Compliance With Law, Etc.

104

6.18

Investment Company Act

104

6.19

Environmental Matters

104

6.20

Intellectual Property, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas

105

6.21

OFAC; Patriot Act; FCPA

105

 

 

ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

106

 

 

7.1

Financial Statements

106

7.2

Certificates; Other Information

107

7.3

Notices

108

7.4

Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence

109

7.5

Payment of Taxes

109

7.6

Inspection of Property, Books and Records

109

7.7

ERISA

110

7.8

Foreign Pension Plan Compliance

111

7.9

Maintenance of Property, Insurance

111

7.10

Environmental Laws

111

7.11

Use of Proceeds

112

7.12

Additional Security; Further Assurances

112

7.13

End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters

113

 



 

7.14

Post-Closing Covenant

113

 

 

ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS

114

 

 

8.1

Liens

114

8.2

Indebtedness

117

8.3

Fundamental Changes

121

8.4

Asset Sales

122

8.5

Dividends or Other Distributions

125

8.6

Issuance of Stock

126

8.7

Loans, Investment and Acquisitions

126

8.8

Transactions with Affiliates

128

8.9

Sale-Leasebacks

128

8.10

Restrictions on Credit Support to Unrestricted Entities

128

8.11

Lines of Business

129

8.12

Fiscal Year

129

8.13

Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Subordinated Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; Certain Derivative Transactions, Etc.

129

8.14

Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries

130

 

 

ARTICLE IX FINANCIAL COVENANT

132

 

 

ARTICLE X EVENTS OF DEFAULT

132

 

 

10.1

Events of Default

132

10.2

Rights Not Exclusive

136

 

 

ARTICLE XI ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

136

 

 

11.1

Appointment

136

11.2

Nature of Duties

137

11.3

Exculpation, Rights Etc.

137

11.4

Reliance

138

11.5

Indemnification

138

11.6

Administrative Agent In Its Individual Capacity

138

11.7

Notice of Default

139

11.8

Holders of Obligations

139

11.9

Resignation by Administrative Agent

139

11.10

The Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

140

 

 

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

140

 

 

12.1

No Waiver; Modifications in Writing

140

12.2

Further Assurances

143

12.3

Notices, Delivery Etc.

143

12.4

Costs, Expenses and Taxes; Indemnification

144

12.5

Confirmations

147

12.6

Adjustment; Setoff

147

12.7

Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments

148

12.8

Binding Effect; Assignment; Addition and Substitution of Lenders

149

 



 

12.9

CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

153

12.10

Release of Collateral

153

12.11

GOVERNING LAW

154

12.12

Severability of Provisions

154

12.13

Transfers of Notes

154

12.14

Registry

154

12.15

Euro Currency

155

12.16

Headings

156

12.17

Termination of Agreement

156

12.18

Confidentiality

156

12.19

Concerning the Collateral and the Loan Documents

157

12.20

Effectiveness

158

12.21

USA Patriot Act

159

12.22

Restrictions on Guarantees and Pledges

159

12.23

Redesignation of Unrestricted Entities as Subsidiaries

159

12.24

No Fiduciary Responsibility

160

 



 

INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit 2.1(b)

 

Form of Swing Line Loan Participation Certificate

Exhibit 2.2(a)(1)

 

Form of Multicurrency Revolving Note

Exhibit 2.2(a)(2)

 

Form of Swing Line Note

Exhibit 2.5

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit 2.6

 

Form of Notice of Conversion or Continuation

Exhibit 2.10(c)

 

Form of Notice of Issuance

Exhibit 4.7(d)

 

Form of Section 4.7(d) Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii)

 

Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

Exhibit 5.1(c)

 

Form of Officer’s Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(d)

 

Form of Secretary’s Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(j)

 

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit 5.2(a)(i)

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

Exhibit 7.2(a)

 

Form of Compliance Certificate Pursuant to Section 7.2(a)

Exhibit 12.8(c)

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

 

Schedules

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

Commitments

Schedule 1.1(e)

 

Unrestricted Entities

Schedule 1.1(f)

 

Applicable Designees

Schedule 1.1(g)

 

Applicable LC Sublimit

Schedule 1.1(h)

 

Existing Target Credit Facilities

Schedule 2.10(j)

 

Outstanding Letters of Credit

Schedule 6.3

 

Approvals and Consents

Schedule 6.4

 

Governmental Approvals

Schedule 6.13

 

Foreign Pension Plans

Schedule 6.16

 

Organization of Subsidiaries

Schedule 8.1

 

Liens

Schedule 8.2

 

Indebtedness

Schedule 8.7

 

Existing Investments

Schedule 8.8

 

Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 8.14(a)

 

Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries

Schedule 12.3

 

Notice Addresses

Schedule 12.8(b)

 

Voting Participants

 



 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of February 19, 2015 and is made by and among BALL CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the undersigned financial institutions, in their capacities as lenders hereunder (collectively, the “Lenders,” and each individually, a “Lender”), DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as administrative agent (in such capacity “Administrative Agent”), DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, as collateral agent for the Lenders and DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION each as an initial revolving letter of credit facing agent (each, in such capacity, an “Initial Facing Agent” and collectively, in such capacities, the “Initial Facing Agents”).

 

In consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.1                               Definitions.  As used herein, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

Acquisition” means (i) the purchase by a Person of a business or business unit conducted by another Person (whether through the acquisition of Capital Stock or assets) or (ii) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation of any Person with any other Person.

 

Additional Security Documents” means the pledge agreements and all other related documents entered into pursuant to Section 7.12 with respect to additional Collateral.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement and any successor Administrative Agent in such capacity.

 

Aerospace Business” means the assets constituting the aerospace business of Company, including the business of Ball Aerospace and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof, and business directly or indirectly owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries and reasonably related or incidental to such aerospace business, but excluding all Cash and Cash Equivalents held by said aerospace business and related or incidental businesses other than Cash and Cash Equivalents held in the ordinary course of business and in an amount consistent with past practices.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person or group acting in concert in respect of the Person in question that, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person.  For the purposes of this definition, “control”

 



 

(including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person or group of Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.   A Person shall be deemed to control a corporation if such Person is the “beneficial owner” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act of 35% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation. None of Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates shall be considered an Affiliate of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 11.1.

 

Agreed Alternative Currency” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(b).

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may at any time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof and in effect.

 

Alternative Currency” means at any time, Euro, Sterling, Swiss Francs and any Agreed Alternative Currency.

 

Alternative Currency Loan” means any Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars.

 

Applicable Base Rate Margin” means (i) from the Initial Borrowing Date to the date upon which Administrative Agent receives the financial statements required pursuant to Section 7.1 for the first full fiscal quarter following the Initial Borrowing Date, 0.50%, and (ii) at any date thereafter, the applicable percentage rate per annum set forth in the following table under the column “Applicable Base Rate Margin” opposite the Most Recent Total Leverage Ratio as of such date:

 

Most Recent Total
Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Base Rate Margin

 

Greater than 3.5 to 1

 

0.75

%

Greater than or equal to 2.5 to 1 but less than or equal to 3.5 to 1

 

0.50

%

Less than 2.5 to 1

 

0.25

%

 

Any adjustment in the Applicable Base Rate Margin shall be applicable to all Multicurrency Revolving Loans then existing or subsequently made or issued.

 

Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage” means (i) from the Effective Date to the date upon which Administrative Agent receives the financial statements required pursuant to

 

2



 

Section 7.1 for the first full fiscal quarter following the Effective Date, 0.25%, and (ii) at any date thereafter, the applicable percentage rate per annum set forth in the following table opposite the Most Recent Total Leverage Ratio as of such date:

 

Most Recent Total
Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Commitment Fee
Percentage

 

Greater than 3.5 to 1

 

0.30

%

Greater than or equal to 2.5 to 1 but less than or equal to 3.5 to 1

 

0.25

%

Less than 2.5 to 1

 

0.20

%

 

Applicable Currency” means as to any particular payment or Loan, Dollars or the Alternative Currency in which it is denominated or is payable.

 

Applicable Designee” means any Affiliate of a Multicurrency Revolving Lender designated thereby from time to time with the consent of Administrative Agent (which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to fund all or any portion of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of Multicurrency Revolving Loans (and Swing Line Loans and LC Obligations) under this Agreement.  As of the Effective Date, the Applicable Designees of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender are set forth on Schedule 1.1(f) (which schedule may be updated from time to time upon written notice by any such Lender to Administrative Agent).

 

Applicable Eurocurrency Margin” means (i) from the Initial Borrowing Date to the date upon which Administrative Agent receives the financial statements required pursuant to Section 7.1 for the first full fiscal quarter following the Initial Borrowing Date, 1.50%, and (ii) at any date thereafter, the applicable percentage rate per annum set forth in the following table under the column Applicable Eurocurrency Margin opposite the Most Recent Total Leverage Ratio on such date:

 

Most Recent Total Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Eurocurrency Margin

 

Greater than 3.5 to 1

 

1.75

%

Greater than or equal to 2.5 to 1 but less than or equal to 3.5 to 1

 

1.50

%

Less than 2.5 to 1

 

1.25

%

 

Any adjustment in the Applicable Eurocurrency Margin shall be applicable to all Multicurrency Revolving Loans then existing or subsequently made or issued.

 

Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or any Governmental Authority and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

 

3



 

Applicable LC Sublimit” means, (i) with respect to each of the Facing Agents on the Effective Date, the amount set forth opposite such Facing Agent’s name on Schedule 1.1(g) and (ii) with respect to any other Person that becomes a Facing Agent pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement pursuant to which such entity agrees to become a Facing Agent hereunder, such amount as agreed to in writing by Company and such Person at the time such Person becomes a Facing Agent pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement pursuant to which such entity agrees to become a Facing Agent hereunder, as each of the foregoing amounts may be decreased or increased from time to time with the written consent of Company and the Facing Agents (provided that any increase in the Applicable LC Sublimit with respect to any Facing Agent shall only require the consent of Company and such Facing Agent).

 

Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) of all or any part of (i) an interest in shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of Company (other than directors’ qualifying shares) or (ii) property or other assets (each of (i) and (ii) referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Assignee” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.8(c).

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 12.8(c) annexed hereto and made a part hereof made by any applicable Lender, as assignor, and such Lender’s assignee in accordance with Section 12.8.

 

Attorney Costs” means all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of any law firm or other external counsel.

 

Attributable Debt” means as of the date of determination thereof, without duplication, (i) in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the net present value (discounted according to GAAP at the cost of debt implied in the lease) of the obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the then remaining term of any applicable lease, (ii) Receivables Facility Attributable Debt, (iii) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product to which such Person is a party, where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP and (iv) the liquidation or preference value of outstanding Disqualified Preferred Stock.

 

Available Liquidity” means, at any date, the sum of (i) the Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment on such date plus (ii) Cash and Cash Equivalents as of the most recent reporting date for such balances plus (iii) available amounts under any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization, or any Receivables Factoring Facility or similar receivable financing facility that is, in each case, made available on a committed basis on such date.

 

Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment” means, as to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender at any time an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such

 

4



 

Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment over (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate Effective Amount of then outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans made by such Lender and (ii) such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the Effective Amount of LC Obligations and Swing Line Loans then outstanding.

 

Ball Asia Pacific” means Ball Asia Pacific, Limited, a company organized under the laws of Hong Kong.

 

“Ball Aerospace” means Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., a Delaware corporation.

 

Ball Delaware” means Ball Delaware Holdings, S.C.S., a limited partnership (société en commandite simple) incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 5, Rue Guillaume Kroll, L-1882 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ Register under number B 90.414.

 

Bank Guarantee” means a direct guarantee issued for the account of Company, and, if requested, a Subsidiary of Company, pursuant to this Agreement by a Facing Agent, in form acceptable to the Facing Agent, ensuring that a liability acceptable to the Facing Agent of Company or a Subsidiary of Company to a third Person will be met.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means Title I of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended, as set forth in Title 11 of the United States Code, as hereafter amended.

 

Base Rate” means the greatest of (i) the rate most recently announced by Administrative Agent at its principal office as its “prime rate”, which is not necessarily the lowest rate made available by Administrative Agent, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% per annum, or (iii) the Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%.  The “prime rate” announced by Administrative Agent is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publication or publications as Administrative Agent may designate.  Any change in the interest rate resulting from a change in such “prime rate” announced by Administrative Agent shall become effective without prior notice to Company as of 12:01 a.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day on which each change in such “prime rate” is announced by Administrative Agent.  Administrative Agent may make commercial or other loans to others at rates of interest at, above or below its “prime rate”.

 

Base Rate Loan” means any Loan which bears interest at a rate determined with reference to the Base Rate.

 

Benefited Lender” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.6(a).

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Bookrunners” means Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., RBS

 

5



 

Securities Inc. and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch.

 

Borrowing” means a group of Loans of a single Type made by the Lenders or the Swing Line Lender, as appropriate on a single date (or resulting from a conversion on such date) and in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Bridge Loan Agreement” means the Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, and as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, modified, replaced or refinanced from time to time, providing for Bridge Loans in an amount not to exceed £3,300,000,000.

 

Bridge Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” under and as defined in the Bridge Loan Agreement.

 

Bridge Loans” means the “Loans” made under and as defined in the Bridge Loan Agreement.

 

Business Day” means (i) as it relates to any payment, determination, funding or notice to be made or given in connection with any Dollar-denominated Loan, or otherwise to be made or given to or from Administrative Agent, a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market; provided, further, that when used in connection with any Letter of Credit, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which commercial banks in the city in which the respective Facing Agent for such Letter of Credit is domiciled are required by law to close; (ii) as it relates to any payment, determination, funding or notice to be made or given in connection with any Alternative Currency Loan, any day (A) on which dealings in deposits in the Alternative Currency are carried out in the London interbank market, (B) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets are open for business in London, New York City, and the principal financial center for such Alternative Currency, and (C) with respect to any such payment, determination or funding to be made in connection with any Alternative Currency Loan denominated in Euros, on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System payment system launched on November 19, 2007 or any successor settlement system is open.

 

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all common shares, preferred shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s capital stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, membership interests or other equivalent ownership interests and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock or other ownership interests.

 

6



 

Capitalized Lease” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, any lease of property, real or personal, in respect of which the present value of the minimum rental commitment is capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease which would at such time be so required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Cash” means money, currency or the available credit balance in Dollars, an Alternative Currency or another currency reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent in a Deposit Account.

 

Cash Collateralize” and “Cash Collateralizing” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Administrative Agent, a Facing Agent or the Swing Line Lender (as applicable) and the Lenders, as collateral for LC Obligations, obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans, or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the Facing Agent or the Swing Line Lender benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (i) Administrative Agent and (ii) the applicable Facing Agent or the Swing Line Lender.  “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

Cash Equivalents” means (i) any evidence of indebtedness, maturing not more than one year after the date of issue, issued by the United States of America or any instrumentality or agency thereof, the principal, interest and premium, if any, of which is guaranteed fully by, or backed by the full faith and credit of, the United States of America, (ii) Dollar or Alternative Currency (or other foreign currency fully hedged) denominated time deposits, certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances maturing not more than one year after the date of purchase, issued by (x) any Lender or (y) a commercial banking institution having, or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company having, at the time of such deposit, certificate of deposits or banker’s acceptance, combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $200,000,000 (any such bank, an “Approved Bank”), or (z) a non-United States commercial banking institution which, at the time of such deposit, certificate of deposits or banker’s acceptance, is either currently ranked among the 100 largest banks in the world (by assets, according to the American Banker), has combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 or whose commercial paper (or the commercial paper of such bank’s holding company) has a rating of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s, “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating agency, (iii) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of purchase, issued or guaranteed by a corporation (other than Company or any Subsidiary of Company or any of their respective Affiliates) organized and existing under the laws of any state within the United States of America with a rating, at the time of the acquisition thereof, of “P-1”

 

7



 

(or higher) according to Moody’s, or “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P, (iv) demand deposits with any bank or trust company maintained in the ordinary course of business, (v) repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements covering obligations of the type specified in clause (i) with a term of not more than thirty days with any Approved Bank and (vi) shares of any money market mutual fund rated at least AAA or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least Aaa or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s at the time of the acquisition thereof, including, without limitation, any such mutual fund managed or advised by any Lender or Administrative Agent.

 

Certain Funds Change of Control” means Company shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Purchaser’s Voting Securities.

 

Certain Funds Default” means, in each case, other than to the extent that such Event of Default relates to, or is made in relation to, circumstances affecting any member of the Target Group, an Event of Default under paragraph (a), (b) (solely to the extent that it relates to a Certain Funds Representation), (c) (solely to the extent that it relates to a Certain Funds Undertaking), (e), (f), (j) (to the extent relating to Subsidiary Guarantors representing more than 25% of Consolidated EBITDA) or (m) (solely to the extent it relates to Company) of Section 10.1.

 

Certain Funds Representations” means the representations and warranties contained in Sections 6.1(i) (solely as to due organization and valid existence only) and (ii) (solely as it relates to Company and where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), 6.2, 6.3(i), (ii) (to the extent relating to material debt instruments of Company) and (iii), 6.4, 6.8(b), 6.18 and 6.21 in each case, solely as they relate to the Credit Parties (or, as set forth above, only Company).

 

Certain Funds Undertaking” means (i) the covenant set forth in Section 7.4 (solely as it relates to Company’s and Purchaser’s corporate existence) and (ii) solely as they relate to the Credit Parties and Purchaser, Sections 8.1 through 8.4, 8.7, 8.9 and 8.13(c) (with respect to Organizational Documents only).

 

Certificated Pledged Stock” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.11.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority, (d) any change arising from the enactment or enforcement of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended, or any rules, regulations, interpretations, guidelines or directives promulgated thereunder (“Dodd-Frank”) or (e) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III (“Basel”); provided that

 

8



 

notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in regards to Dodd-Frank and Basel, all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof whether or not having the force of law shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

Change of Control” means (i) the sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of Company’s assets to any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of Company, (iii) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Company’s Voting Securities or (iv) any “Change of Control” (as such term is defined in any Permitted Debt Document related solely to any Senior Notes, the Bridge Loan Agreement or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto).

 

City Code” means the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and any practice statements issued by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers in connection with the City Code.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended, including the regulations promulgated thereunder, or any successor statute and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

COLI Policy Advances” of Company or any of its Subsidiaries means, with respect to any Company Owned Life Insurance Program, policy loans made to Company or any of its Subsidiaries under life insurance policies in an amount not in excess of the available cash surrender values of such policies, which loans are made pursuant to the contractual terms of life insurance policies issued in connection with a Company Owned Life Insurance Program.

 

Collateral” means all “Collateral” as defined in each of the Security Documents and all other assets pledged pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.4(a).

 

Collateral Agent” means Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch acting as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to its appointment as Collateral Agent in Section 11.1 or any other agent or subagent or trustee acting for the benefit of the Secured Creditors with the consent of Administrative Agent.

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment of such Lender and “Commitments” means such commitments of all of the Lenders collectively.

 

Commitment Fee” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.2(b).

 

9



 

Commitment Percentage” means, as to any Lender, such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share.

 

Commitment Period” means, the period from and including the date hereof to but not including the Revolver Termination Date or, in the case of the Swing Line Commitment, five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolver Termination Date.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of Company, no par value.

 

Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom, as amended from time to time.

 

Company” has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

Company Credit Facility Refinancing” means (i) repayment in full of all Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Credit Agreement, together with the payment of all fees and other amounts owing thereon, and (ii) all commitments, security interests and guaranties in connection therewith shall have been terminated and released, all to the reasonable satisfaction of Administrative Agent.

 

Company Owned Life Insurance Program” means a life insurance program in which Company is a participant, pursuant to which Company is the owner of whole life policies insuring the lives of certain of its employees.

 

Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.2(a).

 

Computation Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(a).

 

Consolidated Assets” means, for any Person, the total assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, as determined from a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, on a consolidated basis for Company and its Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for such period, without duplication, of:

 

 

 

(i)

 

Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(ii)

 

Consolidated Interest Expense, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(iii)

 

charges against income for foreign, federal, state and local taxes in each case based on income, to the extent deducted in

 

10



 

 

 

 

 

computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(iv)

 

depreciation expense, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(v)

 

amortization expense, including, without limitation, amortization of good will and other intangible assets, fees, costs and expenses in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of any of the Loan Documents, and other fees, costs and expenses in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, in each case, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

minus

 

(vi)

 

the gain (or plus the loss) (net of any tax effect) resulting from the sale of any capital assets other than in the ordinary course of business to the extent added (deducted) in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

minus

 

(vii)

 

extraordinary or non-cash nonrecurring after-tax gains (or plus extraordinary or non-cash nonrecurring after-tax losses) to the extent added (deducted) in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

minus

 

(viii)

 

any gain resulting from any write-up of assets (other than with respect to any Company Owned Life Insurance Program) to the extent added in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(ix)

 

any non-cash charge resulting from any write-down of assets to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(x)

 

any non-cash restructuring charge to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(xi)

 

all other non-cash charges (except to the extent such non-cash charges are reserved for cash charges to be taken in the future),

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(xii)

 

(A) costs and expenses in connection with the Transaction, the Target Acquisition, the Target Notes Refinancing, the Designated Existing Notes Refinancing, the Replacement Senior

 

11



 

 

 

 

 

Note Financing and the Replacement Target Note Financing, (B) transaction fees, costs and expenses (including up-front fees, commissions, premiums or charges) incurred in connection with, to the extent permitted under the Loan Documents and whether or not consummated, equity issuances, Investments, Acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, refinancings, mergers, option buy-outs, or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness or any amendments, waivers or other modifications under the agreements relating to such Indebtedness or similar transactions, (C) costs in connection with strategic initiatives, transition costs and other business optimization and information systems related costs (including non-recurring employee bonuses in connection therewith) and (D) costs and expenses with respect to Receivables Factoring Facilities, to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense,

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(xiii)

 

expected “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies relating to actions taken or expected to be taken by Company or any of its Subsidiaries within 12 months after the date of determination of such action, including the Transaction (as determined by Company in good faith and so long as such actions are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable); provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (xiii) and clause (xiv) in any Test Period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such period (after giving effect to the add-backs pursuant to this clause (xiii) and clause (xiv)),

 

 

 

 

 

plus

 

(xiv)

 

pro forma adjustments, pro forma cost savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies, in each case, related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions consummated by Company or its Subsidiaries and projected by Company in good faith to result from actions taken or expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of Company) within four fiscal quarters after the date any such transaction is consummated; provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to clause (xiii) and this clause (xiv) in any Test Period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such period (after giving effect to the add-backs pursuant to clause (xiii) and this clause (xiv)),

 

12



 

minus

 

(xv)

 

all other non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period,

 

in each case calculated for the applicable period in conformity with GAAP; provided, however, Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased by the amount of any cash expenditures in such period related to non-cash charges added back to Consolidated EBITDA during any prior periods.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of the total interest expense (including that attributable to Capitalized Leases in accordance with GAAP) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing but excluding, however, any amortization of deferred financing costs, all as determined on a consolidated basis for Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP plus the interest component of any lease payment under Attributable Debt transactions paid by Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis plus any discount and/or interest component in respect of a sale of Receivables Facility Assets by Company and its Subsidiaries regardless of whether such discount or interest would constitute interest under GAAP plus dividends paid in cash on Disqualified Preferred Stock.

 

Consolidated Net Debt” means, at any time, (i) without duplication, all Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi), (vii) (other than commercial letters of credit and undrawn amounts under standby letters of credit) and (viii) (but only in respect of Interest Rate Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements that have terminated and only to the extent of the termination value thereof) of the definition of “Indebtedness” and Guarantee Obligations in respect of the foregoing, in each case, of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Entities) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Indebtedness under the Bridge Loan Agreement or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof unless and until any Bridge Loans or equivalent under any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are drawn thereunder) plus (ii) the aggregate outstanding amount, without duplication of clause (i), of Attributable Debt of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Entities) determined on a consolidated basis (exclusive of Attributable Debt under any Receivables Factoring Facility which is non-recourse except for standard representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities and/or any off-balance sheet Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization) minus (iii) unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Entities) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Income” and “Consolidated Net Loss” mean, respectively, with respect to any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of the Person in question for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis, provided that there shall be excluded (i) the income of any unconsolidated Subsidiary and any Person in which any other Person (other than Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any director holding qualifying

 

13



 

shares in compliance with applicable law or any other third party holding a de minimis number of shares in order to comply with other similar requirements) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to Company or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries by such Person during such period and (ii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles (for the avoidance of doubt, all income of Unrestricted Entities shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income).

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, for any Person, the total assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, as determined from a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom all items that are treated as goodwill and other intangible assets (net of applicable amortization) under GAAP.

 

Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any Securities issued by such Person or of any indenture or credit agreement or any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound or to which it is otherwise subject.

 

Controlled Group” means the group consisting of (i) any corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as Company; (ii) a partnership or other trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with Company; (iii) a member of the same affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) as Company, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any partnership or trade or business described in clause (ii) above; or (iv) any other Person which is required to be aggregated with Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to regulations promulgated under Section 414(o) of the Code.

 

Controlled Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person (i) ninety percent (90%) or more of the Capital Stock 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 and (ii) of which such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise and “controlled” and “controlling” have correlative meanings thereto.

 

Co-operation Agreement” means that certain Deed, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, Purchaser and Target.

 

Credit Event” means the making of any Loan or the issuance of any Letter of Credit.

 

Credit Exposure” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.8(b).

 

Credit Party” means Company and any Guarantor.

 

14



 

Customary Permitted Liens” means for any Person:

 

(i)                           Liens for taxes, assessments, levies or governmental charges not yet due or as to which the grace period has not yet expired (not to exceed 30 days) or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued for which adequate provision for the payment of such taxes, assessments or governmental charges has been made on the books of such Person to the extent required by GAAP or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in its jurisdiction of organization;

 

(ii)                        (A) mechanics’, suppliers’, processor’s, materialmen’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, workmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other Liens arising by operation of law and arising or created in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations of such Person that are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued, provided that adequate provision for the payment of such Liens has been made on the books of such Person to the extent required by GAAP or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in its jurisdiction of organization and (B) deposits securing letters of credit supporting such obligations;

 

(iii)                     Liens consisting of pledges or deposits in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions and social security benefits, other similar benefits and other social security laws or regulations or liens created by pension standards legislation and Liens consisting of pledges and deposits securing letters of credit securing such obligations;

 

(iv)                    (A)     Liens consisting of deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, fee and expense arrangements with trustees and fiscal agents and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property) and customary deposits granted in the ordinary course of business under Operating Leases, (B) Liens securing surety, indemnity, performance, appeal, customs and release bonds, and other similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and (C) Liens consisting of pledges and deposits securing letters of credit securing such obligations;

 

(v)                       Permitted Real Property Encumbrances;

 

(vi)                    attachment, judgment, writs or warrants of attachment or other similar Liens arising in connection with court or arbitration proceedings which do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 10.1(h);

 

(vii)                 licenses and sublicenses of patents, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights not interfering, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect, with the conduct of the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

15



 

(viii)              Liens (A) in respect of an agreement to sell, transfer or dispose of any asset or (B) solely on any earnest money deposits made by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into by it;

 

(ix)                    Liens arising due to any cash pooling, netting or composite accounting arrangements between any one or more of Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between any one or more of such entities and one or more banks or other financial institutions where any such entity maintains deposits;

 

(x)                       leases or subleases granted to others to the extent permitted in Section 8.4(b) and any interest or title of a lessor, licensor or sublessor under any lease or license permitted by this Agreement;

 

(xi)                    customary rights of set off, revocation, refund or chargeback, Liens or similar rights under agreements with respect to deposits of cash, securities accounts, deposit disbursements, concentration accounts or comparable accounts under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction or under the UCC (or comparable foreign law) or arising by operation of law of banks or other financial institutions where Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains securities accounts, deposit disbursements, concentration accounts or comparable accounts under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement; and

 

(xii)                 Liens arising from filing precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to personal property operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar debtor relief laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default Rate” means a variable rate per annum which shall be two percent (2%) per annum plus either (i) the then applicable interest rate hereunder in respect of the amount on which the Default Rate is being assessed or (ii) if there is no such applicable interest rate, the Base Rate plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin.

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans, participations in LC Obligations or participations in Swing Line Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within three (3) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder (unless such funding is the subject of a good faith dispute), (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless such amount is the subject of a good faith dispute, (c) has notified Company, Administrative Agent or any other Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding

 

16



 

obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply or has failed to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under other agreements in which it commits or is obligated to extend credit, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it or (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in such Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook, investment or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, brokerage or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

 

Designated Existing Notes” means those certain (a) 6 3/4% Senior Notes due September 15, 2020 (the “Senior Notes (2020)”), issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million pursuant to the Senior Note (2020) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, as supplemented from time to time and (b) 5 3/4% Senior Notes due May 15, 2021 (the “Senior Notes (2021)”), issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million pursuant to the Senior Note (2021) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, as supplemented from time to time.

 

Designated Existing Notes Refinancing” means the redemption of the Designated Existing Notes, together with the payment of all fees and other amounts owing thereon or resulting from such redemption.

 

Disqualified Preferred Stock” means any preferred stock of Company (or any equity security of Company that is convertible or exchangeable into any such preferred stock of Company) that is not Permitted Preferred Stock.

 

Dividend” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.5.

 

Dollar” and “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) as to any amount denominated in Dollars, the amount thereof at such time and (b) as to any amount denominated in any other currency, the equivalent amount in Dollars as determined by Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate for the purchase of Dollars with such other currency on the most recent Computation Date provided for in Section 2.8(a).

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, other than (i) an entity that is disregarded for United States federal income tax purposes, substantially all of the assets of which are stock in “controlled foreign corporations” (as defined in Section 957 of the Code), (ii) an entity substantially all the assets of which are stock in “controlled foreign corporations” (as defined in Section 957 of the Code) or (iii) a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Drawing” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(d)(ii).

 

Effective Amount” means (a) with respect to any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal Dollar Equivalent amount thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Loans occurring on such date and (b) with respect to any outstanding LC Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of such LC Obligations on such date after giving effect to any issuances of Letters of Credit occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the LC Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.1.

 

Eligible Assignee” means a commercial bank, financial institution, financial company, Fund or insurance company in each case, together with its Affiliates or Related Funds, which extends credit or buys loans in the ordinary course of its business or any other Person approved by Administrative Agent and Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that an “Eligible Assignee” shall not include (i) a private individual, (ii) a competitor of Company and its Subsidiaries or any of such competitor’s Affiliates identified in writing to Administrative Agent from time to time and (iii) any Person that has been identified by Company in writing to Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, and such Person’s Affiliates identified by Company in writing to Administrative Agent from time to time thereafter; provided that any designation pursuant to subclause (ii) or this subclause (iii) shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any Lender or Participant as of the date such designation is received by Administrative Agent.

 

EMU Legislation” means the legislative measures of the European Union for the introduction of, changeover to, or operation of, the Euro in one or more member states.

 

Environmental Claim” means any notice of violation, claim, suit, demand, abatement order, or other lawful order by any Governmental Authority or any Person for any damage, personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), property damage, contribution,

 

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cost recovery, or any other common law claims, indemnity, indirect or consequential damages, damage to the environment, nuisance, cost recovery, or any other common law claims, pollution, contamination or other adverse effects on the environment, human health, or natural resources, or for fines, penalties, restrictions or injunctive relief, resulting from or based upon (a) the occurrence or existence of a Release or substantial threat of a material Release (whether sudden or non-sudden or accidental or non-accidental) of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material in, into or onto the environment at, in, by, from or related to the Premises or (b) the violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws relating to environmental matters connected with Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations or any Premises.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable foreign, federal, state, provincial or local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, directives, or Environmental Permits relating to the protection of the environment or, as it relates to exposure to Hazardous Materials, health and safety, including, but not limited to, the following statutes as now written and hereafter amended:  the Water Pollution Control Act, as codified in 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, as codified in 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq., and the Safe Drinking Water Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq. and any related regulations, as well as all provincial, state, local or other equivalents.

 

Environmental Lien” means a Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for (i) any liability under Environmental Laws, or Environmental Permits, or directions of any Governmental Authority or court, or (ii) damages relating to, or costs incurred by such Governmental Authority in response to, a Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material into the environment.

 

Environmental Permits” means any and all permits, licenses, certificates, authorizations or approvals of any Governmental Authority required by Environmental Laws and necessary or reasonably required for the current operation of the business of Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time amended.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any Person who together with any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer with the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.

 

Euro” means the lawful currency adopted by or which is adopted by Participating Member States of the European Union.

 

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Eurocurrency Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means the aggregate of (1) and (2) below:

 

(1)

 

(a)                                 in the case of Dollar denominated Loans, (i) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen that displays the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period (or the successor thereto if ICE Benchmark Administration Limited is no longer making the applicable interest settlement rate available) (the “US LIBOR Screen Rate”), determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; provided that if the US LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement (but if more than one rate is specified on such page, the rate will be an arithmetic average of all such rates) or, in the event such rate is not available for any reason, (ii) the rate for such Interest Period shall be the interest rate per annum reasonably determined by Administrative Agent in good faith to be the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Loan being made, continued or converted by Administrative Agent and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered to Administrative Agent by major banks in the London interbank market for Dollars at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; or

 

(b)                                 in the case of Euro denominated Loans, (i) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen that displays the Global Rate Set Systems Limited rate for deposits in Euros (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period (or the successor thereto appointed by the European Money Markets Institute, if Global Rate Set Systems Limited is no longer making the applicable interest settlement rate available) (the “EURIBOR Screen Rate”), determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; provided that if the EURIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement (but if more than one rate is specified on such page, the rate will be an arithmetic average of all such rates) or, in the event such rate is not available, (ii) the rate for such Interest Period shall be the interest rate per annum reasonably determined by Administrative Agent in good faith to be the rate per annum at which deposits in Euros for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of

 

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the Eurocurrency Loan being made, continued or converted by Administrative Agent and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered to Administrative Agent by major banks in the European interbank market for Euros at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; or

 

(c)                                  in the case of Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency (other than Euro), (i) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen that displays the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited rate for deposits in the applicable Alternative Currency (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period (or the successor thereto if ICE Benchmark Administration Limited is no longer making the applicable interest settlement rate available) (the “LIBOR Screen Rate”), determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; provided that if the LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement (but if more than one rate is specified on such page, the rate will be an arithmetic average of all such rates) or, in the event such rate is not available for any reason, (ii) the rate for such Interest Period shall be the interest rate per annum reasonably determined by Administrative Agent in good faith to be the rate per annum at which deposits in the applicable Alternative Currency for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Loan being made, continued or converted by Administrative Agent and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered to Administrative Agent by major banks in the London interbank market for the applicable Alternative Currency at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; or

 

(d)                                 for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) the US LIBOR Screen Rate (or any successor to or substitute for such rate), determined at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London Time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day; provided that if the US LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement (but if more than one rate is specified on such page, the rate will be an arithmetic average of all such rates) or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Administrative Agent (or an affiliate thereof) to major banks in the London interbank market at their request at the date and time of determination; and

 

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(2)                                 the then current cost of the Lenders of complying with any Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements.

 

Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements” means, for any day as applied to a Eurocurrency Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve liquid asset or similar requirements in effect on such day (including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto), including without limitation, under regulations issued from time to time by (a) the Board, (b) any Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of the relevant currency or (c) any Governmental Authority of any jurisdiction in which advances in such currency are made to which banks in any jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to loans in such currency are determined.

 

European Holdco” means Ball European Holdings S.àr.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 20, Rue Eugène Ruppert, L-2453 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ Register under number B 90.413.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 10.1.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as codified in 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., and as hereafter amended.

 

Exchange Rate” means, on any day, with respect to conversions between Dollars and any other currency, the Spot Rate, provided that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such Spot Rate is being quoted, Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method it deems applicable to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  For purposes of determining the Exchange Rate in connection with an Alternative Currency Loan such Exchange Rate shall be determined as of the Exchange Rate Determination Date for such Borrowing.  Administrative Agent shall provide Company with the then current Exchange Rate from time to time upon Company’s request therefor.

 

Exchange Rate Determination Date” means for purposes of the determination of the Exchange Rate of any stated amount on any Business Day in relation to any Alternative Currency Loan, the date which is two Business Days prior to such Eurocurrency borrowing and the same day for Sterling borrowings.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contract (in effect on the Effective Date or at the time of the acquisition of such Subsidiary and not incurred in contemplation thereof) from guaranteeing the Obligations or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a guarantee (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has

 

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been received), (b) any Subsidiary for which the providing of a Subsidiary Guaranty could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse tax consequence to Company or one of its Subsidiaries as determined in good faith by Company and Administrative Agent, (c) bankruptcy remote special purpose receivables entities (including Receivables Subsidiaries) and captive insurance companies, (d) in the case of any obligation under any hedging arrangement that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1(a)(947) of the Commodity Exchange Act, any Subsidiary of Company that is not an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined under the Commodity Exchange Act and (e) any Subsidiary where Company and Administrative Agent reasonably agree that the cost or other consequence of providing such a guarantee is excessive in relation to the value afforded thereby.

 

Excluded Taxes” means in the case of a Lender or Administrative Agent, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by net income, net receipts, net profits or capital of such Lender or Administrative Agent or a branch of such Lender or Administrative Agent (including, branch profits taxes), and franchise taxes imposed on such Lender or Administrative Agent by (i) the jurisdiction in which such Lender or Administrative Agent is incorporated or organized or resident, (ii) the jurisdiction (or political subdivision or taxing authority thereof) in which such Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s lending office in respect of which payments under this Agreement are made is located or is or has been otherwise carrying on business or (iii) the United States or any states thereof and (b) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2013, among Company, certain Subsidiaries of Company, the lenders party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and the other parties thereto.

 

Existing Target Credit Facilities” means (i) that certain Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2010 and amended and restated as of October 31, 2011 among Target, the financial institutions signatory thereto, Lloyds TSB Bank PLC, as agent and the arrangers signatory thereto and (ii) each of the other agreements evidencing Indebtedness in Schedule 1.1(h).

 

Existing Target Notes” means those certain Notes (under and as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2012, between Target and the purchasers named therein), issued by Target.

 

Existing Target Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness under the €750,000,000 6.75 per cent capital securities of Target due 2067.

 

Facility” means any of the credit facilities established under this Agreement.

 

Facing Agent” means each Initial Facing Agent and any other Lender agreed to by such Lenders from time to time (in each case other than any Defaulting Lender), Company and Administrative Agent which has issued, or has agreed to issue, a Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.10.

 

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FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version of such Sections that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

 

Federal Funds Rate” means on any one day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of the rate on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System only arranged by federal funds brokers, as published as of such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by Administrative Agent; provided that if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Fiscal Quarter” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.13.

 

Fiscal Year” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.13.

 

Foreign Pension Plan” means any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any super-annuation fund) or other similar program, arrangement or agreement established or maintained outside of the United States of America by Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of Company or such Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund, or similar program provides or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and which is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Form 10-K” means the annual report in the Form 10-K filed by Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for the 2013 Fiscal Year.

 

Form 10-Q” means the quarterly report in the Form 10-Q filed by Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for the third Fiscal Quarter of 2014.

 

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to a Facing Agent, such Defaulting Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the outstanding LC Obligations other than LC Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Multicurrency Revolving Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swing Line

 

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Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Multicurrency Revolving Lenders, repaid by Company or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Fund” means a Person that is a fund that makes, purchases, holds or otherwise invests in commercial loans or similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its existence.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the U.S., that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

 

Government Acts” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(h).

 

Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any intergovernmental or supranational body, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof and any entity lawfully exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

 

Guarantee Obligations” means, as to any Person, without duplication, any direct or indirect contractual obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness or Operating Lease, dividend or other obligation (“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:  (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor; (ii) 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; (iii) 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; or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligations shall not include any endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Guarantee Obligation at any time shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the lesser at such time of (a) the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made or (b) the maximum amount for which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation; or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability (assuming full performance) in respect thereof.

 

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Guarantors” means, collectively, each of Company’s Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiaries now or hereafter party to the Subsidiary Guaranty (until released therefrom as expressly permitted hereunder).

 

Hazardous Materials” means (a) any petrochemical or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and radon gas; or (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “restricted hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restrictive hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “contaminants” or “pollutants,” or words of similar meaning and regulatory effect.

 

Indebtedness” means, as applied to any Person (without duplication):

 

(i)             all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(ii)                        the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of assets or services (other than (x) trade payables and other accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (y) deferred compensation arrangements and (z) earn-out obligations unless such earn-out obligations have been liquidated and are not paid when due) which purchase price is due more than six months from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof;

 

(iii)                     all Capitalized Lease Obligations;

 

(iv)                    all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such indebtedness has been assumed by such Person or is nonrecourse to such Person (provided that with respect to indebtedness that is nonrecourse to the credit of such Person, such indebtedness shall be taken into account only to the extent of the lesser of the fair market value of the asset(s) subject to such Lien and the amount of indebtedness secured by such Lien);

 

(v)                       notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money (other than such notes or drafts for the deferred purchase price of assets or services which does not constitute Indebtedness pursuant to clause (ii) above);

 

(vi)                    indebtedness or obligations of such Person, in each case, evidenced by bonds, notes or similar written instruments;

 

(vii)                 the face amount of all letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances issued for the account of such Person, and without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder other than, in each case, commercial or standby letters of credit or the functional equivalent thereof issued in connection with performance, bid or advance payment obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, performance requirements under workers compensation or similar laws;

 

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(viii)              net obligations of such Person under Interest Rate Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements;

 

(ix)                    Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (viii) and clause (x) of this definition); and

 

(x)                       Attributable Debt of such Person;

 

provided that Indebtedness shall exclude (A) COLI Policy Advances except to the extent such COLI Policy Advances constitute Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and (B) loans or advances made by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that such loans or advances are made or issued in the ordinary course of business and have a term of 364 days or less (inclusive of any rollover or extension of the term).

 

Indemnified Person” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.4(c).

 

Initial Borrowing Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.2.

 

Initial Facing Agents” has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

Initial Funding Date” means the “Initial Funding Date” under and as defined in in the Bridge Loan Agreement.

 

Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.20.

 

Intercompany Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is owing to Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Base Rate Loan, each Quarterly Payment Date to occur while such Loan is outstanding, (b) as to any Eurocurrency Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (c) as to any Eurocurrency Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is a three (3) month anniversary of the first day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided, however, that in addition to the foregoing, the date upon which both the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments have been terminated and the Multicurrency Revolving Loans are due and payable shall be deemed to be an “Interest Payment Date” with respect to any interest which is then accrued hereunder for such Loan.

 

Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.4.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate cap agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

 

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Interest Rate Determination Date” means the date for calculating the Eurocurrency Rate for an Interest Period, which date shall be (i) in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan in Dollars, the second Business Day prior to first day of the related Interest Period for such Loan or (ii) in the case of any Eurocurrency Loan in an Alternative Currency consisting of Euro, Sterling or Swiss Francs, the date on which quotations would ordinarily be given by prime banks in the relevant interbank market for deposits in the Applicable Currency for value on the first day of the related Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Loan but in any event not earlier than the second Business Day prior to the first day of the related Interest Period; provided, however, that if for any such Interest Period with respect to an Alternative Currency Loan in a currency other than Euro, Sterling or Swiss Francs, quotations would ordinarily be given on more than one date, the Interest Rate Determination Date shall be the last of those dates.

 

Inventory” means, inclusively, all inventory as defined in the UCC from time to time and all goods, merchandise and other personal property wherever located, now owned or hereafter acquired by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of every kind or description which are held for sale or lease or are furnished or to be furnished under a contract of service or are raw materials, work-in-process or materials used or consumed or to be used or consumed in Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business.

 

Investment” means, as applied to any Person, (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by that Person of, or a beneficial interest in, Securities of any other Person, or a capital contribution by that Person to any other Person, (ii) any direct or indirect loan or advance to any other Person (other than prepaid expenses or any Receivable created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and other than any intercompany loans or advances to the extent that such intercompany loans, advances are made or issued in the ordinary course of business and have a term of 364 days or less (inclusive of any rollover or extension of the term)), including all Indebtedness to such Person in respect of consideration from a sale of property by such person other than in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) any Acquisition or (iv) any purchase by that Person of a futures contract or such person otherwise becoming liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodity at a future date in the nature of a futures contract.  The amount of any Investment by any Person on any date of determination shall be the sum of the value of the gross assets transferred to or acquired by such Person (including the amount of any liability assumed in connection with such transfer or acquisition by such Person to the extent such liability would be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP) plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment, minus the amount of all cash returns of principal or capital thereon, cash dividends thereon and other cash returns on investment thereon or liabilities expressly assumed by another Person (other than Company or its Subsidiaries) in connection with the sale of such Investment.  Whenever the term “outstanding” is used in this Agreement with reference to an Investment, it shall take into account the matters referred to in the preceding sentence.

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service, or any successor or analogous organization.

 

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Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Notice of Issuance, the Letter of Credit Amendment Request, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by Facing Agent and Company or in favor of Facing Agent and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

LC Commission” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(g)(ii).

 

LC Obligations” means, at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate Stated Amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of Unpaid Drawings under Letters of Credit that have not been reimbursed.  The LC Obligation of any Lender at any time means its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the aggregate LC Obligations outstanding at such time.

 

LC Participant” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(e)(i).

 

Lead Arrangers” means Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch.

 

Lender” and “Lenders” have the meanings assigned to those terms in the introduction to this Agreement and shall include any Person that becomes a “Lender” as contemplated by Section 12.8, and shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the Swing Line Lender and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender.

 

Letter of Credit Amendment Request” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(c).

 

Letter of Credit Payment” means as applicable (a) all payments made by the respective Facing Agent pursuant to either a draft or demand for payment under a Letter of Credit or (b) all payments by Lenders having Multicurrency Revolving Commitments to such Facing Agent in respect thereof (whether or not in accordance with their Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share).

 

Letters of Credit” means, collectively, all Standby Letters of Credit and Bank Guarantees, in each case issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Leverage Ratio” means, for any Test Period, the ratio of Consolidated Net Debt as of the last day of such Test Period to Consolidated EBITDA for such Test Period.

 

Lien” means (i) any judgment lien or execution, attachment, levy, or similar legal process and (ii) any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, or deposit arrangement (other than a deposit to a Deposit Account not intended as security) of any kind or other arrangement of similar effect (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention

 

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agreement or lease in the nature thereof, or any sale of receivables with recourse against the seller or any Affiliate of the seller).

 

Loan” means any Multicurrency Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan, as applicable, and “Loans” means all such loans collectively.

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, each Security Document, each Subsidiary Guaranty, each other document designated in writing by (i) Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders and (ii) Company as a “Loan Document”, and, solely for purposes of Section 12.4(c), the Syndication & Fee Letter, in each case as the same may at any time be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and in effect.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning specified in Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, financial condition, or operations of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Credit Party to perform its respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or (c) the rights and benefits available to the Lenders, taken has a whole, under any Loan Document.

 

Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Company, which either (i) the consolidated total assets of which were more than 8% of Company’s Consolidated Assets as of the end of the most recently completed Fiscal Year of Company for which audited financial statements are available or (ii) the consolidated total revenues of which were more than 7% of Company’s consolidated total revenues for such period.  Assets of Foreign Subsidiaries shall be converted into Dollars at the rates used for purposes of preparing the consolidated balance sheet of Company included in such audited financial statements.

 

Maximum Commitment” means, when used with reference to any Lender, such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment.

 

Minimum Borrowing Amount” means (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, $1,000,000, (ii) with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, $5,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Dollars, £3,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Sterling and €5,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Euros, and (iii) with respect to Swing Line Loans, $1,000,000.

 

Minimum Borrowing Multiple” means, (i) in the case of a Borrowing in Dollars, $1,000,000, (ii) in the case of a Borrowing in Euros, €1,000,000 and (iii) in the case of a Borrowing in Sterling £500,000.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Most Recent Total Leverage Ratio” means, at any date, the Leverage Ratio for the Test Period ending as of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial

 

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statements have been delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.1; provided, however, that if Company fails to deliver such financial statements as required by Section 7.1 and further fails to remedy such default within five (5) days of notice thereof from Administrative Agent, then, until Company delivers such financial statements, without prejudice to any other rights of any Lender hereunder, the Most Recent Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be greater than 3.5 to 1.0 as of the date such financial statements were required to be delivered under Section 7.1.

 

Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share” means, when used with reference to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender and any described aggregate or total amount, an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying such described aggregate or total amount by a fraction the numerator of which shall be such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolver Termination Date has occurred, the Effective Amount of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s then outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans and the denominator of which shall be the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or, if the Revolver Termination Date has occurred, the Effective Amount of all then outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender, the obligation of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender to make Multicurrency Revolving Loans and to participate in Letters of Credit, as such commitment may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement, which commitment as of the date hereof is the amount set forth opposite such lender’s name on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto under the caption “Amount of Multicurrency Revolving Commitment” as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, and “Multicurrency Revolving Commitments” means such commitments collectively, which commitments equal $3,000,000,000 in the aggregate as of the Effective Date.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Facility” means the credit facility under this Agreement evidenced by the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments and the Multicurrency Revolving Loans.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Lender” means any Lender which has a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment or is owed a Multicurrency Revolving Loan (or a portion thereof).  Each reference to any Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall be deemed to include such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Applicable Designee.  Notwithstanding the designation by any Multicurrency Revolving Lender of an Applicable Designee, Company and Administrative Agent shall be permitted to deal solely and directly with such Multicurrency Revolving Lender in connection with such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

Multicurrency Revolving Loan” and “Multicurrency Revolving Loans” have the meanings given in Section 2.1(a).

 

Multicurrency Revolving Note” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.2(a)(1).

 

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Multiemployer Plan” means a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which Company or any Subsidiary of Company or any ERISA Affiliate contributes, or is accruing an obligation to make, or has accrued an obligation to make contributions within the preceding five (5) years.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender” means each Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender.

 

Non-U.S. Participant” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.7(a)(ii).

 

Note” means any of the Multicurrency Revolving Notes or the Swing Line Note and “Notes” means all of such Notes collectively.

 

Notice Address” means the office of Administrative Agent located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Peter Cucchiara, or such other office as Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.

 

Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.5.

 

Notice of Conversion or Continuation” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.6.

 

Notice of Issuance” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(c).

 

Notice Office” means the office of Administrative Agent located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Peter Cucchiara, or such other office as Administrative Agent may designate to Company and the Lenders from time to time.

 

Obligations” means all liabilities and obligations of Company and its Subsidiaries now or hereafter arising under this Agreement, all of the other Loan Documents and any Interest Rate Agreement and Other Hedging Agreement entered into with a party that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, and whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including obligations of performance).

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of Treasury.

 

Offer” means a public offer by, or made on behalf of, Purchaser in accordance with the City Code and the provisions of the Companies Act for Purchaser to acquire all of the Target Shares not owned, held or agreed to be acquired by Purchaser.

 

Operating Lease” of any Person, means any lease (including, without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person, as lessee, which is not a Capitalized Lease in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date hereof.

 

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Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s articles or certificate of incorporation, certificate of amalgamation, memorandum or articles of association, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, joint venture agreement or other similar governing documents.

 

Other Hedging Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, commodity agreements, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar agreement (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any such agreements entered into on behalf of any customer of Company or a Subsidiary).

 

Outstanding Letters of Credit” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(j).

 

Participants” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.8(b).

 

Participating Member State” means each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

 

Participating Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Company or any other entity formed as necessary or customary under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction that is a participant in a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization.

 

Patriot Act” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.21(c).

 

Payment Office” means 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Peter Cucchiara, or such other address as Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, may from time to time specify in accordance with Section 12.3.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by Section 4002(a) of ERISA.

 

Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization” means any receivables financing program providing for the sale, conveyance or contribution to capital of Receivables Facility Assets or interests therein by Company and its Participating Subsidiaries to a Receivables Subsidiary in transactions purporting to be sales, which Receivables Subsidiary shall finance the purchase of such Receivables Facility Assets by the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance, lien, grant of participation or other interest or pledge of such Receivables Facility Assets or interests therein to one or more limited purpose financing companies, special purpose entities, trusts and/or financial institutions, in each case, on a limited recourse basis as to Company and the Participating Subsidiaries (except to the extent a limitation on recourse is not customary for similar transactions or is prohibited in the relevant jurisdiction); provided that any such transaction shall be consummated pursuant to documentation necessary or customary for such transactions in the relevant jurisdiction (or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent as evidenced by its written approval thereof).

 

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Permitted Acquisition” means (x) the Target Acquisition and (y) any Acquisition by Company or a Subsidiary of Company if, solely in the case of this clause (y), all of the following conditions are met on the date such Acquisition is consummated:

 

(a)                       no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(b)                       in the case of any acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition shall have been approved by the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person;

 

(c)                        all transactions related thereto are consummated in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(d)                       in the case of any acquisition of any equity interest in any Person, if after giving effect to such acquisition such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Company which is not an Unrestricted Entity, such Person, to the extent required by Section 7.12, (i) guarantees the Obligations hereunder and (ii) grants the security interest contemplated by such Section 7.12);

 

(e)                        all actions, if any, required to be taken under Section 7.12 with respect to any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary and its property are taken as and when required under Section 7.12; and

 

(f)                         if the aggregate Investment for such acquisition is $100,000,000 or greater (excluding the maximum value of earn out obligations, if any): (x) immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis for the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending with the Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have most recently been delivered (or were required to be delivered) under Section 7.1, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default would exist hereunder, (y) immediately after giving effect thereto, there is at least $150,000,000 of Available Liquidity and (z) on or before the date of the consummation of such acquisition, Company delivers to Administrative Agent (i) financial statements of the business or Person to be acquired, including, to the extent available, income statements or statements of cash flows and balance sheet statements for at least the fiscal year or the four fiscal quarters then most recently ended (or such shorter period of time as such Person has been in existence) and (ii) pro forma financial statements supporting the calculations required by clauses (x) and (y) hereof, if applicable, certified on behalf of Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of Company to his or her knowledge.

 

Permitted Aerospace JV” means a Person (together with its Subsidiaries, if any) organized by Company or Ball Aerospace and one or more third parties for the purpose, among other things, of conducting the Aerospace Business regardless of whether such Person is a subsidiary, a joint venture or a minority-owned Person provided that (i) such Person shall not be a Controlled Subsidiary and (ii) to the extent the assets (net of cash proceeds) transferred by Company and its Subsidiaries to such Permitted Aerospace JV were more than 8% of Company’s Consolidated Assets as of the end of the most recently completed Fiscal Year of Company for

 

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which audited financial statements are available or the business transferred by Company and its Subsidiaries to such Permitted Aerospace JV accounted for more than 7% of Company’s consolidated total revenues for such period, all of the Capital Stock of such Person owned by Company and its Subsidiaries shall, promptly and in any event within sixty (60) days, be pledged as collateral to Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors; provided, however, that if such Person is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, neither Company nor any Domestic Subsidiary of Company (individually or in combination) shall pledge more than 65% of the stock of such Person (or more than 65% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such Person entitled to vote).

 

Permitted Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) of all or any part of (i) an interest in shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of Company, (ii) any interest in any joint venture to which Company or any Subsidiary is a party, or (iii) any other assets (each of (i), (ii) or (iii) referred to for purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as, after giving effect to such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions), Company shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Article IX (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1.

 

Permitted Call Spread Transaction” means any Permitted Convertible Bond Hedge and any Permitted Warrant entered into on customary market terms and conditions.

 

Permitted Convertible Bond Hedge” means any call or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on Company’s Common Stock purchased by Company from an unaffiliated third party in an arm’s-length dealing in connection with the issuance of its convertible debt securities.

 

Permitted Covenant” means (i) any periodic reporting covenant, (ii) any covenant restricting payments by Company with respect to any securities of Company which are junior to the Permitted Preferred Stock, (iii) any covenant the default of which can only result in an increase in the amount of any redemption price, repayment amount, dividend rate or interest rate, (iv) any covenant providing board observance rights with respect to Company’s board of directors and (v) any other covenant that, when considered with all of the covenants, taken as a whole, does not materially adversely affect the interests of the Lenders (as reasonably determined by Administrative Agent).

 

Permitted Debt Documents” means, collectively, the Senior Note Documents, the Bridge Loan Documents, and any other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof.

 

Permitted Guarantee Obligations” means (i) Guarantee Obligations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations of any Person under leases, supply contracts and other

 

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contracts or warranties and indemnities, in each case, not constituting Indebtedness of such Person, which have been or are undertaken or made in the ordinary course of business by Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, guarantees of leases and supply contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), (ii) Guarantee Obligations of any Credit Party with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2 (other than clauses (b), (g) and (v) of such Section) of any other Credit Party, provided that to the extent that such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee Obligations shall also be subordinated to the Obligations on similar subordination terms or otherwise on terms reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, (iii) Guarantee Obligations of any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2 of any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party, (iv) Guarantee Obligations with respect to surety, appeal, performance bonds and similar bonds or statutory obligations incurred by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (v) Guarantee Obligations of Company and any of its Subsidiaries with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(v), provided that in each case, such Guarantee Obligations shall rank no higher than pari passu in right of payment with the Obligations, and (vi) additional Guarantee Obligations which (other than Guarantee Obligations of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(b)) do not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

 

Permitted Liens” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.1.

 

Permitted Preferred Stock” means any preferred stock of Company (or any equity security of Company that is convertible or exchangeable into any preferred stock of Company), so long as the terms of any such preferred stock or equity security of Company (i) do not provide any collateral security, (ii) do not provide any guaranty or other support by Company or any Subsidiaries of Company, (iii) do not contain any mandatory put, redemption, repayment, sinking fund or other similar provision occurring before the third anniversary of the Effective Date, (iv) do not require the cash payment of dividends or interest, (v) do not contain any covenants other than any Permitted Covenant, (vi) do not grant the holders thereof any voting rights except for (x) voting rights required to be granted to such holders under applicable law, (y) limited customary voting rights on fundamental matters such as mergers, consolidations, sales of substantial assets, or liquidations involving Company and (z) other voting rights to the extent not greater than or superior to those allocated to Common Stock on a per share basis, and (vii) are otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Permitted Real Property Encumbrances” means (i) as to any particular real property at any time, such easements, encroachments, covenants, rights of way, subdivisions, parcelizations, minor defects, irregularities, encumbrances on title (including leasehold title) or other similar charges or encumbrances which do not materially detract from the value of such real property for the purpose for which it is held by the owner thereof, (ii) municipal and zoning ordinances and other land use or environmental regulations or restrictions, which are not violated in any material respect by the existing improvements and the present use made by the owner thereof of the premises, (iii) general real estate taxes and assessments not yet due or as to which the grace period has not yet expired (not to exceed 30 days) or the amount or validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued, if adequate

 

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provision for the payment of such taxes has been made on the books of such Person to the extent required by GAAP or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in its jurisdiction of organization and (iv) such other items to which Administrative Agent may consent in its reasonable discretion.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means a replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation or other modification of any Indebtedness by the Person that originally incurred such Indebtedness, provided that:

 

(i)                           the principal amount of such Indebtedness plus, in the case of a revolving facility or other undrawn letter of credit or term loan, the unutilized commitments thereunder (as determined as of the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness in accordance with GAAP) does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness refinanced thereby on such date plus all accrued interest and premiums and the amounts of all fees, expenses, penalties (including prepayment penalties) and premiums incurred in connection with such replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation or modification;

 

(ii)                        the final maturity date of such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended, defeased, restructured, refunded, repaid, amended, restated, supplemented or modified;

 

(iii)                     the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness is not less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended, defeased, restructured, refunded, repaid, amended, restated, supplemented or modified;

 

(iv)                    except in connection with Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Senior Notes, the Existing Target Notes, the Existing Target Subordinated Debt and the Bridge Loan Agreement, such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party except to the extent such Person guaranteed such Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended, defeased, restructured, refunded, repaid, amended, restated, supplemented or modified;

 

(v)                     except in connection with Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Bridge Loan Agreement, such Indebtedness is not secured by any assets other than those securing or required to secure such Indebtedness on the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such Indebtedness was incurred, assumed or acquired), or in the case of Indebtedness of the Target or any of its Subsidiaries, if the Target Acquisition is consummated by way of a Scheme, on the Scheme Effective Date or if the Target Acquisition is consummated by way of an Offer, the date on which the Offer has become unconditional in all respects and Purchaser has become, directly or indirectly, the legal and beneficial owner of at least 90% of the Voting Securities of the Target; provided that in the case of any Indebtedness that refinances or replaces in part the Indebtedness under

 

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this Agreement, such Indebtedness may be secured by the Capital Stock of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Company;

 

(vi)                    in the case of other such Indebtedness the Dollar Equivalent amount which is in excess of $75,000,000, the covenants, defaults and similar non-economic provisions applicable to such Indebtedness, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the provisions contained in the original documentation for such Indebtedness or in this Agreement and do not contravene in any material respect the provisions of this Agreement and such Indebtedness is at the then prevailing market rates (it being understood and agreed that this clause (vi) may be satisfied by the delivery of a certificate by Company to Administrative Agent certifying that the requirements of this clause (vi) have been satisfied); and

 

(vii)                 in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Senior Notes or the Bridge Loans (or any Exchange Notes or Exchange Securities, in each case as defined in the Bridge Loan Agreement), (1) such Indebtedness is not Indebtedness under the Multicurrency Revolving Facility unless Available Liquidity after giving effect to such incurrence would equal at least $250,000,000 and (2) unless such Indebtedness is Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, the scheduled maturity date shall not be earlier than, nor shall any amortization commence, prior to the date that is one year after the Revolver Termination Date.

 

Permitted Warrant” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on Company’s Common Stock sold by Company to an unaffiliated third party in an arm’s-length dealing substantially concurrently with any purchase by Company of a related Permitted Convertible Bond Hedge.

 

Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Plan” means any plan described in Section 4021(a) of ERISA and not excluded pursuant to Section 4021(b) thereof, which is or has, within the preceding six years, been established or maintained, or to which contributions are being or have been, within the preceding six years, made, by Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliates. For greater certainty, Plan does not include a Foreign Pension Plan.

 

Plan Administrator” has the meaning assigned to the term “administrator” in Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA.

 

Plan Sponsor” has the meaning assigned to the term “plan sponsor” in Section 3(16)(B) of ERISA.

 

Pledge Agreement” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.2(a)(i).

 

Pledged Securities” means all of the Pledged Securities as defined in the Pledge Agreement.

 

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Pledgor” means Company and each of its Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiaries now or hereafter party to a Pledge Agreement.

 

Premises” means, at any time any real estate then owned, leased or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Press Release” means the press release made pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the City Code by or on behalf of Purchaser announcing a firm intention to proceed with an Offer or, as the case may be, a Scheme.

 

Pro Forma Basis” means, (a) with respect to the preparation of pro forma financial statements for purposes of the tests set forth in the definition of Permitted Acquisition and for any other purpose relating to a Permitted Acquisition, pro forma on the basis that (i) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with such Acquisition was incurred or assumed on the first day of the applicable period, (ii) if such Indebtedness bears a floating interest rate, such interest shall be paid over the pro forma period at the rate in effect on the date of such Acquisition, and (iii) all income and expense associated with the assets or entity acquired in connection with such Acquisition (other than the fees, costs and expenses associated with the consummation of such Acquisition) for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period for which such income and expense amounts are available shall be treated as being earned or incurred by Company over the applicable period on a pro forma basis without giving effect to any cost savings other than Pro Forma Cost Savings, (b) with respect to the preparation of a pro forma financial statement for any purpose relating to an Asset Disposition, pro forma on the basis that (i) any Indebtedness prepaid out of the proceeds of such Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been prepaid as of the first day of the applicable Test Period, and (ii) all income and expense (other than such expenses as Company, in good faith, estimates will not be reduced or eliminated as a consequence of such Asset Disposition) associated with the assets or entity disposed of in connection with such Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been eliminated as of the first day of the applicable Test Period and (c) with respect to the preparation of pro forma financial statements for any purpose relating to an incurrence of Indebtedness or the payment of any Restricted Payment, pro forma on the basis that (i) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with such incurrence of Indebtedness or such payment was incurred or assumed on the first day of the applicable period, (ii) if such incurrence of Indebtedness bears a floating interest rate, such interest shall be paid over the pro forma period at the rate in effect on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, and (iii) all income and expense associated with any Permitted Acquisition consummated in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than the fees, costs and expenses associated with the consummation of such incurrence of Indebtedness) for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period for which such income and expense amounts are available shall be treated as being earned or incurred by Company over the applicable period on a pro forma basis without giving effect to any cost savings other than Pro Forma Cost Savings.

 

Pro Forma Cost Savings” means with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, if requested by Company pursuant to the succeeding sentence, the amount of factually supportable and identifiable pro forma cost savings directly attributable to operational efficiencies expected

 

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to be created by Company with respect to such Permitted Acquisition which efficiencies can be reasonably computed (based on the four (4) fiscal quarters immediately preceding the date of such proposed acquisition) and are approved by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.  If Company desires to have, with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, the amount of pro forma cost savings directly attributable to the aforementioned operational efficiencies treated as part of the term Pro Forma Cost Savings, then Company shall so notify Administrative Agent and provide reasonable written detail with respect thereto not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed date of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

Pro Rata Share” means, when used with reference to any Lender, an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying such described aggregate or total amount by a fraction the numerator of which shall be such Lender’s Maximum Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the Total Commitment or, if no Commitments are then outstanding, such Lender’s aggregate outstanding Loans to the total outstanding Loans hereunder.

 

Purchaser” means Ball UK Acquisition Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England & Wales (registered number 9441371) and whose registered office is at c/o Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DS, United Kingdom, and any successor entity or assignee thereof.

 

Quarterly Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December of each year.

 

Receivable(s)” means and includes all of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ presently existing and hereafter arising or acquired accounts, accounts receivable, and all present and future rights of Company and its Subsidiaries to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered (except those evidenced by instruments or chattel paper), whether or not they have been earned by performance, and all rights in any merchandise or goods which any of the same may represent, and all rights, title, security and guaranties with respect to each of the foregoing, including, without limitation, any right of stoppage in transit.

 

Receivables Documents” means all documentation relating to any receivables financing program providing for the sale of some or all Receivables Facility Assets by Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not to a Receivables Subsidiary) in transactions purporting to be sales and shall include the documents evidencing any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and any Receivables Factoring Facility.

 

Receivables Facility Assets” means all Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto, including without limitation (i) all collateral given by the respective account debtor or on its behalf (but not by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) securing such Receivables, (ii) all contracts and all guarantees (but not by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or other obligations directly related to such Receivables, (iii) other related assets including those set forth in the Receivables Documents, and (iv) proceeds of all of the foregoing.

 

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Receivables Facility Attributable Debt” means at any date of determination thereof in connection with the Receivables Documents, the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the net outstanding amount theretofore paid, directly or indirectly, by a funding source to a receivables subsidiary (including, without limitation, Company or any Subsidiary in connection with sales permitted pursuant to Section 8.4(d)(ii)) in respect of the Receivables Facility Assets sold, conveyed, contributed or transferred or pledged in connection with such documents (it being the intent of the parties that the amount of Receivables Facility Attributable Debt at any time outstanding approximate as closely as possible the principal amount of Indebtedness which would be outstanding at such time under the Receivables Documents, if the same were structured as a secured lending agreement rather than an agreement providing for the sale, conveyance, contribution to capital, transfer or pledge of such Receivables Facility Assets or interests therein).

 

Receivables Factoring Facility” means a non-recourse sale of receivables by Company or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to another Person, including in connection with supply chain financing facilities.

 

Receivables Subsidiary” means a special purpose, bankruptcy remote Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company which has been or may be formed for the sole and exclusive purpose of engaging in activities in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of Receivables in connection with and pursuant to a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization; provided, however, that if the law of a jurisdiction in which Company proposes to create a Receivables Subsidiary does not provide for the creation of a bankruptcy remote entity that is acceptable to Company or requires the formation of one or more additional entities (whether or not Subsidiaries of Company), Administrative Agent may in its reasonable discretion permit Company to form such other type of entity in such jurisdiction to serve as a Receivables Subsidiary as is necessary or customary for similar transactions in such jurisdiction.

 

Refunded Swing Line Loans” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1(b)(ii).

 

Register” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.14.

 

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor provision to all or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

 

Related Fund” means, with respect to any Lender which is a Fund, any other Fund that is administered or managed by the same investment advisor of such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, escape, leaching or migration into the environment or into or out of any property of Company or its Subsidiaries, or at any other location, including any location to which Company or any Subsidiary has transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material, including the

 

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movement of Hazardous Materials through or in the air, soil, surface water or groundwater of Company or its Subsidiaries or at any other location, including any location to which Company or any Subsidiary has transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material.

 

Remedial Action” means actions legally required to (i) clean up, remove or treat Hazardous Materials in the environment or (ii) perform pre-response or post-response studies and investigations and post-response monitoring and care or any other studies, reports or investigations relating to Hazardous Materials.

 

Replaced Lender” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.7.

 

Replacement Lender” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.7.

 

Replacement Senior Note Financing” means the issuance of new senior notes in a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering, the proceeds of which pay all or a portion of the redemption price of the Designated Existing Notes and/or all of the Loans which were used to pay all or a portion of the redemption price of the Designated Existing Notes.

 

Replacement Target Note Financing” means the issuance of new senior notes in a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering, the proceeds of which pay all or a portion of the redemption price of the Existing Target Notes and/or all of the Loans which were used to pay all or a portion of the redemption price of the Existing Target Notes.

 

Reportable Event” means a “reportable event” described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or in the regulations thereunder with respect to a Plan, excluding any event for which the thirty (30) day notice requirement has been waived.

 

Required Lenders” means Non-Defaulting Lenders the sum of whose Effective Amount of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments (or, if after the Total Commitment has been terminated, outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans and Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of outstanding Swing Line Loans and LC Obligations, as applicable), constitute greater than 50% of the sum of the total Effective Amount of the Total Commitment less the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments (or, if after the Total Commitment has been terminated, the total Effective Amount of outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Lenders and the aggregate Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of all Non-Defaulting Lenders of the total outstanding Swing Line Loans and LC Obligations at such time).

 

Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, any law (including common law), treaty, rule or regulation or judgment, decree, determination or award of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, including without limitation, any Environmental Law, in each case imposing a legal obligation or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Responsible Officer” means any of the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, the Chief

 

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Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Treasurer of Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary.

 

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than an Investment permitted by Section 8.7 (other than clause (j) thereof).

 

Restricted Party” means a Person that is:

 

(i)                                     listed on, or owned (meaning 50% or greater ownership interest) or controlled by a person listed on any Sanctions List;

 

(ii)                                  located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned (meaning 50% or greater ownership interest) or controlled by a person located in or organized under the laws of, a country that is the target of comprehensive country-wide or territory wide Sanctions (currently the Crimea Region, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, and North Korea); or

 

(iii)                               otherwise a target of Sanctions (“target of Sanctions” signifying a person with whom a U.S. Person or other national of a Sanctions Authority would be prohibited or restricted by law from engaging in trade, business or other activities).

 

Restricted Payment” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.5.

 

Returns” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.9.

 

Revolver Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (i) the third anniversary of the Effective Date or (ii) such earlier date as the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments shall have been terminated or otherwise reduced to $0 in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Service, a division of McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby a seller or transferor shall sell or otherwise transfer any real or personal property and then or thereafter lease, or repurchase under an extended purchase contract, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the same or similar property.

 

Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be reasonably determined by Administrative Agent or Facing Agent, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

Sanctions Laws and Regulations” means the economic sanctions laws, regulations or restrictive measures administered, enacted, or enforced by:  (i) the United States

 

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government, including but not limited to, the Executive Order, the Patriot Act, the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.), the U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), the U.S. United Nations Participation Act, the U.S. Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act, the U.S. Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 or the Iran Sanctions Act, Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, The Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, all as amended, any of the foreign assets control regulations (including but not limited to 31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended), or the U.S. Export Administration Act, the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union; (iv) the United Kingdom; or (v) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including without limitation, OFAC, the United States Department of State, her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”) (together the “Sanctions Authorities”).

 

Sanctions List” means the Annex to the Executive Order, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) maintained by OFAC, the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List maintained by HMT, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities.

 

Scheme” means a scheme of arrangement effected pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act under which the Target Shares will be cancelled (or transferred) and Purchaser will become the holder of new shares issued in place of such cancelled Target Shares (or, as the case may be, the holder of such transferred Target Shares).

 

Scheme Effective Date” means the date on which a copy of the court order sanctioning the Scheme is duly filed on behalf of the Target with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Section 899 of the Companies Act.

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Secured Creditors” has the meaning provided in the respective Security Documents to the extent defined therein and shall include any Person who is granted a security interest pursuant to any Security Document.

 

Securities” means any stock, shares, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, options, warrants, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Security Documents” means the Pledge Agreement and the Additional Security Documents, as each may at any time be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and in effect.

 

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Senior Note (2020) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2020), the Senior Note (2020) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2020).

 

Senior Note (2020) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a) The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain fourth supplemental indenture, dated as of March 22, 2010, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Senior Note (2021) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2021), the Senior Note (2021) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2021).

 

Senior Note (2021) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a) The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain fifth supplemental indenture, dated as of November 18, 2010, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Senior Note (2022) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2022), the Senior Note (2022) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2022).

 

Senior Note (2022) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain seventh supplemental indenture, dated as of March 9, 2012, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Senior Note (2023) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2023), the Senior Note (2023) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2023).

 

Senior Note (2023) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain eighth supplemental indenture, dated as of May 16, 2013, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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Senior Note Documents” means, collectively, the Senior Note (2020) Documents, the Senior Note (2021) Documents, the Senior Note (2022) Documents and the Senior Note (2023) Documents.

 

Senior Note Indentures” means, collectively, the Senior Note (2020) Indenture, the Senior Note (2021) Indenture, the Senior Note (2022) Indenture and the Senior Note (2023) Indenture.

 

Senior Notes” means, collectively, the Senior Notes (2022) and the Senior Notes (2023).

 

Senior Notes (2020)” has the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of Designated Existing Notes.

 

Senior Notes (2021)” has the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of Designated Existing Notes.

 

Senior Notes (2022)” means those certain 5% Senior Notes due March 15, 2022, issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $750 million pursuant to the Senior Note (2022) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by the Senior Note (2022) Indenture.

 

Senior Notes (2023)”  means those certain 4% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023, issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $1 billion pursuant to the Senior Note (2023) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by the Senior Notes (2023) Indenture.

 

Shareholder Rights Plan” means the Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by Company on July 21, 2006, pursuant to which holders of Company’s Common Stock receive contingent rights to purchase a fractional share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (as defined therein) and to acquire additional shares of Common Stock, and any substantially similar successor or replacement shareholder rights plan adopted by the Board of Directors of Company.

 

Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by Administrative Agent or Facing Agent, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that Administrative Agent or Facing Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by Administrative Agent or Facing Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided, further, that Facing Agent may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency; provided, further, that (i) in the case of Euro denominated Loans, such

 

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delivery shall be two (2) Business Days later and (ii) in the case of Sterling denominated Loans, such delivery shall be one (1) Business Day later.

 

Standby Letters of Credit” means any of the irrevocable standby letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement, in form acceptable to the Facing Agent, together with any increases or decreases in the Stated Amount thereof and any renewals, amendments and/or extensions thereof.

 

Stated Amount” or “Stated Amounts” means (i) with respect to any Letter of Credit issued in Dollars, the stated or face amount of such Letter of Credit to the extent available at the time for drawing (subject to presentment of all requisite documents), and (ii) with respect to any Letter of Credit issued in any currency other than Dollars, the Dollar Equivalent of the stated or face amount of such Letter of Credit to the extent available at the time for drawing (subject to presentment of all requisite documents), in either case as the same may be increased or decreased from time to time in accordance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

For purposes of calculating the Stated Amount of any Letter of Credit at any time:

 

(A)                   any increase in the Stated Amount of any Letter of Credit by reason of any amendment to any Letter of Credit shall be deemed effective under this Agreement as of the date Facing Agent actually issues an amendment purporting to increase the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit, whether or not Facing Agent receives the consent of the Letter of Credit beneficiary or beneficiaries to the amendment, except that if Company has required that the increase in Stated Amount be given effect as of an earlier date and Facing Agent issues an amendment to that effect, then such increase in Stated Amount shall be deemed effective under this Agreement as of such earlier date requested by Company; and

 

(B)                   any reduction in the Stated Amount of any Letter of Credit by reason of any amendment to any Letter of Credit shall be deemed effective under this Agreement as of the later of (x) the date Facing Agent actually issues an amendment purporting to reduce the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit, whether or not the amendment provides that the reduction be given effect as of an earlier date, or (y) the date Facing Agent receives the written consent (including by authenticated telex, cable, facsimile transmission or electronic imaging (with, in the case of a facsimile transmission or electronic imaging, a follow-up original hard copy)) of the Letter of Credit beneficiary or beneficiaries to such reduction, whether written consent must be dated on or after the date of the amendment issued by Facing Agent purporting to effect such reduction.

 

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Sterling” or “£” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, trust or other entity of which a majority of the stock (or equivalent ownership or equity interest) having voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (if a corporation) or to select the trustee or equivalent managing body or controlling interest, shall, at the time such reference becomes operative, be directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of such Person or any combination thereof.  Neither Latapack-Ball Embalagens Ltda nor Rocky Mountain Metal Container LLC will be deemed to be a Subsidiary of Company for purposes of the Loan Documents, unless, in each case, (x) it otherwise meets the requirements of this definition and (y) it is designated as a “Subsidiary” by Company in a written notice to Administrative Agent.  Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement (a) shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Company and (b) shall not include any Unrestricted Entity.

 

Subsidiary Guaranty” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.1(a)(ii).

 

Swing Line Commitment” means, with respect to the Swing Line Lender, at any date, the obligation of such Lender to make Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) in the amount referred to therein.

 

Swing Line Lender” means Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch in such capacity.

 

Swing Line Loan Participation Certificate” means a certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.1(b).

 

Swing Line Note” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.2(a).

 

Swing Line Loans” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1(b)(i).

 

Swiss Franc” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

 

Syndication & Fee Letter” means that certain Syndication & Fee Letter, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers and their respective affiliates party thereto.

 

Target” means Rexam PLC, a company incorporated in England and Wales (registered number 00191285) and whose registered office is at 4 Millbank, London SW1P 3XR, United Kingdom.

 

Target Acquisition” means the acquisition of Target Shares by Purchaser pursuant to a Scheme or an Offer.

 

Target Group” means the Target and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Target Notes Refinancing” means the repurchase of all or a portion of the Existing Target Notes following the Target Acquisition, together with the payment of all fees and other amounts owing thereon or resulting from such repurchase.

 

Target Shares” means the ordinary shares of the Target, the subject of an Offer or, as the case may be, a Scheme.

 

Tax Sharing Agreements” means all tax sharing, disaffiliation tax allocation and other similar agreements entered into by Company or its Subsidiaries on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

Taxes” means any and all present and future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, and any and all liabilities (including interest and penalties and other additions to taxes) with respect to the foregoing, but excluding Excluded Taxes.

 

Termination Event” means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) a Reportable Event, or (b) the withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of a Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or a Foreign Pension Plan or the treatment of a Plan or Foreign Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA or similar foreign laws, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, or (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Plan or Foreign Pension Plan by the PBGC or similar foreign governmental authority, or (e) any other event or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA, or (g) the determination that any Plan or Multiemployer Plan is considered an at-risk plan or plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 or 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 or 305 of ERISA or (h) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Pension Plan if withdrawal liability is asserted by such plan, or (i) any event or condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or (j) any event or condition which results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (k) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Test Period” means the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of Company then last ended.

 

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Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment” means, at the time any determination thereof is made, the sum of the respective Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitments of the Lenders at such time.

 

Total Commitment” means, at the time any determination thereof is made, the sum of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments at such time.

 

Transaction” means, collectively, (i) the Company Credit Facility Refinancing, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, (iv) the granting of Liens pursuant to the Loan Documents and (v) the payment of the related fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

 

Type” means any type of Loan, namely, a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Loan.  For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall include the Eurocurrency Rate and the Base Rate.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the relevant jurisdiction.

 

Uncommitted Short Term Lines of Credit” means overdraft facilities, lines of credit or similar facilities providing for uncommitted advances to a Foreign Subsidiary, a Domestic Subsidiary or Company; provided that no Indebtedness incurred thereunder remains outstanding for more than one year and no Subsidiary grants any Lien (other than Customary Permitted Liens) to secure such Indebtedness.

 

Unmatured Event of Default” means an event, act or occurrence which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time (or both) would become an Event of Default.

 

Unpaid Drawing” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.10(d).

 

Unrestricted Entity” means (i) prior to a redesignation by Company pursuant to Section 12.23, each Person set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) hereto, (ii) prior to a redesignation by Company pursuant to Section 12.23, each Person from time to time designated as an Unrestricted Entity by Company pursuant to a notice signed by a Responsible Officer identifying such Person to be designated as an Unrestricted Entity so long as (A) immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of such designation, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists or will exist (including, without limitation, the permissibility of any Investment, Indebtedness, Liens or other obligations existing at such Subsidiaries) and (B) after giving effect to such redesignation, Company shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Article IX (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 and (iii) each successor of the foregoing; provided that so long as the Bridge Loan Agreement is

 

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in effect, no Person may be an Unrestricted Entity under this Agreement that is not an Unrestricted Entity under the Bridge Loan Agreement.

 

Voting Securities” means any class of Capital Stock of a Person pursuant to which the holders thereof have, at the time of determination, the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to vote for the election of directors, managers, trustees or general partners of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time any other class or classes will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the total of the product obtained by multiplying (x) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (y) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

 

Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary” means a Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

 

Wholly-Owned Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of which (other than qualifying shares required to be owned by directors) are at the time owned directly or indirectly by such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

written” or “in writing” means any form of written communication or a communication by means of telecopier device or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “pdf” via email).

 

The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.  In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding.”  The words “herein,” “hereof” and words of similar import as used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision in this Agreement.  References to “Articles”, “Sections”, “paragraphs”, “Exhibits” and “Schedules” in this Agreement shall refer to Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided; references to Persons include their respective permitted successors and assigns or, in the case of governmental Persons, Persons succeeding to the relevant functions of such persons; and all references to statutes and related regulations shall include any amendments of same and any successor statutes and regulations.  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, references to constitutive and Organizational Documents and to agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed

 

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to include subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document.

 

1.2                               Accounting Terms; Financial Statements.

 

(a)                       Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein but not expressly defined in this Agreement and all computations and determinations for purposes of determining compliance with the financial requirements of this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to them or shall be made in accordance with GAAP.  The financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP in the United States of America as in effect on the respective dates of their preparation.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, wherever any computation is to be made with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries, such computation shall be made so as to exclude all items of income, assets and liabilities attributable to any Person which is not a Subsidiary of such Person.  For purposes of the financial terms set forth herein, including, without limitation, for all purposes under Article IX, whenever a reference is made to a determination which is required to be made on a consolidated basis (whether in accordance with GAAP or otherwise) for Company and its Subsidiaries, such determination shall be made as if all Unrestricted Entities were wholly-owned by a Person not an Affiliate of Company.  In the event that any changes in generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. occur after the date of this Agreement or the application thereof from that used in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.5(a) hereof occur after the Effective Date and such changes or such application result in a material variation in the method of calculation of financial covenants or other terms of this Agreement, then Company, Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to enter into and diligently pursue negotiations in good faith in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such changes so that the criteria for evaluating Company’s financial condition will be the same after such changes as if such changes had not occurred; provided that until so amended, such financial covenants or other terms of this Agreement shall continue to be calculated in accordance with GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above or in the definitions of Capitalized Lease, Capitalized Lease Obligations or Consolidated Interest Expense, in the event of a change under GAAP (or the application thereof) requiring all or certain operating leases to be capitalized, only those leases that would result in a Capitalized Lease or Capitalized Lease Obligations on the Effective Date (assuming for purposes hereof that they were in existence on the Effective Date and applying GAAP as in effect on such date) hereunder shall be considered Capitalized Leases or Capitalized Lease Obligations hereunder and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made in accordance therewith.

 

(b)                       For purposes of computing the Leverage Ratio as of the end of any Test Period, all components of such ratios for the applicable Test Period shall include or exclude, as the case may be, without duplication, such components of such ratios attributable to any business or assets that have been acquired or disposed of by Company or any Subsidiary of Company (including through mergers or consolidations) after the first day of such Test Period

 

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and prior to the end of such Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis as determined in good faith by Company.

 

(c)                        For purposes of the limitations, levels and baskets in Articles IV, VII, VIII and X stated in Dollars, non-Dollar currencies will be converted into Dollars at the time of incurrence or receipt, as the case may be, using the methodology set forth in the definition of “Dollar Equivalent”.

