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): December 1, 2010
AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
STATE OF DELAWARE   001-32407   20-1700361
         
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385,
Walnut Creek, California
   
94596
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (925) 949-5100
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o   Written communications 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 December 1, 2010 (the “Closing Date”), American Reprographics Company (the “Company”) completed its previously announced private offering of its 10.5% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”). It also entered into a new $50 million Credit Agreement dated December 1, 2010 with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Credit Agreement”) and paid off in full amounts outstanding under its Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated December 6, 2007 with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC as joint book runners and joint lead arrangers and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as syndication agent (the “Credit and Guaranty Agreement”).
10.5% Senior Notes due 2016
On December 1, 2010, the Company closed on its offering of Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million. The issue price was 97.824% with a yield to maturity of 11.0%. The Company received gross proceeds of $195,648,000 from the Notes offering. In connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into an Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Indenture”), among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company named therein, as guarantors (the “Guarantors”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, and a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representatives of the initial purchasers of the Notes (the “Initial Purchasers”). The Notes were offered only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. A copy of the press release announcing the completion of the offering of the Notes is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Indenture
Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company issued and sold to the Initial Purchasers $200 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The terms of the Indenture provide that, among other things, the Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Company and will be subordinated to all existing and future secured debts of the Company to the extent of the assets securing such debt. The Company’s obligations under the Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed by all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.
Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate of 10.5% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2011. The Company will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the Notes on the immediately preceding June 1 and December 1.

 

 


 

Optional Redemption . At any time prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may redeem all or part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium as of the date of redemption, plus (iii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes on or after December 15, 2013, at redemption prices set forth in the Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may use the proceeds of certain equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, including any permitted additional Notes, at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
Repurchase upon Change of Control . Upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Indenture), each holder of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all of the then-outstanding Notes in cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.
Other Covenants . The Indenture contains covenants that limit, among other things, the Company’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability to (1) incur additional debt and issue preferred stock, (2) make certain restricted payments, (3) consummate specified asset sales, (4) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (5) create liens, (6) declare or pay any dividend or make any other distributions, (7) make certain investments, and (8) merge or consolidate with another person.
Events of Default . The Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include non-payment, breach of covenants in the Indenture, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all of the then-outstanding Notes to be due and payable.
Use of Proceeds . Net proceeds from the offering of Notes was used by the Company to pay outstanding indebtedness under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Indenture and the Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture and the Notes, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 


 

Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Company has agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, to file a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) with respect to a registered offer (the “Registered Exchange Offer”) and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to exchange the Notes for new notes of the Company (the “Exchange Notes”) having terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes within 365 days of the Closing Date. The Exchange Notes will generally be freely transferable under the Securities Act.
In addition, the Company has agreed under certain circumstances to file one or more shelf registration statements to cover resales of the Notes. In the event that (i) applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC do not permit the Company to effect a Registered Exchange Offer, (ii) for any other reason the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within 365 days of the Closing Date, (iii) any holder of a Note notifies the Company following consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer that Notes held by such holder are not eligible to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes in the Registered Exchange Offer, or (iv) certain holders of the Notes are not permitted to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer or do not receive fully tradable Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will, at its cost, (a) promptly file and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering resales of the Notes and (b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement continuously effective for a period of two years after its effective date (subject to certain exceptions).
If (i) any registration statement required by the Registration Rights Agreement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the date specified for such filing in the registration rights agreement as described above, (ii) any such registration statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the date specified in the Registration Rights Agreement as described above, (iii) the Company has not exchanged the Exchange Notes for all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of an exchange offer on or before the 365th day after the Closing Date or (iv) a registration statement required by the Registration Rights Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such registration statement that cures such failure that is itself declared effective (each such event, a “Registration Default”), then additional interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any Registration Default (provided that the additional interest may not accrue under more than one Registration Default at any one time) and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period during which such Registration Default continues, up to a maximum additional rate of 1.00% per annum thereafter, until such Registration Default is cured.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.3 and incorporated herein by reference.
Affiliates of certain of the Initial Purchasers were lenders under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement and received a portion of the proceeds from the offering of the Notes.

 

 


 

Credit Agreement
On the Closing Date, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. The Credit Agreement provides for a $50,000,000 senior secured revolving line of credit, of which up to $20 million will be available for the issuance of letters of credit. The revolving line of credit will be available on a revolving basis during the period commencing after the Closing Date and ending on the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date and is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. Advances under the revolving line of credit will be subject to customary borrowing conditions, including the accuracy of representations and warranties and the absence of events of default. The Company may borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings and reborrow, subject to the limitations, terms and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement.
The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by its domestic subsidiaries and, subject to certain limited exceptions, are secured by security interests granted in all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ personal and real property.
Advances under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at LIBOR plus the “applicable rate.” The applicable rate will initially be 2.00%. The applicable rate will be determined based upon the consolidated leverage ratio for the Company with a minimum and maximum applicable rate of 1.50% and 2.00%, respectively. During the continuation of certain events of default all amounts due under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at 4.0% above the rate otherwise applicable. In addition, the Company will be required to pay an unused commitment fee on the average daily unused amount of the line of credit at the applicable rate, calculated and payable quarterly in arrears, as follows: if the consolidated leverage ratio is (i) greater than 3.00x, the unused commitment fee is 0.20%, (ii) less than 2.99x but greater than 2.00x, 0.15%, and (iii) less than 2.00x, 0.10%.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants which, among other things, require the Company to not exceed a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, not exceed a maximum consolidated senior secured debt leverage ratio and not go below a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Credit Agreement also contains covenants which, subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Credit Agreement, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, grant liens or guaranty other indebtedness, pay dividends, redeem stock, pay or redeem subordinated indebtedness, make investments or capital expenditures, dispose or acquire assets, dispose of equity interests in subsidiaries, enter into any merger, sale of assets, consolidation or liquidation transaction, or engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates. Covenants in the Credit Agreement also require that the Company provide periodic financial reports to the lenders, observe certain practices and procedures with respect to the collateral pledged as security, comply with applicable laws and maintain and preserve the Company and its subsidiaries’ properties and maintain insurance.

 

 


 

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including failure to make payments when due under the Credit Agreement, payment default under and cross-default to other material indebtedness, breach of covenants, breach of representations and warranties, bankruptcy, material judgments, dissolution, and change of control.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the lender under the Credit Agreement, or its affiliates, have performed, and may in the future perform, commercial banking, investment banking, trust advisory or other financial services for the Company and its affiliates.
The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 1, 2010, the Company paid all principal and interest payable under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement and the Credit and Guaranty Agreement was terminated in its entirety. The Company did not pay any material termination penalties in connection with termination of the Credit and Guaranty Agreement. See the disclosure under Item 1.01 above, which is incorporated into this Item 1.02 by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K is hereby incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
       
 
  4.1    
Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2010, among American Reprographics Company, certain subsidiaries of American Reprographics Company as guarantors thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
       
 
  4.2    
Form of 10.5% Senior Note due 2016 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
       
 
  4.3    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2010, among American Reprographics Company, certain subsidiaries of American Reprographics Company as guarantors thereto, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
       
 
  10.1    
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2010, by and among American Reprographics Company, certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
       
 
  99.1    
American Reprographics Company Press Release, dated December 2, 2010.

 

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
Dated: December 2, 2010  AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar    
    Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar   
    Chief Executive Officer and President   
 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
       
 
  4.1    
Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2010, among American Reprographics Company, certain subsidiaries of American Reprographics Company as guarantors thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
       
 
  4.2    
Form of 10.5% Senior Note due 2016 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
       
 
  4.3    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2010, among American Reprographics Company, certain subsidiaries of American Reprographics Company as guarantors thereto, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
       
 
  10.1    
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2010, by and among American Reprographics Company, certain of its subsidiaries as guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
       
 
  99.1    
American Reprographics Company Press Release, dated December 2, 2010.

 

 

Exhibit 4.1
Execution Version
AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY
10.5% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2016
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2010
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Trustee

 

 


 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
       
Trust Indenture   Section
Act Section          Indenture
     
310 (a)(1)  
7.10
  (a)(2)  
7.10
  (a)(3)  
N.A.
  (a)(4)  
N.A.
  (a)(5)  
7.10
  (b)  
7.3; 7.10
  (c)  
N.A.
311 (a)  
7.11
  (b)  
7.11
  (c)  
N.A.
312 (a)  
2.5
  (b)  
11.3
  (c)  
11.3
313 (a)  
7.6
  (b)(1)  
7.6
  (b)(2)  
7.6; 7.7
  (c)  
7.6; 11.2
  (d)  
7.6
314 (a)  
4.3; 11.5
  (b)  
N.A.
  (c)(1)  
11.4
  (c)(2)  
11.4
  (c)(3)  
N.A.
  (d)  
9.1
  (e)  
11.5
  (f)  
N.A.
315 (a)  
7.1
  (b)  
7.5; 11.2
  (c)  
7.1
  (d)  
7.1
  (e)  
6.11
316 (a) (last sentence)  
2.9
  (a)(1)(A)  
6.5
  (a)(1)(B)  
6.4
  (a)(2)  
N.A.
  (b)  
6.7
  (c)  
2.13
317 (a)(1)  
6.8
  (a)(2)  
6.9
  (b)  
2.4
318 (a)  
11.1
  (b)  
N.A.
  (c)  
11.1
 
     
N.A. means not applicable.
 
*   This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
 
       
ARTICLE I
 
       
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
       
SECTION 1.1 Definitions
    1  
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions
    22  
SECTION 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    22  
SECTION 1.4 Rules of Construction
    23  
 
       
ARTICLE II
 
       
THE NOTES
 
       
SECTION 2.1 Form and Dating
    23  
SECTION 2.2 Execution and Authentication
    25  
SECTION 2.3 Registrar; Paying Agent
    25  
SECTION 2.4 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
    26  
SECTION 2.5 Holder Lists
    26  
SECTION 2.6 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities
    26  
SECTION 2.7 Replacement Notes
    28  
SECTION 2.8 Outstanding Notes
    29  
SECTION 2.9 Treasury Notes
    29  
SECTION 2.10 Temporary Notes
    29  
SECTION 2.11 Cancellation
    29  
SECTION 2.12 Defaulted Interest
    30  
SECTION 2.13 Record Date
    30  
SECTION 2.14 Computation of Interest
    30  
SECTION 2.15 CUSIP Number
    30  
SECTION 2.16 Special Transfer Provisions
    30  
SECTION 2.17 Issuance of Additional Notes
    32  
 
       
ARTICLE III
 
       
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
 
       
SECTION 3.1 Notices to Trustee
    33  
SECTION 3.2 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed
    33  
SECTION 3.3 Notice of Redemption
    34  
SECTION 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption
    34  
SECTION 3.5 Deposit of Redemption of Purchase Price
    35  
SECTION 3.6 Notes Redeemed in Part
    35  
SECTION 3.7 Optional Redemption
    35  
SECTION 3.8 Mandatory Redemption
    36  
SECTION 3.9 Offer to Purchase
    36  

 

-i-


 

         
    Page  
 
       
ARTICLE IV
 
       
COVENANTS
 
       
SECTION 4.1 Payment of Notes
    37  
SECTION 4.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency
    37  
SECTION 4.3 Provision of Financial Information
    38  
SECTION 4.4 Compliance Certificate
    39  
SECTION 4.5 Taxes
    39  
SECTION 4.6 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
    39  
SECTION 4.7 Limitation on Restricted Payments
    39  
SECTION 4.8 Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
    42  
SECTION 4.9 Limitation on Incurrence of Debt
    43  
SECTION 4.10 Limitation on Asset Sales
    46  
SECTION 4.11 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates
    47  
SECTION 4.12 Limitation on Liens
    48  
SECTION 4.13 Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control
    48  
SECTION 4.14 Corporate Existence
    49  
SECTION 4.15 Limitation on Business Activities
    49  
SECTION 4.16 Additional Note Guarantees
    49  
SECTION 4.17 Limitation on Creation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries
    50  
SECTION 4.18 Further Instruments and Acts
    50  
SECTION 4.19 Excess Cash Flow
    50  
 
       
ARTICLE V
 
       
SUCCESSORS
 
       
SECTION 5.1 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
    52  
SECTION 5.2 Successor Corporation Substituted
    53  
 
       
ARTICLE VI
 
       
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
       
SECTION 6.1 Events of Default
    53  
SECTION 6.2 Acceleration
    55  
SECTION 6.3 Other Remedies
    56  
SECTION 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults
    56  
SECTION 6.5 Control by Majority
    56  
SECTION 6.6 Limitation on Suits
    56  
SECTION 6.7 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment
    57  
SECTION 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee
    57  
SECTION 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
    57  
SECTION 6.10 Priorities
    58  
SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs
    58  

 

-ii-


 

         
    Page  
 
       
ARTICLE VII
 
       
TRUSTEE
 
       
SECTION 7.1 Duties of Trustee
    58  
SECTION 7.2 Rights of Trustee
    59  
SECTION 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee
    60  
SECTION 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer
    60  
SECTION 7.5 Notice of Defaults
    61  
SECTION 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes
    61  
SECTION 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity
    61  
SECTION 7.8 Replacement of Trustee
    62  
SECTION 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
    63  
SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification
    63  
SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company
    63  
SECTION 7.12 Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company
    63  
SECTION 7.13 Limitation of Liability
    64  
 
       
ARTICLE VIII
 
       
LEGAL DEFEASANCE, COVENANT DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
 
       
SECTION 8.1 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    64  
SECTION 8.2 Legal Defeasance
    64  
SECTION 8.3 Covenant Defeasance
    65  
SECTION 8.4 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance
    65  
SECTION 8.5 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
    66  
SECTION 8.6 Repayment to Company
    67  
SECTION 8.7 Reinstatement
    67  
SECTION 8.8 Discharge
    67  
 
       
ARTICLE IX
 
       
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
       
SECTION 9.1 Without Consent of Holders of the Notes
    68  
SECTION 9.2 With Consent of Holders of Notes
    69  
SECTION 9.3 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
    70  
SECTION 9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents
    70  
SECTION 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Notes
    71  
SECTION 9.6 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.
    71  
 
       
ARTICLE X
 
       
NOTE GUARANTEES
 
       
SECTION 10.1 Note Guarantees
    71  
SECTION 10.2 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee
    72  
SECTION 10.3 Severability
    73  

 

-iii-


 

         
    Page  
 
       
SECTION 10.4 Limitation of Guarantors’ Liability
    73  
SECTION 10.5 Releases Following Sale of Assets
    73  
SECTION 10.6 Release of a Guarantor
    73  
SECTION 10.7 Benefits Acknowledged
    74  
SECTION 10.8 Future Guarantors
    74  
 
       
ARTICLE XI
 
       
MISCELLANEOUS
 
       
SECTION 11.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls
    74  
SECTION 11.2 Notices
    74  
SECTION 11.3 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes
    76  
SECTION 11.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
    76  
SECTION 11.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
    76  
SECTION 11.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents
    76  
SECTION 11.7 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
    77  
SECTION 11.8 Governing Law
    77  
SECTION 11.9 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
    77  
SECTION 11.10 Successors
    77  
SECTION 11.11 Severability
    77  
SECTION 11.12 Counterpart Originals
    77  
SECTION 11.13 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
    78  
SECTION 11.14 Acts of Holders
    78  
SECTION 11.15 USA PATRIOT Act
    79  
SECTION 11.16 Force Majeure
    79  
EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit A  
FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B  
FORM OF NOTATION OF NOTE GUARANTEE
Exhibit C  
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO RULE 144A
Exhibit D  
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S

 

-iv-


 

This Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2010, is by and among American Reprographics Company, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).
The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) the Company’s 10.5% Senior Notes due 2016 issued on the date hereof with the restrictive legends in Exhibit A (the “ Initial Notes ”), (ii) Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined herein) or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act (as defined herein) without the restrictive legends in Exhibit A (the “ Exchange Notes ”) and (iii) Additional Notes (together with the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes, the “ Notes ”):
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION 1.1 Definitions .
Acquired Debt ” means Debt of a Person (including an Unrestricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person.
Additional Interest ” means all additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
Additional Notes ” means Notes (other than the Initial Notes or the Exchange Notes) issued pursuant to Article II hereof and otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings that correspond to the foregoing. For purposes of Section 4.11, any Person directly or indirectly owning 10% or more of the outstanding Capital Interests of the Company and any Person who is a Permitted Holder will be deemed an Affiliate.
Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.
Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:
(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or
(2) the excess of:
(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the Redemption Price of the Note at December 15, 2013 (such Redemption Price being set forth in the table in Section 3.7(a)), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through December 15, 2013 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over

 

 


 

(b) the principal amount of the Note.
Asset Acquisition ” means:
(a) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(b) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business.
Asset Sale ” means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to any consolidation or merger) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person (other than to the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries) in any single transaction or series of transactions of:
(i) Capital Interests in another Person (other than directors’ qualifying shares);
(ii) any other property or assets (other than in the normal course of business, including any sale or other disposition of obsolete or permanently retired equipment);
provided , however , that the term “Asset Sale” shall exclude:
(a) any asset disposition permitted by Section 5.1 that constitutes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(b) any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of property or assets, the gross proceeds of which (exclusive of indemnities) do not exceed in any one or related series of transactions $7.5 million;
(c) sales of Eligible Cash Equivalents;
(d) the sale and leaseback of any assets within 90 days of the acquisition thereof;
(e) the disposition of property or equipment no longer used or useful in the business of such entity;
(f) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is otherwise permitted by this Indenture;
(g) any trade-in of equipment in exchange for other equipment; provided that in the good faith judgment of the Company, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives equipment (or credit toward the acquisition cost of equipment) having a fair market value equal to or greater than the equipment being traded in;
(h) the creation of a Lien permitted under this Indenture (but not the sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien);

 

-2-


 

(i) leases or subleases in the ordinary course of business to third Persons not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(j) licenses or sublicenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business.
For purposes of this definition, any series of related transactions that, if effected as a single transaction, would constitute an Asset Sale, shall be deemed to be a single Asset Sale effected when the last such transaction which is a part thereof is effected.
Asset Sale Offer ” means an Offer to Purchase required to be made by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 to all Holders.
Average Life ” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of (x) the number of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment (including any sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment requirements) of such Debt multiplied by (y) the amount of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.
Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.
Board of Directors ” means (i) with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, its board of directors or any duly authorized committee thereof; (ii) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of such corporation or any duly authorized committee thereof; and (iii) with respect to any other entity, the board of directors or similar body of the general partner or managers of such entity or any duly authorized committee thereof.
Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
Business Day ” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
Capital Expenditure ” means, for any period, the sum of (a) the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration or accrued as a liability) by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “additions to property, plant and equipment” or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (including the amount of assets leased in connection with any Capital Lease Obligation, but excluding transfers of assets between Restricted Subsidiaries except to the extent of cash expenditures to effect such transfers) and (b) to the extent not included pursuant to clause (a) above, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration (but excluding issuances of Capital Interests) or accrued as a liability) by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period to acquire by purchase or otherwise, the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any person. For the avoidance of doubt, the acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of Capital Interests in a Person that becomes a Subsidiary, or all or substantially all of the assets of, or all or substantially all of the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of, any other Person shall not constitute a Capital Expenditure.