 

1.3                               Calculation of Exchange Rate.  On each Exchange Rate Determination Date, Administrative Agent shall (a) determine the Exchange Rate as of such Exchange Rate Determination Date and (b) give notice thereof (i) to Company and (ii) to each Lender that shall have requested such information.  The Exchange Rates so determined shall become effective on the first Business Day immediately following the relevant Exchange Rate Determination Date (each, a “Reset Date”) and shall remain effective until the next succeeding Reset Date, and shall for all purposes of this Agreement (other than any provision expressly requiring the use of a current Exchange Rate) be the Exchange Rate employed in converting amounts between Dollars or Alternative Currencies.

 

1.4                               Timing of Performance.  When the performance of any covenant or duty is stated to be required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such performance shall be extended to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

ARTICLE II

 

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF U.S. DOLLAR, STERLING, EURO AND ALTERNATIVE CURRENCY CREDITS

 

2.1                               The Commitments.

 

(a)                       Multicurrency Revolving Loans.  Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, severally and for itself alone, hereby agrees, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, to make loans to Company denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency, in each case, on a revolving basis from time to time during the Commitment Period, in an amount not to exceed its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment (each such loan by any Lender, a “Multicurrency Revolving Loan” and collectively, the “Multicurrency Revolving Loans”).  All Multicurrency Revolving Loans comprising the same Borrowing hereunder shall be made by the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders simultaneously and in proportion to their respective Multicurrency Revolving Commitments.  Prior to the Revolver Termination Date, Multicurrency Revolving Loans may be repaid and reborrowed by Company in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

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(b)                       Swing Line Loans.

 

(i)                           Swing Line Commitment.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender in its individual capacity agrees to make swing line loans in Dollars (“Swing Line Loans”) to Company on any Business Day from time to time during the Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding that do not exceed $75,000,000; provided, however, that in no event may the amount of any Borrowing of Swing Line Loans (A) exceed the Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment immediately prior to such Borrowing (after giving effect to the use of proceeds thereof) or (B) cause the outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans of any Lender, when added to such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the then outstanding Swing Line Loans and Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the aggregate LC Obligations (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings relating to LC Obligations which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, Multicurrency Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans) to exceed such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Commitment.  Amounts borrowed by Company under this Section 2.1(b)(i) may be repaid and, to but excluding the Revolver Termination Date, reborrowed.  The Swing Line Loans shall be made in Dollars and maintained as Base Rate Loans and, notwithstanding Section 2.6, shall not be entitled to be converted into any other Type of Loan.

 

(ii)                        Refunding of Swing Line Loans.  The Swing Line Lender, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, may, upon notice to the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders, require each Multicurrency Revolving Lender (including the Swing Line Lender) to make a Multicurrency Revolving Loan in Dollars in an amount equal to such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the principal amount of the applicable Swing Line Loans (the “Refunded Swing Line Loans”) outstanding on the date such notice is given; provided, however, that such notice shall be deemed to have automatically been given upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(e) or 10.1(f).  Unless any of the Events of Default described in Section 10.1(e) or 10.1(f) shall have occurred (in which event the procedures of Section 2.1(b)(iii) shall apply) and regardless of whether the conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement to the making of a Multicurrency Revolving Loan are then satisfied, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall make the proceeds of its Multicurrency Revolving Loan available to the Swing Line Lender at the Payment Office prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, in funds immediately available on the Business Day next succeeding the date such notice is given.  The proceeds of such Multicurrency Revolving Loans shall be immediately applied to repay the Refunded Swing Line Loans.

 

(iii)                     Participation in Swing Line Loans.  If, prior to refunding a Swing Line Loan with a Multicurrency Revolving Loan pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(ii), an Event of Default under Section 10.1(e) or 10.1(f) shall have occurred and be continuing, or if for any other reason a Multicurrency Revolving Loan cannot be made pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(ii), then, subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(b)(iv) below, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender will, on the date such Multicurrency Revolving Loan was to have been made, purchase (without recourse or warranty) from the Swing Line Lender an undivided participation interest in the Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of such Swing Line Loan.  Upon request, each Multicurrency Revolving Lender will immediately transfer to the Swing Line Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation

 

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and upon receipt thereof the Swing Line Lender will deliver to such Multicurrency Revolving Lender a Swing Line Loan Participation Certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds and in such amount.

 

(iv)                    Lenders’ Obligations Unconditional.  Each Lender’s obligation to make Multicurrency Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.1(b)(ii) and to purchase participating interests in accordance with Section 2.1(b)(iii) above shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including, without limitation, (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, Company or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default; (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of Company or any other Person; (D) any breach of this Agreement by Company or any other Person; (E) any inability of Company to satisfy the conditions precedent to borrowing set forth in this Agreement on the date upon which such participating interest is to be purchased or (F) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.  If any Lender does not make available to the Swing Line Lender the amount required pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(ii) or (iii) above, as the case may be, the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date of non-payment until such amount is paid in full at the Federal Funds Rate for the first two Business Days and at the Base Rate thereafter.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.1(b)(iv), no Lender shall be required to make a Multicurrency Revolving Loan to Company for the purpose of refunding a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(ii) above or to purchase a participating interest in a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(iii) if an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, prior to the making by the Swing Line Lender of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender has received written notice from such Lender specifying that such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the nature thereof and stating that, as a result thereof, such Lender shall cease to make such Refunded Swing Line Loans and purchase such participating interests, as the case may be; provided, however, that the obligation of such Lender to make such Refunded Swing Line Loans and to purchase such participating interests shall be reinstated upon the earlier to occur of (y) the date upon which such Lender notifies the Swing Line Lender that its prior notice has been withdrawn and (z) the date upon which the Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default specified in such notice no longer is continuing.

 

(v)                       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.1(b), the Swing Line Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swing Line Loan at any time when any other Lender is a Defaulting Lender, unless the Swing Line Lender has entered into arrangements with Company or such Defaulting Lender which are satisfactory to the Swing Line Lender to eliminate the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 4.1(b)(iii)) with respect to any such Defaulting Lender, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, arising with respect to such Swing Line Loan.

 

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2.2                               Notes.

 

(a)                       Evidence of Indebtedness.  At the request of any Lender, Company’s obligation to pay the principal of and interest on all the Loans made to it by such Lender shall be evidenced, (1) if Multicurrency Revolving Loans, by a promissory note (each, a “Multicurrency Revolving Note” and, collectively, the “Multicurrency Revolving Notes”) duly executed and delivered by Company substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(a)(1) hereto, with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith, and (2) if Swing Line Loans, by a promissory note (the “Swing Line Note” duly executed and delivered by Company substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(a)(2) hereto, with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith.

 

(b)                       Notation of Payments.  Each Lender will note on its internal records the amount of each Loan made by it, the Applicable Currency and each payment in respect thereof and will, prior to any transfer of any of its Notes, endorse on the reverse side thereof the outstanding principal amount of Loans evidenced thereby.  Failure to make any such notation shall not affect Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder or under the other applicable Loan Documents in respect of such Loans.

 

2.3                               Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings.  The aggregate principal amount of each Borrowing by Company hereunder shall be not less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount and, if greater, shall be in Minimum Borrowing Multiples (other than Swing Line Loans which may be in any amount over the Minimum Borrowing Amount) above such minimum (or, if less, the then Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment).  More than one Borrowing may be incurred on any date, provided that unless approved by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, at no time shall there be outstanding more than twelve Borrowings of Eurocurrency Loans.

 

2.4                               Borrowing Options. The Multicurrency Revolving Loans denominated in Dollars shall, at the option of Company except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, be (i) Base Rate Loans, (ii) Eurocurrency Loans, or (iii) part Base Rate Loans and part Eurocurrency Loans.  Multicurrency Revolving Loans denominated in Euro, Sterling and any other Alternative Currency shall be Eurocurrency Loans.  As to any Eurocurrency Loan, any Lender may, if it so elects, fulfill its commitment by causing a foreign branch or affiliate with reasonable and appropriate capacities to fund such currency and without any increased cost to Company to make or continue such Loan, provided that in such event the funding of that Lender’s Loan shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be considered to be the obligation of or to have been made by that Lender and the obligation of Company to repay that Lender’s Loan shall nevertheless be to that Lender and shall be deemed held by that Lender, for the account of such branch or affiliate.

 

2.5                               Notice of Borrowing.  Whenever Company desires to make a Borrowing of any Loan (other than a Swing Line Loan) hereunder, Company shall give Administrative Agent at its Notice Address at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing), given not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) of each Base Rate Loan, and at least three Business Days prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing), given not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time), of each Eurocurrency Loan to be made hereunder; provided, however, that a Notice of Borrowing with

 

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respect to Borrowings to be made on the date hereof may, at the discretion of Administrative Agent, be delivered later than the time specified above.  Whenever Company desires that the Swing Line Lender make a Swing Line Loan under Section 2.1(b)(i), it shall deliver to Swing Line Lender prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) (or such later time of day as the Swing Line Lender may agree in any instance in its sole discretion) on the date of such Borrowing written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing).  Each such notice (each a “Notice of Borrowing”), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5 hereto, shall be irrevocable, shall be deemed a representation by Company that all conditions precedent to such Borrowing have been satisfied and shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing (stated in the relevant currency), (ii) the date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (iii) whether the Loans being made pursuant to such Borrowing are to be Swing Line Loans and, if not, whether such Loans are to be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Loans and, with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, the Interest Period and Applicable Currency to be applicable thereto (provided that if Company shall have failed to specify the Type, Applicable Currency or Interest Period of such Loans (and shall not have promptly responded to Administrative Agent’s request for such information), Company shall be deemed to have requested a Eurocurrency Rate Loan in Dollars, with an Interest Period of one month; provided, further, that if the date of such notice is less than three Business Days from the date of such Borrowing, Company shall be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan in Dollars).  Administrative Agent shall as promptly as practicable give each Lender written or telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing, of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof and of the other matters covered by the Notice of Borrowing.  Without in any way limiting Company and Company’s obligation to confirm in writing any telephonic notice, Administrative Agent or the Swing Line Lender (in the case of Swing Line Loans) or the respective Facing Agent (in the case of Letters of Credit) may act without liability upon the basis of telephonic notice believed by Administrative Agent in good faith to be from a Responsible Officer of Company prior to receipt of written confirmation.  Administrative Agent’s records shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on Company with respect to evidence of the time and terms of such telephonic Notice of Borrowing.

 

2.6                               Conversion or Continuation.  Company may elect (i) on any Business Day to convert Base Rate Loans or any portion thereof to Eurocurrency Loans, (ii) at the end of any Interest Period with respect thereto, to convert Loans denominated in Dollars that are Eurocurrency Loans or any portion thereof into Base Rate Loans or to continue such Eurocurrency Loans or any portion thereof for an additional Interest Period and (iii) at the end of any Interest Period with respect thereto, to continue Eurocurrency Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency for an additional Interest Period; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of the Eurocurrency Loans for each Interest Period therefor must be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Minimum Borrowing Amount for Eurocurrency Loans or Minimum Borrowing Multiples in excess thereof.  Each continuation of Eurocurrency Loans shall be allocated among the Eurocurrency Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.  Each such election shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.6 hereto (a “Notice of Conversion or Continuation”) and shall be made by giving Administrative Agent at least three Business Days’ (or one Business Day in the case of a conversion into Base

 

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Rate Loans) prior written notice thereof to the Notice Address given not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) specifying (i) the amount and type of conversion or continuation, (ii) in the case of a conversion to or a continuation of Eurocurrency Loans, the Interest Period therefor and (iii) in the case of a conversion, the date of conversion (which date shall be a Business Day).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no conversion in whole or in part of Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Loans, and no continuation in whole or in part of Eurocurrency Loans (other than Alternative Currency Loans), shall be permitted at any time at which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If, within the time period required under the terms of this Section 2.6, Administrative Agent does not receive a Notice of Conversion or Continuation from Company containing a permitted election to continue any Eurocurrency Loans for an additional Interest Period or to convert any such Eurocurrency Loans, then, upon the expiration of the Interest Period therefor, such Eurocurrency Loans will be automatically converted to Base Rate Loans or, in the case of an Alternative Currency Loan, Eurocurrency Loans in the same Applicable Currency with an Interest Period of one month.  Each Notice of Conversion or Continuation shall be irrevocable.

 

2.7                               Disbursement of Funds.  No later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time or, as applicable, local time in the financial center for the applicable Alternative Currency (with respect to Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency)) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing (3:30 p.m. New York City time in the case of Swing Line Loans), each Lender will make available its Pro Rata Share of Loans of the Borrowing requested to be made on such date in the Applicable Currency and in immediately available funds, at the Payment Office and Administrative Agent will make available to Company at its Payment Office the aggregate of the amounts so made available by the Lenders not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time or, as applicable, local time in the financial center for the applicable Alternative Currency (with respect to Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency)), or in the case of Swing Line Loans, 3:30 p.m. (New York City time).  Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender at least one Business Day prior to the date of Borrowing that such Lender does not intend to make available to Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of the Borrowing to be made on such date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing and Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Company a corresponding amount.  If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of Borrowing, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender.  If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and, if so notified, Company shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent.  Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from Company interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by Administrative Agent to Company to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the rate for Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Loans, as the case may be, applicable during the period in question; provided, however, that any interest paid to Administrative Agent in respect of such corresponding amount shall be credited

 

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against interest payable by Company to such Lender under Section 3.1 in respect of such corresponding amount.  Any amount due hereunder to Administrative Agent from any Lender which is not paid when due shall bear interest payable by such Lender, from the date due until the date paid, at the Federal Funds Rate for amounts in Dollars (or at Administrative Agent’s cost of funds for amounts in any Alternative Currency) for the first three days after the date such amount is due and thereafter at the Federal Funds Rate (or such cost of funds rate) plus 1%, together with Administrative Agent’s standard interbank processing fee.  Further, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans, amounts due with respect to its Letters of Credit (or its participations therein) and any other amounts due to it hereunder first to Administrative Agent to fund any outstanding Loans made available on behalf of such Lender by Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.7 until such Loans have been funded (as a result of such assignment or otherwise) and then to fund Loans of all Lenders other than such Lender until each Lender has outstanding Loans equal to its Pro Rata Share of all Loans (as a result of such assignment or otherwise).  Such Lender shall not have recourse against Company with respect to any amounts paid to Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the preceding sentence, provided that such Lender shall have full recourse against Company to the extent of the amount of such Loans it has so been deemed to have made.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment hereunder or to prejudice any rights which Company may have against the Lender as a result of any failure to fund or other default by such Lender hereunder.

 

2.8                               Utilization of Multicurrency Revolving Commitments in an Alternative Currency.

 

(a)                       Administrative Agent will determine the Dollar Equivalent amount with respect to any (i) Borrowing of Multicurrency Revolving Loans comprised of Alternative Currency Loans as of the requested date of Borrowing, (ii) outstanding Alternative Currency Loans that are Multicurrency Revolving Loans as of the last Business Day of each month and (iii) outstanding Alternative Currency Loans on the date of any prepayment pursuant to Section 4.3 or 4.4 (each such date under clauses (i) through (iii), a “Computation Date”).  Upon receipt of any Notice of Borrowing of Multicurrency Revolving Loans, Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Multicurrency Revolving Lender thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share, of the Borrowing.  In the case of a Borrowing comprised of Alternative Currency Loans, such notice will provide the approximate amount of each Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing, and Administrative Agent will, upon the determination of the Dollar Equivalent amount of the Borrowing as specified in the Notice of Borrowing, promptly notify each Lender of the exact amount of such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing.

 

(b)                       Company shall be entitled to request that the Multicurrency Revolving Loans hereunder also be permitted to be made in any other lawful currency (other than Dollars), in addition to the currencies specified in the definition of “Alternative Currency” herein, that in the reasonable opinion of each of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders is at such time freely traded in the offshore interbank foreign exchange markets and is freely transferable and freely convertible into Dollars (an “Agreed Alternative Currency”).  Company shall deliver

 

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to Administrative Agent any request for designation of an Agreed Alternative Currency in accordance with Section 12.4, to be received by Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least ten (10) Business Days in advance of the date of any Borrowing hereunder proposed to be made in such Agreed Alternative Currency.  Upon receipt of any such request Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders thereof and each Multicurrency Revolving Lender will use its best efforts to respond to such request within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof.  Each Multicurrency Revolving Lender may grant or accept such request in its sole discretion.

 

(c)                        In the case of a proposed Borrowing comprised of Multicurrency Revolving Loans in an Agreed Alternative Currency, the applicable Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall be under no obligation to make such Loans in the requested Agreed Alternative Currency as part of such Borrowing if Administrative Agent has received notice from any of the applicable Multicurrency Revolving Lenders by 3:00 p.m. (New York City time) three (3) Business Days prior to the day of such Borrowing that such Lender cannot provide Loans in the requested Agreed Alternative Currency, in which event Administrative Agent will give notice to Company no later than 9:00 a.m. (London time) on the second Business Day prior to the requested date of such Borrowing that the Borrowing in the requested Agreed Alternative Currency is not then available, and notice thereof also will be given promptly by Administrative Agent to the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders.  If Administrative Agent shall have so notified Company that any such Borrowing in a requested Agreed Alternative Currency is not then available, Company may, by notice to Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, withdraw the Notice of Borrowing relating to such requested Borrowing.  If Company does so withdraw such Notice of Borrowing, the Borrowing requested therein shall not occur and Administrative Agent will promptly so notify each Multicurrency Revolving Lender.  If Company does not so withdraw such Notice of Borrowing, Administrative Agent will promptly so notify each Multicurrency Revolving Lender and such Notice of Borrowing shall be deemed to be a Notice of Borrowing that requests a Borrowing comprised of Base Rate Loans in an aggregate amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the originally requested Borrowing in the Notice of Borrowing; and in such notice by Administrative Agent to each Lender will state such aggregate amount of such Borrowing in Dollars and such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof.

 

(d)                       In the case of a proposed continuation of Multicurrency Revolving Loans denominated in an Agreed Alternative Currency for an additional Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.6, the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders shall not be under any obligation to continue such Loans if Administrative Agent has received notice from any of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders or by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) four (4) Business Days prior to the day of such continuation that such Lender cannot continue to provide Loans in the Agreed Alternative Currency, in which event Administrative Agent will give notice to Company not later than 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the third Business Day prior to the requested date of such continuation that the continuation of such Loans in the Agreed Alternative Currency is not then available, and notice thereof also will be given promptly by Administrative Agent to the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders.  If Administrative Agent shall have so notified Company that any such continuation of Loans is not then available, any Notice of Conversion or Continuation/

 

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with respect thereto shall be deemed withdrawn and such Loans shall be redenominated into Base Rate Loans in Dollars with effect from the last day of the Interest Period with respect to any such Loans.  Administrative Agent will promptly notify Company and the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders of any such redenomination and in such notice by Administrative Agent to each Lender will state the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of the redenominated Alternative Currency Loans as of the Computation Date with respect thereto and such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share thereof.

 

(e)                        If at any time an Alternative Currency Loan denominated in a currency other than Euros is outstanding, the relevant Alternative Currency is replaced as the lawful currency of the country that issued such Alternative Currency (the “Issuing Country”) by the Euro so that all payments are to be made in the Issuing Country in Euros and not in the Alternative Currency previously the lawful currency of such country, then such Alternative Currency Loan shall be automatically converted into an Alternative Currency Loan denominated in Euros in a principal amount equal to the amount of Euros into which the principal amount of such Alternative Currency Loan would be converted pursuant to the EMU Legislation and thereafter no further Alternative Currency Loans will be available in such Alternative Currency, with the basis of accrual of interest, notice requirements and payment offices with respect to such Alternative Currency Loan to be that consistent with the convention and practices in the Euro-zone interbank market for Euro denominated loans.

 

(f)                         In each case, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, Company from time to time, at the request of any Lender, shall pay to such Lender the amount of any losses, damages, liabilities, claims, reduction in yield, additional expense, increased cost, reduction in any amount payable, reduction in the effective return of its capital, the decrease or delay in the payment of interest or any other return forgone by such Lender or its affiliates with respect to an Alternative Currency Loan affected by Section 2.8(e) as a result of the tax or currency exchange resulting from the introduction, changeover to or operation of the Euro in any applicable nation or Eurocurrency market.

 

(g)                        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, during the existence of an Event of Default, upon the request of the Required Lenders, all or any part of any outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans that are Alternative Currency Loans shall be redenominated and converted into Base Rate Loans in Dollars with effect from the last day of the Interest Period with respect to any such Alternative Currency Loans.  Administrative Agent will promptly notify Company of any such redenomination and conversion request.

 

2.9                               [Reserved].

 

2.10                        Letters of Credit.

 

(a)                       Letters of Credit Commitments.  Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, Company may request, that any Facing Agent issue, at any time and from time to time on and after the Initial Borrowing Date, and prior to the 30th Business Day preceding the Revolver Termination Date, for the account of Company and for the benefit of any

 

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holder (or any trustee, agent or other similar representative for any such holder) of obligations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a Letter of Credit, in a form customarily used by such Facing Agent, or in such other form as has been approved by such Facing Agent in support of such obligations, provided, however, that no Letter of Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the LC Obligations (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings relating to Letters of Credit which are repaid on or prior to the date of, and prior to the issuance of, the respective Letter of Credit) at such time, would exceed the lesser of (1) the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000,000 or (2) when added to the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Multicurrency Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, then outstanding with respect to all Company, the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments at such time; provided, further, that the aggregate face amount of all Letters of Credit issued and outstanding by any Facing Agent shall not exceed such Facing Agent’s Applicable LC Sublimit.

 

(b)                       Obligation of Facing Agent to Issue Letter of Credit.  Each Facing Agent agrees (subject to the terms and conditions contained herein), at any time and from time to time on or after the Initial Borrowing Date and prior to the Revolver Termination Date, following its receipt of the respective Notice of Issuance, to issue for the account of Company one or more Letters of Credit in support of such obligations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries as is permitted to remain outstanding, provided that the respective Facing Agent shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit of the types described above if at the time of such issuance:

 

(i)                                                   any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain such Facing Agent from issuing such Letter of Credit or any Requirement of Law applicable to such Facing Agent from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Facing Agent shall prohibit, or request that such Facing Agent refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Facing Agent with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such Facing Agent is not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the date hereof, or any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable, in effect or known to such Facing Agent as of the date hereof and which such Facing Agent in good faith deems material to it; or

 

(ii)                                                the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Facing Agent applicable to letters of credit generally.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) except as set forth on Schedule 2.10(j), each Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date occurring not later than one year after such Letter of Credit’s date of issuance, provided that any Letter of Credit may be automatically extendable for periods of up to one year so long as such Letter of Credit provides that the respective Facing Agent retains an option satisfactory to such Facing Agent, to terminate such Letter of Credit within a specified period of time prior to each scheduled extension date; (ii) no Letter of Credit shall have an expiry date occurring later than the Business Day immediately preceding the Revolver Termination Date unless otherwise agreed by the Facing Agent; (iii) each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency and be payable on a sight basis; (iv) the

 

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Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000 or such lesser amount as is acceptable to the respective Facing Agent; and (v) no Facing Agent will issue any Letter of Credit after it has received written notice from Company or the Required Lenders stating that an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists until such time as such Facing Agent shall have received a written notice of (x) rescission of such notice from the party or parties originally delivering the same or (y) a waiver of such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default by the Required Lenders (or all the Lenders to the extent required by Section 12.1).

 

(c)                        Procedures for Issuances and Amendments of Letters of Credit.  Whenever Company desires that a Letter of Credit be issued, Company shall give Administrative Agent and the respective Facing Agent written notice thereof prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least five Business Days (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to such Facing Agent) prior to the proposed date of issuance (which shall be a Business Day) which written notice shall be in the form of Exhibit 2.10(c) (each, a “Notice of Issuance”) and may be submitted via facsimile or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif” via email) to the respective Facing Agent (who may rely upon such facsimile or electronic image scan transmission if it were an original thereof).  Each such notice shall specify (A) the proposed issuance date and expiration date, (B) the name(s) of each obligor with respect to such Letter of Credit, (C) Company as the account party, (D) the name and address of the beneficiary, (E) the Stated Amount in Dollars or the Alternative Currency of such proposed Letter of Credit and (F) the purpose of such Letter of Credit and such other information as such Facing Agent may reasonably request.  In addition, each Notice of Issuance shall contain a general description of the terms and conditions to be included in such proposed Letter of Credit (all of which terms and conditions shall be acceptable to the respective Facing Agent). Unless otherwise specified, all Standby Letters of Credit will be governed by the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credit Operations (UCP 600) or International Standby Practices (ISP98) and all Bank Guarantees will be governed by the Uniform Rules for Demand Guarantees, in each case, as in effect on the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit.  Each Notice of Issuance shall include any other documents as the respective Facing Agent customarily requires in connection therewith.  From time to time while a Letter of Credit is outstanding and prior to the Revolver Termination Date, the applicable Facing Agent will, upon written request from Company received by the Facing Agent (with a copy sent by Company to Administrative Agent) at least three Business Days (or such shorter time as the Facing Agent and Administrative Agent may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed date of amendment, amend any Letter of Credit issued by it.  Each such request for amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be made by facsimile, confirmed promptly in an original writing (each a “Letter of Credit Amendment Request”) and shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Facing Agent: (i) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (ii) the proposed date of amendment of the Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (iii) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (iv) such other matters as the Facing Agent may require.  The Facing Agent shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if: (A) the Facing Agent would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms of this Agreement, or (B) the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to

 

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the Letter of Credit.  Each Facing Agent shall, promptly after the issuance of or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit, give Administrative Agent and Company written notice of the issuance, amendment or modification of such Letter of Credit, accompanied by a copy of such issuance, amendment or modification.  Promptly upon receipt of such notice, Administrative Agent shall give each Multicurrency Revolving Lender written notice of such issuance, amendment or modification, and if so requested by any Multicurrency Revolving Lender, Administrative Agent shall provide such Multicurrency Revolving Lender with copies of such issuance, amendment or modification.

 

(d)                       Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Payments.

 

(i)                           Company hereby agrees to reimburse the respective Facing Agent, by making payment to Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in Dollars at the Payment Office, for any payment or disbursement made by such Facing Agent under and in accordance with any Letter of Credit (each such amount so paid or disbursed until reimbursed, an “Unpaid Drawing”), no later than one Business Day after the date on which Company receives notice of such payment or disbursement (if such Unpaid Drawing was in an Alternative Currency, then in the Dollar Equivalent amount of such Unpaid Drawing), with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by such Facing Agent, to the extent not reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the date of such payment or disbursement, from and including the date paid or disbursed to but excluding the date such Facing Agent is reimbursed therefor by Company at a rate per annum which shall be the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin; provided, however, that anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless Company shall have notified Administrative Agent and the applicable Facing Agent prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Business Day following receipt of such notice that the applicable Facing Agent will be reimbursed for the amount of such Unpaid Drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Multicurrency Revolving Loans, Company shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to Administrative Agent requesting each Multicurrency Revolving Lender to make Multicurrency Revolving Loans which are Base Rate Loans on the date on which such Unpaid Drawing is honored in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such Unpaid Drawing and Administrative Agent shall, if such Notice of Borrowing is deemed given, promptly notify the Lenders thereof and (ii) unless any of the events described in Section 10.1(e) or 10.1(f) shall have occurred (in which event the procedures of Section 2.10(e) shall apply), each such Multicurrency Revolving Lender shall, on the date such drawing is honored, make Multicurrency Revolving Loans which are Base Rate Loans in the amount of its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the Dollar Equivalent of such Unpaid Drawing, the proceeds of which shall be applied directly by Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Facing Agent for the amount of such Unpaid Drawing; and provided, further, that if for any reason, proceeds of Multicurrency Revolving Loans are not received by the applicable Facing Agent on such date in an amount equal to the amount of the Dollar Equivalent of such drawing, Company shall reimburse the applicable Facing Agent, on the Business Day immediately following the date such drawing is honored, in an amount in Same Day Funds equal to the excess of the amount of the Dollar Equivalent of such drawing over the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such Multicurrency Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received, plus accrued interest on such amount at the rate set forth in Section 3.1(a); provided,

 

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however, that to the extent such amounts are not reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the fifth Business Day following such payment or disbursement, interest shall thereafter accrue on the amounts so paid or disbursed by such Facing Agent (and until reimbursed by Company) at a rate per annum which shall be the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin plus an additional 2% per annum, such interest also to be payable on demand.  The respective Facing Agent shall give Company prompt notice of each Drawing under any Letter of Credit, provided that the failure to give any such notice shall in no way affect, impair or diminish Company’s obligations hereunder.

 

(ii)                        The Obligations of Company under this Section 2.10(d) to reimburse the respective Facing Agent with respect to drawings on Letters of Credit (each, a “Drawing”) (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which Company may have or have had against any Facing Agent, Agent or any Lender (including in its capacity as issuer of the Letter of Credit or as LC Participant), or any non-application or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, the respective Facing Agent’s only obligation to Company being to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.  Any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Facing Agent under or in connection with any Letter of Credit if taken or omitted in the absence of a bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall not create for such Facing Agent any resulting liability to Company.

 

(e)                        Letter of Credit Participations.

 

(i)                           Immediately upon the issuance by any Facing Agent of any Letter of Credit, such Facing Agent shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, other than such Facing Agent (each such Lender, in its capacity under this Section 2.10(e), a “LC Participant”), and each such LC Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received from such Facing Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such Multicurrency Revolving Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share, in such Letter of Credit, each Drawing made thereunder and the obligations of Company under this Agreement with respect thereto (although Letter of Credit fees shall be payable directly to Administrative Agent for the account of the LC Participant as provided in Section 2.10(g) and the LC Participants shall have no right to receive any portion of the facing fees), and any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto.  Upon any change in the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders, it is hereby agreed that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of Credit and Unpaid Drawings relating to Letters of Credit, there shall be an automatic adjustment pursuant to this Section 2.10(e) to reflect the new Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the assignor and assignee Lender or of all Lenders with Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, as the case may be.

 

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(ii)                        In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, such Facing Agent shall have no obligation relative to the LC Participants other than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.  Any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Facing Agent under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it if taken or omitted in the absence of a bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall not create for such Facing Agent any resulting liability to Company or any Lender.

 

(f)                         Draws Upon Letter of Credit; Reimbursement Obligations.

 

(i)                           In the event that any Facing Agent makes any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and Company shall not have reimbursed such amount in full to such Facing Agent pursuant to Section 2.10(d), such Facing Agent shall promptly notify Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each LC Participant of such failure, and each such LC Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such Facing Agent, the amount of such LC Participant’s applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of such payment in Dollars or, if in an Alternative Currency, in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds; provided, however, that no LC Participant shall be obligated to pay to Administrative Agent its applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of such unreimbursed amount for any wrongful payment made by such Facing Agent under a Letter of Credit issued by it as a result of acts or omissions constituting a bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction on the part of such Facing Agent.  If Administrative Agent so notifies any LC Participant required to fund a payment under a Letter of Credit prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) or, in the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, 11:00 a.m. (London time), on any Business Day, such LC Participant shall make available to Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Facing Agent such LC Participant’s applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in Same Day Funds.  If and to the extent such LC Participant shall not have so made its applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the amount of such payment available to Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Facing Agent, such LC Participant agrees to pay to Administrative Agent for the account of such Facing Agent, forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent for the account of such Facing Agent at the overnight Federal Funds rate.  The failure of any LC Participant to make available to Administrative Agent for the account of the respective Facing Agent its applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of any payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it shall not relieve any other LC Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available to Administrative Agent for the account of such Facing Agent its applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of any payment under any such Letter of Credit on the day required, as specified above, but no LC Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other LC Participant to make available to

 

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Agent for the account of such Facing Agent such other LC Participant’s applicable Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of any such payment.

 

(ii)                        Whenever any Facing Agent receives a payment of a reimbursement obligation as to which Administrative Agent has received for the account of such Facing Agent any payments from the LC Participants pursuant to this Section 2.10(f), such Facing Agent shall pay to Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent shall pay to each LC Participant which has paid its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share thereof, in Dollars or, if in an Alternative Currency, in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds, an amount equal to such LC Participant’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the principal amount of such reimbursement obligation and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of the respective participations.

 

(iii)                     The obligations of the LC Participants to make payments to each Facing Agent with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it shall be irrevocable and not subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following circumstances (although nothing in this clause (iii) shall constitute a waiver of any claims by an LC Participant against Facing Agent that are determined by a final and non-appealable judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Facing Agent):

 

(A)                   any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents;

 

(B)                   the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which Company or any of its Subsidiaries may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may be acting), Administrative Agent, any LC Participant, or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between Company and the beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);

 

(C)                   any draft, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect to any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

 

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(D)                   the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Loan Documents; or

 

(E)                    the occurrence or continuance of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default.

 

(g)                        Fees for Letters of Credit.

 

(i)                           Facing Agent Fees.  Company agrees to pay in Dollars the following amount to the respective Facing Agent with respect to the Letters of Credit issued by it for the account of Company:

 

(A)                   with respect to payments made under any Letter of Credit, interest, payable on demand, on the amount paid by such Facing Agent in respect of each such payment from the date of the payments through the date such amount is reimbursed by Company (including any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of Multicurrency Revolving Loans at a rate determined in accordance with the terms of Section 2.10(d)(i));

 

(B)                   with respect to the issuance or amendment of each Letter of Credit and each payment made thereunder, reasonable documentary and processing charges in accordance with such Facing Agent’s standard schedule for such charges in effect at the time of such issuance, amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be; and

 

(C)                   a facing fee equal to one-eighth of 1% per annum of the Stated Amount of outstanding and undrawn LC Obligations payable in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date and on the Revolver Termination Date and thereafter, on demand together with customary issuance and payment charges, provided that a minimum fee of $500.00 per annum shall be payable per Letter of Credit.

 

(ii)                        Participating Lender Fees.  Company agrees to pay in Dollars to Administrative Agent for distribution to each participating Lender in respect of all Letters of Credit outstanding such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of a commission equal to the then Applicable Eurocurrency Margin for Multicurrency Revolving Loans with respect to the Effective Amount of such outstanding Letters of Credit (the “LC Commission”), payable in arrears on and through each Quarterly Payment Date, on the Revolver Termination Date and thereafter, on demand.  The LC Commission shall be computed on a daily basis from the first

 

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day of issuance of each Letter of Credit and on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.

 

Promptly upon receipt by the respective Facing Agent or Administrative Agent of any amount described in clause (i)(A) or (ii) of this Section 2.10(g), such Facing Agent or Administrative Agent shall distribute to each Lender that has reimbursed such Facing Agent in accordance with Section 2.10(d) its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of such amount.  Amounts payable under clause (i)(B) and (C) of this Section 2.10(g) shall be paid directly to such Facing Agent.

 

(h)                       Indemnification.  In addition to amounts payable as elsewhere provided in this Agreement, Company hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and hold each Facing Agent harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, reasonable out-of-pocket costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements) (other than for Taxes, which shall be covered by Section 4.7, and Excluded Taxes) which any Facing Agent may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of the Letters of Credit, or (ii) the failure of any Facing Agent to honor a Drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority (all such acts or omissions herein called “Government Acts”); provided, however, that no Facing Agent shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment determines that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, obligations, expenses or liabilities have resulted from the bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Facing Agent, and that nothing contained herein shall affect the express contractual obligations of the Facing Agents to Company contained herein.  As between Company and each Facing Agent, Company assume all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit issued by any Facing Agent by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Facing Agent shall not be responsible: (i) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of or any Drawing under such Letters of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) for failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) for errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) for errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) for any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a Drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) for the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any Drawing under such Letter of Credit; and (viii) for any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of each Facing Agent, including, without limitation, any Government Acts.  None of the

 

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above shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any of each Facing Agent’s rights or powers hereunder.

 

In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by any Facing Agent under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith and in the absence of a bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall not put any Facing Agent under any resulting liability to Company.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Company shall not have any obligation to indemnify any Facing Agent in respect of any liability incurred by such Facing Agent to the extent arising out of the bad faith breach of its material obligations hereunder, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Facing Agent.  The right of indemnification in the first paragraph of this Section 2.10(h) shall not prejudice any rights that Company may otherwise have against each Facing Agent with respect to a Letter of Credit issued hereunder.

 

(i)                           Increased Costs.  If at any time after the date hereof the introduction of or any change in any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, guideline or request (other than any law, rule, regulation, guidelines or request relating to taxes that are the subject matter of Section 4.7) or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by each Facing Agent or such Lender with any request or directive by any such authority (whether or not having the force of law or any change in GAAP), shall either (i) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital adequacy, liquidity or similar requirement against letters of credit issued by any Facing Agent or participated in by any Lender, or (ii) impose on any Facing Agent or any Lender any other conditions relating, directly or indirectly, to this Agreement or any Letter of Credit; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to any Facing Agent or any Lender of issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of Credit, or reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Facing Agent or any Lender hereunder or reduce the rate of return on its capital with respect to Letters of Credit, then, upon demand to Company by the respective Facing Agent or any Lender (a copy of which demand shall be sent by such Facing Agent or such Lender to Administrative Agent), Company shall pay to such Facing Agent or such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction in the amount receivable or reduction on the rate of return on its capital; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Facing Agent or such Lender charges other borrowers or account parties for such additional costs incurred or reductions suffered on letters of credit, similarly situated to Company in connection with substantially similar facilities as reasonably determined by such Facing Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, acting in good faith Each Facing Agent or any Lender, upon determining that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.10(i), will give prompt written notice thereof to Company, which notice shall include a certificate submitted to Company by the respective Facing Agent or such Lender (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by such Facing Agent or such Lender to Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable

 

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detail the basis for the calculation of such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Facing Agent or such Lender, although failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish Company’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.10(i).  The certificate required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 2.10(i) shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on Company.

 

(j)                          Outstanding Letters of Credit.  The letters of credit set forth under the caption “Letters of Credit outstanding on the Effective Date” on Schedule 2.10(j) annexed hereto and made a part hereof were issued pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and remain outstanding as of the Initial Borrowing Date (the “Outstanding Letters of Credit”).  Company, each Facing Agent and each of the Lenders hereby agree that on the Initial Borrowing Date, the Outstanding Letters of Credit, for all purposes under this Agreement, shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  Each Lender agrees to participate in each Outstanding Letter of Credit issued by any Facing Agent in an amount equal to its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of the Stated Amount of such Outstanding Letter of Credit.

 

(k)                       Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.10, no Facing Agent shall be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit at a time when any other Lender is a Defaulting Lender, unless such Facing Agent has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it to eliminate such Facing Agent’s risk with respect to any such Defaulting Lender’s reimbursement obligations hereunder (after giving effect to Section 4.1(b)(iii)), including by Cash Collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the liability with respect to such Letter of Credit.  Any such Cash Collateral shall be deposited in a separate interest bearing account with Administrative Agent, subject to the exclusive dominion and control of Administrative Agent, as collateral (solely for the benefit of such Facing Agent) for the payment and performance of each Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of outstanding Letters of Credit.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by Administrative Agent to reimburse such Facing Agent immediately for each Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of any drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not otherwise been reimbursed by Company or such Defaulting Lender pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.10.

 

(l)                           Loan Documents Control. In the event of a conflict or an inconsistency between the Issuer Documents and the Loan Documents, the Loan Documents shall control.

 

2.11                        Pro Rata Borrowings.  Borrowings of Loans under this Agreement shall be loaned by the applicable Lenders pro rata on the basis of their Commitments.  No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligation to make Loans hereunder and each Lender shall be obligated to make the Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its Commitments hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

INTEREST AND FEES

 

3.1                               Interest.

 

(a)                       Base Rate Loans.  Company agrees to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount of Company’s Base Rate Loans from the date the proceeds thereof are made available to Company (or, if such Base Rate Loan was converted from a Eurocurrency Loan, the date of such conversion) until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan or (ii) the conversion of such Base Rate Loan to a Eurocurrency Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 at a rate per annum equal to the relevant Base Rate plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin.

 

(b)                       Eurocurrency Loans.  Company agrees to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount of Company’s Eurocurrency Loans from the date the proceeds thereof are made available to Company (or, if such Eurocurrency Loan was converted from a Base Rate Loan, the date of such conversion) until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Eurocurrency Loan or (ii) the conversion of such Eurocurrency Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 at a rate per annum equal to the relevant Eurocurrency Rate plus the Applicable Eurocurrency Margin.

 

(c)                        Payment of Interest.  Interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that interest accruing pursuant to Section 3.1(e) shall be payable from time to time on demand.  Interest shall also be payable on all then outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans on the Revolver Termination Date and on all Loans on the date of repayment (including prepayment) thereof (except that voluntary prepayments of Multicurrency Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans made pursuant to Section 4.3 on any day other than a Quarterly Payment Date or the Revolver Termination Date need not be made with accrued interest from the most recent Quarterly Payment Date, provided such accrued interest is paid on the next Quarterly Payment Date) and on the date of maturity (by acceleration or otherwise) of such Loans.  During the existence of any Event of Default, interest on any Loan shall be payable on demand.

 

(d)                       Notification of Rate.  Administrative Agent, upon determining the interest rate for any Borrowing of Eurocurrency Loans for any Interest Period, shall promptly notify Company and the Lenders thereof.  Such determination shall, absent manifest error and subject to Section 3.6, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto.

 

(e)                        Default Interest.  Notwithstanding the rates of interest specified herein, effective on the date 30 days after the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default (other than the failure to pay Obligations when due or the occurrence of an Event of Default under either Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) hereunder) and for so long thereafter as any such Event of Default shall be continuing, and effective immediately upon any failure to pay any Obligations or any other amounts due under any of the Loan Documents when due or upon

 

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the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f), whether by acceleration or otherwise, the principal balance of each Loan then outstanding and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payment on each Loan not paid when due or other amounts then due and payable shall bear interest payable on demand, after as well as before judgment at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

 

(f)                         Maximum Interest.  If any interest payment or other charge or fee payable hereunder exceeds the maximum amount then permitted by applicable law, Company shall be obligated to pay the maximum amount then permitted by applicable law and Company shall continue to pay the maximum amount from time to time permitted by applicable law until all such interest payments and other charges and fees otherwise due hereunder (in the absence of such restraint imposed by applicable law) have been paid in full.

 

3.2                               Fees.

 

(a)                       Fees.  Company shall pay to the Agents and the Lead Arrangers such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing, including in the Syndication & Fee Letter, in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(b)                       Commitment FeesCompany shall pay to Administrative Agent for pro rata distribution to each Non-Defaulting Lender having a Multicurrency Revolving Commitment (based on its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share) a commitment fee in Dollars (the “Commitment Fee”) for the period commencing on the Effective Date to and including the Revolver Termination Date or the earlier termination of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments (and repayment in full of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans and payment in full or Cash Collateralization of the LC Obligations), computed at a rate equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage per annum on the average daily Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment (with the Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment of each Lender determined without reduction for such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of Swing Line Loans outstanding).  Unless otherwise specified, accrued Commitment Fees shall be due and payable in arrears (A) on each Quarterly Payment Date after the Effective Date, (B) on the Revolver Termination Date and (iii) upon any reduction or termination in whole or in part of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments (but only, in the case of a reduction, on the portion of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments then being reduced).

 

3.3                               Computation of Interest and Fees.  Interest on all Loans and fees payable hereunder shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days, provided that interest on all Base Rate Loans when computed using the Eurocurrency Rate and, if denominated in Sterling, Multicurrency Revolving Loans shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be.  Each determination of an interest rate by Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on Company and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.  Administrative Agent shall, at any time and from time to time upon request of Company, deliver to Company a statement showing the quotations used by

 

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Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate applicable to Loans pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.4                               Interest Periods.  At the time it gives any Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion or Continuation, with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, Company shall elect, by giving Administrative Agent written notice, the interest period (each an “Interest Period”) which Interest Period shall, at the option of Company, be one, two, three or six months (or, (x) if available to each of the applicable Lenders (as determined by each such applicable Lender in its sole discretion) a twelve month period or (y) in the discretion of Administrative Agent, a period of less than one month); provided that:

 

(a)                       all Eurocurrency Loans comprising a Borrowing shall at all times have the same Interest Period;

 

(b)                       the initial Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Loan shall commence on the date of such Borrowing of such Eurocurrency Loan (including the date of any conversion thereto from a Loan of a different Type) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Eurocurrency Loan shall commence on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period;

 

(c)                        if any Interest Period relating to a Eurocurrency Loan begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;

 

(d)                       if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Loan would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(e)                        at any time when an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default is then in existence, no Interest Period (a) of more than one month may be selected with respect to any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency and (b) may be selected with respect to any Loan denominated in Dollars;

 

(f)                         no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Revolver Termination Date.

 

3.5                               Compensation for Funding Losses.  Company shall compensate each Lender, upon its written request (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all losses, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, any interest paid by such Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurocurrency Loans to the extent not recovered by the Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds and including the compensation payable by such Lender to a Participant) and any loss sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds

 

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(including, without limitation, a return on such liquidation or re-employment that would result in such Lender receiving less than it would have received had such Eurocurrency Loan remained outstanding until the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurocurrency Loans, but excluding Excluded Taxes) which such Lender may sustain as a result of:

 

(a)                       for any reason (other than a default by such Lender or Administrative Agent) a continuation or a Borrowing of, or conversion from or into, Eurocurrency Loans does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion or Continuation (whether or not withdrawn);

 

(b)                       any payment, prepayment or conversion or continuation of any of its Eurocurrency Loans occurring for any reason whatsoever on a date which is not the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto;

 

(c)                        any repayment of any of its Eurocurrency Loans not being made on the date specified in a notice of payment given by Company; or

 

(d)                       (i) any other failure by Company to repay Company’s Eurocurrency Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement or (ii) an election made by Company pursuant to Section 3.7.  A written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of the incurrence of additional amounts owed such Lender under this Section 3.5 and delivered to Company and Administrative Agent by such Lender shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.  Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Section 3.5 shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded its relevant Eurocurrency Loan through the purchase of a Eurocurrency deposit bearing interest at the Eurocurrency Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that Loan, having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such Eurocurrency deposit from an offshore office of that Lender to a domestic office of that Lender in the United States of America; provided, however, that each Lender may fund each of its Eurocurrency Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation of amounts payable under this Section 3.5.

 

3.6                               Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc.

 

(a)                       Generally.  In the event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but, with respect to clause (i) below, may be made only by the applicable Agent):

 

(i)                           in connection with any request for any Eurocurrency Loan conversions or continuations that, by reason of any changes arising after the date of this Agreement affecting the interbank Eurocurrency market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of Eurocurrency Rate; or

 

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(ii)                        at any time that any Lender shall incur increased costs (except for costs resulting from a change in the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender) or reduction in the amounts received or receivable hereunder with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan because of (x) any Change in Law having general applicability to all comparably situated Lenders within the jurisdiction in which such Lender operates since the date of this Agreement such as, for example, but not limited to: (A) Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Lender or Facing Agent on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto (except for (1) changes in the basis of taxation of or rate of tax on, or determined by reference to, Excluded Taxes and (2) taxes and other amounts that are the subject of Section 4.7; provided, further, that if such increased costs are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment to have been imposed as a result of a Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, such Lender will promptly repay to Company the amount of any increased costs paid to such Lender by Company under this Section 3.6) or (B) a change in official reserve, liquidity, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirements by any Governmental Authority (but, in all events, excluding reserves required under Regulation D to the extent included in the computation of the Eurocurrency Rate) and/or (y) other circumstances since the date of this Agreement affecting such Lender or the interbank Eurocurrency market or the position of such Lender in such market (excluding, however, differences in a Lender’s cost of funds from those of Administrative Agent which are solely the result of credit differences between such Lender and Administrative Agent); or

 

(iii)                     at any time, that the making or continuance of any Eurocurrency Loan has been made (x) unlawful by any law, directive or governmental rule, regulation or order, (y) impossible by compliance by any Lender in good faith with any governmental request (whether or not having force of law) or (z) impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially and adversely affects the interbank Eurocurrency market,

 

then, and in any such event, such Lender (or Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i) above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and, except in the case of clause (i) above, to Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders).  Thereafter, (x) in the case of clause (i) above, Eurocurrency Loans shall no longer be available until such time as Administrative Agent notifies Company and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by Administrative Agent no longer exist, and any Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion or Continuation given by Company with respect to Eurocurrency Loans (other than with respect to conversions to Base Rate Loans) which have not yet been incurred (including by way of conversion) shall be deemed rescinded by Company and, in the case of Alternative Currency Loans, such Loans shall thereafter bear interest at a rate equal to Administrative Agent’s cost of funds for such Alternative Currency plus the Applicable Eurocurrency Margin, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, Company shall pay to such Lender, upon written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion shall determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts received

 

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or receivable hereunder (any written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the reasonable basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to Company by such Lender shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto; however the failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish Company’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Lender charges other borrowers or account parties for such additional costs incurred or reductions suffered on loans similarly situated to Company in connection with substantially similar facilities as reasonably determined by such Lender acting in good faith; provided, further, that no Lender shall be entitled to receive additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6 for periods occurring prior to the 180th day before the giving of such notice) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, Company shall take one of the actions specified in Section 3.6(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by law.  In determining such additional amounts pursuant to clause (y) of the immediately preceding sentence, each Lender shall act reasonably and in good faith and will, to the extent the increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable relate to such Lender’s loans in general and are not specifically attributable to a Loan hereunder, use averaging and attribution methods which are reasonable and which cover all loans similar to the Loans made by such Lender whether or not the loan documentation for such other loans permits the Lender to receive increased costs of the type described in this Section 3.6(a).

 

(b)                       Affected Loans.  At any time that any Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 3.6(a)(i) or (iii), Company may (and, in the case of a Loan affected by the circumstances described in Section 3.6(a)(iii), shall) either (i) if the affected Loan is then being made initially or pursuant to a conversion, by giving Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) on the same date that Company was notified by the affected Lender or Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(i) or (iii), cancel the respective Borrowing, or (ii) if the affected Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days’ written notice to Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert such Loan into a Base Rate Loan, provided that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated the same pursuant to this Section 3.6(b).

 

(c)                        Capital Requirements.  Without duplication of Section 3.6(a) hereof, if any Lender determines that any Change in Law by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, will have the effect of increasing the amount of capital or liquidity required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender based on the existence of such Lender’s Commitments hereunder or its obligations hereunder, then Company shall pay to such Lender within 15 days after receipt by Company of written demand by such Lender in accordance with the provisions hereof such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Lender or such other corporation for the increased cost to such Lender or such other corporation or the reduction in the rate of return to such Lender or such other corporation as a result of such increase of capital or liquidity; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Lender charges other borrowers or account parties for such additional costs incurred or reductions suffered on loans or letters of credit, as the case may be, similarly situated to Company in connection with substantially similar facilities as reasonably determined by such Lender, acting in good faith.

 

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(d)                       Certificates for Reimbursement.                    In determining such additional amounts, each Lender will act reasonably and in good faith and will use averaging and attribution methods which are reasonable and which will, to the extent the increased costs or reduction in the rate of return relates to such Lender’s commitments, loans or obligations in general and are not specifically attributable to the Commitments, Loans and obligations hereunder, cover all commitments, loans and obligations similar to the Commitments, Loans and obligations of such Lender hereunder whether or not the loan documentation for such other commitments, loans or obligations permits the Lender to make the determination specified in this Section 3.6. Such determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.  Each Lender, upon determining that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 3.6, will give prompt written notice thereof to Company, which notice shall show in reasonable detail the basis for calculation of such additional amounts, although the failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish any of Company’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6 (provided that no Lender shall be entitled to receive additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6 for periods occurring prior to the 135th day before the giving of such notice); except that if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 135 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive affect thereof).

 

(e)                        Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender which is or will be owed compensation pursuant to Section 3.6(a) or (c) will, if requested by Company, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to cause a different branch or Affiliate to make or continue a Loan or Letter of Credit or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its branches or Affiliates if in the judgment of such Lender such designation or assignment will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation to such Lender and will not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous in any significant respect to such Lender.  Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable expenses incurred by any Lender in utilizing a different branch or Affiliate pursuant to this Section 3.6(e).  Nothing in this Section 3.6(e) shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of Company or the right of any Lender provided for herein.

 

3.7                               Replacement of Affected Lenders.  (a) If any Multicurrency Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or otherwise defaults in its Obligations to make Loans or fund Unpaid Drawings, (b) if any Lender (or in the case of Section 2.10(i), any Facing Agent) is owed increased costs under Section 2.10(i), Section 3.6(a)(ii) or (iii) or Section 3.6(c), or Company are required to make any payments under Section 4.7 to any Lender that Company determines are materially in excess of those to the other Lenders, (c) as provided in Section 12.1(b) in the case of certain refusals by a Lender to consent to certain proposed amendment, changes, supplements, waivers, discharges or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders, or (d) if any Multicurrency Revolving Lender notifies Administrative Agent that it cannot make loans, or continue loans, in any Agreed Alternative Currency pursuant to Sections 2.8(c) or 2.8(d), Company shall have the right to replace such Lender (the “Replaced Lender”) with one or more other Eligible Assignee or Eligible Assignees, none of whom shall constitute a Defaulting Lender at the time of such replacement (collectively, the “Replacement Lender”), reasonably acceptable to Administrative

 

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Agent, and to require each such Replaced Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.8(c)), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to such Replacement Lender, provided that (i) at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 3.7, the Replacement Lender shall enter into one or more assignment agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Loans of, and participation in Letters of Credit by, the Replaced Lender and (ii) all obligations of Company owing to the Replaced Lender (including, without limitation, such increased costs and excluding those amounts and obligations specifically described in clause (i) above in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such replacement; and provided further that the lender replacement right set forth above in Section 3.7(d) shall not apply in any instance where five or more Multicurrency Revolving Lenders all make the same notification to Administrative Agent with respect to a particular Agreed Alternative Currency.  Upon the execution of the respective assignment documentation, the payment of amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, entry into the Register and, if so requested by the Replacement Lender, delivery to the Replacement Lender of the appropriate Note or Notes executed by Company, the Replacement Lender shall become a Lender hereunder.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, no Lender that acts as a Facing Agent may be replaced hereunder at any time which it has Letters of Credit outstanding hereunder unless arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such Facing Agent (including the furnishing of a standby letter of credit in form and substance, and issued by an issuer satisfactory to such Facing Agent or delivering Cash Collateral to such Facing Agent) have been made with respect to such outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS;
PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS

 

4.1                               Voluntary Reduction of Commitments; Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)                       Voluntary Reduction of CommitmentsUpon at least two Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice confirmed in writing) to Administrative Agent at the Notice Office (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each Lender in writing), Company shall have the right, without premium or penalty, to terminate the unutilized portion of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or the Swing Line Commitment, as the case may be, in part or in whole, provided that:

 

(i)             any such voluntary termination of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments shall apply to proportionately and permanently reduce the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender;

 

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(ii)          any partial voluntary reduction pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be in the amount of at least $10,000,000 and integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess of that amount in the relevant currency of the applicable Facility; and

 

(iii)       any such voluntary termination of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or Swing Line Commitment shall occur simultaneously with a voluntary prepayment, pursuant to Section 4.3 to the extent necessary such that (A) the Total Commitment shall not be reduced below the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans plus the aggregate LC Obligations and the Swing Line Commitment and (B) the Swing Line Commitment shall not be reduced below the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swing Line Loans.

 

Each notice of commitment reductions shall be irrevocable; provided that such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any other financing, sale or other transaction.

 

(b)                       Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law:

 

(i)                           Waivers and Amendments.  Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 12.1.

 

(ii)                        Reallocation of Payments.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.4), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Facing Agent and/or the Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by Administrative Agent or requested by the applicable Facing Agent and/or Swing Line Lender, to be held as cash collateral for future funding obligations of such Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swing Line Loan or Letter of Credit; fourth, as Company may request (so long as no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by Administrative Agent and Company, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of such Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to Administrative Agent, the Lenders, any Facing Agent or the Swing Line Lender as determined by a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Administrative Agent, any Lender, Facing Agent or Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Unmatured Event Default

 

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or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to Company as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Company against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (A) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Multicurrency Revolving Loans or funded participations in Swing Line Loans or Letters of Credit in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (B) such Multicurrency Revolving Loans or funded participations in Swing Line Loans or Letters of Credit were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4, as applicable, were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Multicurrency Revolving Loans of, and funded participations in Swing Line Loans or Letters of Credit owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Multicurrency Revolving Loans of, or funded participations in Swing Line Loans or Letters of Credit owed to, such Defaulting Lender.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section 4.1(b)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(iii)                     Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure.  During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each Non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Swing Line Loans or Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.1(c) and Section 2.10(e) the “Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share” of each Non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender; provided that (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each Non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (A) the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment of that Non-Defaulting Lender minus (B) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans of that Lender.

 

(iv)                    Cash Collateral for Letters of Credit.  Promptly on demand by a Facing Agent or Administrative Agent from time to time, Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure with respect to such Facing Agent (after giving effect to Section 4.1(b)(iii) and such Cash Collateral shall be in Dollars).  Any such Cash Collateral shall be deposited in a separate account with Administrative Agent, subject to the exclusive dominion and control of Administrative Agent, as collateral (solely for the benefit of such Facing Agent) for the payment and performance of each Defaulting Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of outstanding LC Obligations.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by Administrative Agent to reimburse such Facing Agent immediately for each Defaulting Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of any drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not otherwise been reimbursed by Company or such Defaulting Lender.

 

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(v)                       Prepayment of Swing Line Loans.  Promptly on demand by the Swing Line Lender or Administrative Agent from time to time, Company shall prepay the Swing Line Loans in an amount of all Fronting Exposure with respect to the Swing Line Lender (after giving effect to Section 4.1(b)(iii)).

 

(vi)                    Certain Fees.  For any period during which such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender (i) shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 3.2(b) (and Company shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender) and (ii) shall not be entitled to receive any LC Commissions pursuant to Section 2.10(g)(ii) otherwise payable to the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(iv) but instead, Company shall (x) be required to pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender the amount of such LC Commissions in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Shares allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 4.1(b)(iii) and (y) not be required to pay the remaining amount of such LC Commissions that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender.

 

(vii)                 Defaulting Lender Cure.  If Company, Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lenders and the Facing Agent agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans, of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Multicurrency Revolving Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Shares (without giving effect to Section 4.1(b)(iii)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Company while such Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

4.2                               Mandatory Reduction of Commitments.  Upon any prepayment pursuant to Section 4.4(b), a portion of the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments in an amount equal to:

 

(a)                       in the case of a prepayment pursuant to Section 4.4(b)(i) in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of such prepayment and (ii) $750,000,000; or

 

(b)                       in the case of a prepayment pursuant to Section 4.4(b)(ii) in an amount equal to the amount of such prepayment,

 

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shall, in each case terminate, without premium or penalty.

 

4.3                               Voluntary Prepayments.  Company shall have the right to prepay the Loans in whole or in part from time to time without premium or penalty (other than the costs described in Section 3.5, if applicable) on the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                       Company shall give Administrative Agent written notice at its Notice Office (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its intent to prepay the Loans to it, the amount of such prepayment and the specific Borrowings to which such prepayment is to be applied, which notice shall be given by Company to Administrative Agent by 12:00 noon (New York City time) at least three Business Days prior in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, at least one Business Day prior in the case of Base Rate Loans and by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) in the case of Swing Line Loans on the date of such prepayment and which notice shall (except in the case of Swing Line Loans) promptly be transmitted by Administrative Agent to each of the applicable Lenders;

 

(b)                       each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in a principal amount at least equal to the Minimum Borrowing Multiple, provided that no partial prepayment of Eurocurrency Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount applicable thereto;

 

(c)                        Eurocurrency Loans may only be prepaid pursuant to this Section 4.3 on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto or on any other day subject to Section 3.5;

 

(d)                       each prepayment in respect of any Borrowing shall be applied pro rata among the Loans comprising such Borrowing, provided, however, that such prepayment shall not be applied to any Multicurrency Revolving Loans of a Defaulting Lender at any time when the aggregate amount of Multicurrency Revolving Loans of any Non-Defaulting Lender exceeds such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share of all Multicurrency Revolving Loans then outstanding;

 

(e)                        each notice of prepayment shall be irrevocable; provided that such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any other financing, sale or other transaction.

 

The notice provisions, the provisions with respect to the minimum amount of any prepayment, and the provisions requiring prepayments in integral multiples above such minimum amount of this Section 4.3 are for the benefit of Administrative Agent and may be waived unilaterally by Administrative Agent.

 

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4.4                               Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(a)                       Prepayment Upon Overadvance.

 

(i)                           If, at any time other than as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (x) the Multicurrency Revolving Loans (after giving effect to any other repayments or prepayments on such day) exceeds the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or the Swing Line Commitment, as the case may be (including, without limitation, on the Revolver Termination Date), Company shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans of such Loans together with the aggregate Effective Amount of LC Obligations in the amount of such excess and (y) the aggregate Effective Amount of LC Obligations exceeds the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments then in effect (after giving effect to the prepayment of all outstanding Multicurrency Revolving Loans), Company shall Cash Collateralize LC Obligations by depositing Cash Collateral with Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the positive difference, if any, between the Effective Amount of such LC Obligations and the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments then in effect.  Administrative Agent shall establish in its name for the benefit of the Multicurrency Revolving Lenders one or more interest bearing collateral accounts (collectively, the “Collateral Account”) into which it shall deposit such Cash Collateral for the LC Obligations.

 

(ii)                        If at any time, solely as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (x) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Equivalent of all of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans (so calculated, after giving effect to any other repayments or prepayments on such day) exceeds 105% of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or the Swing Line Commitment, as the case may be (including, without limitation, on the Revolver Termination Date), Company shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans of such Loans together with the aggregate Effective Amount of LC Obligations in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to cause the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of all of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans (so calculated, after giving effect to any other repayments or prepayments on such day) to be less than or equal to the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments or the Swing Line Commitment, as the case may be and (y) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the Effective Amount of LC Obligations exceeds 105% of the aggregate Multicurrency Revolving Commitments then in effect (so calculated, after giving effect to any other repayments or prepayments on such day), Company shall Cash Collateralize LC Obligations by depositing Cash Collateral in the Collateral Account in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the positive difference, if any, between the Effective Amount of such LC Obligations and the Multicurrency Revolving Commitments then in effect.

 

(b)                       Prepayment on Incurrence of Certain Indebtedness.

 

(i)             If Company (A) issues a notice of redemption for either series of Designated Existing Notes, (B) does not issue new senior notes pursuant to a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering to redeem all or a portion of the applicable series of Designated Existing Notes on or before the applicable redemption date, (C) pays all or a portion of the redemption price with proceeds of Loans and (D) within 180 days after such redemption, Company incurs term loans in a single or series of related transactions (other than (v) Indebtedness incurred to finance an Investment or purchase of property, (w) Bridge Loans or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (x) Intercompany Indebtedness, (y) Indebtedness issued

 

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to refinance or redeem the Existing Target Notes and/or the Existing Target Subordinated Debt plus fees and expenses in connection therewith and (z) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2)) or issues new senior notes in a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering (a “Replacement Senior Note Financing”), then Company shall, on the date of the consummation of the Replacement Senior Note Financing, prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the proceeds of the Loans applied to pay the redemption price of the Designated Existing Notes and (y) the net cash proceeds from the Replacement Senior Note Financing.

 

(ii)          If (A) the Target Acquisition is consummated, (B) Company prepays, redeems or otherwise acquires for value the Existing Target Notes, (C) Company does not incur Indebtedness in the form of new term loans or new notes to refinance the Existing Target Notes on or before the date of such prepayment, redemption or other acquisition for value of the Existing Target Notes, (D) consummates such prepayment, redemption or other acquisition for value of the Existing Target Notes using the proceeds of Loans and (E) within 180 days after such prepayment, redemption or other acquisition for value of the Existing Target Notes, Company incurs term loans in a single or series of related transactions (other than (v) Indebtedness incurred to finance an Investment or purchase of property, (w) Bridge Loans or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (x) Intercompany Indebtedness, (y) Indebtedness issued to refinance or redeem the Designated Existing Notes plus fees and expenses in connection therewith and (z) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2)) or issues new senior notes in a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering (a “Replacement Target Note Financing”), then Company shall, within three Business Days following the consummation of the Replacement Target Note Financing, prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the proceeds of the Loans applied to pay the redemption price of the Existing Target Notes and (y) the net cash proceeds from the Replacement Target Note Financing.

 

4.5                               Application of Prepayments.

 

(a)                       Prepayments pro rata.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, all prepayments of principal made by Company pursuant to Section 4.4 shall be applied (i) to the pro rata payment of the then outstanding balance of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans and the Cash Collateralization of LC Obligations; (ii) within each of the foregoing Loans, first to the payment of Base Rate Loans and second to the payment of Eurocurrency Loans; and (iii) with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, in such order as Company shall request (and in the absence of such request, as Administrative Agent shall determine). If any prepayment of Eurocurrency Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than the Minimum Borrowing Amount, such Borrowing shall immediately be converted into Base Rate Loans.  All prepayments shall include payment of accrued interest on the principal amount so prepaid, shall be applied to the payment of interest before application to principal and shall include amounts payable, if any, under Section 3.5.

 

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(b)                       Payments.  All payments shall include payment of accrued interest on the principal amount so paid, shall be applied to the payment of interest before application to principal and shall include amounts payable, if any, under Section 3.5.

 

4.6                               Method and Place of Payment.

 

(a)                       Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made to Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of the Lenders entitled thereto, not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time or, as applicable, local time in the financial center for the applicable Alternative Currency (with respect to Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency)) on the date when due and shall be made in the currency such Loan was advanced and in each case to the account specified therefor for Administrative Agent or if no account has been so specified at the Payment Office.  Administrative Agent will thereafter cause to be distributed on the same day (if payment was actually received by Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time or, as applicable, local time in the financial center for the applicable Alternative Currency (with respect to Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency)) like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or fees ratably to the Lenders entitled to receive any such payment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  If and to the extent that any such distribution shall not be so made by Administrative Agent in full on the same day (if payment was actually received by Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time or, as applicable, local time in the financial center for the applicable Alternative Currency (with respect to Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency)), Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender its ratable amount thereof and each such Lender shall be entitled to receive from Administrative Agent, upon demand, interest on such amount at the overnight Federal Funds Rate (or the applicable cost of funds with respect to amounts denominated in an Alternative Currency) for each day from the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent until the date Administrative Agent pays such amount to such Lender.

 

(b)                       Any payments under this Agreement which are made by Company later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time or, as applicable, local time in the financial center for the applicable Alternative Currency (with respect to Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency)) shall, for the purpose of calculation of interest, be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable during such extension at the applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension, except that with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, if such next succeeding Business Day is not in the same month as the date on which such payment would otherwise be due hereunder or under any Note, the due date with respect thereto shall be the next preceding applicable Business Day.

 

(c)                        Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), if any Defaulting Lender shall have failed to fund all or any portion of any Multicurrency Revolving Loan (each such Multicurrency Revolving Loan, an “Affected Loan”), each payment by Company hereunder shall be applied first to such Affected Loan and the principal amount and interest with respect to

 

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such payment shall be distributed (i) to each Non-Defaulting Lender who is a Multicurrency Revolving Lender, pro rata based on the outstanding principal amount of Affected Loans owing to all Non-Defaulting Lenders, until the principal amount of all Affected Loans has been repaid in full and (ii) to the extent of any remaining amount of such payment, to each Multicurrency Revolving Lender, as set forth in clauses (a) and (c) above.  Each payment made by Company on account of the interest on any Affected Loans shall be distributed to each Non-Defaulting Lender pro rata based on the outstanding principal amount of Affected Loans owing to all Non-Defaulting Lenders.

 

4.7                               Net Payments.

 

(a)                       All payments made by or on behalf of any Credit Party to or on behalf of any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder or under any Loan Document will be made without recoupment, setoff, counterclaim or other defense.  Notwithstanding any other provision in any Loan Document, except as provided in this Section 4.7, all payments hereunder and under any of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, payments on account of principal and interest and fees) to or on behalf of any Lender or Administrative Agent shall be made by or on behalf of the Credit Parties free and clear of and without withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other charge of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any Governmental Authority, but excluding therefrom:

 

(i)                           Excluded Taxes;

 

(ii)                        in the case of any Lender or Administrative Agent that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (each being referred to as a “Non-U.S. Participant”) (other than a Participant, Assignee, successor to Administrative Agent as of the date of this Agreement or Lender that designates a new lending office), any Taxes imposed by the United States by means of withholding at the source unless such withholding (a) results from a change in Applicable Law, treaty or regulations or the interpretation or administration thereof by any authority charged with the administration thereof subsequent to the date of this Agreement or (b) is imposed on payments with respect to a Lender’s interest in the Loan Documents acquired under Section 3.7 or Section 12.6;

 

(iii)                     any Taxes to the extent such Taxes would be avoided if the Lender or Administrative Agent provided the forms required under Section 4.7(d), unless (A) the Lender or Administrative Agent is not legally entitled to provide the forms (1) as a result of a change in Applicable Law, treaty, or regulations or interpretation or administration thereof by any authority charged with the administration thereof subsequent to the date such Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a Lender or Administrative Agent under a Loan Document or (2) after the Lender acquired an interest in the Loan Documents under Section 3.7 or Section 12.6 or (B) the Lender or Administrative Agent is not providing the forms under Section 4.7(d)(iii) because the Lender or Administrative Agent determines (in its good faith judgment) that it is not legally entitled to provide the forms or that providing the forms would prejudice or disadvantage the Lender or Administrative Agent in any significant respect;

 

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(iv)                    in the case of any Participant, Assignee, successor to Administrative Agent as of the date of this Agreement or Lender that designates a new lending office, in each case that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), any Taxes imposed by the United States by means of withholding at the source that are in effect on the date such Participant, Assignee or successor Administrative Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or any Loan Document or such Lender designates a new lending office, as applicable, except to the extent (i) the person that assigned or transferred the interest to the Participant or Assignee, or designated the new lending office, was entitled to reimbursement for such Taxes under this Section 4.7 or (ii) the Participant or Assignee becomes a party to a Loan Document under Section 3.7 or Section 12.6;

 

(b)                       If any Credit Party or Administrative Agent is required by law to make any deduction or withholding of any Taxes from any payment due hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents (except for Taxes excluded under Section 4.7(a)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)), then the amount payable by the applicable Credit Party will be increased to such amount which, after deduction from such increased amount of all such Taxes required to be withheld or deducted therefrom, will not be less than the amount due and payable hereunder had no such deduction or withholding been required.  If any Credit Party or Administrative Agent makes any payment hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents in respect of which it is required by law to make any deduction or withholding of any Taxes, it shall pay the full amount to be deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation or other Governmental Authority within the time allowed for such payment under Applicable Law and shall deliver to Administrative Agent as soon as practicable after it has made such payment to the applicable authority an original or certified copy of such receipt issued by such authority evidencing the payment to such authority of all amounts so required to be deducted or withheld from such payment or such other evidence of payment that is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                        (i)Without prejudice to or duplication of the provisions of Section 4.7(a), each Credit Party shall severally and not jointly indemnify Administrative Agent, each Lender and Administrative Agent on its behalf, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Taxes (including Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by Administrative Agent, any Lender or Administrative Agent on its behalf or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to Administrative Agent, any Lender or Administrative Agent on its behalf and any interest, penalties and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses but excluding any Taxes described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.7(a)) payable or incurred in connection therewith, including any Tax arising by virtue of payments under this Section 4.7(c), computed in a manner consistent with this Section 4.7(c).  A certificate (showing in reasonable detail the basis for such calculation) as to the amount of such payment by such Lender, or Administrative Agent on its behalf, absent manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto for all purposes; and

 

(ii)                        Each Lender and each Facing Agent shall indemnify Administrative Agent within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Excluded Taxes, together with any interest, penalties and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses associated with such Excluded Tax) and any taxes imposed as a result of the receipt of

 

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the payment under this Section 4.7(c)(ii), attributable to such Lender or Facing Agent that are payable or paid by Administrative Agent, whether or not such Excluded Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender or Facing Agent by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender and each Facing Agent hereby authorize Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or Facing Agent, as the case may be, under any Loan Document against any amount due to Administrative Agent under this Section 4.7.  The agreements in this Section 4.7 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of Administrative Agent.  Company shall also indemnify Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount attributable to Excluded Taxes, together with any interest, penalties and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses associated with such Excluded Tax) and any taxes imposed as a result of the receipt of the payment under this Section 4.7(c)(ii), in each case, arising under FATCA which a Lender or a Facing Agent for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to Administrative Agent as required by this Section 4.7(c)(ii); provided that such Lender or Facing Agent, as the case may be, shall indemnify Company to the extent of any payment Company makes to Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 4.7(c)(ii).

 

(d)                       (i)  Each Lender or Administrative Agent that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code) agrees to deliver to Company and Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the case of a Lender or Administrative Agent that becomes a party to a Loan Document on a later date, the date such Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a party to a Loan Document, together with any other certificate or statement of exemption required under the Code, (a) two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or W-8ECI or W-8IMY (or successor forms), or (b), (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.7(d) (any such certificate, a “Section 4.7(d) Certificate”) and (y) two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form) or, in the case of a partnership, IRS Form W-8IMY (or successor form) accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form) from each of its partners or members.  In addition, each such Non-U.S. Participant agrees that from time to time after the Effective Date, when a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders the previous certification obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it will timely deliver within thirty (30) days to Company and Administrative Agent two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) new accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form), or W-8ECI or W-8IMY, or IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form) (or, in the case of a partnership, IRS Form W-8IMY and accompanying IRS Forms W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form)) and a Section 4.7(d) Certificate, as the case may be, and such other forms as may be required in order to confirm or establish the entitlement of such Lender or Administrative Agent to a continued exemption from (or reduction in) United States withholding Tax with respect to payments under any Loan Document.  To the extent a Non-U.S. Participant is unable to deliver

 

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the forms required under this Section 4.7(d)(i), or the forms previously delivered are inaccurate in any material respects, it shall immediately notify Company and Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)                        Each Lender and Administrative Agent that is a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) agrees to deliver to Company and Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the case of a Lender or Administrative Agent that becomes a party to a Loan Document on a later date, the date the Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a party to such Loan Document, two accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or successor form) certifying to such Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s entitlement to receive payments under such Loan Document without deduction for United States backup withholding tax. Each such Lender and Administrative Agent agrees from time to time after the Effective Date, when a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders the previous certification obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it will timely deliver to Company and Administrative Agent two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) new accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or successor form).

 

(iii)                     Each Lender and Administrative Agent shall, if requested by Company or Administrative Agent, within a reasonable period of time after such request, provide to Company, Administrative Agent or the applicable Governmental Authority any other tax forms or other documents or complete other formalities necessary or appropriate to avoid (or reduce) withholding for or on account of any Taxes imposed on payments under the Loan Documents pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of any Credit Party, as applicable, provided, however, that no Lender or Administrative Agent shall be required to provide forms or documents or complete other formalities under this Section 4.7(d)(iii) to the extent the Lender or Administrative Agent determines (in its good faith discretion) that it is not legally entitled to do so or that providing such forms or documents or completing the other formalities would prejudice or disadvantage the Lender or Administrative Agent in any material respect.  To the extent that a Lender or Administrative Agent is unable to deliver the forms or documents or complete the other formalities required under this Section 4.7(d)(iii) or the previous forms delivered are inaccurate in any material respects, the Lender or Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and Administrative Agent.

 

(iv)                    if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the applicable Credit Party and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by such Credit Party or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by such Credit Party or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for such Credit Party, Company and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount

 

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to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (iv), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

(e)                        Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after it becomes aware of the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition that would cause any Credit Party to make a payment in respect of any Taxes to such Lender pursuant to Section 4.7(a) or a payment in indemnification for any Taxes pursuant to Section 4.7(c), it will, at the written request of such Credit Party, use reasonable efforts to make, fund or maintain the Loan or participation in Letters of Credit (or portions thereof) of such Lender with respect to which the aforementioned payment is or would be made through another lending office of such Lender or will assign its Loans to another Eligible Assignee if as a result thereof the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid by any Credit Party in respect of such Loans (or portions thereof) or participation in Letters of Credit (or portions thereof) pursuant to Section 4.7(a) or Section 4.7(c) would be eliminated or reduced, and if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, the making, funding or maintaining of such Loans (or portions thereof) or participation in Letters of Credit (or portions thereof) through such other lending office would not be otherwise significantly disadvantageous to such Lender.  Each Credit Party agrees to pay all reasonable expenses incurred by any Lender in utilizing another lending office of such Lender pursuant to this Section 4.7(e).

 

(f)                         If any Credit Party shall pay any Taxes pursuant to this Section 4.7 and any Lender, any Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent at any time thereafter receives a refund of such Taxes or, as determined in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, a direct credit with respect to the payment of such Taxes, then such Lender, any Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Credit Party the amount of such refund or credit net of all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Lender, any Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent to obtain such refund or credit and without interest except for any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to the refund); provided, however, that such Credit Party agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Credit Party under this Section 4.7(f) (plus any penalties, interest, and other related charges) to the Lender, any Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent in the event the Lender, any Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent is required to repay the refund to the Governmental Authority.

 

(g)                        For purposes of this Section 4.7, and for the avoidance of doubt, the term “Lender” includes any Facing Agent and the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA.

 

(h)                       Each party’s obligations under this Section 4.7 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

5.1                               Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.  The obligations of the Lenders to make any Loans on the Initial Borrowing Date and the obligation of the Facing Agent to issue and the Lenders to participate in Letters of Credit on the Initial Borrowing Date shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 and the conditions in this Section 5.1 (the first date on which all of the following conditions set forth in this Section 5.1 have been satisfied or waived, the “Effective Date”):

 

(a)                       Loan Documents.

 

(i)             Company shall have duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent, with a signed counterpart for each Lender, this Agreement, and, if requested, the Notes payable to each applicable Lender in the amount of their respective Commitments all of which shall be in full force and effect;

 

(ii)          Each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is a Material Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Subsidiary Guaranty in the form of Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii) (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, the “Subsidiary Guaranty”);

 

(b)                       Opinions of Counsel.  Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to the Credit Parties, an opinion addressed to Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and dated the Effective Date, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and which shall cover such matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) opinions of local counsel to Administrative Agent and/or the Credit Parties (as is customary in the respective jurisdictions) from such jurisdictions as reasonably requested by Administrative Agent, dated the Effective Date, which shall cover such matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(c)                        Officers Certificate.  Administrative Agent shall have received, with a signed counterpart for each Lender, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer on behalf of Company, dated the Effective Date and in the form of Exhibit 5.1(c) hereto, stating that the representations and warranties set forth in Article VI hereof to be made as of the Effective Date are true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the certificate, that no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, that the conditions of Section 5.1 hereof have been fully satisfied (except that no opinion need be expressed as to Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter);

 

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(d)                       Secretarys Certificate.  Administrative Agent shall have received from each Credit Party a certificate, dated the Initial Borrowing Date, signed by the secretary or any assistant secretary (or, if no secretary or assistant secretary exists, a Responsible Officer), of such Credit Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.1(d) with appropriate insertions, as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of each such Credit Party, executing any Loan Document on the Effective Date (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) and any certificate or other document or instrument to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto by or on behalf of such Credit Party, together with evidence of the incumbency of such secretary or assistant secretary (or, if no secretary or assistant secretary exists, such Responsible Officer), and certifying as true and correct, attached copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Amalgamation or other equivalent document (certified as of recent date by the Secretary of State or other comparable authority where customary in such jurisdiction) and By-Laws (or other Organizational Documents) of such Credit Party, and the resolutions of such Credit Party and, to the extent required, of the equity holders of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate and all of the foregoing (including each such Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Amalgamation or other equivalent document and By-Laws (or other Organizational Documents)) shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(e)                        Good Standing.  A good standing certificate or certificate of status or comparable certificate of each Credit Party from the Secretary of State (or other governmental authority) of its state or province of organization;

 

(f)                         Adverse Change.  On the Effective Date, both before and after giving effect to the Transaction (including after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing on a pro forma basis), there shall be no facts, events or circumstances then existing which materially adversely affects the business, financial condition or operations of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole since December 31, 2013;

 

(g)                        Approvals.  All necessary governmental (domestic and foreign) and material third party approvals and/or consents in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents shall have been obtained and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions upon the consummation of all or any part of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.  Additionally, there shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued or filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or other restraint pending or notified prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon all or any part of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or the making of the Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit;

 

(h)                       Litigation.  No action, suit or proceeding (including, without limitation, any inquiry or investigation) by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documentation executed in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated hereby or which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no injunction or other restraining order shall

 

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remain effective or a hearing therefor remain pending or noticed with respect to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documentation executed in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated hereby, the effect of which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(i)                           Evidence of Insurance.  Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance complying with the requirements of Section 7.9 for the business and properties of Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(j)                          Solvency Certificate.  Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate in the form of Exhibit 5.1(j), signed by the Chief Financial Officer of Company;

 

(k)                       Financials. Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have received audited consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2013, statements of income and cash flows at December 31, 2013 and interim unaudited financial statements at March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014; and

 

(l)                           Know Your Customer; Etc.  Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers shall have received, no later than three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information about Company and the Guarantors as has been reasonably requested in writing on or prior to ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date by Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including the Patriot Act.

 

Administrative Agent will give Company and each Lender prompt written notice of the occurrence of the Effective Date.

 

5.2                               Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension.

 

The obligations of the Lenders to extend Loans in respect of the Commitments on the date of the first Credit Event (the “Initial Borrowing Date”) and the obligation of any Facing Agent to issue or any Lender to participate in any Letter of Credit hereunder, in each case shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to Initial Borrowing Date of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                       Pledge Agreement.

 

(i)             Pledge Agreement.  Company and each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is a Material Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Pledge Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.2(a)(i) (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”);

 

(ii)          Perfection of Pledge Agreement Collateral. Each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is a Material Subsidiary (other than an

 

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Excluded Subsidiary) party to the Pledge Agreement shall have delivered to Administrative Agent:

 

(1)                     proper Form UCC-1 financing statements for filing under the UCC necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by the Pledge Agreement; and

 

(2)                     subject to certain certificates and stock powers to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.14(b) with the consent of Administrative Agent, the certificates representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement (if such shares are certificated), together with an undated stock power for each certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the Pledgor therefor.

 

(b)                       Opinions of Counsel.  Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to the Credit Parties, an opinion addressed to Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and dated the date of the Initial Borrowing Date, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and which shall cover such matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) opinions of local counsel to Administrative Agent and/or the Credit Parties (as is customary in the respective jurisdictions) from such jurisdictions as reasonably requested by Administrative Agent, dated the Initial Borrowing Date, which shall cover such matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(c)                        Secretarys Certificate.  Administrative Agent shall have received from each Credit Party required to become a party to the Pledge Agreement on the Initial Borrowing Date, a certificate, dated the Initial Borrowing Date, signed by the secretary or any assistant secretary (or, if no secretary or assistant secretary exists, a Responsible Officer), of such Credit Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.1(d) with appropriate insertions, as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of each such Credit Party, executing any Loan Document on the Initial Borrowing Date (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) and any certificate or other document or instrument to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto by or on behalf of such Credit Party, together with evidence of the incumbency of such secretary or assistant secretary (or, if no secretary or assistant secretary exists, such Responsible Officer), and certifying as true and correct, attached copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Amalgamation or other equivalent document (certified as of recent date by the Secretary of State or other comparable authority where customary in such jurisdiction) and By-Laws (or other Organizational Documents) of such Credit Party, and the resolutions of such Credit Party and, to the extent required, of the equity holders of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate and all of the foregoing (including each such Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Amalgamation or other equivalent document and By-Laws (or other Organizational Documents)) shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

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(d)                       Refinancing. The Company Credit Facility Refinancing shall have been, or, substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Loans hereunder shall be, consummated and Company shall have received a customary payoff letter in respect thereof;

 

(e)                        Certain Funds Representations.  The Certain Funds Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Initial Borrowing Date; provided that in the case of any Loans made on the Initial Borrowing Date for a purpose other than consummating the Company Credit Facility Refinancing, the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall each be true and correct in all material respects at and as of such time, as though made on and as of such time except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date in which event such representation and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified date;

 

(f)                         Fees.  Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all fees due and payable on the Initial Borrowing Date in accordance with the Syndication & Fee Letter will be paid on the Initial Borrowing Date; and

 

(g)                        Notice of Borrowing; Notice of Issuance. Prior to the making of such Loan and/or Letter of Credit, (i) Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing meeting the requirements of Section 2.5 and (ii) Administrative Agent and the respective Facing Agent shall have received a Notice of Issuance meeting the requirements of Section 2.10(c), as applicable.

 

5.3                               Conditions Precedent to Credit Extensions for Designated Existing Notes Refinancing.  The obligation of each Lender to make Loans solely for the purpose of consummating all or part of the Designated Existing Notes Refinancing is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                       Certain Funds Representations.  The Certain Funds Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Event;

 

(b)                       Notice of Borrowing. Prior to the making of such Loan, Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing meeting the requirements of Section 2.5.

 

5.4                               Conditions Precedent to Credit Extensions for Target Notes Refinancing. The obligation of each Lender to make Loans solely for the purpose of consummating all or part of the Target Notes Refinancing is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                       Target Acquisition. The Target Acquisition shall have been consummated in a manner consistent with the Press Release, as amended after the Effective Date

 

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(so long as such amendment, unless consented in writing by the Lenders and Lead Arrangers, is not materially adverse to the Lenders and Lead Arrangers taken as whole);

 

(b)                       Certain Funds Representations.  The Certain Funds Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Loan;

 

(c)                        Certain Funds Change of Control. There shall not have occurred a Certain Funds Change of Control;

 

(d)                       No Certain Funds Default. No Certain Funds Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan; and

 

(e)                        Notice of Borrowing. Prior to the making of such Loan, Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing meeting the requirements of Section 2.5.

 

5.5                               Conditions Precedent to all Other Credit Extensions.  The obligation of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of any Facing Agent to issue or any Lender to participate in any Letter of Credit hereunder, other than in each case, Loans and Letters of Credit made or issued pursuant to Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4, in each case shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the time of each such Credit Event of each of the following conditions is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                       Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall each be true and correct in all material respects at and as of such time, as though made on and as of such time except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date in which event such representation and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified date;

 

(b)                       No Default.  No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have occurred and shall then be continuing on such date or will occur after giving effect to such Credit Event; and

 

(c)                        Notice of Borrowing; Notice of Issuance.

 

(i)                           Prior to the making of each Loan, Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing meeting the requirements of Section 2.5.

 

(ii)                        Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, Administrative Agent and the respective Facing Agent shall have received a Notice of Issuance meeting the requirements of Section 2.10(c).

 

The acceptance of the benefits of each such Credit Event by Company shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by it to the effect of paragraphs (a) and (b) of

 

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this Section 5.5 (except that no opinion need be expressed as to Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter).

 

Each Lender hereby agrees that by its execution and delivery of its signature page hereto, such Lender approves of and consents to each of the matters set forth in this Article V which must be approved by, or which must be satisfactory to, Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or Lenders, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans and issue (or participate in) the Letters of Credit as provided herein, Company, with respect to itself and its Subsidiaries, makes the following representations and warranties as of the Effective Date (both immediately before and after giving effect to the consummation of the Transaction, including after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing on a pro forma basis) and as of the date of each subsequent Credit Event, other than any Credit Event pursuant to Sections 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4 (except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true as of such specified date), all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes and the making of the Loans and issuance of the Letters of Credit:

 

6.1                               Corporate Status.  Each Credit Party (i) is a duly organized and validly existing organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (to the extent that such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (ii) has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and (iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) in (x) the state of Indiana, in the case of Company, or its jurisdiction of organization in the case of any other Credit Party and (y) in each other jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except in the case of clause (y) where such failure to be so qualified, authorized or in good standing, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.2                               Corporate Power and Authority.  Each Credit Party has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of each of such Loan Documents.  Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and each of such Loan Documents constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

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6.3                               No Violation.  The execution and delivery by any Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party (including, without limitation, the granting of Liens pursuant to the Security Documents) and the performance of such Credit Party’s obligations thereunder do not (i) contravene any provision of any Requirement of Law applicable to any Credit Party, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien (except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the property or assets of any Credit Party pursuant to, the terms of any Contractual Obligation to which any Credit Party is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound except for such contraventions, conflicts, breaches or defaults that would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) violate any provision of any Organizational Document of any Credit Party, (iv) require any approval of stockholders or (v) require any material approval or consent of any Person (other than a Governmental Authority) except filings, consents, or notices which have been made, obtained or given and except as set forth on Schedule 6.3.

 

6.4                               Governmental Approvals.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.4 and except for filings necessary to create or perfect security interests in the Collateral and except as have been obtained or made prior to the Effective Date, no material order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have been obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date), or exemption by, any Governmental Authority, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution and delivery of any Loan Document or the performance of the obligations thereunder or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any such Loan Document.

 

6.5                               Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities Projections; Etc.

 

(a)                       Financial Statements.  The consolidated balance sheet of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the related statements of income and cash flows of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2013 and as of March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 for the fiscal quarters ended on such dates, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operation and cash flows of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as of such dates and for such periods, subject to, in the case of quarterly financial statements, year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b)                       Solvency.  On and as of the Effective Date, after giving effect to Loans expected to be incurred pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing delivered on the Effective Date (and the use of proceeds thereof on a pro forma basis) and Liens created by Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,

 

(i)                           the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will exceed its debts;

 

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(ii)                        Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) have not incurred and do not intend to, or believe that they will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as such debts mature; and

 

(iii)                     Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its business.  For purposes of this Section 6.5(b) “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means (y) any right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured (including all obligations, if any, under any Plan or the equivalent for unfunded past service liability, and any other unfunded medical and death benefits) or (z) any right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.  In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

(c)                        No Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as fully reflected in the Form 10-K, the Form 10-Q or the financial statements and the notes related thereto delivered pursuant to Section 6.5(a), there were as of the Effective Date (and after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing on a pro forma basis) no liabilities or obligations with respect to Company and its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in aggregate, would be material to Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  As of the Effective Date (and after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing on a pro forma basis), Company does not know of any basis for the assertion against Company or any Subsidiary of any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not reflected in the financial statements or the notes related thereto delivered pursuant to Section 6.5(a) which, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be material to Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(d)                       Projections.  On and as of the Effective Date, the financial projections previously delivered to Administrative Agent for further delivery to the Lenders (the “Projections”) and each of the budgets delivered after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 7.2(b) are, at the time made, prepared on a basis consistent in all material respects with the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and are at the time made based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of Company, which assumptions were believed by the management of Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that uncertainty is inherent in any forecasts or projections, such Projections are not to be viewed as facts, and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ from such Projections and the differences may be material.

 

(e)                        No Material Adverse Change.  Since December 31, 2013, there has been no fact, event, circumstance or occurrence which has caused or resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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6.6                               Litigation.  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Company and its Subsidiaries, threatened (i) against Company or any Credit Party challenging the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document, or (ii) that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.7                               True and Complete Disclosure.  To Company’s knowledge, this Agreement and all other written information furnished to the Lenders by or on behalf of Company in connection herewith (other than any forecast or projections) did not (when so furnished) taken as a whole contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the information contained herein and therein not misleading, it being understood and agreed that with respect to any forecasts or projections furnished to the Lenders, such forecasts and projections are not to be viewed as facts and the actual results during the period or periods covered by such forecasts and projections may differ from such forecasts and projections and that such differences may be material.

 

6.8                               Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.

 

(a)                       Multicurrency Revolving Loan Proceeds.  All proceeds of the Loans incurred hereunder shall be used by Company and its Subsidiaries for ongoing working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.

 

(b)                       Margin Regulations.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board), directly or indirectly, or to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Loans or other extensions of credit under this Agreement to be considered a “purpose credit”, in each case in violation of Regulation T, U or X of the Board.

 

6.9                               Taxes.  Each of Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed with the appropriate taxing authority, all material returns, statements, forms and reports for taxes (the “Returns”) required to be filed by or with respect to the income, properties or operations of Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, except to the extent failure to file such Returns would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Returns accurately reflect all material liability for taxes of Company and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby.  Each of Company and each of its Subsidiaries has paid all material taxes owed by it other than those (i) contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in conformity with GAAP or their equivalent in the relevant jurisdiction of the taxing authority or (ii) which failure to pay would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.10                        Labor Relations.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There is (i) no significant unfair labor practice complaint pending against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against any of them before the

 

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National Labor Relations Board or any similar Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction, and no significant grievance or significant arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against any of them, (ii) no significant strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage is pending against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) to the knowledge of Company, no question concerning union representation exists with respect to the employees of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, either individually or in the aggregate) as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.11                        Security Documents.  When executed and delivered, the Pledge Agreement will be effective to create in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, legal and valid security interests in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof.  In the case of the Pledged Securities to the extent represented by certificated securities (the “Certificated Pledged Stock”) described in the Pledge Agreement, when stock certificates representing such Certificated Pledged Stock are delivered to Collateral Agent, and in the case of the Collateral described in the Pledge Agreement, when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate offices, the security interest created by the Pledge Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien (to the extent such Lien can be perfected by filing, recording, registration under the UCC or, with respect to the Certificated Pledged Stock, possession) on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except, in the case of Collateral other than Certificated Pledged Stock, Liens permitted by Section 8.1, and only to the extent that priority can be obtained by filing under the UCC).

 

6.12                        Compliance With ERISA.  Except as, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: each Plan has been operated and administered in a manner so as not to result in any liability of Company for failure to comply with the applicable provisions of applicable law, including ERISA and the Code; no Termination Event has occurred with respect to a Plan; to the knowledge of Company, no Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; no Plan has an accumulated or waived funding deficiency or has applied for an extension of any amortization period within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code; Company and its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates have not incurred any liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code; no proceedings have been instituted to terminate any Plan within the last fiscal year; using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with subpart 1 of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, to the knowledge of Company, Company and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates would not have any liability to any Plans which are Multiemployer Plans in the event of a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan ending prior to the date of any Credit Event; no Lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate exists or is likely to arise on account of any Plan; Company and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates have made all contributions to each Plan

 

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within the time required by law or by the terms of such Plan; and Company and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates do not maintain or contribute to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA and subject to ERISA) which provides benefits to retired employees (other than as required by Section 601 et seq. of ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA and subject to ERISA) the obligations with respect to either of which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.13                        Foreign Pension Matters.

 

Except as, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:  (a) each Foreign Pension Plan is in compliance and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) with all laws, regulations and rules applicable thereto, including all funding requirements, and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such Foreign Pension Plan; (b) with respect to each Foreign Pension Plan maintained or contributed to by Company or any Subsidiary, (i) that is required by applicable law to be funded in a trust or other funding vehicle, the aggregate of the accumulated benefit obligations under such Foreign Pension Plan does not exceed to any material extent the current fair market value of the assets held in the trusts or similar funding vehicles for such Foreign Pension Plan and (ii) that is not required by applicable law to be funded in a trust or other funding vehicle, reasonable reserves have been established in accordance with prudent business practice or where required by ordinary accounting practices in the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Pension Plan is maintained; (c) there are no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or, to the knowledge of Company and its Subsidiaries, threatened against Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any Foreign Pension Plan; (d) all contributions required to have been made by Company or any Subsidiary to any Foreign Pension Plan have been made within the time required by law or by the terms of such Foreign Pension Plan; and (e) except as disclosed on Schedule 6.13, no Foreign Pension Plan with respect to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries could have any liability has been terminated or wound-up and no actions or proceedings have been taken or instituted to terminate or wind-up such a Foreign Pension Plan.

 

6.14                        Ownership of Property.  Company and each Material Subsidiary has good and marketable title to, or a subsisting leasehold interest in, all material items of real and personal property used in its operations (except as to leasehold interests) free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens and except to the extent that the failure to have such title or interest (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Substantially all items of real and material personal property owned by, leased to or used by Company and each Material Subsidiary are in adequate operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, are free and clear of any known defects except such defects as do not substantially interfere with the continued use thereof in the conduct of normal operations, and are able to serve the function for which they are currently being used, except to the extent the failure to keep such condition (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.15                        Capitalization of Company.  On the Effective Date, Company will have no Capital Stock outstanding other than the Common Stock and rights outstanding under the

 

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Shareholder Rights Plan.  All outstanding shares of capital stock of Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

6.16                        Subsidiaries.

 

(a)                       OrganizationSchedule 6.16 hereto sets forth a true, complete and correct list as of the date of this Agreement of each Subsidiary of Company and indicates for each such Subsidiary (i) its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) its ownership (by holder and percentage interest) and (iii) whether such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary.  As of the Effective Date, Company has no Subsidiaries except for those Subsidiaries listed as such on Schedule 6.16 hereto.

 

(b)                       Capitalization.  As of the Effective Date, all shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary of Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens.  As of the Effective Date, no authorized but unissued or treasury shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary of Company are subject to any option, warrant, right to call or similar commitment.

 

6.17                        Compliance With Law, Etc.  Neither Company nor any of its Material Subsidiaries is in default under or in violation of any Requirement of Law applicable to any of them or Contractual Obligation, or under its Organizational Documents, as the case may be, in each case the consequences of which default or violation, either in any one case or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.18                        Investment Company Act.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

6.19                        Environmental Matters.

 

(a)                       Company and each of its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with, and on the date of such Credit Event are in compliance in all material respects with, all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits except for such non-compliance as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened Environmental Claims against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property currently owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries except for such Environmental Claims that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                       Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated, used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, or otherwise come to be located on, any real property owned or at any time operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries where such generation, use, treatment or storage has violated or would reasonably be expected to violate or create liability under any Environmental Law in any material respect and result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of Company,

 

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Hazardous Materials have not at any time been Released on or from, or otherwise come to be located on, any real property owned or at any time operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries where such Release has violated or would reasonably be expected to violate or create liability under any Environmental Law in any material respect and result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.20                        Intellectual Property, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas.  Each of Company and its Subsidiaries owns or holds licenses or other rights to or under all the material patents, patent applications, trademarks, designs, service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefor, trade names, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor, trade secrets, proprietary information, computer programs, data bases, licenses, permits, franchises and formulas, or rights with respect to the foregoing which are material to the business of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (collectively, “Intellectual Property”), and has obtained assignments of all leases and other rights of whatever nature, material to the present conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, without any known material conflict with the rights of others except, in each case, where the failure to own or hold such rights or obtain such assignments would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of any existing or threatened claim by any Person contesting the validity, enforceability, use or ownership of the Intellectual Property, or of any existing state of facts that would support a claim that use by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any such Intellectual Property has infringed or otherwise violated any proprietary rights of any other Person which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.21                        OFAC; Patriot Act; FCPA.

 

(a)                       None of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to its knowledge, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, is currently a Restricted Party.

 

(b)                       None of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, will, use, lend, make payments of or contribute all or any part of the proceeds of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans in violation in any material respect of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations.

 

(c)                        Company, each other Credit Party and each Subsidiary of any Credit Party is:  (i) in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act Title III of 107 Public Law 56  (October 26, 2001) and in other statutes and all orders, rules and regulations of the United States government and its various executive departments, agencies and offices, related to the subject matter of the Act, including Executive Order 13224 effective September 24, 2001 (the “Patriot Act”) and all applicable Sanctions Laws and Regulations; and (ii) operated under policies, procedures and practices, if any, that are designed to promote compliance with the Patriot Act in all material respects.

 

(d)                       No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder shall be used by Company 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

 

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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, the United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010 or any similar applicable anti-corruption laws or regulations administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Company hereby agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that, so long as any of the Commitments remain in effect, or any Loan or LC Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid or any other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) is owing to any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder, Company shall:

 

7.1                               Financial Statements.  Furnish, or cause to be furnished, to Administrative Agent (for further distribution to each Lender):

 

(a)                       Quarterly Financial Statements.  Not later than fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of Company, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of income of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of earnings and of cash flows of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year through the end of such quarter, all of which shall be certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Company, as at the dates indicated and for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments; and

 

(b)                       Annual Financial Statements. Not later than ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of Company, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income, earnings and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year.

 

All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects, shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods (except as approved by the accountants preparing such statements or the Chief Financial Officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein) and, in the case of the consolidated financial statements referred to in this Section 7.1(b), shall be accompanied by a report thereon of independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing, which report shall contain no qualifications with respect to the continuance of Company and its Subsidiaries as going concerns and shall state that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 7.1 and Sections 7.2(b), and 7.2(c) below shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which (i) such information is actually available for review by the Lenders and either (A) has been posted by Company on Company’s website at http://www.ball.com or at http://www.sec.gov or (B) has been posted on Company’s behalf on Intralinks/Syndtrak or any other internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by Administrative Agent).  At the request of Administrative Agent or any Lender, Company will provide by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) to Administrative Agent of all documents containing such information.

 

7.2                               Certificates; Other Information.  Furnish to Administrative Agent (for further delivery to each Lender, as applicable):

 

(a)                       Officers Certificates.  Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b), a certificate of Company’s Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer substantially in the form of Exhibit 7.2(a) (a “Compliance Certificate”) stating that to such officer’s knowledge, (i) such financial statements present fairly, in accordance with GAAP (or, in the case of financial statements of any Foreign Subsidiary delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a), generally accepted accounting principles in such Person’s jurisdiction of organization), the financial condition and results of operations of Company and its Subsidiaries for the period referred to therein (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal recurring adjustments) and (ii) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists, except as specified in such certificate and, if so specified, the action which Company proposes to take with respect thereto, which certificate shall set forth reasonably detailed computations to the extent necessary to establish Company’s compliance with the covenants set forth in Article IX of this Agreement;

 

(b)                       Budgets.  As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days following the first day of each Fiscal Year of Company an annual budget (by quarter) in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (including budgeted balance sheet, statements of earnings and cash flows) prepared by Company for each Fiscal Quarter of such Fiscal Year (it being understood that Company shall have no obligation to update or revise such budget), which shall be accompanied by the statement of the Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer of Company to the effect that, such budget is based on good faith assumptions believed by such Person to be reasonable at the time made;

 

(c)                        Public Filings.  Promptly after the same become public, copies of all financial statements, annual or quarterly filings, registrations and Form 8-K reports which Company may make to, or file with, the SEC or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority; provided that Company shall not be required to furnish to Administrative Agent or any Lender the Form 8-K filed in respect of this Agreement; and

 

(d)                       Other Requested Information.  Such other information with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Collateral, including, without limitation, any

 

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Asset Disposition or financing transaction, as Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

 

7.3                               Notices.  Promptly and in any event within three (3) Business Days after a Responsible Officer of Company or any Credit Party obtains knowledge thereof, give written notice to Administrative Agent (which shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Lender) of:

 

(a)                       Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default. The occurrence of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default, accompanied by a statement of the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of Company setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Company propose to take with respect thereto;

 

(b)                       Litigation and Related Matters.  The commencement of, or any material development in, any action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against or involving Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, which would individually or when aggregated with any other action, suit, proceeding or investigation reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(c)                        Environmental Matters.  The occurrence of one or more of the following environmental matters which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)                           any pending or threatened material Environmental Claim against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                        any condition or occurrence on or arising from any real property owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries that (y) results in material noncompliance by Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any applicable Environmental Law or (z) would reasonably be expected to form the basis of a material Environmental Claim against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any such real property;

 

(iii)                     any condition or occurrence on any real property owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to cause such real property to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such real property under any Environmental Law; and

 

(iv)                    the taking of any Remedial Action on any real property at any time owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the Environmental Claim, condition, occurrence or Remedial Action and Company’s or such Subsidiary’s response thereto.  In addition, Company will provide Administrative Agent with copies of all written communications with any Governmental Authority relating to actual or alleged violations of

 

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Environmental Laws, all written communications with any Person relating to Environmental Claims, and such detailed written reports of any Environmental Claim as may reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent.

 

7.4                               Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence.  Continue to engage in business of the same general types as now conducted by Company and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, businesses reasonably related or incidental thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof) and preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its and each of its Material Subsidiary’s corporate existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises material to its and those of each of its Material Subsidiaries’ business except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Sections 8.3 and 8.4 and comply and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.5                               Payment of Taxes.  Pay or discharge or otherwise satisfy before they become delinquent and cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to pay or discharge or otherwise satisfy before they become delinquent all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies (other than Indebtedness) imposed upon any of them or upon any of their income or profits or any of their respective properties or assets prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto; provided, however, that neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim while the same is being contested by it in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued so long as Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP (segregated to the extent required by GAAP) or their equivalent in the relevant jurisdiction of the taxing authority with respect thereto or to the extent failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such obligations would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.6                               Inspection of Property, Books and Records.  Keep, or cause to be kept, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep or cause to be kept, adequate records and books of account, in which entries are to be made reflecting its and their business and financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and all material Requirements of Law and permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, any Lender or its respective representatives, at any reasonable time during normal business hours, and from time to time at the reasonable request of such Lender and at such Lender’s expense made to Company and upon reasonable notice, to visit and inspect its and their respective properties, to examine and make copies of and take abstracts from its and their respective records and books of account, and to discuss its and their respective affairs, finances and accounts with its and their respective principal officers, and, if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders access to their independent public accountants (and by this provision Company authorize such accountants to discuss with Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders and such representatives, and in the presence of Company, the affairs, finances and accounts of Company and its Subsidiaries).

 

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7.7                               ERISA.

 

(a)                       As soon as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after Company or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that a Termination Event has occurred with respect to any Plan which could be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, deliver, or cause such Subsidiary to deliver, to Administrative Agent a certificate of a responsible officer of Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, setting forth the details of such Termination Event and the action, if any, which Company or such Subsidiary is required or proposes to take, together with any notices required or proposed to be given;

 

(b)                       Upon the request of any Lender made from time to time, deliver, or cause each Subsidiary to deliver, to each Lender a copy of the most recent actuarial report and annual report on Form 5500 (to the extent such annual report is required by law) completed with respect to any Plan;

 

(c)                        As soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after Company or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that any of the following have occurred with respect to any Plan:

 

(i)                           such Plan has been terminated, reorganized, petitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA,

 

(ii)                        the Plan Sponsor terminates such Plan,

 

(iii)                     the PBGC has instituted proceedings under Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to such Plan or under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate such Plan,

 

(iv)                    that an accumulated funding deficiency has been incurred or that an application has been made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments) or on extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code, or

 

(v)                       Company or any Subsidiary of Company has incurred any liability that would result in a Material Adverse Effect under any employee welfare benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA and subject to ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees (other than as required by Section 601 et seq. of ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA and subject to ERISA),

 

deliver, or cause such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to deliver, to Administrative Agent a written notice thereof;

 

(d)                       As soon as possible and in any event within thirty (30) days after Company or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that any of them has caused a complete withdrawal or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205,

 

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respectively, of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan, deliver, or cause such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to deliver, to Administrative Agent a written notice thereof; and

 

(e)                        For purposes of this Section 7.7, Company shall be deemed to have knowledge of all facts known by the Plan Administrator of any Plan of which Company is the Plan Sponsor, and each Subsidiary of Company shall be deemed to have knowledge of all facts known by the Plan Administrator of any Plan of which such Subsidiary is a Plan Sponsor.

 

7.8                               Foreign Pension Plan Compliance.  Cause each of its Subsidiaries and each member of the Controlled Group to, establish, maintain and operate all Foreign Pension Plans to comply in all material respects with all laws, regulations and rules applicable thereto and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such Foreign Pension Plans, except for failures to comply which, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.9                               Maintenance of Property, Insurance.

 

(a)                       Keep, and cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to keep, all material property (including, but not limited to, equipment) useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, normal wear and tear and damage by casualty excepted, and subject to Section 8.4, except where the failure to keep such condition (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(b)                       Maintain or cause to be maintained, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to maintain or cause to be maintained, with reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its material properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.  Such insurance shall be maintained with reputable insurers, except that a portion of such insurance program (not to exceed that which is customary in the case of companies engaged in the same or similar business or having similar properties similarly situated) may be effected through self-insurance, provided adequate reserves therefor, in accordance with GAAP, are maintained; and

 

(c)                        Shall furnish to Administrative Agent, on the Effective Date, a schedule listing the insurance it, each Credit Party and Material Subsidiary carried.

 

7.10                        Environmental Laws.

 

(a)                       Comply with, and cause its Subsidiaries to comply with, and, in each case take reasonable steps to ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws and obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, and take reasonable steps to ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any Environmental Permits except to the extent that

 

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failure to do so would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(b)                       Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful orders, directives and information requests of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws except to the extent that the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or except to the extent that such failure to do so would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.11                        Use of Proceeds.  Use all proceeds of the Loans as provided in Section 6.8.

 

7.12                        Additional Security; Further Assurances.

 

(a)                       Additional Guarantors and Pledges.

 

(i)                           Cause each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that is or becomes a Material Subsidiary to become a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty and the parent (if a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company) of such entity shall become a party to the Pledge Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof; provided that in the case of any Subsidiary organized under U.S. law that does not meet the definition of a “Domestic Subsidiary” by virtue of clauses (i) or (ii) in the definition thereof, such Subsidiary shall be treated as if it were a Foreign Subsidiary solely for the purposes of this Section 7.12; and

 

(ii)                        Cause each Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof of obligations arising under any Permitted Debt Document and that is not at such time party to the Subsidiary Guaranty to become a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms thereof; provided, however, that this Section 7.12(a)(ii) shall not apply to a Foreign Subsidiary that becomes a guarantor of only obligations under one or more Permitted Debt Documents of persons that are not United States persons within the meaning of Code Section 7701(a)(30).

 

(b)                       Pledge of New Subsidiary Stock.

 

(i)                           Pledge (or cause its Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiaries to pledge) all of the Capital Stock of each new Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is a Material Subsidiary and each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that becomes a Material Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) and 65% of the Capital Stock of each new each new first-tier Wholly-Owned Foreign Subsidiary or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Domestic Subsidiary” (directly owned by Company or a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is, in each case, a Material Subsidiary) that is, in each case, a Material Subsidiary (other than an Excluded

 

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Subsidiary) and each first-tier Wholly-Owned Foreign Subsidiary or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Domestic Subsidiary” (directly owned by Company or a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is a Material Subsidiary) that, in each case, becomes a Material Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary or any Subsidiary whose pledge of Capital Stock is prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contract (in effect at the time of the acquisition of such Subsidiary) or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to pledge such Capital Stock (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received)) established, acquired, created or otherwise in existence after the Effective Date to Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to the terms of the Pledge Agreement promptly, and in any event, within sixty (60) days (or within such longer period of time that Collateral Agent may reasonably agree), in the case of any such Domestic Subsidiary, and one hundred and twenty (120) days (or within such longer period of time that Collateral Agent may reasonably agree), in the case of any such first-tier Foreign Subsidiary of the creation of such new Subsidiary or the date such Subsidiary becomes a Material Subsidiary, as applicable.

 

(c)                        Documentation for Additional Security.  The security interests required to be granted pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall be granted pursuant to such security documentation (which shall be substantially similar to the Security Documents already executed and delivered by Company or a Pledgor or otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent) shall constitute valid and enforceable first priority perfected security interests (to the extent such concepts exist in the relevant jurisdiction) subject to no other Liens except Permitted Liens.  The Additional Security Documents and other instruments related thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places and at such times as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect such security interest, in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, required to be granted pursuant to the Additional Security Document and, all other taxes and, in accordance with Section 12.4, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith shall be paid in full by Company; provided that in no event shall any actions be required in any jurisdiction outside the United States to establish, perfect, preserve and protect such security interest.  At the time of the execution and delivery of the Additional Security Documents, Company shall cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent such agreements, opinions of counsel and other related documents as may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders to assure themselves that this Section 7.12 has been complied with.

 

7.13                        End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.  Cause Company’s annual accounting periods to end on or about December 31 of each year (each a “Fiscal Year”), with quarterly accounting periods ending on or about March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, of each Fiscal Year (each a “Fiscal Quarter”).

 

7.14                        Post-Closing Covenants.  No later than 90 days after the Initial Borrowing Date (which date may be extended in the reasonable discretion of Administrative Agent) Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to:

 

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(a)                       cause the release all liens securing the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement; and

 

(b)                       with respect to any Certificated Pledged Stock that is not in possession of the Collateral Agent on the Effective Date, deliver to the Collateral Agent such Certificated Pledged Stock, together with an undated stock power for each certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the Pledgor therefor.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Company hereby agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that, so long as any of the Commitments remain in effect or any Loan or LC Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid or any other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) is owing to any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder:

 

8.1                               Liens.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien in, upon or with respect to any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for the following Liens (herein referred to as “Permitted Liens”):

 

(a)                       (i) Liens created by the Loan Documents or otherwise securing the Obligations, (ii) Liens on cash or deposits granted in favor of the Swing Line Lender or Facing Agent to Cash Collateralize any Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans, (iii) Liens on cash, cash deposits or other credit support securing Interest Rate Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements; provided that such cash, cash deposits or other credit support securing Interest Rate Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements shall not exceed an aggregate Dollar Equivalent of $200,000,000 at any time, and (iv) Liens on cash, cash deposits or other credit support securing Other Hedging Agreements entered into on behalf of any customer of Company or a Subsidiary;

 

(b)                       Customary Permitted Liens;

 

(c)                        Liens existing on the date hereof listed on Schedule 8.1 hereto provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations secured by such Liens on the Effective Date or Liens securing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such obligations or, to the extent such obligations do not constitute Indebtedness, any replacements or substitutions of any other such obligations in respect thereof;

 

(d)                       Liens on any property (including the interest of a lessee under a Capitalized Lease) securing (I) Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or financing all or part of the purchase price within 180 days after the respective purchase of assets) all or any part of the design, acquisition, development, construction, installation, repair, improvement cost or the lease of such property (including Liens to which any property is subject

 

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at the time of acquisition thereof by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or (II) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that:

 

(i)             any such Lien does not extend to any other property (other than products and proceeds of such property),

 

(ii)          such Lien either exists on the date hereof or is created in connection with the design, acquisition, construction, development, installation, repair, lease or improvement of such property as permitted by this Agreement,

 

(iii)       the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien, (or the Capitalized Lease Obligation with respect to any Capitalized Lease) does not exceed 100% of the fair market value of such assets at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, and

 

(iv)      the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(f);

 

(e)                        Liens on any property or assets of any Person existing at the time such assets are acquired or such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary (plus any modifications, refinancing, refundings, renewals, replacements and extensions of any such Liens) and, in each case, not created in contemplation of or in connection with such event, provided that (x) the property covered thereby is not changed in category or scope after such acquisition or after such Person becoming a Subsidiary and (y) the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(g);

 

(f)                         any Lien arising out of the replacement, refinancing, refunding, extension, or renewal of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clauses (c), (d), (e), (g) and (h) of this Section, provided that such Indebtedness is not increased and collateral security provided therefor is not expanded;

 

(g)                        Liens on Receivables Facility Assets transferred in accordance with the terms of the Receivables Documents pursuant to a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and Liens in connection with the sales and other transfers of Receivables permitted pursuant to Section 8.4(d);

 

(h)                       Liens incurred in connection with Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.9;

 

(i)                           Liens in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(p) to the extent such Lien exists at the time of redesignation of the applicable Person and to the extent such Liens would comply with clauses (x) and (y) of the proviso at Section 8.1(e);

 

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(j)                          Liens incurred in connection with the issuance of letters of credit permitted under Section 8.2(q); provided that such Liens shall not attach to any assets that constitute Collateral;

 

(k)                       Liens (which may be pari passu with the Liens supporting the Obligations) in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(v);

 

(l)                           additional Liens incurred by Company and its Subsidiaries so long as, without duplication, the Dollar Equivalent of the value of the property subject to such Liens at the time such Lien is incurred and the Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness (including any refinancings of such Indebtedness) and other obligations secured thereby do not exceed an aggregate of 7.5% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets (measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1; (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligations shall at a later time exceed 7.5% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Indebtedness or other obligation was permitted to be incurred));

 

(m)                   Liens created on (i) Capital Stock of Company that is held by Company as treasury stock and (ii) Capital Stock of Target constituting Margin Stock;

 

(n)                       Liens in favor of Company or any other Credit Party;

 

(o)                       Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                       Liens to secure financing of insurance premiums permitted under Section 8.2(cc);

 

(q)                       Liens granted to secure Indebtedness that refinances or replaces in whole or in part the Bridge Loan Agreement, so long as (x) in the case of Liens on the Collateral, such Liens are pari passu or junior to the Liens granted to secure the Obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents and are subject to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and (y) in the case of any other Liens, on any other property or assets of Company or any other Credit Party, such Liens also secure the Obligations equally and ratably for so long as such other Indebtedness is so secured, provided that any Lien that is granted to secure the Obligations under this covenant shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien(s) that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Obligations on under this covenant;

 

(r)                          solely for the period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and ending on the date that is 30 days thereafter (or such longer period as Administrative Agent may

 

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agree), Liens created by the Existing Target Credit Facilities and any documents related thereto and otherwise securing the obligations thereunder;

 

(s)                         Liens pursuant to an escrow arrangement or other funding arrangement pursuant to which such funds will be segregated to pay the purchase price on any Target Acquisition on any accounts containing internally generated cash flow of Company and its Subsidiaries or containing the proceeds of (i) any sale or other disposition of assets, (ii) any issuance of Capital Stock, or (iii) any issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness plus an amount equal to interest that would accrue on such Indebtedness for a period not to exceed eighteen months after the date of issuance of such Indebtedness plus fees and expenses in connection therewith; and

 

(t)                          solely for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Initial Borrowing Date, Liens incurred by Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Loan Documents (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).

 

8.2                               Indebtedness.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur, create, assume directly or indirectly, or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:

 

(a)                       Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or otherwise evidencing any of the Obligations;

 

(b)                       (i) Receivables Facility Attributable Debt incurred in connection with Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitizations and in connection with sales permitted pursuant to Section 8.4(d)(ii) and Receivables Factoring Facilities, provided that such Indebtedness, shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $1,000,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time; and (ii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Uncommitted Short Term Lines of Credit, such Indebtedness not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of €500,000,000 outstanding at any time;

 

(c)                        Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Notes, the Bridge Loan Agreement, the Senior Bridge Refinancing Notes (as such term is defined in the Bridge Loan Agreement), the Exchange Securities (as such term is defined in the Bridge Loan Agreement) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(d)                       Indebtedness of Company (i) other than Disqualified Preferred Stock; provided that (1) the covenants, defaults and similar non-economic provisions applicable to such Indebtedness are, taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to the obligor thereon or the Lenders than the provisions contained in this Agreement and do not contravene in any material respect the provisions of this Agreement (it being understood and agreed that this clause (1) may be satisfied by the delivery of a certificate by Company to Administrative Agent certifying that the requirements of this clause (1) have been satisfied) and (2) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis for the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending with the Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have most recently been delivered (or were required to be delivered) pursuant to Section 7.1, no Event of Default or

 

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Unmatured Event of Default would exist hereunder and (ii) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding in the form of Disqualified Preferred Stock and, in each case for this Section 8.2(d), any replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation, modification or exchange of such Indebtedness that satisfies the provisions of this Section 8.2(d);

 

(e)                        Indebtedness under Interest Rate Agreements not entered into for speculative purposes;

 

(f)                         Indebtedness incurred to finance the design, development, acquisition, construction, installation, or improvement of any property (or Indebtedness to finance the development, construction, lease, repairs, additions or improvements to property (real or personal) whether through the direct purchase or lease of such assets or through the purchase of equity interests in a Person owning such assets), including capital leases, tax retention and other synthetic lease obligations and purchase money obligations and any replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, exchange, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation thereof; provided that any such Indebtedness shall be secured only by the property acquired, developed, constructed, repaired, designed, improved, leased or subject to such installation in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness and any proceeds and products thereof; provided, further, that the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness together with the Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2(g) and (l) shall not exceed an aggregate of 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets (measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligations shall at a later time exceed 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Indebtedness or other obligation was permitted to be incurred));

 

(g)                        Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Company assumed in connection with a Permitted Acquisition (other than Indebtedness under the Existing Target Credit Facilities, the Existing Target Notes and the Existing Target Subordinated Debt), so long as such Indebtedness was not issued or created in contemplation of such acquisition and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that in the case of any such assumed Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary of Company, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness of all such Foreign Subsidiaries and/or one or more of its or their Foreign Subsidiaries and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof shall not at any time together with the Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2(f) and (l) exceed an aggregate of 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets at such time (based on the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1) (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligations shall at a later time exceed 20% of Company’s

 

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Consolidated Tangible Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Indebtedness or other obligation was permitted to be incurred));

 

(h)                       Indebtedness under Other Hedging Agreements not entered into for speculative purposes and under Permitted Call Spread Transactions;

 

(i)                           Indebtedness of Company or any of their Subsidiaries consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                          Intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 8.7; provided, however, that in the event of any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which results in the holder of such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to Company or any of its Subsidiaries) such Indebtedness shall be required to be permitted under another clause of this Section 8.2; provided, further, however, that in the case of Intercompany Indebtedness consisting of a loan or advance to Company, each such loan or advance shall be subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full of all of Company’s Obligations;

 

(k)                       Indebtedness constituting Permitted Guarantee Obligations;

 

(l)                           Indebtedness in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.9;

 

(m)                   Indebtedness in respect of obligations secured by Customary Permitted Liens or supported by a Letter of Credit or a letter of credit secured by Customary Permitted Liens;

 

(n)                       Guarantee Obligations incurred by Company or any Subsidiary of obligations of any employee, officer or director of Company or any such Subsidiary in respect of loans made to such employee, officer or director in connection with such Person’s acquisition of Capital Stock, phantom stock rights, capital appreciation rights or similar equity like interests in Company or any such Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time;

 

(o)                       Indebtedness (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $1,250,000,000 at any time outstanding incurred by European Holdco, Ball Delaware, a Subsidiary of European Holdco, or Ball Asia Pacific, a Subsidiary of Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp., in the form of one or more series of publicly traded or privately placed unsecured bonds or notes; provided that (1) the covenants, defaults and similar non-economic provisions applicable to such Indebtedness are, taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the provisions contained in this Agreement and (2) such Indebtedness is at then-prevailing market rates;

 

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(p)                       Indebtedness incurred as a result of a redesignation pursuant to Section 12.23; provided that after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness (and any other Indebtedness incurred since the last day of the immediately preceding Test Period) on a Pro Forma Basis (but tested as if the applicable ratio were the ratio for the next succeeding Test Period) Company and its Subsidiaries would be in compliance with Article IX and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(q)                       letters of credit issued for the account of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as the sum of (without duplication as to the items set forth in the following clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)):  (i) the aggregate undrawn face amount thereof, (ii) any unreimbursed obligations in respect thereof and (iii) the aggregate amount of pledges and deposits made pursuant to Section 8.1(j) does not exceed $175,000,000 at any time;

 

(r)                          Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any guaranties, performance, surety, statutory, appeal, bid, payment (other than payment of Indebtedness) or similar obligations (including any bonds or letters of credit issued with respect thereto and all guaranties, reimbursement and indemnity agreements entered into in connection therewith) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)                         Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts;

 

(t)                          Indebtedness of Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of workers’ compensation claims, payment obligations in connection with health or other types of social security benefits, unemployment or other insurance or self-insurance obligations, reclamation, statutory obligations, bankers’ acceptances and performance, appeal or surety bonds in the ordinary course of business that do not give rise to an Event of Default and obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting any of the foregoing;

 

(u)                       Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank of a check or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds; provided that such Indebtedness is covered by Company or any of its Subsidiaries within ten Business Days;

 

(v)                       Indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries of Company located in China or Hong Kong under lines of credit and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness extended by third persons to such Foreign Subsidiary, which Indebtedness may be guaranteed on a pari passu and equal basis (or on a lesser or lower ranked basis and with fewer Guarantors) with the Obligations, provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (v) at any time outstanding shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000,000, (ii) no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing at the time of such incurrence or would result from the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (iii) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of the Indebtedness (and any other Indebtedness incurred since the last day of the immediately preceding Test Period) on a Pro Forma Basis (but tested as if the applicable ratio were the ratio for the next succeeding Test Period), the Credit Parties would be in compliance with Article IX

 

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and (iv) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under the Senior Note Indentures, the Bridge Loan Agreement, or any document governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(w)                     Indebtedness evidenced by (i) the Designated Existing Notes and any Replacement Senior Note Financing and (ii) the Existing Target Notes, the Existing Target Subordinated Debt and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, including any Replacement Target Note Financing;

 

(x)                       solely for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Initial Borrowing Date, Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement;

 

(y)                       Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Company, in favor of Company or any other Subsidiary, for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the consideration for the Target Acquisition and any fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith (including any requirements under any foreign pension plan of Target or its subsidiaries);

 

(z)                        solely for the period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and ending on the date that is 30 days thereafter (or such longer period as Administrative Agent may agree), Indebtedness under the Existing Target Credit Facilities;

 

(aa)                Indebtedness arising from agreements of Company or a Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnout or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary;

 

(bb)                Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 8.2;

 

(cc)                  Indebtedness arising from financing insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(dd)                Indebtedness (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness) incurred by Company or any Subsidiary of Company in addition to that referred to elsewhere in this Section 8.2 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $375,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

8.3                               Fundamental Changes.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Material Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except (x) that any Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) (i) may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with Company in a transaction in which Company is the surviving corporation, (ii) may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with any Credit Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is or becomes a Credit Party, (iii) that is not a Credit Party may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party or any Person that becomes a Credit Party simultaneously with or promptly following such merger and (iv) may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person that in accordance with the terms hereof

 

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becomes a Credit Party in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided that if such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary the surviving entity shall be a Material Subsidiary; provided, further, that if any Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition is not a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary, it shall not be required to be a Credit Party, (y) any Subsidiary may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with Target in connection with the Target Acquisition and (z) any Subsidiary may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate into another Person in connection with the consummation of a transaction permitted by Section 8.4.  No Unrestricted Entity shall enter into any merger or consolidation into or with Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that a Permitted Aerospace JV may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Company or any Subsidiary in a transaction that is a Permitted Acquisition.

 

8.4                               Asset Sales.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of their property or assets, or enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, except that:

 

(a)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may sell, contribute and make other transfers of Receivables Facility Assets pursuant to the Receivables Documents under a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization or pursuant to a Receivables Factoring Facility or similar Receivables financing arrangement;

 

(b)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may lease, including subleases and assignments of leases and subleases, real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                        Company and its Subsidiaries may sell Inventory and equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                       (i) Company and its Subsidiaries may sell or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, any accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business (x) which are overdue, or (y) which Company or Subsidiary may reasonably determine are difficult to collect but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof consistent with prudent business practice (and not as part of any bulk sale or financing of receivables) and (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may sell, discount, contribute or otherwise transfer, including, without limitation, pursuant to financing arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to any supply chain or similar arrangements), in each case without recourse, any Receivables arising in the ordinary course of business; provided that (x) such sale, discount, contribution or other transfer does not otherwise meet the requirements set forth in Section 8.4(a) and (y) all Receivables Facility Attributable Debt shall not exceed the amount set forth in Section 8.2(b)(i);

 

(e)                        Company or any Subsidiary may make an Asset Disposition to Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary);

 

(f)                         Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into consignment arrangements (as consignor or as consignee) or similar arrangements for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(g)                        Company and its Subsidiaries may make Investments permitted pursuant to Section 8.7 and sell Investments referred to in clauses (a), (d) and (i) of Section 8.7;

 

(h)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may (y) enter into licenses or sublicenses of software, trademarks and other Intellectual Property and general intangibles in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of such Person and (z) abandon or dispose of intellectual property or other proprietary rights of such Person that, in the reasonable business judgment of such Person, is no longer practical to maintain or useful in the conduct of its business;

 

(i)                           Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.9;

 

(j)                          Company and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 8.5;

 

(k)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may make dispositions in the ordinary course of business of equipment and other tangible personal property that is obsolete, uneconomical, worn-out, unmerchantable, unsaleable, replaced, retired, surplus, excess or no longer useful in Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business;

 

(l)                           Company and its Subsidiaries may make dispositions of owned or leased vehicles in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)                   Company and its Subsidiaries may make dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(n)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may surrender or waive contractual rights or settle, release or surrender any contract, tort or litigation claim in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)                       Company may sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of the Aerospace Business (including the Capital Stock of any Permitted Aerospace JV) in one or more transactions; provided that each such transaction (y) is for not less than fair market value (as determined by the board of directors of Company in good faith, whose determination shall be conclusive evidence thereof and shall be evidenced by a resolution of such board of directors set forth in a Responsible Officer of Company’s certificate delivered to Administrative Agent), and (z) is consummated when no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(p)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may make other Asset Dispositions the proceeds of which (valued at the principal amount thereof in the case of non-Cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt Securities and valued at fair market value in the case of other non-Cash proceeds) (determined at the time of disposition thereof) when aggregated with the

 

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proceeds of all other Asset Dispositions made within such Fiscal Year pursuant to this clause (p) does not exceed 15% of the Consolidated Assets of Company (measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate amount of such proceeds shall at a later time exceed 15% of Company’s Consolidated Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Asset Disposition was permitted to be made)); provided, however, that to the extent that any proceeds of such Asset Disposition are used to purchase assets used or to be used in the businesses referred to in Section 8.11 within 365 days of such Asset Disposition, and if Company or such Subsidiary has complied with the provisions of Section 7.12 with respect to any assets purchased with such reinvested proceeds, such Asset Disposition shall be disregarded for purposes of calculations pursuant to this Section 8.4(p) (and shall otherwise be deemed to be permitted under this Section 8.4(p)) to the extent of the reinvested proceeds, from and after the time of compliance with Section 7.12 with respect to the acquisition of such other property;

 

(q)                       Company may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (i) its Capital Stock that is held by Company as treasury stock, and (ii) Capital Stock of Target constituting Margin Stock;

 

(r)                          Company may enter into and perform its obligations under Permitted Call Spread Transactions;

 

(s)                         Company and its Subsidiaries may make any Permitted Asset Disposition;

 

(t)                          Company and its Subsidiaries may dispose of Cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted in this Agreement;

 

(u)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may grant Liens permitted under Section 8.1;

 

(v)                       Company and any Subsidiary may issue or sell, convey, or otherwise dispose of its Capital Stock as permitted by Section 8.6;

 

(w)                     Company and its Subsidiaries may exchange any like property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Code; and

 

(x)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may sell, convey, or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Entity.

 

In the event the Required Lenders waive the provisions of this Section 8.4 with respect to the sale of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold as permitted by this Section 8.4, such Collateral shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Liens created by the Security Documents shall automatically be deemed released and Administrative Agent shall be authorized to, and shall, take any appropriate actions in order to effect the foregoing.

 

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8.5                               Dividends or Other Distributions.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, either: (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock (“Dividend”) or to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (except (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Preferred Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Preferred Stock) and (B) dividends, distributions or redemptions payable to (1) Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company and (2) any other Subsidiary of Company in compliance with applicable corporation law; provided that the amount of such dividends or distributions under this clause (2) which are paid or made to any Person other than an Unrestricted Entity shall be included for purposes of calculating compliance with clause (b) below, and shall be permitted only to the extent they are permitted under clause (b) below) or (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of Company other than in exchange for, or out of proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to an Affiliate of Company) of other Capital Stock of Company or as permitted in (i)(A) above or (iii) purchase, defease, redeem, prepay, decrease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled final or stated maturity, any Indebtedness that is either subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Obligations (other than refinancings of such Indebtedness with the proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and other than Intercompany Indebtedness subordinated as a result of Section 8.2(j)) and it being understood that Indebtedness shall not be deemed subordinate or junior in priority on account of being unsecured or being secured with greater or lower priority or (iv) make any Restricted Investment; (any of the foregoing being hereinafter referred to as a “Restricted Payment”); provided, however, that:

 

(a)                       Company or a Subsidiary may make distributions to the extent necessary to enable Company or a Subsidiary of Company to pay their (i) general administrative costs and expenses, (ii) taxes as they legally become due and (iii) to the extent such distributions are made to a Credit Party, any obligation under a Tax Sharing Agreement, and

 

(b)                       so long as no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and Company is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Article IX on a Pro Forma Basis for the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending with the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payments, Company or any Subsidiary of Company may make any Restricted Payment which would not result in a violation of the Senior Note (2022) Indenture, the Senior Note (2023) Indenture, or any document governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Company may pay Dividends within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such Dividend would have complied with this Section 8.5, (ii) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or exchange its Capital Stock for the Capital Stock of another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (iii) Company may issue Capital Stock contemplated by the Shareholder Rights Plan and (iv) Company may enter into and perform its obligations under Permitted Call Spread Transactions.

 

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8.6                               Issuance of Stock.

 

(a)                       Other than as permitted to be incurred under Section 8.2(d)(ii), Company will not issue any Capital Stock, except for such issuances of Capital Stock of Company consisting of Common Stock, Capital Stock contemplated by the Shareholder Rights Plan and Permitted Preferred Stock.  For the avoidance of doubt, no provision of this Section 8.6 nor any provision of Sections 8.2, 8.7 or 8.14 will be deemed to restrict (i) the issuance by Company of convertible debt securities on customary market terms and conditions and (ii) entry into by Company and performance of its obligations under Permitted Call Spread Transactions in connection with such issuance.

 

(b)                       Company will not, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of Capital Stock of any Material Subsidiary of Company, except (i) to Company, (ii) to another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company, (iii) to qualify directors if required by applicable law, (iv) pledges pursuant to the Loan Documents or (v) pursuant to employee stock ownership or employee benefit plans in effect on the date hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to sell, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of (x) all or part of the Capital Stock of any Permitted Aerospace JV in one or more transactions in accordance with the terms of Section 8.4(o) and (y) 100% of the outstanding stock of any Subsidiary, but, except as set forth in clause (x), not less than 100% of such stock, subject to Section 8.4 (without regard to Section 8.4(v)).

 

8.7                               Loans, Investment and Acquisitions.  Company will not, nor will it, permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Investments or make any Acquisitions except:

 

(a)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold Cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)                       Investments existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 8.7, Investments made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on the Effective Date and described in Schedule 8.7 and any Investment that replaces, refinances or refunds any such Investment; provided that such replacing, refinancing or refunding Investment is in an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, refinanced or refunded, and is made in the same Person as the Investment replaced, refinanced or refunded;

 

(c)                        Investments required pursuant to the terms of any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and Receivables Factoring Facility;

 

(d)                       Investments (including debt obligations) in trade receivables or received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement (including settlements of litigation) of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(e)                        Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into (i) Interest Rate Agreements in compliance with Section 8.2(e) and (ii) Other Hedging Agreements and Permitted Call Spread Transactions, each in compliance with Section 8.2(h);

 

(f)                         pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (including cash collateral and other credit support to secure obligations under letters of credit permitted under Section 8.2(q));

 

(g)                        Investments (i) by Company or any Subsidiary in Company or a Person that is a Subsidiary prior to such Investments, provided that if applicable, the requirements of Section 7.12 are satisfied and (ii) by any Subsidiary (other than a Credit Party) in any Credit Party or Purchaser;

 

(h)                       Company or any Subsidiary may make Permitted Acquisitions;

 

(i)                           Company or any Subsidiary may acquire and hold debt securities and other non-cash consideration as consideration for an asset disposition permitted pursuant to Section 8.4;

 

(j)                          Company or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Investments permitted by Section 8.5, provided that any Restricted Investment that is an Acquisition (other than Target Acquisition) complies with clauses (y)(a) through (y)(d) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition;

 

(k)                       Investments, in addition to those Investments identified on Schedule 8.7, in any Unrestricted Entity; provided, however, that such additional Investments, together with the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of Guarantee Obligations or credit support of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than any Permitted Guarantee Obligations) with respect to (A) Other Hedging Agreements to which an Unrestricted Entity is party and (B) Indebtedness and other obligations of one or more Unrestricted Entities (such amount to equal the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate maximum principal amount of the Indebtedness or other obligations subject to such Guarantee Obligations or credit support), shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $200,000,000 in the aggregate after the Effective Date;

 

(l)                           extensions of trade credit, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)                   Investments made by Company or any Subsidiary in any Subsidiary for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the consideration for the Target Acquisition and any fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith (including any requirements under any foreign pension plan of Target or its subsidiaries);

 

(n)                       Investments received in connection with an Asset Disposition permitted by Section 8.4; and

 

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(o)                       other Investments (other than in Unrestricted Entities) not in excess of 12.5% of the Consolidated Assets of Company and its Subsidiaries at such time measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding amount of Investments shall at a later time exceed 12.5% of Company’s Consolidated Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Investment was permitted to be made); provided that any such Investment that is an Acquisition complies with clauses (y)(a) through (y)(d) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition.

 

8.8                               Transactions with Affiliates.  Company will not, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, conduct any business or enter into any transaction or series of similar transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of Company (other than (x) a Credit Party or (y) Purchaser in connection with the Target Acquisition) unless the terms of such business, transaction or series of transactions are as favorable to Company or such Subsidiary as terms that would be obtainable at the time for a comparable transaction or series of similar transactions in arm’s-length dealings with an unrelated third Person or, if such transaction is not one which by its nature could be obtained from such Person, is on fair and reasonable terms, provided that the following shall be permitted: (a) (i) any agreements in existence on the Effective Date and disclosed in the Form 10-K or the Form 10-Q or otherwise set forth on Schedule 8.8 hereto (as such agreements may be amended, modified, restated, renewed, supplemented, refunded, replaced, refinanced or otherwise continued in effect, in all cases, on terms no less favorable to Company or such Subsidiary than on the date of this Agreement) and (ii) following the consummation of a Permitted Acquisition, any agreements of the acquired Person in effect on the closing date of such acquisition; (b) (i) the payment of customary fees, expenses and compensation to officers and members of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person and (ii) customary indemnities provided on behalf of officers, directors, managers, employees or consultants of Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) transactions expressly permitted by Section 8.3 or Section 8.5; (d) transactions expressly permitted by Section 8.4, 8.6 or 8.7 among Company and its Subsidiaries or among Subsidiaries; (e) transactions pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements; and (f) transactions pursuant to any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and Receivables Factoring Facility.

 

8.9                               Sale-Leasebacks.  Company will not, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, lease any property as lessee in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction entered into after the Effective Date unless such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is consummated within 180 days after the date that such Person acquires the property subject to such transaction and if, at the time of such entering into such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of Attributable Debt for such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and for all Sale and Leaseback Transactions so entered into by Company and its Subsidiaries, together with the Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness then outstanding pursuant to Sections 8.2(f) and (g) does not exceed 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets.

 

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8.10                        Restrictions on Credit Support to Unrestricted Entities.  Other than Investments permitted pursuant to Section 8.7(k), neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall provide any type of credit support or credit enhancement to any Unrestricted Entity, whether directly through loans to or Investments in, letters of credit issued for the benefit of any creditor of any Unrestricted Entity or guarantees or any other Contractual Obligation, contingent or otherwise, of Company or any of such Subsidiaries with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation or liability of any Unrestricted Entity, including, without limitation, any such Indebtedness, obligation or liability, directly or indirectly guaranteed, supported by letter of credit, endorsed (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-made or discounted or sold with recourse, or in respect of which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise directly or indirectly liable, including contractual obligations (contingent or otherwise) arising through any agreement to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness, obligation or liability or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge thereof (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income, or other financial condition, or to make payment other than for value received; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Company may incur Guarantee Obligations and provide credit support in respect of Indebtedness and other obligations of one or more Unrestricted Entities (provided that any such Guarantee Obligations or other credit support is not prohibited under Section 8.2) and (y) Company or any of its Subsidiaries may incur Guarantee Obligations or provide credit support in respect of Other Hedging Agreements entered into by an Unrestricted Entity, in each case of (x) or (y) above to the extent such Guarantee Obligations would not result in a violation of Section 8.7(k).

 

8.11                        Lines of Business.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or acquire any line of business which is not reasonably related or incidental to or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of the same general types business conducted by Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof.

 

8.12                        Fiscal Year.  Company will not change its Fiscal Year.

 

8.13                        Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Subordinated Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; Certain Derivative Transactions, Etc.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)                       make any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for value of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing with the trustee with respect thereto or any other Person money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due) any Indebtedness (other than Intercompany Indebtedness subordinated as a result of Section 8.2(j)) that is either subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Obligations (it being understood that Indebtedness shall not be deemed subordinate or junior in priority on account of being unsecured or being secured with greater or lower priority), other than pursuant to the issuance of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or as otherwise permitted by Section 8.5;

 

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(b)                       amend, terminate or modify, or permit the amendment, termination or modification of, any provision of any documents governing Indebtedness described in clause (a) above in a manner which, taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders; or

 

(c)                        amend, modify or change in any way materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, its Organizational Documents (including, without limitation, by filing or modification of any certificate of designation) or By-Laws, or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its Capital Stock, or enter into any new agreement with respect to its Capital Stock in any manner which, taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

8.14                        Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.  Company will not, nor will permit any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of Company or any Material Subsidiary of Company or Purchaser to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or pay any Indebtedness or other Obligation owed to Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) make any loans or advances to Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser, or (iii) transfer any of its property to Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser, except:

 

(a)                       any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to the Loan Documents, the Designated Existing Notes (or any Replacement Senior Note Financing thereof), the Existing Target Notes, the Existing Target Subordinated Debt, the Senior Notes, the Bridge Loan Documents, any documents evidencing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any of the foregoing, any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization, any Receivables Factoring Facility, any agreement evidencing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 8.2(d), (g), (i) and (o) (in the case of Sections 8.2(d) and (o), so long as such restrictions, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to Company than those set forth in the Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that the requirements in this parenthetical may be satisfied by the delivery of a certificate by Company to Administrative Agent certifying the requirements of this parenthetical have been satisfied), any agreement evidencing Indebtedness of any Subsidiary acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition to the extent such restrictions are set forth in any Indebtedness assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition so long as such restrictions are not applicable to any Subsidiary of Company other than the Subsidiary being acquired and such restrictions were not created or imposed in connection with or in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition, the Co-operation Agreement, any agreement in effect at or entered into on the Effective Date and reflected on Schedule 8.14(a) hereto or solely for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Initial Borrowing Date, the “Loan Documents” (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement);

 

(b)                       any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary of Company pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness issued by such Subsidiary, or agreements relating to the Capital Stock or governance provisions of such Subsidiary (to the extent, and for so long as, such agreements are unable to be amended, replaced or otherwise

 

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modified to remove such encumbrances or restrictions), in each case, issued (with respect to Indebtedness) or existing (with respect to agreements regarding Capital Stock or governance provisions) on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of Company or was acquired by Company (other than Indebtedness or agreements relating to Capital Stock or governance issued or entered into, as applicable, as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or other consideration utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was acquired by Company) and outstanding on such date;

 

(c)                        any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary provisions (i) contained in any license or other contract governing intellectual property rights of Company or any of its Subsidiaries restricting or conditioning the sublicensing or assignment thereof, (ii) restricting subletting, assignment or other transfers of any leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and other similar agreements or any equity interests in any joint ventures, (iii) contained in leases and other agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iv) contained in any agreement relating to the sale, transfer or other disposition or any agreement to transfer or option or right with respect to a Subsidiary or any property or assets pending such sale or other disposition; provided that such encumbrances or restrictions apply only to such Subsidiary, property or assets or (v) containing restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                       any encumbrance or restriction existing solely as a result of a Requirement of Law;

 

(e)                        in the case of clause (c)(iii) above, Permitted Liens or other restrictions contained in security agreements or Capitalized Leases securing or otherwise related to Indebtedness permitted hereby to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such Permitted Lien, security agreements or Capitalized Lease and other agreements evidencing Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2(f) that impose restrictions on the property so acquired or the subject thereof; and

 

(f)                         encumbrances or other restrictions 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 (c), and clause (e) hereof, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and other restrictions than those prior to such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

FINANCIAL COVENANT

 

Company hereby agrees that, so long as any Multicurrency Revolving Commitments remain in effect or any Loan or LC Obligation remains outstanding and unpaid or any other Obligation (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) is owing to any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder, Company shall not permit the Leverage Ratio for (a) any Test Period ending prior to the consummation of the Target Acquisition to be greater than 4.0 to 1.00 and (b) any Test Period ending on and after the consummation of the Target Acquisition to be greater than 5.5 to 1.0.

 

ARTICLE X

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

10.1                        Events of Default.  Any of the following events, acts, occurrences or state of facts shall constitute an “Event of Default” for purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a)                       Failure to Make Payments When Due.  Company (i) shall default in the payment of principal on any of the Loans or any reimbursement obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit; or (ii) shall default in the payment of interest on any of the Loans or default in the payment of any fee or any other Obligation when due and such default in payment shall continue for five (5) Business Days; or

 

(b)                       Representations and Warranties.  Any representation or warranty made by any Credit Party to Administrative Agent or any Lender contained in any Loan Document delivered to Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or thereto shall have been incorrect in any material respect on the date as of when made or deemed made, or

 

(c)                        Covenants.  Any Credit Party or Purchaser shall (i) default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under Article VIII or Article IX hereof or Section 7.3(a) (in each case, as to which no grace period shall apply) or (ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied or unwaived for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice to Company by Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

 

(d)                       Default Under Other Loan Documents.  Any Credit Party or Purchaser shall default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement on its part to be performed or observed hereunder or under any Loan Document (and not constituting an Event of Default under any other clause of this Section 10.1) and such default shall continue unremedied or unwaived for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof has been given to Company by Administrative Agent; or

 

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(e)                        Voluntary Insolvency, Etc.  Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser shall become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, or shall voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law in any jurisdiction or seeking dissolution or reorganization or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, court appointed monitor, administrator, administrative receiver, liquidator or other similar official for it or a substantial portion of its property, assets or business or to effect a plan or other arrangement with its creditors, or shall file any answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of an involuntary petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding in any jurisdiction, or shall be adjudicated bankrupt, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of, a receiver, trustee, custodian, court appointed monitor, administrator, administrative receiver, liquidator or other similar official for a substantial portion of its property, assets or business, shall call a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition or adjustment  of its debts or shall take any corporate action authorizing any of the foregoing; or

 

(f)                         Involuntary Insolvency, Etc.  Involuntary proceedings or an involuntary petition shall be commenced or filed against Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law in any jurisdiction or seeking the dissolution or reorganization of it or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, court appointed monitor, administrator, administrative receiver, liquidator or other similar official for it or of a substantial part of its property, assets or business, or to effect a plan or other arrangement with its creditors or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall be issued or levied against a substantial part of its property, assets or business, and such proceedings or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded, within sixty (60) days after commencement, filing or levy, as the case may be, or any order for relief shall be entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                        Default Under Other Agreements.  (i) Any Credit Party shall default in the payment when due, whether at stated maturity or otherwise, of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owed to the Lenders under the Loan Documents or Intercompany Indebtedness) in a principal amount in excess of the Dollar Equivalent of $75,000,000 in the aggregate beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, or (ii) a default shall occur in the performance or observance of any agreement or condition to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (after the expiration of any grace period but determined without regard to whether any notice of acceleration or similar notice is required), any such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem the full amount of such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; provided that clause (g)(ii) shall not apply

 

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to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; or

 

(h)                       Judgments.  One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against a Credit Party involving, individually or in the aggregate, a liability (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance) of the Dollar Equivalent of $75,000,000 or more and shall not have been vacated, discharged, satisfied, stayed or bonded pending appeal within sixty (60) days from the entry thereof; or

 

(i)                           Security Documents.  At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, any of the Security Documents shall cease to be in full force and effect or shall cease to give Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby (including, without limitation, a first priority perfected security interest under the laws of the United States or any state thereof (to the extent required thereby) in, and Lien on, any material portion of the Collateral), in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons and subject to no other Liens (except, in each case, to the extent expressly permitted herein or therein), in each case for any reason other than the failure of Collateral Agent to take any action required to establish or maintain perfection, which is within its control and is customarily performed by Collateral Agent; or

 

(j)                          Guaranties.  Any Subsidiary Guaranty shall (other than as a result of the actions taken by Administrative Agent or the Lenders to release such Subsidiary Guaranty) cease to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, or any Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor’s obligations under any Subsidiary Guaranty; or

 

(k)                       ERISA.  Either (i) any Termination Event shall have occurred, (ii) a trustee shall be appointed by a United States District Court to administer any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (iii) the PBGC institutes proceedings to terminate any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, (iv) Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall become liable to the PBGC or any other party under Section 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA with respect to any Plan or (v) Company or any Subsidiary of Company fails to make a deficit reduction contribution required under Code Section 412(l) to any Plan by the due date for such contribution; if as of the date thereof or any subsequent date, the sum of each of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ various liabilities (such liabilities to include, without limitation, any liability to the PBGC or to any other party under Section 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA with respect to any Plan, or to any Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 et seq. of ERISA) as a result of such events listed in subclauses (i) through (v) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(l)                           Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur; or

 

(m)                   Dissolution.  Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against Company or any Material Subsidiary or Purchaser decreeing its involuntary dissolution or split up and such order shall remain undischarged and unstayed for a period in excess of sixty (60)

 

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days; or Company or any Material Subsidiary or Purchaser shall otherwise dissolve or cease to exist except as specifically permitted by this Agreement.

 

If any of the foregoing Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Administrative Agent, at the written direction of the Required Lenders, shall take one or more of the following actions: (i) by written notice to Company declare the Total Commitments to be terminated whereupon the Total Commitments shall forthwith terminate, (ii) by written notice to Company declare all sums then owing by Company hereunder and under the Loan Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon all such sums shall become and be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Company or (iii) direct Company to pay (and Company agrees that upon receipt of such notice, or immediately and automatically upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default specified in Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) with respect to Company it will pay) to Administrative Agent at the Payment Office such additional amount of cash or other credit support, to be held as security by Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, as is equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued for the account of Company and its Subsidiaries and then outstanding and (b) the aggregate amount of all Unpaid Drawings, provided that at such time as (y) no Event of Default shall be continuing or (z) this Agreement shall have terminated in accordance with Section 12.17, the balance, if any, of the amount held pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be promptly returned to Company and (iv) enforce, or cause the Collateral Agent to enforce, the Subsidiary Guaranty and all of the Liens and security interests created pursuant to the Security Documents in accordance with their terms.  In cases of any occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) with respect to Company, the Loans, together with accrued interest thereon and all of the other Obligations, shall become immediately and automatically due and payable forthwith and the Total Commitments immediately and automatically terminated without the requirement of any such acceleration or request, and without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Company, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, and other amounts payable by Company hereunder shall also become immediately and automatically due and payable all without notice of any kind.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for a period commencing on the closing date of the Target Acquisition and ending on the date falling 120 days after the closing date of the Target Acquisition (the “Clean-up Date”), notwithstanding any other provision of any Loan Document, any breach of covenants, misrepresentation or other default which arises with respect to the Target Group will be deemed not to be a breach of representation or warranty, a breach of covenant or an Event of Default, as the case may be, if:

 

(i)                                     it is capable of remedy and reasonable steps are being taken to remedy it;

 

(ii)                                  the circumstances giving rise to it have not knowingly been procured by or approved by Company or Purchaser; and

 

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(iii)                               it is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

 

If the relevant circumstances are continuing on or after the Clean-up Date, there shall be a breach of representation or warranty, breach of covenant or Event of Default, as the case may be, notwithstanding the above.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Article IV hereof), all payments (including the proceeds of any Asset Disposition or other sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral) received after acceleration of the Obligations shall be applied:  first, to all fees, costs and expenses incurred by or owing to Administrative Agent and any Lender with respect to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Collateral; second, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations (including any interest which but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts); and third, to the principal amount of the Obligations outstanding and to Cash Collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit (pro rata among all such Obligations based upon the principal amount thereof or the outstanding face amount of such Letters of Credit, as applicable).  Any balance remaining shall be delivered to Company or to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such balance or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

Anything in this Section 10.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Required Lenders, rescind and annul any acceleration of the Loans by written instrument filed with Company, provided that at the time such acceleration is so rescinded and annulled:  (A) all past due interest and principal, if any, on the Loans and all other sums payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been duly paid, and (B) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing which shall not have been waived in accordance with the provision of Section 12.1 hereof.

 

10.2                        Rights Not Exclusive.  The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

In this Article XI, the Lenders agree among themselves as follows:

 

11.1                        Appointment.  The Lenders hereby appoint Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch as Administrative Agent (for purposes of this Agreement, the term “Administrative Agent” shall include Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch (or any successor Administrative Agent) in its capacity as Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents) and as Collateral Agent for the Secured Creditors under all applicable Security Documents and the Subsidiary Guaranty (Administrative Agent is sometimes referred to in this Article XI as “Agent”) to act as

 

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herein specified herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of such Note shall be deemed to irrevocably authorize Agents to take such action on its behalf under the provisions hereof, the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, to give notices and take such actions on behalf of the Required Lenders as are consented to in writing by the Required Lenders) and any other instruments, documents and agreements referred to herein or therein and to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, Agent shall have no duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the financial institution serving in such capacity or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  Agent may perform any of their respective duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, by or through their officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates.

 

11.2                        Nature of Duties.  Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement.  The duties of Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature.  EACH LENDER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT AGENT SHALL NOT HAVE, BY REASON OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, A FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP TO OR IN RESPECT OF ANY LENDER.  Nothing in any of the Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in respect of any of the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.  Each Lender shall make its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company in connection with the making and the continuance of the Loans hereunder and shall make its own appraisal of the credit worthiness of Company, and Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter.  Agent will promptly notify each Lender at any time that the Required Lenders have instructed it to act or refrain from acting pursuant to Article X.

 

11.3                        Exculpation, Rights Etc.  Neither Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, agents employees or affiliates shall be liable for any action taken or omitted by them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, or in connection herewith or therewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.  Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties herein or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability, or sufficiency of any of the Loan Documents or any other document or the financial condition of Company.  Agent shall not be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or the financial condition of Company, or the existence or possible existence of any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default unless requested to do so by the Required Lenders.  Agent may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals (including the failure to act or approve) which by the terms of any of the Loan Documents, Agent is permitted

 

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or required to take or to grant, and if such instructions are requested, Agent shall be absolutely entitled to refrain from taking any action or to withhold any approval and shall not be under any liability whatsoever to any Person for refraining from any action or withholding any approval under any of the Loan Documents until it shall have received such instructions from the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as applicable.  Further, Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its judgment or the judgment of its counsel, may expose Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirements of Law.  Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent acting, approving or refraining from acting or approving under any of the Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders or, to the extent required by Section 12.1, all of the Lenders.

 

11.4                        Reliance.  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any notice, writing, resolution notice, statement, certificate, order or other document or any telephone, telex, teletype, telecopier or electronic mail message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person, and, with respect to all matters pertaining herein or to any of the other Loan Documents and their duties hereunder or thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by Agent, independent accountants or other experts selected by Agent and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.

 

11.5                        Indemnification.  To the extent Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by Company as required herein, the Lenders will reimburse and indemnify Agent for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against Agent, acting pursuant hereto in such capacity in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, in proportion to each Lender’s Aggregate Pro Rata Share of the Total Commitment; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.  The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 11.5 shall survive the payment in full of the Notes and the termination of this Agreement.

 

For purposes hereof, “Aggregate Pro Rata Share” means, when used with reference to any Lender and any described aggregate or total amount, an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying such desired aggregate or total amount by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Multicurrency Revolving Loan and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate of all of the Loans outstanding hereunder.

 

11.6                        Administrative Agent In Its Individual Capacity.  With respect to its Loans and Commitments (and its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share thereof), Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and are subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or holder of

 

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Obligations.  The terms “Lenders”, “holder of Obligations” or “Required Lenders” or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agents in their individual capacity as a Lender, one of the Required Lenders or a holder of Obligations.  Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of Company as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, the acceptance of fees or other consideration for services without having to account for the same to any of the Lenders.

 

11.7                        Notice of Default.  Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default hereunder unless Agent has received written notice from a Lender or Company referring to this Agreement describing such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”.  In the event that Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.

 

11.8                        Holders of Obligations.  Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Obligation as reflected on the books and records of Agent as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with Agent pursuant to Section 12.8(c). Any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Obligation shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Obligation or of any Obligation or Obligations granted in exchange therefor.

 

11.9                        Resignation by Administrative Agent.

 

(a)                       Administrative Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder at any time by giving thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice to Company and the Lenders.  Such resignation shall take effect upon the acceptance by a successor Administrative Agent of appointment pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below or as otherwise provided below.

 

(b)                       Upon any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall appoint a successor Administrative Agent who shall be satisfactory to Company and shall be an incorporated bank or trust company.

 

(c)                        If a successor Administrative Agent shall not have been so appointed within said thirty (30) Business Day period, Administrative Agent, with the consent of Company, shall then appoint a successor Administrative Agent who shall serve as Administrative Agent until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders, with the consent of Company, appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above.

 

(d)                       If no successor Administrative Agent has been appointed pursuant to clause (b) or (c) by the thirtieth (30th) Business Day after the date such notice of resignation was given by Administrative Agent, Agent’s resignation shall become effective and the Required

 

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Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties of Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders, with the consent of Company, appoint a successor Administrative Agent  as provided above.

 

11.10                 The Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, each of the Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners are named as such for recognition purposes only, and in their respective capacities as such shall have no powers, duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; it being understood and agreed that the Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners shall be entitled to all indemnification and reimbursement rights in favor of “Agents” as provided for under Section 11.5.  Without limitation of the foregoing, none of the Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners shall, solely by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender or any other Person.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

12.1                        No Waiver; Modifications in Writing.

 

(a)                       No failure or delay on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to Administrative Agent or any Lender at law or in equity or otherwise.  Neither this Agreement nor any terms hereof may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived, discharged, terminated or otherwise changed unless such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change is in writing signed by Company and the Required Lenders, provided that no such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change shall, without the consent of each Lender that would be directly affected thereby:

 

(i)                           extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note of such Lender, extend the stated maturity of any Letter of Credit beyond the Revolver Termination Date (it being understood that only Multicurrency Revolving Lenders would be directly affected by such extension), or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees due to such Lender except for waivers of Default Rate interest and except for amendments or modifications of defined terms used in any financial ratio or other calculations in this Agreement that result in a decrease in the applicable interest rates and fees, or reduce the principal amount of any Loan of such Lender or extend the scheduled time of payment of any such principal, interest or fees due (excluding in each case mandatory prepayments) to such Lender or reduce the amount of any other amounts payable to such Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document or extend the expiration date of any Commitment of such Lender,

 

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(ii)                        release all or substantially all of the Guarantors, all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantees or all or substantially all of the Collateral (except as expressly provided herein or in the Security Documents),

 

(iii)                     amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 12.1 (except for technical amendments with respect to additional extensions of credit pursuant to Section 2.10 which afford the protections to such additional extensions of credit of the type provided to the Loans on the date hereof) or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, or

 

(iv)                    consent to the assignment or transfer by Company of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (except as expressly provided herein),

 

provided, further, that no such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change shall:

 

(A)                   increase the Commitments of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that waivers or modifications conditions precedent, representations, warranties, covenants, Events of Default or Unmatured Events of Default shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment of any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of such Lender),

 

(B)                   without the consent of each Facing Agent that has issued an outstanding Letter of Credit, amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.10 or alter its rights or obligations with respect to Letters of Credit,

 

(C)                   without the consent of Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent amend, modify or waive (x) any provision of Article XI as same applies to the rights or obligations of Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent or (y) any other provision under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as same relates to the rights or obligations of Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent,

 

(D)                   without the consent of Administrative Agent, amend, modify or waive any provisions relating to the rights or obligations of Administrative Agent under the other Loan Documents,

 

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(E)                    without the consent of each Lender with Obligations directly affected thereby amend the definition of Required Lenders, or

 

(F)                     without the consent of each Multicurrency Revolving Lender with Obligations directly affected thereby, amend the definition of Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share,

 

provided that any provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived, discharged terminated or otherwise changed by an agreement in writing signed by the respective Credit Parties thereto, the Required Lenders (measured after giving effect to such amendment, supplement, waiver, discharge or termination) and any Administrative Agent if (x) by the terms of such agreement all Commitments of each Lender not consenting to the actions therein shall terminate upon the effectiveness of such agreement and (y) at the time such agreement becomes effective, each Lender not consenting thereto receives payment in full of the principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by it and all other Obligations owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that any Commitments or Loans held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded from a vote of the Lenders hereunder requiring any consent of the Lenders) and no such amendment, waiver or consent may disproportionately adversely affect such Lender as compared with the other Lenders without such disproportionately affected Lender’s consent.

 

(b)                       If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of any of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (a)(i) through (iv), inclusive, of the first proviso to the third sentence of Section 12.1(a), the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then Company shall have the right to replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders (or, at the option of Company if the respective Lender’s consent is required with respect to less than all Loans and/or Commitments, to replace only the respective Loans and/or Commitments of the respective non-consenting Lender which gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender’s individual consent) with one or more Replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 3.7 so long as at the time of such replacement, each such Replacement Lender consents to the proposed amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change.

 

(c)                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 12.1, if Administrative Agent and Company shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error, defect or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then Administrative Agent and Company shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of

 

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any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five (5) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

 

12.2                        Further Assurances.  Company agrees to do such further acts and things and to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent such additional agreements, powers and instruments, as Administrative Agent may reasonably require or reasonably deem advisable to carry into effect the purposes of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or to better assure and confirm unto Administrative Agent its rights, powers and remedies hereunder.

 

12.3                        Notices, Delivery Etc.   (a)  Except where telephonic instructions or notices are authorized herein to be given, all notices, demands, instructions and other communications required or permitted to be given to or made upon any party hereto or any other Person shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by a reputable overnight or courier delivery service, or by prepaid telex or telecopier or electronic mail, and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the third day after deposit in registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and otherwise on the date that such writing is delivered or sent to the intended recipient thereof, or in the case of notice delivered by telecopy or electronic mail, upon completion of transmission with a copy of such notice also being delivered under any of the methods provided above, all in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.3, provided that if such notice or other communication is sent after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.  Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.3, notices, demands, instructions and other communications in writing shall be given to or made upon the respective parties hereto at their respective addresses (or to their respective telecopier numbers or electronic mail addresses) indicated (i) in the case of any Lender, in such Lender’s administrative questionnaire most recently delivered to Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Assignee, on its signature page to its Assignment and Assumption Agreement, (iii) in the case of Company or Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, on Schedule 12.3 hereto and, in the case of telephonic instructions or notices, by calling the telephone number or numbers indicated for such party on such administrative questionnaire, such Assignment and Assumption Agreement or Schedule 12.3, as the case may be.

 

(b)                       Notices and other communications to or by Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent (with the written consent of Company, in the case of procedures for deliveries to Company), provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  Administrative Agent or Company may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

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(c)                        Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is sent after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.  Each Credit Party and Lender hereunder agrees to notify Administrative Agent in writing promptly of any change to the notice information provided above.

 

12.4                        Costs, Expenses and Taxes; Indemnification.

 

(a)                       Generally.  Company agrees to pay promptly upon request by Administrative Agent (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery and syndication of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the documents and instruments referred to herein and therein (provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Company shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of only one counsel to Administrative Agent and one additional local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Documents executed on the Effective Date or required to be executed or delivered pursuant to Section 7.14 unless Company otherwise agrees) and any amendment, waiver, consent relating hereto or thereto or other modifications of (or supplements to) any of the foregoing, including without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of White & Case LLP, local and foreign counsel to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent relative thereto, and independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all reasonable search fees, and expenses, filing and recording fees and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, if any, in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement furnished pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith (provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Company shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of only one primary counsel and one local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable for Administrative Agent and the Lenders, taken as a whole, plus one additional counsel where necessary in the event of a conflict of interest). Company acknowledges that Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, the Lenders and the Lead Arrangers may receive a benefit, including without limitation, a discount, credit or other accommodation, from any such counsel based on the fees such counsel may receive on account of their relationship with Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, the Lenders and/or the Lead Arrangers, including, without limitation, fees paid pursuant hereto.

 

(b)                       Other Fees and Expenses.  In addition, Company agrees to pay any and all present and future stamp, transfer, excise, registration, court, documentary, intangible,

 

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recording, filing and other similar taxes payable or determined to be payable in connection with any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, and each agrees to save and hold Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay by Company in paying, or omission by Company to pay, such taxes, excluding, in each case, such amounts that result from a transfer, assignment or grant of a participation by a Lender or Administrative Agent (other than any transfer or assignment pursuant to Section 3.7 or Section 4.7(e)).  Any portion of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses which remains unpaid more than thirty (30) days following Administrative Agent’s, Collateral Agent’s or any Lender’s statement and the due date thereof shall bear interest from the date of such due date at the Default Rate.

 

(c)                        Indemnification.  Company agrees jointly and severally to indemnify and hold harmless Lead Arrangers, Bookrunners, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and each Lender and each partner, director, officer, employee, agent, attorney and Affiliate of Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and each Lender (each such Person an “Indemnified Person” and collectively, the “Indemnified Persons”) from and against all losses, claims, damages, obligations (including removal or remedial actions), reasonable expenses or liabilities (not including taxes that are the subject matter of Section 4.7 hereof) (including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of any counsel for any Indemnified Person) to which such Indemnified Person may become subject, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, penalties, obligations (including removal or remedial actions), reasonable expenses or liabilities (or actions, suits or proceedings including any investigation or claims in respect thereof (whether or not Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto)) arise out of, in any way relate to, or result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Transaction or any of the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that:

 

(i)             no Indemnified Person shall have the right to be so indemnified hereunder for any loss, claim, damage, penalties, obligations, expense or liability to the extent it (A) arises or results from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or such Indemnified Person’s partner, director, officer, employee, agent, attorney or Affiliate or from such Indemnified Person’s (or such Indemnified Person’s partner’s, director’s, officer’s, employee’s, agent’s, attorney’s or Affiliate’s) material breach of its obligations under this Agreement as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) arises out of a dispute solely among Indemnified Persons (and not involving Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent) and not resulting from any act or omission by Company or any of its Affiliates; and

 

(ii)                        nothing contained herein shall affect the express contractual obligations of the Lenders to Company contained herein.

 

If any action, suit or proceeding arising from any of the foregoing is brought against Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, any Lender or any other Person indemnified or intended

 

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to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 12.4, Company will, if requested by Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, any Lender or any such Indemnified Person, resist and defend such action, suit or proceeding or cause the same to be resisted and defended by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Person or Persons indemnified or intended to be indemnified.  The Indemnified Persons shall, unless Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, a Lender or other Indemnified Person has made the request described in the preceding sentence and such request has been complied with, have the right to employ their own counsel (or (but not as well as) staff counsel) to investigate and control the defense of any matter covered by such indemnity and the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party; provided, however, that in any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, Company shall not be liable for reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel), which counsel shall be designated by Administrative Agent provided, further, however, that each Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such inquiry, action, claim or proceeding and to control the defense thereof, and the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of Company if (i) Company shall have agreed in writing to pay such reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses or (ii) such Indemnified Person shall have notified Company that it has been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified Person that are different from or additional to those available to the other Indemnified Persons and that such common representation would adversely impact the adequacy of the proposed representation.  Excluding any losses, costs, liabilities or damages arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Person as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment, Company agrees to indemnify and hold each Indemnified Person harmless from all loss, reasonable out-of-pocket cost (including Attorney Costs), liability and damage whatsoever incurred by any Indemnified Person by reason of any violation of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or for the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material by Company or any of its Subsidiaries or which occurred at or migrated from any property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by or on behalf of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or by reason of the imposition of any Environmental Lien or which occurs by a breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants relating to environmental matters contained herein, provided that with respect to any liabilities arising from acts or failure to act for which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is strictly liable under any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, Company’s obligation to each Indemnified Person under this indemnity shall likewise be without regard to fault on the part of Company or any such Subsidiary.  To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay or hold harmless Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, any Lender or other Indemnified Person as set forth in this Section 12.4 may be unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the indemnified liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.  The obligations of Company under this Section 12.4 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the discharge of Company’s other Obligations hereunder.

 

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(d)                       Foreign Exchange Indemnity.  If any sum due from Company under this Agreement or any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto has to be converted from the currency (the “first currency”) in which the same is payable hereunder or under such order or judgment into another currency (the “second currency”) for the purpose of (i) making or filing a claim or proof against Company with any Governmental Authority or in any court or tribunal, or (ii) enforcing any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto, Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the Persons to whom such sum is due from and against any loss actually suffered as a result of any discrepancy between (a) the rate of exchange used to convert the amount in question from the first currency into the second currency, and (b) the rate or rates of exchange at which such Person, acting in good faith in a commercially reasonable manner, purchased the first currency with the second currency after receipt of a sum paid to it in the second currency in satisfaction, in whole or in part, of any such order, judgment, claim or proof.  The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate obligation of Company distinct from its other obligations hereunder and shall survive the giving or making of any judgment or order in relation to all or any of such other obligations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal and interest on Loans denominated in Dollars, Euros, Sterling or Agreed Alternative Currency, as the case may be, shall be made in Dollars, Euros, Sterling or Agreed Alternative Currency as the case may be.

 

12.5                        Confirmations.  Company and each holder of any portion of the Obligations agrees from time to time, upon written request received by it from the other, to confirm to the other in writing (with a copy of each such confirmation to Administrative Agent) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loan or Loans and other Obligations then outstanding.

 

12.6                        Adjustment; Setoff.

 

(a)                       If any lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Loans, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by setoff, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) hereof, or otherwise) in a greater proportion than any such payment to and collateral received by any other Lender in respect of such other Lender’s Loans or interest thereon, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each Lender; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.  Company agrees that each Lender so purchasing a portion of another Lender’s Loans may exercise all rights of payment (including, without limitation, rights of setoff) with respect to such portion as fully as if such Lender were the direct holder of such portion.