 

-3-


 

Capital Interests ” in any Person means any and all shares, interests (including Preferred Interests), participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person and any rights (other than Debt securities convertible into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person.
Capital Lease Obligation ” of any Person means the obligation to pay rent or other payment amounts under a lease of (or other Debt arrangement conveying the right to use) real or Personal property of such Person, to the extent such obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or a liability on the face of a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP. The Stated Maturity of any Capital Lease Obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease (or other Debt arrangement) prior to the first date upon which such lease (or other Debt arrangement) may be terminated by the user of such real or Personal property without payment of a penalty, and the amount of any Capital Lease Obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
Certificated Notes ” means Notes that are in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and do not bear the Global Notes Legend.
Change of Contro l” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any “Person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (i) such Person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such Person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Interests in the Company;
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company’s then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors then in office; or
(iii) the Company sells, conveys, transfers or leases (either in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of its assets to, or merges or consolidates with, a Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.

 

-4-


 

Common Interests ” of any Person means Capital Interests in such Person that do not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to Capital Interests of any other class in such Person.
Company ” means American Reprographics Company and any successor thereto.
Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period:
(i) the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of:
(a) Consolidated Net Income;
(b) Consolidated Non-cash Charges;
(c) Consolidated Interest Expense; and
(d) Consolidated Income Tax Expense (other than income tax expense (either positive or negative) attributable to extraordinary gains or losses);
(ii) less non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than (a) the accrual of revenue consistent with past practice, and (b) reversals of prior accruals or reserves for cash items previously excluded in the calculation of Consolidated Non-cash Charges.
Consolidated Income Tax Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(i) the total interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (net of the amount of cash interest income for such period) as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation:
(a) any amortization of Debt discount;
(b) the net cost under Interest Rate Protection Obligations (including any amortization of discounts);
(c) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation;
(d) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptance financing or similar activities; and
(e) all accrued interest;

 

-5-


 

(ii) the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and
(iii) all capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;
provided , however , that such Consolidated Interest Expense shall not include amortization of Debt issuance costs.
Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent including in calculating such net income, by excluding, without duplication:
(i) all extraordinary or non-recurring gains or losses (net of fees and expense relating to the transaction giving rise thereto);
(ii) the portion of net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries allocable to minority interest in unconsolidated Persons or Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent that cash dividends or distributions have not actually been received by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased in amounts equal to the amounts of cash actually received;
(iii) gains or losses in respect of any Asset Sales by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), on an after-tax basis;
(iv) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary or such Person to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;
(v) any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;
(vi) any fees and expenses paid in connection with the issuance of the Notes;
(vii) any impairment charge or asset write-up, write-off or write-down, in each case, pursuant to GAAP and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP; and
(viii) non-cash compensation expense incurred with any issuance of equity interests to an employee of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary.
Consolidated Non-cash Charges ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and other intangibles), and other non-cash expenses of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income or such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determine on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such charges constituting an extraordinary item or loss and excluding any such charges constituting an extraordinary item or loss or any charge which requires an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period).

 

-6-


 

Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio ” means, as of the date of determination (the “ Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio Calculation Date ”), the ratio of (a) the Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination (determined after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence of Debt, and each other incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, retirement and extinguishment of Debt as of such date of determination) to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such date for which internal financial statements are available (such four full fiscal quarter period being referred to herein as the “Four Quarter Period”).
For purposes of this definition, “Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges” and “Debt” shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to clauses (1) and (2) below. The pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt and without duplication, cost savings, synergies (other than revenue synergies) and operating expense) and shall be set forth in an officer’s certificate detailing the basis of such valuations.
(1) the Incurrence or repayment (excluding revolving credit borrowings Incurred or repaid in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes) or redemption of any Debt or Preferred Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the proceeds thereof), including the Incurrence of any Debt or Preferred Interests (and the application of the proceeds thereof) giving rise to the need to make such determination, occurring during such Four Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of such Four Quarter Period and on or prior to such date of determination, as if such Incurrence or repayment, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of such Four Quarter Period; and
(2) any Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such determination as a result of the company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the Asset Acquisition) Incurring Acquired Debt and including, without limitation, by giving pro forma effect to any Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges attributable to the assets which are the subject of the Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition during the Four Quarter Period) occurring during the Four Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to such date of determination, as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition (including the Incurrence of any such Acquired Debt) occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period.
If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person, the above clause shall give effect to the incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt.
Corporate Trust Office ” means an office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 707 Wilshire Blvd, 17th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017 MAC E2818-176, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by written notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).

 

-7-


 

Credit Agreement ” means the $50.0 million revolving credit facility dated on or about the Issue Date, together with all related notes, letters of credit, collateral documents, guarantees, and any other related agreements and instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith, in each case as amended, modified, supplemented, refinanced, refunded or replaced in whole or in part from time to time.
Credit Facility ” means one or more Debt facilities, including the Credit Agreement or other financing arrangements (including without limitation commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other indebtedness, including any notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as, as amended, extended, renewed, restated, supplemented, replaced (whether or not upon termination and whether with the original lenders, institutional investors or otherwise), refinanced (including through the issuance of Debt securities), restructured or otherwise modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, and any agreement (and related document) governing Indebtedness incurred to refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under such Credit Facility or a successor Credit Facility, whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders (or institutional investors).
Currency Hedge Obligations ” means the obligations of a Person Incurred pursuant to any foreign currency exchange agreement, option or futures contract or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against or manage such Person’s exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on Debt permitted under this Indenture.
Debt ” means at any time (without duplication), with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person, or non-recourse, and whether or not contingent, the following: (i) all indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit (other than letters of credit for workers’ compensation or similar obligations that are secured by cash obligations), bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person; (iv) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property or assets acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property or assets); (v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of Redeemable Capital Interests in such Person at the time of determination; (vii) any Swap Contracts and Currency Hedge Obligations of such Person at the time of determination; (viii) Debt attributable to any sale and leaseback transaction to which such Person is a party; and (ix) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of this definition of another Person and all dividends and other distributions of another Person, the payment of which, in either case, (A) such Person has Guaranteed or (B) is secured by (or the holder of such Debt or the recipient of such dividends or other distributions has an existing right, whether contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon the property or other as sets of such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Debt, dividends or other distributions. For purposes of the foregoing: (a) the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Redeemable Capital Interests that do not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable Capital Interests as if such Redeemable Capital Interests were repurchased on any date on which Debt shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided , however , that, if such Redeemable Capital Interests are not then permitted to be repurchased, the repurchase price shall be the book value of such Redeemable Capital Interests; (b) the amount outstanding at any time of any Debt issued with original issue discount is the principal amount of such Debt less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Debt at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP, but such Debt shall be deemed Incurred only as of the date of original issuance thereof; (c) the amount of any Debt described in clause (ix)(A) above shall be the maximum liability under any such Guarantee; (d) the amount of any Debt described in clause (ix)(B) above shall be the lesser of (I) the maximum amount of the obligations so secured and (II) the Fair Market Value of such property or other assets; (e) interest, fees, premium, and expenses and additional payments, if any, will not constitute Debt; and (f) trade payables, other current liabilities incurred in the normal course of business and any liability for federal, state or local income taxes or other taxes owed by such Person will not constitute Debt.

 

-8-


 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, the term “Debt” will exclude (x) customary indemnification obligations and (y) post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided , however , that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter.
The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligations, of any contingent obligations at such date; provided , however , that in the case of Debt sold at a discount, the amount of such Debt at any time will be the accreted value thereof at such time.
Default ” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
Depositary ” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.3 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof, and, thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.
Designated Non-cash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Eligible Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that Guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Debt of the Company.
DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York).
Eligible Bank ” means a bank or trust company that (i) is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or Canada, or any state, territory, province or possession thereof, (ii) as of the time of the making or acquisition of an Investment in such bank or trust company, has combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and (iii) the senior Debt of which is rated at least “A-2” by Moody’s or at least “A” by Standard & Poor’s.

 

-9-


 

Eligible Cash Equivalents ” means any of the following Investments: (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition; (ii) time deposits in and certificates of deposit of any Eligible Bank, provided that such Investments have a maturity date not more than two years after date of acquisition and that the Average Life of all such Investments is one year or less from the respective dates of acquisition; (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any Eligible Bank; (iv) direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, provided that such Investments mature, or are subject to tender at the option of the holder thereof, within 365 days after the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, have a rating of at least A from Standard & Poor’s or A-2 from Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating agency); (v) commercial paper of any Person other than an Affiliate of the Company, provided that such Investments have one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s and mature within 180 days after the date of acquisition; (vi) overnight and demand deposits in and bankers’ acceptances of any Eligible Bank and demand deposits in any bank or trust company to the extent insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation against the Bank Insurance Fund; and (vii) money market funds substantially all of the assets of which comprise Investments of the types described in clauses (i) through (vi).
Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, for any period, its Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for such period less the sum, without duplication, of (i) such Person’s Consolidated Interest Expense, to the extent paid in cash for such Excess Cash Flow Period; (ii) such Person’s Consolidated Income Tax Expense, to the extent paid in cash for such Excess Cash Flow Period, (iii) an amount equal to the Capital Expenditures made in cash during such period (excluding the amount of any Capital Expenditures made with the proceeds of Incurrences of Indebtedness); (iv) the aggregate amount of all scheduled, mandatory and voluntary prepayments, repayments, redemptions or purchases of Obligations under the Credit Facility that include a permanent reduction of the related loan commitment thereunder during such Excess Cash Flow Period (other than prepayments, repayments, redemptions or purchases made with the proceeds of Indebtedness incurred to refinance the Obligations under the Credit Facility during such Excess Cash Flow Period); and (v) any cash required to be restricted to cash collateralize letters of credit either under the Credit Facility or otherwise, and, in each case, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Excess Cash Flow Amount ” means, for any Excess Cash Flow Period, an amount equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow for such Excess Cash Flow Period.
Excess Cash Flow Period ” means each fiscal year ending on December 31, beginning with the year ending December 31, 2011.
Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
Exchange Offer ” means an offer that may be made by the Issuer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to exchange Initial Notes for the Exchange Notes.
Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to the consideration received or paid in any transaction or series of transactions, the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

-10-


 

Four Quarter Period ” has the meaning given to such term in the definition of “Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.”
GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are in effect as of the Issue Date.
Global Notes ” means the Notes that are in the form of Exhibit A hereto and bear the Global Notes Legend.
Global Notes Legend ” means the legend identified as such in Exhibit A hereto.
Government Securities ” means (1) any security which is (a) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (b) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (2) any depository receipt issued by a bank, as defined in the Securities Act, as custodian with respect to any Government Securities and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depository receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any Government Securities which is so specified and held, provided that, except as required by law, such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depository receipt.
Guarantee ” means, as applied to any Debt of another Person, (i) a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the normal course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such Debt, (ii) any direct or indirect obligation, contingent or otherwise, of a Person guaranteeing or having the effect of guaranteeing the Debt of any other Person in any manner and (iii) an agreement of a Person, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of all or any part of such Debt of another Person (and “Guaranteed” and “Guaranteeing” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing).
Guarantor ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with provisions of this Indenture and their respective successors and assigns.
Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any interest rate agreement, currency agreement or commodity agreement.
Holder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the security register.

 

-11-


 

Incur ” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person; provided , however , that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt. Debt otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company. “Incurrence,” “Incurred,” “Incurrable” and “Incurring” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing. A Guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of Debt Incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall not be a separate Incurrence of Debt. None of the following shall be a separate Incurrence of Debt:
(1) amortization of Debt discount or accretion of principal with respect to a non-interest bearing or other discount security;
(2) the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form of additional Debt of the same instrument or the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on Capital Interests in the form of additional Capital Interests of the same class and with the same terms;
(3) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Debt arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or making of a mandatory Offer to Purchase such Debt;
(4) unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations;
(5) increases in the amount of Debt outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates or increases in the value of property securing Debt; and
(6) increases in the amount of Debt solely as a result of purchase accounting adjustments or accounting adjustments related to derivative financial instruments.
Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Initial Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
Interest Rate Protection Agreements ” means, with respect to any Person, any arrangement with any other Person whereby, directly or indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments calculated by applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such Person calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the same notional amount and shall include without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements.
Interest Rate Protection Obligations ” means the obligations of any Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Protection Agreements.
Investment ” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance (or other extension of credit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property or assets to another Person or any other payments for property or services for the account or use of another Person) another Person, including, without limitation, the following: (i) the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Interest or other evidence of beneficial ownership in another Person; (ii) the purchase, acquisition or Guarantee of the Debt of another Person; and (iii) the purchase or acquisition of the business or assets of another Person; but shall exclude: (a) accounts receivable and other extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with normal trade practices; (b) the acquisition of property and assets from suppliers and other vendors in the normal course of business; and (c) prepaid expenses and workers’ compensation, utility, lease and similar deposits, in the normal course of business.

 

-12-


 

Issue Date ” means the date on which the initial $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes is originally issued under this Indenture.
Legal Holiday ” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, the city in which the principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Lien ” means, with respect to any property or other asset, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, easement, encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or other asset (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
Master Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”
Net Cash Proceeds ” means, with respect to Asset Sales of any Person, cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents received, net of: (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Person incurred in connection with such a sale, including, without limitation, all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred and all federal, state, foreign and local taxes arising in connection with such an Asset Sale that are paid or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP by such Person; (ii) all payments made by such Person on any Debt that is secured by such properties or other assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such properties or other assets or that must, by the terms of such Lien or such Debt, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such transaction or by applicable law, be repaid to any other Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof) in connection with such Asset Sale; and (iii) all contractually required distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person as a result of such transaction; provided , however , that: (a) in the event that any consideration for an Asset Sale (which would otherwise constitute Net Cash Proceeds) is required by (I) contract to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made or (II) GAAP to be reserved against other liabilities in connection with such Asset Sale, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is released to such Person from escrow or otherwise; and (b) any non-cash consideration received in connection with any transaction, which is subsequently converted to cash, shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is so converted.
Note Custodian ” means the Trustee when serving as custodian for the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
Note Guarantee ” means any guarantee of the Notes by any Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture.
Notes ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Indenture.
Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities of any kind payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
Offer ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

 

-13-


 

Offer to Purchase ” means a written offer (the “ Offer ”) sent by the Company by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at his address appearing in the security register on the date of the Offer, offering to purchase up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Offer at the purchase price set forth in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date (the “ Expiration Date ”) of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the date of mailing of such Offer and a settlement date (the “ Purchase Date ”) for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. Among other things, the Offer shall state the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to be purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such amount has been determined pursuant to Indenture covenants requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the “ Purchase Amount ”) and the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for payment (as specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the “ Purchase Price ”).
Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum related to the issuance of the Notes on the Issue Date, dated November 23, 2010.
Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the principal executive officer, the President, the principal operating officer, the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.
Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate to be delivered upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in this Indenture, signed on behalf of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, by two Officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or such Guarantor.
Opinion of Counsel ” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.
Participant ” means, with respect to DTC, a Person who has an account with DTC.
Paying Agent ” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes on behalf of the Company.
Permitted Business ” means any business similar in nature to any business conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any business reasonably ancillary, incidental, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the business conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Permitted Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9 hereof.
Permitted Holders ” means Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar; any spouse or lineal descendant of Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar; any trust or estate the sole beneficiary or beneficiaries of which is Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar, any spouse or lineal descendants of Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar; or any entity owned or controlled by any of the foregoing.
Permitted Investments ” means:
(a) Investments in existence on the Issue Date;

 

-14-


 

(b) Investments required pursuant to any agreement or obligation of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, in effect on the Issue Date, to make such Investments;
(c) Investments in cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents;
(d) Investments in property and other assets, owned or used by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the normal course of business;
(e) Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor;
(f) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such Investment (A) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (B) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated or wound up into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(g) Swap Contracts, Interest Rate Protection Obligations and Currency Hedge Obligations;
(h) non-cash consideration received in conjunction with an Asset Sale that is otherwise permitted under Section 4.10;
(i) Investments received in settlement of obligations owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and as a result of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(j) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than in an Affiliate) not otherwise permitted under this definition, in an aggregate amount which together with the net amount of all other Investments then outstanding pursuant to this clause (j) does not exceed $30.0 million;
(k) loans and advances (including for travel and relocation) to employees in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;
(l) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in Permitted Joint Ventures made after the Issue Date in an amount, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (l) since the Issue Date and then outstanding, not to exceed $5.0 million;
(m) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor made after the Issue Date in an amount, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) since the Issue Date and then outstanding, not to exceed $30.0 million; and
(n) any Investment consisting of a Guarantee permitted by Section 4.9.
Permitted Joint Venture ” means, with respect to any Person at any time, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity (1) of which at least 20%, but not more than 50%, of the Voting Interests are at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the Restricted Subsidiaries of that Person and (2) whose primary business constitutes or is reasonably expected to constitute at such time a Permitted Business.

 

-15-


 

Permitted Liens ” means:
(a) Liens existing on the Issue Date;
(b) Liens securing Indebtedness under any Credit Facility Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9(b)(i);
(c) Liens securing Swap Contracts, Interest Rate Protection Obligations and Currency Hedge Obligations;
(d) any Lien for taxes or assessments or other governmental charges or levies not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP);
(e) any statutory warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, landlord’s or other similar Liens for sums not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, are being contested in good faith and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP);
(f) any title exception, easement, right-of-way, lease, sublease or other similar Lien that does not materially impair the use or value of the property subject thereto in its use in the business of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof;
(g) Liens on property or other assets (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of statutory obligations or the requirements of any official body, or (ii) to secure the performance of tenders, bids, surety or performance bonds, leases, purchase, construction, sales or servicing contracts and other similar obligations Incurred in the normal course of business consistent with industry practice; or (iii) to obtain or secure obligations with respect to letters of credit, Guarantees, bonds or other sureties or assurances given in connection with the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in each case not Incurred or made in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property or services or imposed by ERISA or the Code in connection with a “plan” (as defined in ERISA) or (iv) arising in connection with any attachment or judgment unless such Liens shall not be satisfied or discharged or stayed pending appeal within 60 days after the entry thereof or the expiration of any such stay;
(h) Liens on property, assets or shares of Capital Interests of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired or merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and not created or Incurred in anticipation of such transaction), provided that such Liens are not extended to the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property or assets acquired;
(i) other Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or the ownership of their assets that do not materially impair the use or value of the property subject thereto in its use in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;
(j) Liens to secure Capital Lease Obligations;

 

-16-


 

(k) Liens securing Debt Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property, plant or equipment of such Person; provided , however , that the Lien may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto), and the Debt (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than one year after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;
(l) Liens from judgments, decrees, or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default;
(m) Liens securing Debt Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as permitted under Section 4.9 not otherwise permitted under this definition, in an aggregate amount which together with the aggregate amount of all other Liens then outstanding pursuant to this clause (m) does not exceed $5.0 million;
(n) Liens to secure any Refinancing Debt (or successive Refinancing Debt) as a whole, or in part, of any Debt secured by any Lien; provided , however , that:
(A) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and
(B) the Debt secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Debt at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien and (ii) the amount of any discounts, commissions, premiums, fees and other costs and expenses related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
(o) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and
(p) any extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals of the foregoing.
Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Preferred Interests ” as applied to the Capital Interests in any Person, means Capital Interests in such Person of any class or classes (however designated) that rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of Common Interests in such Person.
Purchase Amount ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
Purchase Date ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
Purchase Money Debt ” means Debt:
(i) Incurred to finance all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of any assets (other than Capital Interests) of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary (including Debt incurred to refinance any such purchase price or costs of construction or improvement initially funded by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); and

 

-17-


 