 

(b)                       In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to Company, any such notice being

 

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expressly waived by Company, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to setoff and apply against any Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, of Company or any Credit Party to such Lender, any amount owing from such Lender to Company or Credit Party, at or at any time after, the happening of  any of the above-mentioned events, and the aforesaid right of setoff may be exercised by such Lender against Company or Credit Party or against any trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, receivers, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or execution, judgment or attachment creditor of Company or Credit Party, or against anyone else claiming through or against, Company or Credit Party or such trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, receivers, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or execution, judgment or attachment creditor, notwithstanding the fact that such right of setoff shall not have been exercised by such Lender prior to the making, filing or issuance, or service upon such Lender of, or of notice of, any such petition, assignment for the benefit of creditors, appointment or application for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or issuance of execution, subpoena, order or warrant.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify Company and Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application and provided, further, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1(b) and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.

 

(c)                        Company expressly agrees that to the extent Company makes a payment or payments and such payment or payments, or any part thereof, are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or are required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or any other party under any bankruptcy act, state or federal law, common law, rule, regulation or equitable cause in any jurisdiction, then to the extent of such payment or repayment, the Indebtedness to the Lenders or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if said payment or payments had not been made.

 

12.7                        Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable

 

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law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

12.8                        Binding Effect; Assignment; Addition and Substitution of Lenders.

 

(a)                       This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Company, Administrative Agent, the Lenders, all future holders of the Notes and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that (i) Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder or in connection herewith or any interest herein (voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the Lenders and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 12.8.

 

(b)                       Each Lender may at any time sell to one or more banks or other entities (“Participants”) participating interests in all or any portion of its Commitment and Loans or participation in Letters of Credit or any other interest of such Lender hereunder (in respect of any Lender, its “Credit Exposure”).  In the event of any such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance thereof, and Company and Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  At the time of the sale of a participating interest, the Lender transferring the interest (i) shall cause the Participant to provide the forms required under Section 4.7(d), if applicable, as if such Participant became a Lender on the date of the sale and (ii) shall, if required under applicable law, deliver revised forms in accordance Section 4.7(d) reflecting the portion of the interest sold and the portion of the interest retained.  Further, the Participant shall be subject to the obligations of Section 3.6 and Section 4.7 as if such Participant was a Lender.  Company agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents are due or unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of setoff in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement and the Loan Documents to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided, however, that such right of setoff shall be subject to the obligation of such Participant to share with the Lenders, and the Lenders agree to share with such Participant, as provided in Section 12.6.  Company also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.6 and Section 4.7 with respect to its participation in the Loans outstanding from time to time, as if such Participant becomes a Lender on the date it acquired an interest pursuant to this Section 12.8(b); provided that no participation shall be made to any Person under this section if, at the time of such participation, the Participant’s benefits under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 would be greater than the benefits that the participating Lender was entitled to under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 (and if any participation is made in violation of the foregoing, the Participant will not be entitled to the incremental amounts).  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Company, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each

 

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Participant and the principal amounts of (and stated interest on) each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.  Each Lender agrees that any agreement between such Lender and any such Participant in respect of such participating interest shall not, except with the consent of Administrative Agent and Company, restrict such Lender’s right to approve or agree to any amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification to, waiver of, or consent under, this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents except to the extent that any of the forgoing would (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note in which such Participant is participating or extend the stated maturity of any Letter of Credit in which such Participant is participating beyond the Revolver Termination Date, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees on any such Loan, Note or Letter of Credit (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates and except for amendments or modifications of defined terms used in any financial ratio or other calculations in this Agreement that result in a decrease of the applicable interest rates or fees) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the Participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, representations, warranties, Events of Default or Unmatured Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction in Commitments shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any Participant if the Participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof), (ii) consent to the assignment or transfer by Company of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or (iii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under all of the Security Documents (except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents) supporting the Loans and/or Letters of Credit hereunder in which such Participant is participating.  Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph to the contrary, any bank or other lending institution that is a member of the Farm Credit System that (A) has purchased a participation or sub-participation in the minimum amount of $10,000,000 on or after the Effective Date, (B) is, by written notice to Company and Administrative Agent (“Voting Participant Notification”), designated by the selling Lender as being entitled to be accorded the rights of a Voting Participant hereunder (any bank or other lending institution that is a member of the Farm Credit System so designated being called a “Voting Participant”) and (C) receives the prior written consent of Company and Administrative Agent to become a Voting Participant, shall be entitled to vote (and the voting rights of the selling Lender shall be correspondingly reduced), on a dollar for dollar basis, as if such participant or sub-participant were a Lender, on any matter requiring

 

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or allowing a Lender to provide or withhold its consent, or to otherwise vote on any proposed action.  To be effective, each Voting Participant Notification shall, with respect to any Voting Participant, (1) state the full name, as well as all contact information required of an Assignee in any Administrative Questionnaire and (2) state the dollar amount of the participation or sub-participation purchased.  Company and Administrative Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on information contained in notices delivered pursuant to this paragraph.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each bank or other lending institution that is a member of the Farm Credit System designated as a Voting Participant in Schedule 12.8(b) hereto shall be a Voting Participant without delivery of a Voting Participant Notification and without the prior written consent of the Borrowers and Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                        Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees, including an Affiliate of such Lender (which Affiliate, in the case of Credit Exposure under the Multicurrency Revolving Loans or Multicurrency Revolving Commitments, otherwise meets the definition of “Eligible Assignee”) (each an “Assignee”), all or any part of its Credit Exposure pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, provided that no assignment shall be made to any Person under this Section 12.8(c) if, at the time of such assignment, the Assignee’s benefits under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 would be greater than the benefits that the assigning Lender was entitled to under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 (and if any assignment is made in violation of the foregoing, the Assignee will not be entitled to the incremental amounts) and provided, further, that any assignment of all or any portion of any Lender’s Credit Exposure to an Assignee other than an Affiliate of such Lender or another Lender, or in the case of a Lender that is a Fund, any Related Fund of any Lender (i) shall be an assignment of its Credit Exposure in an amount not less than the Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 (treating any Fund and its Related Funds as a single Eligible Assignee) (or if less the entire amount of Lender’s Credit Exposure with respect to such Facility, provided that if such Lender and its Affiliates (or in the case of a Fund and its Related Funds) collectively hold Credit Exposure at least equal to such minimum amounts, such Affiliates and/or Related Funds must simultaneously assign Credit Exposure such that the aggregate Credit Exposure assigned satisfies such minimum amount) and (ii) shall require the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and, provided that no Event of Default then exists and is continuing, Company (the consent of Company not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing limitations, any Lender may at any time assign all or any part of its Credit Exposure to any Affiliate of such Lender or to any other Lender (or in the case of a Lender which is a Fund, to any Related Fund of such Lender) so long as such Affiliate, other Lender or Related Fund is an Eligible Assignee.  Upon execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the payment of a nonrefundable assignment fee of $3,500 (provided that no such fee shall be payable upon assignments by any Lender which is a Fund to one or more Related Funds and provided, further, that Company shall not in any event be required to pay any portion of such fee unless Company requests that a Lender be replaced pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.7) in immediately available funds to Administrative Agent at its Payment Office in connection with each such assignment, written notice thereof by such transferor Lender to Administrative Agent and the recording by Administrative Agent of such assignment and the resulting effect upon the Loans and the Multicurrency Revolving Commitment of the assigning

 

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Lender and the Assignee, the Assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment, the same rights, benefits and obligations as it would have if it were a Lender hereunder and the holder of the Obligations (provided that Company and Administrative Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with the assignor Lender in connection with the interests so assigned to the Assignee until written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses and related information with respect to the Assignee, shall have been given to Company and Administrative Agent by the assignor Lender and the Assignee) and, if the Assignee has expressly assumed, for the benefit of Company, some or all of the transferor Lender’s obligations hereunder, such transferor Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder to the extent of such assignment and assumption, and except as described above, no further consent or action by Company, the Lenders or Administrative Agent shall be required.  At the time of each assignment pursuant to this Section 12.8(c) to a Person which is not already a Lender hereunder, the respective Assignee shall provide to Company and Administrative Agent the appropriate forms and certificates as provided in Section 4.7(d), if applicable.  Each Assignee shall take such Credit Exposure subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to any request made, waiver or consent given or other action taken hereunder, prior to the receipt by Administrative Agent and Company of written notice of such transfer, by each previous holder of such Credit Exposure.  Such Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to amend this Agreement and Schedule 1.1(a) hereto, to  the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Assignee as a Lender and the resulting adjustment of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this Agreement, the Maximum Commitment, the determination of its Multicurrency Revolver Pro Rata Share, as the case may be (in each case, rounded to twelve decimal places), the Loans, any outstanding Letters of Credit and any new Notes, if requested, to be issued, at Company’s expense, to such Assignee, and no further consent or action by Company or the Lenders shall be required to effect such amendments.

 

(d)                       Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Agreement, any Lender may at any time pledge or assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Notes held by it) to any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board or to any other central bank with jurisdiction over such Lender without notice to, or the consent of, Company, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest under this Section 12.8(d) shall release a Lender from any obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.  Any Lender which is a fund may pledge all or any portion of its Notes or Loans to its trustee in support of its obligations to its trustee.  No such pledge or assignment shall release the transferor Lender from its obligations hereunder.

 

(e)                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.8, no Lender may assign or sell participations, or otherwise syndicate all or any portion of such lender’s interests under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to any Person who is (i) on any Sanctions List or (ii) either (x) included within the term “designated national” as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (y) designated under Sections 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) of Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (published

 

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September 25, 2001) or similarly designated under any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders.

 

12.9                        CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

(a)                       ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK OR COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH PARTY, AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12.3, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY LENDER OR THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST EACH CREDIT PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(b)                       EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

(c)                        EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THOSE REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE, IN RESPECT OF ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR DIRECTLY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

12.10                 Release of Collateral.  The Collateral and any other collateral security for the Obligation shall be released from any security interest or Lien created by the Loan Documents (i) in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.19(b) and (ii) at such time as no

 

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Commitment by any Lender remains outstanding to Company hereunder and after Company shall not have any Loans or other Obligations (other than any contingent indemnification obligations with respect to which no claim has been made) then outstanding to Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents; and Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall then deliver to Company all Collateral and any other collateral held under the Loan Documents and related documents in the custody or possession of Administrative Agent and, if requested by Company, shall execute and deliver to Company for filing in each office in which any financing statement relative to such collateral, or any part thereof, shall have been filed, a termination statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or like statute in any other jurisdiction releasing Administrative Agent’s interest therein, and such other documents and instruments as Company may reasonably request, all without recourse upon, or warranty whatsoever by, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent at the cost and expense of Company.

 

12.11                 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

12.12                 Severability of Provisions.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12.13                 Transfers of Notes.  In the event that the holder of any Note (including any Lender) shall transfer such Note, it shall immediately advise Administrative Agent and Company of such transfer, and Administrative Agent and Company shall be entitled conclusively to assume that no transfer of any Note has been made by any holder (including any Lender) unless and until Administrative Agent and Company shall have received written notice to the contrary.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by all of the other parties hereto, no Lender shall, by reason of the transfer of a Note or otherwise, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder and any such transfer shall be in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents.  Each transferee of any Note shall take such Note subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to any request made, waiver or consent given or other action taken hereunder, prior to the receipt by Administrative Agent and Company of written notice of such transfer, by each previous holder of such Note, and, except as expressly otherwise provided in such transfer, Administrative Agent and Company shall be entitled conclusively to assume that the transferee named in such notice shall hereafter be vested with all rights and powers under this Agreement with respect to the Pro Rata Share of the Loans of the Lender named as the payee of the Note which is the subject of such transfer.

 

12.14                 Registry.  Company hereby designates Administrative Agent to serve as Company’s agent, solely for purposes of this Section 12.14 to maintain a register (the “Register”) on which it will record the Commitment from time to time of each of the Lenders, the Loans made by each of the Lenders and each repayment in respect of the principal amount of (and stated interest on) the Loans of each Lender.  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive in

 

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the absence of manifest error, and failure to make any such recordation or any error in such recordation shall not affect Company’s obligations in respect of such Loans.  Company, Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each registered holder as absolute owner.  With respect to any Lender, the transfer of the Commitments of such Lender and the rights to the principal of, and interest on, any Loan made pursuant to such Commitment shall not be effective until such transfer is recorded on the Register maintained by Administrative Agent with respect to ownership of such Commitment and Loans and prior to such recordation all amounts owing to the transferor with respect to such Commitments and Loans shall remain owing to the transferor.  The registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of any Commitment and Loans shall be recorded by Administrative Agent on the Register only upon the acceptance by Administrative Agent of a properly executed and delivered Assignment and Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section 12.8.  Coincident with the delivery of such an Assignment and Assumption Agreement to Administrative Agent for acceptance and registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of a Loan, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the assigning or transferor Lender shall surrender the Note evidencing such Loan, and thereupon, if requested by the assigning or transferor Lender or new Lender, one or more new Notes in the same aggregate principal amount then owing to such assignor or transferor Lender shall be issued to the assigning or transferor Lender and/or the new Lender.

 

12.15                 Euro Currency.

 

(a)                       The following provisions of this Section 12.15 shall come into effect on and from the date on which the United Kingdom becomes a Participating Member State.  Each obligation under this Agreement which has been denominated in Sterling shall be redenominated into Euros in accordance with the relevant EMU Legislation.  However if and to the extent that the relevant EMU Legislation provides that an amount which is denominated in Sterling can be paid by the debtor either in Euros or in that national currency unit, each party to this Agreement shall be entitled to pay or repay any amount denominated or owing in Sterling hereunder either in Euros or in Sterling.  Without prejudice and in addition to any method of conversion or rounding prescribed by any relevant EMU Legislation, (i) each reference in this Agreement to a minimum amount (or an integral multiple thereof) in Sterling shall be replaced by a reference to such reasonably comparable and convenient amount (or an integral multiple thereof) in Euros as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify and (ii) except as expressly provided in this Section 12.15, this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the introduction of or changeover to Euros in the United Kingdom.

 

(b)                       Company agrees, at the request of any Lender or any Facing Agent, to compensate such Lender or the respective Facing Agent for any loss, cost, expense or reduction in return that such Lender or such Facing Agent shall reasonably determine shall be incurred or sustained by such Lender or such Facing Agent as a result of the implementation of Section 12.15(a) that would not have been incurred or sustained by such Lender or such Facing Agent but for the transactions provided for herein.  A certificate of any such Lender or the respective Facing Agent setting forth such Lender’s or such Facing Agent’s determination of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Facing Agent shall be

 

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delivered to Administrative Agent for delivery to Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error so long as such determination is made by such Lender or such Facing Agent on a reasonable basis.  Company shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

12.16                 Headings.  The Table of Contents and Article and Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

12.17                 Termination of Agreement.  This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Effective Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired (or been Cash Collateralized) and the Commitment of each Lender has been terminated.  No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision of this Agreement which expressly survives such termination

 

12.18                 Confidentiality.  Each of the Lenders severally agrees to keep confidential all non-public information pertaining to Company and its Subsidiaries which is provided to it by any such parties in accordance with such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of this nature and in a prudent fashion, and shall not disclose such information to any Person except:

 

(a)                       to the extent such information is public when received by such Lender or becomes public thereafter due to the act or omission of any party other than a Lender,

 

(b)                       to an Affiliate of such Lender, counsel or auditors of such Lender, accountants and other consultants, in connection with the Loan Documents, retained by Administrative Agent or any Lender,

 

(c)                        in connection with any litigation or the enforcement of the rights of any Lender or Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document,

 

(d)                       to the extent required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation or court order (including, without limitation, by way of subpoena) or pursuant to the request of any Governmental Authority having or asserting jurisdiction over any Lender or Administrative Agent; provided, however, that in such event, if the Lender(s) are able to do so, the Lender shall provide Company with prompt notice of such requested disclosure (other than in connection with routine examinations of such Lender by any such Governmental Authority) so that Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, and, in any event, the Lenders will endeavor in good faith to provide only that portion of such information which, in the reasonable judgment of the Lender(s), is relevant and legally required to be provided, or to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with rating issued with respect to such Lender.

 

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(e)                        to the extent disclosure to other entities is appropriate in connection with any proposed or actual assignment, grant of a participation or swap agreement entered into by any of the Lenders with respect to interests in this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan Documents to such other entities (who will in turn be required to maintain confidentiality as if they were Lenders parties to this Agreement).  In no event shall Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated or required to return any such information or other materials furnished by Company.

 

12.19                 Concerning the Collateral and the Loan Documents.

 

(a)                       Authority.  Each Lender authorizes and directs Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch to act as Collateral Agent under each of the Security Documents, and to enter into the Loan Documents relating to the Collateral for the benefit of the Lenders and the other secured parties.  Each Lender agrees that any action taken by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where required by the express terms, hereof, a different proportion of the Lenders) in accordance with the provisions hereof or of the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where so required, such different proportion) of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority to (i) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for the Lenders with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection herewith and with the Loan Documents relating to the Collateral; (ii) execute and deliver each Loan Document relating to the Collateral and accept delivery of each such agreement delivered by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) act as collateral trustee for the Lenders for purposes stated therein to the extent such action is provided for under the Loan Documents; (iv) manage, supervise and otherwise deal with the Collateral; (v) take such action as is necessary or desirable to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interests and liens created or purported to be created by the Loan Documents, and (vi) except as may be otherwise specifically restricted by the terms hereof or of any other Loan Document, exercise all remedies given to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, or the Lenders with respect to the Collateral under the Loan Documents relating thereto, applicable law or otherwise.

 

(b)                       Release of Collateral and Guarantors.  Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and the Lenders hereby direct Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent to release, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, any Lien held by Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent under the Security Documents (and in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of a Domestic Subsidiary owned by Company or any of its Subsidiaries under clause (ii) below, to release the affected Subsidiary from its Subsidiary Guaranty):

 

(i)                           against all of the Collateral, upon payment in full of the Loans and other outstanding Obligations (other than any contingent indemnification obligations with respect to which no claim has been made);

 

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(ii)                        against any part of the Collateral sold, conveyed, transferred, liquidated or otherwise disposed of by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent such sale, conveyance, transfer, liquidation or disposition is permitted hereby (or permitted pursuant to a waiver or consent of a transaction otherwise prohibited hereby);

 

(iii)                     so long as no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in the sole discretion of Administrative Agent upon the request of Company, against any part of the Collateral with a fair market value of less than $10,000,000 in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement as such fair market value may be certified to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent by Company in an officer’s certificate reasonably acceptable in form and substance to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent;

 

(iv)                    against any part of the Collateral to the extent necessary to effect a transaction permitted under Section 8.4; or

 

(v)                       against a part of the Collateral which release does not require the consent of all of the Lenders as set forth in Section 12.1(a), if such release is consented to by the Required Lenders,

 

provided, however, that (y) Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in its opinion, would expose it to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty, and (z) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of) all interests retained by Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, including (without limitation) the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.

 

(c)                        No Obligation.  Neither Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent shall have any obligation whatsoever to any Lender or to any other Person to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by Company or any of its Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected or insured or has been encumbered or that the Liens granted to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent herein or pursuant to the Loan Documents have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent in any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission or event related thereto, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion, given its own interests in the Collateral as one of the Lenders and that neither Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent shall have any duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender, provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, each of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall be responsible for its grossly negligent actions or actions constituting intentional misconduct.

 

12.20                 Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which Company and each of the Lenders party hereto shall have signed a counterpart of this

 

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Agreement (whether the same or different counterparts) and shall have delivered to the same to Administrative Agent as the Notice Address (or to Administrative Agent’s counsel as directed by such counsel) or, in the case of the Lenders, shall have given to Administrative Agent or telephonic (confirmed in writing), written, telex or facsimile notice (actually received) at such office or the office of Administrative Agent’s counsel that the same has been signed and mailed to it.

 

12.21                 USA Patriot Act.  Each Lender subject to the Patriot Act hereby notifies each Credit Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each such Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

12.22                 Restrictions on Guarantees and Pledges.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any Loan Document, (a) neither Company nor any Domestic Subsidiary of Company (individually or in combination) shall pledge more than 65% of the stock of any Foreign Subsidiary (or more than 65% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such Foreign Subsidiary entitled to vote); (b) no Foreign Subsidiary of Company shall pledge any of its assets (including the stock of any Subsidiary) to secure the Obligations; and (c) no Foreign Subsidiary shall provide any guarantees to secure the Obligations; provided that in the case of any Subsidiary organized under U.S. law that does not meet the definition of a “Domestic Subsidiary” by virtue of clauses (i) or (ii) in the definition thereof, such Subsidiary shall be treated as if it were a Foreign Subsidiary solely for the purposes of this Section 12.22.  For purposes of this Section 12.22, Subsidiary shall include any Unrestricted Entity.  The Credit Parties, Lenders and Administrative Agent agree that any pledge, guaranty or security, or similar interest, made or granted in contravention of this Section 12.22 shall be void ab initio.

 

12.23                 Redesignation of Unrestricted Entities as SubsidiariesAny Unrestricted Entity that would be a Subsidiary but for the last sentence of the definition of Subsidiary may be redesignated by Company as a Subsidiary (with such redesignation being deemed to be an Acquisition by Company of such Subsidiary which shall be deemed to constitute a Permitted Acquisition for purposes of Section 8.7) provided that (i) Company shall have delivered to Administrative Agent (not less than 30 days prior to the date Company desires such redesignation to be effective) a notice signed by a Responsible Officer identifying such Unrestricted Entity to be redesignated and providing such other information as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, (ii) immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of such redesignation, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists or will exist (including, without limitation, the permissibility of any Investment, Indebtedness, Liens or other obligations existing at such Subsidiaries), (iii) Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with the provisions of Section 7.12  and the applicable Subsidiaries, on the effective date of such redesignation or such later date as agreed to by Administrative Agent but in no event later than one hundred twenty days after such date, are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all applicable Security Documents, (iv) after giving effect to such redesignation, Company shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Article IX (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been

 

159



 

delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1,  (v) Administrative Agent has received such other documents, instruments and opinions as it may reasonably request in connection with such redesignation, and all such instruments, documents and opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and (vi) on the desired effective date of such redesignation, Company shall deliver a certificate from a Responsible Officer confirming clauses (ii) through (v) above and that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on the date of, and after giving effect to, such redesignation as though made on such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made of a specified date in which event they shall be true as of such date).

 

12.24                 No Fiduciary Responsibility.  Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges that (i) none of the Agents nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Credit Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Company and the Credit Parties, on one hand, and the Agents and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor and (ii) each Agent, Lender and their Affiliates may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Credit Parties, their stockholders and/or their Affiliates.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

160



 

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

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeff A. Knobel

 

Name:

Jeff A. Knobel

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

 

in its individual capacity and in its capacities as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ed Roland

 

Name:

Ed Roland

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Niall Cullinane

 

Name:

Niall Cullinane

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David McCauley

 

Name:

David McCauley

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles D. Johnston

 

Name:

Charles D. Johnston

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

161



 

 

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Marcel Fournier

 

Name:

Marcel Fournier

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ L. Peter Yetman

 

Name:

L. Peter Yetman

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK NEDERLAND”, NEW YORK BRANCH,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bert Corum

 

Name:

Bert Corum

 

Title:

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert M. Mandula

 

Name:

Robert M. Mandula

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

162



 

Exhibit 2.1(b)

 

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATE

 

,                

 

[Name of Lender]

 

 

 

Dear Sir or Madam:

 

Pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent, the undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt from you of $                     as payment for a participating interest in the following Swing Line Loan:

 

Date of Swing Line Loan:

 

Principal Amount of Swing Line Loan:  $

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[                                    ]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

1



 

Exhibit 2.2(a)(1)

 

FORM OF MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING NOTE

 

New York, New York

 

,                

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “Company”) hereby unconditionally promises to pay to                                          (the “Lender”) at the office of [                        ], located at [                                  ], in U.S. Dollars or the applicable Alternative Currency and in immediately available funds, the principal amount of                                (                  ), or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Multicurrency Revolving Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) made by the Lender to the Company pursuant to Section 2.1(a) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.  The principal amount of each Multicurrency Revolving Loan evidenced hereby shall be payable as set forth in the Credit Agreement, with any then outstanding principal amount of the Multicurrency Revolving Loans made by the Lender being payable on the Revolver Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  The Company further agrees to pay interest in like money at such office on the unpaid principal amount of Multicurrency Revolving Loans made to the Company from time to time outstanding at the applicable interest rate per annum determined as provided in, and payable as specified in, Articles III and IV of the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note is one of the Multicurrency Revolving Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent, and is entitled to the benefits thereof and of the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  As provided in the Credit Agreement, this Multicurrency Revolving Note is subject to optional and mandatory prepayment prior to the Revolver Termination Date, in whole or in part.  Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with their defined meanings unless otherwise defined herein.

 

Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Credit Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Multicurrency Revolving Note may become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable, all as provided therein.

 

All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Multicurrency Revolving Note, whether maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind.

 

1



 

THIS MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 2.2(a)(2)

 

FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE

 

$75,000,000

New York, New York

 

,                

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), unconditionally promises to pay to                                      (“Lender”), at the office of [                          ], located at [                              ], in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, the principal amount of SEVENTY-FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($75,000,000) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Swing Line Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) evidenced hereby and made by Lender to Company pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.  The principal amount of each Swing Line Loan evidenced hereby shall be payable as set forth in the Credit Agreement, with any outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Loans made by Lender being payable on the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Revolver Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  Company further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof in like money from time to time from the date hereof at the rates and on the dates specified in Article III of the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note is the Swing Line Note referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent, and is entitled to the benefits thereof and of the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  As provided in the Credit Agreement, this Swing Line Note is subject to optional and mandatory prepayment, in whole or in part, prior to the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Revolver Termination Date.  Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with their defined meanings unless otherwise defined herein.

 

Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Credit Agreement all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Swing Line Note may become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable, all as provided therein.

 

All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Swing Line Note, whether maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind.

 

1



 

THIS SWING LINE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 2.5

 

FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING(1)

 

Date:                   

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch,

as [Administrative Agent][Swing Line Lender]

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Attention: Peter Cucchiara

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.  The undersigned hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement of their request for the Lenders to make a Loan as follows.

 

1.      Amount to be Borrowed (denominated in U.S. Dollars or the Alternative Currency desired)(2)                              .

 

2.      The Business Date of the Borrowing is                              (the “Borrowing Date”).

 

3.      Specify type of Loan or combination thereof (3):

 


(1)         Such written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) must be given to (i) the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, three Business Days prior to the requested borrowing date, if all or any part of the requested Loans are to be Eurocurrency Loans, (ii) the Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, one Business Day prior to the requested borrowing date, with respect to Base Rate Loans (provided, however, that a Notice of Borrowing with respect to Borrowings to be made on the Initial Borrowing Date may, at the discretion of Administrative Agent, be delivered later than the time specified above) and (iii) the Swing Line Lender prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the requested borrowing date, with respect to Swing Line Loans (or such later time of day as Swing Line Lender may agree in any instance in its sole discretion).

 

(2)         Each Borrowing shall be in an amount equal to (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) and, if greater, shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such minimum, (ii) with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, at least Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in the case of a Borrowing in Dollars and, if greater, shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000 above such minimum, at least £3,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Sterling and, if greater, shall be in integral multiples of £500,000 above such minimum, and at least €5,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Euros and, if greater, shall be in integral multiples of €1,000,000 above such minimum and (iv) with respect to Swing Line Loans, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or greater (or, if less, the then Total Available Multicurrency Revolving Commitment).

 

(3)         Specify whether Loans are to be Eurocurrency Loans, Base Rate Loans or a combination thereof.

 

1



 

4.      If Borrowing is to include Eurocurrency Loans indicate:

 

 

 

Eurocurrency Loan

 

 

 

Initial Interest Period

 

 

 

The undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of Company and not in his individual capacity that the following statements are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the Borrowing Date:

 

[(A)]  [The Certain Funds Representations are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof; provided, that, in the case of any Loans made on the Initial Borrowing Date for a purpose other than consummating the Company Credit Facility Refinancing, the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall each be true and correct in all material respects at and as of such time, as though made on and as of such time except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date in which event such representation and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified date; and](4)

 

[The Certain Funds Representations are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof; and](5)

 

[the representation and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects, at and as of the date hereof, as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date, in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified date; and](6)

 

[(B)]  [no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof, or will occur after giving effect to such Credit Event.](7)

 

[No Certain Funds Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan, and]

 

[No Certain Funds Change of Control has occurred.](8)

 


(4)  Include if the Borrowing Date is the Initial Borrowing Date pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(5)  Include if the Borrowing Date is the date of the Credit Extension for Designated Existing Notes Refinancing, and/or the date of the Credit Extension for Target Notes Refinancing, pursuant to Sections 5.3 and 5.4 of the Credit Agreement, respectively.

 

(6)  Include if the Borrowing Date is the date of all Credit Extensions other than for the Initial Borrowing Date, the Designated Existing Notes Refinancing and/or Target Notes Refinancing, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(7)   Include if the Borrowing Date is the date of all Credit Extensions other than for the Initial Borrowing Date, the Designated Existing Notes Refinancing and/or Target Notes Refinancing, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(8)  Include if the Borrowing Date is the date of the Credit Extension for Target Notes Refinancing pursuant to Section 5.4 of the Credit Agreement.

 

2



 

The account of Company to which the proceeds of the Loans requested on the Borrowing Date are to be made available by Administrative Agent to Company is as follows:

 

 

Bank Name:

 

 

Bank Address:

 

 

ABA Number:

 

 

Account Number:

 

 

Attention:

 

 

Reference

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

3



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

Exhibit 2.6

 

FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION(1)

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch,

Date:

as Administrative Agent

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Attention:  Peter Cucchiara

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”) and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Collateral Agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.  The undersigned hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Credit Agreement that they (a) elect to convert Base Rate Loans or any portion thereof into Eurocurrency Loans; (b) elect to convert Eurocurrency Loans denominated in Dollars or any portion thereof into Base Rate Loans or to continue such Eurocurrency Loans under the Credit Agreement; or (c) elect to continue Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency or any portion thereof under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the terms on which such conversion or continuation is requested to be made:

 

1.

 

Date of Conversion or Continuation (which date is a Business Day and, if a conversion from or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans, which date is the last day of the Interest Period therefor):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Aggregate Amount (denominated in U.S. Dollars or the applicable Alternative Currency) of Eurocurrency Loans or Base Rate Loans to be converted or continued(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

Type of the proposed Conversion or Continuation:

 

 

 


(1)        This written notice must be given to Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) at least three Business Days (or one Business Day in the case of a conversion into Base Rate Loans), in advance of the date of conversion or continuation.

 

(2)         When (i) converting any Base Rate Loans into Eurocurrency Loans or continuing any Eurocurrency Loans or any part thereof in an aggregate amount not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), in the case of a Borrowing in Dollars, or that is in an integral multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof, not less than £3,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Sterling, or that is an integral multiple of £500,000 in excess thereof, and not less than €5,000,000 in the case of a Borrowing in Euros, or that is an integral multiple of €1,000,000 in excess thereof; or (ii) converting any Eurocurrency Loans into Base Rate Loans or any part thereof in an aggregate amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or that is in an integral multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in excess thereof.

 

1



 

4.

 

Interest Period (in the case of a conversion to or a continuation of Eurocurrency Loans)(3):

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 


(3)         Which shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” set forth in the Credit Agreement and shall end on or before the Revolver Termination Date for any Multicurrency Revolving Loans.

 

2



 

Exhibit 2.10(c)

 

FORM OF

NOTICE OF ISSUANCE

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch,

Date:                    (1)

as Administrative Agent

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Attention:  Peter Cucchiara

 

, as Facing Agent

 

,

Attention:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), refers to the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent.  For purposes of this Letter of Credit Request, unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby requests that the Facing Agent issue a Letter of Credit for the account of Company on                            ,          (the “Date of Issuance”) in the aggregate Stated Amount of                          in the following currency:                (2).

 

The beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit will be                               (3), and such Letter of Credit will have the following purpose                         (4), include the following terms and conditions                                (5) and will have a stated expiration date of                                             .(6)

 


(1)         At least five Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to such Facing Agent) prior written notice is required and such notice must be given prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York City time).

 

(2)         Insert Stated Amount of Letter of Credit in U.S. Dollars or the applicable Alternative Currency.

 

(3)         Insert name and address of beneficiary.

 

(4)         Insert the purpose of the Letter of Credit

 

(5)         Insert description of the terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit.

 

(6)         Expiration date must (x) be one year or less from date of issuance for any Letter of Credit; provided that, any Letter of Credit may be automatically extendable for periods of up to one year so long as such Letter of Credit provides that the respective Facing Agent retains an option, satisfactory to such Facing Agent, to terminate such Letter of Credit within a specified period of time prior to each scheduled extension date and (y) occur no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the Revolver Termination Date unless otherwise agreed by the Facing Agent.

 

1



 

The undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of Company and not in his individual capacity that the following statements are true and correct on the date hereof, and will be true and correct on the date of issuance:

 

[(A)] [The Certain Funds Representations are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof; and](1)

 

[the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects, at and as of the date hereof, as though made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date, in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified date; and](2)

 

[(B)       no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof, or will result after giving effect to such Credit Event.](3)

 

A statement of the purpose of the requested Letter of Credit and copies of all documentation which the Facing Agent has reasonably requested with respect to the supported transaction are attached hereto.

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 


(1)  Include if the Company requests Letters of Credit on the Initial Borrowing Date for the purpose of consummating the Company Credit Facility Refinancing.

 

(2)  Include if the Company requests Letters of Credit on the Initial Borrowing Date for purposes other than consummating the Company Credit Facility Refinancing and on any date other than the Initial Borrowing Date.

 

(3)  Include if the Company requests Letters of Credit on the Initial Borrowing Date for purposes other than consummating the Company Credit Facility Refinancing and on any date other than the Initial Borrowing Date.

 

2



 

Exhibit 4.7(d)

 

FORM OF

SECTION 4.7(d) CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

Each Lender or Agent that is not a United States persons (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (a “Foreign Lender” and a “Foreign Agent,” respectively) and that is not a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part I below.

 

Each Foreign Lender and Foreign Agent that is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part II below.

 

Each Participant that is not a United States persons (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (a “Foreign Participant”) that is not a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part III below.

 

Each Foreign Participant that is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part IV below.

 

1



 

PART I

 

To be completed only by Foreign Lenders or Agents that are not partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments on the Loan(s) are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form).  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and the Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER OR AGENT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

1



 

PART II

 

To be completed only by Foreign Lenders or Agents that are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments on the Loan(s) are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER OR AGENT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

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PART III

 

To be completed only by Foreign Participants that are not partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) and Section 12.8(b) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments with respect to such participation are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form).  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

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PART IV

 

To be completed only by Foreign Participants that are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) and Section 12.8(b) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments with respect to such participation are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption:  (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and Administrative Agent and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

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Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii)

 

FORM OF

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

See Attached.

 

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FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

THIS SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY, dated as of [-], 20[-] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”), is made by each of the undersigned (each, a “Guarantor” and, together with any other entity that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 25 hereof, collectively, the “Guarantors”). Except as otherwise defined herein, terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) shall be used herein as therein defined.

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”), and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Collateral Agent (the Lenders, Administrative Agent, and Collateral Agent are herein called the “Bank Creditors”), the Lenders have agreed to make Loans and to issue, and participate in Letters of Credit as contemplated therein;

 

WHEREAS, Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries may from time to time be party to one or more Interest Rate Agreements as permitted by Section 8.2(e) of the Credit Agreement and Other Hedging Agreements as permitted by Section 8.2(h) of the Credit Agreement (each such agreement or arrangement with an Other Creditor (as hereinafter defined), other than Excluded Swap Obligations (as hereinafter defined), an “Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement”), with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (each such Lender or Affiliate, collectively, the “Other Creditors,” and together with the Bank Creditors, are herein called the “Secured Creditors”);

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor is a Domestic Subsidiary of Company;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Guaranty is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and to issue, and participate in Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Loans by Company under the Credit Agreement and the entering into of Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements and, accordingly, desires to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding paragraph and to induce the Lenders to make Loans to Company and Other Creditors to enter into Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements with Company and/or its Subsidiaries;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits accruing to each Guarantor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Guarantor hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with each Secured Creditor as follows:

 

1.             Each Guarantor, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as primary obligor and not as surety: (i) to the Bank Creditors the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of (A) the principal of and interest on the Notes issued by, and the Loans made to, Company under the Credit Agreement and all reimbursement obligations and Unpaid Drawings with respect to Letters of Credit and (B) all other

 



 

obligations (including, without limitation, all Obligations and all obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities owing by Company to the Bank Creditors under the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees and interest thereon) and the other Loan Documents to which Company is a party, whether now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any such other Loan Document and the due performance and compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents by Company (all such principal, interest, liabilities and obligations under this clause (i), except to the extent consisting of obligations or liabilities with respect to Excluded Swap Obligations or Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, being herein collectively called the “Loan Document  Obligations”); and (ii) to each Other Creditor the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations (including obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities owing by Company now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement, whether such Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement is now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due performance and compliance by Company with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained therein (all such obligations and liabilities under this clause (ii) being herein collectively called the “Other Obligations,” and together with the Loan Document Obligations are herein collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”), provided  that the maximum amount payable by each Guarantor hereunder shall at no time exceed the Maximum Amount (as hereinafter defined) of such Guarantor. As used herein, “Maximum Amount” of any Guarantor means the lesser of the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations and the highest amount of aggregate liability under this Guaranty which is valid and enforceable as determined in any action or proceeding involving any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally. Subject to the proviso in the second preceding sentence, each Guarantor understands, agrees and confirms that the Secured Creditors may enforce this Guaranty up to the full amount of the Guaranteed Obligations against each Guarantor without proceeding against any other Guarantor or Company, or against any security or collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, or under any other guaranty covering all or a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations. All payments by each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be made on the same basis, and subject to the same limitations, as payments by Company are made under the Credit Agreement, including Sections 4.6 and 4.7 thereof.

 

2.             Additionally, each Guarantor, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees the payment of any and all Guaranteed Obligations of Company to the Secured Creditors whether or not due or payable by Company upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Sections 10.1(e) or (f) of the Credit Agreement with respect to Company, and unconditionally, jointly and severally, promises to pay such Guaranteed Obligations of Company to the Secured Creditors, or order, on demand, in lawful money of the United States or the applicable Alternative Currency, as the case may be.

 

3.             Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Guarantor to honor all of such Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this subsection for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this subsection, or otherwise under this Guaranty, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this subsection shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of this Guaranty accordance with Section 27. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this subsection constitute, and this subsection shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Guarantor for all purposes of Section la(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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As used in this Guaranty, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. Section 1, et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other Person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section la(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.”

 

Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section l a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

4.             The liability of each Guarantor hereunder is exclusive and independent of any security or collateral for or other guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations of Company whether executed by such Guarantor, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or by any other party, and the liability of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected or impaired by (i) any direction as to application of payment by Company or by any other party, (ii) any other continuing or other guaranty, undertaking or maximum liability of a guarantor or of any other party as to the Guaranteed Obligations of Company, (iii) any payment on or in reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking, (iv) any dissolution, termination or increase, decrease or change in personnel by Company or any Guarantor or (v) any payment made to any Secured Creditor on the Guaranteed Obligations which any Secured Creditor repays to Company or any Guarantor pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding in any jurisdiction.

 

5.             The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or Company, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor whether or not action is brought against any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or Company and whether or not any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company be joined in any such action or actions. Each Guarantor waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof. Any payment by Company or any other Guarantor or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to Company or any other Guarantor shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each Guarantor.

 

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6.             Each Guarantor hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty and notice of any liability to which it may apply, promptness, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest, notice of dishonor or nonpayment of any such liabilities, suit or taking of other action by Administrative Agent or any other Secured Creditor against, and any other notice to, any party liable thereon (including such Guarantor or any other guarantor or Company).

 

7.             Any Secured Creditor may (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) at any time and from time to time in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement without the consent of, or notice to, Guarantor, without incurring responsibility to such Guarantor and without impairing or releasing the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder, upon or without any terms or conditions and in whole or in part:

 

(a)           change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate or alter, any of the Guaranteed Obligations (including any increase or decrease in the rate of interest thereon), any security or collateral therefor, or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof (other than any agreement between any Secured Creditor and one or more Guarantors specifically modifying or amending the terms of this Guaranty), and the guaranty herein made shall apply to the Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered;

 

(b)           take and hold security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations and sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever securing, the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and/or any offset there against;

 

(c)           exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against Company or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;

 

(d)           release or substitute any one or more other endorsers or other guarantors who are liable for the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(e)           settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any security therefor or any liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of Company to its creditors other than the Secured Creditors;

 

(f)            apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any liability or liabilities of Company to the Secured Creditors, regardless of what liability or liabilities of Company remain unpaid;

 

(g)           consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or default under, any of the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, the Loan Documents or any of the instruments or agreements referred to therein, or otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, the Loan Documents (other than this Guaranty) or any of such other instruments or agreements in accordance with their respective terms; and/or

 

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(h)           act or fail to act in any manner referred to in this Guaranty which may deprive such Guarantor of its right to subrogation against Company to recover full indemnity for any payments made pursuant to this Guaranty.

 

8.             No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or of any security therefor shall affect, impair or be a defense to this Guaranty, and this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional notwithstanding the occurrence of any event or the existence of any other circumstances which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor except payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations.

 

9.             This Guaranty is a continuing one and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon. No failure or delay on the part of any Secured Creditor in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any Secured Creditor would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of any Secured Creditor to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand. It is not necessary for any Secured Creditor to inquire into the capacity or powers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on its behalf, and any indebtedness made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.

 

10.          Any indebtedness of Company now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated to the indebtedness of Company to the Secured Creditors; and such indebtedness of Company to any Guarantor, if Administrative Agent, after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, so requests, shall be collected, enforced and received by such Guarantor for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and be paid over to Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Creditors on account of the Guaranteed Obligations of Company to the Secured Creditors, but without affecting or impairing in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Secured Creditors that it will not exercise any right of subrogation which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Guaranty (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) until all Loan Document Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated (other than indemnity and other contingent obligations described in Section 12.4 of the Credit Agreement that expressly survive termination thereof and for which no claim has been asserted).

 

11.          (a) Each Guarantor waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) any right to require the Secured Creditors to: (i) proceed against Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party; (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security or collateral held from Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party; or (iii) pursue any other remedy in the Secured Creditors’ power whatsoever. Each Guarantor waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) any defense based on or arising out of any defense of Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party other than payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations, including, without limitation, any defense based on or arising out of the disability of Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party, or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of Company other than payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations. The Secured Creditors may, at their election and in accordance with Section 12 hereof, foreclose on any security or collateral held by Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or the other Secured Creditors by

 

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one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, (to the extent such sale is in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and is permitted by applicable law), or exercise any other right or remedy the Secured Creditors may have against Company or any other party, or any security, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Loan Document Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated (other than indemnity and other contingent obligations described in Section 12.4 of the Credit Agreement that expressly survive termination thereof and for which no claim has been asserted). Each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election by the Secured Creditors, even though such election operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against Company or any other party or any security.

 

(b)           Each Guarantor waives all presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including, without limitation, notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation or incurring of new or additional indebtedness. Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of Company’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks which such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Secured Creditors shall have no duty to advise any Guarantor of information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

12.          The Secured Creditors agree that this Guaranty may be enforced only by the action of Administrative Agent acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders and that no other Secured Creditor shall have any right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Guaranty or to realize upon the security to be granted by the Security Documents, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised by Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors upon the terms of this Guaranty and the Security Documents. The Secured Creditors further agree that this Guaranty may not be enforced against any director, officer, employee, or stockholder of any Guarantor (except to the extent such stockholder is also a Guarantor hereunder).

 

13.          In order to induce the Lenders to make the Loans and issue (or participate in) Letters of Credit as provided in the Credit Agreement, and in order to induce the Other Creditors to execute, deliver and perform the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, each Guarantor represents, warrants and covenants that:

 

(a)           Such Guarantor (i) is a duly organized and validly existing organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (to the extent that such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (ii) has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and (iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) in (x) its jurisdiction of organization and (y) in each other jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except in the case of clause (y) where such failure to be so qualified, authorized or in good standing, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Such Guarantor has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Guaranty. Such Guarantor has duly executed and delivered this Guaranty and this Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability hereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,

 

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moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

(c)           The execution and delivery by such Guarantor of this Guaranty and the performance of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder do not (i) contravene any applicable provision of any Requirement of Law applicable to such Guarantor, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien (except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the property or assets of such Guarantor pursuant to, the terms of any Contractual Obligation to which such Guarantor is a party or by which it or any of its assets or property is bound, except for such contraventions, conflicts, breaches or defaults that would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) violate any provision of any Organizational Document of such Guarantor, (iv) require any approval of stockholders or (v) require any material approval or consent of any Person (other than a Governmental Authority) except filings, consents, or notices which have been made, obtained or given and except as set forth on Schedule 6.3 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(d)           Except as set forth on Schedule 6.4 of the Credit Agreement and except for filings necessary to create or perfect security interests in the Collateral, no material order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have been obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date), or exemption by, any Governmental Authority is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution and delivery of this Guaranty or the performance of the obligations hereunder or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Guaranty.

 

(e)           There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of such Guarantor, threatened (i) against such Guarantor challenging the validity of any material provision of this Guaranty or (ii) that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

14.          Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that on and after the date hereof and until the Termination Date (as defined below), such Guarantor shall take, or will refrain from taking, as the case may be, all actions that are necessary to be taken or not taken so that no violation of any provision, covenant or agreement contained in Articles VII or VIII of the Credit Agreement relating to such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, and so that no Event of Default, is caused by the actions of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

15.          The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of each Secured Creditor in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of only one primary counsel and one local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable for all the Secured Creditors, taken as a whole, plus one additional counsel where necessary in the event of a conflict of interest).

 

16.          This Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Bank Creditors and their successors and permitted assigns and the Other Creditors.

 

17.          Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated except with the written consent of each Guarantor directly affected thereby and the Required Lenders (or to the extent required by Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement, with the written consent of each Lender) at all times prior to the time on which all Loan Document Obligations have been

 

7



 

irrevocably paid in full in cash; provided, however, that any change, waiver, modification or variance affecting the rights and benefits of a single Class (as defined below) of Secured Creditors (and not all Secured Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall require the written consent of the Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of such Class of Creditors; and provided, further, that (i) any addition of a Guarantor hereunder shall not constitute a change, waiver, discharge, termination, amendment or other modification hereto for the purposes of this Section 17, and the addition of any such Guarantor shall be effective upon the delivery of a Supplement (as defined below) to Administrative Agent by the applicable Guarantor and (ii) any release of a Guarantor hereunder permitted by Section 12.19 of the Credit Agreement shall not constitute a change, waiver, discharge, termination, amendment of other modification hereto for the purposes of this Section 17 and the release of a Guarantor shall be effective upon delivery of such Guarantor of a release executed by Administrative Agent (which release Administrative Agent is authorized to execute and deliver to the extent provided in Section 12.19 of the Credit Agreement). For the purpose of this Guaranty the term “Class” shall mean each class of Secured Creditors, i.e., whether (A) the Bank Creditors as holders of the Loan Document Obligations or (B) the Other Creditors as the holders of the Other Obligations. For the purpose of this Guaranty, the term “Requisite Creditors” of any Class shall mean each of (i) with respect to the Loan Document Obligations, the Required Lenders and (ii) with respect to the Other Obligations, the holders of at least a majority of all obligations outstanding from time to time under the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements.

 

18.          Each Guarantor acknowledges that an executed (or conformed) copy of each of the Loan Documents and Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements in existence as of the date hereof has been made available to its principal executive officers.

 

19.          In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 151 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law) and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Secured Creditor is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor or to any other Person, any such notice being expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Secured Creditor to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to such Secured Creditor under this Guaranty, irrespective of whether or not such Secured Creditor shall have made any demand hereunder. Each Secured Creditor agrees to use reasonable efforts to notify Company and Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Secured Creditor.

 

20.          All notices and communications hereunder shall be given to the addresses and otherwise made in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement; provided that notices and communications to (a) the Guarantors, shall be directed to the Guarantors, at the address of Company as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement, (b) the Bank Creditors, shall be directed to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or the Lenders, as applicable, at the address of such party as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement, and (c) any Other Creditor at such address as such Other Creditor shall have specified in writing to the Guarantors and Administrative Agent.

 

21.          If claim is ever made upon any Secured Creditor for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment or on account of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees repays all or part of said amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee with any such claimant (including Company), then and in such event each Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or compromise shall be binding upon such Guarantor, notwithstanding any revocation hereof

 

8



 

or other instrument evidencing any liability of Company, and such Guarantor shall be and remain liable to the aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

 

22.          (a) ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS GUARANTY, EACH PARTY HERETO, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (1) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS; (2) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (3) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 20; (4) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (3) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAKING; AND (5) AGREES THE SECURED CREDITORS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(b)           EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS GUARANTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (a) ABOVE, IN RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR DIRECTLY RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(c)           THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

23.          In the event that all of the Capital Stock of one or more Guarantors is sold, conveyed, transferred or otherwise disposed of or liquidated in compliance with the requirements of Section 8.3, Section 8.4 or Section 8.6 of the Credit Agreement (or such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition or liquidation is otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement or has been approved in writing by the Required Lenders (or all Lenders if required by Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement)), such Guarantor shall be released from this Guaranty and this Guaranty shall, as to each such Guarantor or Guarantors, terminate, and have no further force or effect (it being understood and agreed that the sale of one or more Persons that own, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or partnership interests of any Guarantor shall be deemed to be a sale of such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 23).

 

24.          This Guaranty and any amendments or supplements hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. A set of counterparts executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with Company and Administrative Agent.

 

25.          All payments made by any Guarantor hereunder will be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense.

 

9



 

26.          It is understood and agreed that any Subsidiary of Company that is required to become a party to this Guaranty after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 7.12 of the Credit Agreement shall automatically become a Guarantor hereunder upon the execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an instrument substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “Supplement”) and the delivery of same to Administrative Agent, with the same force and effect as if originally named as a party herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional party to this Guaranty shall not require the consent of any party hereunder or of any Secured Creditor. The rights and obligations of each party hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party hereto.

 

27.          On the Termination Date, this Guaranty shall automatically terminate (provided that all indemnities set forth herein shall survive such termination) and Administrative Agent, at the request and expense of the relevant Guarantor, will execute and deliver to such Guarantor a proper instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this Guaranty. As used in this Guaranty, “Termination Date” shall mean the date upon which the Total Commitment have been terminated, no Note under the Credit Agreement is outstanding and all Loans have been irrevocably repaid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or Cash Collateralized pursuant to the Credit Agreement and all Loan Document Obligations then outstanding (other than indemnity and other contingent obligations described in Section 12.4 of the Credit Agreement that expressly survive termination thereof and for which no claim has been asserted) have been irrevocably paid in full in cash.

 

[signature page follows]

 

10



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTOR]

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 



 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

ADDITION OF NEW GUARANTOR TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY (this “Instrument”), dated as of            ,             , amending that certain Subsidiary Guaranty, dated as of February 19, 2015 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”), by the Guarantors (the “Guarantors”) party thereto in favor of the Secured Creditors.

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Collateral Agent for the Lenders, pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed to make Loans and to issue, and participate in Letters of Credit as contemplated therein.

 

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement or, if not therein defined, in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Guarantors have entered into the Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement and to induce the Other Creditors to extend Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements. Pursuant to Section 26 of the Agreement, the undersigned is required to enter into the Agreement as a Guarantor. Section 26 of the Agreement provides that additional parties may become Guarantors under the Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument substantially in the form of this Instrument. The undersigned (the “New Party”) is executing this Instrument in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend and continue the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

Accordingly, the New Party agrees as follows:

 

SECTION 1. In accordance with the Agreement, the New Party by its signature below becomes a party to the Agreement as of the date hereof with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a party and the New Party hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a party thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. Each reference to a “Guarantor” in the Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Party. The Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2. The New Party represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and the Secured Creditors that this Instrument has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

SECTION 3. This Instrument may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Instrument shall become effective when Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Instrument that bears the signature of the New Party.

 

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

A-1



 

SECTION 5. THIS INSTRUMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in the Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Party shall be given to it pursuant to and in accordance with in Section 20 of the Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Party has duly executed this Addition of New Guarantor to Subsidiary Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NAME OF NEW PARTY],

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

A-2



 

Exhibit 5.1(c)

 

FORM OF

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE

 

[Date]

 

This Officer’s Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 5.1(c) of the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent (such Credit Agreement, as in effect on the date of this Officer’s Certificate, being herein called the “Credit Agreement”).  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Officer’s Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

The undersigned, the [Insert title of a Responsible Officer](1) of the Company, does hereby certify on behalf of Company, in his capacity as an officer of Company and not in his individual capacity that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.             The representations and warranties set forth in Article VI of the Credit Agreement to be made on the Effective Date are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.

 

2.             No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

3.             The conditions of Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement have been fully satisfied or waived (except that no opinion is expressed as to Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter).

 


(1)  “Responsible Officer” means any of the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company.

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this        day of February [      ], 2015.

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 5.1(d)

 

FORM OF

SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE

 

[APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY]

Secretary’s Certificate

 

I,                                         , hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of [APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY], a                        [corporation][limited liability company] (the “Company”), and that, as such, I am authorized to execute and deliver this Secretary’s Certificate, dated as of [              ], 201[  ] (this “Certificate”), on behalf of the Company.  This Certificate is being delivered pursuant to [Section 5.1(d)][Section 5.2(c)] of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February [      ], 2015 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Parent”), various institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Collateral Agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

I hereby further certify, as of the date hereof, that:

 

1.                                      Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the Certificate of [Incorporation] [Formation] [other equivalent document] of the Company [as in effect as of [            ](1) and at all subsequent times to and including the date hereof], certified by the [Secretary of State of the State of                         ] [other comparable authority in jurisdiction] as of the date listed thereon, together with all amendments thereto through the date hereof;

 

2.                                      Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and correct copy of the [by-laws] [limited liability company agreement] [other Organizational Documents] of the Company, [as in effect as of [            ](2) and at all subsequent times to and including the date hereof,] together with all amendments thereto through the date hereof, and said [by-laws] [limited liability company agreement] [other Organizational Documents] are in full force and effect on and as of the date hereof;

 

3.                                      Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and correct copy of the resolutions duly adopted by the [board of directors] [sole member] [or other equivalent governing body] of the Company  [and by the equity holders of the Company](3) on [            ],  and said resolutions have not been amended or repealed, are in full force and effect on and as of the date hereof and constitute the only action taken by the [board of directors] [sole member] [or

 


(1)  Insert the date of the resolutions.

 

(2)  Insert the date of the resolutions.

 

(3)   To the extent required by the Certificate of Incorporation, Formation or other equivalent document.

 

1



 

other equivalent governing body] of the Company [and by the equity holders of the Company](4) with respect to the subject matter thereof;

 

4.                                      Each of the persons named on Exhibit D is a duly elected and qualified officer of the Company with such person holding the respective office or offices set forth opposite such person’s name and the signature set forth opposite the name of each such person is his or her genuine signature. Each such person is authorized to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Company, the Loan Documents to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Loan Documents; and

 

5.                                      Prior to receipt by the Administrative Agent of a new certificate of the Secretary of the Company amending this Certificate to add or delete the name or names of authorized officers and submitting the signatures of the officers named in such new certificate, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may rely on this Certificate in connection with the execution and delivery, on behalf of the Company, of the Loan Documents and other certificates or documents to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 


(4)   To the extent required by the Certificate of Incorporation, Formation or other equivalent document.

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand to this Certificate as of the date first written above.

 

 

[                                        ]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

Secretary

 

I,                               , the undersigned, [Applicable Officer] of the Company, do hereby certify that                                is the duly elected and qualified Secretary of the Company and the signature above is her genuine signature.

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

[Applicable Officer]

 

3



 

Exhibit D

to Secretary’s Certificate

 

Incumbency and Specimen Signatures for the Company

 

Name

 

Title

 

Specimen Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Applicable Officer]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Applicable Officer]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Applicable Officer]

 

 

 

1



 

Exhibit 5.1(j)

 

FORM OF

SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

 

February [          ], 2015

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as the chief financial officer of Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”) and not in his individual capacity that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.             This certificate is given pursuant to Section 5.1(j) of the Credit Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company, various institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Collateral Agent  (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

 

2.             On and as of the date hereof, after giving effect to Loans expected to be incurred pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing delivered on the date hereof (and the use of proceeds thereof on a pro forma basis) and Liens created by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,

 

(a)        the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will exceed their debts;

 

(b)           the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) have not incurred and do not intend to, or believe that they will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as such debts mature; and

 

(c)           the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its business.

 

3.               For purposes of this Certificate, “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means (a) any right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured (including all obligations, if any, under any Plan or the equivalent for unfunded past service liability, and any other unfunded medical and death benefits) or (b) any right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.  In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

1



 

WITNESS the following signature as of the date first above written.

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 5.2(a)(i)

 

FORM OF

 PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

See Attached.

 

1



 

FORM OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of [-], 20[-] is made by each of the undersigned (each, other than the Pledgee, a “Pledgor” and, together with any other entity that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 23 hereof, collectively, the “Pledgors”), to Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Collateral Agent (the “Pledgee”) for the benefit of (i) the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (each as defined below) under the Credit Agreement hereinafter referred to (such Lenders, the Pledgee and Administrative Agent are hereinafter called the “Bank Creditors”) and (ii) if one or more Lenders (or any Affiliate thereof) is a party to one or more Interest Rate Agreements as permitted pursuant to Section 8.2(e) of the Credit Agreement or Other Hedging Agreements as permitted pursuant to Section 8.2(h) of the Credit Agreement (collectively, the “Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements”), with, or guaranteed by, a Pledgor, any such Lender or Lenders or any Affiliate of such Lender or Lenders (collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the Bank Creditors, are hereinafter called the “Secured Creditors”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”), and Pledgee, the Lenders have agreed to make Loans and to issue, and participate in Letters of Credit as contemplated therein;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Subsidiary Guaranty (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Subsidiary Guaranty”) dated as of February 19, 2015, certain Subsidiaries of Company have guaranteed to the Secured Creditors the payment when due of the Guaranteed Obligations, as defined in such Subsidiary Guaranty (the “Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations”);

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition to each of the above-described extensions of credit that each Pledgor shall have executed and delivered this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each Pledgor desires to enter into this Agreement in order to satisfy the condition described in the preceding paragraph;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the benefits accruing to each Pledgor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Pledgor hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors as follows:

 



 

1.              SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS. This Agreement is made by each Pledgor for the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure:

 

(i)    with respect to each Subsidiary executing the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Subsidiary Guaranteed Obligations, and with respect to the Company, the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement);

 

(ii)   in the event of any proceeding for the collection or enforcement of any indebtedness, obligations, or liabilities referred to in clause (i) above, after an Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) shall have occurred and be continuing, the reasonable expenses of preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by the Pledgee of its rights hereunder, together with reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs, but excluding any Taxes and Excluded Taxes; and

 

(iii)  all amounts paid by any Secured Creditor as to which such Secured Creditor has the right to reimbursement under Section 11 of this Agreement;

 

all such obligations, liabilities, sums and expenses set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of this Section 1 being herein collectively called the “Obligations,” it being acknowledged and agreed that the “Obligations” shall include extensions of credit described above, whether outstanding on the date of this Agreement or extended from time to time after the date of this Agreement.

 

2.              DEFINITION OF SECURITIES, ETC.

 

2.1.         Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement. The following terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have the following meanings:

 

Additional Pledged Securities” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

Class” has the meaning given to such term in Section 20 of this Agreement.

 

Collateral” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

Excluded Securities” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.3 of this Agreement.

 

Initial Pledged Securities” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

Obligations” has the meaning given to such term in Section 1 of this Agreement.

 

Pledged Securities” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

2



 

Primary Obligations” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9(b) of this Agreement.

 

Pro Rata Share” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9(b) of this Agreement.

 

Requisite Creditors” has the meaning given to such term in Section 20 of this Agreement.

 

Secondary Obligations” has the meaning given to such term in Section 9(b) of this Agreement.

 

Secured Debt Agreements” has the meaning given to such term in Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

Securities” shall mean (i) with respect to a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary, all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of such Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary at any time owned by any Pledgor, in each case to the extent such Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary, (ii) with respect to a Wholly-Owned Foreign Subsidiary or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Domestic Subsidiary” in the Credit Agreement, all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, at any time owned by any Pledgor, in each case to the extent such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary is a first-tier Material Subsidiary owned by a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company; provided, however, that no Excluded Securities shall constitute “Securities.”

 

Termination Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 18(a) of this Agreement.

 

2.2.         INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.

 

2.3.         Restrictions on Pledges. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any Loan Document, neither Company nor any Domestic Subsidiary of Company (individually or in combination) shall (i) pledge more than 65% of the Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Domestic Subsidiary” in the Credit Agreement (or more than 65% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such Subsidiary entitled to vote), (ii) pledge any Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Entity or (iii) pledge any Capital Stock of any Excluded Subsidiary or any Subsidiary if the pledge of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary is prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contract (in effect at the time of the acquisition of such Subsidiary) or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to pledge such Capital Stock (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received) (all of the foregoing Capital Stock that is (x) Capital Stock in excess of 65% of the Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Domestic Subsidiary” in the Credit Agreement, (y) Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Entity or (z) Capital Stock described in clause (iii) of this Section 2.3, is hereinafter referred to as “Excluded Securities”).  For purposes of this Agreement, no Foreign Subsidiary or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary described in clause (i) or (ii) of the definition of “Domestic

 

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Subsidiary” in the Credit Agreement of Company shall pledge any of its assets (including the stock of any Subsidiary) to secure any of the Obligations.

 

3.              PLEDGE OF SECURITIES, ETC.

 

3.1.         Pledge. To secure the Obligations, and for the purposes set forth in Section 1 hereof, each Pledgor hereby grants and pledges to the Pledgee a security interest in, and acknowledges and agrees that Pledgee has a lien upon and security interest in, all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in the following property (all of which is hereinafter referred to as the “Collateral”) now or hereafter owned by such Pledgor: (i) all shares of stock, limited liability company interests and other Capital Stock issued by the issuers listed on Annex A hereto, including, without limitation, the shares of stock, the limited liability company interests and the other Capital Stock described on Annex A hereto (and in and to all certificates or instruments evidencing any and/or all of the foregoing) (the “Initial Pledged Securities”); (ii) all of such Pledgor’s right, title and interest in and to any other Securities (and in and to all certificates or instruments evidencing such Securities) (the “Additional Pledged Securities”, and together with the Initial Pledged Securities, the “Pledged Securities”); and (iii) all proceeds of any and all the foregoing as collateral security for the Obligations, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Collateral” shall not include Excluded Securities.

 

3.2.         Delivery of Securities. On the date hereof, each Pledgor has delivered to the Pledgee any and all certificates which it owns representing any Initial Pledged Securities, accompanied by undated stock, partnership or membership powers duly executed in blank by such Pledgor (and accompanied by any transfer tax stamps required in connection with the pledge of such Securities), or such other instruments of transfer as are reasonably acceptable to the Pledgee. If any Pledgor shall acquire (by purchase, stock dividend or otherwise) any additional Capital Stock required to be pledged under Section 7.12 of the Credit Agreement at any time or from time to time after the date hereof, such Pledgor will promptly deposit such Capital Stock (or certificates or instruments representing such Capital Stock) with the Pledgee and deliver to the Pledgee certificates or instruments therefor (if any), accompanied by undated stock, partnership or membership powers duly executed in blank by such Pledgor (and accompanied by any transfer tax stamps required in connection with the pledge of such Capital Stock), or such other instruments of transfer as are acceptable to the Pledgee, and will promptly thereafter deliver to the Pledgee a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of such Pledgor describing such Capital Stock in the manner set forth on Annex A hereto and certifying that the same have been duly pledged with the Pledgee hereunder (and upon such delivery Annex A hereto shall be deemed amended to include such additional Capital Stock as Securities).

 

3.3.         Uncertificated Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 hereof, if any Pledged Securities (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) are uncertificated Securities, the respective Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee thereof, and shall promptly take all actions required to perfect the security interest of the Pledgee under applicable law; provided that in no event shall any actions be required in any jurisdiction outside the United States to establish, perfect, preserve and protect such security interest. The Pledgors shall not permit or suffer (a) such uncertificated Pledged Securities to be represented by any certificates or otherwise become “certificated securities” or to be credited to a

 

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“securities account” within the meaning of the UCC unless Pledgee has been granted “control” within the meaning of the UCC over such “securities account” (or unless such Securities thereafter become certificated and the provisions of Section 3.2 hereof are complied with) or (b) any person other than the Pledgee to have “control” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC in respect of the such uncertificated Pledged Securities.

 

3.4.         [Reserved].

 

4.             APPOINTMENT OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC. The Pledgee shall have the right to appoint, after the Effective Date, one or more sub-agents for the purpose of retaining physical possession of the certificated Pledged Securities, which may be held (in the discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of such Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank or in favor of the Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the Pledgee or a sub-agent appointed by the Pledgee.

 

5.             VOTING, ETC., WHILE NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. So long as an Event of Default shall not have occurred and be continuing and until the Pledgee gives notice of its intent to exercise its rights under Section 7 hereof during the continuation of an Event of Default, each Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Securities owned by it, and to give consents, waivers or ratifications in respect thereof; provided, that no vote shall be cast or any consent, waiver or ratification given or any action taken which would violate, result in breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement (collectively, the “Secured Debt Agreements”), except to the extent such violation, inconsistency or impairment shall be waived in accordance with the terms of Section 20 hereof.

 

6.             DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. So long as an Event of Default shall not have occurred and be continuing and until the Pledgee gives notice of its intent to exercise its rights under Section 7 hereof during the continuation of an Event of Default, all cash and other non-cash dividends and distributions payable in respect of the Pledged Securities shall be paid to the respective Pledgor that owns such Pledged Securities; provided that, the Pledgee shall be entitled to receive directly, and to retain as part of the Collateral:

 

(a)       all other or additional stock or other securities (other than cash) paid or distributed by way of dividend or otherwise in respect of the Pledged Securities;

 

(b)           all other or additional stock or other securities paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged Securities by way of stock-split, spin-off, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar rearrangement; and

 

(c)           all other or additional stock or, except in connection with transactions permitted by the Credit Agreement, other securities or property (including cash) which may be paid in respect of the Collateral by reason of any consolidation, merger, exchange of stock, conveyance of assets, liquidation or similar corporate reorganization.

 

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Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall limit or restrict in any way the Pledgee’s right to receive proceeds of the Collateral in any form in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement. All dividends, distributions or other payments that are received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this Section 6 and Section 7 shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Pledgee, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Pledgor and shall be forthwith delivered to the Pledgee as Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).

 

7.             REMEDIES IN CASE OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT. In case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then and in every such case, the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights, powers and remedies (whether vested in it by this Agreement, any other Secured Debt Agreement or by law) for the protection and enforcement of its rights in respect of the Collateral, and the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or other applicable law; provided that in no event shall any actions be required in any jurisdiction outside the United States to establish, perfect, preserve and protect such security interest, and also shall be entitled, without limitation, to exercise the following rights, which each Pledgor hereby agrees to be commercially reasonable:

 

(a)       to receive all amounts payable in respect of the Collateral otherwise payable to such Pledgor under Section 6 hereof;

 

(b)       to transfer all or any part of the Collateral into the Pledgee’s name or the name of its nominee or nominees;

 

(c)           to vote all or any part of the Pledged Securities (whether or not transferred into the name of the Pledgee) and give all consents, waivers and ratifications in respect of the Collateral and otherwise act with respect thereto as though it were the outright owner thereof (each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing the Pledgee the proxy and attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor, with full power of substitution to do so); and

 

(d)           to sell, assign and deliver, or grant options to purchase, all or any part of the Collateral, or any interest therein, at any public or private sale, without demand of performance, advertisement or notice of intention to sell or of the time or place of sale or adjournment thereof or to redeem or otherwise (all of which are hereby waived by each Pledgor to the maximum extent permitted by law), for cash, on credit or for other property, for immediate or future delivery without any assumption of credit risk, and for such price or prices and on such terms as the Pledgee in its absolute discretion may determine, provided that at least 10 days’ prior written notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be given to such Pledgor. The Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any such sale of Collateral regardless of whether any such notice of sale has theretofore been given. Each Pledgor hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent permitted by law any right or equity of redemption with respect to the Collateral, whether before or after sale hereunder, and all rights, if any, of marshalling the Collateral and any other security for the Obligations or otherwise. At any such sale, unless prohibited by applicable law, the Pledgee on behalf of the Secured Creditors may bid for and purchase all or any part of the Collateral so sold free from any such right or equity of redemption. Neither the Pledgee nor any Secured Creditor shall be liable for failure to collect or realize upon any or all of the Collateral or for any delay in so doing nor shall any of them be under any obligation to take any action whatsoever with regard thereto.

 

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8.             REMEDIES, ETC., CUMULATIVE. Each and every right, power and remedy of the Pledgee provided for in this Agreement, or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other such right, power or remedy. The exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor of any one or more of the rights, powers or remedies provided for in this Agreement, or any other Secured Debt Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Pledgee or any Secured Creditor of all such other rights, powers or remedies, and no failure or delay on the part of the Pledgee or any Secured Creditor to exercise any such right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof. Unless otherwise required by the Loan Documents, no notice to or demand on any Pledgor in any case shall entitle it to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of any of the rights of the Pledgee or any Secured Creditor to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

 

9.             APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.

 

(a)       All moneys collected by the Pledgee upon any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, together with all other moneys received by the Pledgee hereunder, shall be applied to the payment of the Obligations as follows:

 

(i)    first, to the payment of all amounts owing the Pledgee of the type described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the definition of “Obligations” in Section 1 hereof;

 

(ii)   second, to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the preceding clause (i), an amount equal to the outstanding Primary Obligations shall be paid to the Secured Creditors as provided in Section 9(e) hereof, with each Secured Creditor receiving an amount equal to such outstanding Primary Obligations or, if the proceeds are insufficient to pay in full all such Primary Obligations, its Pro Rata Share of the amount remaining to be distributed;

 

(iii)  third, to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), an amount equal to the outstanding Secondary Obligations shall be paid to the Secured Creditors as provided in Section 9(e) hereof, with each Secured Creditor receiving an amount equal to its outstanding Secondary Obligations or, if the proceeds are insufficient to pay in full all such Secondary Obligations, its Pro Rata Share of the amount remaining to be distributed; and

 

(iv)  fourth, to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the preceding clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive, and following the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 18 hereof, to the relevant Pledgor or to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

 

(b)       For purposes of this Agreement (i) “Pro Rata Share” shall mean, when calculating a Secured Creditor’s portion of any distribution or amount, that amount

 

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(expressed as a percentage) equal to a fraction the numerator of which is the then unpaid amount of such Secured Creditor’s Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, and the denominator of which is the then outstanding amount of all Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, (ii) “Primary Obligations” shall mean (A) in the case of the Loan Document Obligations (as defined in the Subsidiary Guaranty), all principal of, and interest on, all Loans, all Unpaid Drawings theretofore made (together with all interest accrued thereon), and the aggregate Stated Amounts of all Letters of Credit issued (or deemed issued) under the Credit Agreement, and all fees and (B) in the case of the Other Obligations (as defined in the Subsidiary Guaranty), all amounts due under the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements (other than indemnities, fees (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) and similar obligations and liabilities) and (iii) “Secondary Obligations” shall mean all Obligations other than Primary Obligations.

 

(c)           When payments to Secured Creditors are based upon their respective Pro Rata Shares, the amounts received by such Secured Creditors hereunder shall be applied (for purposes of making determinations under this Section 9 only) (i) first, to their Primary Obligations and (ii) second, to their Secondary Obligations. If any payment to any Secured Creditor of its Pro Rata Share of any distribution would result in overpayment to such Secured Creditor, such excess amount shall instead be distributed in respect of the unpaid Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of the other Secured Creditors, with each Secured Creditor whose Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, have not been paid in full to receive an amount equal to such excess amount multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the unpaid Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of such Secured Creditor and the denominator of which is the unpaid Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of all Secured Creditors entitled to such distribution.

 

(d)           Each of the Secured Creditors agrees and acknowledges that if the Bank Creditors are to receive a distribution on account of undrawn amounts with respect to Letters of Credit issued (or deemed issued) under the Credit Agreement (which shall only occur after all outstanding Loans and Unpaid Drawings with respect to such Letters of Credit have been paid in full), such amounts shall be paid to the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and held by it, for the equal and ratable benefit of the Bank Creditors, as cash security for the repayment of Obligations owing to the Bank Creditors as such. If any amounts are held as cash security pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, then upon the termination of all outstanding Letters of Credit, and after the application of all such cash security to the repayment of all Obligations owing to the Bank Creditors after giving effect to the termination of all such Letters of Credit, if there remains any excess cash, such excess cash shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the Pledgee for distribution in accordance with Section 9(a) hereof.

 

(e)       Except as set forth in Section 9(d) hereof, all payments required to be made hereunder shall be made (i) if to the Bank Creditors, to Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement for the account of the Bank Creditors, and (ii) if to the Other Creditors, to the trustee, paying agent or other similar representative (each a “Representative”) for the Other Creditors or, in the absence of such a Representative, directly to the Other Creditors.

 

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(f)        For purposes of applying payments received in accordance with this Section 9, the Pledgee shall be entitled to rely upon (i) Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and (ii) the Representative for the Other Creditors or, in the absence of such a Representative, upon the Other Creditors for a determination (which Administrative Agent, each Representative for any Secured Creditors and the Secured Creditors agree (or shall agree) to provide upon request of the Pledgee) of the outstanding Primary Obligations and Secondary Obligations owed to the Bank Creditors or the Other Creditors, as the case may be. Unless it has actual knowledge (including by way of written notice from a Bank Creditor or an Other Creditor) to the contrary, Administrative Agent and each Representative, in furnishing information pursuant to the preceding sentence, and the Pledgee, in acting hereunder, shall be entitled to assume that no Secondary Obligations are outstanding. Unless it has actual knowledge (including by way of written notice from an Other Creditor) to the contrary, the Pledgee, in acting hereunder, shall be entitled to assume that no Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements are in existence.

 

(g)       It is understood and agreed that the Pledgors shall remain jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount of the proceeds of the Collateral hereunder and the aggregate amount of the sums referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive, of Section 9(a) hereof.

 

10.          PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL. Upon any sale of the Collateral by the Pledgee hereunder (whether by virtue of the power of sale herein granted, pursuant to judicial process or otherwise), the receipt of the Pledgee or the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to the Pledgee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication or nonapplication thereof.

 

11.          EXPENSES. The Pledgors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of each Secured Creditor in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of only one primary counsel and one local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable for all the Secured Creditors, taken as a whole, plus one additional counsel where necessary in the event of a conflict of interest).

 

12.          FURTHER ASSURANCES; POWER-OF-ATTORNEY.  (a) Each Pledgor agrees that it will join with the Pledgee in executing (where necessary) and, at such Pledgor’s own expense, file and refile under the UCC or other applicable law (provided that in no event shall any actions be required in any jurisdiction outside the United States to establish, perfect, preserve and protect such security interest) such financing statements, continuation statements and other documents in such offices as the Pledgee may request and deem reasonably necessary and wherever required by law in order to perfect and preserve the Pledgee’s security interest in the Collateral and hereby authorizes the Pledgee to file financing statements and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Collateral without the signature of such Pledgor where permitted by law, and agrees to do such further acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Pledgee such additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments as the Pledgee may reasonably require or deem necessary to carry into effect the purposes of this Agreement or to

 

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further assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights, powers and remedies hereunder; provided that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary, the Pledgee shall not, and no Pledgor shall be required to, take any of the foregoing actions, or to execute, deliver or file any agreements, documents, financing statements, or instruments, in any jurisdiction (or under the laws of any jurisdiction) other than the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

(b)           Each Pledgor hereby appoints the Pledgee as such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in the Pledgee’s reasonable discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Pledgee may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

 

13.          THE PLEDGEE AS AGENT. The Pledgee will hold in accordance with this Agreement all items of the Collateral at any time received under this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto and each Secured Creditor, by accepting the benefits of this Agreement, that each acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Pledgee as holder of the Collateral and interests therein and with respect to the disposition thereof, and otherwise under this Agreement, are only those expressly set forth in this Agreement. The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in Article XI and Sections 12.19 and 12.22 of the Credit Agreement.

 

14.          TRANSFER BY PLEDGORS. No Pledgor will sell or otherwise dispose of, or mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber any of the Collateral or any interest therein (except as may be permitted in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement).

 

15.          REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGORS. Each Pledgor represents and warrants and covenants that (a) it is the legal, record and beneficial owner of, and has good title to, all the Initial Pledged Securities and, when acquired by such Pledgor, all Additional Pledged Securities, in each case, subject to no Lien (except the Lien created by this Agreement and Liens permitted under Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement); (b) it has full corporate power, authority and legal right to pledge all the Pledged Securities; (c) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Pledgor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Pledgor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability hereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law); (d) except as set forth on Schedule 6.4 to the Credit Agreement, except for filings necessary to create or perfect security interests in the Collateral, and except as have been obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date, no material order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any Governmental Authority, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of the obligations hereunder, (ii) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement against such Pledgor, (iii) the perfection or enforceability of the Pledgee’s security interest in the Collateral or (iv) except for compliance with or as may be required by applicable securities laws and the applicable UCC, the exercise by

 

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the Pledgee of any of its rights or remedies provided herein; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Documents to the contrary, the Pledgee shall not, and no Pledgor shall be required to take any action in any jurisdiction outside of the United States or required by the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States in order to perfect or enforce any security interests in the Collateral; (e) the execution and delivery by such Pledgor of this Agreement and the performance of such Pledgor’s obligations hereunder do not (i) contravene any provision of any Requirement of Law applicable to such Pledgor, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien (except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the property or assets of such Pledgor pursuant to the terms of any Contractual Obligation to which such Pledgor is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound except for such contraventions, conflicts, breaches or defaults that would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) violate any provision of any Organizational Document of such Pledgor, (iv) require any approval of stockholders or (v) any material approval or consent of any Person (other than a Governmental Authority) except filings, consents, or notices which have been made, obtained or given and except as set forth on Schedule 6.3 to the Credit Agreement; (f) all the shares of the Pledged Securities of any corporation have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid, as applicable, and non-assessable and are transferable and subject to no options to purchase or similar rights (except, in each case, pursuant to a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement or as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement and except for any restriction existing or arising as a result of a Requirement of Law); and (g) the pledge and collateral assignment and delivery of the Pledged Securities (other than uncertificated Securities) pursuant to this Agreement (to the extent that delivery has been made) creates a valid and perfected first priority Lien in the Securities, and the proceeds thereof, under the UCC, subject to no other Lien (except for Permitted Liens) or to any agreement purporting to grant to any third party a Lien on the property or assets of such Pledgor which would include the Securities. Each Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will defend the Pledgee’s right, title and security interest in and to the Securities and the proceeds thereof against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever; and such Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will have like title to and right to pledge any other property at any time hereafter pledged to the Pledgee as Collateral hereunder and will likewise defend the right thereto and security interest therein of the Pledgee and the Secured Creditors. Each Pledgor further represents and warrants that on the date hereof: (a) the Securities held by such Pledgor consist of the number and type of Capital Stock as described in Annex A hereto; (b) such Securities constitute that percentage of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the issuing Subsidiary as is set forth in Annex A hereto; and (c) such Pledgor is the holder of record and sole beneficial owner of the Securities held by such Pledgor, and there exist no options or preemption rights in respect of any such Securities.

 

16.          PLEDGORS’ OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC. The obligations of each Pledgor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released, suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or occurrence whatsoever (other than termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 18 hereof) including, without limitation: (a) any renewal, extension, amendment or modification of or addition or supplement to or deletion from any Secured Debt Agreement or any other instrument or agreement referred to therein, or any assignment or transfer of any thereof; (b) any waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other

 

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action or inaction under or in respect of any such agreement or instrument including, without limitation, this Agreement (other than a written waiver, consent or extension with respect to this Agreement in accordance with Section 20 hereof); (c) any furnishing of any additional security to the Pledgee or its assignee or any acceptance thereof or any release of any security by the Pledgee or its assignee; (d) any limitation on any party’s liability or obligations under any such instrument or agreement or any invalidity or unenforceability, in whole or in part, of any such instrument or agreement or any term thereof; or (e) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like proceeding relating to such Pledgor or any Subsidiary of such Pledgor, or any action taken with respect to this Agreement by any trustee or receiver, or by any court, in any such proceeding, whether or not such Pledgor shall have notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing.

 

17.          REMEDIES.  The Secured Creditors agree that this Agreement may be enforced only by the action of Pledgee acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders and that no other Secured Creditor shall have any right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Agreement or to realize upon the security to be granted by the Security Documents, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised by Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors upon the terms of this Agreement and the Security Documents. The Secured Creditors further agree that this Agreement may not be enforced against any director, officer, employee, or stockholder of any Pledgor (except to the extent such stockholder is also a Pledgor hereunder).

 

18.          TERMINATION; RELEASE.

 

(a)       On the Termination Date (as defined below), this Agreement and the security interest created hereby shall automatically terminate (provided that all indemnities set forth in Section 11 hereof shall survive any such termination), and the Pledgee, at the request and expense of the respective Pledgor, will execute and deliver to such Pledgor a proper instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this Agreement (including, without limitation, UCC financing statement amendments and instruments of satisfaction, discharge and/or reconveyance) and will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the Collateral as has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, together with any undated stock, partnership or membership powers with respect thereto and together with any moneys at the time held by the Pledgee or any of its sub-agents hereunder. As used in this Agreement, “Termination Date” shall mean the date upon which the Total Commitment have been terminated, no Note under the Credit Agreement is outstanding (and all Loans have been repaid in full), all Letters of Credit have been terminated or Cash Collateralized pursuant to the Credit Agreement and all Obligations then outstanding (other than contingent indemnities described in Section 12.4 of the Credit Agreement with respect to which no claim has been asserted) have been irrevocably paid in full in cash.

 

(b)       In the event that any part of the Collateral is sold, conveyed, transferred or otherwise disposed of in connection with a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition permitted by Section 8.3, Section 8.4 or Section 8.6 of the Credit Agreement or is otherwise sold, conveyed, transferred or otherwise disposed by Company or any Pledgor, to the extent such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is permitted by the Credit Agreement

 

12



 

or the requisite consent or waiver to such transaction is obtained or the Collateral is otherwise released at the direction of the Required Lenders (or all Lenders if required by Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement), the Pledgee, at the request and expense of the respective Pledgor, will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the Collateral as is then being (or has been) so sold or released and has not theretofore been delivered pursuant to this Agreement together with any undated stock, partnership or membership powers with respect thereto. The Pledgee shall also be entitled to and is hereby authorized and directed to duly assign, transfer and deliver such of the Collateral as provided in Section 12.19(b) of the Credit Agreement.  In the event any Pledgor is released from the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms of any of the Loan Documents, such Pledgor shall be released from this Agreement and the Collateral owned by such Pledgor shall be released from this Agreement.

 

(c)           At any time that the respective Pledgor desires that Collateral be released as provided in the foregoing subsection (a) or (b), as the case may be, it shall deliver to the Pledgee a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer stating that the release of the respective Collateral is permitted pursuant to such subsection (a) or (b), as the case may be.

 

(d)           The Pledgee shall have no liability whatsoever to any Secured Creditor as the result of any release of Collateral by it in accordance with this Section 18.

 

19.          NOTICES ETC. All notices and communications hereunder shall be directed to the addresses and otherwise made in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement; provided that notices and communications to (a) the Pledgors, shall be directed to the Pledgors, at the address of Company as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement, (b) the Pledgee, shall be directed to the Pledgee, at the address of Administrative Agent as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement, (c) the Bank Creditors, shall be directed to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or the Lenders, as applicable, at the address of such party as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Credit Agreement and (d) any Other Creditor at such address as such Other Creditor shall have specified in writing to the Pledgors and Pledgee.

 

20.          WAIVER; AMENDMENT. None of the terms and conditions of this Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by each Pledgor and the Pledgee (with the written consent of the Required Lenders or, to the extent required by Section 12.1 of the Credit Agreement with the consent of each of the Lenders); provided, however, that any change, waiver, modification or variance affecting the rights and benefits of a single Class (as defined below) of Secured Creditors (and not all Secured Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall require the written consent of the Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of such affected Class. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “Class” shall mean each class of Secured Creditors, i.e., whether (i) the Bank Creditors as holders of the Credit Agreement Obligations or (ii) the Other Creditors as the holders of the Other Obligations. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “Requisite Creditors” of any Class shall mean each of (A) with respect to the Credit Agreement Obligations, the Required Lenders and (B) with respect to the Other Obligations, the holders of 51% of all obligations outstanding from time to time under the Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements.

 

13



 

21.          MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each of the parties hereto and its successors and assigns. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning hereof. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one instrument. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall prove to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement which shall remain binding on all parties hereto.

 

22.          RECOURSE. This Agreement is made with full recourse to each Pledgor and pursuant to and upon all the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements on the part of each Pledgor contained herein, in the other Loan Documents, in the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or therewith.

 

23.          ADDITIONAL PLEDGORS. It is understood and agreed that any Subsidiary of Company that is required to become a party to this Agreement after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 7.12 or 7.14 of the Credit Agreement shall automatically become a Pledgor hereunder, subject to Section 2.3 hereof, upon the execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an instrument in the form of Annex B hereto and the delivery of same to the Pledgee, with the same force and effect as if originally named as a party herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding a new party to this Agreement shall not require the consent of any party hereunder or any Secured Creditor. The rights and obligations of each party hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party hereto.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

14



 

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

 

 

[PLEDGOR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT]

 



 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK
BRANCH
, as Pledgee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT]

 



 

ANNEX A TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT - PLEDGED SECURITIES

 

Name of Pledgor

 

Name of Issuer

 

Type of Shares

 

Number
of Shares

 

Percentage of
Outstanding
Shares of
Capital Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

ANNEX B

 

TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

ADDITION OF NEW PLEDGOR TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “Instrument”), dated as of                       ,               , amending that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among the Pledgors (the “Pledgors”) party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, in its capacity as Collateral Agent for the Secured Creditors (in such capacity, the “Pledgee”).

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, and Pledgee, pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed to make Loans and to issue, and participate in Letters of Credit as contemplated therein.

 

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement or, if not therein defined, in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Pledgors have entered into the Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement and to induce the Other Creditors to extend Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements. Pursuant to Section 23 of the Agreement, the undersigned is required to enter into the Agreement as a Pledgor. Section 23 of the Agreement provides that additional parties may become Pledgors under the Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Instrument. The undersigned (the “New Party”) is executing this Instrument in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement to become a Pledgor under the Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend and continue the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

Accordingly, the New Party agrees as follows:

 

SECTION 1. In accordance with the Agreement, the New Party by its signature below becomes a party to the Agreement as of the date hereof with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a party and the New Party hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a party thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. Each reference to a “Pledgor” in the Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Party. The Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2. The New Party hereby grant to the Pledgee, a security interest in all of the New Party’s right, title and interest in and to all Collateral to secure the Obligations, in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired. The New Party represents and warrants that

 



 

the attached Supplement to Annex A accurately and completely sets forth all additional information required pursuant to the Agreement and hereby agrees that such Supplement shall constitute part of the Annex A to the Agreement.

 

SECTION 3. The New Party represents and warrants to the Pledgee and the Secured Creditors that this Instrument has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

SECTION 4. This Instrument shall become effective when the Pledgee shall have received a counterpart of this Instrument that bears the signatures of the New Party.

 

SECTION 5. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6. THIS INSTRUMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in the Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Party shall be given to it pursuant to and in accordance with Section 19 of the Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Party has duly executed this Instrument as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NAME OF NEW PARTY],

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 



 

SUPPLEMENT TO ANNEX A

 

TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

Pledged Securities

 

Name of Pledgor

 

Name of Issuer

 

Type of Shares

 

Number
of Shares

 

Percentage
of

Outstanding
Shares of
Capital
Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Exhibit 7.2(a)

 

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.2(a)

 

The undersigned, [Name] the [Chief Financial Officer][Treasurer] of Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), does hereby certify on behalf of Company and not in his individual capacity that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.                                      This Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 7.2(a) of that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Certificate have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

2.                                      I have reviewed the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section [7.1(a)][7.1(b)] and attached hereto as Exhibit A and, to my knowledge, the financial statements present fairly, in accordance with GAAP (or, in the case of financial statements of any Foreign Subsidiary delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, generally accepted accounting principles in such Person’s jurisdiction of organization), the financial condition and results of operations of Company and its Subsidiaries for the period of such financial statements (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal recurring adjustments).

 

3.                                      To my knowledge, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists [, except for                   , and Company proposes to take the following action with respect thereto:]

 

4.                                      Set forth below are reasonably detailed computations to the extent necessary to establish Company’s compliance with the covenants set forth in Article IX of the Credit Agreement, as of                        ,          (the “Computation Date”) and for the period consisting of the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters commencing on                            ,          and ending on the Computation Date (such period, the “Computation Period”):

 

As of the Computation Date:

 

The Leverage Ratio was         :1.00, as computed on Attachment 1 hereto.  The Leverage Ratio permitted pursuant to Article IX  of the Credit Agreement for (a) any Test Period prior to the consummation of the Target Acquisition shall not be greater than 4.0 to 1.0 and (b) any Test Period on or after the consummation of the Target Acquisition to be greater than 5.5 to 1.0.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Compliance Certificate to be executed and delivered, and the certification and warranties contained herein to be made, by its [Chief Financial Officer][Treasurer] on this          day of                         ,           .

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

 

 

By:

 

 

1



 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Attachment 1

(to     /    /     Compliance Certificate)

 

LEVERAGE RATIO

on                                ,

(the “Computation Date”)

 

Leverage Ratio:

 

 

 

 

 

1.     Consolidated Net Debt of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP outstanding on the Computation Date:

 

 

(a)         All Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi), (vii) (other than commercial letters of credit and undrawn amounts under standby letters of credit) and (viii) (but only in respect of Interest Rate Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements that have terminated and only to the extent of the termination value thereof) of the definition of “Indebtedness” and Guarantee Obligations in respect of the foregoing, in each case, of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Entities) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Indebtedness under the Bridge Loan Agreement or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof unless and until any Bridge Loans or equivalent under any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are drawn thereunder)

 

$

(b)   The aggregate outstanding amount, without duplication of Item 1(a), of Attributable Debt of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Entities) determined on a consolidated basis (exclusive of Attributable Debt under any Receivables Factoring Facility which is non-recourse except for standard representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities and/or any off-balance sheet Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization)

 

$

(c)          The unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Entities) determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP

 

 

(d)         Consolidated Net Debt: The sum of Items 1(a) and 1(b), minus Item 1(c)

 

$

2.     Consolidated EBITDA(1) for the Computation Period, on a consolidated basis for Company and its Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for the Computation Period, without duplication, of:

 

$

(a)         Consolidated Net Income(2):

 

 

 


(1)         Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased by the amount of any cash expenditures in such period related to non-cash charges added back to Consolidated EBITDA during any prior periods.

 

(2)         For the avoidance of doubt, all income of Unrestricted Entities shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income.

 

2



 

(i)             the aggregate of the net income (loss) of Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis for the Computation Period

 

$

(ii)          the income of any unconsolidated Subsidiary and any Person in which any other Person (other than Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any director holding qualifying shares in compliance with applicable law or any other third party holding a de minimis number of shares in order to comply with other similar requirements) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to Company or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries by such Person during such period

 

$

(iii)       the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles

 

$

(iv)      the sum of Items 2(a)(ii) and 2(a)(iii)

 

$

(v)         Consolidated Net Income: the excess of Item 2(a)(i) over Item 2(a)(iv)

 

$

(b)         To the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Interest Expense

 

$

(c)          To the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, charges against income for foreign, federal, state and local taxes in each case based on income

 

$

(d)         To the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, depreciation expense

 

$

(e)          In each case, to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, amortization expense, including, without limitation, amortization of good will and other intangible assets, fees, costs and expenses in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of any of the Loan Documents, and other fees, costs and expenses in connection with Permitted Acquisitions

 

$

(f)           To the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, any non-cash charge resulting from any write-down of assets

 

$

(g)          To the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, any non-cash restructuring charge

 

$

(h)         To the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, all other non-cash charges (except to the extent such non-cash charges are reserved for cash charges to be taken in the future)

 

$

 

3



 

(i)             (A) costs and expenses in connection with the Transaction, the Target Acquisition, the Target Notes Refinancing, the Designated Existing Notes Refinancing, the Replacement Senior Note Financing and the Replacement Target Note Financing, (B) transaction fees, costs and expenses (including up-front fees, commissions, premiums or charges) incurred in connection with, to the extent permitted under the Loan Documents and whether or not consummated, equity issuances, Investments, Acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, refinancings, mergers, option buy-outs, or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness or any amendments, waivers or other modifications under the agreements relating to such Indebtedness or similar transactions, (C) costs in connection with strategic initiatives, transition costs and other business optimization and information systems related costs (including non-recurring employee bonuses in connection therewith) and (D) costs and expenses with respect to Receivables Factoring Facilities, to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense, but without duplication

 

$

(j)            Expected “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies relating actions taken or expected to be taken by Company or any of its Subsidiaries within 12 months after the date of determination of such action, including the Transaction, (as determined by Company in good faith and so long as such actions are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable); provided, that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this Item 2(j) and Item 2(k) in any Test Period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such period (after giving effect to the add-backs pursuant to this Item 2(j) and Item 2(k)

 

$

(k)         Pro forma adjustments, pro forma cost savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies, in each case, related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions consummated by Company or its Subsidiaries and projected by Company in good faith to result from actions taken or expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of Company) within four fiscal quarters after the date any such transaction is consummated; provided, that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to Item 2(j) and this Item 2(k) in any Test Period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such period (after giving effect to the add-backs pursuant to Item 2(j) and this Item 2(k)

 

$

(l)             The sum of Items 2(b) through 2(k)

 

$

(m)     To the extent added (deducted) in determining Consolidated Net Income, the gain (or plus the loss) (net of any tax effect) resulting from the sale of any capital assets other than in the ordinary course of business

 

$

(n)         To the extent added (deducted) in determining Consolidated Net Income, extraordinary or non-cash nonrecurring after-tax gains (or plus extraordinary or non-cash nonrecurring after-tax losses)

 

$

 

4



 

(o)         To the extent added in determining Consolidated Net Income, any gain resulting from any write-up of assets (other than with respect to any Company Owned Life Insurance Program)

 

$

(p)         All other non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period

 

 

(q)         The sum of Items 2(m) through 2(p)

 

$

(r)            Consolidated EBITDA: the sum of Item 2(a) and Item 2(l) minus Item 2(q)

 

$

3. LEVERAGE RATIO: ratio of Item 1(d) to Item 2(r)

 

                :1.00

 

5



 

Exhibit 12.8(c)

 

FORM OF

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT(1)

 

Date                     ,

 

This Assignment and Assumption Agreement (this “Assignment”), is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the] [each] Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the] [each an] Assignor”) and [the] [each] Assignee identified in [item 2] [item 3] below ([the] [each an] Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of such Assignee [Assignor] hereunder are several and not joint.]  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, restated supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 hereto (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the] [each] Assignee, and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the] [each such] Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, the interest in and to all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto that represents the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of the Assignor’s outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, to the extent included in any such facilities, Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans) (the “Assigned Interest”).  [Each] [Such] sale and assignment is without recourse to [the] [each such] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment, without representation or warranty by [the] [each such] Assignor.

 

1.

Assignor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[2.

Assignee:

 

](2)

 

[2][3].               Credit Agreement:                                       Credit Agreement dated as of February [      ], 2015 among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as collateral agent.

 

[3.                                  Assigned Interest:(3)

 


(1)         This Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement should be used for an assignment to or from a single Assignee or to or from funds managed by the same or related investment managers.

 

(2)         Item 1 and Item 2 should be filled in as appropriate.  In the case of an assignment to or from funds managed by the same or related investment managers, the Assignees or Assignors should be listed in bracketed item 3 as applicable.

 

(3)         Insert this chart if this Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement is being used for assignment to or from funds managed  by the same or related investment managers.

 

1



 

Assignee

 

Facility
assigned

 

Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned

[Name of Assignee]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Assignee]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[4.                                  Assigned Interest:(4)

 

Facility assigned

 

Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned

Multicurrency Revolving Commitments

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

Effective Date                                , 20

 


(4)         Insert this chart if this Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement is being used by a Lender for an assignment to a single Assignee.

 

2



 

ASSIGNOR INFORMATION

 

 

 

Payment Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

 

Notice Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

 

ASSIGNEE INFORMATION

 

 

 

Payment Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

 

Notice Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

3



 

The terms set forth in this Assignment are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR

 

ASSIGNEE

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE](5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Additional Signature lines as necessary]

 

[Additional Signature lines as necessary]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Consented to and](6) Accepted:

 

 

 

 

 

[                    ],

 

 

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BALL CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:(7)

 

 

 


(5)         Add additional signature blocks, as needed, if this Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement is being used by funds managed by the same or related investment managers.

 

(6)         Insert only if assignment is being made to an Assignee other than an Affiliate or another Lender, or, in the case of a Lender that is a Fund, any Related Fund of any Lender.

 

(7)         If required pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

4



 

ANNEX FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

ANNEX I

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT
AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

1.             Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1.         Assignor[Each] [The] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document delivered pursuant thereto, other than this Assignment, or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Documents.

 

1.2.         Assignee[Each] [The] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all requirements of an Eligible Assignee under the Credit Agreement, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision and (v) has sent to Company if required to be delivered to Company or attached to this Assignment if required to be delivered to Administrative Agent any documentation required to be delivered by it to Company and/or Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [each such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, [the] [each such] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, (ii) appoints and authorizes each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to or otherwise conferred upon the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

1



 

2.             Payment.  Subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, from and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payment in respect to the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the] [each such] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [each] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3.             General Provisions.  This Assignment shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Assignment.  THIS ASSIGNMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

2



 

Revolver Schedules

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

Commitments

Schedule 1.1(e)

 

Unrestricted Entities

Schedule 1.1(f)

 

Applicable Designees

Schedule 1.1(g)

 

Applicable LC Sublimit

Schedule 1.1(h)

 

Existing Target Credit Facilities

Schedule 2.10(j)

 

Outstanding Letters of Credit

Schedule 6.3

 

Approvals and Consents

Schedule 6.4

 

Governmental Approvals

Schedule 6.13

 

Foreign Pension Plans

Schedule 6.16

 

Organization of Subsidiaries

Schedule 8.1

 

Liens

Schedule 8.2

 

Indebtedness

Schedule 8.7

 

Existing Investments

Schedule 8.8

 

Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 8.14(a)

 

Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries

Schedule 12.3

 

Notice Addresses

Schedule 12.8(b)

 

Voting Participants

 

1



 

Schedule 1.1(a)
Commitments

 

LENDER

 

Amount of
Multicurrency
Revolving
Commitment

 

Percentage

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

 

$

720,000,000.00

 

24.0

%

Bank of America, N.A.

 

$

720,000,000.00

 

24.0

%

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

$

480,000,000.00

 

16.0

%

KeyBank National Association

 

$

480,000,000.00

 

16.0

%

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

 

$

300,000,000.00

 

10.0

%

Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch

 

$

300,000,000.00

 

10.0

%

Total

 

$

3,000,000,000.00

 

100.0

%

 

2



 

Schedule 1.1(e)
Unrestricted Entities

 

None.

 

3



 

Schedule 1.1(f)
Applicable Designees

 

None.

 

4



 

Schedule 1.1(g)
Applicable LC Sublimit

 

Facing Agent

 

LC Sublimit

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

 

$

83,333,333.34

 

Bank of America, N.A.

 

$

83,333,333.33

 

KeyBank National Association

 

$

83,333,333.33

 

Total

 

$

250,000,000.00

 

 

5



 

Schedule 1.1(h)
Existing Target Credit Facilities

 

The bilateral credit facilities between Bank of China Limited, London Branch and Target due 2016.

 

The bilateral revolving credit facility between Lloyds Bank plc and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Lloyds TSB Bank PLC and Target due 2015.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Citibank International Limited and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Abbey National Treasury Services PLC (Trading as Santander Global Banking and Markets) and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Bank of China (as assignee of Société General) and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Lloyds Bank plc and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between HSBC Bank PLC and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Barclays Bank PLC and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility with Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility with Unicredit Bank AG and Target due 2019.

 

The uncommitted facility with Handels.

 

6



 

Schedule 2.10(j)
Letters of Credit Outstanding on the Effective Date

 

Issuer 
LOC No.

 

Amount 
Outstanding

 

Beneficiary

 

Purpose

 

Expiry Date

Bank of America, N.A.

Los Angeles, CA

3047584/35968714

 

625,000.00

USD

 

 

State of Washington,
Department of Labor and Industries

Olympia, WA

 

Worker’s Comp

 

 

04/16/15

 

Bank of America, N.A.

Los Angeles, CA

3047996/35968715

 

400,000.00

USD

 

 

Arkansas Workers’

Compensation

Commission

Little Rock, AR

 

Worker’s Comp

 

 

05/02/15

 

Bank of America, N.A.

Los Angeles, CA

3055921

 

200,000.00

USD

 

 

Hartford Fire Insurance

Hartford, CT

 

 

Worker’s Comp

 

 

05/09/15

 

Deutsche Bank

New York, NY

S-16005

 

100,000.00

USD

 

 

Safety National

St. Louis, MO

 

 

Workers Comp for

State of Ohio Workers

 

 

9/1/15

 

Deutsche Bank

New York, NY

S-16252

 

225,000.00

USD

 

 

National Union Fire

New York, NY

 

 

Workers Comp

 

 

9/29/15

 

Deutsche Bank

New York, NY

S-16320

 

288,000.00

USD

 

 

Arrowood Indemnity

Company

Charlotte, NC

 

Worker’s Comp

 

 

9/29/15

 

Deutsche Bank

New York, NY

S-16415

 

400,000.00

USD

 

 

SCIF Grace Place

 

 

Lease Deposit

U.S. Can

 

 

3/2/15

 

Deutsche Bank

New York, NY

DBS-17872

 

312,000.00

USD

 

 

U.S. Environmental

Chicago, IL

 

 

Federal Compliance

 

 

3/2/15

 

Deutsche Bank

New York, NY

DBS-206000

 

3,728,461.00

USD

 

 

New York Worker’s

Compensation Board

Albany, NY

 

Worker’s Comp

 

 

5/9/15

 

TOTAL LC AMOUNT

 

$

6,278,461.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7



 

Schedule 6.3
Approvals and Consents

 

None.

 

8



 

Schedule 6.4
Governmental Approvals

 

None.

 

9



 

Schedule 6.13
Foreign Pension Plans

 

None.

 

10



 

Schedule 6.16
Organization of Subsidiaries

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Organization

 

Ownership

 

Material?

BALL CORPORATION

 

Indiana

 

Publicly traded

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball Aerocan UK Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

AUK Holding 100%

 

No

Ball Trading France S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball (France) Holdings S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball (France) Holdings S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe France S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball (France) Holdings, S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Europe GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

Ball (Swiss) Holding GmbH 100%

 

Yes

Ball Company

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd 100%

 

No

Ball Europe Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe UK Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd 100%

 

No

Ball Trading UK Ltd

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Canada Inc.

 

Quebec

 

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Holding Canada Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Canada L.P.

 

Quebec

 

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Holding Canada Inc. 99%; Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Canada Inc. 1%

 

No

AUK Holding Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan France S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan CZ s.r.o.

 

Czech Republic

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Copal S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 51%; EXAL Holdings France 49%

 

No

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Holding Corporation 100%

 

Yes

USC May Verpackungen Holding Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Holding Canada Inc.

 

New Brunswick

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 100%

 

No

Litografica San Luis S.A.

 

Argentina

 

Ball Aerosol Packaging Argentina S.A. 100%

 

No

Seghimet S.A.

 

Argentina

 

Ball Aerosol Packaging Argentina S.A. 100%

 

No

Ball Holdings Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. 100%

 

No

Ball Technology Services Corporation

 

California

 

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan India

 

India

 

Ball Americas Holdings B.V. 100 %

 

No

Ball Aerocan Operations S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball Americas Holdings B.V. 100%

 

No

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Organization

 

Ownership

 

Material?

Ball Aerocan Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

Ball Americas Holdings B.V. 4.76%; Ball Aerocan Operations S.a r.l. 95.24%

 

No

Qingdao M.C. Packaging Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Investments Ltd. 40%; Ball Asia Pacific Limited 60%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Beijing) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

FTB Corporate Services Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

FTB Packaging Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Gainer Developments Ltd.

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Greater China Trading Ltd.

 

Cayman Islands

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Foshan Packaging Holdings Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

MCP Beverage Packaging Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

MCP Intellectual Property Holdings Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

M.C. Packaging (Hong Kong) Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific Investments Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Wise Champion Investments Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Qingdao) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Foshan) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 35% Wise Champion Investments Limited 65%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Hubei) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 95.69%; Hubei Gedian Economic & Technological Development Corporation 4.31%

 

No

Latapack-Ball Embalagens Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

Ball Cayman Limited 60.05125% (50% direct); Latapack S.A. 50%

 

Yes

Ball Global Business Services Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Corporation

 

No

Ball Packaging, LLC

 

Colorado

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

Yes

Ball Technologies Holdings Corp.

 

Colorado

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

Yes

Ball Glass Containers, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Heekin Can, Inc.

 

Colorado

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Metal Container Corporation

 

Indiana

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Corporation

 

Nevada

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Foundation(1)

 

 

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Products Canada Corp.

 

Nova Scotia

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

Yes

Ball European Holdings S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball Delaware Holdings S.C.S. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Southeast Asia Holdings (Singapore) PTE LTD.

 

Singapore

 

Ball Europe Ltd. 100%

 

No

Ball (Swiss) Holding GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

Ball European Holdings S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (Luxembourg) Finance S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

 


(1)  Ball Foundation is a non-profit organization wholly owned by Ball Corporation.

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Organization

 

Ownership

 

Material?

Ball Investment Holdings S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (UK) Holdings, Ltd

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Packaging Europe Managing GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (France) Holdings S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V.

 

The Netherlands

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Container LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Holdings LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Cayman Limited

 

Cayman Islands

 

Ball International Holdings B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

Ball Investment Holdings S.a r.l. 51%; Ball (France) Investment Holdings S.A.S. 49%

 

Yes

Latas de Aluminio Ball, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. 100%

 

No

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Asia Pacific Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. 100% Ordinary Share, 50% Preference Share; Ball Corporation 50% Preference Share

 

No

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Holding Corporation

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC 100%

 

No

recan d.o.o.

 

Serbia

 

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o 100%

 

No

Recan (Fund)

 

Serbia

 

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Radomsko Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

Ball Packaging Europe Beteiligungs GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Rostov LLC

 

Russia

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o.

 

Serbia

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 100%

 

No

recan GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 100%

 

No

Sario Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & CO. Objekt Elfi

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 99%

 

No

Ball Trading Poland Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Americas Holdings B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Trading Netherlands B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Associations GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

Yes

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Organization

 

Ownership

 

Material?

Ball Packaging Europe Beteiligungs GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

No

Ball Trading Germany GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Oss B.V.

 

The Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding, B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging India Private Limited

 

India

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holdings B.V. 99%; Ball Packaging Europe Oss B.V. 1%

 

No

Ball Metal Beverage Mexico Corp. S de RL de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holdings B.V. 99.93%; Ball European Holds S.a r.l. .07%

 

No

Recan Organizacja Odzysku S.A.

 

Poland

 

Ball Packaging Europe Radomsko Sp. z o.o. 100%

 

No

recan UK Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball Packaging Europe UK Ltd. 100%

 

No

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp.

 

Colorado

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Holdings LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Asia Services Limited

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

No

Ball Capital Corp. II

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

No

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 52%; Ball Packaging Products Canada Corp. 48%

 

Yes

Ball Canada Plastics Container Corp.

 

Nova Scotia

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 79%; Ball Cayman Limited 21%

 

No

Ball Delaware Holdings, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc. 100%

 

Yes

Ball International Holdings B.V.

 

The Netherlands

 

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Delaware Holdings S.C.S.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc. 9%; Ball Delaware Holdings LLC 1%; Ball International Holdings B.V. 90%

 

Yes

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Technologies Holdings Corp. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (France) Investment Holdings S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball Trading France S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Trading Spain S.L..

 

Spain

 

Ball Trading France S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H.

 

Austria

 

Ball Trading Germany GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Metall GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Trading Germany GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Lublin Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

Ball Trading Poland Sp. zo.o 100%

 

No

Rayeil International Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Gainer Developments Ltd. 100%

 

No

Jambalaya S.A.

 

Uruguay

 

Latapack-Ball Embalagens Ltda. 100%

 

No

MCP Device Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

MCP Intellectual Property Holdings Limited 100%

 

No

Ball JV LLC

 

Delaware

 

USC May Verpackungen Holding Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerosol Packaging Argentina S.A.

 

Argentina

 

USC May Verpackungen Holding Inc. 95%; Ball Aerosol and

 

No

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Organization

 

Ownership

 

Material?

 

 

 

 

Specialty Container Inc. 5%

 

 

 



 

Schedule 8.1
Liens

 

Lien on One Bombardier Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 Aircraft in favor of US Bank National Association as lessor under the related Aircraft Lease dated January 13, 2015, as amended or otherwise modified.

 

Lien on One Bombardier Inc. Model Global 6000 Aircraft Serial Number 9573 in favor of Bank of the West as lessor under the related Aircraft Lease dated October 9, 2014, as amended or otherwise modified.

 

Liens on cash collateral securing potential reimbursement obligations under the Letter of Credit number 326066(S634912) with a face amount of $10,025,000 issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in favor of U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Company (c/o) Discovery Managers Ltd.

 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

Ball Metal

Beverage Container Corp.

 

ITW Signode

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

2010F057096

7-15-2010

 

UCC-1

 

Debtor’s inventory of Signode materials now or hereafter on the premises or on consignment to the Debtor at the Debtor’s plant in Springdale, AR.

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

4097195 4

04-06-04

 

UCC-1

 

Ownership Interest in $9,000,000 of inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054599

04-02-09

 

UCC-3

Continuation

 

Continuation of #40971954

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054607

04-02-09

 

UCC-3

Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195 4; collateral description restated to read as: Ownership Interest in all machinery, equipment and

 



 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1586913

05-19-09

 

UCC-3

Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195

4; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra

Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

1325094

04-08-11

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971954; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

2158320

06-07-11

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971954; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

1348002

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195 4; debtor name changed to: Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

1348010

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Continuation

 

Continuation of #4097195 4

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

3037041

7-30-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195 4; Deletes Certain Collateral

Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

4097199 6

04-06-04

 

UCC-1

 

Ownership Interest in $9,000,000 of inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 



 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054623

04-02-09

 

UCC-3 Continuation

 

Continuation of #40971996

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054656

04-02-09

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971996; collateral description restated to read as: Ownership Interest in all machinery, equipment and inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

0121528

01-12-11

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971996; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

1348028

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097199 6; debtor name changed to: Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

1348036

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Continuation

 

Continuation of #4097199 6

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

3037884

7-30-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097199 6; Deletes Certain Collateral - Receivables

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC.

 

Samuel Strapping Systems, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

4356823

11-14-11

 

UCC-1

 

Consigned inventory delivered from time to time to Debtor by Secured Party consisting of industrial strapping products, including steel and plastic strapping, seals, application tools and parts, and other industrial packaging products. All consigned inventory is and shall be owned by Secured Party. If consigned inventory is deemed owned by Debtor the Secured Party is deemed to hold a purchase money

 



 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

security interest in such consigned inventory

 

 

Samuel Strapping Systems, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014

0018267

1-7-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment to #2011 4356823; debtor name changed to: Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

Ball Packaging, LLC and Ball Corporation

 

Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

20102060021

8-17-10

 

UCC-1

 

All Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. material consigned to Ball Metal Corporation, 9300 W. 108th Circle, Broomfield, CO 80021

Ball Packaging, LLC

 

Motion Industries, Inc.

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

20132060034

7-9-13

 

UCC-1

 

Maintenance, repair, operations assets, materials, parts, equipment, supplies and other tangibles personal property, held for resale, use or consumptions in Debtor’s (Consignee’s) business and supplied by Secured Party (Consignor) under the consignment or other agreement

 

 

Motion Industries, Inc.

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

20142003934

1-14-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment to #20142008690; debtor name changed to: Ball Packaging, LLC

Ball Corporation

 

Motion Industries, Inc.

 

Indiana Secretary of State

 

2010000058

74108

7-13-10

 

UCC-1

 

Maintenance, repair, operational assets, materials, parts, equipment, supplies and other tangible personal property, held for resale, use or consumption in Debtor’s (Consignee’s) business and supplied by Secured Party (Consignor) under consignment or other agreement.

 



 

Schedule 8.2
Indebtedness

 

In connection with the financing of One Bombardier Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 Aircraft, the Company has indebtedness to US Bank National Association relating to the Aircraft Lease dated January 13, 2015, as amended or otherwise modified. The principal amount of debt is $13,949,037.13 with a maturity date of January 30, 2018.

 

In connection with the financing of One Bombardier Inc. Model Global 6000 Aircraft Serial Number 9573, the Company has indebtedness to Bank of the West relating to the Aircraft Lease dated October 9, 2014, as amended or otherwise modified. The principal amount of debt is $51,300,000 with a maturity date of October 15, 2024.

 

In connection with potential reimbursement obligations under the Letter of Credit number 326066(S634912) with a face amount of $10,025,000 issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in favor of U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Company (c/o) Discovery Managers Ltd.

 



 

Schedule 8.7
Existing Investments

 

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC, has a loan to Sager Creek Vegetable Company for an original principle amount of $14,000,000 under the Subordinated Term Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2014

 

Owner

 

Investment

 

12/31/14 Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

Lam Soon-Ball Yamamura Inc. (Taiwan Supreme Metal Packaging)

 

$

1,425,516

 

Ball Southeast Asia Holdings (Singapore) PTE Ltd.

 

Thai Beverage Can LTD.

 

1,276,605

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp

 

Rocky Mountain Metal Container, LLC

 

7,021,426

 

Ball Cayman Limited

 

Latapack S.A.

 

111,543,610

 

Ball Cayman Limited

 

Latapack—Ball Embalagens LTDA

 

84,733,433

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH

 

BKV, Germany

 

137,979

 

Ball Packaging Europe Associations GmbH

 

Forum Getrankedose GbR mbH

 

20,718

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

OKO-PANNON Kht

 

9,485

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

EKO-KOM a.s. Czech Republic

 

3,560

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

Slopak, Slovenia

 

8,044

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

ECO-ROM Ambalaje S.A.

 

2,082

 

Ball Packaging Europe UK Ltd.

 

Green Dot Company Ltd., Cyprus

 

2

 

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o.

 

SEKOPAK d.o.o., Belgrade

 

30,512

 

Ball International Holdings B.V.

 

TBC-Ball Beverage Can Holdings Limited

 

22,972,000

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited

 

Ball Asia Pacific (Hubei) Metal Container Limited

 

51,872,213

 

Aerocan S.A.S.

 

Copal S.A.S.

 

9,238,560

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH

 

SARIO GRUNDSTICKS- VERMIETUNGSGESELLSCHAFT mbH & CO. OBJEKT ELFI

 

12,306

 

Ball Trading Germany GmbH, Germany

 

Bund Getränkeverpackungen der Zukunft GbR, Germany

 

121,560

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding BV, The Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging India, India (99)%

 

(2)157,182

 

Ball Packaging Europe Oss BV, The Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging India, India (1)%

 

(3)1,588

 

 

- All equity investments & loans held by Company  and its Subsidiaries with ownership of < 100%

 


(2)         Held 100% on a consolidated basis.

 

(3)         Held 100% on a consolidated basis.

 



 

Schedule 8.8
Transactions with Affiliates

 

None.

 



 

Schedule 8.14(a)
Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries

 

None.

 



 

Schedule 12.3
Notice Addresses

 

Company:

 

Ball Corporation
10 Longs Peak Drive
Broomfield, CO 80021
Telephone: (303) 469-3131
Facsimile: (303) 460-2691
Attention: General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
155 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1720
Attn: Seth Jacobson & Lynn McGovern

 

Administrative Agent:

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch
60 Wall Street      
New York, NY 10005        
Facsimile: (212) 797-5690
Email: Agency.Transactions@db.com
Attention: Peter Cucchiara

 

With a copy to:

 

White & Case LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Eric Leicht & Alan Rockwell

 

Collateral Agent:

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch
60 Wall Street      
New York, NY 10005        
Facsimile: (212) 797-5690
Email: Agency.Transactions@db.com
Attention: Peter Cucchiara

 

With a copy to:

 



 

White & Case LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Eric Leicht & Alan Rockwell

 



 

Schedule 12.8 (b)
Voting Participants

 

None.

 


EX-10.2 5 a15-4962_1ex10d2.htm EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

Execution Copy

 


 

£3,300,000,000

 

Bridge Term Loan Facility

 


 

BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT

 

among

 

BALL CORPORATION,

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH

 

as Administrative Agent

 

and

 

VARIOUS LENDING INSTITUTIONS

 

Dated as of February 19, 2015


 

ARRANGED BY:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
KEYBANC CAPITAL MARKETS INC.,
RBS SECURITIES INC.,
and
COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK NEDERLAND”, NEW YORK BRANCH

 

as Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1

 

 

1.1

Definitions

1

1.2

Accounting Terms; Financial Statements

45

1.3

[Reserved]

46

1.4

Timing of Performance

46

 

 

 

ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS AND COMMITMENTS

46

 

 

2.1

The Loans

46

2.2

Notes

47

2.3

Maximum Number of Eurocurrency Loans

47

2.4

[Reserved]

48

2.5

Notice of Borrowing

48

2.6

Continuation

48

2.7

Disbursement of Funds

48

2.8

Exchange Notes

49

2.9

[Reserved]

51

2.10

[Reserved]

51

2.11

Pro Rata Borrowings

51

 

 

 

ARTICLE III INTEREST AND FEES

51

 

 

3.1

Interest

51

3.2

Fees

52

3.3

Computation of Interest and Fees

52

3.4

Interest Periods

53

3.5

Compensation for Funding Losses

53

3.6

Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc.

54

3.7

Replacement of Affected Lenders

57

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS; PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS

58

 

 

 

4.1

Voluntary Reduction of Commitments; Defaulting Lenders

58

4.2

Mandatory Reduction of Commitments

60

4.3

Voluntary Prepayments

60

4.4

Mandatory Prepayments and Payments; Mandatory Reductions in Commitments

61

4.5

Application of Prepayments

64

4.6

Method and Place of Payment

65

4.7

Net Payments

66

 

 

 

ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

71

 

 

5.1

Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness

71

5.2

Conditions Precedent to Initial Funding

74

5.3

Conditions Precedent to Each Funding

75

 



 

5.4

Actions by Lenders during Certain Funds Periods

75

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

76

 

 

6.1

Corporate Status

77

6.2

Corporate Power and Authority

77

6.3

No Violation

77

6.4

Governmental Approvals

77

6.5

Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities Projections; Etc.

78

6.6

Litigation

79

6.7

True and Complete Disclosure

79

6.8

Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations

79

6.9

Taxes

80

6.10

Labor Relations

80

6.11

[Reserved]

80

6.12

Compliance With ERISA

81

6.13

Foreign Pension Matters

81

6.14

Ownership of Property

82

6.15

Capitalization of Company

82

6.16

Subsidiaries

82

6.17

Compliance With Law, Etc.

82

6.18

Investment Company Act

82

6.19

Environmental Matters

83

6.20

Intellectual Property, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas

83

6.21

OFAC; Patriot Act; FCPA

83

6.22

Press Release; Offer Document; Scheme Circular; etc.

84

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

84

 

 

7.1

Financial Statements

84

7.2

Certificates; Other Information

85

7.3

Notices

86

7.4

Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence

87

7.5

Payment of Taxes

87

7.6

Inspection of Property, Books and Records

88

7.7

ERISA

88

7.8

Foreign Pension Plan Compliance

89

7.9

Maintenance of Property, Insurance

89

7.10

Environmental Laws

90

7.11

Use of Proceeds

90

7.12

Further Assurances

90

7.13

End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters

91

7.14

[Reserved]

91

7.15

Take-Out Financing and Securities Demand

91

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS

94

 

 

8.1

Liens

94

8.2

Indebtedness

97

 



 

8.3

Fundamental Changes

101

8.4

Asset Sales

102

8.5

Dividends or Other Distributions

104

8.6

Issuance of Stock

105

8.7

Loans, Investment and Acquisitions

106

8.8

Transactions with Affiliates

107

8.9

Sale-Leasebacks

108

8.10

Restrictions on Credit Support to Unrestricted Entities

108

8.11

Lines of Business

109

8.12

Fiscal Year

109

8.13

Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Subordinated Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; Certain Derivative Transactions, Etc.

109

8.14

Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries

109

8.15

Acquisition Undertakings

111

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX [RESERVED]

111

 

 

ARTICLE X EVENTS OF DEFAULT

111

 

 

10.1

Events of Default

111

10.2

Rights Not Exclusive

115

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

115

 

 

11.1

Appointment

116

11.2

Nature of Duties

116

11.3

Exculpation, Rights Etc.

116

11.4

Reliance

117

11.5

Indemnification

117

11.6

Administrative Agent In Its Individual Capacity

118

11.7

Notice of Default

118

11.8

Holders of Obligations

118

11.9

Resignation by Administrative Agent

118

11.10

The Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

119

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

119

 

 

12.1

No Waiver; Modifications in Writing

119

12.2

Further Assurances

122

12.3

Notices, Delivery Etc.

122

12.4

Costs, Expenses and Taxes; Indemnification

123

12.5

Confirmations

126

12.6

Adjustment; Setoff

126

12.7

Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments

127

12.8

Binding Effect; Assignment; Addition and Substitution of Lenders

128

12.9

CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

131

12.10

[Reserved]

132

12.11

GOVERNING LAW

132

12.12

Severability of Provisions

132

 



 

12.13

Transfers of Notes

132

12.14

Registry

133

12.15

Euro Currency

133

12.16

Headings

134

12.17

Termination of Agreement

134

12.18

Confidentiality

134

12.19

Concerning the Subsidiary Guaranties and the Loan Documents

135

12.20

Effectiveness

135

12.21

USA Patriot Act

136

12.22

Restrictions on Guarantees

136

12.23

Redesignation of Unrestricted Entities as Subsidiaries

136

12.24

No Fiduciary Responsibility

137

 



 

INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit 2.2(a)(1)

 

Form of Bridge Note

Exhibit 2.2(a)(2)

 

Form of Rollover Note

Exhibit 2.5

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit 2.6

 

Form of Notice of Continuation

Exhibit 4.7(d)

 

Form of Section 4.7(d) Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii)

 

Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

Exhibit 5.1(b)

 

Form of Officer’s Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(c)

 

Form of Secretary’s Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(i)

 

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit 5.2(c)

 

Form of Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 5.2(c)

Exhibit 7.2(a)

 

Form of Compliance Certificate Pursuant to Section 7.2(a)

Exhibit 12.8(c)

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

 

Schedules

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

Commitments

Schedule 1.1(b)

 

Acquisition Undertakings

Schedule 1.1(e)

 

Unrestricted Entities

Schedule 1.1(h)

 

Existing Target Credit Facilities

Schedule 6.3

 

Approvals and Consents

Schedule 6.4

 

Governmental Approvals

Schedule 6.13

 

Foreign Pension Plans

Schedule 6.16

 

Organization of Subsidiaries

Schedule 8.1

 

Liens

Schedule 8.2

 

Indebtedness

Schedule 8.7

 

Existing Investments

Schedule 8.8

 

Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 8.14(a)

 

Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries

Schedule 12.3

 

Notice Addresses

 



 

BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT

 

THIS BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT is dated as of February 19, 2015 and is made by and among BALL CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the undersigned financial institutions, in their capacities as lenders hereunder (collectively, the “Lenders,” and each individually, a “Lender”), and DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as administrative agent (in such capacity “Administrative Agent”).

 

In consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.1                               Definitions.  As used herein, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

 

Acceptance Condition” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.2(a).

 

Acquisition” means (i) the purchase by a Person of a business or business unit conducted by another Person (whether through the acquisition of Capital Stock or assets) or (ii) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation of any Person with any other Person.

 

Acquisition Undertakings” means the undertakings set forth on Schedule 1.1(b).

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement and any successor Administrative Agent in such capacity.

 

Aerospace Asset Disposition” means (i) an Asset Disposition by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of all or a portion of (a) the Aerospace Business (whether or not such disposition is to any Permitted Aerospace JV), (b) the Capital Stock of a Person holding only the Aerospace Business or (c) the Capital Stock of any Permitted Aerospace JV or (ii) the receipt by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a liquidating dividend in respect of an interest in the Capital Stock of any Permitted Aerospace JV.

 

Aerospace Business” means the assets constituting the aerospace business of Company, including the business of Ball Aerospace and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof, and business directly or indirectly owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries and reasonably related or incidental to such aerospace business, but excluding all cash and Cash Equivalents held by said aerospace business and related or incidental businesses other than cash and Cash Equivalents held in the ordinary course of business and in an amount consistent with past practices.

 



 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person or group acting in concert in respect of the Person in question that, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person.  For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person or group of Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.  A Person shall be deemed to control a corporation if such Person is the “beneficial owner” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act of 35% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation. None of Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates shall be considered an Affiliate of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 11.1.

 

Agreement” means this Bridge Loan Agreement, as the same may at any time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof and in effect.

 

Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or any Governmental Authority and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

 

Applicable Margin” means with respect to Bridge Loans, for any day, 3.50% per annum, subject to adjustment as follows: if the Bridge Loans are not repaid within the three-month period following the Initial Funding Date, the Applicable Margin shall increase by 0.50% per annum at the end of such three-month period and shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the end of each three-month period thereafter.

 

Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) of all or any part of (i) an interest in shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of Company (other than directors’ qualifying shares) or (ii) property or other assets (each of (i) and (ii) referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Assignee” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.8(c).

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 12.8(c) annexed hereto and made a part hereof made by any applicable Lender, as assignor, and such Lender’s assignee in accordance with Section 12.8.

 

Attorney Costs” means all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of any law firm or other external counsel.

 

Attributable Debt” means as of the date of determination thereof, without duplication, (i) in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the net present value

 

2



 

(discounted according to GAAP at the cost of debt implied in the lease) of the obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the then remaining term of any applicable lease, (ii) Receivables Facility Attributable Debt, (iii) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product to which such Person is a party, where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP and (iv) the liquidation or preference value of outstanding Disqualified Preferred Stock.

 

Ball Asia Pacific” means Ball Asia Pacific, Limited, a company organized under the laws of Hong Kong.

 

Ball Aerospace” means Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp., a Delaware corporation.

 

Ball Delaware” means Ball Delaware Holdings, S.C.S., a limited partnership (société en commandite simple) incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 5, Rue Guillaume Kroll, L-1882 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ Register under number B 90.414.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means Title I of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended, as set forth in Title 11 of the United States Code, as hereafter amended.

 

Benefited Lender” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.6(a).

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Bookrunners” means Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch.

 

Borrowing” means a group of Loans made by the Lenders on a single date as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Bridge Loan” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1(a).

 

Bridge Loan Maturity Date” means the one year anniversary of the Initial Funding Date.

 

Bridge Note” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.2(a)(1).

 

Business Day” means any day (A) on which dealings in deposits in Sterling are carried out in the London interbank market, and (B) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets are open for business in London and New York City.

 

3



 

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all common shares, preferred shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person’s capital stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests, membership interests or other equivalent ownership interests and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock or other ownership interests.

 

Capitalized Lease” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, any lease of property, real or personal, in respect of which the present value of the minimum rental commitment is capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a Capitalized Lease which would at such time be so required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP in effect as of the date hereof.

 

Cash Confirmation Provider” means Greenhill & Co. International LLP, in its capacity as financial advisor to Company, for the purposes of the City Code and the Target Acquisition.

 

Cash Equivalents” means (i) any evidence of indebtedness, maturing not more than one year after the date of issue, issued by the United States of America or any instrumentality or agency thereof, the principal, interest and premium, if any, of which is guaranteed fully by, or backed by the full faith and credit of, the United States of America, (ii) Dollar, Euro, Sterling or Swiss Franc (or other foreign currency fully hedged) denominated time deposits, certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances maturing not more than one year after the date of purchase, issued by (x) any Lender or (y) a commercial banking institution having, or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company having, at the time of such deposit, certificate of deposits or banker’s acceptance, combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $200,000,000 (any such bank, an “Approved Bank”), or (z) a non-United States commercial banking institution which, at the time of such deposit, certificate of deposits or banker’s acceptance, is either currently ranked among the 100 largest banks in the world (by assets, according to the American Banker), has combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 or whose commercial paper (or the commercial paper of such bank’s holding company) has a rating of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s, “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P or the equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating agency, (iii) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of purchase, issued or guaranteed by a corporation (other than Company or any Subsidiary of Company or any of their respective Affiliates) organized and existing under the laws of any state within the United States of America with a rating, at the time of the acquisition thereof, of “P-1” (or higher) according to Moody’s, or “A-1” (or higher) according to S&P, (iv) demand deposits with any bank or trust company maintained in the ordinary course of business, (v) repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements covering obligations of the type specified in clause (i) with a term of not more than thirty days with any Approved Bank and (vi) shares of any money market

 

4



 

mutual fund rated at least AAA or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least Aaa or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s at the time of the acquisition thereof, including, without limitation, any such mutual fund managed or advised by any Lender or Administrative Agent.

 

Certain Funds Change of Control” means Company shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Purchaser’s Voting Securities.

 

Certain Funds Default” means, in each case, other than to the extent that such Event of Default relates to, or is made in relation to, circumstances affecting any member of the Target Group, an Event of Default under paragraph (a), (b) (solely to the extent that it relates to a Certain Funds Representation), (c) (solely to the extent that it relates to a Certain Funds Undertaking), (e), (f), (j) (to the extent relating to Subsidiary Guarantors representing more than 25% of Consolidated EBITDA) or (m) (solely to the extent it relates to Company) of Section 10.1.

 

Certain Funds Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to and including the first to occur of:

 

(i)             midnight (London time) on the date occurring 18 months after the date the Press Release is issued;

 

(ii)          if the Target Acquisition is effected by way of a Scheme, midnight (London time) on the first Business Day falling twenty (20) days or more after the Scheme Effective Date;

 

(iii)       midnight (London time) on the date upon which a Scheme lapses, terminates or is withdrawn (unless a firm intention to make an Offer in place of a Scheme is simultaneously, or has already been, announced or within five Business Days of such lapse, termination or withdrawal, as the case may be, is announced);

 

(iv)      midnight (London time) on the date upon which an Offer lapses, terminates or is withdrawn (unless a firm intention to make a Scheme in place of an Offer is simultaneously, or has already been, announced or within five Business Days of such lapse, termination or withdrawal, as the case may be, is announced); and

 

(v)         midnight (London time) on the date on which the Target becomes a direct or indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company and Purchaser has paid all sums due pursuant to, or in connection with, the Target Acquisition, any surrender or cancellation of options or awards over Target Shares and (in the case of an Offer) any squeeze-out procedure and/or sell-out procedure in accordance with the Compulsory Acquisition Procedures.

 

Certain Funds Representations” means the representations and warranties contained in Sections 6.1(i) (solely as to due organization and valid existence only) and (ii) (solely as it relates to Company and where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), 6.2, 6.3(i), (ii) (to the extent relating to material debt instruments of

 

5



 

Company) and (iii), 6.4, 6.8(b), 6.18, 6.21 and 6.22 in each case, solely as they relate to the Credit Parties (or, as set forth above, only Company).

 

Certain Funds Undertaking” means (i) each of the Acquisition Undertakings (other than those set forth in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of Schedule 1.1(b)), (ii) the covenant set forth in Section 7.4 (solely as it relates to Company’s and Purchaser’s corporate existence) and (iii) solely after the initial Borrowing on the Initial Funding Date and solely as they relate to the Credit Parties and Purchaser, Sections 8.1 through 8.4, 8.7, 8.9 and 8.13(c) (with respect to Organizational Documents only).

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority, (d) any change arising from the enactment or enforcement of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as amended, or any rules, regulations, interpretations, guidelines or directives promulgated thereunder (“Dodd-Frank”) or (e) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III (“Basel”); provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in regards to Dodd-Frank and Basel, all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof whether or not having the force of law shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

Change of Control” means (i) the sale, lease or transfer of all or substantially all of Company’s assets to any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of Company, (iii) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Company’s Voting Securities or (iv) any “Change of Control” (as such term is defined in any Permitted Debt Document related solely to any Senior Notes, the Revolving Credit Agreement or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect thereto).

 

City Code” means the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers and any practice statements issued by the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers in connection with the City Code.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended, including the regulations promulgated thereunder, or any successor statute and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

6



 

COLI Policy Advances” of Company or any of its Subsidiaries means, with respect to any Company Owned Life Insurance Program, policy loans made to Company or any of its Subsidiaries under life insurance policies in an amount not in excess of the available cash surrender values of such policies, which loans are made pursuant to the contractual terms of life insurance policies issued in connection with a Company Owned Life Insurance Program.

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Loans, as such commitment may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement, which commitment as of the date hereof is the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule 1.1(a), as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, and “Commitments” means such commitments of all of the Lenders collectively which commitments equal £3,300,000,000 in the aggregate on the Effective Date.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of Company, no par value.

 

Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom, as amended from time to time.

 

Company” has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

Company Owned Life Insurance Program” means a life insurance program in which Company is a participant, pursuant to which Company is the owner of whole life policies insuring the lives of certain of its employees.

 

Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.2(a).

 

Compulsory Acquisition Procedures” means the compulsory squeeze-out procedures for the acquisition of minority shareholdings in the Target pursuant to the squeeze-out procedure set out in Sections 974 to 991 of the Companies Act.

 

Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness” means each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1.

 

Conditions Precedent to Initial Funding” means each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.2.

 

Consolidated Assets” means, for any Person, the total assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, as determined from a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, on a consolidated basis for Company and its Subsidiaries, the sum of the amounts for such period, without duplication, of:

 

7



 

 

(i)

Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

plus

(ii)

Consolidated Interest Expense, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

plus

(iii)

charges against income for foreign, federal, state and local taxes in each case based on income, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

plus

(iv)

depreciation expense, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

plus

(v)

amortization expense, including, without limitation, amortization of good will and other intangible assets, fees, costs and expenses in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of any of the Loan Documents, and other fees, costs and expenses in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, in each case, to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

minus

(vi)

the gain (or plus the loss) (net of any tax effect) resulting from the sale of any capital assets other than in the ordinary course of business to the extent added (deducted) in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

minus

(vii)

extraordinary or non-cash nonrecurring after-tax gains (or plus extraordinary or non-cash nonrecurring after-tax losses) to the extent added (deducted) in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

minus

(viii)

any gain resulting from any write-up of assets (other than with respect to any Company Owned Life Insurance Program) to the extent added in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

plus

(ix)

any non-cash charge resulting from any write-down of assets to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

8



 

plus

(x)

any non-cash restructuring charge to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income,

 

 

 

plus

(xi)

all other non-cash charges (except to the extent such non-cash charges are reserved for cash charges to be taken in the future),

 

 

 

plus

(xii)

(A) costs and expenses in connection with the Transaction, the Target Acquisition, the Target Notes Refinancing, Company Credit Facility Refinancing (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement), the Designated Existing Notes Refinancing, the Replacement Senior Note Financing and the Replacement Target Note Financing, (B) transaction fees, costs and expenses (including up-front fees, commissions, premiums or charges) incurred in connection with, to the extent permitted under the Loan Documents and whether or not consummated, equity issuances, Investments, Acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, refinancings, mergers, option buy-outs, or the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness or any amendments, waivers or other modifications under the agreements relating to such Indebtedness or similar transactions, (C) costs in connection with strategic initiatives, transition costs and other business optimization and information systems related costs (including non-recurring employee bonuses in connection therewith) and (D) costs and expenses with respect to Receivables Factoring Facilities, to the extent not included in Consolidated Interest Expense,

 

 

 

plus

(xiii)

expected “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and synergies relating to actions taken or expected to be taken by Company or any of its Subsidiaries within 12 months after the date of determination of such action, including the Transaction (as determined by Company in good faith and so long as such actions are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable); provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (xiii) and clause (xiv) in any Test Period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such period (after giving effect to the add-backs pursuant to this clause (xiii) and clause (xiv)),

 

 

 

plus

(xiv)

pro forma adjustments, pro forma cost savings, operating

 

9



 

 

 

expense reductions and cost synergies, in each case, related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions consummated by Company or its Subsidiaries and projected by Company in good faith to result from actions taken or expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of Company) within four fiscal quarters after the date any such transaction is consummated; provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to clause (xiii) and this clause (xiv) in any Test Period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such period (after giving effect to the add-backs pursuant to clause (xiii) and this clause (xiv)),

 

 

 

minus

(xv)

all other non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period,

 

in each case calculated for the applicable period in conformity with GAAP; provided, however, Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased by the amount of any cash expenditures in such period related to non-cash charges added back to Consolidated EBITDA during any prior periods.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of the total interest expense (including that attributable to Capitalized Leases in accordance with GAAP) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing but excluding, however, any amortization of deferred financing costs, all as determined on a consolidated basis for Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP plus the interest component of any lease payment under Attributable Debt transactions paid by Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis plus any discount and/or interest component in respect of a sale of Receivables Facility Assets by Company and its Subsidiaries regardless of whether such discount or interest would constitute interest under GAAP plus dividends paid in cash on Disqualified Preferred Stock.

 

Consolidated Net Income” and “Consolidated Net Loss” mean, respectively, with respect to any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of the Person in question for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis, provided that there shall be excluded (i) the income of any unconsolidated Subsidiary and any Person in which any other Person (other than Company or any of the Subsidiaries or any director holding qualifying shares in compliance with applicable law or any other third party holding a de minimis number of shares in order to comply with other similar requirements) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to Company or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries by such Person during such period and (ii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles (for the avoidance of doubt, all income of Unrestricted Entities shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income).

 

10



 

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, for any Person, the total assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, as determined from a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom all items that are treated as goodwill and other intangible assets (net of applicable amortization) under GAAP.

 

Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any Securities issued by such Person or of any indenture or credit agreement or any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound or to which it is otherwise subject.

 

Controlled Group” means the group consisting of (i) any corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as Company; (ii) a partnership or other trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with Company; (iii) a member of the same affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) as Company, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any partnership or trade or business described in clause (ii) above; or (iv) any other Person which is required to be aggregated with Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to regulations promulgated under Section 414(o) of the Code.

 

Controlled Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person (i) ninety percent (90%) or more of the Capital Stock 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 and (ii) of which such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise and “controlled” and “controlling” have correlative meanings thereto.

 

Conversion Fee” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Syndication & Fee Letter.

 

Co-operation Agreement” means that certain Deed, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, Purchaser and Target.

 

Cost of Funds” means the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of the relevant Loan for the relevant Interest Period which is the percentage rate per annum equal to the sum of: (i) the Applicable Margin and (ii) the weighted average of the rates notified to Administrative Agent by each Lender as soon as practicable and in any event within five Business Days of the first day of that Interest Period (or, if earlier, on the date falling five Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the relevant Lender of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select; provided that if Administrative Agent or Company so requires, Administrative Agent and Company shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the

 

11



 

rate of interest and any alternative basis agreed pursuant to this proviso shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and Company, be binding on all parties to this Agreement.

 

Court” means The High Court of Justice of England and Wales.

 

Court Meeting” means a meeting convened by the Court between the owners of the Target Shares to seek their approval of the Scheme.

 

Credit Exposure” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.8(b).

 

Credit Party” means Company and any Guarantor.

 

Customary Permitted Liens” means for any Person:

 

(i)             Liens for taxes, assessments, levies or governmental charges not yet due or as to which the grace period has not yet expired (not to exceed 30 days) or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued for which adequate provision for the payment of such taxes, assessments or governmental charges has been made on the books of such Person to the extent required by GAAP or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in its jurisdiction of organization;

 

(ii)          (A) mechanics’, suppliers’, processor’s, materialmen’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, workmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other Liens arising by operation of law and arising or created in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations of such Person that are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued, provided that adequate provision for the payment of such Liens has been made on the books of such Person to the extent required by GAAP or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in its jurisdiction of organization and (B) deposits securing letters of credit supporting such obligations;

 

(iii)       Liens consisting of pledges or deposits in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions and social security benefits, other similar benefits and other social security laws or regulations or liens created by pension standards legislation and Liens consisting of pledges and deposits securing letters of credit securing such obligations;

 

(iv)      (A)                   Liens consisting of deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, fee and expense arrangements with trustees and fiscal agents and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property) and customary deposits granted in the ordinary course of business under Operating Leases, (B) Liens securing surety, indemnity, performance, appeal, customs and release bonds, and

 

12



 

other similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and (C) Liens consisting of pledges and deposits securing letters of credit securing such obligations;

 

(v)         Permitted Real Property Encumbrances;

 

(vi)      attachment, judgment, writs or warrants of attachment or other similar Liens arising in connection with court or arbitration proceedings which do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 10.1(h);

 

(vii)   licenses and sublicenses of patents, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights not interfering, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect, with the conduct of the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(viii)            Liens (A) in respect of an agreement to sell, transfer or dispose of any asset or (B) solely on any earnest money deposits made by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into by it;

 

(ix)      Liens arising due to any cash pooling, netting or composite accounting arrangements between any one or more of Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between any one or more of such entities and one or more banks or other financial institutions where any such entity maintains deposits;

 

(x)         leases or subleases granted to others to the extent permitted in Section 8.4(b) and any interest or title of a lessor, licensor or sublessor under any lease or license permitted by this Agreement;

 

(xi)      customary rights of set off, revocation, refund or chargeback, Liens or similar rights under agreements with respect to deposits of cash, securities accounts, deposit disbursements, concentration accounts or comparable accounts under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction or under the UCC (or comparable foreign law) or arising by operation of law of banks or other financial institutions where Company or any of its Subsidiaries maintains securities accounts, deposit disbursements, concentration accounts or comparable accounts under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement; and

 

(xii)   Liens arising from filing precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to personal property operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

Debt Issuance” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.4(b).

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar

 

13



 

debtor relief laws of the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default Rate” means a variable rate per annum which shall be two percent (2%) per annum plus the then applicable interest rate hereunder in respect of the amount on which the Default Rate is being assessed.

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Bridge Loans required to be funded by it hereunder on the date required to be funded by it hereunder (unless such funding is the subject of a good faith dispute), (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless such amount is the subject of a good faith dispute, (c) has notified Company, Administrative Agent or any other Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply or has failed to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under other agreements in which it commits or is obligated to extend credit, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it or (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in such Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

Demand Failure” means a failure by Company to comply with its obligations related to any Securities Demand in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.15(b) (the next Business Day following such Demand Failure being the “Demand Failure Date”).

 

Demand Failure Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of Demand Failure.

 

Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook, investment or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, brokerage or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

 

Designated Existing Notes” means those certain (a) 6 3/4% Senior Notes due September 15, 2020 (the “Senior Notes (2020)”), issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million pursuant to the Senior Note (2020) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon

 

14



 

Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, as supplemented from time to time and (b) 5 3/4% Senior Notes due May 15, 2021 (the “Senior Notes (2021)”), issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $500 million pursuant to the Senior Note (2021) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as trustee, as supplemented from time to time.

 

Designated Existing Notes Refinancing” means the redemption of the Designated Existing Notes, together with the payment of all fees and other amounts owing thereon or resulting from such redemption.

 

Disqualified Preferred Stock” means any preferred stock of Company (or any equity security of Company that is convertible or exchangeable into any such preferred stock of Company) that is not Permitted Preferred Stock.

 

Dividend” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.5.

 

Dollar” and “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) as to any amount denominated in Dollars, the amount thereof at such time and (b) as to any amount denominated in any other currency, the equivalent amount in Dollars as determined by Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate for the purchase of Dollars with such other currency at the time set forth in Section 1.2(c).

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, other than (i) an entity that is disregarded for United States federal income tax purposes, substantially all of the assets of which are stock in “controlled foreign corporations” (as defined in Section 957 of the Code), (ii) an entity substantially all the assets of which are stock in “controlled foreign corporations” (as defined in Section 957 of the Code) or (iii) a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.1.

 

Eligible Assignee” means a commercial bank, financial institution, financial company, Fund or insurance company in each case, together with its Affiliates or Related Funds, which extends credit or buys loans in the ordinary course of its business or any other Person approved by Administrative Agent and Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that an “Eligible Assignee” shall not include (i) a private individual, (ii) a competitor of Company and its Subsidiaries or any of such competitor’s Affiliates identified in writing to Administrative Agent from time to time and (iii) any Person that has been identified by Company in writing to Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, and such Person’s Affiliates identified by Company in writing to Administrative Agent from time to time thereafter; provided that any designation pursuant to subclause (ii) or this subclause (iii) shall not

 

15



 

apply retroactively to disqualify any Lender or Participant as of the date such designation is received by Administrative Agent.

 

 

EMU Legislation” means the legislative measures of the European Union for the introduction of, changeover to, or operation of, the Euro in one or more member states.

 

Environmental Claim” means any notice of violation, claim, suit, demand, abatement order, or other lawful order by any Governmental Authority or any Person for any damage, personal injury (including sickness, disease or death), property damage, contribution, cost recovery, or any other common law claims, indemnity, indirect or consequential damages, damage to the environment, nuisance, cost recovery, or any other common law claims, pollution, contamination or other adverse effects on the environment, human health, or natural resources, or for fines, penalties, restrictions or injunctive relief, resulting from or based upon (a) the occurrence or existence of a Release or substantial threat of a material Release (whether sudden or non-sudden or accidental or non-accidental) of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material in, into or onto the environment at, in, by, from or related to the Premises or (b) the violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Laws relating to environmental matters connected with Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations or any Premises.

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable foreign, federal, state, provincial or local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, directives, or Environmental Permits relating to the protection of the environment or, as it relates to exposure to Hazardous Materials, health and safety, including, but not limited to, the following statutes as now written and hereafter amended:  the Water Pollution Control Act, as codified in 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control Act, as codified in 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq., and the Safe Drinking Water Act, as codified in 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq. and any related regulations, as well as all provincial, state, local or other equivalents.

 

Environmental Lien” means a Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for (i) any liability under Environmental Laws, or Environmental Permits, or directions of any Governmental Authority or court, or (ii) damages relating to, or costs incurred by such Governmental Authority in response to, a Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material into the environment.

 

Environmental Permits” means any and all permits, licenses, certificates, authorizations or approvals of any Governmental Authority required by Environmental Laws and necessary or reasonably required for the current operation of the business of Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

 

Equity Issuance” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.4(a).

 

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ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time amended.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any Person who together with any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer with the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.

 

Escrow Agent” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.4(d).

 

Euro” means the lawful currency adopted by or which is adopted by Participating Member States of the European Union.

 

Eurocurrency Loan” means any Bridge Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means the aggregate of (1) and (2) below:

 

(1)                                 the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen that displays the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited rate for deposits in Sterling (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period (or the successor thereto if ICE Benchmark Administration Limited is no longer making the applicable interest settlement rate available) (the “LIBOR Screen Rate”), determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; provided that if the LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement (but if more than one rate is specified on such page, the rate will be an arithmetic average of all such rates) or, in the event such rate is not available for any reason, (ii) the rate for such Interest Period shall be the interest rate per annum reasonably determined by Administrative Agent in good faith to be the rate per annum at which deposits in Sterling for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Loan being made, continued or converted by Administrative Agent and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered to Administrative Agent by major banks in the London interbank market for Sterling at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; and

 

(2)                                 the then current cost of the Lenders of complying with any Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements,

 

provided that the Eurocurrency Rate shall in no event be less than 1.00% per annum.

 

Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements” means, for any day as applied to a Eurocurrency Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve liquid asset or similar requirements in effect on such day (including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under any regulations

 

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of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto), including without limitation, under regulations issued from time to time by (a) the Board, (b) any Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction of the relevant currency or (c) any Governmental Authority of any jurisdiction in which advances in such currency are made to which banks in any jurisdiction are subject for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by reference to which interest rates applicable to loans in such currency are determined.

 

European Holdco” means Ball European Holdings S.àr.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office at 20, Rue Eugène Ruppert, L-2453 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies’ Register under number B 90.413.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 10.1.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as codified in 15 U.S.C. 78a et seq., and as hereafter amended.

 

Exchange Date” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(a).

 

Exchange Event” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(a).

 

Exchange Note Indenture” means the indenture relating to the Exchange Notes, which shall contain terms substantially similar to those contained in the Senior Note (2023) Indenture.

 

Exchange Note Trustee” means the trustee under the Exchange Note Indenture.

 

Exchange Notes” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(a).

 

Exchange Notice” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(b).

 

Exchange Rate” means, on any day, with respect to conversions between any currency and Dollars, any currency and Sterling or any currency and Euros, the Spot Rate, provided that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such Spot Rate is being quoted, Administrative Agent may use any reasonable method it deems applicable to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Administrative Agent shall provide Company with the then current Exchange Rate from time to time upon Company’s request therefor.

 

Exchange Securities” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.15(a).

 

Exchange Trigger Event” shall be deemed to have occurred on each date that Administrative Agent shall have received requests from Lenders in accordance with Section 2.8 to exchange a principal amount of Rollover Loans (that are outstanding as Rollover Loans at

 

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such time) for Exchange Notes, which, for purposes of the first occurrence, shall be in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than £100,000,000 and for any other occurrence shall be in an aggregate amount equal to or greater than £25,000,000, or, if less than £25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Rollover Loans remain outstanding, all outstanding remaining Rollover Loans.

 

Exchange Trigger Event Notice” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.8(a).

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or contract (in effect on the Effective Date or at the time of the acquisition of such Subsidiary and not incurred in contemplation thereof) from guaranteeing the Obligations or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a guarantee (unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received), (b) any Subsidiary for which the providing of a Subsidiary Guaranty could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse tax consequence to Company or one of its Subsidiaries as determined in good faith by Company and Administrative Agent, (c) bankruptcy remote special purpose receivables entities (including Receivables Subsidiaries) and captive insurance companies, (d) in the case of any obligation under any hedging arrangement that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1(a)(947) of the Commodity Exchange Act, any Subsidiary of Company that is not an “Eligible Contract Participant” as defined under the Commodity Exchange Act and (e) any Subsidiary where Company and Administrative Agent reasonably agree that the cost or other consequence of providing such a guarantee is excessive in relation to the value afforded thereby.

 

Excluded Taxes” means in the case of a Lender or Administrative Agent, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by net income, net receipts, net profits or capital of such Lender or Administrative Agent or a branch of such Lender or Administrative Agent (including, branch profits taxes), and franchise taxes imposed on such Lender or Administrative Agent by (i) the jurisdiction in which such Lender or Administrative Agent is incorporated or organized or resident, (ii) the jurisdiction (or political subdivision or taxing authority thereof) in which such Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s lending office in respect of which payments under this Agreement are made is located or is or has been otherwise carrying on business or (iii) the United States or any states thereof and (b) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 13, 2013, among Company, certain Subsidiaries of Company, the lenders party thereto, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and the other parties thereto.

 

Existing Target Credit Facilities” means (i) that certain Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2010 and amended and restated as of October 31, 2011 among Target, the financial institutions signatory thereto, Lloyds TSB Bank PLC, as agent and the arrangers signatory thereto and (ii) each of the other agreements evidencing Indebtedness in Schedule 1.1(h).

 

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Existing Target Notes” means those certain Notes (under and as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 23, 2012, between Target and the purchasers named therein), issued by Target.

 

Existing Target Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness under the €750,000,000 6.75 per cent capital securities of Target due 2067.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version of such Sections that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

 

Fiscal Quarter” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.13.

 

Fiscal Year” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.13.

 

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc., or any successor to its rating agency business.

 

Foreign Pension Plan” means any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any super-annuation fund) or other similar program, arrangement or agreement established or maintained outside of the United States of America by Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of Company or such Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund, or similar program provides or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and which is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Form 10-K” means the annual report in the Form 10-K filed by Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for the 2013 Fiscal Year.

 

Form 10-Q” means the quarterly report in the Form 10-Q filed by Company with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for the third Fiscal Quarter of 2014.

 

Fund” means a Person that is a fund that makes, purchases, holds or otherwise invests in commercial loans or similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its existence.

 

Funding Date” means the date of any making of Bridge Loans pursuant to Section 5.2 and 5.3.

 

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GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the U.S., that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

 

General Meeting” means an extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Target convened at the direction of the Court to approve a Scheme.

 

Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any intergovernmental or supranational body, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof and any entity lawfully exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

 

Guarantee Obligations” means, as to any Person, without duplication, any direct or indirect contractual obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness or Operating Lease, dividend or other obligation (“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:  (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor; (ii) 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; (iii) 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; or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligations shall not include any endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Guarantee Obligation at any time shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the lesser at such time of (a) the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made or (b) the maximum amount for which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation; or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability (assuming full performance) in respect thereof.

 

Guarantors” means, collectively, each of Company’s Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiaries now or hereafter party to the Subsidiary Guaranty (until released therefrom as expressly permitted hereunder).

 

Hazardous Materials” means (a) any petrochemical or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and radon gas; or (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined

 

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as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “restricted hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restrictive hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “contaminants” or “pollutants,” or words of similar meaning and regulatory effect.

 

Indebtedness” means, as applied to any Person (without duplication):

 

(i)             all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

 

(ii)          the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of assets or services (other than (x) trade payables and other accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (y) deferred compensation arrangements and (z) earn-out obligations unless such earn-out obligations have been liquidated and are not paid when due) which purchase price is due more than six months from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof;

 

(iii)       all Capitalized Lease Obligations;

 

(iv)      all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or not such indebtedness has been assumed by such Person or is nonrecourse to such Person (provided that with respect to indebtedness that is nonrecourse to the credit of such Person, such indebtedness shall be taken into account only to the extent of the lesser of the fair market value of the asset(s) subject to such Lien and the amount of indebtedness secured by such Lien);

 

(v)         notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money (other than such notes or drafts for the deferred purchase price of assets or services which does not constitute Indebtedness pursuant to clause (ii) above);

 

(vi)      indebtedness or obligations of such Person, in each case, evidenced by bonds, notes or similar written instruments;

 

(vii)   the face amount of all letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances issued for the account of such Person, and without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder other than, in each case, commercial or standby letters of credit or the functional equivalent thereof issued in connection with performance, bid or advance payment obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, performance requirements under workers compensation or similar laws;

 

(viii)            net obligations of such Person under Interest Rate Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements;

 

(ix)      Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (viii) and clause (x) of this definition); and

 

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(x)         Attributable Debt of such Person;

 

provided that Indebtedness shall exclude (A) COLI Policy Advances except to the extent such COLI Policy Advances constitute Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and (B) loans or advances made by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent that such loans or advances are made or issued in the ordinary course of business and have a term of 364 days or less (inclusive of any rollover or extension of the term).

 

Indemnified Person” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.4(c).

 

Initial Funding Date” means the first date on which the Conditions Precedent to Initial Funding have been satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement, the initial acquisition of Target Shares is consummated and there occurs the initial Borrowing of a Bridge Loan under this Agreement.

 

Initial Lenders” means the Lenders party to this Agreement on the date hereof.

 

Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.20.

 

Intercompany Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is owing to Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Bridge Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (b) as to any Bridge Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is a three (3) month anniversary of the first day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (c) as to any Rollover Loans, the last day of each Fiscal Quarter; provided, however, that in addition to the foregoing, each date upon which the Loans are due and payable shall be deemed to be an “Interest Payment Date” with respect to any interest which is then accrued hereunder for such Loan.

 

Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.4.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate cap agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Interest Rate Determination Date” means the date for calculating the Eurocurrency Rate for an Interest Period, which date shall be the date on which quotations would ordinarily be given by prime banks in the London interbank market for deposits in Sterling for value on the first day of the related Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Loan but in any event not earlier than the second Business Day prior to the first day of the related Interest Period; provided, however, that if for any such Interest Period quotations would ordinarily be given on more than one date, the Interest Rate Determination Date shall be the last of those dates.

 

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Inventory” means, inclusively, all inventory as defined in the UCC from time to time and all goods, merchandise and other personal property wherever located, now owned or hereafter acquired by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of every kind or description which are held for sale or lease or are furnished or to be furnished under a contract of service or are raw materials, work-in-process or materials used or consumed or to be used or consumed in Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business.

 

Investment” means, as applied to any Person, (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by that Person of, or a beneficial interest in, Securities of any other Person, or a capital contribution by that Person to any other Person, (ii) any direct or indirect loan or advance to any other Person (other than prepaid expenses or any Receivable created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and other than any intercompany loans or advances to the extent that such intercompany loans, advances are made or issued in the ordinary course of business and have a term of 364 days or less (inclusive of any rollover or extension of the term)), including all Indebtedness to such Person in respect of consideration from a sale of property by such person other than in the ordinary course of its business, (iii) any Acquisition or (iv) any purchase by that Person of a futures contract or such person otherwise becoming liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodity at a future date in the nature of a futures contract.  The amount of any Investment by any Person on any date of determination shall be the sum of the value of the gross assets transferred to or acquired by such Person (including the amount of any liability assumed in connection with such transfer or acquisition by such Person to the extent such liability would be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP) plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment, minus the amount of all cash returns of principal or capital thereon, cash dividends thereon and other cash returns on investment thereon or liabilities expressly assumed by another Person (other than Company or its Subsidiaries) in connection with the sale of such Investment.  Whenever the term “outstanding” is used in this Agreement with reference to an Investment, it shall take into account the matters referred to in the preceding sentence.

 

Investment Banks” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.15(a).

 

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service, or any successor or analogous organization.

 

Lead Arrangers” means Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., RBS Securities Inc. and Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch.

 

Lender” and “Lenders” have the meanings assigned to those terms in the introduction to this Agreement and shall include any Person that becomes a “Lender” as contemplated by Section 12.8.

 

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Lien” means (i) any judgment lien or execution, attachment, levy, or similar legal process and (ii) any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, or deposit arrangement (other than a deposit to a Deposit Account not intended as security) of any kind or other arrangement of similar effect (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, or any sale of receivables with recourse against the seller or any Affiliate of the seller).

 

Loan” means a Bridge Loan or a Rollover Loan, as applicable, and “Loans” means all such loans collectively.

 

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, each Subsidiary Guaranty, each other document designated in writing by (i) Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders and (ii) Company as a “Loan Document”, and, solely for purposes of Section 12.4(c), the Syndication & Fee Letter, in each case as the same may at any time be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified and in effect.

 

Majority Lead Arrangers” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.15(b).

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning specified in Regulation U issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, financial condition, or operations of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Credit Party to perform its respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, or (c) the rights and benefits available to the Lenders, taken has a whole, under any Loan Document.

 

Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Company, which either (i) the consolidated total assets of which were more than 8% of Company’s Consolidated Assets as of the end of the most recently completed Fiscal Year of Company for which audited financial statements are available or (ii) the consolidated total revenues of which were more than 7% of Company’s consolidated total revenues for such period.  Assets of Foreign Subsidiaries shall be converted into Dollars at the rates used for purposes of preparing the consolidated balance sheet of Company included in such audited financial statements.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means a Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which Company or any Subsidiary of Company or any ERISA Affiliate contributes, or is accruing an obligation to make, or has accrued an obligation to make contributions within the preceding five (5) years.

 

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Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any Debt Issuance or any Equity Issuance, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such Debt Issuance or Equity Issuance, net of (b) the sum of (i) the direct costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith (or, if such costs or expenses have not yet then been incurred or invoiced, good faith estimates thereof), (ii) any provision for taxes in respect thereof made or held in reserve in accordance with GAAP and (iii) with respect to Debt Issuances only, the amount of any reserves established to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable that are directly attributable to such Debt Issuance.  Any proceeds received in a currency other than Sterling shall, for purposes of the calculation of the amount of Net Proceeds, be in an amount equal to the Sterling Equivalent thereof as of the date of receipt thereof by Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

 

Net Sale Proceeds” means, with respect to any Asset Disposition (including any Aerospace Asset Disposition) the aggregate cash payments received by Company or any Subsidiary from such Asset Disposition (including, without limitation, cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a note receivable, conversion of non-cash consideration, cash payments in respect of purchase price adjustments or otherwise, but only as and when such cash is actually received) minus (a) the direct costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith (or, if such costs or expenses have not yet then been incurred or invoiced, good faith estimates thereof), (b) the payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owed hereunder) required to be repaid as a result of such Asset Disposition, (c) any provision for taxes in respect thereof made or held in reserve in accordance with GAAP, and (d) the amount of any reasonable reserves established by Company or any Subsidiary of Company to fund contingent liabilities and fixed indemnification payments reasonably estimated to be payable; provided that any amount by which such reserves are reduced for reasons other than payment of any such contingent liabilities or indemnification payments shall be considered “Net Sale Proceeds” upon such reduction.  Any proceeds received in a currency other than Sterling shall, for purposes of the calculation of the amount of Net Sale Proceeds, be in an amount equal to the Sterling Equivalent thereof as of the date of receipt thereof by Company or any Subsidiary of Company.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender” means each Lender which is not a Defaulting Lender.

 

Non-U.S. Participant” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.7(a)(ii).

 

Note” means any of the Bridge Notes or the Rollover Notes and “Notes” means all of such Notes collectively.

 

Notice Address” means the office of Administrative Agent located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Peter Cucchiara, or such other office as Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.

 

Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.5.

 

Notice of Continuation” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.6.

 

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Notice Office” means the office of Administrative Agent located at 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Peter Cucchiara, or such other office as Administrative Agent may designate to Company and the Lenders from time to time.

 

Obligations” means all liabilities and obligations of Company and its Subsidiaries now or hereafter arising under this Agreement and all of the other Loan Documents, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, and whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, contingent, fixed or otherwise (including obligations of performance).

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of Treasury.

 

Offer” means a public offer by, or made on behalf of, Purchaser in accordance with the City Code and the provisions of the Companies Act for Purchaser to acquire all of the Target Shares not owned, held or agreed to be acquired by Purchaser.

 

Offer Document” means an offer document dispatched to shareholders of the Target setting out in full the terms and conditions of an Offer.

 

Operating Lease” of any Person, means any lease (including, without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person, as lessee, which is not a Capitalized Lease in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the date hereof.

 

Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s articles or certificate of incorporation, certificate of amalgamation, memorandum or articles of association, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, joint venture agreement or other similar governing documents.

 

Other Hedging Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, commodity agreements, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar agreement (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any such agreements entered into on behalf of any customer of Company or a Subsidiary).

 

Participants” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.8(b).

 

Participating Member State” means each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

 

Participating Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Company or any other entity formed as necessary or customary under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction that is a participant in a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization.

 

Patriot Act” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.21(c).

 

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Payment Office” means 60 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005, Attn: Peter Cucchiara, or such other address as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify in accordance with Section 12.3.

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by Section 4002(a) of ERISA.

 

Period Prior to a Securities Demand” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.15(b).

 

Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization” means any receivables financing program providing for the sale, conveyance or contribution to capital of Receivables Facility Assets or interests therein by Company and its Participating Subsidiaries to a Receivables Subsidiary in transactions purporting to be sales, which Receivables Subsidiary shall finance the purchase of such Receivables Facility Assets by the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance, lien, grant of participation or other interest or pledge of such Receivables Facility Assets or interests therein to one or more limited purpose financing companies, special purpose entities, trusts and/or financial institutions, in each case, on a limited recourse basis as to Company and the Participating Subsidiaries (except to the extent a limitation on recourse is not customary for similar transactions or is prohibited in the relevant jurisdiction); provided that any such transaction shall be consummated pursuant to documentation necessary or customary for such transactions in the relevant jurisdiction (or otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent as evidenced by its written approval thereof).

 

Permitted Acquisition” means (x) the Target Acquisition and (y) any Acquisition by Company or a Subsidiary of Company if, solely in the case of this clause (y), all of the following conditions are met on the date such Acquisition is consummated:

 

(a)                       no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(b)                       in the case of any acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition shall have been approved by the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person;

 

(c)                        all transactions related thereto are consummated in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Requirements of Law;

 

(d)                       in the case of any acquisition of any equity interest in any Person, if after giving effect to such acquisition such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Company which is not an Unrestricted Entity, such Person, to the extent required by Section 7.12, guarantees the Obligations hereunder;

 

(e)                        all actions, if any, required to be taken under Section 7.12 with respect to any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary are taken as and when required under Section 7.12; and

 

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(f)                         if the aggregate Investment for such acquisition is $100,000,000 or greater (excluding the maximum value of earn out obligations, if any): (x) immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis for the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending with the Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have most recently been delivered (or were required to be delivered) under Section 7.1, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default would exist hereunder and (y) on or before the date of the consummation of such acquisition, Company delivers to Administrative Agent (i) financial statements of the business or Person to be acquired, including, to the extent available, income statements or statements of cash flows and balance sheet statements for at least the fiscal year or the four fiscal quarters then most recently ended (or such shorter period of time as such Person has been in existence) and (ii) pro forma financial statements supporting the calculations required by clause (x) hereof, if applicable, certified on behalf of Company by the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of Company to his or her knowledge.

 

Permitted Aerospace JV” means a Person (together with its Subsidiaries, if any) organized by Company or Ball Aerospace and one or more third parties for the purpose, among other things, of conducting the Aerospace Business regardless of whether such Person is a subsidiary, a joint venture or a minority-owned Person; provided that such Person shall not be a Controlled Subsidiary.

 

Permitted Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) of all or any part of (i) an interest in shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of Company, (ii) any interest in any joint venture to which Company or any Subsidiary is a party, or (iii) any other assets (each of (i), (ii) or (iii) referred to for purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as, after giving effect to such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions), Company shall be in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Article IX under the Revolving Credit Agreement (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) as of the end of the most recent Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1.

 

Permitted Call Spread Transaction” means any Permitted Convertible Bond Hedge and any Permitted Warrant entered into on customary market terms and conditions.

 

Permitted Convertible Bond Hedge” means any call or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on Company’s Common Stock purchased by Company from an unaffiliated third party in an arm’s-length dealing in connection with the issuance of its convertible debt securities.

 

Permitted Covenant” means (i) any periodic reporting covenant, (ii) any covenant restricting payments by Company with respect to any securities of Company which are junior to the Permitted Preferred Stock, (iii) any covenant the default of which can only result in an increase in the amount of any redemption price, repayment amount, dividend rate or interest rate, (iv) any covenant providing board observance rights with respect to Company’s board of directors and (v) any other covenant that, when considered with all of the covenants, taken as a

 

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whole, does not materially adversely affect the interests of the Lenders (as reasonably determined by Administrative Agent).

 

Permitted Debt Documents” means, collectively, the Senior Note Documents, the Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents, and any other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof.

 

Permitted Guarantee Obligations” means (i) Guarantee Obligations of Company or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations of any Person under leases, supply contracts and other contracts or warranties and indemnities, in each case, not constituting Indebtedness of such Person, which have been or are undertaken or made in the ordinary course of business by Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, guarantees of leases and supply contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), (ii) Guarantee Obligations of any Credit Party with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2 (other than clauses (b), (g) and (v) of such Section) of any other Credit Party, provided that to the extent that such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee Obligations shall also be subordinated to the Obligations on similar subordination terms or otherwise on terms reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, (iii) Guarantee Obligations of any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2 of any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party, (iv) Guarantee Obligations with respect to surety, appeal, performance bonds and similar bonds or statutory obligations incurred by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (v) Guarantee Obligations of Company and any of its Subsidiaries with respect to Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(v), provided that in each case, such Guarantee Obligations shall rank no higher than pari passu in right of payment with the Obligations, and (vi) additional Guarantee Obligations which (other than Guarantee Obligations of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(b)) do not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

 

Permitted Liens” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.1.