(ii) that is secured by a Lien on such assets where the lender’s sole security is to the assets so purchased, constructed or improved and directly related assets such as proceeds (including insurance proceeds), products, replacements, substitutions and accessions thereto; and
(iii) that does not exceed 100% of such purchase price or costs.
Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”
Qualified Capital Interests ” in any Person means a class of Capital Interests other than Redeemable Capital Interests.
Qualified Equity Offering ” means (i) an underwritten public equity offering of Qualified Capital Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act yielding gross proceeds to the Company of at least $25.0 million or (ii) a private equity offering of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company, other than (x) any such public or private sale to an entity that is an Affiliate of the Company and (y) any public offerings registered on Form S-8.
Redeemable Capital Interests ” in any Person means any equity security of such Person that by its terms (or by terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or otherwise (including the passage of time or the happening of an event), is required to be redeemed, is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof in whole or in part (including by operation of a sinking fund), or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt of such Person at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that only the portion of such equity security which is required to be redeemed, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof before such date will be deemed to be Redeemable Capital Interests. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any equity security that would constitute Redeemable Capital Interests solely because the holders of the equity security have the right to require the Company to repurchase such equity security upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Redeemable Capital Interests if the terms of such equity security provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such equity security pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.7. The amount of Redeemable Capital Interests deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Redeemable Capital Interests or portion thereof, exclusive of accrued dividends.
Redemption Price ” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
Refinancing Debt ” means Debt that refunds, refinances, renews, replaces or extends any Debt permitted to be Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, whether involving the same or any other lender or creditor or group of lenders or creditors, but only to the extent that:
(i) the Refinancing Debt is subordinated to the Notes to at least the same extent as the Debt being refunded, refinanced or extended, if such Debt was subordinated to the Notes,
(ii) the Refinancing Debt has a final maturity either (a) no earlier than the Debt being refunded, refinanced or extended or (b) at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes,

 

-18-


 

(iii) the Refinancing Debt has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Debt is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended,
(iv) such Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount that is less than or equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal or accreted amount (in the case of any Debt issued with original issue discount, as such) then outstanding under the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, (b) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premiums owed, if any, not in excess of preexisting prepayment provisions on such Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended and (c) the aggregate amount of any discounts, commissions, premiums, fees and other costs and expenses related to the Incurrence of such Refinancing Debt; and
(v) such Refinancing Debt is Incurred by the same Person (or its successor) that initially Incurred the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, except that the Company may Incur Refinancing Debt to refund, refinance, renew, replace or extend Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Registration Rights Agreement ” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, to be dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors and the initial purchasers and any similar agreement extend into in connection with the Additional Notes.
Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also, with respect to a particular matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
Restricted Notes Legend ” means the legend identified as such in Exhibit A hereto.
Restricted Payment ” means any of the following:
(a) any dividend or other distribution declared and paid on the Capital Interests in the Company or on the Capital Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are held by, or declared and paid to, any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than (i) dividends, distributions or payments made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company and (ii) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or to other holders of Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis);
(b) any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a payment made solely in Qualified Capital Interests) to purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Capital Interests in the Company (including the conversion into, or exchange for, Debt, of any Capital Interests) other than any such Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(c) any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a payment made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company) to redeem, repurchase, defease (including an in substance or legal defeasance) or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including pursuant to mandatory repurchase covenants), prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment, Debt of the Company or any Guarantor that is subordinate (whether pursuant to its terms or by operation of law) in right of payment to the Notes or Note Guarantees (excluding any Debt owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); except payments of principal and interest in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, within one year of the due date thereof;

 

-19-


 

(d) any Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in any Person, other than a Permitted Investment; and
(e) any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that has not been designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in accordance with this Indenture.
Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Significant Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and Exchange Act, but shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Stated Maturity ” when used with respect to (i) any Note or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal amount of such Note or such installment of interest is due and payable and (ii) any other Debt or any installment of interest thereon, the date specified in the instrument governing such Debt as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt or such installment of interest is due and payable.
Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited or general partnership, trust, association or other business entity of which an aggregate of at least a majority of the outstanding Capital Interests therein is, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Successor Entity ” means a corporation or other entity that succeeds to and continues the business of American Reprographics Company.
Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend ” means the legend identified as such in Exhibit A hereto.

 

-20-


 

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.
Transfer Restricted Notes ” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
Treasury Rate ” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2013; provided , however , that if the period from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2013, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
Trustee ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee under this Indenture, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving as trustee under this Indenture.
Unrestricted Notes ” means one or more Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend, including the Exchange Notes and any Notes registered under the Securities Act pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means:
(1) any Subsidiary designated as such by the Board of Directors of the Company as set forth in Section 4.17 where (a) neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) provides credit support for, or Guarantee of, any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt) or (ii) is directly or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary, and (b) no default with respect to any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any right which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Debt or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity; and
(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
until such time as such Subsidiary may be designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.17.
Voting Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Interests in such Person entitling the holders thereof generally to vote on the election of members of the Board of Directors or comparable body of such Person.

 

-21-


 

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions .
         
    Defined in  
Term   Section  
 
       
“Affiliate Transaction”
    4.11  
“Agent Members”
    2.6  
“Bank”
    7.13  
“Change of Control Offer”
    4.13  
“Change of Control Payment”
    4.13  
“Company Order”
    2.2  
“Covenant Defeasance”
    8.3  
“Custodian”
    6.1  
“Discharge”
    8.8  
“Event of Default”
    6.1  
“Excess Cash Flow Notice”
    4.19  
“Excess Cash Flow Offer”
    4.19  
“Excess Cash Flow Trigger Date”
    4.19  
“Excess Proceeds”
    4.10  
“Expiration Date”
    3.9  
“Legal Defeasance”
    8.2  
“Offer Amount”
    3.9  
“Pari Passu Debt”
    4.10  
“Purchase Amount”
    3.9  
“Purchase Date”
    3.9  
“QIB”
    2.1  
“QIB Global Note”
    2.1  
“Redemption Date”
    3.7  
“Registrar”
    2.3  
“Regulation S”
    2.1  
“Regulation S Global Note”
    2.1  
“Restricted Period”
    2.16 (b)
“Rule 144A”
    2.1  
“Surviving Entity”
    5.1  
SECTION 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
indenture securities ” means the Notes and any Note Guarantee;
indenture security holder ” means a Holder;
indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;
indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee;
obligor ” on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes or any Guarantor.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by the Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them therein.

 

-22-


 

SECTION 1.4 Rules of Construction .
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(5) unless otherwise specified, any reference to Section or Article refers to such Section or Article of this Indenture;
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time; and
(8) for the avoidance of doubt, any references to “interest” shall include any Additional Interest that may be payable.
ARTICLE II
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.1 Form and Dating .
The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The Company shall approve the form of Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on them. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes initially shall be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

-23-


 

(a) The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.
Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and transfers of interests. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.6 hereof.
(b) The Initial Notes are being issued by the Company only (i) to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”)) (“ QIBs ”) and (ii) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”). After such initial offers and issuance, Initial Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes may be transferred to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A, outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S or to the Company, in accordance with certain transfer restrictions. Initial Notes that are offered in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “ QIB Global Note ”) deposited with the Trustee, as Notes Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Initial Notes that are offered in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “ Regulation S Global Note ”) deposited with the Trustee, as Notes Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The QIB Global Note and the Regulation S Global Note shall each be issued with separate CUSIP numbers. The aggregate principal amount of each Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as Notes Custodian. Transfers of Notes between QIBs and to or by purchasers pursuant to Regulation S shall be represented by appropriate increases and decreases to the respective amounts of the appropriate Global Notes, as more fully provided in Section 2.16.
(c) Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.
The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial holder that is a member of (or a participant in) DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC (or its nominee) or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to the Notes. The Trustee may rely (and shall be fully protected in relying) upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any Beneficial Owners in the Notes.
(d) Notes issued in certificated form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

-24-


 

SECTION 2.2 Execution and Authentication .
An Officer of the Company shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of a Responsible Officer of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer directing the Trustee to authenticate the Notes and certifying that all conditions precedent to the issuance of the Notes contained herein have been complied with (a “ Company Order ”), authenticate Notes for original issue up to the aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed such amount except as provided in Section 2.8 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
SECTION 2.3 Registrar; Paying Agent .
The Company shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment to a Paying Agent. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.
The Company shall notify the Trustee and the Trustee shall notify the Holders of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company or any Guarantor may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the provisions of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such, and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 7.7 hereof.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent, until such time as the Trustee has resigned or a successor has been appointed.
The Company initially appoints DTC to act as the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

-25-


 

SECTION 2.4 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any Default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any money paid. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon the occurrence of events specified in Section 6.1(9) hereof, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
SECTION 2.5 Holder Lists .
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven (7) Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, including the aggregate principal amount of the Notes held by each Holder thereof, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).
SECTION 2.6 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities .
(a) Each Global Note shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear legends as required by Section 2.6(g).
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.
(b) Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of Beneficial Owners in a Global Note may be transferred in accordance with Section 2.16 and the rules and procedures of the Depositary. In addition, Certificated Notes shall be transferred to all Beneficial Owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in the circumstances described in Section 2.6(f) below.
(c) In connection with the transfer of the entire Global Note to Beneficial Owners pursuant to clause (b) of this Section, such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall upon receipt of a Company Order authenticate and deliver, to each Beneficial Owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note an equal aggregate principal amount of Certificated Notes of authorized denominations.

 

-26-


 

(d) The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interest through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
(e) A Certificated Note may not be transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note.
(f) If at any time:
(i) the Depositary for the Notes notifies the Company in writing that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Notes and a successor Depositary for the Global Notes is not appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days after delivery of such notice; or
(ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes under this Indenture and the Depositary has requested the issuance of Certificated Notes,
then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, authenticate and deliver, Certificated Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes.
(g) All Global Notes and Certificated Notes shall bear legends in accordance with the following provisions unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
(i) Unless and until (x) a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (y) the Company determines that the Restricted Notes Legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and there is delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and a letter of representation of the Company to that effect, each Global Note and each Certificated Note (and all Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefore) shall bear the Restricted Notes Legend on the face thereof.
(ii) Each Global Note shall bear the Global Notes Legend.
(iii) Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary Global Notes bearing the Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend.
(h) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Notes have been exchanged for Certificated Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, all Global Notes shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Certificated Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.
(i)  General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Certificated Notes at the Registrar’s request.

 

-27-


 

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such stamp or transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.10, 3.6, 4.10, 4.13, 4.19 and 9.5 hereof).
(iii) All Global Notes and Certificated Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Certificated Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Certificated Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(iv) The Registrar shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes during a period beginning at the opening of fifteen (15) days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.2 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.
(v) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and neither the Trustee, any Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vi) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Certificated Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 hereof. Except as provided in Section 2.6(f), neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall authenticate or deliver any Certificated Note in exchange for a Global Note.
(vii) Each Holder agrees to provide indemnity satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities law.
(viii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or Beneficial Owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(ix) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.7 Replacement Notes .
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of (i) the Trustee to protection the Trustee and (ii) the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent, from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

 

-28-


 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
SECTION 2.8 Outstanding Notes .
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.1 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
SECTION 2.9 Treasury Notes .
In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or by any Affiliate of the Company shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes shown on the register as being owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that are to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company pursuant to an exchange offer, tender offer or other agreement shall not be deemed to be owned by such entity until legal title to such Notes passes to such entity.
SECTION 2.10 Temporary Notes .
Until Certificated Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes upon receipt of a Company Order. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall upon receipt of a Company Order authenticate Certificated Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.11 Cancellation .
The Company at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder or which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. All Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has redeemed or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee shall be cancelled and disposed of in accordance with its customary practice, and certification of their cancellation shall be delivered to the Company upon written request.

 

-29-


 

SECTION 2.12 Defaulted Interest .
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at the earliest practicable date but in all events at least five (5) Business Days prior to the payment date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1 hereof. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date and shall promptly thereafter notify the Trustee in writing of any such date. At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.13 Record Date .
The record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Indenture shall be determined as provided for in TIA § 316 (c).
SECTION 2.14 Computation of Interest .
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 2.15 CUSIP Number .
The Company in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” number, and if it does so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number printed in the notice or on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP number.
SECTION 2.16 Special Transfer Provisions .
Unless and until a Transfer Restricted Note is transferred or exchanged pursuant to an exemption under the Securities Act or under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Transfers to QIBs . The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (other than pursuant to Regulation S):
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note by a Holder to a QIB if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has provided the Registrar with (a) an appropriately completed certificate of transfer in the form attached to the Note and (b) a letter substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto.

 

-30-


 

(ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member and the Transfer Restricted Note to be transferred consists of an interest in the Regulation S Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the items required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions given in accordance with the Depository’s and the Registrar’s procedures therefor, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the QIB Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an appropriate decrease in the principal amount of such Regulation S Global Note.
(b) Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S . On or after the termination of the Restricted Period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), interests in a Global Note bearing the Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend shall be exchangeable for corresponding interests in a Global Note. Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Global Note bearing the Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Transfers of beneficial interests in a Global Note bearing the Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend only may be transferred upon (A) delivery by a beneficial owner of an interest therein to the Depositary or its nominee (as the case may be) of a written certification in the form of Exhibit D , and (B) delivery by the transferee of such interest to the Depositary or its nominee (as the case may be) of a written certification in the form of Exhibit D . After the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Registrar shall register the transfer of any Regulation S Global Note without requiring any additional certification. The following provisions shall apply with respect to registration of any proposed transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note pursuant to Regulation S:
(i) The Registrar shall register any proposed transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note pursuant to Regulation S by a Holder upon receipt of (a) an appropriately completed certificate of transfer in the form attached to the Note and (b) a letter substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto from the proposed transferor.
(ii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in a QIB Global Note and the Transfer Restricted Note to be transferred consists of an interest in a QIB Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the letter, if any, required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures therefor, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the QIB Global Note to be transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an appropriate decrease in the principal amount of the QIB Global Note.
(c) Restricted Notes Legend . Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Unrestricted Notes, the Registrar shall deliver Unrestricted Notes that do not bear the Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Restricted Notes Legend unless there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.

 

-31-


 

(d) Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order in accordance with Section 2.2, the Trustee shall authenticate, one or more Global Notes not bearing the Restricted Notes Legend in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Transfer Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance in accordance with the Exchange Offer and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Global Notes, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Transfer Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Registrar shall deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Transfer Restricted Global Notes so accepted Global Notes not bearing the Restricted Notes Legend in the appropriate principal amount.
(e) General . By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Restricted Notes Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Restricted Notes Legend and agrees that it shall transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture until such time as the Restricted Notes Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.6(c) and such Holder exchanges such a Transfer Restricted Note for an Unrestricted Note. The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture. In connection with any transfer of Notes, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or the Issuer such certifications, legal opinions or other information as the Issuer may reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act until such time as the Restricted Notes Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.6(c) and such Holder exchanges such a Transfer Restricted Note for an Unrestricted Note; provided that the Registrar shall not be required to request any certifications, legal opinions or other information in addition to those it is required to receive or request as explicitly set forth elsewhere in this Indenture nor shall it be required to determine (but may rely on a determination made by the Issuer with respect to) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions or other information
The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Section 2.16.
SECTION 2.17 Issuance of Additional Notes .
The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture that shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price and amount of interest payable on the first interest payment date applicable thereto (and, if such Additional Notes shall be issued in the form of Transfer Restricted Notes, other than with respect to transfer restrictions); provided that such issuance is not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, including Section 4.9 and Section 4.12. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

-32-


 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of its Board of Directors and in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each of which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;
(2) the issue price, the Issue Date, the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes, the first interest payment date and the amount of interest payable on such first interest payment date applicable thereto and the date from which interest shall accrue; and
(3) whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Notes.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
SECTION 3.1 Notices to Trustee .
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.7 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least forty-five (45) days before a Redemption Date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the Redemption Price.
If the Company is required to make an offer to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 4.10, 4.13 or 4.19 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least forty-five (45) days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) before the scheduled purchase date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the offer to purchase shall occur, (ii) the terms of the offer, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be purchased, (iv) the purchase price and (v) the purchase date and further setting forth a statement to the effect that (a) the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has effected an Asset Sale and there are Excess Proceeds aggregating more than $15.0 million, (b) a Change of Control has occurred or (c) an Excess Cash Flow Offer is required to be made, as applicable.
The Company will also provide the Trustee with any additional information that the Trustee reasonably requests in connection with any redemption or offer.
SECTION 3.2 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (provided the Trustee has been notified in writing by the Company of such listing)or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in a manner that complies with applicable legal requirements, subject to the rules and procedures of DTC); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption so long as the Company timely delivers funds to the Trustee for such redemption. The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not previously called for redemption and shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000.

 

-33-


 

SECTION 3.3 Notice of Redemption .
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the Redemption Price;
(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Notes to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;
(4) the name, telephone number and address of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;
(6) that, unless the Company default in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date so long as the Company timely delivers funds to the Trustee for such redemption;
(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. The notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for the redemption of any other Note.
SECTION 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption .
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such date. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

 

-34-


 

SECTION 3.5 Deposit of Redemption of Purchase Price .
On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Redemption Date or the date on which Notes must be accepted for purchase pursuant to Section 4.10, 4.13 or 4.19, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of (including any applicable premium), and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
If Notes called for redemption or tendered in an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer are paid or if the Company has deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and unpaid and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or tendered and not withdrawn in an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer (regardless of whether certificates for such securities are actually surrendered). If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1 hereof.
SECTION 3.6 Notes Redeemed in Part .
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
SECTION 3.7 Optional Redemption .
(a) The Notes are subject to redemption, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2013, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture) at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning December 15 of the years indicated:
         
    Redemption  
Year   Price  
 
       
2013
    105.250 %
2014
    102.625 %
2015 and thereafter
    100.000 %

 

-35-


 

(b) In addition to the optional redemption of the Notes in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may, with the net proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (which include Additional Notes, if any) at a Redemption Price equal to 110.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (which include Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries) and that any such redemption occurs within 90 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.
(c) At any time prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (the “ Redemption Date ”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date.
SECTION 3.8 Mandatory Redemption .
Except as set forth under Sections 3.9, 4.10, 4.13 and 4.19 hereof, the Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. The Company may at any time, and from time to time, purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.
SECTION 3.9 Offer to Purchase .
In the event that the Company shall be required to commence an Offer to Purchase pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer, the Company shall follow the procedures specified below.
Unless otherwise required by applicable law, an Offer to Purchase shall specify an expiration date (the “ Expiration Date ”) of the Offer to Purchase, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the date of mailing of such Offer, and a settlement date (the “ Purchase Date ”) for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. On the Purchase Date, the Company shall purchase the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Debt, if applicable, required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, Section 4.13 hereof or Section 4.19 hereof (the “ Offer Amount ”), or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Debt tendered in response to the Offer to Purchase. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made. If the Purchase Date is on or after the interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest, if any, shall be payable to the Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 15 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the mailing of the Offer of the Company’s obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.

 

-36-


 

On or before 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Purchase Date, the Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) in immediately available funds the aggregate purchase price equal to the Offer Amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be held for payment in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.9. On the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes and Pari Passu Debt or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Debt tendered and (ii) deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.9. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than three (3) Business Days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver at the expense of the Company such new Note to such Holder, equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of such Holder’s Notes surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce in a newspaper of general circulation or in a press release provided to a nationally recognized financial wire service the results of the Offer to Purchase on the Purchase Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.9, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.1 through 3.6 hereof. The Company may at any time, and from time to time, purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.1 Payment of Notes .
(a) The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid for all purposes hereunder on the date the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds, as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time), money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all such principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
(b) The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.2 Maintenance of Office or Agency .
The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

-37-


 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the office of the Trustee located at the address specified in Section 11.2 of this Indenture as the address for payments, transfers and exchanges of Notes as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof.
SECTION 4.3 Provision of Financial Information .
Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, or file electronically with the Commission through the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system) within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.
In addition, whether or not required by the Commission, the Company will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to prospective investors. In addition, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon such investors’ request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

-38-


 

SECTION 4.4 Compliance Certificate .
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether each has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of his or her knowledge, each entity has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that, to the best of his or her knowledge, no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
SECTION 4.5 Taxes .
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which appropriate reserves have been taken in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
SECTION 4.6 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
SECTION 4.7 Limitation on Restricted Payments .
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless, at the time of and after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment:
(a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof;
(b) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) pursuant to the provisions described in the first paragraph under Section 4.9; and

 

-39-


 

(c) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments made on or after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the next succeeding paragraph) shall not exceed the sum (without duplication) of:
(1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income (or, if Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit) of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting period) beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter that includes the Issue Date and ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment for which internally prepared financial statements are available, plus
(2) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of property other than cash) received by the Company subsequent to the initial issuance of the Notes either (i) as a contribution to its common equity capital or (ii) from the issuance and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of its Qualified Capital Interests, including Qualified Capital Interests issued upon the conversion of Debt or Redeemable Capital Interests of the Company, and from the exercise of options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Qualified Capital Interests (other than Capital Interests or Debt sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus
(3) an amount equal to the sum of (A) the net reduction in Investments (other than Permitted Investments), subsequent to the date of the initial issuance of the Notes, in any Person, resulting from payments of interest on Debt, dividends, distributions, repurchases, redemptions, repayments of loans or advances, proceeds realized on the sale of such Restricted Investment and proceeds representing a return of capital (but only to the extent such interest, dividends, distributions, repurchases, redemption, repayments or proceeds are not included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income), in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any Person (including, without limitation, from Unrestricted Subsidiaries); plus (B) the portion (proportionate to the equity interest of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, provided , however , that the amount determined in the case of (A) or (B) above shall not exceed, in the case of any such Person, the amount of Investments previously made and treated as Restricted Payments by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in such Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may take the following actions, provided that, in the case of clauses (i) or (iv), immediately after giving effect to such action, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing:
(i) the payment of any dividend on Capital Interests in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days after declaration thereof if at the declaration date such payment would not have been prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this covenant;
(ii) the retirement of any Qualified Capital Interests of the Company by conversion into, or by or in exchange for, Qualified Capital Interests, or out of net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company;
(iii) the redemption, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition or retirement for value of any Debt of the Company that is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes (or, in the case of Debt of a Guarantor, subordinate in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Guarantee of the Notes) out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of (x) new subordinated Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in accordance with this Indenture or (y) of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company;

 

-40-


 

(iv) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of Capital Interests in the Company held by future, current or former employees, officers or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) upon death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or pursuant to the terms of any agreement under which such Capital Interests were issued; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for such purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of such Capital Interests does not exceed $5.0 million in any calendar year; provided , however that any unused amounts in any calendar year may be carried forward to one or more future periods (in each case, plus the amount of any proceeds received in respect of key-man life insurance);
(v) the repurchase of Capital Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible or exchangeable securities; and
(vi) other Restricted Payments not in excess of (x) $25.0 million in the aggregate if after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, (y) $40 million in the aggregate if after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 3.00 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 or (y) $60.0 million in the aggregate if after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 2.00 to 1.00.
If the Company makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, would be permitted under the requirements of this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustment made in good faith to the Company’s financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income.
If any Person in which an Investment is made, which Investment constitutes a Restricted Payment when made, thereafter becomes a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Indenture, all such Investments previously made in such Person shall no longer be counted as Restricted Payments for purposes of calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (c) of the first paragraph under this Section 4.7, in each case to the extent such Investments would otherwise be so counted.
For purposes of this Section 4.7, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that a proposed Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in clauses (i) through (vi) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be entitled to classify such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) on the date of its payment in any manner that complies with this covenant and such Restricted Payment will be treated as having been made pursuant to only such clause or clauses or the first paragraph of this covenant.

 

-41-


 

SECTION 4.8 Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, cause or suffer to exist or become effective or enter into any encumbrance or restriction (other than pursuant to this Indenture, law or regulation) on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to the following encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(a) any encumbrance or restriction in existence on the Issue Date, including those required by the Credit Agreement and any agreement, document or instrument in connection therewith and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend or other payment restrictions than those contained in these agreements on the Issue Date, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors;
(b) any encumbrance or restriction contained in any agreement, document or instrument governing Debt Incurred after the Issue Date in accordance with Section 4.9, provided that such agreements, documents or instruments are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend or other payment restrictions than those contained in the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors;
(c) any encumbrance or restriction which exists with respect to a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on or after the Issue Date, which is in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, but not created in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, and which is not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or assets of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;
(d) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to any agreement effecting a permitted renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension of Debt issued pursuant to an agreement containing any encumbrance or restriction referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d) or clauses (m), (n) or (o) below, so long as the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such refinancing agreement are no less favorable in any material respect to the Holders than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Debt being renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or extended in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company;
(e) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease, contract, or license of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreement or any rights thereunder;

 

-42-


 

(f) any restriction on the sale or other disposition of assets or property securing Debt as a result of a Permitted Lien on such assets or property;
(g) any encumbrance or restriction by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order;
(h) any encumbrance or restriction under the sale of assets, including, without limitation, any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(i) any instrument governing Debt or Capital Interests of a Person acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Debt or Capital Interests was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Debt, such Debt was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
(j) purchase money obligations (including Capital Lease Obligations) for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and security documents related thereto that impose restrictions on that property so acquired of the nature described in clause (iii) of the first paragraph hereof;
(k) Liens securing Debt otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens; and
(l) customary provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements otherwise permitted by this Indenture entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements.
Nothing contained in this Section 4.8 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (i) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted in Section 4.12 or (ii) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred in accordance with this Indenture.
SECTION 4.9 Limitation on Incurrence of Debt .
The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Debt, including Acquired Debt, or permit any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Incur Preferred Interest, except that the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Debt, including Acquired Debt, if, at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence thereof and the application of the proceeds therefrom, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 4.50 to 1.00.

 

-43-


 

Notwithstanding the first paragraph above, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur “Permitted Debt” as follows:
(i) Debt Incurred pursuant to any Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $125.0 million minus any amount used to permanently repay Secured Debt under such Credit Facilities (or permanently reduce commitments with respect thereto) pursuant to Section 4.10, covenant, if, at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence thereof and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 4.50 to 1.0; provided , however , that $50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Debt may be incurred pursuant to this clause (i) regardless of whether or not after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence thereof and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is less than 4.50 to 1.0;
(ii) Debt outstanding under the Notes on the Issue Date (and any Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement) and contribution, indemnification and reimbursement obligations owed by the Company or any Guarantor to any of the other of them in respect of amounts paid or payable on such Notes;
(iii) Guarantees of the Notes (and any Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement);
(iv) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date (other than clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above);
(v) Debt owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(vi) Guarantees Incurred by the Company of Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted to be Incurred under the Indenture as Permitted Debt or in accordance with the first paragraph of this Section 4.9;
(vii) Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt under any Credit Facility, provided that (a) such Debt is Permitted Debt or is otherwise Incurred in accordance the first paragraph of this Section 4.9 and (b) such Guarantees are subordinated to the Notes to the same extent, if any, as the Debt being guaranteed;
(viii) Debt under Swap Contracts, Interest Rate Protection Obligations and Currency Hedge Obligations;
(ix) Debt owed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that if for any reason such Debt ceases to be held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, such Debt shall cease to be Permitted Debt and shall be deemed Incurred as Debt of the Company for purposes of the Indenture;
(x) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Capital Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt under this clause (x), provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Debt, together with the principal amount of any other Debt then outstanding pursuant to this clause (x), does not exceed $25.0 million in the aggregate;

 

-44-


 

(xi) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of Preferred Interests; provided , however , that:
(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Interests that results in any such Preferred Interests being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and
(b) any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Interests to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Interests by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (xi);
(xii) Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such Debt is extinguished within five Business Days of Incurrence;
(xiii) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 4.9, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25.0 million at any time outstanding;
(xiv) Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $5.0 million and (y) the sum of (A) 85% of the book value of the accounts receivable of such Restricted Subsidiaries and (B) 75% of the book value of the inventory of such Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, calculated in accordance with GAAP; and
(xv) Refinancing Debt.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debt permitted under clauses (i), (ii), and (xi) above shall not constitute “Refinancing Debt” under clause (xv) above.
For purposes of determining any particular amount of Debt under this Section 4.9, (x) Debt under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date shall at all times be treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (i) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.9 and (y) Guarantees or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting Debt otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.9, in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Debt described above, including categories of Permitted Debt and under the first paragraph of this Section 4.9, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and from time to time may reclassify, all or any portion of such item of Debt.
The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest on Debt in the form of additional Debt or payment of dividends on Capital Interests in the forms of additional shares of Capital Interests with the same terms will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this covenant.
The Company and any Guarantor will not Incur any Debt that pursuant to its terms is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Debt unless such Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the Note Guarantees to the same extent; provided that Debt will not be considered subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Debt solely by virtue of being unsecured or secured to a greater or lesser extent or with greater or lower priority or by virtue of its structural subordination.

 

-45-


 

SECTION 4.10 Limitation on Asset Sales .
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Capital Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(2) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of their receipt to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and
(c) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed $10.0 million (with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net Cash Proceeds at its option:
(1) to permanently repay secured Debt of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or satisfy all mandatory repayment obligations under any Credit Facility arising by reason of such Asset Sale and, if the Debt repaid is revolving credit Debt, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;
(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Interests of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Interests, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(3) to make a capital expenditure in or that is used or useful in a Permitted Business;
(4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business; or
(5) any combination of the foregoing.

 

-46-


 

Any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding two paragraphs of this covenant will constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, within thirty days thereof, the Company will be required to make an Offer to Purchase to all Holders of Notes and Additional Notes, in an aggregate amount equal to the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Offer to Purchase will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Offer to Purchase, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Additional Notes debt tendered into such Offer to Purchase exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and such Additional Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, and if necessary by lot or by any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate so long as the minimum denomination of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof are maintained. Upon completion of each Offer to Purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.
The Company will comply with the requirements of any applicable securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.
SECTION 4.11 Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates .
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of related transactions (including, but not limited to, the purchase, sale or exchange of property, the making of any Investment, the giving of any Guarantee or the rendering of any service) with any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than transactions solely among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless;
(i) such business, transaction or series of related transactions is on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction between unaffiliated parties; and
(ii) with respect to an Affiliate Transaction involving an amount or having a value in excess of $10.0 million, the Company delivers a resolution of the Board of Directors certifying that such business, transaction or series of related transactions complies with clause (i) above; and
(iii) in the case of an Affiliate Transaction involving an amount or having a value in excess of $25.0 million, the Company must obtain a written opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking, accounting or appraisal firm stating that the transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view.
For purposes of determining the value of any Affiliate Transaction for purposes of this covenant with respect to any lease, agreement or other arrangement providing for payments over a period of time, the value of such Affiliate Transaction shall equal the aggregate amount of payments that are to be made over a five (5) year period from the commencement of such Affiliate Transaction.

 

-47-


 

The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to:
(1) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 4.7 and Permitted Investments permitted under this Indenture,
(2) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and indemnities to members of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary who are outside directors,
(3) the payment of reasonable and customary compensation and other benefits (including retirement, health, option, deferred compensation and other benefit plans) and indemnities to officers and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as determined by the Board of Directors thereof in good faith,
(4) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries,
(5) the issuance of Capital Interests (other than Redeemable Capital Interests) of the Company otherwise permitted hereunder,
(6) any agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendment or modification thereto so long as such amendment or modification is, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, no more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Company, and
(7) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.
SECTION 4.12 Limitation on Liens .
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind, other than Permitted Liens, on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom without securing the Notes and all other amounts due under this Indenture (for so long as such Lien exists) equally and ratably with (or prior to) the obligation or liability secured by such Lien.
SECTION 4.13 Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control .
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an Offer to Purchase (the “ Change of Control Offer ”) all of the outstanding Notes at a Purchase Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount tendered, together with accrued interest, if any, to but not including the Purchase Date (subject to the right of Holders of Notes of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due to an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Purchase Date) (the “ Change of Control Payment ”). For purposes of the foregoing, an Offer to Purchase shall be deemed to have been made if (i) not later than 30 days following the date of the consummation of a transaction or series of transactions that constitutes a Change of Control, the Company commences an Offer to Purchase all outstanding Notes at the Purchase Price ( provided that the running of such 30-day period shall be suspended, for up to a maximum of 30 days, during any period when the commencement of such Offer to Purchase is delayed or suspended by reason of any court’s or governmental authority’s review of or ruling on any materials being employed by the Company to effect such Offer to Purchase, so long as the Company has used and continues to use its commercial best efforts to make and conclude such Offer to Purchase promptly) and (ii) all Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase are purchased on the terms of such Offer to Purchase. The Company may commence an Offer to Purchase in respect of a Change of Control prior to the consummation of such Change of Control if a definitive agreement for such Change of Control is in place at the time of such Offer to Purchase. If the Offer to Purchase is commenced prior to the occurrence of the Change of Control, the Offer may be conditioned upon the occurrence of the Change of Control. The Company shall comply with the requirements of any applicable securities laws and any regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control.

 

-48-


 

The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, or (ii) a notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.7.
To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such conflict.
SECTION 4.14 Corporate Existence .
Subject to Section 4.13 and Article V hereof, as the case may be, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 4.15 Limitation on Business Activities .
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Permitted Business.
SECTION 4.16 Additional Note Guarantees .
If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the Issue Date, then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary (i) will become a Guarantor and execute a supplemental indenture and (ii) shall deliver an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, that all conditions precedent to the execution of the supplemental indenturehave been complied and that the supplemental indenture is the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the applicable Guarantor in accordance with its terms, within 10 Business Days of the date on which it was acquired or created; provided , that to the extent a Domestic Subsidiary is (x) subject to any instrument governing Acquired Debt, as in effect at the time of acquisition thereof, that prohibits such Domestic Subsidiary from issuing a Note Guarantee, or (y) is prohibited by law from guaranteeing the Notes or would experience adverse regulatory consequences as a result of guaranteeing the Notes, then such Domestic Subsidiary shall not be required to guarantee the Notes until it is permitted to do so pursuant to the terms of such Acquired Debt or such legal or regulatory limitations.

 

-49-


 

SECTION 4.17 Limitation on Creation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries .
The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company to be an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” as provided below, in which event such Subsidiary and each other Person that is then or thereafter becomes a Subsidiary of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary. An Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not be subject to any of the covenants in this Indenture, notwithstanding any provisions hereof which restrict the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from engaging in transactions directly or indirectly.
The Company may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Interests of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that either:
(x) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less; or
(y) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 4.9; and provided further that the Company could make a Restricted Payment in an amount equal to the portion attributable to the Company (based on the proportion of the Capital Interests held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary) of the greater of the Fair Market Value or book value of such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.7 and such amount is thereafter treated as a Restricted Payment for the purpose of calculating the amount available for Restricted Payments thereunder.
An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be designated as a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) all the Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary could be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9 and (ii) all the Liens on the property and assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary could be incurred pursuant to Section 4.12.
SECTION 4.18 Further Instruments and Acts .
Upon request by the Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.19 Excess Cash Flow .
Within 15 days after the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for the filing of a 10-K if the Company were required to file such form as a non-accelerated filer (such date, the “Excess Cash Flow Offer Trigger Date”), the Company will calculate the amount of Excess Cash Flow for the Excess Cash Flow Period. If Excess Cash Flow for the Excess Cash Flow Period is a positive number and the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio exceeds 3.75 to 1.00 on such Excess Cash Flow Offer Trigger Date, the Company shall either:
(1) prepay, repay, redeem or purchase Obligations under the Credit Facility and permanently reduce the related loan commitment thereunder; or
(2) make an Offer to Purchase to all holders to purchase Notes pursuant to an Excess Cash Flow Offer on the dates and as provided below;

 

-50-


 

provided, that if the terms of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Credit Facility under clause (i) of the second paragraph of Section 4.9 do not permit the consummation of an Excess Cash Flow Offer with respect to any Excess Cash Flow Period, the failure to apply the Excess Cash Flow Amount in accordance with clauses (1) or (2) above shall not be a breach of this Indenture; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to consummate the Excess Cash Flow Offer if after giving pro forma effect to the payment of the Excess Cash Flow Amount, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not have total liquidity (which for purposes hereof, shall equal the sum of cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents and availability under the Credit Facility) of at least $50.0 million.
If the Company elects to apply the Excess Cash Flow Amount pursuant to clause (1) above, then such prepayment, repayment, redemption or purchase pursuant to clause (1) shall be made no later than 30 days after the Excess Cash Flow Offer Trigger Date. If the Company elects to apply the Excess Cash Flow Amount to make an Offer to Purchase the Notes pursuant to clause (2) above (each, an “Excess Cash Flow Offer”), then such Offer to Purchase (i) shall be made to each holder at the time of such Offer to Purchase, (ii) shall be made at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the Notes and (iii) shall remain open for a period of not less than 20 business days (or any longer period as is required by law).
If the Company is required to make an Excess Cash Flow Offer pursuant to this Section 4.19, no later than 30 days after the Excess Cash Flow Offer Trigger Date, the Company will mail a notice (the “Excess Cash Flow Notice”) of such Excess Cash Flow Offer to each holder stating:
(1) that the Company is offering to purchase Notes in an amount equal to the Excess Cash Flow Amount (determined after giving effect to any prepayments, repayments, redemptions or purchases of Obligations under the Credit Facility made pursuant to subsection (1) above of this Section 4.19) at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
(2) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and
(3) the instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with the covenant described hereunder, that a holder must follow in order to tender its Notes.
If the aggregate purchase price of the Notes tendered in connection with any Excess Cash Flow Offer exceeds the Excess Cash Flow Amount allotted to their purchase, the trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in denominations of $1,000 principal amount or multiples thereof. If the aggregate purchase price of the Notes tendered in connection with any Excess Cash Flow Offer is less than the Excess Cash Flow Amount allotted to their purchase, the Company shall be permitted to use the portion of the Excess Cash Flow Amount that is not applied to the purchase of Notes in connection with such Excess Cash Flow Offer for general corporate purposes or for any other purposes not prohibited by this Indenture.
The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Excess Cash Flow Offer. To the extent the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.19, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.19.