 

Permitted Preferred Stock” means any preferred stock of Company (or any equity security of Company that is convertible or exchangeable into any preferred stock of Company), so long as the terms of any such preferred stock or equity security of Company (i) do not provide any collateral security, (ii) do not provide any guaranty or other support by Company or any Subsidiaries of Company, (iii) do not contain any mandatory put, redemption, repayment, sinking fund or other similar provision occurring before the third anniversary of the Effective Date, (iv) do not require the cash payment of dividends or interest, (v) do not contain any covenants other than any Permitted Covenant, (vi) do not grant the holders thereof any voting rights except for (x) voting rights required to be granted to such holders under applicable law, (y) limited customary voting rights on fundamental matters such as mergers, consolidations, sales of substantial assets, or liquidations involving Company and (z) other voting rights to the extent not greater than or superior to those allocated to Common Stock on a per share basis, and (vii) are otherwise reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

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Permitted Real Property Encumbrances” means (i) as to any particular real property at any time, such easements, encroachments, covenants, rights of way, subdivisions, parcelizations, minor defects, irregularities, encumbrances on title (including leasehold title) or other similar charges or encumbrances which do not materially detract from the value of such real property for the purpose for which it is held by the owner thereof, (ii) municipal and zoning ordinances and other land use or environmental regulations or restrictions, which are not violated in any material respect by the existing improvements and the present use made by the owner thereof of the premises, (iii) general real estate taxes and assessments not yet due or as to which the grace period has not yet expired (not to exceed 30 days) or the amount or validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued, if adequate provision for the payment of such taxes has been made on the books of such Person to the extent required by GAAP or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in its jurisdiction of organization and (iv) such other items to which Administrative Agent may consent in its reasonable discretion.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means a replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation or other modification of any Indebtedness by the Person that originally incurred such Indebtedness, provided that:

 

(i)             the principal amount of such Indebtedness plus, in the case of a revolving facility or other undrawn letter of credit or term loan, the unutilized commitments thereunder (as determined as of the date of the incurrence of the Indebtedness in accordance with GAAP) does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness refinanced thereby on such date plus all accrued interest and premiums and the amounts of all fees, expenses, penalties (including prepayment penalties) and premiums incurred in connection with such replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation or modification;

 

(ii)          the final maturity date of such Indebtedness shall be no earlier than the final maturity date of the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended, defeased, restructured, refunded, repaid, amended, restated, supplemented or modified;

 

(iii)       the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness is not less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended, defeased, restructured, refunded, repaid, amended, restated, supplemented or modified;

 

(iv)      except in connection with Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Senior Notes, the Existing Target Notes, the Existing Target Subordinated Debt and the Revolving Credit Agreement, such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party except to the extent such Person guaranteed such

 

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Indebtedness being replaced, renewed, refinanced, extended, defeased, restructured, refunded, repaid, amended, restated, supplemented or modified;

 

(v)         such Indebtedness is not secured by any assets other than those securing or required to secure such Indebtedness on the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such Indebtedness was incurred, assumed or acquired), or in the case of Indebtedness of the Target or any of its Subsidiaries, if the Target Acquisition is consummated by way of a Scheme, on the Scheme Effective Date or if the Target Acquisition is consummated by way of an Offer, the date on which the Offer has become unconditional in all respects and Purchaser has become, directly or indirectly, the legal and beneficial owner of at least 90% of the Voting Securities of the Target; provided that in the case of any Indebtedness that refinances or replaces in part the Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement or this Agreement, such Indebtedness may be secured by the Capital Stock of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Company;

 

(vi)      in the case of other such Indebtedness the Dollar Equivalent amount which is in excess of $75,000,000, the covenants, defaults and similar non-economic provisions applicable to such Indebtedness, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the provisions contained in the original documentation for such Indebtedness or in this Agreement and do not contravene in any material respect the provisions of this Agreement and such Indebtedness is at the then prevailing market rates (it being understood and agreed that this clause (vi) may be satisfied by the delivery of a certificate by Company to Administrative Agent certifying that the requirements of this clause (vi) have been satisfied); and

 

(vii)   in the case of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Senior Notes unless such Indebtedness is Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, the scheduled maturity date shall not be earlier than, nor shall any amortization commence, prior to the date that is one year after the Bridge Loan Maturity Date.

 

Permitted Warrant” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) on Company’s Common Stock sold by Company to an unaffiliated third party in an arm’s-length dealing substantially concurrently with any purchase by Company of a related Permitted Convertible Bond Hedge.

 

Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Plan” means any plan described in Section 4021(a) of ERISA and not excluded pursuant to Section 4021(b) thereof, which is or has, within the preceding six years, been established or maintained, or to which contributions are being or have been, within the preceding six years, made, by Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliates. For greater certainty, Plan does not include a Foreign Pension Plan.

 

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Plan Administrator” has the meaning assigned to the term “administrator” in Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA.

 

Plan Sponsor” has the meaning assigned to the term “plan sponsor” in Section 3(16)(B) of ERISA.

 

Premises”  means, at any time any real estate then owned, leased or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Press Release” means the press release made pursuant to Rule 2.7 of the City Code by or on behalf of Purchaser announcing a firm intention to proceed with an Offer or, as the case may be, a Scheme.

 

Pro Forma Basis” means, (a) with respect to the preparation of pro forma financial statements for purposes of the tests set forth in the definition of Permitted Acquisition and for any other purpose relating to a Permitted Acquisition, pro forma on the basis that (i) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with such Acquisition was incurred or assumed on the first day of the applicable period, (ii) if such Indebtedness bears a floating interest rate, such interest shall be paid over the pro forma period at the rate in effect on the date of such Acquisition, and (iii) all income and expense associated with the assets or entity acquired in connection with such Acquisition (other than the fees, costs and expenses associated with the consummation of such Acquisition) for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period for which such income and expense amounts are available shall be treated as being earned or incurred by Company over the applicable period on a pro forma basis without giving effect to any cost savings other than Pro Forma Cost Savings, (b) with respect to the preparation of a pro forma financial statement for any purpose relating to an Asset Disposition, pro forma on the basis that (i) any Indebtedness prepaid out of the proceeds of such Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been prepaid as of the first day of the applicable Test Period, and (ii) all income and expense (other than such expenses as Company, in good faith, estimates will not be reduced or eliminated as a consequence of such Asset Disposition) associated with the assets or entity disposed of in connection with such Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been eliminated as of the first day of the applicable Test Period and (c) with respect to the preparation of pro forma financial statements for any purpose relating to an incurrence of Indebtedness or the payment of any Restricted Payment, pro forma on the basis that (i) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with such incurrence of Indebtedness or such payment was incurred or assumed on the first day of the applicable period, (ii) if such incurrence of Indebtedness bears a floating interest rate, such interest shall be paid over the pro forma period at the rate in effect on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, and (iii) all income and expense associated with any Permitted Acquisition consummated in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than the fees, costs and expenses associated with the consummation of such incurrence of Indebtedness) for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period for which such income and expense amounts are available shall be treated as being earned or incurred by Company over the applicable period on a pro forma basis without giving effect to any cost savings other than Pro Forma Cost Savings.

 

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Pro Forma Cost Savings” means with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, if requested by Company pursuant to the succeeding sentence, the amount of factually supportable and identifiable pro forma cost savings directly attributable to operational efficiencies expected to be created by Company with respect to such Permitted Acquisition which efficiencies can be reasonably computed (based on the four (4) fiscal quarters immediately preceding the date of such proposed acquisition) and are approved by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.  If Company desires to have, with respect to any Permitted Acquisition, the amount of pro forma cost savings directly attributable to the aforementioned operational efficiencies treated as part of the term Pro Forma Cost Savings, then Company shall so notify Administrative Agent and provide reasonable written detail with respect thereto not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed date of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

Pro Rata Share” means, when used with reference to any Lender, an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying such described aggregate or total amount by a fraction the numerator of which shall be such Lender’s Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the total Commitment of all Lenders or, if no Commitments are then outstanding, such Lender’s aggregate outstanding Loans to the total outstanding Loans hereunder.

 

Purchaser” means Ball UK Acquisition Limited, a private company limited by shares incorporated in England & Wales (registered number 9441371) and whose registered office is at c/o Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DS, United Kingdom, and any successor entity or assignee thereof.

 

Quarterly Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December of each year.

 

Receivable(s)” means and includes all of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ presently existing and hereafter arising or acquired accounts, accounts receivable, and all present and future rights of Company and its Subsidiaries to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered (except those evidenced by instruments or chattel paper), whether or not they have been earned by performance, and all rights in any merchandise or goods which any of the same may represent, and all rights, title, security and guaranties with respect to each of the foregoing, including, without limitation, any right of stoppage in transit.

 

Receivables Documents” means all documentation relating to any receivables financing program providing for the sale of some or all Receivables Facility Assets by Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not to a Receivables Subsidiary) in transactions purporting to be sales and shall include the documents evidencing any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and any Receivables Factoring Facility.

 

Receivables Facility Assets” means all Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto, including without limitation (i) all collateral given by the respective account debtor or on its behalf (but not by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) securing such Receivables, (ii) all contracts and all guarantees (but not by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or other obligations

 

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directly related to such Receivables, (iii) other related assets including those set forth in the Receivables Documents, and (iv) proceeds of all of the foregoing.

 

Receivables Facility Attributable Debt” means at any date of determination thereof in connection with the Receivables Documents, the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the net outstanding amount theretofore paid, directly or indirectly, by a funding source to a receivables subsidiary (including, without limitation, Company or any Subsidiary in connection with sales permitted pursuant to Section 8.4(d)(ii)) in respect of the Receivables Facility Assets sold, conveyed, contributed or transferred or pledged in connection with such documents (it being the intent of the parties that the amount of Receivables Facility Attributable Debt at any time outstanding approximate as closely as possible the principal amount of Indebtedness which would be outstanding at such time under the Receivables Documents, if the same were structured as a secured lending agreement rather than an agreement providing for the sale, conveyance, contribution to capital, transfer or pledge of such Receivables Facility Assets or interests therein).

 

Receivables Factoring Facility” means a non-recourse sale of receivables by Company or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to another Person, including in connection with supply chain financing facilities.

 

Receivables Subsidiary” means a special purpose, bankruptcy remote Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company which has been or may be formed for the sole and exclusive purpose of engaging in activities in connection with the purchase, sale and financing of Receivables in connection with and pursuant to a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization; provided, however, that if the law of a jurisdiction in which Company proposes to create a Receivables Subsidiary does not provide for the creation of a bankruptcy remote entity that is acceptable to Company or requires the formation of one or more additional entities (whether or not Subsidiaries of Company), Administrative Agent may in its reasonable discretion permit Company to form such other type of entity in such jurisdiction to serve as a Receivables Subsidiary as is necessary or customary for similar transactions in such jurisdiction.

 

Receiving Agent” means the receiving agent appointed pursuant to the Receiving Agent Letter.

 

Receiving Agent Letter” means, in the case of an Offer, a letter relating to the appointment of a receiving agent in respect of that Offer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Register” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 12.14.

 

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board as from time to time in effect and any successor provision to all or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

 

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Related Fund” means, with respect to any Lender which is a Fund, any other Fund that is administered or managed by the same investment advisor of such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, dumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, escape, leaching or migration into the environment or into or out of any property of Company or its Subsidiaries, or at any other location, including any location to which Company or any Subsidiary has transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material, including the movement of Hazardous Materials through or in the air, soil, surface water or groundwater of Company or its Subsidiaries or at any other location, including any location to which Company or any Subsidiary has transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material.

 

Remedial Action” means actions legally required to (i) clean up, remove or treat Hazardous Materials in the environment or (ii) perform pre-response or post-response studies and investigations and post-response monitoring and care or any other studies, reports or investigations relating to Hazardous Materials.

 

Replaced Lender” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.7.

 

Replacement Lender” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.7.

 

Replacement Senior Note Financing” means the issuance of new senior notes in a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering, the proceeds of which pays all or a portion of the redemption price of the Designated Existing Notes and/or all of the Revolving Credit Facility Loans which were used to pay all or a portion of the redemption price of the Designated Existing Notes; provided that to the extent that the Net Proceeds of such senior notes exceeds the sum of $250,000,000 plus (x) the redemption price of the Designated Existing Notes that is paid or (y) Revolving Credit Facility Loans (the proceeds of which were applied to refinance or redeem the Designated Existing Notes) that are repaid, in each case, with the Net Proceeds of such senior notes, plus the premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith, such greater amount shall be used to either (i) prepay any Bridge Loans that are outstanding or (ii) if there are no Bridge Loans outstanding at such time, reduce the Commitments in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, Sections 4.4(b) and 4.4(d).

 

Replacement Target Note Financing” means the issuance of new senior notes in a “144A” or other private placement or registered offering, the proceeds of which pays all or a portion of the redemption price of the Existing Target Notes or all of the Revolving Credit Facility Loans which were used to pay all or a portion of the redemption price of the Existing Target Notes.

 

Reportable Event” means a “reportable event” described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or in the regulations thereunder with respect to a Plan, excluding any event for which the thirty (30) day notice requirement has been waived.

 

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Required Lenders” means Non-Defaulting Lenders the sum of whose Commitments (or, if after the Commitments have been terminated, outstanding Loans), constitute greater than 50% of the sum of the total Commitments less the aggregate Commitments (or, if after the Commitments have been terminated, the total outstanding Loans) of Non-Defaulting Lenders.

 

Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, any law (including common law), treaty, rule or regulation or judgment, decree, determination or award of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, including without limitation, any Environmental Law, in each case imposing a legal obligation or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Responsible Officer” means any of the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Treasurer of Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary.

 

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than an Investment permitted by Section 8.7 (other than clause (j) thereof).

 

Restricted Party” means a Person that is:

 

(i)                                     listed on, or owned (meaning 50% or greater ownership interest) or controlled by a person listed on any Sanctions List;

 

(ii)                                  located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned (meaning 50% or greater ownership interest) or controlled by a person located in or organized under the laws of, a country that is the target of comprehensive country-wide or territory wide Sanctions (currently the Crimea Region, Iran, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, and North Korea); or

 

(iii)                               otherwise a target of Sanctions (“target of Sanctions” signifying a person with whom a U.S. Person or other national of a Sanctions Authority would be prohibited or restricted by law from engaging in trade, business or other activities).

 

Restricted Payment” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.5.

 

Returns” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 6.9.

 

Revolving Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent and as collateral agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, modified, replaced or refinanced from time to time.

 

Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” under and as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

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Revolving Credit Facility Loans” means the “Loans” made under and as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

Revolving Credit Agreement Refinancing” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 8.1(q).

 

Rollover Amendment” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1(d).

 

Rollover Conversion” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1(b).

 

Rollover Loan Maturity Date” means the seventh anniversary of the Bridge Loan Maturity Date.

 

Rollover Loans” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1(b).

 

Rollover Note” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.2(a)(2).

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Service, a division of McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby a seller or transferor shall sell or otherwise transfer any real or personal property and then or thereafter lease, or repurchase under an extended purchase contract, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the same or similar property.

 

Sanctions Laws and Regulations” means the economic sanctions laws, regulations or restrictive measures administered, enacted, or enforced by:  (i) the United States government, including but not limited to, the Executive Order, the Patriot Act, the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq.), the U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), the U.S. United Nations Participation Act, the U.S. Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act, the U.S. Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 or the Iran Sanctions Act, Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012, The Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, all as amended,  any of the foreign assets control regulations (including but not limited to 31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended), or the U.S. Export Administration Act, the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union; (iv) the United Kingdom; or (v) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including without limitation, OFAC, the United States Department of State,  her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”) (together the “Sanctions Authorities”).

 

Sanctions List” means the Annex to the Executive Order, the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) maintained by OFAC, the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List maintained by

 

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HMT, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities.

 

Scheme” means a scheme of arrangement effected pursuant to Part 26 of the Companies Act under which the Target Shares will be cancelled (or transferred) and Purchaser will become the holder of new shares issued in place of such cancelled Target Shares (or, as the case may be, the holder of such transferred Target Shares).

 

Scheme Circular” means a circular dispatched by the Target to holders of the Target Shares setting out in full the terms and conditions of a Scheme and convening a General Meeting and a Court Meeting, as such document may be amended from time to time in accordance with the City Code and/or the requirements of the Takeover Panel and, in each case, in accordance with Section 8.15.

 

Scheme Court Order” means the order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme.

 

Scheme Effective Date” means the date on which a copy of the court order sanctioning the Scheme is duly filed on behalf of the Target with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Section 899 of the Companies Act.

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Securities” means any stock, shares, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, options, warrants, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

Securities Demand” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 7.15(b).

 

Senior Bridge Refinancing Notes” means any senior notes issued by Company for the purposes of refinancing its Loans under this Agreement (or replacing any undrawn Commitments hereunder).

 

Senior Note (2020) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2020), the Senior Note (2020) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2020).

 

Senior Note (2020) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a) The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain fourth supplemental indenture, dated as of March 22, 2010, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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Senior Note (2021) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2021), the Senior Note (2021) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2021).

 

Senior Note (2021) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a) The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain fifth supplemental indenture, dated as of November 18, 2010, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Senior Note (2022) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2022), the Senior Note (2022) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2022).

 

Senior Note (2022) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain seventh supplemental indenture, dated as of March 9, 2012, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Senior Note (2023) Documents” means the Senior Notes (2023), the Senior Note (2023) Indenture and all other documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise governing the terms of the Senior Notes (2023).

 

Senior Note (2023) Indenture” means that certain Indenture dated as of March 27, 2006, between Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (f/k/a The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, as supplemented by that certain eighth supplemental indenture, dated as of May 16, 2013, among Company, the Subsidiaries of Company party thereto and the Trustee, as further amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Senior Note Documents” means, collectively, the Senior Note (2020) Documents, the Senior Note (2021) Documents, the Senior Note (2022) Documents and the Senior Note (2023) Documents.

 

Senior Note Indentures” means, collectively, the Senior Note (2020) Indenture, the Senior Note (2021) Indenture, the Senior Note (2022) Indenture and the Senior Note (2023) Indenture.

 

Senior Notes” means, collectively, the Senior Notes (2022) and the Senior Notes (2023).

 

Senior Notes (2020)” has the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of Designated Existing Notes.

 

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Senior Notes (2021)” has the meaning assigned to that term in the definition of Designated Existing Notes.

 

Senior Notes (2022)” means those certain 5% Senior Notes due March 15, 2022, issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $750 million pursuant to the Senior Note (2022) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by the Senior Note (2022) Indenture.

 

Senior Notes (2023)”  means those certain 4% Senior Notes due November 15, 2023, issued by Company in the aggregate principal amount of $1 billion pursuant to the Senior Note (2023) Indenture, which term shall include and shall constitute the notes issued in exchange therefor as contemplated by the Senior Notes (2023) Indenture.

 

Shareholder Rights Plan” means the Shareholder Rights Plan adopted by Company on July 21, 2006, pursuant to which holders of Company’s Common Stock receive contingent rights to purchase a fractional share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (as defined therein) and to acquire additional shares of Common Stock, and any substantially similar successor or replacement shareholder rights plan adopted by the Board of Directors of Company.

 

Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

 

Sterling” or “£” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

Sterling Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) as to any amount denominated in Sterling, the amount thereof at such time and (b) as to any amount denominated in any other currency, the equivalent amount in Sterling as determined by Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate for the purchase of Sterling with such other currency at the time set forth in Section 1.2(c).

 

Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, partnership (limited or general), limited liability company, trust or other entity of which a majority of the stock (or equivalent ownership or equity interest) having voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors (if a corporation) or to select the trustee or equivalent managing body or controlling interest, shall, at the time such reference becomes operative, be directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of the other subsidiaries of such Person or any combination thereof.  Neither Latapack-Ball Embalagens Ltda nor Rocky Mountain Metal Container LLC will be deemed to be a Subsidiary of Company for purposes of the Loan

 

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Documents, unless, in each case, (x) it otherwise meets the requirements of this definition and (y) it is designated as a “Subsidiary” by Company in a written notice to Administrative Agent.  Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement (a) shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Company and (b) shall not include any Unrestricted Entity.

 

Subsidiary Guaranty” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.1(a)(ii).

 

Swiss Franc” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

 

Syndication & Fee Letter” means that certain Syndication & Fee Letter, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers and their respective affiliates party thereto.

 

Takeover Panel” means the United Kingdom Panel on Takeovers and Mergers.

 

Target” means  Rexam PLC, a company incorporated in England and Wales (registered number 00191285) and whose registered office is at 4 Millbank, London SW1P 3XR, United Kingdom.

 

Target Acquisition” means the acquisition of Target Shares by Purchaser pursuant to a Scheme or an Offer.

 

Target Group” means the Target and its Subsidiaries.

 

Target Notes Refinancing” means the repurchase of all or a portion of the Existing Target Notes following the Target Acquisition, together with the payment of all fees and other amounts owing thereon or resulting from such repurchase.

 

Target Shares” means the ordinary shares of the Target, the subject of an Offer or, as the case may be, a Scheme.

 

Tax Sharing Agreements” means all tax sharing, disaffiliation tax allocation and other similar agreements entered into by Company or its Subsidiaries on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

Taxes” means any and all present and future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, and any and all liabilities (including interest and penalties and other additions to taxes) with respect to the foregoing, but excluding Excluded Taxes.

 

Termination Event” means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) a Reportable Event, or (b) the withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of a Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or a

 

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Foreign Pension Plan or the treatment of a Plan or Foreign Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA or similar foreign laws, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, or (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Plan or Foreign Pension Plan by the PBGC or similar foreign governmental authority, or (e) any other event or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA, or (g) the determination that any Plan or Multiemployer Plan is considered an at-risk plan or plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 or 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 or 305 of ERISA or (h) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Pension Plan if withdrawal liability is asserted by such plan, or (i) any event or condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or (j) any event or condition which results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (k) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

Test Period” means the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of Company then last ended.

 

Total Cap” means 7.0% per annum.

 

Transaction” means, collectively, (i) the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) the acquisition of Target Shares to be acquired pursuant to an Offer or a Scheme, as applicable, and (iii) the payment of the related fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

 

Transaction Documents” means the Loan Documents, the Press Release, any Offer Document and any Scheme Circular and any other document or announcement issued by or on behalf of Company and/or Purchaser pursuant to the City Code.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the relevant jurisdiction.

 

Uncommitted Short Term Lines of Credit” means overdraft facilities, lines of credit or similar facilities providing for uncommitted advances to a Foreign Subsidiary, a Domestic Subsidiary or Company; provided that no Indebtedness incurred thereunder remains outstanding for more than one year and no Subsidiary grants any Lien (other than Customary Permitted Liens) to secure such Indebtedness.

 

Unmatured Event of Default” means an event, act or occurrence which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time (or both) would become an Event of Default.

 

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Unrestricted Entity” means (i) prior to a redesignation by Company pursuant to Section 12.23, each Person set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) hereto, (ii) prior to a redesignation by Company pursuant to Section 12.23, each Person from time to time designated as an Unrestricted Entity by Company pursuant to a notice signed by a Responsible Officer identifying such Person to be designated as an Unrestricted Entity so long as immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of such designation, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists or will exist (including, without limitation, the permissibility of any Investment, Indebtedness, Liens or other obligations existing at such Subsidiaries) and (iii) each successor of the foregoing; provided that so long as the Revolving Credit Agreement is in effect, no Person may be an Unrestricted Entity under this Agreement that is not an Unrestricted Entity under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 

Voting Securities” means any class of Capital Stock of a Person pursuant to which the holders thereof have, at the time of determination, the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to vote for the election of directors, managers, trustees or general partners of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time any other class or classes will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the total of the product obtained by multiplying (x) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (y) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment.

 

Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary” means a Domestic Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of which (other than qualifying shares required to be owned by directors) are at the time owned directly or indirectly by such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

written” or “in writing” means any form of written communication or a communication by means of telecopier device or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “pdf” via email).

 

The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.  In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding.”  The words “herein,” “hereof” and words of similar import as used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision in this Agreement.  References to “Articles”, “Sections”, “paragraphs”, “Exhibits” and “Schedules” in this Agreement shall refer to Articles, Sections, paragraphs, Exhibits and Schedules of this

 

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Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided; references to Persons include their respective permitted successors and assigns or, in the case of governmental Persons, Persons succeeding to the relevant functions of such persons; and all references to statutes and related regulations shall include any amendments of same and any successor statutes and regulations.  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, references to constitutive and Organizational Documents and to agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document.

 

1.2                               Accounting Terms; Financial Statements.

 

(a)                       Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein but not expressly defined in this Agreement and all computations and determinations for purposes of determining compliance with the financial requirements of this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to them or shall be made in accordance with GAAP.  The financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP in the United States of America as in effect on the respective dates of their preparation.  Unless otherwise provided for herein, wherever any computation is to be made with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries, such computation shall be made so as to exclude all items of income, assets and liabilities attributable to any Person which is not a Subsidiary of such Person.  For purposes of the financial terms set forth herein, whenever a reference is made to a determination which is required to be made on a consolidated basis (whether in accordance with GAAP or otherwise) for Company and its Subsidiaries, such determination shall be made as if all Unrestricted Entities were wholly-owned by a Person not an Affiliate of Company.  In the event that any changes in generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. occur after the date of this Agreement or the application thereof from that used in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.5(a) hereof occur after the Effective Date and such changes or such application result in a material variation in the method of calculation of terms of this Agreement, then Company, Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to enter into and diligently pursue negotiations in good faith in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such changes so that the criteria for evaluating Company’s financial condition will be the same after such changes as if such changes had not occurred; provided that until so amended, such terms of this Agreement shall continue to be calculated in accordance with GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above or in the definitions of Capitalized Lease, Capitalized Lease Obligations or Consolidated Interest Expense, in the event of a change under GAAP (or the application thereof) requiring all or certain operating leases to be capitalized, only those leases that would result in a Capitalized Lease or Capitalized Lease Obligations on the Effective Date (assuming for purposes hereof that they were in existence on the Effective Date and applying GAAP as in effect on such date) hereunder shall be considered Capitalized Leases or Capitalized Lease Obligations hereunder and all calculations and deliverables under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made in accordance therewith.

 

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(b)                       [Reserved].

 

(c)                        For purposes of the limitations, levels and baskets in Articles IV, VII, VIII and X stated in Dollars, non-Dollar currencies will be converted into Dollars at the time of incurrence or receipt, as the case may be, using the methodology set forth in the definition of “Dollar Equivalent”. For purposes of the limitations, levels and baskets in Section 2.8 and Article IV stated in Sterling, non-Sterling currencies will be converted into Sterling at the time of incurrence or receipt, as the case may be, using the methodology set forth in the definition of “Sterling Equivalent”.

 

1.3                               [Reserved].

 

1.4                               Timing of Performance.  When the performance of any covenant or duty is stated to be required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such performance shall be extended to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

ARTICLE II

 

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS AND COMMITMENTS

 

2.1                               The Loans.

 

(a)                       Bridge Loans.   Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Lender severally, and not jointly, agrees to make loans in Sterling to Company from time to time during the Certain Funds Period, in an amount not to exceed its Pro Rata Share of the total Commitments of the Lenders (each such Loan by any Lender, a “Bridge Loan” and collectively, the “Bridge Loans”).  All Bridge Loans comprising the same Borrowing hereunder shall be made by the Lenders simultaneously and in proportion to their respective Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.1(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

(b)                       Rollover Loans.  Each of Company and each Lender severally agrees that if the Bridge Loans have not been repaid in full by the latest time specified for payment in Section 4.6(b) on the Bridge Loan Maturity Date, then the outstanding principal amount of each Lender’s Bridge Loan shall, immediately after such latest specified time for payment, automatically be converted (a “Rollover Conversion”) into a loan (individually, a “Rollover Loan” and, collectively, the “Rollover Loans”) to Company on the Bridge Loan Maturity Date in a Sterling for Dollar or a Sterling for Euro exchange (at the option of such Lender) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the then outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Bridge Loans, in each case, as applicable, based on the Exchange Rate at the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Rollover Conversion.  It is understood and agreed that the Bridge Loans that are converted into Rollover Loans constitute the same Indebtedness as such Bridge Loans so converted and that no novation shall be effected by any such conversion. Upon such Rollover Conversion, the Conversion Fee shall be due and payable.

 

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(c)                        Records. Upon conversion of the Bridge Loans into Rollover Loans, Administrative Agent and each Lender shall cancel on its records or in the Register, as applicable, a principal amount of the Bridge Loans held by such Lender corresponding to the principal amount of Rollover Loans issued by such Lender, which corresponding principal amount of Bridge Loans shall be satisfied by the conversion of such Bridge Loans into Rollover Loans in accordance with Section 2.1(b). Amounts repaid in respect of Rollover Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

(d)                       Amendments Upon Rollover Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, on the date of the Rollover Conversion, (i) the affirmative covenants set forth in Article 7, the negative covenants set forth in Article 8, and events of default set forth in Article 10 shall be amended so that such affirmative and negative covenants and events of default are substantially the same (as reasonably determined by Company and Administrative Agent) as those set forth in the Senior Notes (2023) Indenture and (ii) the mandatory prepayment provisions set forth in Article 4 shall be amended to delete all mandatory prepayments described therein and to replace such mandatory prepayment provisions with a mandatory offer to purchase upon a “Change of Control”, on substantially the same terms (as reasonably determined by Company and Administrative Agent) as those set forth in the Senior Notes (2023) Indenture, such amendments to be effective on the date of the Rollover Conversion. Company and Administrative Agent shall enter into an amendment reflecting the foregoing on or before the date of such Rollover Conversion (the “Rollover Amendment”).

 

2.2                               Notes.

 

(a)                       Evidence of Indebtedness.  At the request of any Lender, Company’s obligation to pay the principal of and interest on all the Loans made to it by such Lender shall be evidenced, (1) if Bridge Loans, by a promissory note (each, a “Bridge Note” and, collectively, the “Bridge Notes”) duly executed and delivered by Company substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(a)(1) hereto, with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith, and (2) if Rollover Loans, by a promissory note (each, a “Rollover Note” and, collectively, the “Rollover Notes”) duly executed and delivered by Company substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.2(a)(2) hereto, with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith.

 

(b)                       Notation of Payments.  Each Lender will note on its internal records the amount of each Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof and will, prior to any transfer of any of its Notes, endorse on the reverse side thereof the outstanding principal amount of Loans evidenced thereby.  Failure to make any such notation shall not affect Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder or under the other applicable Loan Documents in respect of such Loans.

 

2.3                               Maximum Number of Eurocurrency Loans.  Unless approved by Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, at no time shall there be outstanding more than twelve Interest Periods of Eurocurrency Loans.

 

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2.4                               [Reserved].

 

2.5                               Notice of Borrowing.  Whenever Company desires to make a Borrowing of a Bridge Loan hereunder, Company shall deliver a written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5 hereto (each, a “Notice of Borrowing”) to Administrative Agent at its Notice Address at least three Business Days before the anticipated Funding Date of any such Bridge Loan, given not later than 11:00 a.m. (London time); provided, however, that a Notice of Borrowing may, at the discretion of Administrative Agent, be delivered later than the time specified above.  Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable, shall be deemed a representation by Company that all conditions precedent to such Borrowing have been satisfied and shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Bridge Loans to be made, (ii) the date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and (iii) the Interest Period to be applicable thereto (provided that if Company shall have failed to specify the Interest Period of such Bridge Loans (and shall not have promptly responded to Administrative Agent’s request for such information), Company shall be deemed to have requested an Interest Period of one month).  Administrative Agent shall as promptly as practicable give each Lender written or telephonic notice (promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing, of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof and of the other matters covered by the Notice of Borrowing.  Without in any way limiting Company and Company’s obligation to confirm in writing any telephonic notice, Administrative Agent may act without liability upon the basis of telephonic notice believed by Administrative Agent in good faith to be from a Responsible Officer of Company prior to receipt of written confirmation.  Administrative Agent’s records shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on Company with respect to evidence of the time and terms of such telephonic Notice of Borrowing.

 

2.6                               Continuation.  Company may elect at the end of any Interest Period with respect thereto, to continue Bridge Loans for an additional Interest Period.  Each continuation of Bridge Loans shall be allocated among the Bridge Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.  Each such election shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.6 hereto (a “Notice of Continuation”) and shall be made by giving Administrative Agent at least three Business Days’ prior written notice thereof to the Notice Address given not later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) specifying (i) the amount and type of continuation and (ii) the Interest Period therefor. If, within the time period required under the terms of this Section 2.6, Administrative Agent does not receive a Notice of Continuation from Company containing a permitted election to continue any Bridge Loans for an additional Interest Period, then, upon the expiration of the Interest Period therefor, such Bridge Loans will be automatically continued with an Interest Period of one month.  Each Notice of Continuation shall be irrevocable.

 

2.7                               Disbursement of Funds.  No later than 12:00 p.m. (London time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing, each Lender will make available its Pro Rata Share of Bridge Loans requested to be made on such date in immediately available funds, at the Payment Office and Administrative Agent will make available to Company at its Payment Office the aggregate of the amounts so made available by the Lenders not later than 2:00 p.m. (London time).  Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender at least one Business Day prior to the date of Borrowing that such Lender does not intend to make available to

 

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Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of the Bridge Loans to be made on such date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing and Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Company a corresponding amount.  If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of Borrowing, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender.  If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and, if so notified, Company shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent.  Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover from Company interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available by Administrative Agent to Company to the date such corresponding amount is recovered by Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the rate for Eurocurrency Loans applicable during the period in question; provided, however, that any interest paid to Administrative Agent in respect of such corresponding amount shall be credited against interest payable by Company to such Lender under Section 3.1 in respect of such corresponding amount.  Any amount due hereunder to Administrative Agent from any Lender which is not paid when due shall bear interest payable by such Lender, from the date due until the date paid, at Administrative Agent’s cost of funds for the first three days after the date such amount is due and thereafter at such cost of funds rate plus 1%, together with Administrative Agent’s standard interbank processing fee.  Further, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans and any other amounts due to it hereunder first to Administrative Agent to fund any outstanding Loans made available on behalf of such Lender by Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.7 until such Loans have been funded (as a result of such assignment or otherwise) and then to fund Loans of all Lenders other than such Lender until each Lender has outstanding Loans equal to its Pro Rata Share of all Loans (as a result of such assignment or otherwise).  Such Lender shall not have recourse against Company with respect to any amounts paid to Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the preceding sentence, provided that such Lender shall have full recourse against Company to the extent of the amount of such Loans it has so been deemed to have made.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitment hereunder or to prejudice any rights which Company may have against the Lender as a result of any failure to fund or other default by such Lender hereunder.

 

2.8                               Exchange Notes.

 

(a)                       Subject to satisfaction of the provisions of this Section 2.8 and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Company herein set forth, at any time after the date of the Rollover Conversion (each, an “Exchange Date”), at the option of the applicable Lender, the Rollover Loans of such Lender may be exchanged for exchange notes (individually, an “Exchange Note” and collectively, the “Exchange Notes”) in a Sterling for Dollar or a Sterling for Euro exchange at par value for an equal principal amount of all or a portion of its outstanding Rollover Loans hereunder, in each case, based on the Exchange Rate at the close of business on the Business Day prior to the Exchange Date; provided, however, that (i) such Lender’s Rollover Loans shall only be exchanged for Exchange Notes hereunder following the

 

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occurrence of an Exchange Trigger Event, (ii) Administrative Agent shall provide Company and the Lenders written notice of the occurrence of an Exchange Trigger Event (an “Exchange Trigger Event Notice”) five days (ten days in the case of notice of the occurrence of the first Exchange Trigger Event) prior to an Exchange Date for such Lender’s Rollover Loans to be exchanged for Exchange Notes on such Exchange Date (an “Exchange Event”) and the Exchange Event shall occur on such fifth or tenth day, as applicable, after such Exchange Trigger Event Notice and (iii) Company shall not be required to effectuate more than two Exchange Events in any calendar month.

 

(b)                       Such Lender shall provide Administrative Agent prior written notice of such election (an “Exchange Notice”), at least five Business Days prior to an Exchange Date (ten Business Days if the notice is provided prior to the first Exchange Trigger Event Notice) (or such shorter period as agreed to by Administrative Agent), with a copy to the Exchange Note Trustee.  Each Lender’s Exchange Notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Rollover Loans that such Lender desires to exchange for Exchange Notes pursuant to this Section 2.8, which shall be in a minimum amount of £5,000,000 (and integral multiples of £500,000 in excess thereof), or, if less, all outstanding remaining Rollover Loans. Such Exchange Notes shall bear interest at the Total Cap.

 

(c)                        On each Exchange Date, Company shall pay to Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender any accrued and unpaid interest on such Lender’s Rollover Loans being exchanged for Exchange Notes on such date.  On each Exchange Date, Company shall execute and deliver, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Note Trustee to authenticate and deliver an Exchange Note in the principal amount equal to 100% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Rollover Loans (or portion thereof) for which each such Exchange Note is being exchanged.  The Exchange Notes shall be governed by the Exchange Note Indenture.  Upon issuance of the Exchange Notes in accordance with this Section 2.8, a corresponding amount of the Rollover Loans of such exchanging Lenders shall be deemed to have been cancelled.  If a Default (but not an Event of Default) shall have occurred and be continuing on the Exchange Date, any notices given or cure periods commenced while the Rollover Loans were outstanding shall be deemed given or commenced (as of the actual dates thereof) for all purposes with respect to the Exchange Notes (with the same effect as if the Exchange Notes had been outstanding as of the actual dates thereof).

 

(d)                       Company shall, and shall cause each applicable Credit Party to, as promptly as reasonably practicable after being requested to do so by one or more of the Lenders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement at any time following the first Exchange Trigger Event and no later than the applicable Exchange Date, (i) select a bank or trust company to act as Exchange Note Trustee, (ii) enter into the Exchange Note Indenture and an exchange agreement containing provisions customary for Rule 144A transactions with registration rights, (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Lead Arrangers such legal opinions and accountants’ “comfort letters” addressed to the Lead Arrangers, 10b-5 letters covering such customary matters as reasonably requested by the Lead Arrangers and such certificates as the Lead Arrangers may request as would be customary in Rule

 

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144A offerings with registration rights, (iv) deliver a customary offering memorandum relating to the sale of Exchange Notes in accordance with Rule 144A of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act containing such disclosures as are customary for such a document and (v) take such other actions, and cause its advisors, auditors and counsel to take such actions, as reasonably requested by the Lead Arrangers in connection with issuances or resales of Exchange Notes.  The Exchange Note Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, in good standing, that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by a federal or state authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than £500,000,000.

 

(e)                        It is understood and agreed that the Rollover Loans exchanged for Exchange Notes constitute the same Indebtedness as such Exchange Notes and that no novation shall be effected by any such exchange.

 

(f)                         The Exchange Notes shall have a make-whole premium, guarantees, covenants and events of default substantially similar to those contained in the Senior Notes (2023) Indenture (as reasonably determined by Company and Administrative Agent).

 

2.9                               [Reserved].

 

2.10                        [Reserved].

 

2.11                        Pro Rata Borrowings.  Borrowings of Bridge Loans under this Agreement shall be loaned by the applicable Lenders pro rata on the basis of their Commitments.  No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligation to make Bridge Loans hereunder and each Lender shall be obligated to make the Bridge Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its Commitments hereunder.

 

ARTICLE III

 

INTEREST AND FEES

 

3.1                               Interest.

 

(a)                       [Reserved].

 

(b)                       Interest Rate.  Company agrees to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount of Loans from the date the proceeds thereof are made available to Company until the maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Loan, (i) in the case of Bridge Loans, at a rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate plus the Applicable Margin; provided that if the Eurocurrency Rate is not available under the circumstances described in Section 3.6(b)(i), then the interest of such Bridge Loan shall be at a rate equal to the Cost of Funds until such time as the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period becomes available; provided, further, that the interest rate per annum applicable to Bridge Loans shall not exceed the Total Cap (exclusive of any default interest described in Section 3.1(e)) and (ii) in the case of Rollover Loans, in an amount per annum equal to the Total Cap.

 

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(c)                        Payment of Interest.  Interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that interest accruing pursuant to Section 3.1(e) shall be payable from time to time on demand.  Interest shall also be payable on all then outstanding (i) Bridge Loans on the Bridge Loan Maturity Date, (ii) Rollover Loans on the Rollover Maturity Date and (iii) on all Loans on the date of repayment (including prepayment) thereof and on the date of maturity (by acceleration or otherwise) of such Loans.  During the existence of any Event of Default, interest on any Loan shall be payable on demand.

 

(d)                       Notification of Rate.  Administrative Agent, upon determining the interest rate for any Borrowing of Eurocurrency Loans for any Interest Period, shall promptly notify Company and the Lenders thereof.  Such determination shall, absent manifest error and subject to Section 3.6, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto.

 

(e)                        Default Interest.  Notwithstanding the rates of interest specified herein, effective on the date 30 days after the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default (other than the failure to pay Obligations when due or the occurrence of an Event of Default under either Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) hereunder) and for so long thereafter as any such Event of Default shall be continuing, and effective immediately upon any failure to pay any Obligations or any other amounts due under any of the Loan Documents when due or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f), whether by acceleration or otherwise, the principal balance of each Loan then outstanding and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payment on each Loan not paid when due or other amounts then due and payable shall bear interest payable on demand, after as well as before judgment at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

 

(f)                         Maximum Interest.  If any interest payment or other charge or fee payable hereunder exceeds the maximum amount then permitted by applicable law, Company shall be obligated to pay the maximum amount then permitted by applicable law and Company shall continue to pay the maximum amount from time to time permitted by applicable law until all such interest payments and other charges and fees otherwise due hereunder (in the absence of such restraint imposed by applicable law) have been paid in full.

 

3.2                               Fees.

 

Company shall pay to the Agents and the Lead Arrangers such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing, including in the Syndication & Fee Letter, in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

3.3                               Computation of Interest and Fees.  Interest on all Loans and fees payable hereunder shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be.  Each determination of an interest rate by Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on Company and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.  Administrative Agent shall, at any time and from time to time upon request of Company, deliver to Company a

 

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statement showing the quotations used by Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate applicable to Loans pursuant to this Agreement.

 

3.4                               Interest Periods.  At the time it gives any Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Continuation, Company shall elect, by giving Administrative Agent written notice, the interest period (each an “Interest Period”) which Interest Period shall, at the option of Company, be one, two, three or six months (or, (x) if available to each of the applicable Lenders (as determined by each such applicable Lender in its sole discretion) a twelve month period or (y) in the discretion of Administrative Agent, a period of less than one month); provided that:

 

(a)                       all Eurocurrency Loans comprising a Borrowing shall at all times have the same Interest Period;

 

(b)                       the initial Interest Period shall commence on the date of such Borrowing and each Interest Period occurring thereafter shall commence on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period;

 

(c)                        if any Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;

 

(d)                       if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(e)                        no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Rollover Loan Maturity Date.

 

3.5                               Compensation for Funding Losses.  Company shall compensate each Lender, upon its written request (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all losses, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, any interest paid by such Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurocurrency Loans to the extent not recovered by the Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds and including the compensation payable by such Lender to a Participant) and any loss sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds (including, without limitation, a return on such liquidation or re-employment that would result in such Lender receiving less than it would have received had such Eurocurrency Loan remained outstanding until the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurocurrency Loans, but excluding Excluded Taxes) which such Lender may sustain as a result of:

 

(a)                       for any reason (other than a default by such Lender or Administrative Agent) a continuation or a Borrowing of Eurocurrency Loans does not occur on a

 

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date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Continuation (whether or not withdrawn);

 

(b)                       any payment, prepayment or continuation of any of its Eurocurrency Loans occurring for any reason whatsoever on a date which is not the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto;

 

(c)                        any repayment of any of its Eurocurrency Loans not being made on the date specified in a notice of payment given by Company; or

 

(d)                       (i) any other failure by Company to repay Company’s Eurocurrency Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement or (ii) an election made by Company pursuant to Section 3.7.  A written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of the incurrence of  additional amounts owed such Lender under this Section 3.5 and delivered to Company and Administrative Agent by such Lender shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.  Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Section 3.5 shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded its relevant Eurocurrency Loan through the purchase of a Eurocurrency deposit bearing interest at the Eurocurrency Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that Loan, having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such Eurocurrency deposit from an offshore office of that Lender to a domestic office of that Lender in the United States of America; provided, however, that each Lender may fund each of its Eurocurrency Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation of amounts payable under this Section 3.5.

 

3.6                               Increased Costs, Illegality, Etc.

 

(a)                       Generally.  In the event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but, with respect to clause (i) below, may be made only by the applicable Agent):

 

(i)               in connection with any request for any Eurocurrency Loan continuations that, by reason of any changes arising after the date of this Agreement affecting the interbank Eurocurrency market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of Eurocurrency Rate; or

 

(ii)            at any time that any Lender shall incur increased costs (except for costs resulting from a change in the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender) or reduction in the amounts received or receivable hereunder with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan because of (x) any Change in Law having general applicability to all comparably situated Lenders within the jurisdiction in which such Lender operates since the date of this Agreement such as, for example, but not limited to: (A) Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Lender on its loans, loan principal, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto (except

 

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for (1) changes in the basis of taxation of or rate of tax on, or determined by reference to, Excluded Taxes and (2) taxes and other amounts that are the subject of Section 4.7; provided, further, that if such increased costs are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment to have been imposed as a result of a Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, such Lender will promptly repay to Company the amount of any increased costs paid to such Lender by Company under this Section 3.6) or (B) a change in official reserve, liquidity, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirements by any Governmental Authority (but, in all events, excluding reserves required under Regulation D to the extent included in the computation of the Eurocurrency Rate) and/or (y) other circumstances since the date of this Agreement affecting such Lender or the interbank Eurocurrency market or the position of such Lender in such market (excluding, however, differences in a Lender’s cost of funds from those of Administrative Agent which are solely the result of credit differences between such Lender and Administrative Agent); or

 

(iii)       at any time, that the making or continuance of any Eurocurrency Loan has been made (x) unlawful by any law, directive or governmental rule, regulation or order, (y) impossible by compliance by any Lender in good faith with any governmental request (whether or not having force of law) or (z) impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially and adversely affects the interbank Eurocurrency market,

 

then, and in any such event, such Lender (or Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i) above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and, except in the case of clause (i) above, to Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other Lenders).  Thereafter, (x) in the case of clause (i) above, Eurocurrency Loans shall no longer be available until such time as Administrative Agent notifies Company and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by Administrative Agent no longer exist, and any Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Continuation given by Company with respect to Eurocurrency Loans shall thereafter bear interest at a rate equal to the Cost of Funds, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, Company shall pay to such Lender, upon written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion shall determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amounts received or receivable hereunder (any written notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the reasonable basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to Company by such Lender shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto; however the failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish Company’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Lender charges other borrowers or account parties for such additional costs incurred or reductions suffered on loans similarly situated to Company in connection with substantially similar facilities as reasonably determined by such Lender acting in good faith; provided, further, that no Lender shall be entitled to receive additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6 for periods occurring prior to the 180th day before the giving of such notice) and (z) in the case of

 

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clause (iii) above, Company shall take one of the actions specified in Section 3.6(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period required by law.  In determining such additional amounts pursuant to clause (y) of the immediately preceding sentence, each Lender shall act reasonably and in good faith and will, to the extent the increased costs or reductions in amounts receivable relate to such Lender’s loans in general and are not specifically attributable to a Loan hereunder, use averaging and attribution methods which are reasonable and which cover all loans similar to the Loans made by such Lender whether or not the loan documentation for such other loans permits the Lender to receive increased costs of the type described in this Section 3.6(a).

 

(b)                       Affected Loans.  At any time that any Loan is affected by the circumstances described in Section 3.6(a)(i) or (iii), Company may either (i) if the affected Loan is then being made initially by giving Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) on the same date that Company was notified by the affected Lender or Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.6(a)(i) or (iii), elect that the Loans under such Borrowing accrue at the Cost of Funds, or (ii) if the affected Loan is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days’ written notice to Administrative Agent, require the affected Lender to convert such Loan into a Loan that accrues at the Cost of Funds, provided that if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must be treated the same pursuant to this Section 3.6(b).

 

(c)                        Capital Requirements.  Without duplication of Section 3.6(a) hereof, if any Lender determines that any Change in Law by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, will have the effect of increasing the amount of capital or liquidity required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender based on the existence of such Lender’s Commitments hereunder or its obligations hereunder, then Company shall pay to such Lender within 15 days after receipt by Company of written demand by such Lender in accordance with the provisions hereof such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Lender or such other corporation for the increased cost to such Lender or such other corporation or the reduction in the rate of return to such Lender or such other corporation as a result of such increase of capital or liquidity; provided that such amounts shall be proportionate to the amounts that such Lender charges other borrowers or account parties for such additional costs incurred or reductions suffered on loans or letters of credit, as the case may be, similarly situated to Company in connection with substantially similar facilities as reasonably determined by such Lender, acting in good faith.

 

(d)                       Certificates for Reimbursement.  In determining such additional amounts, each Lender will act reasonably and in good faith and will use averaging and attribution methods which are reasonable and which will, to the extent the increased costs or reduction in the rate of return relates to such Lender’s commitments, loans or obligations in general and are not specifically attributable to the Commitments, Loans and obligations hereunder, cover all commitments, loans and obligations similar to the Commitments, Loans and obligations of such Lender hereunder whether or not the loan documentation for such other commitments, loans or obligations permits the Lender to make the determination specified in this Section 3.6. Such determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.  Each Lender, upon determining that any additional amounts will be

 

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payable pursuant to this Section 3.6, will give prompt written notice thereof to Company, which notice shall show in reasonable detail the basis for calculation of such additional amounts, although the failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish any of Company’s obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6 (provided that no Lender shall be entitled to receive additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.6 for periods occurring prior to the 135th day before the giving of such notice); except that if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 135 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive affect thereof).

 

(e)                        Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender which is or will be owed compensation pursuant to Section 3.6(a) or (c) will, if requested by Company, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to cause a different branch or Affiliate to make or continue a Loan or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its branches or Affiliates if in the judgment of such Lender such designation or assignment will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation to such Lender and will not, in the judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous in any significant respect to such Lender.  Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable expenses incurred by any Lender in utilizing a different branch or Affiliate pursuant to this Section 3.6(e).  Nothing in this Section 3.6(e) shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of Company or the right of any Lender provided for herein.

 

3.7                               Replacement of Affected Lenders.  (a) If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender or otherwise defaults in its Obligations to make Loans, (b) if any Lender is owed increased costs under Section 3.6(a)(ii) or (iii) or Section 3.6(c), or Company are required to make any payments under Section 4.7 to any Lender that Company determines are materially in excess of those to the other Lenders or (c) as provided in Section 12.1(b) in the case of certain refusals by a Lender to consent to certain proposed amendment, changes, supplements, waivers, discharges or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders, Company shall have the right to replace such Lender (the “Replaced Lender”) with one or more other Eligible Assignee or Eligible Assignees, none of whom shall constitute a Defaulting Lender at the time of such replacement (collectively, the “Replacement Lender”), reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, and to require each such Replaced Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.8(c)), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to such Replacement Lender, provided that (i) at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 3.7, the Replacement Lender shall enter into one or more assignment agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Loans of the Replaced Lender and (ii) all obligations of Company owing to the Replaced Lender (including, without limitation, such increased costs and excluding those amounts and obligations specifically described in clause (i) above in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such replacement.  Upon the execution of the respective assignment documentation, the payment of amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, entry into the Register and, if so requested by the Replacement Lender, delivery to the Replacement

 

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Lender of the appropriate Note or Notes executed by Company, the Replacement Lender shall become a Lender hereunder.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS;
PAYMENTS AND PREPAYMENTS

 

4.1                               Voluntary Reduction of Commitments; Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)                       Voluntary Reduction of CommitmentsUpon at least two Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice confirmed in writing) to Administrative Agent at the Notice Office (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each Lender in writing), Company shall have the right, without premium or penalty, to terminate the unutilized portion of the Commitments in part or in whole, provided that:

 

(i)             any such voluntary termination of the Commitments shall apply to proportionately and permanently reduce the Commitment of each Lender;

 

(ii)          any partial voluntary reduction pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be in the amount of at least £10,000,000 and integral multiples of £5,000,000 in excess of that amount; and

 

(iii)       during the Certain Funds Period, no such reduction shall be effective unless:

 

(1)                     Company or Purchaser shall have entered into one or more agreements for the provision of debt financing in an amount at least equal to the amount of such reduction for the purposes of financing the Target Acquisition; or

 

(2)                     Company shall have deposited cash denominated in (x) Sterling or (y) another currency (provided that in the event that cash in another currency is deposited with the Escrow Agent, Company or Purchaser shall have entered into an Other Hedging Agreement to convert such currency into Sterling on or prior to each date on which Purchaser may be required to make any payment in respect of Target Shares in connection with the Target Acquisition), in each case in an amount at least equal to the amount of such reduction with the Escrow Agent on the terms set forth in Section 4.4(d),

 

and the Cash Confirmation Provider has confirmed in writing its approval of the arrangements set forth in (1) or (2) above (including any escrow arrangement), as applicable, and such reduction of Commitments.

 

Each notice of commitment reductions shall be irrevocable; provided that such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the consent of the Cash

 

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Confirmation Provider or the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any other financing, sale or other transaction.

 

(b)                       Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law:

 

(i)             Waivers and Amendments.  Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 12.1.

 

(ii)          Reallocation of Payments.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.4), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as Company may request (so long as no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by Administrative Agent and Company, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of such Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fourth,  to the payment of any amounts owing to Administrative Agent or the Lenders as determined by a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Administrative Agent or any Lender, against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Unmatured Event Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to Company as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by Company against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (A) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (B) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans owed to all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(iii)    [Reserved].

 

(iv)      [Reserved].

 

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(v)         [Reserved].

 

(vi)      Certain Fees.  For any period during which such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any fees set forth in the Section 3.2 (and Company shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender).

 

(vii)   Defaulting Lender Cure.  If Company and Administrative Agent agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans, of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Company while such Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

4.2                               Mandatory Reduction of Commitments.

 

(a)                       The Commitment of each Lender shall be automatically reduced on each Funding Date in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Borrowings of the Bridge Loans made on such Funding Date in accordance with Section 2.1(a).

 

(b)                       All Commitments hereunder shall automatically and permanently terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the expiration of the Certain Funds Period, (ii) the consummation of the Target Acquisition without the use of the Bridge Loans and (iii) midnight (London time) on the date falling 10 Business Days after the Effective Date unless a Press Release has been issued prior to such time; provided that the termination of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) shall not prejudice rights and remedies in respect of any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to any such termination.

 

(c)                        The Commitments shall be subject to mandatory reduction pursuant to Section 4.4(a), 4.4(b) or 4.4(c) solely in accordance with, and to the extent permitted by, Section 4.4(d).

 

4.3                               Voluntary Prepayments.

 

(a)                       Company may, upon notice from Company to Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay the Loans in whole or in part; provided that (A) such notice must be received by Administrative Agent by 12:00 noon (New

 

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York City time) at least three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of the Loans and (B) any prepayment of Loans shall be in a minimum principal amount of £1,000,000 or a whole multiple of £500,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment.  Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such prepayment.  If such notice is given by Company, Company shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.  Any prepayment of a Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon.  Each prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

 

(b)                       Each prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 4.3(a) shall be without premium or penalty except for any fees and other amounts due pursuant to Section 3.5.

 

(c)                        Each notice of prepayment shall be irrevocable; provided that such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any other financing, sale or other transaction.

 

The notice provisions, the provisions with respect to the minimum amount of any prepayment, and the provisions requiring prepayments in integral multiples above such minimum amount of this Section 4.3 are for the benefit of Administrative Agent and may be waived unilaterally by Administrative Agent.

 

4.4                               Mandatory Prepayments and Payments; Mandatory Reductions in Commitments.

 

(a)                       Prepayment Upon Equity Issuance.  Upon the sale or issuance by Company or any Subsidiary of any of its Capital Stock (other than (v) sales or issuances used to pay any increase in the purchase price to be paid for any Target Shares or to acquire any Target Shares in the market at or above the price per Target Share set out in the Press Release, (w) sales or issuances of Capital Stock of Company as consideration for the Target Acquisition, (x) any sales or issuances of Capital Stock to a Credit Party or sales or issuances of Capital Stock by a Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to another Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party, (y) any issuance of directors’ qualifying shares or (z) any sales or issuances of Capital Stock of Company or any Subsidiary to management or employees of Company or such Subsidiary under any employee stock option or stock purchase plan or employee benefit plan in existence from time to time) (each such sale or issuance an “Equity Issuance”), Company shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Bridge Loans equal to 100% of all Net Proceeds received therefrom to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, Section 4.4(d) below; provided that if any such Equity Issuance occurs while any Commitments are outstanding and the Net Proceeds received therefrom exceed the then outstanding amount of Bridge Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, the amount equal to such excess shall automatically and irrevocably be applied to reduce such Commitments to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, Sections 4.4(d) and 4.5(a) below.

 

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(b)                       Prepayment on Incurrence of Certain Indebtedness.  On the fifth Business Day after Company or any Subsidiary incurs or issues (A) (1) any Exchange Securities and (2) any debt securities (excluding any (x) without duplication of clause (b)(B)(w) below, debt securities issued to refinance or redeem the Designated Existing Notes or any Revolving Credit Facility Loans (the proceeds of which were applied to refinance or redeem the Designated Existing Notes) plus an amount up to $250,000,000 plus any premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith and (y) debt securities issued to refinance or redeem the Existing Target Notes and/or the Existing Target Subordinated Debt plus fees and expenses in connection therewith), (B) Indebtedness for borrowed money in a principal amount in excess of $500,000,000 (other than (w) without duplication of clause (b)(A)(x), Indebtedness issued to refinance or redeem the Designated Existing Notes or any Revolving Credit Facility Loans (the proceeds of which were applied to refinance or redeem the Designated Existing Notes) plus an amount up to $250,000,000 plus any premiums, fees and expenses in connection therewith, (x) Indebtedness issued to refinance or redeem the Existing Target Notes and/or the Existing Target Subordinated Debt plus fees and expenses in connection therewith, (y) any Revolving Credit Facility Loans and (z) Intercompany Indebtedness) or (C) any Indebtedness not expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 8.2 (as if such covenant were in effect on the date of such incurrence or issuance), or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof (each incurrence or issuance pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) above, a “Debt Issuance”), Company shall cause to be prepaid an aggregate principal amount of Bridge Loans in an amount equal to 100% of all Net Proceeds received therefrom and with respect to Exchange Securities, shall reduce the aggregate principal amount of Bridge Loans in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Exchange Securities; provided that if any such incurrence or issuance occurs while any Commitments are outstanding and the Net Proceeds received therefrom exceed the then outstanding amount of Bridge Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, the amount equal to such excess shall automatically and irrevocably be applied to reduce such Commitments to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, Sections 4.4(d) and 4.5(a) below.

 

(c)                        Mandatory Prepayment Upon Asset Disposition.  On the fifth Business Day after the date of receipt thereof by Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries of Net Sale Proceeds from any Asset Disposition (other than (x) sales, transfers or other dispositions of Capital Stock of Target constituting Margin Stock, (y) an Asset Disposition in the ordinary course of business and other than an Asset Disposition permitted by Section 8.3 or Sections 8.4(a) through 8.4(l), and (z) any leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses), except to the extent that the Net Sale Proceeds of such Asset Disposition, when combined with the Net Sale Proceeds of all such Asset Dispositions from the date hereof, do not exceed (i) for any Asset Disposition prior to the Initial Funding Date, (A) $150,000,000 plus (B) if an Aerospace Asset Disposition occurred during such period, 50% of the Net Sale Proceeds from such Aerospace Asset Disposition (such amounts in aggregate, the “Pre-Funding Excluded Amounts”) or (ii) for any Asset Disposition on or after the Initial Funding Date, (A) $500,000,000 plus (B) if an Aerospace Asset Disposition occurred during such period, 50% of the Net Sale Proceeds from such Aerospace Asset Disposition (such amounts in aggregate, the “Post-Funding Excluded Amounts”), Company shall cause an amount equal to 100% of such Net Sale Proceeds:

 

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(1)                     for any Asset Disposition prior to the Initial Funding Date in excess of the Pre-Funding Excluded Amounts from such Asset Disposition to be applied on any date on which Commitments are outstanding and no Bridge Loans are outstanding, as a mandatory reduction of Commitments to the extent permitted by, and pursuant to, Section 4.4(d); provided that such Net Sale Proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that (A) such Net Sale Proceeds are (I) used to purchase assets used or to be used in the businesses referred to in Section 8.11 or (II) used to repay any Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.1, in each case within 365 days following the date of such Asset Disposition, and

 

(2)                     for any Asset Disposition on or after the Initial Funding Date in excess of the Post-Funding Excluded Amounts from such Asset Disposition to be applied (i) on any date which Commitments are outstanding and Bridge Loans are outstanding, first as a mandatory prepayment of principal of such outstanding Bridge Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon in accordance with Section 4.5(a) until such Bridge Loans and accrued and unpaid interest thereon are repaid in full and thereafter, second, to the extent of any remaining balance, as a mandatory reduction of Commitments to the extent permitted by, and pursuant to, Section 4.4(d) or (ii) on any date on which no Commitments are outstanding and any Bridge Loans are outstanding, as a mandatory prepayment of principal of Bridge Loans and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in accordance with Section 4.5(a).

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.4(c), to the extent that any of or all the Net Sale Proceeds of any Asset Disposition are received by a Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Asset Sale”) and the repatriation of such Net Sale Proceeds would (x) result in material adverse Tax consequences to Company or any other Subsidiary or (y) would be prohibited or restricted by applicable law, rule or regulation or contract (each, a “Repatriation Limitation”), the portion of such Net Sale Proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Bridge Loans or reduce any Commitments thereunder but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long as such Repatriation Limitation exists (provided that Company hereby agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to promptly take all commercially reasonable actions required by the applicable law, rule or regulation to overcome or mitigate the effect of the Repatriation Limitation so as to permit such repatriation) and once such Repatriation Limitation no longer exists, such Restricted Subsidiary shall promptly repatriate an amount equal to such Net Sale Proceeds to Company which shall promptly (and in any event not later than five Business Days after such repatriation) apply such amount to the repayment of the Bridge Loans to the extent it would have otherwise been required pursuant to this Section 4.4(c).

 

(d)                       Effectiveness of Commitment Reduction during the Certain Funds Period. In the event that Company or any of its Subsidiaries receives any Net Sale Proceeds arising from any Asset Sale that are required to reduce any Commitments or to be

 

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applied in prepayment as provided for in Section 4.4(c), or any Net Proceeds from any Debt Issuance or Equity Issuance that are required to reduce any Commitments or to be applied in prepayment as provided for in Section 4.4(b) or Section 4.4(a), respectively, then except in respect of Net Sale Proceeds as permitted by Section 4.4(c), (x) if any Bridge Loans are outstanding, such funds shall be applied immediately to prepay Bridge Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon until such amounts are repaid in full pursuant to Section 4.5(a) and (y) if no Bridge Loans are outstanding, or the aggregate amount of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds exceeds the prepayment required pursuant to clause (x) above, such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds shall be deposited in an escrow account at Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch (“DBNY) or another financial institution selected by Company to act as escrow agent (DBNY or such other financial institution acting in such capacity, the “Escrow Agent”), to be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent and released only to pay the cash portion of the purchase price payable in connection with the consummation of the Target Acquisition during the Certain Funds Period and related transaction fees, costs and expenses. Such funds deposited in escrow shall be returned to Company upon the earliest of (i) the expiration of the Certain Funds Period, (ii) the consummation of the Target Acquisition without the use of the Bridge Loans and (iii) midnight (London time) on the date falling 10 Business Days after the Effective Date unless a Press Release has been issued prior to such time. In the event that funds are deposited in escrow pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Commitments shall be reduced on a Sterling for Sterling basis to the extent that such escrow arrangement and such Commitment reduction are approved by the Cash Confirmation Provider pursuant to the following sentence. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, during the Certain Funds Period, no reduction of Commitments pursuant to Section 4.2(c) and Sections 4.4(a), 4.4(b) or 4.4(c) shall be effective unless (i) Company has deposited funds (x) in Sterling or (y) in another currency (provided that in the event that funds in another currency are deposited with the Escrow Agent, Company or Purchaser shall have entered into an Other Hedging Agreement to convert such currency into Sterling on or prior to each date on which Purchaser may be required to make any payment in respect of Target Shares in connection with the Target Acquisition during the Certain Funds Period on terms satisfactory to the Cash Confirmation Provider) with the Escrow Agent and (ii) the Cash Confirmation Provider has confirmed in writing its approval of such reduction of Commitments and the applicable escrow arrangements described above.

 

(e)                        Payment on Maturity. The Bridge Loans will mature on the Bridge Loan Maturity Date and, to the extent then unpaid, will automatically be converted into Rollover Loans as set forth under Section 2.1(b).  Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Rollover Loan on the Rollover Loan Maturity Date.

 

4.5                               Application of Prepayments.

 

(a)                       Order of Application. In the event that Company or any of its Subsidiaries receives any Net Sale Proceeds arising from any Asset Sale that are required to be applied in prepayment as provided for in Section 4.4(c), or any Net Proceeds from any Debt Issuance or any Equity Issuance that are required to be applied in prepayment as provided for in Section 4.4(b) or Section 4.4(a), respectively, then except in respect of Net Sale Proceeds as

 

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permitted by Section 4.4(c), (i) during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the date immediately prior to the Initial Funding Date, 100% of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, as the case may be, shall be deposited with the Escrow Agent and the Commitments shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to 100% of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, on the date of receipt by Company or such Subsidiaries of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, in each case to the extent permitted by, and in accordance with, Section 4.4(d), (ii) during the period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and ending on the last day of the Certain Funds Period, 100% of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, shall be applied by Company (x) first, to prepay the Bridge Loans plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon not later than five Business Days following the receipt by Company or such Subsidiary of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, until repaid in full and (y) second, (to the extent of any remaining Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, after application to prepay the Bridge Loans) to reduce the Commitments ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments, in each case in accordance with and to the extent permitted under Section 4.4(d) and (iii) after the last day of the Certain Funds Period, then 100% of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, shall be applied by the Borrower to prepay the Bridge Loans not less than five Business Days following the receipt by Company or such Subsidiary of such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively.  Company shall promptly notify Administrative Agent of the receipt by Company or its Subsidiary of any such Net Sale Proceeds or Net Proceeds, respectively, and Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice.

 

(b)                       Prepayments pro rata. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, all prepayments of principal made by Company pursuant to Section 4.4 shall be on a pro rata basis and applied to the applicable Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares; provided that with respect to any prepayment of principal made pursuant to Section 4.4(b)(A)(1), in the event any Lender or affiliate of a Lender purchases Exchange Securities from Company pursuant to a Securities Demand hereunder at an issue price above the level at which such Lender or affiliate has determined such Exchange Securities can be resold by such Lender or affiliate to a bona fide third party at the time of such purchase (and notifies Company thereof), the net proceeds received by Company in respect of such Exchange Securities may, at the option of such Lender or affiliate, be applied first to repay the Loans hereunder held by such Lender or affiliate (provided that if there is more than one such Lender or affiliate then such net proceeds will be applied pro rata to repay the Loans hereunder of all such Lenders or affiliates in proportion to such Lenders’ or affiliates’ principal amount of Exchange Securities purchased from Company) prior to being applied to prepay the Loans hereunder by other Lenders.

 

(c)                        Payments.  All payments shall include payment of accrued interest on the principal amount so paid, shall be applied to the payment of interest before application to principal and shall include amounts payable, if any, under Section 3.5.

 

4.6                               Method and Place of Payment.

 

(a)                       Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made to Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of the Lenders

 

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entitled thereto, not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) on the date when due and shall be made in the currency such Loan was advanced and in each case to the account specified therefor for Administrative Agent or if no account has been so specified at the Payment Office.  Administrative Agent will thereafter cause to be distributed on the same day (if payment was actually received by Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time) like funds relating to the payment of principal or interest or fees ratably to the Lenders entitled to receive any such payment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  If and to the extent that any such distribution shall not be so made by Administrative Agent in full on the same day (if payment was actually received by Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York City time), Administrative Agent shall pay to each Lender its ratable amount thereof and each such Lender shall be entitled to receive from Administrative Agent, upon demand, interest on such amount at the applicable Cost of Funds for each day from the date such amount is paid to Administrative Agent until the date Administrative Agent pays such amount to such Lender. Payments of principal and interest on Loans shall be made in Sterling.

 

(b)                       Any payments under this Agreement which are made by Company later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) shall, for the purpose of calculation of interest, be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable during such extension at the applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension, except that with respect to Eurocurrency Loans, if such next succeeding Business Day is not in the same month as the date on which such payment would otherwise be due hereunder or under any Note, the due date with respect thereto shall be the next preceding applicable Business Day.

 

(c)                        Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), if any Defaulting Lender shall have failed to fund all or any portion of any Loan (each such Loan, an “Affected Loan”), each payment by Company hereunder shall be applied first to such Affected Loan and the principal amount and interest with respect to such payment shall be distributed (i) to each Non-Defaulting Lender who is a Lender, pro rata based on the outstanding principal amount of Affected Loans owing to all Non-Defaulting Lenders, until the principal amount of all Affected Loans has been repaid in full and (ii) to the extent of any remaining amount of such payment, to each Lender, as set forth in clauses (a) and (c) above.  Each payment made by Company on account of the interest on any Affected Loans shall be distributed to each Non-Defaulting Lender pro rata based on the outstanding principal amount of Affected Loans owing to all Non-Defaulting Lenders.

 

4.7                               Net Payments.

 

(a)                       All payments made by or on behalf of any Credit Party to or on behalf of any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder or under any Loan Document will be made without recoupment, setoff, counterclaim or other defense.  Notwithstanding any other provision in any Loan Document, except as provided in this Section 4.7, all payments hereunder and under any of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, payments on account of

 

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principal and interest and fees) to or on behalf of any Lender or Administrative Agent shall be made by or on behalf of the Credit Parties free and clear of and without withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other charge of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any Governmental Authority, but excluding therefrom:

 

(i)             Excluded Taxes;

 

(ii)          in the case of any Lender or Administrative Agent that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (each being referred to as a “Non-U.S. Participant”) (other than a Participant, Assignee, successor to Administrative Agent as of the date of this Agreement or Lender that designates a new lending office), any Taxes imposed by the United States by means of withholding at the source unless such withholding (a) results from a change in Applicable Law, treaty or regulations or the interpretation or administration thereof by any authority charged with the administration thereof subsequent to the date of this Agreement or (b) is imposed on payments with respect to a Lender’s interest in the Loan Documents acquired under Section 3.7 or Section 12.6;

 

(iii)       any Taxes to the extent such Taxes would be avoided if the Lender or Administrative Agent provided the forms required under Section 4.7(d), unless (A) the Lender or Administrative Agent is not legally entitled to provide the forms (1) as a result of a change in Applicable Law, treaty, or regulations or interpretation or administration thereof by any authority charged with the administration thereof subsequent to the date such Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a Lender or Administrative Agent under a Loan Document or (2) after the Lender acquired an interest in the Loan Documents under Section 3.7 or Section 12.6 or (B) the Lender or Administrative Agent is not providing the forms under Section 4.7(d)(iii) because the Lender or Administrative Agent determines (in its good faith judgment) that it is not legally entitled to provide the forms or that providing the forms would prejudice or disadvantage the Lender or Administrative Agent in any significant respect;

 

(iv)      in the case of any Participant, Assignee, successor to Administrative Agent as of the date of this Agreement or Lender that designates a new lending office, in each case that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), any Taxes imposed by the United States by means of withholding at the source that are in effect on the date such Participant, Assignee or successor Administrative Agent becomes a party to this Agreement or any Loan Document or such Lender designates a new lending office, as applicable, except to the extent (i) the person that assigned or transferred the interest to the Participant or Assignee, or designated the new lending office, was entitled to reimbursement for such Taxes under this Section 4.7 or (ii) the Participant or Assignee becomes a party to a Loan Document under Section 3.7 or Section 12.6;

 

(b)                       If any Credit Party or Administrative Agent is required by law to make any deduction or withholding of any Taxes from any payment due hereunder or under any

 

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of the Loan Documents (except for Taxes excluded under Section 4.7(a)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)), then the amount payable by the applicable Credit Party will be increased to such amount which, after deduction from such increased amount of all such Taxes required to be withheld or deducted therefrom, will not be less than the amount due and payable hereunder had no such deduction or withholding been required.  If any Credit Party or Administrative Agent makes any payment hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents in respect of which it is required by law to make any deduction or withholding of any Taxes, it shall pay the full amount to be deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation or other Governmental Authority within the time allowed for such payment under Applicable Law and shall deliver to Administrative Agent as soon as practicable after it has made such payment to the applicable authority an original or certified copy of such receipt issued by such authority evidencing the payment to such authority of all amounts so required to be deducted or withheld from such payment or such other evidence of payment that is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                        (i) Without prejudice to or duplication of the provisions of Section 4.7(a), each Credit Party shall severally and not jointly indemnify Administrative Agent, each Lender and Administrative Agent on its behalf, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Taxes (including Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by Administrative Agent, any Lender or Administrative Agent on its behalf or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to Administrative Agent, any Lender or Administrative Agent on its behalf and any interest, penalties and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses but excluding any Taxes described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.7(a)) payable or incurred in connection therewith, including any Tax arising by virtue of payments under this Section 4.7(c), computed in a manner consistent with this Section 4.7(c).  A certificate (showing in reasonable detail the basis for such calculation) as to the amount of such payment by such Lender, or Administrative Agent on its behalf, absent manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto for all purposes; and

 

(ii)          Each Lender shall indemnify Administrative Agent within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Excluded Taxes, together with any interest, penalties and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses associated with such Excluded Tax) and any taxes imposed as a result of the receipt of the payment under this Section 4.7(c)(ii), attributable to such Lender that are payable or paid by Administrative Agent, whether or not such Excluded Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorize Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document against any amount due to Administrative Agent under this Section 4.7.  The agreements in this Section 4.7 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of Administrative Agent.  Company shall also indemnify Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount attributable to Excluded Taxes, together with any interest, penalties and expenses (including counsel fees and expenses associated with such Excluded Tax) and any taxes imposed as a result of the receipt of the payment under this Section 4.7(c)(ii), in each case, arising under FATCA which a Lender for any

 

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reason fails to pay indefeasibly to Administrative Agent as required by this Section 4.7(c)(ii); provided that such Lender shall indemnify Company to the extent of any payment Company makes to Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 4.7(c)(ii).

 

(d)                       (i)  Each Lender or Administrative Agent that is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code) agrees to deliver to Company and Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the case of a Lender or Administrative Agent that becomes a party to a Loan Document on a later date, the date such Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a party to a Loan Document, together with any other certificate or statement of exemption required under the Code, (a) two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or W-8ECI or W-8IMY (or successor forms), or (b), (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.7(d) (any such certificate, a “Section 4.7(d) Certificate”) and (y) two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form) or, in the case of a partnership, IRS Form W-8IMY (or successor form) accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form) from each of its partners or members.  In addition, each such Non-U.S. Participant agrees that from time to time after the Effective Date, when a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders the previous certification obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it will timely deliver within thirty (30) days to Company and Administrative Agent two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) new accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form),  or W-8ECI or W-8IMY, or IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form) (or, in the case of a partnership, IRS Form W-8IMY and accompanying IRS Forms W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or successor form)) and a Section 4.7(d) Certificate, as the case may be, and such other forms as may be required in order to confirm or establish the entitlement of such Lender or Administrative Agent to a continued exemption from (or reduction in) United States withholding Tax with respect to payments under any Loan Document.  To the extent a Non-U.S. Participant is unable to deliver the forms required under this Section 4.7(d)(i), or the forms previously delivered are inaccurate in any material respects, it shall immediately notify Company and Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)          Each Lender and Administrative Agent that is a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) agrees to deliver to Company and Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date, or in the case of a Lender or Administrative Agent that becomes a party to a Loan Document on a later date, the date the Lender or Administrative Agent becomes a party to such Loan Document, two accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or successor form) certifying to such Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s entitlement to receive payments under such Loan Document without deduction for United States backup withholding tax. Each such Lender and Administrative Agent agrees from time to time after the Effective Date, when a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders the previous certification obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, it will timely deliver to Company and Administrative Agent two (or more, as reasonably requested by Company or Administrative Agent) new

 

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accurate and properly completed original signed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or successor form).

 

(iii)       Each Lender and Administrative Agent shall, if requested by Company or Administrative Agent, within a reasonable period of time after such request, provide to Company, Administrative Agent or the applicable Governmental Authority any other tax forms or other documents or complete other formalities necessary or appropriate to avoid (or reduce) withholding for or on account of any Taxes imposed on payments under the Loan Documents pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of any Credit Party, as applicable, provided, however, that no Lender or Administrative Agent shall be required to provide forms or documents or complete other formalities under this Section 4.7(d)(iii) to the extent the Lender or Administrative Agent determines (in its good faith discretion) that it is not legally entitled to do so or that providing such forms or documents or completing the other formalities would prejudice or disadvantage the Lender or Administrative Agent in any material respect.  To the extent that a Lender or Administrative Agent is unable to deliver the forms or documents or complete the other formalities required under this Section 4.7(d)(iii) or the previous forms delivered are inaccurate in any material respects, the Lender or Administrative Agent shall promptly notify Company and Administrative Agent.

 

(iv)      if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the applicable Credit Party and Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by such Credit Party or Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by such Credit Party or Administrative Agent as may be necessary for such Credit Party, Company and Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (iv), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

(e)                        Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after it becomes aware of the occurrence of any event or the existence of any condition that would cause any Credit Party to make a payment in respect of any Taxes to such Lender pursuant to Section 4.7(a) or a payment in indemnification for any Taxes pursuant to Section 4.7(c), it will, at the written request of such Credit Party, use reasonable efforts to make, fund or maintain the Loan of such Lender with respect to which the aforementioned payment is or would be made through another lending office of such Lender or will assign its Loans to another Eligible Assignee if as a result thereof the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid by any Credit Party in respect of such Loans (or portions thereof) pursuant to Section 4.7(a) or Section 4.7(c) would be eliminated or reduced, and if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, the making, funding

 

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or maintaining of such Loans (or portions thereof) through such other lending office would not be otherwise significantly disadvantageous to such Lender.  Each Credit Party agrees to  pay all reasonable expenses incurred by any Lender in utilizing another lending office of such Lender pursuant to this Section 4.7(e).

 

(f)                         If any Credit Party shall pay any Taxes pursuant to this Section 4.7 and any Lender, or Administrative Agent at any time thereafter receives a refund of such Taxes or, as determined in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, a direct credit with respect to the payment of such Taxes, then such Lender, or Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Credit Party the amount of such refund or credit net of all out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the Lender, or Administrative Agent to obtain such refund or credit and without interest except for any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to the refund); provided, however, that such Credit Party agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Credit Party under this Section 4.7(f) (plus any penalties, interest, and other related charges) to the Lender, or Administrative Agent in the event the Lender, or Administrative Agent is required to repay the refund to the Governmental Authority.

 

(g)                        For purposes of this Section 4.7, and for the avoidance of doubt,  the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA.

 

(h)                       Each party’s obligations under this Section 4.7 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

5.1                               Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness.  The obligations of the Lenders to make any Bridge Loans shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 and the conditions in this Section 5.1 (the first date on which all of the following conditions set forth in this Section 5.1 have been satisfied or waived, the “Effective Date”):

 

(a)                       Loan Documents.

 

(i)             Company shall have duly executed and delivered to Administrative Agent, with a signed counterpart for each Lender, this Agreement, and, if requested, the Bridge Notes payable to each applicable Lender in the amount of their respective Commitments all of which shall be in full force and effect; and

 

(ii)          Each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company that is a Material Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) shall have duly authorized,

 

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executed and delivered the Subsidiary Guaranty in the form of Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii) (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, the “Subsidiary Guaranty”);

 

(b)                       Officers Certificate.  Administrative Agent shall have received, with a signed counterpart for each Lender, a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer on behalf of Company, dated the Effective Date and in the form of Exhibit 5.1(b) hereto, stating that the representations and warranties set forth in Article VI hereof to be made as of the Effective Date are true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the certificate, that no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, that the conditions of Section 5.1 hereof have been fully satisfied (except that no opinion need be expressed as to Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter);

 

(c)                        Secretarys Certificate.  Administrative Agent shall have received from each Credit Party a certificate, dated the Effective Date, signed by the secretary or any assistant secretary (or, if no secretary or assistant secretary exists, a Responsible Officer), of such Credit Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.1(c) with appropriate insertions, as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of each such Credit Party, executing any Loan Document on the Effective Date (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) and any certificate or other document or instrument to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto by or on behalf of such Credit Party, together with evidence of the incumbency of such secretary or assistant secretary (or, if no secretary or assistant secretary exists, such Responsible Officer), and certifying as true and correct, attached copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Amalgamation or other equivalent document (certified as of recent date by the Secretary of State or other comparable authority where customary in such jurisdiction) and By-Laws (or other Organizational Documents) of such Credit Party, and the resolutions of such Credit Party and, to the extent required, of the equity holders of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate and all of the foregoing (including each such Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Amalgamation or other equivalent document and By-Laws (or other Organizational Documents)) shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(d)                       Good Standing.  A good standing certificate or certificate of status or comparable certificate of each Credit Party from the Secretary of State (or other governmental authority) of its state or province of organization;

 

(e)                        Adverse Change.  On the Effective Date, both before and after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) on a pro forma basis, there shall be no facts, events or circumstances then existing  which materially adversely affects the business,  financial condition or operations of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole since December 31, 2013;

 

(f)                         Approvals.  All necessary governmental (domestic and foreign) and material third party approvals and/or consents in connection with the effectiveness of the Loan Documents shall have been obtained and remain in effect.  Additionally, there shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued or filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief

 

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or other restraint pending or notified prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon the effectiveness of the Loan Documents;

 

(g)                        Litigation.  No action, suit or proceeding (including, without limitation, any inquiry or investigation) by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documentation executed in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated hereby or which would reasonably be expected to have  a Material Adverse Effect, and no injunction or other restraining order shall remain effective or a hearing therefor remain pending or noticed with respect to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any documentation executed in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated hereby, the effect of which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(h)                       Evidence of Insurance.  Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance complying with the requirements of Section 7.9 for the business and properties of Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(i)                           Solvency Certificate.  Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate in the form of Exhibit 5.1(i), signed by the Chief Financial Officer of Company;

 

(j)                          Financials.  Administrative Agent and each Lender shall have received audited consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2013, statements of income and cash flows at December 31, 2013 and interim unaudited financial statements at March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014;

 

(k)                       Fees.  Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all fees due and payable on the Effective Date in accordance with the Syndication & Fee Letter will be paid on the Effective Date;

 

(l)                           Know Your Customer; Etc.  Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers shall have received, no later than three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information about Company and the Guarantors as has been reasonably requested in writing on or prior to ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date by Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including the Patriot Act;

 

(m)                   Press Release.  Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the final form of the Press Release (including a statement that the Target board intends to recommend the Target Acquisition)to be announced on or shortly following on the Effective Date in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent (it being understood and agreed that the Press Release will be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent if substantially in the form of the draft delivered to Administrative Agent on February 18, 2015 together with any changes which either (i) are not materially prejudicial to the interests of the

 

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Lenders taken as a whole under the Loan Documents or (ii) are approved by the Lead Arrangers (acting reasonably));

 

(n)                       Co-operation Agreement.  Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the duly executed Co-operation Agreement; and

 

(o)                       Opinions of Counsel.  Administrative Agent shall have received from (i) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to the Credit Parties, an opinion addressed to Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and dated the date of the Effective Date, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and which shall cover such matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (ii) opinions of local counsel to Administrative Agent and/or the Credit Parties (as is customary in the respective jurisdictions) from such jurisdictions as reasonably requested by Administrative Agent, dated the Effective Date, which shall cover such matters relating to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

Administrative Agent will give Company and each Lender prompt written notice of the occurrence of the Effective Date.

 

5.2                               Conditions Precedent to Initial Funding.

 

The obligations of the Lenders to extend Bridge Loans on the Initial Funding Date shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Initial Funding Date of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                       a copy of the Offer Document or, as the case may be, Scheme Circular dispatched to shareholders of the Target, in each case containing terms and conditions consistent in all material respects with those contemplated by the Press Release (and, in the case of an Offer, a condition such that the Offer may not be declared unconditional as to acceptances until Purchaser has received acceptances or contracted to acquire Target Shares such that following its acquisition of those Target Shares it will hold not less than 90% of the Target Shares (the “Acceptance Condition”)), together with any changes which are (i) required by the Takeover Panel, the Court, the City Code, or any other applicable law, regulation, court or regulatory body, (ii) not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders under the Loan Documents (provided that in the case of an Offer, no change to the Acceptance Condition may be made pursuant to this clause (ii) and provided further that it is acknowledged and agreed that any amendment or change to the Target board recommendation envisaged by the Press Release (including the absence of any such recommendation in the Offer Document or, as the case may be, Scheme Document, in each case, to the extent that the directors of the Target consider that to make such a recommendation would breach their fiduciary duties) shall not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders under the Agreement), (iii) not materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Lead Arrangers (not to be unreasonably withheld), (iv) (subject to the requirements of the Takeover Panel and the City Code) to extend the period in

 

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which holders of the Target Shares may accept the terms of the Offer or, as the case may be, the Scheme, or (v) permitted under paragraph (a) of Schedule 1.1(b);

 

(b)                       Administrative Agent shall have received a funds flow memorandum describing the anticipated flow of funds, including payment of all fees due and payable in accordance with the Syndication & Fee Letter, in an aggregate amount of not less than the amount necessary to acquire any Target Shares;

 

(c)                        Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate in substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.2(c) certifying that:

 

(i)             (A) in the case of an Offer, the Offer has become or has been declared unconditional in all respects; or (B) in the case of a Scheme, a copy of an order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme has been filed on behalf of the Target with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Section 899(A) of the Companies Act; and

 

(ii)          (after utilization of the Bridge Loans) Purchaser will have the funds necessary to acquire all the Target Shares, and to pay all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction; and

 

(d)                       Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all fees due and payable on the Initial Funding Date in accordance with the Syndication & Fee Letter shall have been paid or will be paid on the Initial Funding Date (provided that such evidence shall be satisfied if the fees are to be deducted from the initial Borrowing as set out in the relevant Notice of Borrowing).

 

5.3                               Conditions Precedent to Each Funding.

 

The obligations of the Lenders to extend Bridge Loans on each Funding Date requested in the applicable Notice of Borrowing shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to each such Funding Date of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                       the Certain Funds Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects when made or deemed to be made, except to the extent that such Certain Funds Representations specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date;

 

(b)                       no Certain Funds Change of Control shall have occurred;

 

(c)                        no Certain Funds Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Bridge Loan; and

 

(d)                       Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing.

 

5.4                               Actions by Lenders during Certain Funds Periods.  During the Certain Funds Period and notwithstanding (i) any provision to the contrary in the Loan Documents or (ii)

 

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that any Condition Precedent to Effectiveness or Condition Precedent to Funding set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 above may subsequently be determined not to have been satisfied or that any representation given as a condition thereof (other than a Certain Funds Representation) was incorrect in any material respect, unless (x) it would be illegal for the Lender to participate in making any borrowing hereunder or (y) a Certain Funds Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan, no Lender or Agent shall be entitled to:

 

(a)                       refuse to participate in any Loan;

 

(b)                       cancel its Commitment;

 

(c)                        rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement, or any Note (if any) or any other Loan Document or the Commitments or exercise any similar right or remedy or make or enforce any claim that it may have under this Agreement, any Note (if any) or any other Loan Document or any agreement relating to any of them;

 

(d)                       exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim where to do so would or might be expected to prevent or limit the making or use of a Loan; or

 

(e)                        cancel, accelerate, cause or require payment, repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under any Loan Document or under any agreement relating to any of them where to do so would or might be expected to prevent or limit the making of a Loan,

 

provided that immediately upon the expiration of the Certain Funds Period all such rights, remedies and entitlements shall be available to the Lenders notwithstanding that they may not have been used or been available for use during the Certain Funds Period.

 

Each Lender hereby agrees that by its execution and delivery of its signature page hereto, such Lender approves of and consents to each of the matters set forth in this Article V which must be approved by, or which must be satisfactory to, Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders or Lenders, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans as provided herein, Company, with respect to itself and its Subsidiaries, makes the following representations and warranties as of the Effective Date (both immediately before and after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) on a pro forma basis) and, solely with respect to the Certain Funds Representations, as of each Funding Date  (except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true as of such specified date), all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes:

 

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6.1                               Corporate Status.  Each Credit Party (i) is a duly organized and validly existing organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (to the extent that such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (ii) has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and (iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) in (x) the state of Indiana, in the case of Company, or its jurisdiction of organization in the case of any other Credit Party and (y) in each other jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except in the case of clause (y) where such failure to be so qualified, authorized or in good standing, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.2                               Corporate Power and Authority.  Each Credit Party has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of each of such Loan Documents.  Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and each of such Loan Documents constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

6.3                               No Violation.  The execution and delivery by any Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the performance of such Credit Party’s obligations thereunder do not (i) contravene any provision of any Requirement of Law applicable to any Credit Party, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of any Credit Party pursuant to, the terms of any Contractual Obligation to which any Credit Party is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is bound except for such contraventions, conflicts, breaches or defaults that would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) violate any provision of any Organizational Document of any Credit Party, (iv) require any approval of stockholders or (v) require any material approval or consent of any Person (other than a Governmental Authority) except filings, consents, or notices which have been made, obtained or given and except as set forth on Schedule 6.3.

 

6.4                               Governmental Approvals.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.4 and except as have been obtained or made prior to the Effective Date, no material order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have been obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date), or exemption by, any Governmental Authority, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution and delivery of any Loan Document or the performance of the obligations thereunder or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any such Loan Document.

 

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6.5                               Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities Projections; Etc.

 

(a)                       Financial Statements.  The consolidated balance sheet of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and the related statements of income and cash flows of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2013 and as of March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014 and September 30, 2014 for the fiscal quarters ended on such dates, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operation and cash flows of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as of such dates and for such periods, subject to, in the case of quarterly financial statements, year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b)                       Solvency.  On and as of the Effective Date,

 

(i)             the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will exceed its debts;

 

(ii)          Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) have not incurred and do not intend to, or believe that they will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as such debts mature; and

 

(iii)       Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its business.  For purposes of this Section 6.5(b) “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means (y) any right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured (including all obligations, if any, under any Plan or the equivalent for unfunded past service liability, and any other unfunded medical and death benefits) or (z) any right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.  In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

No Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except as fully reflected in the Form 10-K, the Form 10-Q or the financial statements and the notes related thereto delivered pursuant to Section 6.5(a), there were as of the Effective Date (and after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) on a pro forma basis) no liabilities or obligations with respect to Company and its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in aggregate, would be material to Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  As of the Effective Date (and after giving effect to the Company Credit Facility Refinancing (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) on a pro forma basis), Company does not know of any basis for the assertion against Company or any Subsidiary of any liability

 

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or obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not reflected in the financial statements or the notes related thereto delivered pursuant to Section 6.5(a) which, either individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be material to Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(d)                       Projections.  On and as of the Effective Date, the financial projections previously delivered to Administrative Agent for further delivery to the Lenders (the “Projections”) and each of the budgets delivered after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 7.2(b) are, at the time made, prepared on a basis consistent in all material respects with the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and (b) and are at the time made based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of Company, which assumptions were believed by the management of Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that uncertainty is inherent in any forecasts or projections, such Projections are not to be viewed as facts, and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ from such Projections and the differences may be material.

 

(e)                        No Material Adverse Change.  Since December 31, 2013, there has been no fact, event, circumstance or occurrence which has caused or resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.6                               Litigation.  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Company and its Subsidiaries, threatened (i) against Company or any Credit Party challenging the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document, or (ii) that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.7                               True and Complete Disclosure.  To Company’s knowledge, this Agreement and all other written information furnished to the Lenders by or on behalf of Company in connection herewith (other than any forecast or projections) did not (when so furnished) taken as a whole contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the information contained herein and therein not misleading, it being understood and agreed that with respect to any forecasts or projections furnished to the Lenders, such forecasts and projections are not to be viewed as facts and the actual results during the period or periods covered by such forecasts and projections may differ from such forecasts and projections and that such differences may be material.

 

6.8                               Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.

 

(a)                       Bridge Loan Proceeds.  All proceeds of the Bridge Loans incurred hereunder shall be used by Company and its Subsidiaries (i) to pay the cash consideration for the Target Acquisition or, in the case of an Offer, on the final Funding Date, to fund an escrow account for the payment of cash consideration for the Target Acquisition on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Arrangers and the Cash Confirmation Provider (and, in each case, any related transactions) and (ii) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing. Any amount of the Bridge Loans borrowed for the purpose of satisfaction of the consideration for the Offer and related fees and expenses that is not

 

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immediately applied for that purpose shall be deposited in a Sterling denominated escrow account with Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch or the London branch of a bank with a long term credit rating of A- or better issued by S&P and Fitch and A3 or better issued by Moody’s (where it has a rating from more than one of such credit rating agencies) on terms which provide that until the expiration of the Certain Funds Period such monies shall only be applied to settle payments due in respect of the Offer and related fees and expenses.

 

(b)                       Margin Regulations.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board), directly or indirectly, or to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Loans or other extensions of credit under this Agreement to be considered a “purpose credit”, in each case in violation of Regulation T, U or X of the Board.

 

6.9                               Taxes.  Each of Company and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed with the appropriate taxing authority, all material returns, statements, forms and reports for taxes (the “Returns”) required to be filed by or with respect to the income, properties or operations of Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries, except to the extent failure to file such Returns would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Returns accurately reflect all material liability for taxes of Company and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby.  Each of Company and each of its Subsidiaries has paid all material taxes owed by it other than those (i) contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in conformity with GAAP or their equivalent in the relevant jurisdiction of the taxing authority or (ii) which failure to pay would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.10                        Labor Relations.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There is (i) no significant unfair labor practice complaint pending against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction, and no significant grievance or significant arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against any of them, (ii) no significant strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage is pending against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) to the knowledge of Company, no question concerning union representation exists with respect to the employees of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, either individually or in the aggregate) as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.11                        [Reserved].

 

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6.12                        Compliance With ERISA.  Except as, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: each Plan has been operated and administered in a manner so as not to result in any liability of Company for failure to comply with the applicable provisions of applicable law, including ERISA and the Code; no Termination Event has occurred with respect to a Plan; to the knowledge of Company, no Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; no Plan has an accumulated or waived funding deficiency or has applied for an extension of any amortization period within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code; Company and its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates have not incurred any liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA or Section 4971 or 4975 of the Code; no proceedings have been instituted to terminate any Plan within the last fiscal year; using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with subpart 1 of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, to the knowledge of Company, Company and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates would not have any liability to any Plans which are Multiemployer Plans in the event of a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year of each such Multiemployer Plan ending prior to the Initial Funding Date; no Lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate exists or is likely to arise on account of any Plan; Company and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates have made all contributions to each Plan within the time required by law or by the terms of such Plan; and Company and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates do not maintain or contribute to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA and subject to ERISA) which provides benefits to retired employees (other than as required by Section 601 et seq. of ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA and subject to ERISA) the obligations with respect to either of which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.13                        Foreign Pension Matters.

 

Except as, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:  (a) each Foreign Pension Plan is in compliance and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) with all laws, regulations and rules applicable thereto, including all funding requirements, and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such Foreign Pension Plan; (b) with respect to each Foreign Pension Plan maintained or contributed to by Company or any Subsidiary, (i) that is required by applicable law to be funded in a trust or other funding vehicle, the aggregate of the accumulated benefit obligations under such Foreign Pension Plan does not exceed to any material extent the current fair market value of the assets held in the trusts or similar funding vehicles for such Foreign Pension Plan and (ii) that is not required by applicable law to be funded in a trust or other funding vehicle, reasonable reserves have been established in accordance with prudent business practice or where required by ordinary accounting practices in the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Pension Plan is maintained; (c) there are no actions, suits or claims (other than routine claims for benefits) pending or, to the knowledge of Company and its Subsidiaries, threatened against Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any Foreign Pension Plan; (d) all contributions required to have been made by Company or any Subsidiary to any Foreign Pension Plan have been made within the time required by law or by the terms of such Foreign Pension Plan; and (e) except as disclosed on Schedule 6.13, no Foreign Pension Plan with respect to which Company or any of

 

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its Subsidiaries could have any liability has been terminated or wound-up and no actions or proceedings have been taken or instituted to terminate or wind-up such a Foreign Pension Plan.

 

6.14                        Ownership of Property.  Company and each Material Subsidiary has good and marketable title to, or a subsisting leasehold interest in, all material items of real and personal property used in its operations (except as to leasehold interests) free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens and except to the extent that the failure to have such title or interest (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Substantially all items of real and material personal property owned by, leased to or used by Company and each Material Subsidiary are in adequate operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, are free and clear of any known defects except such defects as do not substantially interfere with the continued use thereof in the conduct of normal operations, and are able to serve the function for which they are currently being used, except to the extent the failure to keep such condition (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.15                        Capitalization of Company.  On the Effective Date, Company will have no Capital Stock outstanding other than the Common Stock and rights outstanding under the Shareholder Rights Plan.  All outstanding shares of capital stock of Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

 

6.16                        Subsidiaries.

 

(a)                       OrganizationSchedule 6.16 hereto sets forth a true, complete and correct list as of the date of this Agreement of each Subsidiary of Company and indicates for each such Subsidiary (i) its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) its ownership (by holder and percentage interest) and (iii) whether such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary.  As of the Effective Date, Company has no Subsidiaries except for those Subsidiaries listed as such on Schedule 6.16 hereto.

 

(b)                       Capitalization.  As of the Effective Date, all shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary of Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. As of the Effective Date, no authorized but unissued or treasury shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary of Company are subject to any option, warrant, right to call or similar commitment.

 

6.17                        Compliance With Law, Etc.  Neither Company nor any of its Material Subsidiaries is in default under or in violation of any Requirement of Law applicable to any of them or Contractual Obligation, or under its Organizational Documents, as the case may be, in each case the consequences of which default or violation, either in any one case or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.18                        Investment Company Act.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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6.19                        Environmental Matters.

 

(a)                       Company and each of its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with, and on the Effective Date are in compliance in all material respects with, all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits except for such non-compliance as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened Environmental Claims against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property currently owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries except for such Environmental Claims that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                       Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated, used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, or otherwise come to be located on, any real property owned or at any time operated by Company  or any of its Subsidiaries where such generation, use, treatment or storage has violated or would reasonably be expected to violate or create liability under any Environmental Law in any material respect and result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of Company, Hazardous Materials have not at any time been Released on or from, or otherwise come to be located on, any real property owned or at any time operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries where such Release has violated or would reasonably be expected to violate or create liability under any Environmental Law in any material respect and result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.20                        Intellectual Property, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas.  Each of Company  and its Subsidiaries owns or holds licenses or other rights to or under all the material patents, patent applications, trademarks, designs, service marks, trademark and service mark registrations and applications therefor, trade names, copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor, trade secrets, proprietary information, computer programs, data bases, licenses, permits, franchises and formulas, or rights with respect to the foregoing which are material to the business of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (collectively, “Intellectual Property”), and has obtained assignments of all leases and other rights of whatever nature, material to the present conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, without any known material conflict with the rights of others except, in each case, where the failure to own or hold such rights or obtain such assignments would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of any existing or threatened claim by any Person contesting the validity, enforceability, use or ownership of the Intellectual Property, or of any existing state of facts that would support a claim that use by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any such Intellectual Property has infringed or otherwise violated any proprietary rights of any other Person which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.21                        OFAC; Patriot Act; FCPA.

 

(a)                       None of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to its knowledge, any of their respective directors, officers or employees, is currently a Restricted Party.

 

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(b)                       None of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, will, use, lend, make payments of or contribute all or any part of the proceeds of the Bridge Loans in violation in any material respect of any Sanctions Laws and Regulations.

 

(c)                        Company, each other Credit Party and each Subsidiary of any Credit Party is:  (i) in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act Title III of 107 Public Law 56  (October 26, 2001) and in other statutes and all orders, rules and regulations of the United States government and its various executive departments, agencies and offices, related to the subject matter of the Act, including Executive Order 13224 effective September 24, 2001 (the “Patriot Act”) and all applicable Sanctions Laws and Regulations; and (ii) operated under policies, procedures and practices, if any, that are designed to promote compliance with the Patriot Act in all material respects.

 

(d)                       No part of the proceeds of the Loans made hereunder shall be used by Company 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, the United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010 or any similar applicable anti-corruption laws or regulations administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

6.22                        Press Release; Offer Document; Scheme Circular; etc.  As of their date of issuance or publication, as applicable, the Press Release, any Offer Document and/or any Scheme Circular contain all material terms of the Target Acquisition.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Company hereby agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that, so long as any of the Commitments remain in effect, or any Bridge Loan remains outstanding and unpaid or any other Obligation (other than any Obligation with respect to Rollover Loans (it being understood that the affirmative covenants with respect to the Rollover Loans shall be set forth in the Rollover Amendment) and contingent indemnification obligations not then due) is owing to any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder, Company shall:

 

7.1                               Financial Statements.  Furnish, or cause to be furnished, to Administrative Agent (for further distribution to each Lender):

 

(a)                       Quarterly Financial Statements.  Not later than fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of Company, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of income of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of earnings and of cash flows of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such quarter and the

 

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portion of the Fiscal Year through the end of such quarter, all of which shall be certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Company, as at the dates indicated and for the periods indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments; and

 

(b)                       Annual Financial Statements. Not later than ninety-five (95) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of Company, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income, earnings and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year.

 

All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects, shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods (except as approved by the accountants preparing such statements or the Chief Financial Officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein) and, in the case of the consolidated financial statements referred to in this Section 7.1(b), shall be accompanied by a report thereon of independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing, which report shall contain no qualifications with respect to the continuance of Company and its Subsidiaries as going concerns and shall state that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flow for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 7.1 and Sections 7.2(b), and 7.2(c) below shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which (i) such information is actually available for review by the Lenders and either (A) has been posted by Company on Company’s website at http://www.ball.com or at http://www.sec.gov or (B) has been posted on Company’s behalf on Intralinks/Syndtrak or any other internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by Administrative Agent).  At the request of Administrative Agent or any Lender, Company will provide by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) to Administrative Agent of all documents containing such information.

 

7.2                               Certificates; Other Information.  Furnish to Administrative Agent (for further delivery to each Lender, as applicable):

 

(a)                       Officers Certificates.  Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b), a certificate of Company’s Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer substantially in the form of Exhibit 7.2(a) (a “Compliance Certificate”) stating that to such officer’s knowledge, (i) such financial statements present fairly, in accordance with GAAP (or, in the case of financial statements of any Foreign Subsidiary delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a), generally accepted accounting principles in such Person’s jurisdiction of organization), the financial condition and results of operations of Company and its Subsidiaries for the period referred to therein (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal recurring adjustments) and (ii) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists,

 

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except as specified in such certificate and, if so specified, the action which Company proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(b)                       Budgets.  As soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days following the first day of each Fiscal Year of Company an annual budget (by quarter) in form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (including budgeted balance sheet, statements of earnings and cash flows) prepared by Company for each Fiscal Quarter of such Fiscal Year (it being understood that Company shall have no obligation to update or revise such budget), which shall be accompanied by the statement of the Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer of Company to the effect that, such budget is based on good faith assumptions believed by such Person to be reasonable at the time made;

 

(c)                        Public Filings.  Promptly after the same become public, copies of all financial statements, annual or quarterly filings, registrations and Form 8-K reports which Company may make to, or file with, the SEC or any successor or analogous Governmental Authority; provided that Company shall not be required to furnish to Administrative Agent or any Lender the Form 8-K filed in respect of this Agreement; and

 

(d)                       Other Requested Information.  Such other information with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any Asset Disposition or financing transaction, as Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

 

7.3                               Notices.  Promptly and in any event within three (3) Business Days after a Responsible Officer of Company or any Credit Party obtains knowledge thereof, give written notice to Administrative Agent (which shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Lender) of:

 

(a)                       Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default.  The occurrence of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default, accompanied by a statement of the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer of Company setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Company  propose to take with respect thereto;

 

(b)                       Litigation and Related Matters.  The commencement of, or any material development in, any action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against or involving Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, which would individually or when aggregated with any other action, suit, proceeding or investigation reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(c)                        Environmental Matters.  The occurrence of one or more of the following environmental matters which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

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(i)                                     any pending or threatened material Environmental Claim against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property owned or operated by Company  or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                  any condition or occurrence on or arising from any real property owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries that (y) results in material noncompliance by Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any applicable Environmental Law or (z) would reasonably be expected to form the basis of a material Environmental Claim against Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any such real property;

 

(iii)                               any condition or occurrence on any real property owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to cause such real property to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such real property under any Environmental Law; and

 

(iv)                              the taking of any Remedial Action on any real property at any time owned or operated by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the Environmental Claim, condition, occurrence or Remedial Action and Company’s or such Subsidiary’s response thereto.  In addition, Company will provide Administrative Agent with copies of all written communications with any Governmental Authority relating to actual or alleged violations of Environmental Laws, all written communications with any Person relating to Environmental Claims, and such detailed written reports of any Environmental Claim as may reasonably be requested by Administrative Agent.

 

7.4                               Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence.  Continue to engage in business of the same general types as now conducted by Company and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, businesses reasonably related or incidental thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof) and preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its and each of its Material Subsidiary’s corporate existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises material to its and those of each of its Material Subsidiaries’ business except as otherwise permitted pursuant to Sections 8.3 and 8.4 and comply and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.5                               Payment of Taxes.  Pay or discharge or otherwise satisfy before they become delinquent and cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to pay or discharge or otherwise satisfy before they become delinquent all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies (other than Indebtedness) imposed upon any of them or upon any of their income or profits or any of their respective properties or assets prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto; provided, however, that neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim while the same is being contested by it in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued so long as

 

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Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP (segregated to the extent required by GAAP) or their equivalent in the relevant jurisdiction of the taxing authority with respect thereto or to the extent failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such obligations would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.6                               Inspection of Property, Books and Records.  Keep, or cause to be kept, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep or cause to be kept, adequate records and books of account, in which entries are to be made reflecting its and their business and financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and all material Requirements of Law and permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, any Lender or its respective representatives, at any reasonable time during normal business hours, and from time to time at the reasonable request of such Lender and at such Lender’s expense made to Company and upon reasonable notice, to visit and inspect its and their respective properties, to examine and make copies of and take abstracts from its and their respective records and books of account, and to discuss its and their respective affairs, finances and accounts with its and their respective principal officers, and, if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders access to their independent public accountants (and by this provision Company authorize such accountants to discuss with Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders and such representatives, and in the presence of Company, the affairs, finances and accounts of Company and its Subsidiaries).

 

7.7                               ERISA.

 

(a)                       As soon as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after Company or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that a Termination Event  has occurred with respect to any Plan which could be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, deliver, or cause such Subsidiary to deliver, to Administrative Agent a certificate of a responsible officer of Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, setting forth the details of such Termination Event and the action, if any, which Company or such Subsidiary is required or proposes to take, together with any notices required or proposed to be given;

 

(b)                       Upon the request of any Lender made from time to time, deliver, or cause each Subsidiary to deliver, to each Lender a copy of the most recent actuarial report and annual report on Form 5500 (to the extent such annual report is required by law) completed with respect to any Plan;

 

(c)                        As soon as possible and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after Company or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that any of the following have occurred with respect to any Plan:

 

(i)             such Plan has been terminated, reorganized, petitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA,

 

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(ii)          the Plan Sponsor terminates such Plan,

 

(iii)       the PBGC has instituted proceedings under Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to such Plan or under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate such Plan,

 

(iv)      that an accumulated funding deficiency has been incurred or that an application has been made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments) or on extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code, or

 

(v)         Company or any Subsidiary of Company has incurred any liability that would result in a Material Adverse Effect under any employee welfare benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA and subject to ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees (other than as required by Section 601 et seq. of ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA and subject to ERISA),

 

deliver, or cause such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to deliver, to Administrative Agent a written notice thereof;

 

(d)                       As soon as possible and in any event within thirty (30) days after Company or any of its Subsidiaries knows or has reason to know that any of them has caused a complete withdrawal or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205, respectively, of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan, deliver, or cause such Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to deliver, to Administrative Agent a written notice thereof; and

 

(e)                        For purposes of this Section 7.7, Company shall be deemed to have knowledge of all facts known by the Plan Administrator of any Plan of which Company is the Plan Sponsor, and each Subsidiary of Company shall be deemed to have knowledge of all facts known by the Plan Administrator of any Plan of which such Subsidiary is a Plan Sponsor.

 

7.8                               Foreign Pension Plan Compliance.  Cause each of its Subsidiaries and each member of the Controlled Group to, establish, maintain and operate all Foreign Pension Plans to comply in all material respects with all laws, regulations and rules applicable thereto and the respective requirements of the governing documents for such Foreign Pension Plans, except for failures to comply which, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.9                               Maintenance of Property, Insurance.

 

(a)                       Keep, and cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to keep, all material property (including, but not limited to, equipment) useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, normal wear and tear and damage by casualty excepted, and subject to Section 8.4, except where the failure to keep such condition (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(b)                       Maintain or cause to be maintained, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to maintain or cause to be maintained, with reputable insurers, insurance with respect to its material properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.  Such insurance shall be maintained with reputable insurers, except that a portion of such insurance program (not to exceed that which is customary in the case of companies engaged in the same or similar business or having similar properties similarly situated) may be effected through self-insurance, provided adequate reserves therefor, in accordance with GAAP, are maintained; and

 

(c)                        Shall furnish to Administrative Agent, on the Effective Date, a schedule listing the insurance it, each Credit Party and Material Subsidiary carried.

 

7.10                        Environmental Laws.

 

(a)                       Comply with, and cause its Subsidiaries to comply with, and, in each case take reasonable steps to ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws and obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, and take reasonable steps to ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any Environmental Permits except to the extent that failure to do so would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(b)                       Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful orders, directives and information requests of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental Laws except to the extent that the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or except to the extent that such failure to do so would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.11                        Use of Proceeds.  Use all proceeds of the Loans as provided in Section 6.8.

 

7.12                        Further Assurances.

 

(a)                       Cause each Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary of Company (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) that is or becomes a Material Subsidiary to become a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty; provided that in the case of any Subsidiary organized under U.S. law that does not meet the definition of a “Domestic Subsidiary” by virtue of clauses (i) or (ii) in the definition thereof, such Subsidiary shall be treated as if it were a Foreign Subsidiary solely for the purposes of this Section 7.12; and

 

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(b)                       Cause each Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor after the date hereof of obligations arising under any Permitted Debt Document and that is not at such time party to the Subsidiary Guaranty to become a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with the terms thereof; provided, however, that this Section 7.12(b) shall not apply to a Foreign Subsidiary that becomes a guarantor of only obligations under one or more Permitted Debt Documents of persons that are not United States persons within the meaning of Code Section 7701(a)(30).

 

7.13                        End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.  Cause Company’s annual accounting periods to end on or about December 31 of each year (each a “Fiscal Year”), with quarterly accounting periods ending on or about March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31, of each Fiscal Year (each a “Fiscal Quarter”).

 

7.14                        [Reserved].

 

7.15                        Take-Out Financing and Securities Demand.

 

(a)                       Company shall engage one or more investment banks (the “Investment  Banks”) reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Arrangers to endeavor to publicly sell or privately place debt securities of Company denominated in Dollars or Euros (the “Exchange Securities”), the gross proceeds of which will be used to refinance the Bridge Loans. Company shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary so that the Investment Banks can, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date on which a Securities Demand (as defined below) is given, publicly sell or privately place, in one or more offerings or placements, the Exchange Securities specified in the Securities Demand, in each case subject to the terms and conditions hereof. Subject to the other provisions and limitations of this Section 7.15, the Investment Banks, in their reasonable judgment after consultation with Company, shall determine whether, and in what amounts, the Exchange Securities shall be issued by Company, and what type of Exchange Securities or combination of Exchange Securities are to be issued. Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Investment Banks and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its advisors and the Target Group and its advisors to do the same, and provide information reasonably deemed necessary by the Investment Banks in connection with placing or selling or obtaining commitments for the purchase or acquisition of the Exchange Securities. Such cooperation will include, without limitation, at the Investment Banks’ reasonable request, commercially reasonable efforts to:

 

(i)             prepare, as soon as reasonably practicable, an offering circular, prospectus, private placement memorandum suitable for use in a customary Rule 144A road show relating to the issuance by Company of debt securities with respect to the offer and sale of Exchange Securities;

 

(ii)          negotiate and execute an underwriting, placement agency, purchase or other applicable type of agreement containing such terms, covenants, conditions, representations, warranties and indemnities as are customary in similar

 

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transactions and providing for the delivery of customary legal opinions, comfort letters, and officers’ certificates;

 

(iii)       (A) deliver to the Investment Banks concurrently with, or as part of, the offering circular, prospectus, private placement memorandum or other document referred to above, (x) audited consolidated financial statements of Company and the Target covering the relevant fiscal year period as required pursuant to Regulation S-X, (y) unaudited financial statements of Company and the Target as of and for the interim periods as required pursuant to Regulation S-X, and (z) any pro forma financial statements after giving effect to the Transaction, as may be customary and as reasonably requested by the Investment Banks (if a Rule 144A transaction), and as required pursuant to Regulation S-X (if an SEC-registered transaction) and (B) cause Company’s independent accountants and the independent accountants for the Target to deliver customary “comfort” (including “negative assurance” comfort);

 

(iv)      make appropriate officers and representatives of Company, its Subsidiaries and the Target reasonably available to the Investment Banks, upon reasonable notice, for meetings with prospective purchasers of the Exchange Securities; and

 

(v)         cooperate with the Investment Banks’ due diligence investigation of Company and the Target and their respective Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                       At any time and from time to time (but no more than five times) following the 60th day after the Initial Funding Date (subject to clause (ix) of this paragraph (b), the “Period Prior to a Securities Demand”), upon no less than ten Business Days prior notice by the Lead Arrangers holding (together with their affiliates) a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Bridge Loans under the Bridge Facility as of such time (the “Majority Lead Arrangers”) (each such notice, which, for the avoidance of doubt, can be delivered by the Majority Lead Arrangers prior to such 60th day, a “Securities Demand”), so long as any Bridge Loans are outstanding, Company will cause the issuance and sale of Exchange Securities, in such amounts and on such terms and conditions as are specified in any Securities Demand; provided, however, that:

 

(i)             each Securities Demand shall be in respect of not less than $250,000,000 (or its equivalent in Euros) aggregate principal amount of Exchange Securities (or, if less than $250,000,000 (or its equivalent in Euros) aggregate principal amount of Bridge Loans are outstanding, such amount as shall be sufficient to repay in full all outstanding Bridge Loans and all related fees and expenses);

 

(ii)          the aggregate amount of proceeds of the Exchange Securities shall not exceed an amount sufficient to repay all the then outstanding principal and other amounts under the Bridge Loans;

 

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(iii)                   the delivery of a Securities Demand shall only be permitted after Company has been afforded the opportunity to participate in one customary “roadshow” (consistent with Company’s past practice);

 

(iv)                  the Exchange Securities shall be issued through a private placement for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act with registration rights;

 

(v)                     the Exchange Securities shall contain guarantees, covenants and default provisions substantially similar to those in the Senior Note (2023) Indenture and shall not contain any financial maintenance covenants;

 

(vi)                  the per annum interest rate on any tranche of Exchange Securities shall not exceed the Total Cap, with original issue discount (other than any original issue discount resulting from a sale by the Investment Banks at a price less than the price paid by the Investment Banks and any fees payable to Investment Banks) considered yield for the purpose of this clause (vi) and determined in accordance with customary market convention);

 

(vii)               the Exchange Securities shall have a maturity of no less than eight years;

 

(viii)            Company shall not be required to issue any Exchange Securities at an issue price less than 98% of the principal amount thereof (before deducting customary fees and commissions); and

 

(ix)                  if by the 60th day after the Initial Funding Date, concurrently with, or as part of, the offering circular, prospectus, private placement memorandum or other offering document for the issuance and sale of Exchange Securities, Company, after using its commercially reasonable efforts, is unable to (A) deliver to the Investment Banks (x) audited consolidated financial statements of the Target covering the relevant fiscal year period as required pursuant to Regulation S-X, (y) unaudited financial statements of the Target as of and for the interim periods as required pursuant to Regulation S-X, or (z) any pro forma financial statements after giving effect to the Transaction as required pursuant to Regulation S-X, or (B) cause the independent accountants for the Target to deliver customary “comfort” (including “negative assurance” comfort), then the Period Prior to a Securities Demand shall be extended until the date Company is able to deliver and cause the independent accountants for the Target to deliver the documentation referred to in (A) and (B) above; provided that the Period Prior to a Securities Demand shall not be extended beyond the 90th day after the Initial Funding Date,

 

in each case, unless otherwise agreed by the Investment Banks and Company.

 

(c)                         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event of a Demand Failure, on the Demand Failure Date (A) the interest rate on all Bridge Loans

 

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hereunder shall automatically be increased to the Total Cap, (B) the Conversion Fee, if not previously paid, shall become immediately due and payable, (C) the outstanding Bridge Loans shall be subject to the optional redemption terms and call protections applicable to the Exchange Securities and (D) any transfer restrictions applicable to the Bridge Loans shall be removed.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Company hereby agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that, (I) with respect to the covenant set forth in Section 8.15, from the period commencing on the Effective Date and (II) with respect to the covenants set forth in this Article VIII, other than the covenant in Section 8.15, from the period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and, in each case, continuing so long as any Bridge Loan remains outstanding and unpaid or any other Obligation (other than any Obligation with respect to Rollover Loans (it being understood that the negative covenants with respect to the Rollover Loans shall be set forth in the Rollover Amendment) and contingent indemnification obligations not then due) is owing to any Lender or Administrative Agent hereunder:

 

8.1                               Liens.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien in, upon or with respect to any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for the following Liens (herein referred to as “Permitted Liens”):

 

(a)                       (i) Liens created by the Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents or otherwise securing the Obligations (under and as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement), (ii) Liens  described in Section 8.1(a)(ii) of the Revolving Credit Agreement, (iii) Liens on cash, cash deposits or other credit support securing Interest Rate Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements and (iv) Liens on cash, cash deposits or other credit support securing Other Hedging Agreements entered into on behalf of any customer of Company or a Subsidiary;

 

(b)                       Customary Permitted Liens;

 

(c)                        Liens existing on the date hereof listed on Schedule 8.1 hereto provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations secured by such Liens on the Effective Date or Liens securing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such obligations or, to the extent such obligations do not constitute Indebtedness, any replacements or substitutions of any other such obligations in respect thereof;

 

(d)                       Liens on any property (including the interest of a lessee under a Capitalized Lease) securing (I) Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or financing all or part of the purchase price within 180 days after the respective purchase of assets) all or any part of the design, acquisition, development, construction, installation, repair, improvement cost or the lease of such property (including Liens to which any property is subject

 

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at the time of acquisition thereof by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or (II) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that:

 

(i)             any such Lien does not extend to any other property (other than products and proceeds of such property),

 

(ii)          such Lien either exists on the date hereof or is created in connection with the design, acquisition, construction, development, installation, repair, lease or improvement of such property as permitted by this Agreement,

 

(iii)       the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien, (or the Capitalized Lease Obligation with respect to any Capitalized Lease) does not exceed 100% of the fair market value of such assets at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, and

 

(iv)      the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(f);

 

(e)                        Liens on any property or assets of any Person existing at the time such assets are acquired or such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary (plus any modifications, refinancing, refundings, renewals, replacements and extensions of any such Liens) and, in each case, not created in contemplation of or in connection with such event, provided that (x) the property covered thereby is not changed in category or scope after such acquisition or after such Person becoming a Subsidiary and (y) the Indebtedness secured thereby is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 8.2(g);

 

(f)                         any Lien arising out of the replacement, refinancing, refunding, extension, or renewal of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by clauses (c), (d), (e), (g) and (h) of this Section, provided that such Indebtedness is not increased and collateral security provided therefor is not expanded;

 

(g)                        Liens on Receivables Facility Assets transferred in accordance with the terms of the Receivables Documents pursuant to a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and Liens in connection with the sales and other transfers of Receivables permitted pursuant to Section 8.4(d);

 

(h)                       Liens incurred in connection with Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.9;

 

(i)                           Liens in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(p) to the extent such Lien exists at the time of redesignation of the applicable Person and to the extent such Liens would comply with clauses (x) and (y) of the proviso at Section 8.1(e);

 

(j)                          Liens incurred in connection with the issuance of letters of credit permitted under Section 8.2(q);

 

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(k)                       Liens (which may be pari passu with the Liens supporting the Obligations) in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.2(v);

 

(l)                           additional Liens incurred by Company and its Subsidiaries so long as, without duplication, the Dollar Equivalent of the value of the property subject to such Liens at the time such Lien is incurred and the Dollar Equivalent of the Indebtedness (including any refinancings of such Indebtedness) and other obligations secured thereby do not exceed an aggregate of 7.5% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets (measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1; (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligations shall at a later time exceed 7.5% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Indebtedness or other obligation was permitted to be incurred));

 

(m)                   Liens created on (i) Capital Stock of Company that is held by Company as treasury stock and (ii) Capital Stock of Target constituting Margin Stock;

 

(n)                       Liens in favor of Company or any other Credit Party;

 

(o)                       Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                       Liens to secure financing of insurance premiums permitted under Section 8.2(cc);

 

(q)                       (i) Liens granted to secure Indebtedness that amends, refinances, defeases, repays, replaces, restructures or refunds (i) in whole or in part the Revolving Credit Agreement, whether pursuant to one or more agreements, documents, instruments or facilities, with the same or different parties, a shorter or longer maturity or in a smaller or greater amount of (or commitments for) the Revolving Credit Facility Loans or commitments thereunder, in each case whether structured as term loans, revolving loans, securities or a combination thereof (a “Revolving Credit Agreement Refinancing”) or (ii) in part this Agreement, whether pursuant to one or more agreements, documents, instruments or facilities, with the same or different parties, or in a smaller or greater amount of (or commitments for) the Revolving Credit Facility Loans or commitments thereunder, in each case whether structured as term loans, revolving loans, securities or a combination thereof, and solely in the case of this clause (ii), so long as such Liens are subject to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(r)                          solely for the period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and ending on the date that is 30 days thereafter (or such longer period as Administrative Agent may

 

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agree), Liens created by the Existing Target Credit Facilities and any documents related thereto and otherwise securing the obligations thereunder;

 

(s)                         Liens pursuant to an escrow arrangement or other funding arrangement pursuant to which such funds will be segregated to pay the purchase price on any Target Acquisition on any accounts containing internally generated cash flow of Company and its Subsidiaries or containing the proceeds of (i) any sale or other disposition of assets, (ii) any issuance of Capital Stock, or (iii) any issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness plus an amount equal to interest that would accrue on such Indebtedness for a period not to exceed eighteen months after the date of issuance of such Indebtedness plus fees and expenses in connection therewith; and

 

(t)                          solely for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date of the initial borrowing of Revolving Credit Facility Loans, Liens incurred by Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Loan Documents (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).

 

8.2                               Indebtedness.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur, create, assume directly or indirectly, or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:

 

(a)                       Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or otherwise evidencing any of the Obligations;

 

(b)                       (i) Receivables Facility Attributable Debt incurred in connection with Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitizations and in connection with sales permitted pursuant to Section 8.4(d)(ii) and Receivables Factoring Facilities, provided that such Indebtedness, shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $1,000,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time; and (ii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Uncommitted Short Term Lines of Credit, such Indebtedness not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of €500,000,000 outstanding at any time;

 

(c)                        Indebtedness evidenced by the (i) Senior Notes, the Senior Bridge Refinancing Notes and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and (ii) the Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents and any Revolving Credit Agreement Refinancing in respect thereof;

 

(d)                       Indebtedness of Company (i) other than Disqualified Preferred Stock; provided that (1) the covenants, defaults and similar non-economic provisions applicable to such Indebtedness are, taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to the obligor thereon or the Lenders than the provisions contained in this Agreement and do not contravene in any material respect the provisions of this Agreement (it being understood and agreed that this clause (1) may be satisfied by the delivery of a certificate by Company to Administrative Agent certifying that the requirements of this clause (1) have been satisfied) and (2) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis for the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending with the Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have most recently

 

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been delivered (or were required to be delivered) pursuant to Section 7.1, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default would exist hereunder and (ii) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000 at any time outstanding in the form of Disqualified Preferred Stock and, in each case for this Section 8.2(d), any replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation, modification or exchange of such Indebtedness that satisfies the provisions of this Section 8.2(d);

 

(e)                        Indebtedness under Interest Rate Agreements not entered into for speculative purposes;

 

(f)                         Indebtedness incurred to finance the design, development, acquisition, construction, installation, or improvement of any property (or Indebtedness to finance the development, construction, lease, repairs, additions or improvements to property (real or personal) whether through the direct purchase or lease of such assets or through the purchase of equity interests in a Person owning such assets), including capital leases, tax retention and other synthetic lease obligations and purchase money obligations and any replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, exchange, defeasance, restructuring, refunding, repayment, amendment, restatement, supplementation thereof; provided that any such Indebtedness shall be secured only by the property acquired, developed, constructed, repaired, designed, improved, leased or subject to such installation in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness and any proceeds and products thereof; provided, further, that the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness together with the Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2(g) and (l) shall not exceed an aggregate of 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets (measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligations shall at a later time exceed 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Indebtedness or other obligation was permitted to be incurred));

 

(g)                        Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Company assumed in connection with a Permitted Acquisition (other than Indebtedness under the Existing Target Credit Facilities, the Existing Target Notes and the Existing Target Subordinated Debt), so long as such Indebtedness was not issued or created in contemplation of such acquisition and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that in the case of any such assumed Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary of Company, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness of all such Foreign Subsidiaries and/or one or more of its or their Foreign Subsidiaries and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof shall not at any time together with the Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding pursuant to Section 8.2(f) and (l) exceed an aggregate of 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets at such time (based on the most recently delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1) (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding principal

 

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amount of such Indebtedness or other obligations shall at a later time exceed 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Indebtedness or other obligation was permitted to be incurred));

 

(h)                       Indebtedness under Other Hedging Agreements not entered into for speculative purposes and under Permitted Call Spread Transactions;

 

(i)                           Indebtedness of Company or any of their Subsidiaries consisting of take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                          Intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 8.7; provided, however, that in the event of any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which results in the holder of such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to Company or any of its Subsidiaries) such Indebtedness shall be required to be permitted under another clause of this Section 8.2; provided, further, however, that in the case of Intercompany Indebtedness consisting of a loan or advance to Company, each such loan or advance shall be subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full of all of Company’s Obligations;

 

(k)                       Indebtedness constituting Permitted Guarantee Obligations;

 

(l)                           Indebtedness in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.9;

 

(m)                   Indebtedness in respect of obligations secured by Customary Permitted Liens or supported by a Letter of Credit (under and as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) or a letter of credit secured by Customary Permitted Liens;

 

(n)                       Guarantee Obligations incurred by Company or any Subsidiary of obligations of any employee, officer or director of Company or any such Subsidiary in respect of loans made to such employee, officer or director in connection with such Person’s acquisition of Capital Stock, phantom stock rights, capital appreciation rights or similar equity like interests in Company or any such Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time;

 

(o)                       Indebtedness (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $1,250,000,000 at any time outstanding incurred by European Holdco, Ball Delaware, a Subsidiary of European Holdco, or Ball Asia Pacific, a Subsidiary of Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp., in the form of one or more series of publicly traded or privately placed unsecured bonds or notes; provided that (1) the covenants, defaults and similar non-economic provisions applicable to such Indebtedness are, taken as a whole, not materially less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the provisions contained in this Agreement and (2) such Indebtedness is at then-prevailing market rates;

 

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(p)                       Indebtedness incurred as a result of a redesignation pursuant to Section 12.23;

 

(q)                       letters of credit issued for the account of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as the sum of (without duplication as to the items set forth in the following clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)):  (i) the aggregate undrawn face amount thereof, (ii) any unreimbursed obligations in respect thereof and (iii) the aggregate amount of pledges and deposits made pursuant to Section 8.1(j) does not exceed $175,000,000 at any time;

 

(r)                          Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any guaranties, performance, surety, statutory, appeal, bid, payment (other than payment of Indebtedness) or similar obligations (including any bonds or letters of credit issued with respect thereto and all guaranties, reimbursement and indemnity agreements entered into in connection therewith) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)                         Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit accounts;

 

(t)                          Indebtedness of Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of workers’ compensation claims, payment obligations in connection with health or other types of social security benefits, unemployment or other insurance or self-insurance obligations, reclamation, statutory obligations, bankers’ acceptances and performance, appeal or surety bonds in the ordinary course of business that do not give rise to an Event of Default and obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting any of the foregoing;

 

(u)                       Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank of a check or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds; provided that such Indebtedness is covered by Company or any of its Subsidiaries within ten Business Days;

 

(v)                       Indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries of Company located in China or Hong Kong under lines of credit and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness extended by third persons to such Foreign Subsidiary, which Indebtedness may be guaranteed on a pari passu and equal basis (or on a lesser or lower ranked basis and with fewer Guarantors) with the Obligations; provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (v) at any time outstanding shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000,000, (ii) no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing at the time of such incurrence or would result from the incurrence of such Indebtedness, and (iii) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under the Senior Note Indentures, the Revolving Credit Agreement, or any document governing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(w)                     Indebtedness evidenced by (i) the Designated Existing Notes and any Replacement Senior Note Financing and (ii) the Existing Target Notes, the Existing Target Subordinated Debt and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, including any Replacement Target Note Financing;

 

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(x)                       solely for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date of the initial borrowing of the Revolving Credit Facility Loans, Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement;

 

(y)                       Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Company, in favor of Company or any other Subsidiary, for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the consideration for the Target Acquisition and any fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith (including any requirements under any foreign pension plan of Target or its subsidiaries);

 

(z)                        solely for the period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and ending on the date that is 30 days thereafter (or such longer period as Administrative Agent may agree), Indebtedness under the Existing Target Credit Facilities;

 

(aa)                Indebtedness arising from agreements of Company or a Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnout or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary;

 

(bb)                Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 8.2;

 

(cc)                  Indebtedness arising from financing insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(dd)                Indebtedness (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness) incurred by Company or any Subsidiary of Company in addition to that referred to elsewhere in this Section 8.2 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $375,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

8.3                               Fundamental Changes.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Material Subsidiaries to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except (x) that any Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) (i) may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with Company in a transaction in which Company is the surviving corporation, (ii) may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with any Credit Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is or becomes a Credit Party, (iii) that is not a Credit Party may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with any Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party or any Person that becomes a Credit Party simultaneously with or promptly following such merger and (iv) may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person that in accordance with the terms hereof becomes a Credit Party in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided that if such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary the surviving entity shall be a Material Subsidiary; provided, further, that if any Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition is not a Wholly-Owned Domestic Subsidiary, it shall not be required to be a Credit Party, (y) any Subsidiary may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with Target in connection with the Target Acquisition and (z) any Subsidiary may merge into, amalgamate or consolidate into another Person in connection with the consummation of a transaction permitted by Section 8.4.  No Unrestricted Entity shall enter

 

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into any merger or consolidation into or with Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that a Permitted Aerospace JV may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with Company or any Subsidiary in a transaction that is a Permitted Acquisition.

 

8.4                               Asset Sales.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of their property or assets, or enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, except that:

 

(a)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may sell, contribute and make other transfers of Receivables Facility Assets pursuant to the Receivables Documents under a Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization or pursuant to a Receivables Factoring Facility or similar Receivables financing arrangement;

 

(b)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may lease, including subleases and assignments of leases and subleases, real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                        Company and its Subsidiaries may sell Inventory and equipment in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                       (i) Company and its Subsidiaries may sell or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, any accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business (x) which are overdue, or (y) which Company or Subsidiary may reasonably determine are difficult to collect but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof consistent with prudent business practice (and not as part of any bulk sale or financing of receivables) and (ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may sell, discount, contribute or otherwise transfer, including, without limitation, pursuant to financing arrangements (including, without limitation, pursuant to any supply chain or similar arrangements), in each case without recourse, any Receivables arising in the ordinary course of business; provided that (x) such sale, discount, contribution or other transfer does not otherwise meet the requirements set forth in Section 8.4(a) and (y) all Receivables Facility Attributable Debt shall not exceed the amount set forth in Section 8.2(b)(i);

 

(e)                        Company or any Subsidiary may make an Asset Disposition to Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary);

 

(f)                         Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into consignment arrangements (as consignor or as consignee) or similar arrangements for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                        Company and its Subsidiaries may make Investments permitted pursuant to Section 8.7 and sell Investments referred to in clauses (a), (d) and (i) of Section 8.7;

 

(h)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may (y) enter into licenses or sublicenses of software, trademarks and other Intellectual Property and general intangibles in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of such Person and (z) abandon or dispose of intellectual property or other proprietary rights of such

 

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Person that, in the reasonable business judgment of such Person, is no longer practical to maintain or useful in the conduct of its business;

 

(i)                           Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted under Section 8.9;

 

(j)                          Company and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 8.5;

 

(k)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may make dispositions in the ordinary course of business of equipment and other tangible personal property that is obsolete, uneconomical, worn-out, unmerchantable, unsaleable, replaced, retired, surplus, excess or no longer useful in Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business;

 

(l)                           Company and its Subsidiaries may make dispositions of owned or leased vehicles in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)                   Company and its Subsidiaries may make dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(n)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may surrender or waive contractual rights or settle, release or surrender any contract, tort or litigation claim in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)                       Company may sell, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of the Aerospace Business (including the Capital Stock of any Permitted Aerospace JV) in one or more transactions; provided that each such transaction (y) is for not less than fair market value (as determined by the board of directors of Company in good faith, whose determination shall be conclusive evidence thereof and shall be evidenced by a resolution of such board of directors set forth in a Responsible Officer of Company’s certificate delivered to Administrative Agent), and (z) is consummated when no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(p)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may make other Asset Dispositions the proceeds of which (valued at the principal amount thereof in the case of non-cash proceeds consisting of notes or other debt Securities and valued at fair market value in the case of other non-cash proceeds) (determined at the time of disposition thereof) when aggregated with the proceeds of all other Asset Dispositions made within such Fiscal Year pursuant to this clause (p) does not exceed 15% of the Consolidated Assets of Company (measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate amount of such proceeds shall at a later time exceed 15% of Company’s Consolidated Assets so

 

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long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Asset Disposition was permitted to be made)); provided, however, that to the extent that any proceeds of such Asset Disposition are used to purchase assets used or to be used in the businesses referred to in Section 8.11 within 365 days of such Asset Disposition, such Asset Disposition shall be disregarded for purposes of calculations pursuant to this Section 8.4(p) (and shall otherwise be deemed to be permitted under this Section 8.4(p)) to the extent of the reinvested proceeds;

 

(q)                       Company may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (i) its Capital Stock that is held by Company as treasury stock, and (ii) Capital Stock of Target constituting Margin Stock;

 

(r)                          Company may enter into and perform its obligations under Permitted Call Spread Transactions;

 

(s)                         Company and its Subsidiaries may make any Permitted Asset Disposition;

 

(t)                          Company and its Subsidiaries may dispose of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted in this Agreement;

 

(u)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may grant Liens permitted under Section 8.1;

 

(v)                       Company and any Subsidiary may issue or sell, convey, or otherwise dispose of its Capital Stock as permitted by Section 8.6;

 

(w)                     Company and its Subsidiaries may exchange any like property pursuant to Section 1031 of the Code; and

 

(x)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may sell, convey, or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Entity.

 

8.5                               Dividends or Other Distributions.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, either: (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock (“Dividend”) or to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (except (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Preferred Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Preferred Stock) and (B) dividends, distributions or redemptions payable to (1) Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company and (2) any other Subsidiary of Company in compliance with applicable corporation law; provided that the amount of such dividends or distributions under this clause (2) which are paid or made to any Person other than an Unrestricted Entity shall be included for purposes of calculating compliance with clause (b) below, and shall be permitted only to the extent they are permitted under clause (b) below) or (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of Company other than in exchange for, or out of proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to an

 

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Affiliate of Company) of other Capital Stock of Company or as permitted in (i)(A) above or (iii) purchase, defease, redeem, prepay, decrease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled final or stated maturity, any Indebtedness that is either subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Obligations (other than refinancings of such Indebtedness with the proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and other than Intercompany Indebtedness subordinated as a result of Section 8.2(j)) and it being understood that Indebtedness shall not be deemed subordinate or junior in priority on account of being unsecured or being secured with greater or lower priority or (iv) make any Restricted Investment; (any of the foregoing being hereinafter referred to as a “Restricted Payment”); provided, however, that:

 

(a)                       Company or a Subsidiary may make distributions to the extent necessary to enable Company or a Subsidiary of Company to pay their (i) general administrative costs and expenses, (ii) taxes as they legally become due and (iii) to the extent such distributions are made to a Credit Party, any obligation under a Tax Sharing Agreement, and

 

(b)                       so long as no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and Company is in pro forma compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Article IX of the Revolving Credit Agreement on a Pro Forma Basis for the period of four Fiscal Quarters ending with the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payments, Company or any Subsidiary of Company may make any Restricted Payment; provided that any Restricted Payment of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) above may only be made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Company may pay Dividends within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such Dividend would have complied with this Section 8.5, (ii) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or exchange its Capital Stock for the Capital Stock of another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (iii) Company may issue Capital Stock contemplated by the Shareholder Rights Plan and (iv) Company may enter into and perform its obligations under Permitted Call Spread Transactions.

 

8.6                               Issuance of Stock.

 

(a)                       Other than as permitted to be incurred under Section 8.2(d)(ii), Company will not issue any Capital Stock, except for such issuances of Capital Stock of Company consisting of Common Stock, Capital Stock contemplated by the Shareholder Rights Plan and Permitted Preferred Stock.  For the avoidance of doubt, no provision of this Section 8.6 nor any provision of Sections 8.2, 8.7 or 8.14 will be deemed to restrict (i) the issuance by Company of convertible debt securities on customary market terms and conditions and (ii) entry into by Company and performance of its obligations under Permitted Call Spread Transactions in connection with such issuance.

 

(b)                       Company will not, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of Capital

 

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Stock of any Material Subsidiary of Company, except (i) to Company, (ii) to another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Company, (iii) to qualify directors if required by applicable law, (iv) pledges pursuant to the Loan Documents or (v) pursuant to employee stock ownership or employee benefit plans in effect on the date hereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to sell, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of (x) all or part of the Capital Stock of any Permitted Aerospace JV in one or more transactions in accordance with the terms of Section 8.4(o) and (y) 100% of the outstanding stock of any Subsidiary, but, except as set forth in clause (x), not less than 100% of such stock, subject to Section 8.4 (without regard to Section 8.4(v)).

 

8.7                               Loans, Investment and Acquisitions.  Company will not, nor will it, permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Investments or make any Acquisitions except:

 

(a)                       Company and its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)                       Investments existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 8.7, Investments made pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on the Effective Date and described in Schedule 8.7 and any Investment that replaces, refinances or refunds any such Investment; provided that such replacing, refinancing or refunding Investment is in an amount that does not exceed the amount replaced, refinanced or refunded, and is made in the same Person as the Investment replaced, refinanced or refunded;

 

(c)                        Investments required pursuant to the terms of any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and Receivables Factoring Facility;

 

(d)                       Investments (including debt obligations) in trade receivables or received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement (including settlements of litigation) of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                        Company and its Subsidiaries may enter into (i) Interest Rate Agreements in compliance with Section 8.2(e) and (ii) Other Hedging Agreements and Permitted Call Spread Transactions, each in compliance with Section 8.2(h);

 

(f)                         pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (including cash collateral and other credit support to secure obligations under letters of credit permitted under Section 8.2(q));

 

(g)                        Investments (i) by Company or any Subsidiary in Company or a Person that is a Subsidiary prior to such Investments, provided that if applicable, the requirements of Section 7.12 are satisfied and (ii) by any Subsidiary (other than a Credit Party) in any Credit Party or Purchaser;

 

(h)                       Company or any Subsidiary may make Permitted Acquisitions;

 

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(i)                           Company or any Subsidiary may acquire and hold debt securities and other non-cash consideration as consideration for an asset disposition permitted pursuant to Section 8.4;

 

(j)                          Company or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Investments permitted by Section 8.5, provided that any Restricted Investment that is an Acquisition (other than Target Acquisition) complies with clauses (y)(a) through (y)(d) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition;

 

(k)                       Investments, in addition to those Investments identified on Schedule 8.7, in any Unrestricted Entity; provided, however, that such additional Investments, together with the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of Guarantee Obligations or credit support of Company and its Subsidiaries (other than any Permitted Guarantee Obligations) with respect to (A) Other Hedging Agreements to which an Unrestricted Entity is party and (B) Indebtedness and other obligations of one or more Unrestricted Entities (such amount to equal the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate maximum principal amount of the Indebtedness or other obligations subject to such Guarantee Obligations or credit support), shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $200,000,000 in the aggregate after the Effective Date;

 

(l)                           extensions of trade credit, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)                   Investments made by Company or any Subsidiary in any Subsidiary for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the consideration for the Target Acquisition and any fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith (including any requirements under any foreign pension plan of Target or its subsidiaries);

 

(n)                       Investments received in connection with an Asset Disposition permitted by Section 8.4; and

 

(o)                       other Investments (other than in Unrestricted Entities) not in excess of 12.5% of the Consolidated Assets of Company and its Subsidiaries at such time measured as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Company for which financial statements have been delivered to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.1 (provided that for the avoidance of doubt, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such aggregate outstanding amount of Investments shall at a later time exceed 12.5% of Company’s Consolidated Assets so long as, at the time of the creation, incurrence, assumption or initial existence thereof, such Investment was permitted to be made); provided that any such Investment that is an Acquisition complies with clauses (y)(a) through (y)(d) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition.

 

8.8                               Transactions with Affiliates.  Company will not, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, conduct any business or enter into any transaction or series of similar transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of Company (other than (x) a Credit Party or (y) Purchaser in

 

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connection with the Target Acquisition) unless the terms of such business, transaction or series of transactions are as favorable to Company or such Subsidiary as terms that would be obtainable at the time for a comparable transaction or series of similar transactions in arm’s-length dealings with an unrelated third Person or, if such transaction is not one which by its nature could be obtained from such Person, is on fair and reasonable terms, provided that the following shall be permitted: (a) (i) any agreements in existence on the Effective Date and disclosed in the Form 10-K or the Form 10-Q or otherwise set forth on Schedule 8.8 hereto (as such agreements may be amended, modified, restated, renewed, supplemented, refunded, replaced, refinanced or otherwise continued in effect, in all cases, on terms no less favorable to Company or such Subsidiary than on the date of this Agreement) and (ii) following the consummation of a Permitted Acquisition, any agreements of the acquired Person in effect on the closing date of such acquisition; (b) (i) the payment of customary fees, expenses and compensation to officers and members of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person and (ii) customary indemnities provided on behalf of officers, directors, managers, employees or consultants of Company, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) transactions expressly permitted by Section 8.3 or Section 8.5; (d) transactions expressly permitted by Section 8.4, 8.6 or 8.7 among Company and its Subsidiaries or among Subsidiaries; (e) transactions pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreements; and (f) transactions pursuant to any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization and Receivables Factoring Facility.

 

8.9                               Sale-Leasebacks.  Company will not, nor will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, lease any property as lessee in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction entered into after the Effective Date unless such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is consummated within 180 days after the date that such Person acquires the property subject to such transaction and if, at the time of such entering into such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of Attributable Debt for such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and for all Sale and Leaseback Transactions so entered into by Company and its Subsidiaries, together with the Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness then outstanding pursuant to Sections 8.2(f) and (g) does not exceed 20% of Company’s Consolidated Tangible Assets.

 

8.10                        Restrictions on Credit Support to Unrestricted Entities.  Other than Investments permitted pursuant to Section 8.7(k), neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall provide any type of credit support or credit enhancement to any Unrestricted Entity, whether directly through loans to or Investments in, letters of credit issued for the benefit of any creditor of any Unrestricted Entity or guarantees or any other Contractual Obligation, contingent or otherwise, of Company or any of such Subsidiaries with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation or liability of any Unrestricted Entity, including, without limitation, any such Indebtedness, obligation or liability, directly or indirectly guaranteed, supported by letter of credit, endorsed (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-made or discounted or sold with recourse, or in respect of which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise directly or indirectly liable, including contractual obligations (contingent or otherwise) arising through any agreement to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire such Indebtedness, obligation or liability or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge thereof (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or

 

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otherwise), or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income, or other financial condition, or to make payment other than for value received; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Company may incur Guarantee Obligations and provide credit support in respect of Indebtedness and other obligations of one or more Unrestricted Entities (provided that any such Guarantee Obligations or other credit support is not prohibited under Section 8.2) and (y) Company or any of its Subsidiaries may incur Guarantee Obligations or provide credit support in respect of Other Hedging Agreements entered into by an Unrestricted Entity, in each case of (x) or (y) above to the extent such Guarantee Obligations would not result in a violation of Section 8.7(k).

 

8.11                        Lines of Business.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or acquire any line of business which is not reasonably related or incidental to or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of the same general types business conducted by Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof.

 

8.12                        Fiscal Year.  Company will not change its Fiscal Year.

 

8.13                        Limitation on Voluntary Payments and Modifications of Subordinated Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; Certain Derivative Transactions, Etc.  Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)                       make any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for value of (including, without limitation, by way of depositing with the trustee with respect thereto or any other Person money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due) any Indebtedness (other than Intercompany Indebtedness subordinated as a result of Section 8.2(j)) that is either subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Obligations (it being understood that Indebtedness shall not be deemed subordinate or junior in priority on account of being unsecured or being secured with greater or lower priority), other than pursuant to the issuance of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or as otherwise permitted by Section 8.5;

 

(b)                       amend, terminate or modify, or permit the amendment, termination or modification of, any provision of any documents governing Indebtedness described in clause (a) above in a manner which, taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders; or

 

(c)                        amend, modify or change in any way materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders, its Organizational Documents (including, without limitation, by filing or modification of any certificate of designation) or By-Laws, or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its Capital Stock, or enter into any new agreement with respect to its Capital Stock in any manner which, taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

8.14                        Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.  Company will not, nor will permit any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser to, create or otherwise cause or

 

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permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of Company or any Material Subsidiary of Company or Purchaser to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or pay any Indebtedness or other Obligation owed to Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) make any loans or advances to Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser, or (iii) transfer any of its property to Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser, except:

 

(a)                       any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to the Loan Documents, the Designated Existing Notes (or any Replacement Senior Note Financing thereof), the Existing Target Notes, the Existing Target Subordinated Debt, the Senior Notes, the Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents and any Revolving Credit Agreement Refinancing, any documents evidencing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any of the foregoing, any Permitted Accounts Receivable Securitization, any Receivables Factoring Facility, any agreement evidencing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 8.2(d), (g), (i) and (o) (in the case of Sections 8.2(d) and (o), so long as such restrictions, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to Company than those set forth in the Revolving Credit Facility Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that the requirements in this parenthetical may be satisfied by the delivery of a certificate by Company to Administrative Agent certifying the requirements of this parenthetical have been satisfied), any agreement evidencing Indebtedness of any Subsidiary acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition to the extent such restrictions are set forth in any Indebtedness assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition so long as such restrictions are not applicable to any Subsidiary of Company other than the Subsidiary being acquired and such restrictions were not created or imposed in connection with or in contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition, the Co-operation Agreement, any agreement in effect at or entered into on the Effective Date and reflected on Schedule 8.14(a) hereto or solely for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the date of the initial borrowing of the Revolving Credit Facility Loans, the “Loan Documents” (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement);

 

(b)                       any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Subsidiary of Company pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness issued by such Subsidiary, or agreements relating to the Capital Stock or governance provisions of such Subsidiary (to the extent, and for so long as, such agreements are unable to be amended, replaced or otherwise modified to remove such encumbrances or restrictions), in each case, issued (with respect to Indebtedness) or existing (with respect to agreements regarding Capital Stock or governance provisions) on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of Company or was acquired by Company (other than Indebtedness or agreements relating to Capital Stock or governance issued or entered into, as applicable, as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or other consideration utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was acquired by Company) and outstanding on such date;

 

(c)                        any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary provisions (i) contained in any license or other contract governing intellectual property rights of Company or any of its Subsidiaries restricting or conditioning the sublicensing or assignment

 

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thereof, (ii) restricting subletting, assignment or other transfers of any leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and other similar agreements or any equity interests in any joint ventures, (iii) contained in leases and other agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iv) contained in any agreement relating to the sale, transfer or other disposition or any agreement to transfer or option or right with respect to a Subsidiary or any property or assets pending such sale or other disposition; provided that such encumbrances or restrictions apply only to such Subsidiary, property or assets or (v) containing restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                       any encumbrance or restriction existing solely as a result of a Requirement of Law;

 

(e)                        in the case of clause (c)(iii) above, Permitted Liens or other restrictions contained in security agreements or Capitalized Leases securing or otherwise related to Indebtedness permitted hereby to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such Permitted Lien, security agreements or Capitalized Lease and other agreements evidencing Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.2(f) that impose restrictions on the property so acquired or the subject thereof; and

 

(f)                         encumbrances or other restrictions 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 (c), and clause (e) hereof, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and other restrictions than those prior to such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings.

 

8.15                        Acquisition Undertakings.

 

Company will not fail to comply, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to fail to comply, with the Acquisition Undertakings at any time.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

[RESERVED]

 

ARTICLE X

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

10.1                        Events of Default.  Any of the following events, acts, occurrences or state of facts shall constitute an “Event of Default” for purposes of this Agreement solely with respect to the Bridge Loans and any Commitment hereunder (it being understood that the events of default with respect to the Rollover Loans shall be set forth in the Rollover Amendment):

 

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(a)                       Failure to Make Payments When Due.  Company (i) shall default in the payment of principal on any of the Bridge Loans; or (ii) shall default in the payment of interest on any of the Bridge Loans or default in the payment of any fee or any other Obligation when due and such default in payment shall continue for five (5) Business Days; or

 

(b)                       Representations and Warranties.  Any representation or warranty made by any Credit Party to Administrative Agent or any Lender contained in any Loan Document delivered to Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or thereto shall have been incorrect in any material respect on the date as of when made or deemed made, or

 

(c)                        Covenants.  Any Credit Party or Purchaser shall (i) default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under  Article VIII hereof or Section 2.8, Section 7.3(a) or Section 7.15 (in each case, as to which no grace period shall apply) or (ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and such default shall continue unremedied or unwaived for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice to Company by Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

 

(d)                       Default Under Other Loan Documents.  Any Credit Party or Purchaser shall default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement on its part to be performed or observed hereunder or under any Loan Document (and not constituting an Event of Default under any other clause of this Section 10.1) and such default shall continue unremedied or unwaived for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof has been given to Company by Administrative Agent; or

 

(e)                        Voluntary Insolvency, Etc.  Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser shall become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, or shall voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law in any jurisdiction or seeking dissolution or reorganization or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, court appointed monitor, administrator, administrative receiver, liquidator or other similar official for it or a substantial portion of its property, assets or business or to effect a plan or other arrangement with its creditors, or shall file any answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of an involuntary petition filed against it in any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding in any jurisdiction, or shall be adjudicated bankrupt, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of, a receiver, trustee, custodian, court appointed monitor, administrator, administrative receiver, liquidator or other similar official for a substantial portion of its property, assets or business, shall call a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition or adjustment  of its debts or shall take any corporate action authorizing any of the foregoing; or

 

(f)                         Involuntary Insolvency, Etc.  Involuntary proceedings or an involuntary petition shall be commenced or filed against Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries or Purchaser under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law in any jurisdiction or seeking the dissolution or reorganization of it or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian,

 

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court appointed monitor, administrator, administrative receiver, liquidator or other similar official for it or of a substantial part of its property, assets or business, or to effect a plan or other arrangement with its creditors or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall be issued or levied against a substantial part of its property, assets or business, and such proceedings or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded, within sixty (60) days after commencement, filing or levy, as the case may be, or any order for relief shall be entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                        Default Under Other Agreements.  (i) Any Credit Party shall default in the payment when due, whether at stated maturity or otherwise, of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owed to the Lenders under the Loan Documents or Intercompany Indebtedness) in a principal amount in excess of the Dollar Equivalent of $75,000,000 in the aggregate beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, or (ii) a default shall occur in the performance or observance of any agreement or condition to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (after the expiration of any grace period but determined without regard to whether any notice of acceleration or similar notice is required), any such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem the full amount of such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; provided that clause (g)(ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; provided, further, that notwithstanding any provision of this subsection (g) to the contrary, to the extent that the terms of any such agreement or instrument governing the sale, pledge or disposal of Margin Stock or utilization of the proceeds of such Indebtedness in connection therewith would result in such acceleration or in an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default under this Agreement, and would cause this Agreement or any Loan to be subject to the margin requirements or any other restriction under Regulation U, then such acceleration shall not constitute an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default under this subsection (g); or

 

(h)                       Judgments.  One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against a Credit Party involving, individually or in the aggregate, a liability (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance) of the Dollar Equivalent of $75,000,000 or more and shall not have been vacated, discharged, satisfied, stayed or bonded pending appeal within sixty (60) days from the entry thereof; or

 

(i)                           [Reserved].

 

(j)                          Guaranties.  Any Subsidiary Guaranty shall (other than as a result of the actions taken by Administrative Agent or the Lenders to release such Subsidiary Guaranty)

 

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cease to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms, or any Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor’s obligations under any Subsidiary Guaranty; or

 

(k)                       ERISA.  Either (i) any Termination Event shall have occurred, (ii) a trustee shall be appointed by a United States District Court to administer any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (iii) the PBGC institutes proceedings to terminate any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, (iv) Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall become liable to the PBGC or any other party under Section 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA with respect to any Plan or (v) Company or any Subsidiary of Company fails to make a deficit reduction contribution required under Code Section 412(l) to any Plan by the due date for such contribution; if as of the date thereof or any subsequent date, the sum of each of Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ various liabilities (such liabilities to include, without limitation, any liability to the PBGC or to any other party under Section 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA with respect to any Plan, or to any Multiemployer Plan under Section 4201 et seq. of ERISA) as a result of such events listed in subclauses (i) through (v) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(l)                           Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur; or

 

(m)                   Dissolution.  Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against Company or any Material Subsidiary or Purchaser decreeing its involuntary dissolution or split up and such order shall remain undischarged and unstayed for a period in excess of sixty (60) days; or Company or any Material Subsidiary or Purchaser shall otherwise dissolve or cease to exist except as specifically permitted by this Agreement.

 

Other than as set forth in Section 5.4, if any of the foregoing Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Administrative Agent, at the written direction of the Required Lenders, shall take one or more of the following actions: (i) by written notice to Company declare the Commitments to be terminated whereupon the Commitments shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) by written notice to Company declare all sums then owing by Company hereunder and under the Loan Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon all such sums shall become and be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Company.  In cases of any occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) with respect to Company, the Loans, together with accrued interest thereon and all of the other Obligations, shall become immediately and automatically due and payable forthwith and the Commitments immediately and automatically terminated without the requirement of any such acceleration or request, and without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Company, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, and other amounts payable by Company hereunder shall also become immediately and automatically due and payable all without notice of any kind.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for a period commencing on the Initial Funding Date and ending on the date falling 120 days after the Initial Funding Date (the “Clean-up Date”), notwithstanding any other provision of any Loan Document, any breach of

 

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covenants, misrepresentation or other default which arises with respect to the Target Group will be deemed not to be a breach of representation or warranty, a breach of covenant or an Event of Default, as the case may be, if:

 

(i)                                     it is capable of remedy and reasonable steps are being taken to remedy it;

 

(ii)                                  the circumstances giving rise to it have not knowingly been procured by or approved by Company or Purchaser; and

 

(iii)                               it is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

 

If the relevant circumstances are continuing on or after the Clean-up Date, there shall be a breach of representation or warranty, breach of covenant or Event of Default, as the case may be, notwithstanding the above.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Article IV hereof), all payments (including the proceeds of any Asset Disposition received after acceleration of the Obligations shall be applied:  first, to all fees, costs and expenses incurred by or owing to Administrative Agent and any Lender with respect to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; second, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations (including any interest which but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts) and third, to the principal amount of the Obligations outstanding (pro rata among all such Obligations based upon the principal amount thereof).  Any balance remaining shall be delivered to Company or to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such balance or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

Anything in this Section 10.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Required Lenders, rescind and annul any acceleration of the Loans by written instrument filed with Company, provided that at the time such acceleration is so rescinded and annulled:  (A) all past due interest and principal, if any, on the Loans and all other sums payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been duly paid, and (B) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing which shall not have been waived in accordance with the provision of Section 12.1 hereof.

 

10.2                        Rights Not Exclusive.  The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

In this Article XI, the Lenders agree among themselves as follows:

 

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11.1                        Appointment.  The Lenders hereby appoint Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch as Administrative Agent for the Lenders under all applicable Subsidiary Guaranties (Administrative Agent is sometimes referred to in this Article XI as “Agent”) to act as herein specified herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes and each holder of any Note by the acceptance of such Note shall be deemed to irrevocably authorize Agents to take such action on its behalf under the provisions hereof, the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, to give notices and take such actions on behalf of the Required Lenders as are consented to in writing by the Required Lenders) and any other instruments, documents and agreements referred to herein or therein and to exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, Agent shall have no duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the financial institution serving in such capacity or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  Agent may perform any of their respective duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, by or through their officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates.

 

11.2                        Nature of Duties.  Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement.  The duties of Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature.  EACH LENDER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT AGENT SHALL NOT HAVE, BY REASON OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, A FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP TO OR IN RESPECT OF ANY LENDER.  Nothing in any of the Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in respect of any of the Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.  Each Lender shall make its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company in connection with the making and the continuance of the Loans hereunder and shall make its own appraisal of the credit worthiness of Company, and Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter.  Agent will promptly notify each Lender at any time that the Required Lenders have instructed it to act or refrain from acting pursuant to Article X.

 

11.3                        Exculpation, Rights Etc.  Neither Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, agents employees or affiliates shall be liable for any action taken or omitted by them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, or in connection herewith or therewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.  Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties herein or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability, or sufficiency of any of the Loan Documents or any other document or the financial condition of Company.  Agent shall not be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or the financial condition of Company, or the existence or possible existence of any Unmatured Event of Default

 

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or Event of Default unless requested to do so by the Required Lenders.  Agent may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals (including the failure to act or approve) which by the terms of any of the Loan Documents, Agent is permitted or required to take or to grant, and if such instructions are requested, Agent shall be absolutely entitled to refrain from taking any action or to withhold any approval and shall not be under any liability whatsoever to any Person for refraining from any action or withholding any approval under any of the Loan Documents until it shall have received such instructions from the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as applicable.  Further, Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its judgment or the judgment of its counsel, may expose Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirements of Law.  Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of Agent acting, approving or refraining from acting or approving under any of the Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders or, to the extent required by Section 12.1, all of the Lenders.

 

11.4                        Reliance.  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any notice, writing, resolution notice, statement, certificate, order or other document or any telephone, telex, teletype, telecopier or electronic mail message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person, and, with respect to all matters pertaining herein or to any of the other Loan Documents and their duties hereunder or thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by Agent, independent accountants or other experts selected by Agent and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.

 

11.5                        Indemnification.  To the extent Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by Company as required herein, the Lenders will reimburse and indemnify Agent for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against Agent, acting pursuant hereto in such capacity in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, in proportion to each Lender’s Aggregate Pro Rata Share of the total Commitment; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.  The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 11.5 shall survive the payment in full of the Notes and the termination of this Agreement.

 

For purposes hereof, “Aggregate Pro Rata Share” means, when used with reference to any Lender and any described aggregate or total amount, an amount equal to the result obtained by multiplying such desired aggregate or total amount by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Loan and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate of all of the Loans outstanding hereunder.

 

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11.6                        Administrative Agent In Its Individual Capacity.  With respect to its Loans and Commitments (and its Pro Rata Share thereof), Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and are subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or holder of Obligations.  The terms “Lenders”, “holder of Obligations” or “Required Lenders” or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agents in their individual capacity as a Lender, one of the Required Lenders or a holder of Obligations.  Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with Company or any Subsidiary or affiliate of Company as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, the acceptance of fees or other consideration for services without having to account for the same to any of the Lenders.

 

11.7                        Notice of Default.  Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default hereunder unless Agent has received written notice from a Lender or Company referring to this Agreement describing such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”.  In the event that Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.

 

11.8                        Holders of Obligations.  Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Obligation as reflected on the books and records of Agent as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with Agent pursuant to Section 12.8(c). Any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Obligation shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Obligation or of any Obligation or Obligations granted in exchange therefor.

 

11.9                        Resignation by Administrative Agent.

 

(a)                       Administrative Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder at any time by giving thirty (30) Business Days’ prior written notice to Company and the Lenders.  Such resignation shall take effect upon the acceptance by a successor Administrative Agent of appointment pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below or as otherwise provided below.

 

(b)                       Upon any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall appoint a successor Administrative Agent who shall be satisfactory to Company and shall be an incorporated bank or trust company.

 

(c)                        If a successor Administrative Agent shall not have been so appointed within said thirty (30) Business Day period, Administrative Agent, with the consent of Company, shall then appoint a successor Administrative Agent who shall serve as Administrative Agent until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders, with the consent of Company, appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above.

 

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(d)                       If no successor Administrative Agent has been appointed pursuant to clause (b) or (c) by the thirtieth (30th) Business Day after the date such notice of resignation was given by Administrative Agent, Agent’s resignation shall become effective and the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties of Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders, with the consent of Company, appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above.

 

11.10                 The Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, each of the Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners are named as such for recognition purposes only, and in their respective capacities as such shall have no powers, duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; it being understood and agreed that the Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners shall be entitled to all indemnification and reimbursement rights in favor of “Agents” as provided for under Section 11.5.  Without limitation of the foregoing, none of the Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners shall, solely by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender or any other Person.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

12.1                        No Waiver; Modifications in Writing.

 

(a)                       No failure or delay on the part of Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to Administrative Agent or any Lender at law or in equity or otherwise.  Neither this Agreement nor any terms hereof may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived, discharged, terminated or otherwise changed unless such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change is in writing signed by Company and the Required Lenders, provided that no such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change shall, without the consent of each Lender that would be directly affected thereby:

 

(i)             extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note of such Lender, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees due to such Lender except for waivers of Default Rate interest and except for amendments or modifications of defined terms used in any calculations in this Agreement, or reduce the principal amount of any Loan of such Lender or extend the scheduled time of payment of any such principal, interest or fees due (excluding in each case mandatory prepayments) to such Lender or reduce the amount of any other amounts payable to such Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document or extend the expiration date of any Commitment of such Lender,

 

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(ii)          release all or substantially all of the Guarantors, or all or substantially all of the value of the Subsidiary Guaranties,

 

(iii)       amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 12.1 (except for technical amendments with respect to additional extensions of credit pursuant to Section 2.10 which afford the protections to such additional extensions of credit of the type provided to the Loans on the date hereof) or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders,

 

(iv)      consent to the assignment or transfer by Company of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (except as expressly provided herein),

 

(v)         extend the Bridge Loan Maturity Date,

 

(vi)      impose restrictions on the conversion of Rollover Loans into Exchange Notes or alter the rate of such exchange or amend, modify or waive the terms of the Exchange Notes in any manner that requires (or would, if the Exchange Notes were outstanding require) the approval of all holders of Exchange Notes, or

 

(vii)   amend the Securities Demand provisions hereof,

 

provided, further, that no such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change shall:

 

(A)                   increase the Commitments of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that waivers or modifications conditions precedent, representations, warranties, covenants, Events of Default or Unmatured Events of Default shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment of any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of such Lender),

 

(B)                   [Reserved],

 

(C)                   without the consent of Administrative Agent amend, modify or waive (x) any provision of Article XI as same applies to the rights or obligations of Administrative Agent or (y) any other provision under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as same relates to the rights or obligations of Administrative Agent,

 

(D)                   without the consent of Administrative Agent, amend, modify or waive any provisions

 

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relating to the rights or obligations of Administrative Agent under the other Loan Documents,

 

(E)                    without the consent of each Lender with Obligations directly affected thereby amend the definition of Required Lenders,

 

(F)                     [Reserved], or

 

(G)                   without the consent of each Lender with Obligations directly affected thereby, amend the definition of Pro Rata Share,

 

provided that any provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented, waived, discharged terminated or otherwise changed by an agreement in writing signed by the respective Credit Parties thereto, the Required Lenders (measured after giving effect to such amendment, supplement, waiver, discharge or termination) and any Administrative Agent if (x) by the terms of such agreement all Commitments of each Lender not consenting to the actions therein shall terminate upon the effectiveness of such agreement and (y) at the time such agreement becomes effective, each Lender not consenting thereto receives payment in full of the principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by it and all other Obligations owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that any Commitments or Loans held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded from a vote of the Lenders hereunder requiring any consent of the Lenders) and no such amendment, waiver or consent may disproportionately adversely affect such Lender as compared with the other Lenders without such disproportionately affected Lender’s consent.

 

(b)                       If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination of any of the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (a)(i) through (iv), inclusive, of the first proviso to the third sentence of Section 12.1(a), the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then Company shall have the right to replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders (or, at the option of Company if the respective Lender’s consent is required with respect to less than all Loans and/or Commitments, to replace only the respective Loans and/or Commitments of the respective non-consenting Lender which gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender’s individual consent) with one or more Replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 3.7 so long as at the time of such replacement, each such Replacement Lender consents to the proposed amendment, modification, supplement, waiver, discharge, termination or other change.

 

(c)                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 12.1, if Administrative Agent and Company shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error,

 

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defect or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then Administrative Agent and Company shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five (5) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

 

(d)                       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, Company and Administrative Agent can enter into the Rollover Amendment without the consent of any Lender.

 

12.2                        Further Assurances.  Company agrees to do such further acts and things and to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent such additional agreements, powers and instruments, as Administrative Agent may reasonably require or reasonably deem advisable to carry into effect the purposes of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or to better assure and confirm unto Administrative Agent its rights, powers and remedies hereunder.

 

12.3                        Notices, Delivery Etc.  (a) Except where telephonic instructions or notices are authorized herein to be given, all notices, demands, instructions and other communications required or permitted to be given to or made upon any party hereto or any other Person shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by a reputable overnight or courier delivery service, or by prepaid telex or telecopier or electronic mail, and shall be deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the third day after deposit in registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and otherwise on the date that such writing is delivered or sent to the intended recipient thereof, or in the case of notice delivered by telecopy or electronic mail, upon completion of transmission with a copy of such notice also being delivered under any of the methods provided above, all in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.3, provided that if such notice or other communication is sent after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.  Unless otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 12.3, notices, demands, instructions and other communications in writing shall be given to or made upon the respective parties hereto at their respective addresses (or to their respective telecopier numbers or electronic mail addresses) indicated (i) in the case of any Lender, in such Lender’s administrative questionnaire most recently delivered to Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Assignee, on its signature page to its Assignment and Assumption Agreement, (iii) in the case of Company or Administrative Agent, on Schedule 12.3 hereto and, in the case of telephonic instructions or notices, by calling the telephone number or numbers indicated for such party on such administrative questionnaire, such Assignment and Assumption Agreement or Schedule 12.3, as the case may be.

 

(b)                       Notices and other communications to or by Administrative Agent, and Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent (with the written consent of Company, in the case of procedures for deliveries to Company), provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise

 

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agreed by Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  Administrative Agent or Company may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

(c)                        Unless Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is sent after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time), such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.  Each Credit Party and Lender hereunder agrees to notify Administrative Agent in writing promptly of any change to the notice information provided above.

 

12.4                        Costs, Expenses and Taxes; Indemnification.

 

(a)                       Generally.  Company agrees to pay promptly upon request by Administrative Agent (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Administrative Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery and syndication of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the documents and instruments referred to herein and therein (provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Company shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of only one counsel to Administrative Agent and one additional local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Documents executed on the Effective Date or required to be executed or delivered pursuant to Section 7.14 unless Company otherwise agrees) and any amendment, waiver, consent relating hereto or thereto or other modifications of (or supplements to) any of the foregoing, including without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of White & Case LLP, local and foreign counsel to Administrative Agent relative thereto, and independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by Administrative Agent in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all reasonable search fees, and expenses, filing and recording fees and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, if any, in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement furnished pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith (provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Company shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of only one primary counsel and one local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable for Administrative Agent and the Lenders, taken as a whole, plus one additional counsel where necessary in the event of a conflict of interest). Company acknowledges that Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Lead Arrangers may receive a benefit, including without limitation, a discount, credit or other accommodation, from any such counsel based on the fees such counsel

 

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may receive on account of their relationship with Administrative Agent, the Lenders and/or the Lead Arrangers, including, without limitation, fees paid pursuant hereto.

 

(b)                       Other Fees and Expenses.  In addition, Company agrees to pay any and all present and future stamp, transfer, excise, registration, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing and other similar taxes payable or determined to be payable in connection with any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, and each agrees to save and hold Administrative Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay by Company in paying, or omission by Company to pay, such taxes, excluding, in each case, such amounts that result from a transfer, assignment or grant of a participation by a Lender or Administrative Agent (other than any transfer or assignment pursuant to Section 3.7 or Section 4.7(e)).  Any portion of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses which remains unpaid more than thirty (30) days following Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s statement and the due date thereof shall bear interest from the date of such due date at the Default Rate.

 

(c)                        Indemnification.  Company agrees jointly and severally to indemnify and hold harmless Lead Arrangers, Bookrunners, Administrative Agent and each Lender and each partner, director, officer, employee, agent, attorney and Affiliate of Administrative Agent and each Lender (each such Person an “Indemnified Person” and collectively, the “Indemnified Persons”) from and against all losses, claims, damages, obligations (including removal or remedial actions), reasonable expenses or liabilities (not including taxes that are the subject matter of Section 4.7 hereof) (including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of any counsel for any Indemnified Person) to which such Indemnified Person may become subject, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, penalties, obligations (including removal or remedial actions), reasonable expenses or liabilities (or actions, suits or proceedings including any investigation or claims in respect thereof (whether or not Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto)) arise out of, in any way relate to, or result from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Transaction or any of the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that:

 

(i)             no Indemnified Person shall have the right to be so indemnified hereunder for any loss, claim, damage, penalties, obligations, expense or liability to the extent it (A) arises or results from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or such Indemnified Person’s partner, director, officer, employee, agent, attorney or Affiliate or from such Indemnified Person’s (or such Indemnified Person’s partner’s, director’s, officer’s, employee’s, agent’s, attorney’s or Affiliate’s) material breach of its obligations under this Agreement as determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) arises out of a dispute solely among Indemnified Persons (and not involving Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent) and not resulting from any act or omission by Company or any of its Affiliates; and

 

(ii)          nothing contained herein shall affect the express contractual obligations of the Lenders to Company contained herein.