 

-51-


 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS
SECTION 5.1 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .
The Company will not in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any other Person (other than a merger of a Restricted Subsidiary into the Company in which the Company is the continuing Person, or the merger of a Restricted Subsidiary into or with another Restricted Subsidiary or another Person that as a result of such transaction becomes or merges into a Restricted Subsidiary), or transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis), taken as a whole, to any other Person, unless:
(i) either: (a) the Company shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the Person that acquires, by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition, all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company (such Person, the “ Surviving Entity ”), (1) shall be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (2) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Notes and the performance of the covenants and obligations of the Company under this Indenture; provided that at any time the Company or its successor is not a corporation, there shall be a co-issuer of the Notes that is a corporation;
(ii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to any such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions) as if such transaction or series of transactions had occurred on the first day of the determination period, the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not continuing) could Incur $1.00 of additional Debt (other than Permitted Debt) under the first paragraph of Section 4.9; and
(iv) the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with the requirements of this Indenture.
The preceding clause (iii) will not prohibit:
(a) a merger between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary that is a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

-52-


 

(b) a merger between the Company and an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of converting the Company into a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision or state thereof;
so long as, in each case, the amount of Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
For all purposes of this Indenture and the Notes, Subsidiaries of any Surviving Entity will, upon such transaction or series of transactions, become Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries as provided pursuant to this Indenture and all Debt, and all Liens on property or assets, of the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries that was not Debt, or were not Liens on property or assets, of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions shall be deemed to have been Incurred upon such transaction or series of transactions.
Upon any transaction or series of transactions that are of the type described in, and are effected in accordance with, conditions described in the immediately preceding paragraphs, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named as the Company therein; and when a Surviving Person duly assumes all of the obligations and covenants of the Company pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all such obligations.
SECTION 5.2 Successor Corporation Substituted .
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and shall exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein.
ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.1 Events of Default .
Each of the following constitutes an “ Event of Default ”:
(1) default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note at its maturity (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);
(2) default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(3) failure by the Company to make an Offer to Purchase as required by this Indenture, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days after receipt of written notice;

 

-53-


 

(4) failure to perform or comply with Section 5.1;
(5) except as permitted herein, any Note Guarantee shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any Guarantor or the Company not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(6) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (1), (2) or (3) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided that in the case of a failure to comply with Section 4.3, such period of continuance of such default or breach shall be 90 days after written notice described in this clause (6) has been given;
(7) a default or defaults under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of Debt (other than the Notes) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least $15.0 million, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or shall constitute a failure to pay at least $15.0 million of such Debt when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;
(8) the entry against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final non-appealable judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $15.0 million, by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days and, in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, any enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment which is not promptly stayed; or
(9) (i) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences a voluntary case,
(b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(c) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(e) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

 

-54-


 

(ii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;
(b) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(c) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 6.2 Acceleration .
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (9) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided , however , that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided herein.
In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (7) of Section 6.1 has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (7) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (9) of Section 6.1 occurs with respect to the Company, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any Default (except Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest) if the Trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders to do so.

 

-55-


 

In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.
SECTION 6.3 Other Remedies .
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
SECTION 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults .
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes (other than as a result of an acceleration), which shall require the consent of all of the Holders of the Notes then outstanding.
SECTION 6.5 Control by Majority .
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust power conferred on it. However, (i) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in Personal liability, and (ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. In case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder shall offer to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
SECTION 6.6 Limitation on Suits .
A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
(a) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default or the Trustee receives such notice from the Company;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

-56-


 

(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of such indemnity or security; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note. A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.
SECTION 6.7 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment .
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee .
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
SECTION 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable upon the conversion or exchange of the Notes or on any such claims and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

-57-


 

SECTION 6.10 Priorities .
If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
First : to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.7 hereof, including payment of all reasonable compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second : to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest respectively;
Third : without duplication, to the Holders for any other Obligations owing to the Holders under this Indenture and the Notes; and
Fourth : to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.
SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs .
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.1 Duties of Trustee .
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture or the TIA and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture or the TIA and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

-58-


 

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions furnished to it to determine whether or not they conform to the form requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.1;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by an officer of the Trustee, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.1.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
SECTION 7.2 Rights of Trustee .
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. Prior to taking, suffering or admitting any action, the Trustee may consult with counsel of the Trustee’s own choosing and the Trustee shall be fully protected from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in conclusive reliance on the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture. Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution. Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate.

 

-59-


 

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company or a Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an officer of the Company or such Guarantor.
(f) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or documents, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine during normal business hours the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(h) The rights, privileges, protections and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its rights to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Persons employed to act hereunder.
(i) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(j) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
SECTION 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee .
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
SECTION 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer .
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company’s or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes, any statement or recital on any Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee under Article IV or Section 8.4 or 10.4 hereof, or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

-60-


 

SECTION 7.5 Notice of Defaults .
If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
SECTION 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes .
Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Company has informed the Trustee in writing the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
SECTION 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity .
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall agree in writing, provided that such amounts set forth in fee letter from the Company shall be deemed reasonable. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services, except any such disbursements, advances or expenses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee (which for purposes of this Section 7.7 shall include its officers, directors, employees and agents) against any and all claims, damage, losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture (excluding taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section 7.7) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder except to the extent any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent such failure to notify the Company shall materially prejudice the Company (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses). The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee and its agents subject to the claim may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one such counsel; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to pay such fees and expenses if, subject to the approval of the Trustee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), it assumes the Trustee’s defense and there is no conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee and its agents subject to the claim in connection with such defense as reasonably determined by the Trustee.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

-61-


 

The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.7 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal or interest, if any, on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(9) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
SECTION 7.8 Replacement of Trustee .
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.8.
The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

-62-


 

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and the duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.7 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc .
If the Trustee or any Agent consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee or any Agent, as applicable; provided that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII.
SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification .
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power and that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. The Trustee together with its affiliates shall at all times have a combined capital surplus of at least $150.0 million as set forth in its most recent annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(l), (2) and (5). The Trustee shall be subject to TIA § 310(b) including the provision in § 310(b)(1); provided that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities, or conflicts of interest or participation in other securities, of the Company or the Guarantors are outstanding if the requirements for exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.
SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company .
The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
SECTION 7.12 Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company .
Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than twenty Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

 

-63-


 

SECTION 7.13 Limitation of Liability .
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “ Bank ”) is entering into this Indenture and the other documents contemplated thereby and related thereto to which it is a party solely in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity (except as expressly stated herein) and in no case shall the Bank (or any Person acting as successor trustee under this Indenture) be personally liable for or on account of any of the statements, representations, warranties, covenants or obligations stated to be those of the Company hereunder or thereunder, all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by the parties hereto and any Person claiming by, through or under such party, provided , however , that the Bank (or any such successor trustee) shall be liable hereunder and thereunder for its own negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. In no event shall the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or in any other capacity hereunder, be liable under or in connection with this Indenture for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including but not limited to lost profits, whether or not foreseeable, even if the Trustee has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
ARTICLE VIII
LEGAL DEFEASANCE, COVENANT DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 8.1 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .
The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.
SECTION 8.2 Legal Defeasance .
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.4(a); (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10 and 4.2 hereof; (c) the rights, powers, trusts, benefits and immunities of the Trustee, including without limitation under Sections 7.7, 8.5 and 8.7 hereof and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; (d) the Company’s rights pursuant to Sections 3.7 and 3.9; and (e) the provisions of this Article VIII. Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.3 hereof.

 

-64-


 

SECTION 8.3 Covenant Defeasance .
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.19 and 5.1 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, Sections 6.1(4) through (6) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default. In addition, the Note Guarantees will be terminated and released and the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Note Guarantees upon a Covenant Defeasance.
SECTION 8.4 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof to the outstanding Notes:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) the Company must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefit of, the Holders of such Notes: (A) money in an amount, or (B) Government Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient without reinvestment, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, the entire indebtedness in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Notes on the Stated Maturity thereof or (if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) the Redemption Date thereof, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Notes;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Notes will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Legal Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Legal Defeasance and discharge were not to occur;

 

-65-


 

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the Holders of such outstanding Notes will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur;
(4) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the outstanding Notes shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect thereto;
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the TIA (assuming all Notes are in default within the meaning of the TIA);
(6) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; and
(7) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
In the event of a Legal Defeasance or a Discharge, a Holder whose taxable year straddles the deposit of funds and the distribution in redemption to such Holder would be subject to tax on any gain (whether characterized as capital gain or market discount) in the year of deposit rather than in the year of receipt. In connection with a Discharge, in the event the Company become insolvent within the applicable preference period after the date of deposit, monies held for the payment of the Notes may be part of the bankruptcy estate of the Company, disbursement of such monies may be subject to the automatic stay of the Bankruptcy Code and monies disbursed to Holders may be subject to disgorgement in favor of the Company’s estate. Similar results may apply upon the insolvency of the Company during the applicable preference period following the deposit of monies in connection with defeasance.
SECTION 8.5 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .
Subject to Section 8.6 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.5, the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust, shall not be invested, and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or any Subsidiary acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

-66-


 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company and be relieved of all liability with respect to any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.4(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
SECTION 8.6 Repayment to Company .
Subject to applicable law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Note and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.
SECTION 8.7 Reinstatement .
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Company make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment `from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
SECTION 8.8 Discharge .
This Indenture will be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except for those provisions which expressly survive termination of this Indenture), and the Trustee, upon request and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if;
(1) either: (A) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year (a “ Discharge ”) under irrevocable arrangements for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or date of redemption;

 

-67-


 

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture by the Company;
(3) the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be; and
(5) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the Discharge have been complied with.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 9.1 Without Consent of Holders of the Notes .
Notwithstanding Section 9.2 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holders, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture and the Guarantees for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company in this Indenture, the Guarantees and in the Notes;
(2) to secure the Notes, to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(3) to add additional Events of Default;
(4) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of the certificated Notes;
(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture by a successor Trustee;
(6) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

-68-


 

(7) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualifications of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(8) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in this Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in this Indenture, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such actions pursuant to this clause shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(9) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in the “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Notes, as certified to the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Company.
SECTION 9.2 With Consent of Holders of Notes .
With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to this Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture, including the definitions herein; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the Redemption Price therefor,
(2) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture,
(3) modify the obligations of the Company to make Offers to Purchase upon a Change of Control or from the Excess Proceeds of Asset Sales if such modification was done after the occurrence of such Change of Control or such Asset Sale,
(4) subordinate, in right of payment, the Notes to any other Debt of the Company,
(5) modify any of the provisions of this paragraph or provisions relating to waiver of defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby, or
(6) release any Guarantees required to be maintained under this Indenture (other than in accordance with this Indenture).

 

-69-


 

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past default under this Indenture and its consequences, except a default:
(1) in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Company) (except that a rescission of acceleration of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration may be made by Holders of not less than a majority of the Notes), or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
SECTION 9.3 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act .
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
SECTION 9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents .
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. When an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it thereafter binds every Holder.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for determining which Holders consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver. If the Company fix a record date, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished for the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof or (ii) such other date as the Company shall designate.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (6) of Section 9.2, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Note who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note; provided , however , that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, and interest on, a Note, on or after the respective due dates therefor, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.

 

-70-


 

SECTION 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Notes .
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 9.6 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc .
The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company and the Guarantors may not sign an amendment or supplemental indenture until their respective Boards of Directors approve it. In signing or refusing to sign any amendment or supplemental indenture the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.1 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived, that such amendment or supplemental indenture is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company (and the Guarantors where applicable) in accordance with its terms.
ARTICLE X
NOTE GUARANTEES
SECTION 10.1 Note Guarantees .
(a) Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the Notes and obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder, and guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee on behalf of such Holder, that: (i) the principal of and premium, if any and interest on the Notes shall be paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise (including, without limitation, the amount that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code), together with interest on the overdue principal, if any, and interest on any overdue interest, to the extent lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or of any such other obligations, the same shall be paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Each of the Note Guarantees shall be a guarantee of payment and not of collection.
(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor.

 

-71-


 

(c) Each Guarantor hereby waives the benefits of diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company or any other Person, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor shall not be discharged as to any Note except by complete performance of the obligations contained in such Note and such Note Guarantee or as provided for in this Indenture. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that, in the event of a default in payment of principal or premium, if any or interest on such Note, whether at its Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption, purchase or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holder of such Note, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against each of the Guarantors to enforce such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor. Each Guarantor agrees that if, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee or any of the Holders are prevented by applicable law from exercising their respective rights to accelerate the maturity of the Notes, to collect interest on the Notes, or to enforce or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Notes, such Guarantor shall pay to the Trustee for the account of the Holders, upon demand therefor, the amount that would otherwise have been due and payable had such rights and remedies been permitted to be exercised by the Trustee or any of the Holders.
(d) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or any Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either Issuer or any Guarantor, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee or such Holder, the Note Guarantee of each of the Guarantors, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. This paragraph (d) shall remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may be taken by the Trustee or any Holder in reliance upon such amount required to be returned. This paragraph (d) shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
(e) Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between each Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI hereof for the purposes of the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VI hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor.
SECTION 10.2 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee .
To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1, each Guarantor agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. Such notation of Note Guarantee shall be signed on behalf of such Guarantor by an officer of such Guarantor (or, if an officer is not available, by a board member or director) on behalf of such Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature. In case the officer, board member or director of such Guarantor who shall have signed such notation of Note Guarantee shall cease to be such officer, board member or director before the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, such Note nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered as though the Person who signed such notation of Note Guarantee had not ceased to be such officer, board member or director.
Each Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 shall remain in full force and effect and apply to all the Notes notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee. The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

-72-


 

SECTION 10.3 Severability .
In case any provision of any Note Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 10.4 Limitation of Guarantors’ Liability .
Each Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law or the provisions of its local law relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount that will not, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes a payment for distribution under its Note Guarantee is entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the adjusted net assets of each Guarantor.
SECTION 10.5 Releases Following Sale of Assets .
Any Guarantor shall be released and relieved of any obligations under this Note Guarantee in the event of a sale or other transfer or disposition of all of the Capital Interests in any Guarantor to any Person that is not (after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, or in the event all or substantially all the assets or Capital Interests of a Guarantor are sold or otherwise transferred, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not (after giving effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in compliance with the terms of this Indenture. Upon delivery to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under this Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article X.
SECTION 10.6 Release of a Guarantor .
Any Guarantor that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall, at such time, be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged of its obligations under its Note Guarantee without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Note Guarantees will also be terminated and released and the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Note Guarantees upon a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. In addition, upon a sale of Capital Interests which causes a Guarantor to cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary, such Guarantor shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged of its obligations under its Note Guarantee without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder; provided that such sale of Capital Interests does not violate any provision of this Indenture. The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release upon receipt of the Company’s request for such release accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate certifying as to the compliance with this Section 10.6. Any Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes as provided in its Note Guarantee.

 

-73-


 

SECTION 10.7 Benefits Acknowledged .
Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that its guarantee and waivers pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
SECTION 10.8 Future Guarantors .
Each future Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor. Within ten (10) days of becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture and other agreements making such Subsidiary a party to this Indenture.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls .
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
SECTION 11.2 Notices .
Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others address:
If to the Company:
American Reprographics Company
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Facsimile: (925) 949-5102
Attention: Legal Department
With a copy to:
Hanson Bridgett LLP
425 Market Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Facsimile: (415) 995-3431
Attention: Teresa V. Pahl, Esq.

 

-74-


 

If to the Trustee:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
Corporate Trust Services
707 Wilshire Blvd, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Facsimile: 213-614-3355
Attention: American Reprographics Company Administrator
If for Payments, Transfers and Exchanges to the Trustee as Regirstrar:
Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.
MAC N9303-121
608 2 nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479
Facsimile: (866) 969-1290
With a copy to:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
Corporate Trust Administration
707 Wilshire Blvd, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
Facsimile: (213) 614-3355
Attention: Corporate Trust Administrator – American
Reprographics Company Administrator
The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier promising next Business Day delivery.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail or by overnight air courier promising next Business Day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notices or communications given to the Trustee, which shall be effective only upon actual receipt.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to DTC (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from DTC or its designee.

 

-75-


 

      SECTION 11.3 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
SECTION 11.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture (other than the initial issuance of the Notes), the Company shall furnish to the Trustee upon request:
(a) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
SECTION 11.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
SECTION 11.6 Rules by Trustee and Agents .
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

-76-


 

SECTION 11.7 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders .
No director, officer, employee, stockholder, general or limited partner or incorporator, past, present or future, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any Personal liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, or of any Guarantor under any Note Guarantee or this Indenture by reason of his, her or its status as such director, officer, employee, stockholder, general or limited partner or incorporator. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
SECTION 11.8 Governing Law .
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY. The parties to this Indenture each hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Notes, the Note Guarantees or this Indenture, and all such parties hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or federal court and hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent that they may legally do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 11.9 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION 11.10 Successors .
All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees, as applicable, shall bind their respective successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.
SECTION 11.11 Severability .
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 11.12 Counterpart Originals .
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

-77-


 

SECTION 11.13 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 11.14 Acts of Holders .
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in Person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “ Act ” of Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 11.14.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such signer’s individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of such signer’s authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Holder list maintained under Section 2.05 hereunder.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

-78-


 

SECTION 11.15 USA PATRIOT Act .
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
SECTION 11.16 Force Majeure .
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
[Signatures on following page]

 

-79-


 

         
Dated as of December 1, 2010  AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ KUMARAKULASINGAM SURIYAKUMAR    
    Name:   KUMARAKULASINGAM SURIYKUMAR   
    Title:   President & CEO   
Signature Page to Indenture

 

 


 

         
  AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY, L.L.C.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS SOUTHEAST, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  ARC ACQUISITION CORPORATION
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  BLUE PRINT SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  BPI REPRO, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  DUNN BLUE PRINT COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  ERS DIGITAL, INC. (F/K/A ENGINEERING REPRO-SYSTEMS, INC.)
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   

 

 


 

         
  LEET-MELBROOK, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  LICENSING SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  MBC PRECISION IMAGING, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  MCKEE ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  MIRROR PLUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  OLYMPIC REPROGRAPHICS, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  PENINSULA BLUEPRINT, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
         
  PLANWELL, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   

 

 


 

         
  REPROGRAPHICS FORT WORTH, INC. (F/K/A WILCO
REPROGRAPHICS, INC.)
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
  REPROGRAPHICS NORTHWEST, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
  RIDGWAY’S, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
  SUBHUB, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
  THE PEIR GROUP, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
 
  THE PEIR GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   

 

 


 

         
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,    
    as Trustee
 
 
  By:   /s/ MADDY HALL    
    Name:   Maddy Hall   
    Title:   Vice President   
Signature Page to Indenture

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A
FORM OF NOTE
(Face of 10.5% Senior Note)
10.5% Senior Notes due 2016
[Global Notes Legend]
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE.
[Restricted Notes Legend]
THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1)(a) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (b) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A FOREIGN PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF APPLICABLE) OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (2) TO THE COMPANY OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.