 

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If any action, suit or proceeding arising from any of the foregoing is brought against Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person indemnified or intended to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 12.4, Company will, if requested by Administrative Agent, any Lender or any such Indemnified Person, resist and defend such action, suit or proceeding or cause the same to be resisted and defended by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Person or Persons indemnified or intended to be indemnified.  The Indemnified Persons shall, unless Administrative Agent, a Lender or other Indemnified Person has made the request described in the preceding sentence and such request has been complied with, have the right to employ their own counsel (or (but not as well as) staff counsel) to investigate and control the defense of any matter covered by such indemnity and the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party; provided, however, that in any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, Company shall not be liable for reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel), which counsel shall be designated by Administrative Agent provided, further, however, that each Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such inquiry, action, claim or proceeding and to control the defense thereof, and the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of Company if (i) Company shall have agreed in writing to pay such reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses or (ii) such Indemnified Person shall have notified Company that it has been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified Person that are different from or additional to those available to the other Indemnified Persons and that such common representation would adversely impact the adequacy of the proposed representation.  Excluding any losses, costs, liabilities or damages arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Person as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment, Company agrees to indemnify and hold each Indemnified Person harmless from all loss, reasonable out-of-pocket cost (including Attorney Costs), liability and damage whatsoever incurred by any Indemnified Person by reason of any violation of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or for the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material by Company or any of its Subsidiaries or which occurred at or migrated from any property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by or on behalf of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or by reason of the imposition of any Environmental Lien or which occurs by a breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants relating to environmental matters contained herein, provided that with respect to any liabilities arising from acts or failure to act for which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is strictly liable under any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, Company’s obligation to each Indemnified Person under this indemnity shall likewise be without regard to fault on the part of Company or any such Subsidiary.  To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay or hold harmless Administrative Agent, any Lender or other Indemnified Person as set forth in this Section 12.4 may be unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the indemnified liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.  The obligations of Company under this Section 12.4 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the discharge of Company’s other Obligations hereunder.

 

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(d)                       Foreign Exchange Indemnity.  If any sum due from Company under this Agreement or any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto has to be converted from the currency (the “first currency”) in which the same is payable hereunder or under such order or judgment into another currency (the “second currency”) for the purpose of (i) making or filing a claim or proof against Company with any Governmental Authority or in any court or tribunal, or (ii) enforcing any order or judgment given or made in relation hereto, Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the Persons to whom such sum is due from and against any loss actually suffered as a result of any discrepancy between (a) the rate of exchange used to convert the amount in question from the first currency into the second currency, and (b) the rate or rates of exchange at which such Person, acting in good faith in a commercially reasonable manner, purchased the first currency with the second currency after receipt of a sum paid to it in the second currency in satisfaction, in whole or in part, of any such order, judgment, claim or proof.  The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate obligation of Company distinct from its other obligations hereunder and shall survive the giving or making of any judgment or order in relation to all or any of such other obligations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments of principal and interest on Loans shall be made in Sterling.

 

12.5                        Confirmations.  Company and each holder of any portion of the Obligations agrees from time to time, upon written request received by it from the other, to confirm to the other in writing (with a copy of each such confirmation to Administrative Agent) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loan or Loans and other Obligations then outstanding.

 

12.6                        Adjustment; Setoff.

 

(a)                       If any lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Loans, or interest thereon, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by setoff, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.1(e) or Section 10.1(f) hereof, or otherwise) in a greater proportion than any such payment to and collateral received by any other Lender in respect of such other Lender’s Loans or interest thereon, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders such portion of each such other Lender’s Loans, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral or proceeds ratably with each Lender; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.  Company agrees that each Lender so purchasing a portion of another Lender’s Loans may exercise all rights of payment (including, without limitation, rights of setoff) with respect to such portion as fully as if such Lender were the direct holder of such portion.

 

(b)                       In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to Company, any such notice being expressly waived by Company, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to setoff and apply against any Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, of Company

 

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or any Credit Party to such Lender, any amount owing from such Lender to Company or Credit Party, at or at any time after, the happening of any of the above-mentioned events, and the aforesaid right of setoff may be exercised by such Lender against Company or Credit Party or against any trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, receivers, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or execution, judgment or attachment creditor of Company or Credit Party, or against anyone else claiming through or against, Company or Credit Party or such trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, receivers, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or execution, judgment or attachment creditor, notwithstanding the fact that such right of setoff shall not have been exercised by such Lender prior to the making, filing or issuance, or service upon such Lender of, or of notice of, any such petition, assignment for the benefit of creditors, appointment or application for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or issuance of execution, subpoena, order or warrant.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify Company and Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application and provided, further, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1(b) and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.

 

(c)                        Company expressly agrees that to the extent Company makes a payment or payments and such payment or payments, or any part thereof, are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or are required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, court appointed monitor or other similar official, or any other party under any bankruptcy act, state or federal law, common law, rule, regulation or equitable cause in any jurisdiction, then to the extent of such payment or repayment, the Indebtedness to the Lenders or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if said payment or payments had not been made.

 

12.7                        Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Execution of Assignments.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New

 

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York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

12.8                        Binding Effect; Assignment; Addition and Substitution of Lenders.

 

(a)                       This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Company, Administrative Agent, the Lenders, all future holders of the Notes and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that (i) Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder or in connection herewith or any interest herein (voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the Lenders and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 12.8.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, including Section 12.8(c), no Lender may assign any portion of its undrawn Commitment under this Agreement to any Person during the Certain Funds Period unless such Lender has assigned its Commitment or portion thereof to another bank or financial institution, in each case, whose senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness has, on any date of determination, a rating by S&P and Moody’s of, respectively, BBB and Baa2, or higher, and such bank or other financial institution has become a party to this Agreement as a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  During the Certain Funds Period, no Initial Lender shall assign any portion of its undrawn Commitment if, after giving effect to any such assignment, such Initial Lender would hold less than fifty point one percent (50.1%) of its Commitments under this Agreement on the Effective Date.

 

(b)                       Each Lender may at any time sell to one or more banks or other entities (“Participants”) participating interests in all or any portion of its Commitment and Loans or any other interest of such Lender hereunder (in respect of any Lender, its “Credit Exposure”).  In the event of any such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance thereof, and Company and Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  At the time of the sale of a participating interest, the Lender transferring the interest (i) shall cause the Participant to provide the forms required under Section 4.7(d), if applicable, as if such Participant became a Lender on the date of the sale and (ii) shall, if required under applicable law, deliver revised forms in accordance Section 4.7(d) reflecting the portion of the interest sold and the portion of the interest retained.  Further, the Participant shall be subject to the obligations of Section 3.6 and Section 4.7 as if such Participant was a Lender.  Company agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents are due or unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of setoff in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement and the Loan Documents to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided, however, that such right of setoff shall be subject to the obligation of such Participant to share with the Lenders, and the Lenders agree to share with such Participant, as provided in Section 12.6.  Company also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of

 

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Section 3.6 and Section 4.7 with respect to its participation in the Loans outstanding from time to time, as if such Participant becomes a Lender on the date it acquired an interest pursuant to this Section 12.8(b); provided that no participation shall be made to any Person under this section if, at the time of such participation, the Participant’s benefits under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 would be greater than the benefits that the participating Lender was entitled to under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 (and if any participation is made in violation of the foregoing, the Participant will not be entitled to the incremental amounts).  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Company, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts of (and stated interest on) each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.  Each Lender agrees that any agreement between such Lender and any such Participant in respect of such participating interest shall not, except with the consent of Administrative Agent and Company, restrict such Lender’s right to approve or agree to any amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification to, waiver of, or consent under, this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents except to the extent that any of the forgoing would (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note in which such Participant is participating beyond the Bridge Loan Maturity Date or Rollover Loan Maturity Date, as applicable, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees on any such Loan or Note (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the Participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, representations, warranties, Events of Default or Unmatured Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction in Commitments shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any Participant if the Participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof), or (ii) consent to the assignment or transfer by Company of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

 

(c)                        Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees, including an Affiliate of such Lender (which Affiliate, in the case of Credit Exposure under the Loans or Commitments, otherwise meets the definition of “Eligible Assignee”) (each an “Assignee”), all or any part of its Credit Exposure pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, provided that no assignment shall be made to any Person under this Section 12.8(c) if, at the time of such assignment, the Assignee’s benefits under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 would

 

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be greater than the benefits that the assigning Lender was entitled to under Section 3.6 or Section 4.7 (and if any assignment is made in violation of the foregoing, the Assignee will not be entitled to the incremental amounts) and provided, further, that any assignment of all or any portion of any Lender’s Credit Exposure to an Assignee other than an Affiliate of such Lender or another Lender, or in the case of a Lender that is a Fund, any Related Fund of any Lender (i) shall be an assignment of its Credit Exposure in an amount not less than the Dollar Equivalent of $5,000,000 (treating any Fund and its Related Funds as a single Eligible Assignee) (or if less the entire amount of Lender’s Credit Exposure, provided that if such Lender and its Affiliates (or in the case of a Fund and its Related Funds) collectively hold Credit Exposure at least equal to such minimum amounts, such Affiliates and/or Related Funds must simultaneously assign Credit Exposure such that the aggregate Credit Exposure assigned satisfies such minimum amount) and (ii) shall require (x) the prior written consent of Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld) and (y) during the Certain Funds Period so long as no Certain Funds Default and during any other period so long as no Event of Default then exists and is continuing, the consent in writing of Company (the consent of Company not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed with respect to assignments after the expiration of the Certain Funds Period); provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing limitations, (x) after the expiration of the Certain Funds Period any Lender may at any time assign all or any part of its Credit Exposure to any Affiliate of such Lender or to any other Lender (or in the case of a Lender which is a Fund, to any Related Fund of such Lender) so long as such Affiliate, other Lender or Related Fund is an Eligible Assignee and (y) Goldman Sachs Bank USA may at any time assign all or any part of its Credit Exposure to Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC.  Upon execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement and the payment of a nonrefundable assignment fee of $3,500 (provided that no such fee shall be payable upon assignments by any Lender which is a Fund to one or more Related Funds and provided, further, that Company shall not in any event be required to pay any portion of such fee unless Company requests that a Lender be replaced pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.7) in immediately available funds to Administrative Agent at its Payment Office in connection with each such assignment, written notice thereof by such transferor Lender to Administrative Agent and the recording by Administrative Agent of such assignment and the resulting effect upon the Loans and the Commitment of the assigning Lender and the Assignee, the Assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment, the same rights, benefits and obligations as it would have if it were a Lender hereunder and the holder of the Obligations (provided that Company and Administrative Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with the assignor Lender in connection with the interests so assigned to the Assignee until written notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses and related information with respect to the Assignee, shall have been given to Company and Administrative Agent by the assignor Lender and the Assignee) and, if the Assignee has expressly assumed, for the benefit of Company, some or all of the transferor Lender’s obligations hereunder, such transferor Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder to the extent of such assignment and assumption, and except as described above, no further consent or action by Company, the Lenders or Administrative Agent shall be required.  At the time of each assignment pursuant to this Section 12.8(c) to a Person which is not already a Lender hereunder, the respective Assignee shall provide to Company and Administrative Agent the appropriate forms and certificates as provided in Section 4.7(d), if applicable.  Each Assignee shall take such Credit Exposure subject

 

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to the provisions of this Agreement and to any request made, waiver or consent given or other action taken hereunder, prior to the receipt by Administrative Agent and Company of written notice of such transfer, by each previous holder of such Credit Exposure.  Such Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be deemed to amend this Agreement and Schedule 1.1(a) hereto, to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Assignee as a Lender and the resulting adjustment of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this Agreement, the Commitment, the determination of its Pro Rata Share, as the case may be (in each case, rounded to twelve decimal places), the Loans and any new Notes, if requested, to be issued, at Company’s expense, to such Assignee, and no further consent or action by Company or the Lenders shall be required to effect such amendments.

 

(d)                       Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Agreement, any Lender may at any time pledge or assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Notes held by it) to any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board or to any other central bank with jurisdiction over such Lender without notice to, or the consent of, Company, provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest under this Section 12.8(d) shall release a Lender from any obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.  Any Lender which is a fund may pledge all or any portion of its Notes or Loans to its trustee in support of its obligations to its trustee.  No such pledge or assignment shall release the transferor Lender from its obligations hereunder.

 

(e)                        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.8, no Lender may assign or sell participations, or otherwise syndicate all or any portion of such lender’s interests under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to any Person who is (i) on any Sanctions List or (ii) either (x) included within the term “designated national” as defined in the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 515, or (y) designated under Sections 1(a), 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) of Executive Order No. 13224, 66 Fed. Reg. 49079 (published September 25, 2001) or similarly designated under any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders.

 

12.9                        CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; MUTUAL WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

(a)                       ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK OR COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR

 

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CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH PARTY, AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12.3, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY LENDER OR THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST EACH CREDIT PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(b)                       EACH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

(c)                        EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THOSE REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE, IN RESPECT OF ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR DIRECTLY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

12.10                 [Reserved]

 

12.11                 GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

12.12                 Severability of Provisions.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

12.13                 Transfers of Notes.  In the event that the holder of any Note (including any Lender) shall transfer such Note, it shall immediately advise Administrative Agent and Company of such transfer, and Administrative Agent and Company shall be entitled conclusively to assume that no transfer of any Note has been made by any holder (including any Lender) unless and until Administrative Agent and Company shall have received written notice to the contrary.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by all of the other parties hereto, no Lender shall, by reason of the transfer of a Note or otherwise, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder and any such transfer shall be in

 

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accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents.  Each transferee of any Note shall take such Note subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to any request made, waiver or consent given or other action taken hereunder, prior to the receipt by Administrative Agent and Company of written notice of such transfer, by each previous holder of such Note, and, except as expressly otherwise provided in such transfer, Administrative Agent and Company shall be entitled conclusively to assume that the transferee named in such notice shall hereafter be vested with all rights and powers under this Agreement with respect to the Pro Rata Share of the Loans of the Lender named as the payee of the Note which is the subject of such transfer.

 

12.14                 Registry.  Company hereby designates Administrative Agent to serve as Company’s agent, solely for purposes of this Section 12.14 to maintain a register (the “Register”) on which it will record the Commitment from time to time of each of the Lenders, the Loans made by each of the Lenders and each repayment in respect of the principal amount of (and stated interest on) the Loans of each Lender.  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error, and failure to make any such recordation or any error in such recordation shall not affect Company’s obligations in respect of such Loans.  Company, Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each registered holder as absolute owner.  With respect to any Lender, the transfer of the Commitments of such Lender and the rights to the principal of, and interest on, any Loan made pursuant to such Commitment shall not be effective until such transfer is recorded on the Register maintained by Administrative Agent with respect to ownership of such Commitment and Loans and prior to such recordation all amounts owing to the transferor with respect to such Commitments and Loans shall remain owing to the transferor.  The registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of any Commitment and Loans shall be recorded by Administrative Agent on the Register only upon the acceptance by Administrative Agent of a properly executed and delivered Assignment and Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section 12.8.  Coincident with the delivery of such an Assignment and Assumption Agreement to Administrative Agent for acceptance and registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of a Loan, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the assigning or transferor Lender shall surrender the Note evidencing such Loan, and thereupon, if requested by the assigning or transferor Lender or new Lender, one or more new Notes in the same aggregate principal amount then owing to such assignor or transferor Lender shall be issued to the assigning or transferor Lender and/or the new Lender.

 

12.15                 Euro Currency.

 

(a)                       The following provisions of this Section 12.15 shall come into effect on and from the date on which the United Kingdom becomes a Participating Member State.  Each obligation under this Agreement which has been denominated in Sterling shall be redenominated into Euros in accordance with the relevant EMU Legislation.  However if and to the extent that the relevant EMU Legislation provides that an amount which is denominated in Sterling can be paid by the debtor either in Euros or in that national currency unit, each party to this Agreement shall be entitled to pay or repay any amount denominated or owing in Sterling hereunder either in Euros or in Sterling.  Without prejudice and in addition to any method of conversion or rounding prescribed by any relevant EMU Legislation, (i) each reference in this Agreement to a minimum amount (or an integral multiple thereof) in Sterling shall be replaced

 

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by a reference to such reasonably comparable and convenient amount (or an integral multiple thereof) in Euros as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify and (ii) except as expressly provided in this Section 12.15, this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the introduction of or changeover to Euros in the United Kingdom.

 

(b)                       Company agrees, at the request of any Lender, to compensate such Lender for any loss, cost, expense or reduction in return that such Lender shall reasonably determine shall be incurred or sustained by such Lender as a result of the implementation of Section 12.15(a) that would not have been incurred or sustained by such Lender but for the transactions provided for herein.  A certificate of any such Lender setting forth such Lender’s determination of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be delivered to Administrative Agent for delivery to Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error so long as such determination is made by such Lender on a reasonable basis.  Company shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

12.16                 Headings.  The Table of Contents and Article and Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

12.17                 Termination of Agreement.  This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Effective Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations not then due) arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full.  No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision of this Agreement which expressly survives such termination

 

12.18                 Confidentiality.  Each of the Lenders severally agrees to keep confidential all non-public information pertaining to Company and its Subsidiaries which is provided to it by any such parties in accordance with such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of this nature and in a prudent fashion, and shall not disclose such information to any Person except:

 

(a)                       to the extent such information is public when received by such Lender or becomes public thereafter due to the act or omission of any party other than a Lender,

 

(b)                       to an Affiliate of such Lender, counsel or auditors of such Lender, accountants and other consultants, in connection with the Loan Documents, retained by Administrative Agent or any Lender,

 

(c)                        in connection with any litigation or the enforcement of the rights of any Lender or Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document,

 

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(d)                       to the extent required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation or court order (including, without limitation, by way of subpoena) or pursuant to the request of any Governmental Authority having or asserting jurisdiction over any Lender or Administrative Agent; provided, however, that in such event, if the Lender(s) are able to do so, the Lender shall provide Company with prompt notice of such requested disclosure (other than in connection with routine examinations of such Lender by any such Governmental Authority) so that Company may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy, and, in any event, the Lenders will endeavor in good faith to provide only that portion of such information which, in the reasonable judgment of the Lender(s), is relevant and legally required to be provided, or to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with rating issued with respect to such Lender.

 

(e)                        to the extent disclosure to other entities is appropriate in connection with any proposed or actual assignment, grant of a participation or swap agreement entered into by any of the Lenders with respect to interests in this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan Documents to such other entities (who will in turn be required to maintain confidentiality as if they were Lenders parties to this Agreement).  In no event shall Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated or required to return any such information or other materials furnished by Company.

 

12.19                 Concerning the Subsidiary Guaranties and the Loan Documents.

 

(a)                       Authority.  Each Lender authorizes and directs Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch to act as Administrative Agent under each of the Subsidiary Guaranties for the benefit of the Lenders.  Each Lender agrees that any action taken by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where required by the express terms, hereof, a different proportion of the Lenders) in accordance with the provisions hereof or of the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where so required, such different proportion) of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders.

 

(b)                       Release of Subsidiary Guarantees.  Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby direct Administrative Agent to release, in the case of a sale, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of a Domestic Subsidiary owned by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent such sale, conveyance, transfer, liquidation or other disposition is permitted hereby (or permitted pursuant to a waiver or consent of a transaction otherwise prohibited hereby), to release the affected Subsidiary from its Subsidiary Guaranty),

 

provided, however, that Administrative Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in its opinion, would expose it to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

12.20                 Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which Company and each of the Lenders party hereto shall have signed a counterpart of this

 

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Agreement (whether the same or different counterparts) and shall have delivered to the same to Administrative Agent as the Notice Address (or to Administrative Agent’s counsel as directed by such counsel) or, in the case of the Lenders, shall have given to Administrative Agent or telephonic (confirmed in writing), written, telex or facsimile notice (actually received) at such office or the office of Administrative Agent’s counsel that the same has been signed and mailed to it.

 

12.21                 USA Patriot Act.  Each Lender subject to the Patriot Act hereby notifies each Credit Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each such Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

12.22                 Restrictions on Guarantees.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any Loan Document, no Foreign Subsidiary shall provide any guarantees to secure the Obligations; provided that in the case of any Subsidiary organized under U.S. law that does not meet the definition of a “Domestic Subsidiary” by virtue of clauses (i) or (ii) in the definition thereof, such Subsidiary shall be treated as if it were a Foreign Subsidiary solely for the purposes of this Section 12.22.  For purposes of this Section 12.22, Subsidiary shall include any Unrestricted Entity.  The Credit Parties, Lenders and Administrative Agent agree that any guaranty or similar interest made or granted in contravention of this Section 12.22 shall be void ab initio.

 

12.23                 Redesignation of Unrestricted Entities as SubsidiariesAny Unrestricted Entity that would be a Subsidiary but for the last sentence of the definition of Subsidiary may be redesignated by Company as a Subsidiary (with such redesignation being deemed to be an Acquisition by Company of such Subsidiary which shall be deemed to constitute a Permitted Acquisition for purposes of Section 8.7) provided that (i) Company shall have delivered to Administrative Agent (not less than 30 days prior to the date Company desires such redesignation to be effective) a notice signed by a Responsible Officer identifying such Unrestricted Entity to be redesignated and providing such other information as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, (ii) immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of such redesignation, no Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default exists or will exist (including, without limitation, the permissibility of any Investment, Indebtedness, Liens or other obligations existing at such Subsidiaries), (iii) Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with the provisions of Section 7.12, (iv) Administrative Agent has received such other documents, instruments and opinions as it may reasonably request in connection with such redesignation, and all such instruments, documents and opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and (v) on the desired effective date of such redesignation, Company shall deliver a certificate from a Responsible Officer confirming clauses (ii) through (iv) above and that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on the date of, and after giving effect to, such redesignation as though made on such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly made of a specified date in which event they shall be true as of such date).

 

136



 

12.24                 No Fiduciary Responsibility.  Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges that (i) none of the Agents nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Credit Parties arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between Company and the Credit Parties, on one hand, and the Agents and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor and (ii) each Agent, Lender and their Affiliates may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Credit Parties, their stockholders and/or their Affiliates.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

137



 

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

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeff A. Knobel

 

Name:

Jeff A. Knobel

 

Title:

Vice President and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,

 

in its individual capacity and in its capacity as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ed Roland

 

Name:

Ed Roland

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Niall Cullinane

 

Name:

Niall Cullinane

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Halmrast

 

Name:

Mark Halmrast

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Charles D. Johnston

 

Name:

Charles D. Johnston

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 



 

 

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Marcel Fournier

 

Name:

Marcel Fournier

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ L. Peter Yetman

 

Name:

L. Peter Yetman

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COÖPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK NEDERLAND”, NEW YORK BRANCH,

 

as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nader Pasdar

 

Name:

Nader Pasdar

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Eric Rogowski

 

Name:

Eric Rogowski

 

Title:

Vice President

 

139



 

Exhibit 2.2(a)(1)

 

FORM OF BRIDGE NOTE

 

New York, New York

                          ,         

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “Company”) hereby unconditionally promises to pay to                                          (the “Lender”) at the office of [                        ], located at [                                  ], in Sterling and in immediately available funds, the principal amount of                                (                  ), or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Bridge Loans (as defined in the Loan Agreement referred to below) made by the Lender to the Company pursuant to Section 2.1(a) of the Loan Agreement referred to below.  The principal amount of each Bridge Loan evidenced hereby shall be payable as set forth in the Loan Agreement, with any then outstanding principal amount of the Bridge Loans made by the Lender being payable on the Bridge Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Loan Agreement).  The Company further agrees to pay interest in like money at such office on the unpaid principal amount of Bridge Loans made to the Company from time to time outstanding at the applicable interest rate per annum determined as provided in, and payable as specified in, Articles III and IV of the Loan Agreement.

 

This Note is one of the Bridge Notes referred to in the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, and is entitled to the benefits thereof and of the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement).  As provided in the Loan Agreement, this Bridge Note is subject to optional and mandatory prepayment prior to the Bridge Loan Maturity Date, in whole or in part.  Terms defined in the Loan Agreement are used herein with their defined meanings unless otherwise defined herein.

 

Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Loan Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Bridge Note may become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable, all as provided therein.

 

All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Bridge Note, whether maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind.

 

1



 

THIS BRIDGE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 2.2(a)(2)

 

FORM OF ROLLOVER NOTE

 

£[      ]

 

New York, New York

                        ,          

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), unconditionally promises to pay to                                      (“Lender”), at the office of [                          ], located at [                              ], in Sterling and in immediately available funds, the principal amount of [         ] (£[       ]) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Rollover Loans (as defined in the Loan Agreement referred to below) evidenced hereby and made by Lender to Company pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of the Loan Agreement referred to below.  The principal amount of each Rollover Loan evidenced hereby shall be payable as set forth in the Loan Agreement, with any outstanding principal amount of the Rollover Loans made by Lender being payable on the Rollover Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Loan Agreement).  Company further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof in like money from time to time from the date hereof at the rates and on the dates specified in Articles III and IV of the Loan Agreement.

 

This Note is the Rollover Note referred to in the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) among Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, and is entitled to the benefits thereof and of the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Loan Agreement).  Terms defined in the Loan Agreement are used herein with their defined meanings unless otherwise defined herein.

 

Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Loan Agreement all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Rollover Note may become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable, all as provided therein.

 

All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Rollover Note, whether maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind.

 

1



 

THIS ROLLOVER NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 2.5

 

FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING(1)

 

Date:

 

 

Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch,

as Administrative Agent

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Attention: Peter Cucchiara

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.  The undersigned hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Loan Agreement of their request for the Lenders to make a Bridge Loan as follows.

 

1.                   Amount to be Borrowed (denominated in Sterling)                              .

 

2.                   The Business Date of the Borrowing is                            (the “Funding Date”).

 

3.                   Type of Bridge Loan is Eurocurrency Loan.

 

4.                   Interest Period is                      .

 

The undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of Company and not in his individual capacity that the following statements are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the Funding Date:

 

(A)  the Certain Funds Representations are true and correct in all material respects when made or deemed to be made, except to the extent that such Certain Funds Representations specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date;

 

(B)  no Certain Funds Change of Control has occurred; and

 

(C)  no Certain Funds Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof, or will result from the proposed Bridge Loan.

 

The account of Company to which the proceeds of the Bridge Loans requested on the Funding Date are to be made available by Administrative Agent to Company is as follows:

 


(1)         Such written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) must be given to Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 A.M., London time, three Business Days prior to the anticipated Funding Date; provided, however, that a Notice of Borrowing may, at the discretion of Administrative Agent, be delivered later than the time specified above.

 

1



 

 

Bank Name:

 

 

Bank Address:

 

 

ABA Number:

 

 

Account Number:

 

 

Attention:

 

 

Reference:

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

Exhibit 2.6

 

FORM OF NOTICE OF CONTINUATION(1)

 

Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch,

Date:

 

as Administrative Agent

60 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

Attention:  Peter Cucchiara

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”) and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.  The undersigned hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.6 of the Loan Agreement that they elect to continue Bridge Loans for an additional Interest Period, and in that connection sets forth below the terms on which such continuation is requested to be made:

 

1.                                      Date of Continuation (which date is a

Business Day and is the last day of the

Interest Period therefor):

 

2.                                      Aggregate Amount of Bridge Loans to be continued:

 

3.                                      Type of the proposed Continuation: Eurocurrency Loan

 

4.                                      Interest Period(2):

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 


(1)         This written notice must be given to Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) at least three Business Days in advance of the date of continuation.

 

(2)         Which shall be subject to the definition of “Interest Period” set forth in the Loan Agreement and shall end on or before the Rollover Loan Maturity Date.

 

1



 

Exhibit 4.7(d)

 

FORM OF

SECTION 4.7(d) CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is hereby made to the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and, Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

Each Lender or Agent that is not a United States persons (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (a “Foreign Lender” and a “Foreign Agent,” respectively) and that is not a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part I below.

 

Each Foreign Lender and Foreign Agent that is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part II below.

 

Each Participant that is not a United States persons (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) (a “Foreign Participant”) that is not a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part III below.

 

Each Foreign Participant that is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes should complete only Part IV below.

 

1



 

PART I

 

To be completed only by Foreign Lenders or Agents that are not partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments on the Loan(s) are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form).  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and the Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER OR AGENT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

1



 

PART II

 

To be completed only by Foreign Lenders or Agents that are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments on the Loan(s) are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

 

[NAME OF LENDER OR AGENT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

1



 

PART III

 

To be completed only by Foreign Participants that are not partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) and Section 12.8(b) of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (v) the interest payments with respect to such participation are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form).  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and Administrative Agent, and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

1



 

PART IV

 

To be completed only by Foreign Participants that are partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.7(d) and Section 12.8(b) of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Company within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and (vi) the interest payments with respect to such participation are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with two copies of IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption:  (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN, as applicable (or successor form), from each of its partners/members claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Company and Administrative Agent and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Company and Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 

1



 

Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii)

 

FORM OF

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

See Attached.

 

1



 

FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

THIS SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY, dated as of [-], 20[-] (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”), is made by each of the undersigned (each, a “Guarantor” and, together with any other entity that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 25 hereof, collectively, the “Guarantors”). Except as otherwise defined herein, terms used herein and defined in the Loan Agreement (as defined below) shall be used herein as therein defined.

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent” and together with the Lenders, the “Creditors”), the Lenders have agreed to make Loans as contemplated therein;

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor is a Domestic Subsidiary of Company;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Loan Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Guaranty is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans under the Loan Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Loans by Company under the Loan Agreement and, accordingly, desires to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding paragraph and to induce the Lenders to make Loans to Company;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits accruing to each Guarantor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Guarantor hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with each Creditor as follows:

 

1.                                      Each Guarantor, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as primary obligor and not as surety to the Creditors the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of (A) the principal of and interest on the Notes issued by, and the Loans made to, Company under the Loan Agreement and (B) all other obligations (including, without limitation, all Obligations and all obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities owing by Company to the Creditors under the Loan Agreement (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees and interest thereon) and the other Loan Documents to which Company is a party, whether now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with the Loan Agreement or any such other Loan Document and the due performance and compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents by Company (all such principal, interest, liabilities and obligations being herein collectively called the “Loan Document Obligations”); provided that the maximum amount payable by each Guarantor hereunder shall at no time exceed the Maximum Amount (as hereinafter defined) of such Guarantor. As used herein, “Maximum Amount” of any Guarantor means the lesser of the amount of the Loan Document Obligations and the highest amount of aggregate liability under this Guaranty which is valid and enforceable as

 



 

determined in any action or proceeding involving any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally. Subject to the proviso in the second preceding sentence, each Guarantor understands, agrees and confirms that the Creditors may enforce this Guaranty up to the full amount of the Loan Document Obligations against each Guarantor without proceeding against any other Guarantor or Company, or under any other guaranty covering all or a portion of the Loan Document Obligations. All payments by each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be made on the same basis, and subject to the same limitations, as payments by Company are made under the Loan Agreement, including Sections 4.6 and 4.7 thereof.

 

2.                                      Additionally, each Guarantor, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees the payment of any and all Loan Document Obligations of Company to the Creditors whether or not due or payable by Company upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Sections 10.1(e) or (f) of the Loan Agreement with respect to Company, and unconditionally, jointly and severally, promises to pay such Loan Document Obligations of Company to the Creditors, or order, on demand, in Sterling.

 

3.                                      [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]

 

4.                                      The liability of each Guarantor hereunder is exclusive and independent of any other guaranty of the Loan Document Obligations of Company whether executed by such Guarantor, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or by any other party, and the liability of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected or impaired by (i) any direction as to application of payment by Company or by any other party, (ii) any other continuing or other guaranty, undertaking or maximum liability of a guarantor or of any other party as to the Loan Document Obligations of Company, (iii) any payment on or in reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking, (iv) any dissolution, termination or increase, decrease or change in personnel by Company or any Guarantor or (v) any payment made to any Creditor on the Loan Document Obligations which any Creditor repays to Company or any Guarantor pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding in any jurisdiction.

 

5.                                      The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or Company, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor whether or not action is brought against any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or Company and whether or not any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company be joined in any such action or actions. Each Guarantor waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof. Any payment by Company or any other Guarantor or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to Company or any other Guarantor shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to each Guarantor.

 

6.                                      Each Guarantor hereby waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty and notice of any liability to which it may apply, promptness, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest, notice of dishonor or nonpayment of any such liabilities, suit or taking of other action by Administrative Agent or any other Creditor against, and any other notice to, any party liable thereon (including such Guarantor or any other guarantor or Company).

 

7.                                      Any Creditor may (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) at any time and from time to time in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Loan Agreement without the consent of, or notice to, Guarantor, without incurring responsibility to such Guarantor and without impairing or releasing the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder, upon or without any terms or conditions and in whole or in part:

 

2



 

(a)                                 change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate or alter, any of the Loan Document Obligations (including any increase or decrease in the rate of interest thereon), or any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof (other than any agreement between any Creditor and one or more Guarantors specifically modifying or amending the terms of this Guaranty), and the guaranty herein made shall apply to the Loan Document Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered;

 

(b)                                 sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon or otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever securing, the Loan Document Obligations or any liabilities (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and/or any offset there against;

 

(c)                                  exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against Company or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;

 

(d)                                 release or substitute any one or more other endorsers or other guarantors who are liable for the Loan Document Obligations;

 

(e)                                  settle or compromise any of the Loan Document Obligations or any liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of Company to its creditors other than the Creditors;

 

(f)                                   apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any liability or liabilities of Company to the Creditors, regardless of what liability or liabilities of Company remain unpaid;

 

(g)                                  consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or default under, any of the Loan Documents or any of the instruments or agreements referred to therein, or otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the Loan Documents (other than this Guaranty) or any of such other instruments or agreements in accordance with their respective terms; and/or

 

(h)                                 act or fail to act in any manner referred to in this Guaranty which may deprive such Guarantor of its right to subrogation against Company to recover full indemnity for any payments made pursuant to this Guaranty.

 

8.                                      No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of all or any part of the Loan Document Obligations shall affect, impair or be a defense to this Guaranty, and this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional notwithstanding the occurrence of any event or the existence of any other circumstances which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor except payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations.

 

9.                                      This Guaranty is a continuing one and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon. No failure or delay on the part of any Creditor in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any Creditor would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Guarantor in

 

3



 

any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of any Creditor to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand. It is not necessary for any Creditor to inquire into the capacity or powers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on its behalf, and any indebtedness made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.

 

10.                               Any indebtedness of Company now or hereafter held by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated to the indebtedness of Company to the Creditors; and such indebtedness of Company to any Guarantor, if Administrative Agent, after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, so requests, shall be collected, enforced and received by such Guarantor for the benefit of the Creditors and be paid over to Administrative Agent on behalf of the Creditors on account of the Loan Document Obligations of Company to the Creditors, but without affecting or impairing in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Creditors that it will not exercise any right of subrogation which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Guaranty (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) until all Loan Document Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated (other than indemnity and other contingent obligations described in Section 12.4 of the Loan Agreement that expressly survive termination thereof and for which no claim has been asserted).

 

11.                               (a) Each Guarantor waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) any right to require the Creditors to: (i) proceed against Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party; or (ii) pursue any other remedy in the Creditors’ power whatsoever. Each Guarantor waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) any defense based on or arising out of any defense of Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party other than payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations, including, without limitation, any defense based on or arising out of the disability of Company, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of Company or any other party, or the unenforceability of the Loan Document Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of Company other than payment in full of the Loan Document Obligations. The Creditors may, at their election and in accordance with Section 12 hereof, exercise any other right or remedy the Creditors may have against Company or any other party without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Loan Document Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in cash and all Commitments have been terminated (other than indemnity and other contingent obligations described in Section 12.4 of the Loan Agreement that expressly survive termination thereof and for which no claim has been asserted).  Each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election by the Creditors, even though such election operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of such Guarantor against Company or any other party.

 

(b)                                 Each Guarantor waives all presentments, demands for performance, protests and notices, including, without limitation, notices of nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation or incurring of new or additional indebtedness. Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of Company’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Loan Document Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks which such Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Creditors shall have no duty to advise any Guarantor of information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 

4



 

12.                               The Creditors agree that this Guaranty may be enforced only by the action of Administrative Agent acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders and that no other Creditor shall have any right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised by Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Creditors upon the terms of this Guaranty. The Creditors further agree that this Guaranty may not be enforced against any director, officer, employee, or stockholder of any Guarantor (except to the extent such stockholder is also a Guarantor hereunder).

 

13.                               In order to induce the Lenders to make the Loans as provided in the Loan Agreement, each Guarantor represents, warrants and covenants that:

 

(a)                                 Such Guarantor (i) is a duly organized and validly existing organization in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization (to the extent that such concept exists in such jurisdiction), (ii) has the corporate or other organizational power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is engaged and (iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) in (x) its jurisdiction of organization and (y) in each other jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except in the case of clause (y) where such failure to be so qualified, authorized or in good standing, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                 Such Guarantor has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its obligations hereunder and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this Guaranty. Such Guarantor has duly executed and delivered this Guaranty and this Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability hereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

(c)                                  The execution and delivery by such Guarantor of this Guaranty and the performance of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder do not (i) contravene any applicable provision of any Requirement of Law applicable to such Guarantor, (ii) conflict with or result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of such Guarantor pursuant to, the terms of any Contractual Obligation to which such Guarantor is a party or by which it or any of its assets or property is bound, except for such contraventions, conflicts, breaches or defaults that would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) violate any provision of any Organizational Document of such Guarantor, (iv) require any approval of stockholders or (v) require any material approval or consent of any Person (other than a Governmental Authority) except filings, consents, or notices which have been made, obtained or given and except as set forth on Schedule 6.3 of the Loan Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Except as set forth on Schedule 6.4 of the Loan Agreement, no material order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have been obtained or made on or prior to the Effective Date), or exemption by, any Governmental Authority is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution and delivery of this Guaranty or the performance of the obligations hereunder or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Guaranty.

 

5



 

(e)                                  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best knowledge of such Guarantor, threatened (i) against such Guarantor challenging the validity of any material provision of this Guaranty or (ii) that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

14.                               Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that on and after the date hereof and until the Termination Date (as defined below), such Guarantor shall take, or will refrain from taking, as the case may be, all actions that are necessary to be taken or not taken so that no violation of any provision, covenant or agreement contained in Articles VII or VIII of the Loan Agreement relating to such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, and so that no Event of Default, is caused by the actions of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

15.                               The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of each Creditor in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of only one primary counsel and one local counsel in each jurisdiction where applicable for all the Creditors, taken as a whole, plus one additional counsel where necessary in the event of a conflict of interest).

 

16.                               This Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Creditors and their successors and permitted assigns.

 

17.                               Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated except with the written consent of each Guarantor directly affected thereby and the Required Lenders (or to the extent required by Section 12.1 of the Loan Agreement, with the written consent of each Lender) at all times prior to the time on which all Loan Document Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in cash; provided, however, that (i) any addition of a Guarantor hereunder shall not constitute a change, waiver, discharge, termination, amendment or other modification hereto for the purposes of this Section 17, and the addition of any such Guarantor shall be effective upon the delivery of a Supplement (as defined below) to Administrative Agent by the applicable Guarantor and (ii) any release of a Guarantor hereunder permitted by Section 12.19 of the Loan Agreement shall not constitute a change, waiver, discharge, termination, amendment of other modification hereto for the purposes of this Section 17 and the release of a Guarantor shall be effective upon delivery of such Guarantor of a release executed by Administrative Agent (which release Administrative Agent is authorized to execute and deliver to the extent provided in Section 12.19 of the Loan Agreement).

 

18.                               Each Guarantor acknowledges that an executed (or conformed) copy of each of the Loan Documents in existence as of the date hereof has been made available to its principal executive officers.

 

19.                               In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 151 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law) and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Creditor is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor or to any other Person, any such notice being expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Creditor to or for the credit or the account of such Guarantor, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to such Creditor under this Guaranty, irrespective of whether or not such Creditor shall have made any demand hereunder. Each Creditor agrees to use reasonable efforts to notify Company and Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Creditor.

 

6



 

20.                               All notices and communications hereunder shall be given to the addresses and otherwise made in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Loan Agreement; provided that notices and communications to (a) the Guarantors, shall be directed to the Guarantors, at the address of Company as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Loan Agreement and (b) the Creditors, shall be directed to Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as applicable, at the address of such party as provided in and in accordance with Section 12.3 of the Loan Agreement.

 

21.                               If claim is ever made upon any Creditor for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment or on account of any of the Loan Document Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees repays all or part of said amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee with any such claimant (including Company), then and in such event each Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or compromise shall be binding upon such Guarantor, notwithstanding any revocation hereof or other instrument evidencing any liability of Company, and such Guarantor shall be and remain liable to the aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

 

22.                               (a) ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK.  BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS GUARANTY, EACH PARTY HERETO, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (1) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS; (2) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (3) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO IT AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 20; (4) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (3) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAKING; AND (5) AGREES THE CREDITORS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(b)                                 EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS GUARANTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT OR JURISDICTION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (a) ABOVE, IN RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR DIRECTLY RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(c)                                  THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

23.                               In the event that all of the Capital Stock of one or more Guarantors is sold, conveyed, transferred or otherwise disposed of or liquidated in compliance with the requirements of Section 8.3, Section 8.4 or Section 8.6 of the Loan Agreement (or such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition or liquidation is otherwise permitted by the Loan Agreement or has been approved in writing by the Required Lenders (or all Lenders if required by Section 12.1 of the Loan Agreement)), such

 

7



 

Guarantor shall be released from this Guaranty and this Guaranty shall, as to each such Guarantor or Guarantors, terminate, and have no further force or effect (it being understood and agreed that the sale of one or more Persons that own, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or partnership interests of any Guarantor shall be deemed to be a sale of such Guarantor for the purposes of this Section 23).

 

24.                               This Guaranty and any amendments or supplements hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. A set of counterparts executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with Company and Administrative Agent.

 

25.                               All payments made by any Guarantor hereunder will be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense.

 

26.                               It is understood and agreed that any Subsidiary of Company that is required to become a party to this Guaranty after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 7.12 of the Loan Agreement shall automatically become a Guarantor hereunder upon the execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an instrument substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (a “Supplement”) and the delivery of same to Administrative Agent, with the same force and effect as if originally named as a party herein. The execution and delivery of any instrument adding an additional party to this Guaranty shall not require the consent of any party hereunder or of any Creditor. The rights and obligations of each party hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new party hereto.

 

27.                               On the Termination Date, this Guaranty shall automatically terminate (provided that all indemnities set forth herein shall survive such termination) and Administrative Agent, at the request and expense of the relevant Guarantor, will execute and deliver to such Guarantor a proper instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this Guaranty. As used in this Guaranty, “Termination Date” shall mean the date upon which the Commitments have been terminated, no Note under the Loan Agreement is outstanding (and all Loans have been irrevocably repaid in full in cash), and all Loan Document Obligations then outstanding (other than indemnity and other contingent obligations described in Section 12.4 of the Loan Agreement that expressly survive termination thereof and for which no claim has been asserted) have been irrevocably paid in full in cash.

 

[signature page follows]

 

8



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

[GUARANTOR]

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 



 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT A

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

ADDITION OF NEW GUARANTOR TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY (this “Instrument”), dated as of                  ,              , amending that certain Subsidiary Guaranty, dated as of February 19, 2015 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”), by the Guarantors (the “Guarantors”) party thereto in favor of the Creditors.

 

Reference is made to the Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”), Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, pursuant to which the Lenders have agreed to make Loans as contemplated therein.

 

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement or, if not therein defined, in the Loan Agreement.

 

The Guarantors have entered into the Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend credit pursuant to the Loan Agreement. Pursuant to Section 26 of the Agreement, the undersigned is required to enter into the Agreement as a Guarantor. Section 26 of the Agreement provides that additional parties may become Guarantors under the Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument substantially in the form of this Instrument. The undersigned (the “New Party”) is executing this Instrument in accordance with the requirements of the Loan Agreement to become a Guarantor under the Agreement in order to induce the Lenders to extend and continue the extension of credit pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

 

Accordingly, the New Party agrees as follows:

 

SECTION 1. In accordance with the Agreement, the New Party by its signature below becomes a party to the Agreement as of the date hereof with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a party and the New Party hereby (a) agrees to all the terms and warrants that the representations and warranties made by it as a party thereunder are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof. Each reference to a “Guarantor” in the Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Party. The Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

SECTION 2. The New Party represents and warrants to Administrative Agent and the Creditors that this Instrument has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

 

SECTION 3. This Instrument may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Instrument shall become effective when Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Instrument that bears the signature of the New Party.

 

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

A-1



 

SECTION 5. THIS INSTRUMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 6. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in the Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Party shall be given to it pursuant to and in accordance with in Section 20 of the Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Party has duly executed this Addition of New Guarantor to Subsidiary Guaranty as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NAME OF NEW PARTY],

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

A-2



 

Exhibit 5.1(b)

 

FORM OF

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE

 

[Date]

 

This Officer’s Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 5.1(b) of the Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent (such Loan Agreement, as in effect on the date of this Officer’s Certificate, being herein called the “Loan Agreement”).  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Officer’s Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

The undersigned, the [Insert the title of a Responsible Officer](1) of the Company, does hereby certify on behalf of Company, in his capacity as an officer of Company and not in his individual capacity that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.                                      The representations and warranties set forth in Article VI of the Loan Agreement to be made on the Effective Date are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof.

 

2.                                      No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

3.                                      The conditions of Section 5.1 of the Loan Agreement have been fully satisfied or waived (except that no opinion is expressed as to Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter).

 


(1)         “Responsible Officer” means any of the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company.

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this        day of February , 2015.

 

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 5.1(c)

 

FORM OF

SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE

 

[APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY]

Secretary’s Certificate

 

I,                                         , hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of [APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY], a                        [corporation][limited liability company] (the “Company”), and that, as such, I am authorized to execute and deliver this Secretary’s Certificate, dated as of [              ], 201[_] (this “Certificate”), on behalf of the Company.  This Certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(c) of that certain Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015 (the “Loan Agreement”), by and among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Parent”), various institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”) and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent.  Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

I hereby further certify, as of the date hereof, that:

 

1.                                      Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the Certificate of [Incorporation] [Formation] [other equivalent document] of the Company, certified by the [Secretary of State of the State of                         ] [other comparable authority in jurisdiction] as of the date listed thereon, together with all amendments thereto through the date hereof;

 

2.                                      Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and correct copy of the [by-laws] [limited liability company agreement] [other Organizational Documents] of the Company, together with all amendments thereto through the date hereof, and said [by-laws] [limited liability company agreement] [other Organizational Documents] are in full force and effect on and as of the date hereof;

 

3.                                      Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and correct copy of the resolutions duly adopted by the [board of directors] [sole member] [or other equivalent governing body] of the Company [and by the equity holders of the Company](1) on [            ], and said resolutions have not been amended or repealed, are in full force and effect on and as of the date hereof and constitute the only action taken by the [board of directors] [sole member] [or other equivalent governing body] of the Company [and by the equity holders of the Company](2) with respect to the subject matter thereof;

 

4.                                      Each of the persons named on Exhibit D is a duly elected and qualified officer of the Company with such person holding the respective office or

 


(1)  To the extent required by the Certificate of Incorporation, Formation or other equivalent document.

 

(2)  To the extent required by the Certificate of Incorporation, Formation or other equivalent document.

 

1



 

offices set forth opposite such person’s name and the signature set forth opposite the name of each such person is his or her genuine signature. Each such person is authorized to execute and deliver, on behalf of the Company, the Loan Documents to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Loan Documents; and

 

5.                                      Prior to receipt by the Administrative Agent of a new certificate of the Secretary of the Company amending this Certificate to add or delete the name or names of authorized officers and submitting the signatures of the officers named in such new certificate, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may rely on this Certificate in connection with the execution and delivery, on behalf of the Company, of the Loan Documents and other certificates or documents to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand to this Certificate as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

[                                        ]

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

Secretary

 

 

I,                               , the undersigned, [Applicable Officer] of the Company, do hereby certify that                             is the duly elected and qualified Secretary of the Company and the signature above is her genuine signature.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

[Applicable Officer]

 

3



 

Exhibit D

to Secretary’s Certificate

 

Incumbency and Specimen Signatures for the Company

 

Name

 

Title

 

Specimen Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Applicable Officer]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Applicable Officer]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Applicable Officer]

 

 

 

1



 

Exhibit 5.1(i)

 

FORM OF

SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

 

February [          ], 2015

 

The undersigned hereby certifies, in his capacity as the chief financial officer of Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”) and not in his individual capacity, that as of the date hereof:

 

1.                                      This certificate is given pursuant to Section 5.1(i) of the Bridge Loan Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company, various institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Lenders”) and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Loan Agreement”).  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Loan Agreement.

 

2.                                      On and as of the date hereof,

 

a)             the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will exceed their debts;

 

b)             the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) have not incurred and do not intend to, or believe that they will, incur debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as such debts mature; and

 

c)              the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) will have sufficient capital with which to conduct its business.

 

3.                                      For purposes of this Certificate, “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means (a) any right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured (including all obligations, if any, under any Plan or the equivalent for unfunded past service liability, and any other unfunded medical and death benefits) or (b) any right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.  In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

1



 

WITNESS the following signature as of the date first above written.

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 5.1(a)(ii)

 

FORM OF

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

See Attached.

 

1



 

Exhibit 5.2(c)

 

FORM OF

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE

 

[Date]

 

This Officer’s Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 5.2(c) of the Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent (such Loan Agreement, as in effect on the date of this Officer’s Certificate, being herein called the “Loan Agreement”).  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Officer’s Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

The undersigned, the [Insert the title of a Responsible Officer](1) of the Company, does hereby certify on behalf of Company, in his capacity as an officer of Company and not in his individual capacity that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.                                      [The Offer has become or has been declared unconditional in all respects] [A copy of an order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme has been filed on behalf of the Target with the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Section 899(A) of the Companies Act].

 

2.                                      After utilization of the Bridge Loans, Purchaser will have the funds necessary to acquire all the Target Shares, and to pay all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction.

 


(1)  “Responsible Officer” means any of the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company.

 

1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this        day of             , 201[    ].

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name: 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

2



 

Exhibit 7.2(a)

 

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.2(a)

 

The undersigned, [Name], the [Chief Financial Officer][Treasurer] of Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation (“Company”), does hereby certify on behalf of Company and not in his individual capacity that, as of the date hereof:

 

1.                                      This Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 7.2(a) of that certain Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among the Company, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Certificate have the meanings set forth in the Loan Agreement.

 

2.                                      I have reviewed the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section [7.1(a)][7.1(b)] and attached hereto as Exhibit A and, to my knowledge, the financial statements present fairly, in accordance with GAAP (or, in the case of financial statements of any Foreign Subsidiary delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) of the Loan Agreement, generally accepted accounting principles in such Person’s jurisdiction of organization), the financial condition and results of operations of Company and its Subsidiaries for the period of such financial statements (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal recurring adjustments).

 

3.                                      To my knowledge, no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists [, except for                   , and Company proposes to take the following action with respect thereto:]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Compliance Certificate to be executed and delivered, and the certification and warranties contained herein to be made, by its [Chief Financial Officer][Treasurer] on this          day of                         ,           .

 

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name: 

 

 

Title:

 

 

1



 

Exhibit 12.8(c)

 

FORM OF

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT(1)

 

Date                     ,        

 

This Assignment and Assumption Agreement (this “Assignment”), is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the] [each] Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the] [each an] Assignor”) and [the] [each] Assignee identified in [item 2] [item 3] below ([the] [each an] Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of such Assignee [Assignor] hereunder are several and not joint.]  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, restated supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 hereto (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the] [each] Assignee, and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the] [each such] Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Loan Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, the interest in and to all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto that represents the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of the Assignor’s outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (the “Assigned Interest”).  [Each] [Such] sale and assignment is without recourse to [the] [each such] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment, without representation or warranty by [the] [each such] Assignor.

 

1.

Assignor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[2.

Assignee:

                                                 ]

(2)

 

 

 

[2][3].

Loan Agreement:

Bridge Loan Agreement dated as of February [      ], 2015 among Ball Corporation, an Indiana corporation, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent.

 

 

 

[3.

Assigned Interest:(3)

 

 


(1)         This Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement should be used for an assignment to or from a single Assignee or to or from funds managed by the same or related investment managers.

 

(2)  Item 1 and Item 2 should be filled in as appropriate.  In the case of an assignment to or from funds managed by the same or related investment managers, the Assignees or Assignors should be listed in bracketed item 3 as applicable.

 

(3)  Insert this chart if this Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement is being used for assignment to or from funds managed  by the same or related investment managers.

 

1



 

Assignee

 

Facility
assigned

 

Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned

[Name of Assignee]

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Assignee]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[4.                                  Assigned Interest:(4)

 

Facility assigned

 

Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned

Commitments

 

£

 

£

 

Effective Date                                , 20

 


(4)         Insert this chart if this Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement is being used by a Lender for an assignment to a single Assignee.

 

2



 

ASSIGNOR INFORMATION

 

 

 

Payment Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

 

Notice Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

 

ASSIGNEE INFORMATION

 

 

 

Payment Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

 

Notice Instructions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

 

3



 

The terms set forth in this Assignment are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR

 

ASSIGNEE

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE](5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

By: 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Additional Signature lines as necessary]

 

[Additional Signature lines as necessary]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

By: 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Title:

 

[Consented to and](6) Accepted:

[                    ],
        as Administrative Agent

 

By: 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

[BALL CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation

 

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:](7)

 

 


(5)         Add additional signature blocks, as needed, if this Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement is being used by funds managed by the same or related investment managers.

 

(6)         Insert only if assignment is being made to an Assignee other than an Affiliate or another Lender, or, in the case of a Lender that is a Fund, any Related Fund of any Lender.

 

(7)         If required pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement.

 

4



 

ANNEX FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

ANNEX I

 

BALL CORPORATION

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT
AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

1.             Representations and Warranties.

 

                1.1.         Assignor[Each] [The] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document delivered pursuant thereto, other than this Assignment, or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Documents.

 

                1.2.         Assignee[Each] [The] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Loan Agreement, (ii) it meets all requirements of an Eligible Assignee under the Loan Agreement, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Loan Agreement and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision and (v) has sent to Company if required to be delivered to Company or attached to this Assignment if required to be delivered to Administrative Agent any documentation required to be delivered by it to Company and/or Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [each such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, [the] [each such] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, (ii) appoints and authorizes each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to or otherwise conferred upon the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

1



 

2.             Payment.  Subject to the terms of the Loan Agreement, from and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payment in respect to the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the] [each such] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [each] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3.             General Provisions.  This Assignment shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of the Assignment.  THIS ASSIGNMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

2



 

Bridge Schedules

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

Commitments

Schedule 1.1(b)

Acquisition Undertakings

Schedule 1.1(e)

Unrestricted Entities

Schedule 1.1(h)

Existing Target Credit Facilities

Schedule 6.3

Approvals and Consents

Schedule 6.4

Governmental Approvals

Schedule 6.13

Foreign Pension Plans

Schedule 6.16

Organization of Subsidiaries

Schedule 8.1

Liens

Schedule 8.2

Indebtedness

Schedule 8.7

Existing Investments

Schedule 8.8

Transactions with Affiliates

Schedule 8.14(a)

Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries

Schedule 12.3

Notice Addresses

 

1



 

Schedule 1.1(a)
Commitments

 

LENDER

 

Amount of
Commitment 

 

Percentage

 

Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch

 

£

792,000,000.00

 

24.0

%

Bank of America, N.A.

 

£

792,000,000.00

 

24.0

%

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

£

528,000,000.00

 

16.0

%

KeyBank National Association

 

£

528,000,000.00

 

16.0

%

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

 

£

330,000,000.00

 

10.0

%

Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland”, New York Branch

 

£

330,000,000.00

 

10.0

%

Total

 

£

3,300,000,000.00

 

100.0

%

 

2



 

Schedule 1.1(b)
Acquisition Undertakings

 

(a)           Company and Purchaser will not amend or waive any material term of any Offer Document or, as the case may be, Scheme Circular in a manner or to an extent that would be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, other than any amendment or waiver:

 

(i)            made with the consent of Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld);

 

(ii)           required by the Takeover Panel, the Court, the City Code or any other applicable law, regulation court or regulatory body;

 

(iii)          increasing the price to be paid for the Target Shares to the extent otherwise permitted under clause (c) below; or

 

(iv)          (subject to requirements of the Takeover Panel and the City Code) extending the period in which holders of the Target Shares may accept the terms of the Offer or, as the case may be, the Scheme.

 

(b)           Company and its Subsidiaries shall comply in all respects with the City Code (subject to any waivers granted by the Takeover Panel), the Companies Act and all other applicable laws (including the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended)) and/or regulations relating to any Scheme or, as the case may be, Offer, in each case where non-compliance would be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

 

(c)           Company and its Subsidiaries shall not increase the price, or acquire any Target Shares in the market at or above the price per Target Share set out in the Press Release, to be paid for any Target Shares pursuant to a Scheme (including by the purchase of any Target Shares in the market at a price above the price per Target Share set out in the Press Release) or, as the case may be, an Offer, unless such increase is made with the consent of Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld) or funded with (i) the issuance of equity of Company, (ii) the cash proceeds from the issuance of equity after the Effective Date and on or prior to the Initial Funding Date to the extent such issuance of equity is permitted under this Agreement, or (iii) internally generated cash of Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(d)           Company and its Subsidiaries shall not take any action which would require Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make a mandatory offer for the Target Shares in accordance with Rule 9 of the City Code.

 

(e)           In the event the Target Acquisition is made pursuant to an Offer, where becoming permitted to do so, Purchaser shall promptly give notices under Section 979(2) or 979(4) of the Companies Act in respect of the Target Shares.

 

(f)            Company and its Subsidiaries shall, upon reasonable request and to the extent that they are able to do so in compliance with applicable law and confidentiality or other obligations

 

3



 

to which they are subject, keep Administrative Agent informed as to the status and progress of (or otherwise relating to) an Offer (and, in the case of an Offer, the current level of acceptances in respect of that Offer) or, as the case may be, a Scheme.

 

(g)           Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent that they are able to do so in compliance with applicable law and confidentiality or other obligations to which they are subject, promptly supply to Administrative Agent (i) copies of all documents, certificates, notices or announcements received or issued by Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or on their behalf) in relation to an Offer or a Scheme (as the case may be) to the extent material to the interests of the Lenders and (ii) any other information regarding the progress of an Offer or a Scheme (as the case may be), in each case as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(h)           Other than as required by the Takeover Panel, the City Code, the London Stock Exchange, Financial Conduct Authority or any other applicable law, regulation, court or regulatory body and to the extent practicable, Company and its Subsidiaries shall not make any press release or other public statement in respect of the Target Acquisition (other than in the Press Release, any Offer Document or any Scheme Circular), without first obtaining the prior approval of Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(i)            In the event the Target Acquisition is made pursuant to an Offer, Purchaser shall promptly after issue of the Offer Document deliver to Administrative Agent a copy of the Receiving Agent Letter and Purchaser shall use its reasonable endeavors to deliver to Administrative Agent an undertaking, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, from the Receiving Agent regarding the terms upon which any of the Target Shares which Purchaser may acquire pursuant to the Offer are to be held by the Receiving Agent.

 

(j)            Company and its Subsidiaries shall procure that as soon as reasonably practicable, the Target is delisted and re-registered as a private company.

 

4



 

Schedule 1.1(e)
Unrestricted Entities

 

None.

 

5



 

Schedule 1.1(h)
Existing Target Credit Facilities

 

The bilateral credit facilities between Bank of China Limited, London Branch and Target due 2016.

 

The bilateral revolving credit facility between Lloyds Bank plc and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Lloyds TSB Bank PLC and Target due 2015.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Citibank International Limited and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Abbey National Treasury Services PLC (Trading as Santander Global Banking and Markets) and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Bank of China (as assignee of Société General) and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Lloyds Bank plc and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between HSBC Bank PLC and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility between Barclays Bank PLC and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility with Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited and Target due 2019.

 

The bilateral credit facility with Unicredit Bank AG and Target due 2019.

 

The uncommitted facility with Handels.

 

6



 

Schedule 6.3
Approvals and Consents

 

None.

 

7



 

Schedule 6.4
Governmental Approvals

 

None.

 

8



 

Schedule 6.13
Foreign Pension Plans

 

None.

 

9



 

Schedule 6.16
Organization of Subsidiaries

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation

 

Ownership

 

Material?

BALL CORPORATION

 

Indiana

 

Publicly traded

 

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball Aerocan UK Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

AUK Holding 100%

 

No

Ball Trading France S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball (France) Holdings S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball (France) Holdings S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe France S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball (France) Holdings, S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Europe GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

Ball (Swiss) Holding GmbH 100%

 

Yes

Ball Company

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd 100%

 

No

Ball Europe Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe UK Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd 100%

 

No

Ball Trading UK Ltd

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball (UK) Holdings Ltd. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Canada Inc.

 

Quebec

 

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Holding Canada Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Canada L.P.

 

Quebec

 

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Holding Canada Inc. 99%; Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Canada Inc. 1%

 

No

AUK Holding Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan France S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan CZ s.r.o.

 

Czech Republic

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Copal S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball Aerocan Europe S.A.S. 51%; EXAL Holdings France 49%

 

No

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Holding Corporation 100%

 

Yes

USC May Verpackungen Holding Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Advanced Aluminum Technologies Holding Canada Inc.

 

New Brunswick

 

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 100%

 

No

Litografica San Luis S.A.

 

Argentina

 

Ball Aerosol Packaging Argentina S.A. 100%

 

No

Seghimet S.A.

 

Argentina

 

Ball Aerosol Packaging Argentina S.A. 100%

 

No

Ball Holdings Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. 100%

 

No

Ball Technology Services Corporation

 

California

 

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan India

 

India

 

Ball Americas Holdings B.V. 100 %

 

No

Ball Aerocan Operations S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball Americas Holdings B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerocan Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

Ball Americas Holdings B.V. 4.76%; Ball Aerocan Operations S.a

 

No

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation

 

Ownership

 

Material?

 

 

 

 

r.l. 95.24%

 

 

Qingdao M.C. Packaging Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Investments Ltd. 40%; Ball Asia Pacific Limited 60%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Beijing) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

FTB Corporate Services Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

FTB Packaging Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Gainer Developments Ltd.

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Greater China Trading Ltd.

 

Cayman Islands

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Foshan Packaging Holdings Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

MCP Beverage Packaging Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

MCP Intellectual Property Holdings Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

M.C. Packaging (Hong Kong) Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific Investments Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Wise Champion Investments Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Qingdao) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 100%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Foshan) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 35% Wise Champion Investments Limited 65%

 

No

Ball Asia Pacific (Hubei) Metal Container Limited

 

PRC

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited 95.69%; Hubei Gedian Economic & Technological Development Corporation 4.31%

 

No

Latapack-Ball Embalagens Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

Ball Cayman Limited 60.05125% (50% direct); Latapack S.A. 50%

 

Yes

Ball Global Business Services Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Corporation

 

No

Ball Packaging, LLC

 

Colorado

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

Yes

Ball Technologies Holdings Corp.

 

Colorado

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

Yes

Ball Glass Containers, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Heekin Can, Inc.

 

Colorado

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Metal Container Corporation

 

Indiana

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Corporation

 

Nevada

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Foundation(1)

 

 

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Products Canada Corp.

 

Nova Scotia

 

Ball Corporation 100%

 

Yes

Ball European Holdings S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball Delaware Holdings S.C.S. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Southeast Asia Holdings (Singapore) PTE LTD.

 

Singapore

 

Ball Europe Ltd. 100%

 

No

Ball (Swiss) Holding GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

Ball European Holdings S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (Luxembourg) Finance S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Investment Holdings S.a r.l.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

 


(1)  Ball Foundation is a non-profit organization wholly owned by Ball Corporation.

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation

 

Ownership

 

Material?

Ball (UK) Holdings, Ltd

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Packaging Europe Managing GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (France) Holdings S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V.

 

The Netherlands

 

Ball European Holdings, S.a r.l. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Container LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Holdings LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Cayman Limited

 

Cayman Islands

 

Ball International Holdings B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG

 

Germany

 

Ball Investment Holdings S.a r.l. 51%; Ball (France) Investment Holdings S.A.S. 49%

 

Yes

Latas de Aluminio Ball, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. 100%

 

No

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Asia Pacific Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp. 100% Ordinary Share, 50% Preference Share; Ball Corporation 50% Preference Share

 

No

Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Holding Corporation

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC 100%

 

No

recan d.o.o.

 

Serbia

 

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o 100%

 

No

Recan (Fund)

 

Serbia

 

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Radomsko Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

Ball Packaging Europe Beteiligungs GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Rostov LLC

 

Russia

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o.

 

Serbia

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 100%

 

No

recan GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 100%

 

No

Sario Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & CO. Objekt Elfi

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH 99%

 

No

Ball Trading Poland Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Americas Holdings B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Trading Netherlands B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Associations GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

Yes

Ball Packaging Europe Beteiligungs GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

No

 



 

Name

 

Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation

 

Ownership

 

Material?

Ball Trading Germany GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding GmbH & Co. KG 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Oss B.V.

 

The Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding, B.V. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging India Private Limited

 

India

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holdings B.V. 99%; Ball Packaging Europe Oss B.V. 1%

 

No

Ball Metal Beverage Mexico Corp. S de RL de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holdings B.V. 99.93%; Ball European Holds S.a r.l. .07%

 

No

Recan Organizacja Odzysku S.A.

 

Poland

 

Ball Packaging Europe Radomsko Sp. z o.o. 100%

 

No

recan UK Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

Ball Packaging Europe UK Ltd. 100%

 

No

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp.

 

Colorado

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Holdings LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

Yes

Ball Asia Services Limited

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

No

Ball Capital Corp. II

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 100%

 

No

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 52%; Ball Packaging Products Canada Corp. 48%

 

Yes

Ball Canada Plastics Container Corp.

 

Nova Scotia

 

Ball Packaging, LLC 79%; Ball Cayman Limited 21%

 

No

Ball Delaware Holdings, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc. 100%

 

Yes

Ball International Holdings B.V.

 

The Netherlands

 

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc. 100%

 

Yes

Ball Delaware Holdings S.C.S.

 

Luxembourg

 

Ball Pan-European Holdings, Inc. 9%; Ball Delaware Holdings LLC 1%; Ball International Holdings B.V. 90%

 

Yes

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

 

Delaware

 

Ball Technologies Holdings Corp. 100%

 

Yes

Ball (France) Investment Holdings S.A.S.

 

France

 

Ball Trading France S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Trading Spain S.L..

 

Spain

 

Ball Trading France S.A.S. 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H.

 

Austria

 

Ball Trading Germany GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Metall GmbH

 

Germany

 

Ball Trading Germany GmbH 100%

 

No

Ball Packaging Europe Lublin Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

Ball Trading Poland Sp. zo.o 100%

 

No

Rayeil International Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Gainer Developments Ltd. 100%

 

No

Jambalaya S.A.

 

Uruguay

 

Latapack-Ball Embalagens Ltda. 100%

 

No

MCP Device Limited

 

British Virgin Islands

 

MCP Intellectual Property Holdings Limited 100%

 

No

Ball JV LLC

 

Delaware

 

USC May Verpackungen Holding Inc. 100%

 

No

Ball Aerosol Packaging Argentina S.A.

 

Argentina

 

USC May Verpackungen Holding Inc. 95%; Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. 5%

 

No

 



 

Schedule 8.1
Liens

 

Lien on One Bombardier Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 Aircraft in favor of US Bank National Association as lessor under the related Aircraft Lease dated January 13, 2015, as amended or otherwise modified.

 

Lien on One Bombardier Inc. Model Global 6000 Aircraft Serial Number 9573 in favor of Bank of the West as lessor under the related Aircraft Lease dated October 9, 2014, as amended or otherwise modified.

 

Liens on cash collateral securing potential reimbursement obligations under the Letter of Credit number 326066(S634912) with a face amount of $10,025,000 issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in favor of U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Company (c/o) Discovery Managers Ltd.

 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

Ball Metal

Beverage Container Corp.

 

ITW Signode

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

2010F057096

7-15-2010

 

UCC-1

 

Debtor’s inventory of Signode materials now or hereafter on the premises or on consignment to the Debtor at the Debtor’s plant in Springdale, AR.

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

4097195 4

04-06-04

 

UCC-1

 

Ownership Interest in $9,000,000 of inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054599

04-02-09

 

UCC-3

Continuation

 

Continuation of #40971954

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054607

04-02-09

 

UCC-3

Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195 4; collateral description restated to read as: Ownership Interest in all machinery, equipment and inventory (as such amount

 



 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1586913

05-19-09

 

UCC-3

Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195

4; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

1325094

04-08-11

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971954; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

2158320

06-07-11

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971954; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
1348002

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195 4; debtor name changed to: Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
1348010

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Continuation

 

Continuation of #4097195 4

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
3037041

7-30-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097195 4; Deletes Certain Collateral

Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

4097199 6

04-06-04

 

UCC-1

 

Ownership Interest in $9,000,000 of inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 



 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054623

04-02-09

 

UCC-3 Continuation

 

Continuation of #40971996

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2009

1054656

04-02-09

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971996; collateral description restated to read as: Ownership Interest in all machinery, equipment and inventory (as such amount may be adjusted from time to time) in the possession of debtor and/or its affiliates in respect of the business and facility operated at 300 West Greger Street, Oakdale, California, whether now in existence or hereafter acquired or manufactured, including but not limited to all cash and non-cash proceeds, insurance proceeds, substitutions and replacements thereof

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

0121528

01-12-11

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #40971996; Deletes Certain Collateral

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
1348028

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097199 6; debtor name changed to: Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
1348036

3-27-14

 

UCC-3 Continuation

 

Continuation of #4097199 6

 

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
3037884

7-30-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment of #4097199 6; Deletes Certain Collateral - Receivables

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC

 

Samuel Strapping Systems, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2011

4356823

11-14-11

 

UCC-1

 

Consigned inventory delivered from time to time to Debtor by Secured Party consisting of industrial strapping products, including steel and plastic strapping, seals, application tools and parts, and other industrial packaging products. All consigned inventory is and shall be owned by Secured Party. If consigned inventory is deemed owned by Debtor the Secured Party is deemed to hold a purchase money

 



 

Name of 
Debtor

 

Secured 
Party

 

Jurisdiction/Office

 

File 
Number/ 
Date Filed

 

Type of 
UCC

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

security interest in such consigned inventory

 

 

Samuel Strapping Systems, Inc.

 

Delaware Secretary of State

 

2014
0018267

1-7-14

 

UCC-3 Amendment

 

Amendment to #2011 4356823; debtor name changed to: Ball Metal Food Container (Oakdale), LLC

Ball Packaging, LLC and Ball Corporation

 

Anderson & Vreeland, Inc.

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

20102060021

8-17-10

 

UCC-1

 

All Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. material consigned to Ball Metal Corporation, 9300 W. 108th Circle, Broomfield, CO 80021

Ball Packaging, LLC

 

Motion Industries, Inc.

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

20132060034

7-9-13

 

UCC-1

 

Maintenance, repair, operations assets, materials, parts, equipment, supplies and other tangibles personal property, held for resale, use or consumptions in Debtor’s (Consignee’s) business and supplied by Secured Party (Consignor) under the consignment or other agreement

 

 

Motion Industries, Inc.

 

Colorado Secretary of State

 

20142003934

1-14-14

 

UCC-3

Amendment

 

Amendment to #20142008690; debtor name changed to: Ball Packaging, LLC

Ball Corporation

 

Motion Industries, Inc.

 

Indiana Secretary of State

 

201000005874108

7-13-10

 

UCC-1

 

Maintenance, repair, operational assets, materials, parts, equipment, supplies and other tangible personal property, held for resale, use or consumption in Debtor’s (Consignee’s) business and supplied by Secured Party (Consignor) under consignment or other agreement.

 



 

Schedule 8.2
Indebtedness

 

In connection with the financing of One Bombardier Inc. Model BD-100-1A10 Aircraft, the Company has indebtedness to US Bank National Association relating to the Aircraft Lease dated January 13, 2015, as amended or otherwise modified. The principal amount of debt is $13,949,037.13 with a maturity date of January 30, 2018.

 

In connection with the financing of One Bombardier Inc. Model Global 6000 Aircraft Serial Number 9573, the Company has indebtedness to Bank of the West relating to the Aircraft Lease dated October 9, 2014, as amended or otherwise modified. The principal amount of debt is $51,300,000 with a maturity date of October 15, 2024.

 

In connection with potential reimbursement obligations under the Letter of Credit number 326066(S634912) with a face amount of $10,025,000 issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in favor of U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Company (c/o) Discovery Managers Ltd.

 



 

Schedule 8.7
Existing Investments

 

Ball Metal Food Container, LLC, has a loan to Sager Creek Vegetable Company for an original principle amount of $14,000,000 under the Subordinated Term Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2014

 

Owner

 

Investment

 

12/31/14 Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ball Corporation

 

Lam Soon-Ball Yamamura Inc. (Taiwan Supreme Metal Packaging)

 

$

1,425,516

 

Ball Southeast Asia Holdings (Singapore) PTE Ltd.

 

Thai Beverage Can LTD.

 

1,276,605

 

Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp

 

Rocky Mountain Metal Container, LLC

 

7,021,426

 

Ball Cayman Limited

 

Latapack S.A.

 

111,543,610

 

Ball Cayman Limited

 

Latapack—Ball Embalagens LTDA

 

84,733,433

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH

 

BKV, Germany

 

137,979

 

Ball Packaging Europe Associations GmbH

 

Forum Getrankedose GbR mbH

 

20,718

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

OKO-PANNON Kht

 

9,485

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

EKO-KOM a.s. Czech Republic

 

3,560

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

Slopak, Slovenia

 

8,044

 

Ball Packaging Europe Handelsgesellschaft mbH

 

ECO-ROM Ambalaje S.A.

 

2,082

 

Ball Packaging Europe UK Ltd.

 

Green Dot Company Ltd., Cyprus

 

2

 

Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade d.o.o.

 

SEKOPAK d.o.o., Belgrade

 

30,512

 

Ball International Holdings B.V.

 

TBC-Ball Beverage Can Holdings Limited

 

22,972,000

 

Ball Asia Pacific Limited

 

Ball Asia Pacific (Hubei) Metal Container Limited

 

51,872,213

 

Aerocan S.A.S.

 

Copal S.A.S.

 

9,238,560

 

Ball Packaging Europe GmbH

 

SARIO GRUNDSTICKS- VERMIETUNGSGESELLSCHAFT mbH & CO. OBJEKT ELFI

 

12,306

 

Ball Trading Germany GmbH, Germany

 

Bund Getränkeverpackungen der Zukunft GbR, Germany

 

121,560

 

Ball Packaging Europe Holding BV, The Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging India, India (99)%

 

(2)157,182

 

Ball Packaging Europe Oss BV, The Netherlands

 

Ball Packaging India, India (1)%

 

(3)1,588

 

 

- All equity investments & loans held by the Company and its Subsidiaries with ownership of < 100%

 


(2)         Held 100% on a consolidated basis.

 

(3)         Held 100% on a consolidated basis.

 



 

Schedule 8.8
Transactions with Affiliates

 

None.



 

Schedule 8.14(a)
Existing Restrictions on Subsidiaries

 

None.

 



 

Schedule 12.3
Notice Addresses

 

Company:

 

Ball Corporation
10 Longs Peak Drive
Broomfield, CO 80021
Telephone: (303) 469-3131
Facsimile: (303) 460-2691
Attention: General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

 

Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
155 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606-1720
Attn: Seth Jacobson & Lynn McGovern

 

Administrative Agent:

 

Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
Facsimile: (212) 797-5690
Email: Agency.Transactions@db.com
Attention: Peter Cucchiara

 

With a copy to:

 

White & Case LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attn: Eric Leicht and Alan Rockwell

 


EX-99.1 6 a15-4962_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

News Release

For Immediate Release
www.ball.com

 

Investor Contact: Ann T. Scott
303-460-3537, ascott@ball.com

Media Contact: Renee Robinson
303-460-2476, rarobins@ball.com

 

Ball Announces Proposed Acquisition of Rexam PLC

 

Highlights

 

·    Cash and stock transaction valued at £5.4 billion ($8.4 billion), including the assumption of net debt

·    Aligns with Drive for 10 vision and long-standing capital allocation strategy

·    Leverages complementary product lines and company cultures

·    $300 million of achievable synergies by 2018

·    Highly accretive to earnings per share, generates significant free cash flow and increases EVA®

 

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Feb. 19, 2015 — Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) and Rexam PLC (LSE:REX) today announced the terms of a recommended offer by Ball to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Rexam in a cash and stock transaction. Under the terms of the offer, for each Rexam share, Rexam shareholders will receive 407p in cash and 0.04568 new Ball shares. The transaction values Rexam at 610p per share based on Ball’s 90-day volume weighted average price as of Feb. 17, 2015, and an exchange rate of US$1.54: £1 on that date representing an equity value of £4.3 billion ($6.6 billion). This represents a premium of 36 percent over Rexam’s closing price as of Feb. 4, 2015, the last trading day prior to media speculation concerning a potential transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, Rexam shareholders will own approximately 19 percent of Ball’s fully diluted shares outstanding. Both companies’ boards of directors unanimously support the transaction. In addition, Ball will provide a Mix and Match Facility, which will allow Rexam shareholders to elect, subject to offsetting elections, to vary the proportions in which they receive new Ball shares and cash.

 

The transaction is subject to approvals from each company’s shareholders and regulatory approvals. It is expected that the necessary clearances will be obtained in the first half of 2016. Following closing of the transaction, Ball will remain a New York Stock Exchange listed company domiciled in the U.S.

 

Ball and Rexam represent two companies with complementary metal beverage packaging product offerings and strong cultural compatibility. The combined company will have pro forma 2014 revenue of approximately $15 billion and approximately 22,500 employees across five continents.

 

“The combination of Ball and Rexam creates a global metal beverage packaging supplier capable of leveraging its geographic presence, innovative products and talented employees to better serve customers of all sizes across the globe; while at the same time generating significant shareholder value,” said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

 

Ball Corporation · 10 Longs Peak Drive · P.O. Box 5000 · Broomfield, Colorado U.S.A. 80021 · www.ball.com

 

1



 

“Today’s announcement aligns with our Drive for 10 strategic vision of maximizing value in our existing businesses, expanding into new products and capabilities, aligning ourselves with the right customers and markets, broadening our geographic reach and leveraging our know-how and technology. Once successfully closed, we expect the combination will provide $300 million of annual run-rate, value creating synergies in the areas of general and administrative, sourcing, freight and logistics and process and efficiency savings which are additive to our long-standing financial strategy of growing diluted earnings per share 10 to 15 percent over time, generating significant free cash flow and growing EVA dollars,” said Hayes.

 

Stuart Chambers, chairman, Rexam said, “The Rexam board believes that the proposed combination with Ball is a compelling opportunity for our stakeholders.  By combining the two companies, we will create a truly global platform to deliver best-in-class service to customers based on a shared culture of manufacturing excellence and continued innovation.  The proposed transaction offers our shareholders an attractive premium and an opportunity to participate in the value creation of the combined group through ownership of Ball shares.”

 

Scott C. Morrison, senior vice president and chief financial officer said, “The financing structure for the transaction has been committed by a diverse set of global financial institutions offering competitive pricing and borrowing flexibility.”

 

“Ball’s existing strong free cash flow coupled with the free cash flow of Rexam will allow us to aggressively pay down debt post-closing as we have done following past highly accretive acquisitions such as Reynolds Metals in 1998, Schmalbach-Lubeca in 2002, U.S. Can in 2006 and the AB InBev plants acquisition in 2009. Given the cash generative capabilities and the $300 million of annual run-rate synergies of today’s proposed transaction, we expect to maintain a solid credit profile after this transaction is complete. Our pro forma leverage will be approximately 4.5 times net debt to EBITDA following this transaction, a level similar to our leverage following the Reynolds Metals transaction, when we were a much smaller company. Once we have reduced the leverage to levels in the range of 3.0 times net debt to EBITDA, the company will re-initiate its share repurchase program, and we are targeting 2018 for that,” said Morrison.

 

In summary, John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer said, “As our customers’ global reach and product portfolios expand and consumer packaging preferences evolve, the Ball and Rexam combination allows us to remain competitive versus other packaging substrates and responsive to our stakeholders needs for sustainable, innovative and low-cost packaging solutions.”

 

Representing Ball Corporation as lead financial advisor is Greenhill & Co., with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom acting as lead legal advisor, and Axinn, Veltrop and Harkrider acting as lead antitrust advisor. Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch and Goldman, Sachs & Co. also represent Ball as financial advisors. In addition to cash on hand, committed debt financing is being provided by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBank National Association, Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and Rabobank.

 

2



 

About Ball Corporation

 

Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2014 sales of $8.6 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

 

About Rexam PLC

 

Rexam PLC is a leading metal beverage can maker headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Rexam has 55 can making plants in more than 20 countries across the globe and around 8,000 employees. For more information, visit www.rexam.com.

 

Conference Call Details

 

Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) will host a conference call on Thursday, February 19, 2015, to discuss the proposed transaction. The call will begin at 6 a.m. Mountain Time (1 p.m. U.K. Time). The North American toll-free number for the call is 800-920-2905, the U.K. toll-free number is 0800 528 0280 and other international callers should dial 212-271-4651. Please use the following URL for a webcast of the live call:

 

http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/gmdrcysf/lan/en

 

For those unable to listen to the live call, a taped replay will be available from 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time (3:30 p.m. U.K. time) on Thursday, February 19, 2015, until 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time (3:30 p.m. U.K. time) on February 26, 2015. To access the replay, call 800-633-8284 (toll-free North American callers) or 0800 692 0831 (toll-free U.K. callers) or 402-977-9140 (international callers) and use reservation number 21762045. A written transcript of the call will be posted within 48 hours of the call’s conclusion to Ball’s website at www.ball.com/investors.

 

Solicitation Legends

 

This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed acquisition of Rexam PLC (“Rexam”) by Ball Corporation (“Ball”), including the issuance of shares of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. In connection with the foregoing proposed issuance of Ball common stock, Ball expects to file a proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). To the extent Ball effects the acquisition of Rexam as a Scheme under United Kingdom law, the issuance of Ball common stock in the acquisition would not be expected to require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to an exemption provided by Section 3(a)(10) under the Act.  In the event that Ball determines to conduct the acquisition pursuant to an offer or otherwise in a manner that is not exempt from the registration requirements of the Act, it will file a registration statement with the SEC containing a prospectus with respect to the Ball common stock that would be issued in the acquisition. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BALL ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACQUISITION THAT BALL WILL FILE WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BALL, THE PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF BALL COMMON STOCK, AND THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION. The preliminary proxy statement, the definitive proxy statement, the registration statement/prospectus, in each case as applicable, and other relevant materials in connection with the proposed issuance of Ball common stock and the acquisition (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Ball with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by sending a request to: Investor Relations, Ball Corp., 10 Longs Peak Drive, Broomfield, CO 80021-2510.

 

Ball and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Ball’s stockholders with respect to the proposed acquisition, including the proposed issuance of Ball common stock in respect of the proposed acquisition. Information about Ball’s directors and executive officers and their ownership of Ball’s common stock is set forth in Ball’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2014 and Ball’s proxy statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014. Information regarding the identity of the potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests in the solicitation, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the proxy statement and/or prospectus and other

 

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materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed acquisition and issuance of Ball common stock in the proposed acquisition.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This release contains “forward-looking” statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect: a) our packaging segments include product demand fluctuations; availability/cost of raw materials; competitive packaging, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve productivity improvements or cost  reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; customer and supplier consolidation, power and supply chain influence; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange or tax rates; b) our aerospace segment include funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts; c) the company as a whole include those listed plus: changes in senior management; regulatory action or issues including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions or public concerns affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; technological developments and innovations; litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return on assets of the company’s defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget, sequestration and debt limit; reduced cash flow; ability to achieve cost-out initiatives; interest rates affecting our debt; and successful or unsuccessful acquisitions and divestitures, including, with respect to the proposed Rexam PLC acquisition, the effect of the announcement of the acquisition on our business relationships, operating results and business generally; the occurrence of any event or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of our definitive agreement with Rexam PLC in respect of the acquisition; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against us related to the definitive agreement with Rexam PLC; and the failure to satisfy conditions to completion of the acquisition of Rexam PLC, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

 

No profit forecast

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of Ball, Rexam or the combined business following completion of the combination, unless otherwise stated.

 

Disclosure requirements of the UK Takeover Code

 

Rexam is a company subject to the jurisdiction of the UK Takeover Code (the “Code”)

 

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer period and, if later, following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.

 

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes, interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned and of the person’s interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror, save to the extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Business Day following the date of the relevant dealing.

 

Disclosures are therefore required in the shares of Ball and Rexam.

 

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If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

 

Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4).

 

Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk, including details of the number of relevant securities in issue, when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first identified. You should contact the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing Disclosure.

 

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