 

A-1


 

[Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend]
THIS SECURITY IS A REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE. EXCEPT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, NO TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE OF AN INTEREST IN THIS TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE MADE FOR AN INTEREST IN THE RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. NO EXCHANGE OF AN INTEREST IN THIS TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE MADE FOR AN INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE EXCEPT (A) ON OR AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND (B) UPON DELIVERY OF THE OWNER NOTES CERTIFICATION AND THE TRANSFEREE NOTES CERTIFICATION RELATING TO SUCH INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE INDENTURE.
UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING OF THE NOTES, AN OFFER OR SALE OF THE NOTES WITHIN THE UNITED STATES BY A DEALER (AS DEFINED IN THE SECURITIES ACT) MAY VIOLATE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT IF SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS MADE OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

A-2


 

     
No.     CUSIP NO.          
American Reprographics Company
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the principal sum of            Dollars ($            ) on December 15, 2016.
Interest Payment Dates: June 15, and December 15, beginning June 15, 2011
Record Dates: June 1 and December 1
Reference is made to further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-3


 

         
  AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
This is one of the 10.5% Senior Notes
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
Dated:                     
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
   as Trustee
         
By:
       
 
       

 

A-4


 

(Back of 10.5% Senior Note)
10.5% Senior Notes due 2016
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
(1) Interest .
(a) American Reprographics Company, a Delaware corporation, or its successor (together, the “Company”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this 10.5% Senior Note at a fixed rate. The Company will pay interest in United States dollars (except as otherwise provided herein) semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, commencing on June 15, 2011 or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the 10.5% Senior Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from December 1, 2010; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this 10.5% Senior Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (but after December 1, 2010), interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of 10.5% Senior Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the 10.5% Senior Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The interest rate on the Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application.
(b)  Registration Rights Agreement . The Holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Guarantors party thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several initial purchasers. 1
(2)  Method of Payment . The Company will pay interest on the 10.5% Senior Notes (except defaulted interest) on the applicable Interest Payment Date to the Persons who are registered Holders of 10.5% Senior Notes at the close of business on the June 1 and December 1 preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such 10.5% Senior Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The 10.5% Senior Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, all Global Notes and all other 10.5% Senior Notes the Holders of which shall have provided written wire transfer instructions to the Company and the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
 
     
1   To be included only in the Initial Notes on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes that bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

A-5


 

Any payments of principal of this 10.5% Senior Note prior to Stated Maturity shall be binding upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted hereon. The amount due and payable at the maturity of this Note shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Note at an office of the Trustee or the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes.
(3)  Paying Agent and Registrar . Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
(4)  Indenture . The Company issued the 10.5% Senior Notes under an Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2010 (the “Indenture”), among American Reprographics Company and the Trustee. The terms of the 10.5% Senior Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made a part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “TIA”). To the extent the provisions of this 10.5% Senior Note are inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, the Indenture shall govern. The 10.5% Senior Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The 10.5% Senior Notes issued on the Issue Date are senior Obligations of the Company limited to $200,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, plus amounts, if any, sufficient to pay premium and interest on outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes as set forth in Paragraph 2 hereof. The Indenture permits the issuance of Additional Notes subject to compliance with certain conditions.
The payment of principal and interest on the 10.5% Senior Notes is unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Guarantors.
(5) Optional Redemption .
(a) The Notes are subject to redemption, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after December 15, 2013, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture) at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning September 1 of the years indicated:
         
    Redemption  
Year   Price  
       
2013
    105.250 %
2014
    102.625 %
2015 and thereafter
    100.000 %

 

A-6


 

(b) In addition to the optional redemption of the Notes in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may, with the net proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (which include Additional Notes, if any) at a Redemption Price equal to 110.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (which include Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries) and that any such redemption occurs within 90 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.
(c) At any time prior to December 15, 2013, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date
(6)  Mandatory Redemption . The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the 10.5% Senior Notes.
(7) Repurchase at Option of Holder .
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of such Holder’s 10.5% Senior Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at an offer price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of purchase. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer required by the Indenture.
(b) Upon the occurrence of certain Asset Sales, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes.
(c) Holders of the 10.5% Senior Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive notice of an Offer to Purchase pursuant to an Asset Sale or a Change of Control from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such 10.5% Senior Notes purchased by completing the form titled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” appearing below.
(8)  Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose 10.5% Senior Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. 10.5% Senior Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the 10.5% Senior Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on the 10.5% Senior Notes or portions hereof called for redemption so long as the Company timely delivers funds to the Trustee for such redemption.
(9)  Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The 10.5% Senior Notes are in registered form without coupons in initial denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of the 10.5% Senior Notes may be registered and the 10.5% Senior Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any 10.5% Senior Note or portion of a 10.5% Senior Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any 10.5% Senior Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any 10.5% Senior Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of 10.5% Senior Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

 

A-7


 

(10)  Persons Deemed Owners . The registered holder of a 10.5% Senior Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
(11)  Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . Subject to the following paragraphs, the Indenture and the 10.5% Senior Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes, including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or, tender offer or exchange offer for 10.5% Senior Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the 10.5% Senior Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding 10.5% Senior Notes, including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for 10.5% Senior Notes.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture and the Guarantees for any of the following purposes:
(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company in the Indenture, the Guarantees and in the Notes;
(2) to secure the Notes, to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(3) to add additional Events of Default;
(4) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of the certificated Notes;
(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture by a successor Trustee;
(6) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(7) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision in this Indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in this Indenture, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture, provided that such actions pursuant to this clause shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or
(8) to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in the “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Notes, as certified to the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate delivered by the Company.

 

A-8


 

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to the Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or the Notes or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under the Indenture, including the definitions therein; provided , however , that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:
(1) change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the Redemption Price therefor,
(2) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture,
(3) modify the obligations of the Company to make Offers to Purchase upon a Change of Control or from the Excess Proceeds of Asset Sales if such modification was done after the occurrence of such Change of Control or such Asset Sale,
(4) subordinate, in right of payment, the Notes to any other Debt of the Company,
(5) modify any of the provisions of this paragraph or provisions relating to waiver of defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby, or
(6) release any Guarantees required to be maintained under the Indenture (other than in accordance with the Indenture).
The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past default under the Indenture and its consequences, except a default:
(1) in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Company) (except that a rescission of acceleration of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration may be made by Holders of not less than a majority of the Notes), or
(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.

 

A-9


 

(12) Defaults and Remedies . Events of Default include:
(1) default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note at its maturity (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);
(2) default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(3) failure by the Company to make an Offer to Purchase as required by the Indenture, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days after receipt of written notice;
(4) failure to perform or comply with Section 5.1 of the Indenture;
(5) except as permitted herein, any Note Guarantee shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any Guarantor or the Company not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;
(6) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in the Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (1), (2) or(3) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes; provided that in the case of a failure to comply with Section 4.3, such period of continuance of such default or breach shall be 90 days after written notice described in this clause (6) has been given;
(7) a default or defaults under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of Debt (other than the Notes) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least $15.0 million, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or shall constitute a failure to pay at least $15.0 million of such Debt when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;
(8) the entry against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final non-appealable judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $15.0 million, by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days and, in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, any enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment which is not promptly stayed; or
(9) (i) the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences a voluntary case,
(b) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

A-10


 

(c) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(e) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(ii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is for relief against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;
(b) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(c) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (ix) above with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided , however , that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture.
In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (vii) above has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (vii) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (9) above occurs with respect to the Company, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any Default (except Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest) if the Trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders to do so.

 

A-11


 

(13)  Trustee Dealings with the Company . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
(14)  No Recourse Against Others . No director, officer, employee, stockholder, general or limited partner or incorporator, past, present or future, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any Personal liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, any Note Guarantee or the Indenture by reason of his, her or its status as such director, officer, employee, stockholder, general or limited partner or incorporator.
(15)  Authentication . This 10.5% Senior Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
(16)  Abbreviations . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
(17)  CUSIP Numbers . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the 10.5% Senior Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to the Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the 10.5% Senior Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
American Reprographics Company
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385  
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Facsimile: (925) 949-5102
Attention: Legal Department

 

A-12


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this 10.5% Senior Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this 10.5% Senior Note to
 
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
 
 
 
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint
 
to transfer this 10.5% Senior Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:                     
         
 
  Your Signature:    
 
       
 
      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this 10.5% Senior Note)
Signature guarantee:

 

A-13


 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this 10.5% Senior Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, 4.13 or 4.19 of the Indenture, check the box below:
o Section 4.10                     o Section 4.13                     o Section 4.19
If you want to elect to have only part of the 10.5% Senior Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.13 or Section 4.19 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $
         
Date:                     
  Your Signature:    
 
       
 
      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the 10.5% Senior Note)
Tax Identification No.:
Signature guarantee:

 

A-14


 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON
EXCHANGE OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES
American Reprographics Company
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Facsimile: (925) 949-5102
Attention: Legal Department
Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.
MAC N9303-121
608 2 nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479
Facsimile: (866) 969-1290
With a copy to:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
707 Wilshire Blvd, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
Facsimile: (213) 614-3355
Attention: Corporate Trust Administrator –
American Reprographics Company Administrator
Re: CUSIP #                     
Reference is hereby made to that certain Indenture dated December 1, 2010 (the “ Indenture ”) among American Reprographics Company (the “ Company ”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.
This certificate relates to $                      principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)                      book-entry or                      definitive form by the undersigned.
The undersigned                      (transferor) (check one box below):
o   hereby requests the Registrar to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above), in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Indenture;
 
o   hereby requests the Trustee to exchange a Note or Notes to                      (transferee).

 

A-15


 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the periods referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or replaced, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:
         
(1)
  o   to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
 
       
(2)
  o   inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A thereunder; or
 
       
(3)
  o   outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in compliance with Rule 904 thereunder.

 

A-16


 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof.
         
        
    Signature   
     
Signature Guarantee:
   
 
   
 
  (Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144A”), and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
         
  [Name of Transferee]
 
 
Dated:                              
    NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer   

 

A-17


 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF 10.5% SENIOR NOTES
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for other 10.5% Senior Notes have been made:
                                 
                        Principal Amount     Signature of  
        Amount of     Amount of     of this Global Note     Authorized Officer  
        Decrease in     Increase in     Following Such     of Trustee or  
        Principal Amount     Principal Amount     Decrease (or     10.5% Senior Note  
Date of Exchange     of this Global Note     of this Global Note     Increase)     Custodian  

 

A-18


 

EXHIBIT B
FORM OF NOTATION OF NOTE GUARANTEE
The Guarantor listed below (hereinafter referred to as the “ Guarantor ,” which term includes any successors or assigns under that certain Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2010, by and among American Reprographics Company, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and the Trustee (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the “ Indenture ”) and any additional Guarantors), has guaranteed the Notes and the obligations of the Company under the Indenture, which include (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the 10.5% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “ Notes ”) of American Reprographics Company, a Delaware corporation, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest, if any, on the Notes, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article X of the Indenture, (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and (iii) the payment of any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Note Guarantee or the Indenture.
The obligations of each Guarantor to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Note Guarantee.
No stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future of each Guarantor shall have any liability under this Note Guarantee by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator.
This is a continuing Note Guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment of all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and Indenture or until released in accordance with the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders, and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof. This is a Note Guarantee of payment and not of collectibility.
This Note Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Note Guarantee is noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers. The Obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the extent necessary to insure that it does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.

 

B-1


 

THE TERMS OF ARTICLE X OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
Dated as of                     
         
  [NAME OF GUARANTOR]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
(SEAL)

 

B-2


 

EXHIBIT C
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO RULE 144A]
American Reprographics Company
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Facsimile: (925) 949-5102
Attention: Legal Department
Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.
MAC N9303-121
608 2 nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479
Facsimile: (866) 969-1290
With a copy to:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
707 Wilshire Blvd, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
Facsimile: (213) 614-3355
Attention: Corporate Trust Administrator –
American Reprographics Company Administrator
  Re:    American Reprographics Company. (the “Company”)
10.5% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of $                      aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes, we hereby certify that such transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A (“Rule 144A”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we hereby further certify that the Notes are being transferred to a Person that we reasonably believe is purchasing the Notes for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Notes are being transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

C-1


 

         
  Very truly yours,
 
 
        
    [Name of Transferor]   
       
  By:      
    Authorized Signature   

 

C-2


 

EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED
IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS
PURSUANT TO REGULATION S]
American Reprographics Company
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Facsimile: (925) 949-5102
Attention: Legal Department
Wells Fargo Bank – DAPS Reorg.
MAC N9303-121
608 2 nd Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479
Facsimile: (866) 969-1290
With a copy to:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
707 Wilshire Blvd, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017
Facsimile: (213) 614-3355
Attention: Corporate Trust Administrator –
American Reprographics Company Administrator
  Re:   American Reprographics Company. (the “Company”)
10.5% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of $_____ aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we represent that:
(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a Person in the United States;
(2) either (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any Person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any Person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;
(3) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

D-1


 

(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
In addition, if the sale is made during a restricted period and the provisions of Rule 903(c)(3) or Rule 904(c)(1) of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903(c)(3) or Rule 904(c)(1), as the case may be.

 

D-2


 

The Company and you are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.
         
  Very truly yours,
 
 
        
    [Name of Transferor]   
         
  By:      
    Authorized Signature   

 

D-3

Exhibit 4.3
Execution Version
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and among
American Reprographics Company,
the Guarantors party hereto
and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated,
as representative of the Initial Purchasers
Dated as of December 1, 2010

 

 


 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 1, 2010, by and among American Reprographics Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the guarantors named in Schedule A and any subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the Closing Date that executes an additional guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture (as defined below), and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “Guarantors”), and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, on behalf of itself and as representative (the “Representative”) of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), who have agreed to purchase the Company’s 10.5% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Initial Notes”) guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below). The Initial Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “Initial Securities.”
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated November 23, 2010 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (i) for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Initial Securities, including the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Securities, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 5(f) of the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
Additional Interest: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Advice: As defined in Section 6(c) hereof.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
Business Day: Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.
Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.
Commission: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 


 

Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar (as defined in the indenture) under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Effectiveness Target Date: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of the Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose to sell the Initial Securities to certain “qualified institutional buyers,” as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.
Exchange Securities: The 10.5% Senior Notes due 2016, of the same series under the Indenture as the Initial Securities, to be issued to Holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement.
FINRA: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Guarantees: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Guarantors: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Holders: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
Indemnified Holder: As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2010, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Notes: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Initial Placement: The issuance and sale by the Company of the Initial Securities to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

-2-


 

Initial Purchasers: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Initial Securities: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture and the Securities.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
Securities: The Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Initial Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Security is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, (b) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date on which such Initial Security is distributed to the public by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).
Trust Indenture Act: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.
SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement .
(a)  Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.
(b)  Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “Holder”) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

-3-


 

SECTION 3. Registered Exchange Offer .
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) hereof have been complied with), each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer to become effective in accordance with the requirements of Section 3(b) hereof, (ii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Registration Statement to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, provided , however , that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, or (iii) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Initial Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however , that in no event shall such period be less than 30 days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated not later than 365 days after the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

 

-4-


 

(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Initial Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Initial Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Initial Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the date of this Agreement.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.
The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.
SECTION 4. Shelf Registration .
(a)  Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company and the Guarantors are not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not Consummated within 365 days after the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), or (iii) with respect to any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (A) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, then, upon such Holder’s request, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to

 

-5-


 

(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either event, the “Shelf Registration Statement”) on or prior to the earliest to occur of, but in no event, prior to the 240th day following the Closing Date (or if such 240th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (1) the 60th day after the date on which the Company determines that it is not required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (or if such 60th Business Day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), (2) the 60th day after the date on which the Company receives notice from a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities as contemplated by clause (iii) above (or if such 60th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and (3) the 365th day following the Closing Date (or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (such earliest date, or if such date is prior to the 240th day following the Closing Date, then such 240th day (or if such 240th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), the “Shelf Filing Deadline”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and
(y) cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 125th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 125th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).
(b) Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities by the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least two years following the Closing Date.
(c)  Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

 

-6-


 

SECTION 5. Additional Interest. If (i) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in this Agreement, (ii) any of such Registration Statements has not been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness in this Agreement (the “Effectiveness Target Date”), (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within 365 Business Days after the Closing Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within thirty (30) days by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a “Registration Default”), the Company hereby agrees that, as payment for liquidated damages, the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any Registration Default and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period during which such Registration Default continues (any such increase, “Additional Interest”), but in no event shall such increase exceed 1.00% per annum for all such defaults in the aggregate. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.
The Company shall notify the Trustee within one Business Day after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid (an “Event Date”). Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to this Section 5 will be payable in cash semiannually on each June 15 and December 15 (to the holders of record on the June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding such dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30 day months and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 6. Registration Procedures .
(a)  Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantor shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use their commercially reasonable to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Initial Securities. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

 

-7-


 

(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities will be required to furnish, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) neither such Holder or any other Person receiving Exchange Securities from such Holder is an “affiliate” (as defined in SEC Rule 405) of the Company, (B) neither such Holder nor any other Person receiving Exchange Notes from such Holder is engaging in, intends to engage in or has an arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a “distribution” (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (C) the Exchange Securities are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the Person receiving such Exchange Securities, whether or not such recipient is Holder itself, (D) such Holder shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer and (E) such Holder acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.
(b)  Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto each of the Company and the Guarantors will as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time, the Company may delay the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement or delay or suspend the effectiveness thereof, for a reasonable period of time, but not in excess of an aggregate of 90 days in any calendar year (a “Shelf Suspension Period”), if the Board of Directors of the Company determines reasonably and in good faith that the filing of any such Shelf Registration Statement or the continuing effectiveness thereof would require the disclosure of non-public material information that, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, would be detrimental to the Company if so disclosed or would otherwise materially adversely affect a financing, acquisition, disposition, merger or other material transaction.

 

-8-


 

(c)  General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Initial Securities by Broker-Dealers), each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable; upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

 

-9-


 

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, and (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;
(iv) furnish without charge to each of the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of an Initial Purchaser or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;
(v) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and to the underwriter(s), if any, upon reasonable prior written request and at the sole expense of the Company, make the Company’s and the Guarantors’ representatives available for discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters during customary business hours and at their usual place of employment, and include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, reasonably may request; provided , however , that if any information is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Company and the Guarantors in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such information, the Initial Purchasers or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or other agent requesting or receiving such information shall agree to be bound by reasonable confidentiality agreements and procedures with respect thereto;

 

-10-


 

(vi) upon written request delivered to the Company, make available during normal business hours at the offices where normally kept, for inspection by the Initial Purchasers, the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such Initial Purchasers or any of the underwriter(s), each an “Inspector,” all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Company and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities and shall cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any; provided , however , that each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep such records and information confidential and that it will not disclose any of the records or information that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the Inspectors in writing are confidential, and that such information will be treated as confidential by it so as not to give rise to disclosure obligations on the part of the Company under SEC Regulation FD unless (i) the disclosure of such records or information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the release of such records or information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such information is required by applicable law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to federal securities laws in connection with the filing of such Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus, (iv) disclosure of such records or information is necessary or advisable, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector, in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or arising hereunder or thereunder, or (v) the information in such records or information has been made generally available to the public other than by an Inspector or an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405) thereof; provided , however , that prior notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Company of the potential disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of this sentence to permit the Company to obtain a protective order (or waive the provisions of this paragraph (vi)) and that such Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of an Initial Purchaser or managing underwriter, if any;

 

-11-


 

(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(viii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;
(ix) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, upon request, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);
(x) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; subject to the last paragraph of this Section 6, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(xi) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be requested by any Initial Purchaser or by any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(A) furnish to (i) each Initial Purchaser and/or each selling Holder in a non-underwritten offering or (ii) each underwriter, in an underwritten offering, in such substance and scope as they may request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by (y) the President or any Vice President and (z) a principal financial or accounting officer of each of the Company and the Guarantors, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;

 

-12-


 

(2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, covering the matters set forth in Section 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement (including a negative assurance statement consistent with that included in the opinion delivered pursuant to Section 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement) and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, without exception;
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and
(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(xi)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 6(c)(xi), if any.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may delay entering into any underwriting agreement during a Shelf Suspension Period.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contemplated in Section 6(c)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company or the Guarantors shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however , that none of the Company or any of the Guarantors shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

-13-


 

(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Initial Securities held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;
(xiv) cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);
(xv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xii) hereof;
(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading;
(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;
(xviii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FINRA;

 

-14-


 

(xix) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;
(xx) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(xxi) cause all Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities or the managing underwriter(s), if any; and
(xxii) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.
Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof.

 

-15-


 

SECTION 7. Registration Expenses .
(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of the FINRA)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and, subject to Section 7(b) hereof, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Exchange Securities on a securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements thereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors shall not pay underwriting or brokerage discounts or commissions.
Each of the Company and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered in the Exchange Offer and/or resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp or such other counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.

 

-16-


 

SECTION 8. Indemnification .
(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “controlling person”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “Indemnified Holder”), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable legal and other costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending against any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Holder), joint or several, arising out of or based upon (x) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (y) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto, if the Company or any Guarantor shall have furnished amendments or supplements thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except with respect to clauses (x) or (y) insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or the Guarantors may otherwise have.
In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company and the Guarantors in writing; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve any of the Company or the Guarantors of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, unless and to the extent such failure to notify results in the forfeiture by the Company or the Guarantors of substantial rights and defenses. In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Holder, and it notifies the Company and the Guarantors of the commencement thereof, the Company and the Guarantors will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that they may wish, assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Holder; provided , however , that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Company and the Guarantors to represent the Indemnified Holder would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the Company and/or the Guarantors and the Indemnified Holder, and the Company and/or the Guarantors and such Indemnified Holder shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between their position and the position of the Company or any of the Guarantors in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Company and/or Guarantors or the Indemnified Holder, as the case may be, or (iii) the Company and the Guarantors shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Holder to represent such Indemnified Holder within a reasonable time after receipt by the Company and the Guarantors of notice of the institution of such action, then, in each such case, the Company and the Guarantor shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Holder and such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such Indemnified Holder. After notice from the Company and the Guarantors to such Indemnified Holder of their election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such Indemnified Holder of counsel appointed to defend such action, the Company and the Guarantors will not be liable to such Indemnified Holder under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Holder in connection with the defense thereof, unless the Indemnified Holder shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence.

 

-17-


 

The Company and the Guarantors shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable under this Section 8 for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected without their prior written consent. The Company and the Guarantors shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, and each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the prior written consent of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the Indemnified Holder.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors and their respective directors, officers of the Company and the Guarantors who sign a Registration Statement, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company or any of the Guarantors, and the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company, the Guarantors or their respective directors or officers or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the Company and the Guarantors, and the Company, the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.

 

-18-


 

(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company and the Guarantors from the Initial Placement), and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total net profit received by such Holder with respect to the Initial Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Initial Securities held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.

 

-19-


 

SECTION 9. Rule 144A. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
SECTION 10. Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
SECTION 11. Selection of Underwriters. The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however , that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
SECTION 12. Miscellaneous.
(a)  Remedies. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b)  No Inconsistent Agreements. Each of the Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors has previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person that would conflict with or otherwise liimit the rights greanted pursuant to this Agreement. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c)  Adjustments Affecting the Securities. The Company will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.

 

-20-


 

(d)  Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Sections 5 and 8 hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered; provided, however, that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or departure is to be effective.
(e)  Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company:
American Reprographics Company
1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
Facsimile: (925) 949-5102
Attention: Legal Department
With a copy to:
Hanson & Bridgett LLP
425 Market Street, 26th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Facsimile.: (415) 995-3431
Attention: Teresa V. Pahl, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.

 

-21-


 

(f)  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however , nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
(g)  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h)  Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i)  Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j)  Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k)  Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

-22-


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
         
  AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY
 
 
  By:   /s/ KUMARAKULASINGAM SURIYAKUMAR    
    Name:   Kumarakulasingam Suriyakumar   
    Title:   President and CEO   
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  American Reprographics Southeast, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  ARC Acquisition Corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Blue Print Service Company, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  BPI Repro, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Dunn Blue Print Company
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 


 

         
  ERS Digital, Inc. (f/k/a Engineering Repro-Systems, Inc.)
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Leet-Melbrook, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  LICENSING SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  MBC Precision Imaging, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  McKee Enterprises, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Mirror Plus Technologies, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   

 

-2-


 

         
  Olympic Reprographics, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Peninsula Blueprint, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Planwell, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Reprographics Fort Worth, Inc. (f/k/a Wilco
Reprographics, Inc.)
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Reprographics Northwest, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  Ridgway’s, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   

 

-3-


 

         
         
  SubHub, Inc.
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  The Peir Group, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  The Peir Group International, LLC
 
 
  By:   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER    
    Name:   Jonathan Mather   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   

 

-4-


 

         
The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
Acting on behalf of itself and as the
Representative of the several Initial Purchasers
         
By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated    
 
       
By:
  /s/ JOHN MCCUSKER
 
Managing Director
   

 

-5-


 

SCHEDULE A
Guarantors
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
American Reprographics Southeast, LLC
ARC Acquisition Corporation
Blue Print Service Company, Inc.
BPI Repro, LLC
Dunn Blue Print Company
ERS Digital, inc. (f/k/a Engineering Repro-Systems, Inc.)
Leet-Melbrook, Inc.
Licensing Services International, LLC
MBC Precision Imaging, Inc.
McKee Enterprises, Inc.
Mirror Plus Technologies, Inc.
Olympic Reprographics, LLC
Peninsula Blueprint, Inc.
Planwell, LLC
Reprographics Fort Worth, Inc. (f/k/a Wilco Reprographics, Inc.)
Reprographics Northwest, LLC
Ridgway’s, LLC
SubHub, Inc.
The Peir Group, LLC
The Peir Group International, LLC
Schedule A-1

 

 

Exhibit 10.1
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of December 1, 2010, by and among AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), each of its Subsidiaries from time to time party hereto as Subsidiary Guarantors, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Bank”).
RECITALS
Borrower has requested that Bank extend or continue credit to Borrower as described below, and Bank has agreed to provide such credit to Borrower on the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. DEFINED TERMS. Schedule 1 , Defined Terms, is attached hereto and incorporated by this reference.
SECTION 1.2. INTERPRETATION. For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, (a) terms used in this Agreement include, as appropriate, all genders and the plural as well as the singular; (b) references to this Agreement include any and all Exhibits and Schedules hereto; (c) references to words such as “herein,” “hereof” and the like shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular part or Section herein; (d) any defined term which relates to a document referenced in this Agreement shall include within its definition any amendments, modifications, renewals, restatements, extensions, supplements or substitutions in effect through the date of this Agreement but shall not include within its definition any renewals, restatements, extensions, supplements or substitutions after the date of this Agreement unless approved by Bank and Borrower in writing; (e) references to any statute or regulation are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation; (f) any defined term which relates to a Person shall include within its definition the successors and permitted assigns of such Person; (g) all references herein to times of day shall be references to Pacific time (daylight or standard, as applicable); (h) all references herein to “ fiscal year ” and “ fiscal quarter” refer to the fiscal year and fiscal quarter, respectively, of Borrower; (i) the words “ include ” and “ including ” are not limiting and, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, the word “ or ” is not exclusive. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, the Loan Parties and Bank and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, they shall not be construed against Bank merely because of the involvement of Bank any or all of the preceding Persons in their preparation.
SECTION 1.3. CERTAIN CALCULATIONS. For all purposes of this Agreement, during any period during which an acquisition or Disposition has occurred (each a “ Subject Transaction ”),Consolidated Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio shall be calculated with respect to such period on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to a Subject Transaction, are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which would include cost savings resulting from head count reduction, closure of facilities and similar restructuring charges, which pro forma adjustments shall be certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower and shall in each instance be agreed upon between Borrower and Bank in their reasonable discretion) using the historical financial statements of any business so acquired or to be acquired or sold or to be sold.

 

 


 

ARTICLE II
CREDIT TERMS
SECTION 2.1. LINE OF CREDIT.
(a)  Line of Credit . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time up to and including the Maturity Date, not to exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000) (“Line of Credit”), the proceeds of which shall be used to refinance certain outstanding indebtedness as approved by Bank and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Borrower’s obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a promissory note dated as of the date hereof (“Line of Credit Note”) substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, all terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
(b)  Letter of Credit Subfeature . As a subfeature under the Line of Credit, Bank agrees from time to time during the term thereof to issue or cause an affiliate to issue commercial or standby letters of credit for the account of Borrower (each, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, “Letters of Credit”); provided however, that the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000). The form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by Bank, in its sole discretion. Each Letter of Credit shall expire on a date (the “ L/C Expiration Date ”) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and shall not be available for borrowings thereunder. Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit agreements, applications and any related documents required by Bank in connection with the issuance thereof. Each drawing paid under a Letter of Credit shall be deemed an advance under the Line of Credit and shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to such advances; provided however, that if advances under the Line of Credit are not available, for any reason, at the time any drawing is paid, then Borrower shall immediately pay to Bank the full amount drawn, together with interest thereon from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the Default Rate. In such event Borrower agrees that Bank, in its sole discretion, may debit any account maintained by Borrower with Bank for the amount of any such drawing.
(c)  Borrowing and Repayment . Borrower may from time to time during the term of the Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note; provided however, that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit (the “ Loans ”) shall not at any time exceed the maximum principal amount available thereunder, as set forth above. The outstanding principal balance of all Loans, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable in full on the Maturity Date. Borrower may terminate the Line of Credit in whole, or reduce the maximum amount of the Line of Credit in part in an amount not less than $5,000,000 in principal amount and incremental multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or in such other amount as agreed by Bank), any time prior to the Maturity Date upon not less than thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Bank. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and be irrevocable. On such date of termination or reduction, Borrower shall pay to Bank the principal outstanding amount of any Loans in excess of the Line of Credit after giving effect to such termination or reduction, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, any accrued and unpaid unused line fees and any amounts owing under Section 2.2(i). In no event shall any partial reduction in the Line of Credit result in the Letter of Credit Subfeature being in excess of the Line of Credit, and Borrower agrees to cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 105% of the L/C Outstanding Amount in excess of the maximum amount of the remaining Letter of Credit Subfeature after giving effect to any reduction thereof.

 

2


 

SECTION 2.2. INTEREST/FEES.
(a) Interest .
(i) The outstanding principal balance of each Loan shall bear interest, and the amount of each drawing paid under any Letter of Credit shall bear interest from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the Applicable Rate. So long as no Event of Default exists or would result from any credit extension hereunder, Borrower may select, subject to Section 2.2(a)(iii) , whether any advance under the Line of Credit will bear interest by reference to Daily One Month LIBOR or to a Fixed Rate Term, and the length of the applicable Fixed Rate Term as set forth below.
(ii) At any time any Obligation bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term, it may be continued by Borrower at the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto so that all or a portion thereof bears interest determined in relation to the Daily One Month LIBOR Rate or to LIBOR for a new Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At any time any portion of this Note bears interest determined in relation to the Daily One Month LIBOR Rate, Borrower may at any time convert all or a portion thereof so that it bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At such time as Borrower requests an advance hereunder or wishes to select an interest rate determined in relation to the Daily One Month LIBOR Rate or a Fixed Rate Term for all or a portion of the outstanding principal balance hereof, and at the end of each Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall give Bank notice specifying: (A) the interest rate option selected by Borrower; (B) the principal amount subject thereto; and (C) for each LIBOR selection for a Fixed Rate Term, the length of the applicable Fixed Rate Term. Any such notice may be given by telephone (or such other electronic method as Bank may permit) so long as, with respect to each LIBOR selection for a Fixed Rate Term, (1) if requested by Bank, Borrower provides to Bank written confirmation thereof not later than three (3) Business Days after such notice is given, and (2) such notice is given to Bank prior to 10:00 a.m. on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term, or at a later time during any Business Day if Bank, at its sole option but without obligation to do so, accepts Borrower’s notice and quotes a fixed rate to Borrower. If Borrower does not immediately accept a fixed rate when quoted by Bank, the quoted rate shall expire and any subsequent LIBOR request from Borrower shall be subject to a redetermination by Bank of the applicable fixed rate. If no specific designation of interest is made at the time any advance is requested hereunder or at the end of any Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall be deemed to have made a Daily One Month LIBOR Rate interest selection for such advance or the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applied.
(iii) At no time shall there be more than ten (10) Fixed Rate Terms in effect at any time.

 

3


 

(b)  Unused Commitment Fee . Borrower shall pay to Bank a fee on the average daily unused amount of the Line of Credit at the Applicable Rate, which fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears by Bank and shall be due and payable by Borrower in arrears within ten (10) Business Days after each billing is sent by Bank.
(c) Letter of Credit Fees . Borrower shall pay to Bank:
(i) fees upon the issuance of each Commercial Letter of Credit, determined in accordance with Bank’s standard fees and charges then in effect;
(ii) upon the payment or negotiation of each drawing under any Letter of Credit and upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including the transfer, amendment or cancellation of any Letter of Credit), determined in accordance with Bank’s standard fees and charges then in effect for such activity; and
(iii) for each Standby Letter of Credit a fee equal to the per annum Applicable Rate for Standby Letters of Credit multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under such Standby Letter of Credit. Such fees shall be: (A) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears; and (B) due and payable on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (in each case for the calendar quarter then ending), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the L/C Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, then the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate per day separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, while any Event of Default exists, all such fees shall accrue at the Default Rate unless waived by Bank in writing.
(d)  Computation and Payment . Interest and fees shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable at the times and place set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document required hereby.
(e)  Default Rate . From and after the Maturity Date, or at Bank’s option upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all outstanding Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate. Accrued and unpaid interest at the Default Rate shall be due and payable upon demand.
(f)  Interest Payments . Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof both before and after judgment, and both before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

4


 

(g)  Taxes and Costs . Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand, in addition to any other amounts due or to become due hereunder, any and all (i) withholdings, interest equalization taxes, stamp taxes or other taxes (except income and franchise taxes) imposed by any domestic or foreign governmental authority and related in any manner to LIBOR, and (ii) future, supplemental, emergency or other changes in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage, assessment rates imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or similar requirements or costs imposed by any domestic or foreign governmental authority or resulting from compliance by Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other governmental authority and related in any manner to LIBOR to the extent they are not included in the calculation of LIBOR. In determining which of the foregoing are attributable to any LIBOR option available to Borrower hereunder, any reasonable allocation made by Bank among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.
(h)  Inability to Determine LIBOR . If Bank determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR of any Fixed Rate Term, or it is unlawful for Bank to make or maintain credit extensions with reference to LIBOR, or LIBOR for any Fixed Rate Term will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Bank of making or maintaining any Loan accruing interest at such rate as a consequence of a change of Laws or otherwise, Bank shall give notice thereof to Borrower and Bank and Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to find a substitute rate or interest.
(i)  Breakage Costs . In the event of (i) the payment of any principal of any Fixed Rate Term Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment, (ii) the conversion of any Fixed Rate Term Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iii) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Fixed Rate Term Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate Bank for the loss and reasonable cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of Bank setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of any amount or amounts that Bank is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to Borrower. Borrower shall pay Bank the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.
SECTION 2.3. COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower authorizes Bank to collect all principal, interest and fees due under each credit subject hereto by charging deposit account number 4038174405 with Bank, or any other deposit account maintained by any Loan Party with Bank, for the full amount thereof. Should there be insufficient funds in any such deposit account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by Borrower.

 

5


 

SECTION 2.4. COLLATERAL.
(a) As security for all indebtedness and other Obligations of Borrower to Bank hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, Borrower hereby grants to Bank security interests of first priority in all Collateral in which Borrower has any right, title or interest, whether now existing or hereafter arising, acquired or created. In addition, each Subsidiary Guarantor party hereto hereby grants to Bank, and Borrower shall cause each additional Subsidiary Guarantor to grant to Bank, as security for all Obligations, security interests of first priority in all Collateral in which such Subsidiary Guarantor has any right, title or interest, whether now existing or hereafter arising, acquired or created. All of the foregoing shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of such security agreements, financing statements, deeds or mortgages, and other documents as Bank shall reasonably require, all in form and substance satisfactory to Bank. Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all charges, costs and expenses (to include reasonable fees paid to third parties), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with any of the foregoing security, including filing and recording fees and costs of appraisals, audits and title insurance.
(b) Unless and until requested by Bank in its sole discretion, none of the Owned Real Estate and none of Borrower’s or any Loan Party’s interest in any of the Material Leased Real Estate shall be required to be subject to a Lien in favor of Bank as Collateral security for the Obligations. The leasehold interest of Borrower or any other Loan Party in any real property, other than (if requested) with respect to any of the Material Leased Real Estate, shall not be required to be subject to a Lien in favor of Bank as Collateral security for the Obligations.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank, which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the full and final payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of Borrower to Bank subject to this Agreement.
SECTION 3.1. LEGAL STATUS. Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware, and is qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification or licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed could have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary of Borrower is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, and is qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership or limited liability company, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification or licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed could have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 3.1 correctly identifies the jurisdiction of organization of each of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof.
SECTION 3.2. AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. This Agreement and each Loan Document have been duly authorized, and upon their execution and delivery in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof will constitute legal, valid and binding agreements and obligations of Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, or the party which executes the same, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except, as to enforceability, as may be limited by Bankruptcy Laws and the availability of equitable remedies.
SECTION 3.3. NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor of each of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law or regulation, or contravene any provision of such Person’s Organizational Documents, or result in any breach of or default under any material contract, obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor may be bound.

 

6


 

SECTION 3.4. LITIGATION. There are no pending, or to Borrower’s or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s actual knowledge after due inquiry (based upon the litigation search reports by CT Corporation dated November 19, November 22 and November 23, 2010, respectively, attached as Schedule 3.4A ) threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or proceedings by or before any Governmental Authority, arbitrator, court or administrative agency which could have a Material Adverse Effect other than those disclosed to Bank on Schedule 3.4 hereto.
SECTION 3.5. CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The annual consolidated and consolidating financial statements of Borrower dated December 31, 2009, and all interim financial statements delivered to Bank since such date, true copies of which have been delivered by Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) are complete and correct and present fairly the financial condition of Borrower and each Subsidiary, (b) disclose all liabilities of Borrower and each Subsidiary that are required to be reflected or reserved against under GAAP, whether liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied. Since the December 31, 2009, there has been no Material Adverse Effect except as disclosed to Bank on Schedule 3.5 hereto, nor has Borrower or any Subsidiary mortgaged, pledged, granted a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or properties except in favor of Bank or as otherwise permitted hereunder.
SECTION 3.6. INCOME TAX RETURNS. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary Guarantor has any knowledge of any pending material assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any year.
SECTION 3.7. NO SUBORDINATION. There is no agreement, indenture, contract or instrument to which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor may be bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of Borrower’s or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation of Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor.
SECTION 3.8. PERMITS, FRANCHISES. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries possesses, and will hereafter possess, all material permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses required and rights to all trademarks, trade names, patents, and fictitious names, if any, necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged in compliance in all material respects with applicable law.
SECTION 3.9. ERISA. Borrower and each Subsidiary are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA; Borrower has not, and none of its Subsidiaries has, violated any provision of any Plan maintained or contributed to by Borrower or such Subsidiary; no Reportable Event (as defined in ERISA) has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan initiated by Borrower or any Subsidiary; Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has met its minimum funding requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and each Plan will be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in accordance with the Plan documents and under GAAP.
SECTION 3.10. OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default on any material obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation and no condition exists which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, could constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of such default or defaults, if any, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7


 

SECTION 3.11. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11 hereto, each of Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal or state environmental, hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, which govern or affect such Person’s operations and/or properties, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. None of the operations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment. None of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has any material contingent liability in connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.
SECTION 3.12. SUBSIDIARIES. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary owns any Equity Interest, directly or indirectly, in any Person other than the Persons set forth on Schedule 3.12 hereto, which accurately and completely reflects the capital and ownership of such Person.
SECTION 3.13. TRUTH, ACCURACY OF INFORMATION. To the best of each Loan Party’s knowledge, no statement of financial or other information furnished by Borrower or any other Loan Party to Bank in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents contains any untrue statement of material fact or omits a material fact necessary to make the statement not misleading in light of all of the circumstances existing on the date the statement was made, including such circumstances or other factual information previously furnished by Borrower or any other Loan Party to Bank. Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Bank that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results. There are no facts known (or which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to Borrower or any other Loan Party (other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements furnished to Bank for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.14. FICTITIOUS NAMES. The only fictitious names used by Borrower or any other Loan Party are set forth on Schedule 3.14 hereto.
SECTION 3.15. MUTUAL BENEFIT. The funds that have been and are to be borrowed from Bank by Borrower have been and are to be contemporaneously paid to or used for the benefit of each Loan Party. It is the position, intent and expectation of the parties that each of Borrower and each other Loan Party has derived and will continue to derive significant, substantial and direct benefits from the accommodations that have been made by Bank under the Loan Documents and that each of Borrower and each other Loan Party has received at least “reasonably equivalent value” (as such phrase is used in Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code) and more than sufficient consideration to support the indebtedness, obligations, liens and security interests created under the Loan Documents and all repayments or other transfers made or to be made to Bank. To the extent, if any, that funds are transferred by any of Borrower or any Loan Party to Borrower or any other Loan Party, as the case may be, which such recipient intends to be used to repay Bank, it is the position, intent and expectation of the parties that: (a) such funds shall in fact be used to contemporaneously repay Bank; (b) to the maximum extent permitted by law, these transfers constitute contemporaneous exchanges for value given to the transferor and, therefore, shall qualify for the protection and benefits of Section 547(c) of the Bankruptcy Code; and (c) in any event, Bank, as the immediate transferee of such funds, shall take them in “good faith” and without “knowledge of the voidability of the transfer” as between Borrower and such other Loan Party or as between Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, if any, as those phrases are used in Section 550(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

8


 

To the extent that any payment or collateral proceeds received by Bank is subsequently avoided or otherwise required to be paid over to any other person or entity, then the obligation or indebtedness which had been paid, reduced or satisfied by such payment or receipt of collateral proceeds shall be reinstated and continued in full force and effect as of the date such initial payment, reduction or satisfaction occurred.
SECTION 3.16. SOLVENCY. Borrower and each other Loan Party, taken individually, is solvent, able to pay its debts generally as such debts mature, and has capital sufficient to carry on its businesses and all businesses in which it is about to engage. The saleable value of Borrower’s and each other Loan Party’s total assets at a fair valuation, and at a present fair saleable value, is great than the amount of Borrower’s or such other Loan Party’s total obligations. None of Borrower or any other Loan Party will be rendered insolvent by the execution or delivery of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents or by the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 3.17. MARGIN STOCK. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made to Borrower will be used to purchase or carry any such margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock or for any purpose that violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board.
SECTION 3.18. ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS.
(a) No Loan Party, and to such Loan Party’s knowledge none of their respective Affiliates, is in violation of, and shall not violate, any Laws relating to terrorism or money laundering (“ Anti-Terrorism Laws ”), including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001 (the “ Executive Order ”), and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (the “USA PATRIOT Act ”);
(b) No Loan Party and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no Affiliate or broker or other agent of any Loan Party acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with any extension of credit hereunder is any of the following: (i) a person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; (ii) a person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; (iii) a person with which any Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law; (iv) a person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports terrorism as defined in the Executive Order; or (v) a person that is named as a specially designated national and blocked person on the most current list published by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ”) at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list.

 

9


 

(c) No Loan Party and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, no broker or other agent of any Loan Party acting in any capacity in connection with any credit extension hereunder (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any person described in paragraph (b) above, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order, (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iv) is in violation of, and shall not violate, any of the county or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC as published from time to time.
SECTION 3.19 REAL PROPERTY. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 3.19 contains a true, accurate and complete list of (a) all Owned Real Estate and (b) all Material Leased Real Estate. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.19 , none of the Owned Real Estate is subject to any leases, subleases or assignments of leases. The lease (or sublease) for each Material Leased Real Estate listed in Schedule 3.19 is, to Borrower’s knowledge, in full force and effect and Borrower does not have knowledge of any material default that has occurred and is continuing thereunder.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS
SECTION 4.1. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of Bank to extend any credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
(a)  Approval of Bank Counsel . All legal matters incidental to the extension of credit by Bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Bank’s counsel.
(b)  Documentation . Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:
(i) This Agreement, the Line of Credit Note, the Security Agreements and the other Security Documents, and the Loan Documents.
(ii) Authorizing resolutions and incumbency certificates from or on behalf of Borrower and each other Loan Party certified as of the date hereof by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Borrower or such other Loan Party, as applicable.
(iv) A true and correct copy of Borrower’s and each other Loan Party’s Organizational Documents, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of such Person’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, and certified as of the date hereof to be a true and correct copy thereof by a Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Borrower or such other Loan Party, as applicable.

 

10


 

(v) A good standing and/or tax good standing certificate for Borrower and each other Loan Party from each such Person’s jurisdiction of organization and each other jurisdiction reasonably requested by Bank as of a recent date, and, if requested by Bank, a bring-down certificate by facsimile dated on or about the Closing Date.
(vi) All security agreements, pledge agreements, guaranties, UCC-1 financing statements, UCC amendments and other documentation from Borrower, each other Loan Party and each other Person required by Bank for the creation, perfection and preservation of the personal property security interests described in Section 2.4 hereof or in any Security Document, including, if requested by Bank, the original stock certificates of each other Loan Party and current UCC searches covering Borrower and each other Loan Party from such jurisdictions as Bank shall require.
(vii) A legal opinion from counsel to Borrower and the other Loan Parties in form and substance satisfactory to Bank.
(viii) Such other documents as Bank may require under any other Section of this Agreement.
(c)  Financial Condition . There shall have been no material adverse change, as reasonably determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of Borrower, any other Loan Party, nor any material decline, as reasonably determined by Bank, in the market value of any Collateral required hereunder.
(d)  Insurance . Borrower shall have delivered to Bank evidence of insurance coverage on all Borrower’s and each other Loan Party’s property, in form, substance, amounts, covering risks and issued by companies reasonably satisfactory to Bank, and where required by Bank, with loss payable endorsements in favor of Bank.
(e)  Note Issuance . Bank shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Borrower has closed, or is in a position immediately to close, its offering of senior unsecured notes maturing in 2016 (the “ Note Offering ”).
(f)  Existing Credit Facilities . Bank shall have received a copy of a payoff letter and release and extinguishment of rights executed by the Existing Agent (as defined below) and such other evidence satisfactory to it that all obligations owing under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of December 6, 2007 (as amended from time to time, the “ Existing Credit Agreement ”) among American Reprographics Company, L.L.C., as Borrower, Borrower and certain other subsidiaries thereof as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the " Existing Agen t”), and the Persons party thereto as “Lenders”, shall have been (or upon application of the proceeds of the Note Offering or the initial extension of credit hereunder will be) paid in full, that the commitments of the Lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have terminated and the Liens that secure any of the obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement are terminated.

 

11


 

SECTION 4.2. CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a)  Compliance . The representations and warranties contained herein and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the signing of this Agreement and on the date of each extension of credit by Bank pursuant hereto, with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such date, no Event of Default as defined herein, and no condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist.
(b)  Documentation . Bank shall have received all additional documents which may be required in connection with such extension of credit.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor covenant that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor subject hereto, Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall, unless Bank otherwise consents in writing:
SECTION 5.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS. Punctually pay all principal, interest, fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the times and place and in the manner specified therein.
SECTION 5.2. ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Maintain adequate books and records in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and permit any representative of Bank, at any reasonable time, to inspect, audit and examine such books and records, to make copies of the same, and to inspect the properties of Borrower (specifically excluding, however, any such books or records (a) subject to the attorney client privilege or (b) to the extent they include personnel, medical and similar records which the Borrower is not permitted by law to disclose). Without limiting the foregoing, annually, permit Bank, or Bank’s employees, accountants, attorneys or agents, to conduct, with respect to each such Person, examinations and inspections of any collateral required hereby or any other property of Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable. Such examination and inspection shall be conducted during ordinary business hours and upon five (5) Business Day’s advance notice (unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which case no notice shall be required).
SECTION 5.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION. Provide to Bank all of the following, in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:
(a) upon the earlier of the date that is 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower or the date such information is filed with the SEC, the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing acceptable to Bank, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, and such consolidating statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

12


 

(b) upon the earlier of the date that is 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of Borrower or the date such information is filed with the SEC, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and such consolidating statements to be certified by a Responsible Officer of Borrower to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(c) contemporaneously with each quarterly and annual financial statement of Borrower required by Section 5.3(a) and (b) , a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by an appropriate Responsible Officer of Borrower;
(d) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of Borrower or of any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to Bank pursuant to this Agreement;
(e) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to Bank pursuant hereto; Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.3(e) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed in its signature block hereto; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which Bank has access; provided that Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to Bank upon request.
(f) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; and

 

13


 

(g) As soon as practicable and in any event no later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of each fiscal year, a consolidated plan and financial forecast for such fiscal year and each fiscal year (or portion thereof) through the final maturity date of the Loans (a “Financial Plan”), including (i) a forecasted consolidated balance sheet and forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each such fiscal year, together with pro forma Compliance Certificates for each such fiscal year and an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based, (ii) forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each month of such fiscal year, (iii) forecasts demonstrating projected compliance with the requirements of Section 5.9 through the final maturity date of the Loans and (iv) forecasts demonstrating adequate liquidity through the final maturity date of the Loans without giving effect to any additional debt or equity offerings not reflected in the Projections, together, in each case, with an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Bank;
(h) from time to time such other information as Bank may reasonably request.
SECTION 5.4. COMPLIANCE. Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits, governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the conduct of its business; and comply with the provisions of all documents pursuant to which Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor is organized and/or which govern Borrower’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s continued existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor and/or such Person’s business except where such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.5. INSURANCE. Maintain and keep in force, for each business in which Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is engaged, insurance of the types and in amounts customarily carried in similar lines of business, including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public liability, flood, property damage and workers’ compensation, with all such insurance carried with companies and in amounts reasonably satisfactory to Bank, and deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank’s request schedules setting forth all insurance then in effect.
SECTION 5.6. FACILITIES. Keep all properties useful and necessary to Borrower’s and each of its Subsidiaries’ business in good repair and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto so that such properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.
SECTION 5.7. TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. Pay and discharge when due any and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal, including without limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local property taxes and assessments, except (a) such as Borrower or such Subsidiary may in good faith contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which Borrower or such Subsidiary has made provision, to Bank’s satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof in the event Borrower or such Subsidiary is obligated to make such payment.
SECTION 5.8. LITIGATION. Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any litigation pending or threatened in writing against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with a stated claim (a) in excess of Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

14


 

SECTION 5.9. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower’s financial condition as follows, with compliance determined commencing with Borrower’s financial statements for the period ending December 31, 2010:
(a) Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio not greater than the corresponding ratio as set forth below, on a rolling 4-quarter basis determined on the last day of each fiscal quarter:
     
Rolling 4-Quarters At   Maximum Consolidated
Fiscal Quarter End   Leverage Ratio
December 31, 2010 through September 30, 2011
  4.35 : 1.00
December 31, 2011 through September 30, 2012
  4.25 : 1.00
December 31, 2012 through September 30, 2013
  4.15 : 1.00
December 31, 2013 thereafter
  4.00 : 1.00
(b) Maximum Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Leverage Ratio not greater than 1.50 : 1.00, on a rolling 4-quarter basis determined on the last day of each fiscal quarter.
(c) Minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio not less than the corresponding ratio as set forth below, on a rolling 4-quarter basis determined on the last day of each fiscal quarter:
     
Rolling 4-Quarters At   Maximum Consolidated
Fiscal Quarter End   Leverage Ratio
December 31, 2010 through September 30, 2011
  1.70 : 1.00
December 31, 2011 thereafter
  1.75 : 1.00
SECTION 5.10. NOTICE TO BANK. Promptly (but in no event more than ten (10) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice to Bank in reasonable detail of: (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default, or any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change in the name, the organizational structure or jurisdiction of organization of Borrower or any other Loan Party; (c) the occurrence and nature of any Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in ERISA, or any funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any termination or cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower or any other Loan Party is required to maintain, or any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or property damage, or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting Borrower’s property in excess of an aggregate of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).
SECTION 5.11. SUBSIDIARIES. In the event that any Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower, Borrower shall (a) promptly cause such Domestic Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder and a grantor under the Security Agreements by executing and delivering a Joinder Agreement and a supplement to the Security Agreement in the form attached thereto, and (b) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Section 4.1(b), or as reasonably requested by Bank. In the event that any Person becomes a Foreign Subsidiary of Borrower, Borrower shall deliver or shall cause to be delivered all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Section 4.1(b)(iv) , and Borrower shall take, or shall cause its Domestic Subsidiary to take, all of the actions necessary or reasonably requested by Bank to grant and to perfect a first priority Lien in favor of Bank under the Security Agreements in the lesser of (i) 65% of the Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) all of the Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary owned by Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries. With respect to each such Subsidiary, Borrower shall promptly send to Bank written notice setting forth with respect to such Person (i) the date on which such Person became a Subsidiary of Borrower, and (ii) all of the information required to be set forth in Schedules 3.1 and 3.12 with respect to all Subsidiaries of Borrower; provided that such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedules 3.1 and 3.12 for all purposes hereof.

 

15


 

SECTION 5.12. CASH MANAGEMENT; DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.
(a) Borrower and each other Loan Party shall establish and maintain with Bank their primary cash management services of a type and on terms reasonably satisfactory to Bank. Each deposit account of Borrower and each other Loan Party (“ Deposit Account ”), if not maintained with Bank, shall be maintained with one or more other financial institutions at all times reasonably acceptable to Bank (each a “ Cash Management Bank ”), and if requested by Bank in its discretion, be subject to a control agreement (a “ Deposit Account Control Agreement ”) entered into with Bank, the applicable Loan Party and such Cash Management Bank, which shall provide, among other things, that (i) the Cash Management Bank will comply with any instructions originated by Bank directing the disposition of the funds in such Deposit Account without further consent by Borrower or any other Loan Party, as applicable, and (ii) the Cash Management Bank has no rights of setoff or recoupment or any other claim against the applicable Deposit Account, other than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the administration of such Deposit Account and for returned checks or other items of payment.
(b) Each Cash Management Bank and each Deposit Account existing as of the Closing Date is set forth on Schedule 5.12 . So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower may amend Schedule 5.12 to add or replace a Cash Management Bank or Deposit Account, within 30 days after establishing such Deposit Account; provided, that such additional Cash Management Bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to Bank.
(c) In the event that Bank shall request Borrower or any other Loan Party to deliver a Deposit Account Control Agreement with respect to any Deposit Account held with a Cash Management Bank, Borrower and each other Loan Party shall deliver to Bank a Deposit Account Control Agreement fully executed by all parties thereto other than Bank within 30 days after such request, or such later date as Bank may permit in its reasonable discretion so long as Bank is satisfied that Borrower or such other Loan Party is using its diligent efforts to deliver a Deposit Account Control Agreement; provided, that in such instance, Bank may limit the aggregate amounts that can be held in such Deposit Accounts after such 30 day period, or immediately if a Default or Event of Default then exists.
SECTION 5.13. REAL PROPERTY ASSETS. Upon request by Bank, provide Bank with a complete and current list of its Real Property Assets and such further information with respect thereto as reasonably requested by Bank; and with respect to any Real Property Asset required to be included in the Collateral, promptly after request by Bank, (a) execute and deliver to Bank, such mortgages, deeds of trust, leasehold deeds of trust, assignments of rents and other collateral assignment documents, and landlord or other third party estoppels, consents and attornments, all in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, as Bank may reasonably request, to grant to Bank a Lien on and ensure access to such Real Property Asset and any related fixtures and other Collateral, subject to no other Liens except as permitted in writing by Bank with respect to such Real Property Asset; and (b) deliver or cause to be delivered to Bank, at Borrower’s expense, (i) a Phase I environmental report, (ii) an appraisal report prepared for Bank by a state certified appraiser selected by the Bank, which appraisal report shall describe the fair market value of such Real Property Asset, and which report shall meet or exceed the requirements of applicable law for appraisals prepared for federally insured depository institutions; and (iii) an ALTA lender’s title insurance policy insuring the Lien of the Bank on the premises subject to the Lien of the deed of trust or mortgage to be a valid, first mortgage lien subject to no defects or objections except those permitted by Bank in writing, together with such endorsements as the Bank may reasonably require.

 

16


 

ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor further covenant that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor will not and Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without in each instance Bank’s prior written consent:
SECTION 6.1. USE OF FUNDS. Use any of the proceeds of any credit extended hereunder except for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.
SECTION 6.2. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. Make any additional cash investment in fixed assets in any fiscal year in an aggregate amount for Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000).
SECTION 6.3. [OMITTED.]
SECTION 6.4. OTHER DEBT. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Debt, except:
(a) the liabilities of Borrower to Bank, including pursuant to Swap Contracts entered into with Bank;
(b) Debt outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.4(b ) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that: (i) the amount of such Debt is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder; and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or Bank than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Debt being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;
(c) Debt of any Foreign Subsidiary, inclusive of amounts listed on Schedule 6.4(b) , (i) owing to a Loan Party to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder and (ii) owing to any Person other than a Loan Party in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $25,000,000 plus the Unused Covenant Allocation Amount;

 

17


 

(d) Guarantees (i) by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower of Debt of Borrower or any other Loan Party owing to Bank or any of its Affiliates; (ii) by Borrower or any other Loan Party of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder of Borrower or any other Loan Party, provided both before and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default exists or would result therefrom, including as a consequence of failure to comply with any of the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.9; (iii) by any Foreign Subsidiary of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder of such Foreign Subsidiary; (iv) by Borrower or any other Loan Party of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder of any Foreign Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of all Debt so guaranteed shall not at any time exceed $25,000,000; and (v) by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower permitted pursuant to Section 6.6 ;
(e) Debt (i) with respect to capital leases or Synthetic Lease Obligations and (ii) that constitutes purchase money Debt (including Debt with respect to assets acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) that is secured by a Permitted Lien pursuant to Section 6.9(n); provided that the Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Debt as if was incurred on such date, does not exceed 1.50 : 1.00.
(f) Debt of Borrower, American Reprographics Company, LLC and ARC Acquisition Corporation with respect to Earn-Out Obligations; provided that such Earn-Out Obligations also conform to the requirement of clause (d) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition; and
(g) unsecured Debt not otherwise permitted under subsections (a) through (f) inclusive of this Section 6.4 in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed at any time $30,000,000 plus the Unused Covenant Allocation Amount.
SECTION 6.5. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS, TRANSFER OF ASSETS.
(a) Merge into or consolidate with any other Person if, with respect to any Subsidiary, the surviving Person is not (directly or indirectly) a wholly owned Subsidiary of Borrower and, with respect to Borrower, the surviving Person is not the Borrower;
(b) make any substantial change in the nature of Borrower’s or any Subsidiary Guarantor’s business as conducted or proposed to be conducted as of the date hereof;
(c) other than pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition, acquire Equity Interests in or all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person; nor
(d) consummate any Asset Sales unless (i) Borrower (or the Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise Disposed of, and at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by Borrower or such Subsidiary is in the form of cash or eligible Cash Equivalents, or (ii) such Asset Sale is in respect of equipment in connection with Permitted Sale-Leasebacks, provided that the proceeds of any such Permitted Sale-Leaseback shall be entirely in cash and shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the equipment being sold (determined in good faith by the board of directors of Borrower (or similar governing body)).

 

18


 

SECTION 6.6. GUARANTIES. Guarantee or become liable in any way as surety, endorser (other than as endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business), accommodation endorser or otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower as security for, any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except any of the foregoing (i) in favor of Bank; (ii) as permitted pursuant to Section 6.4(d) ; (iii) in respect of performance, surety, statutory, appeal or similar obligations otherwise permitted hereunder incurred in the ordinary course of business but excluding guaranties with respect to any obligations for borrowed money); and (iv) guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations (other than obligations for borrowed money) of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 6.7. INVESTMENTS. Make any Investments in any Person, except:
(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(b) Investments arising from transactions by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof with customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business, including Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers and suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;
(c) advances to officers, directors, employees, shareholders, partners or members of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes in a maximum aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000;
(d) (i) Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary Guarantor; (ii) Investments of any Subsidiary Guarantor in any other Subsidiary Guarantor; (iii) Investments of any Subsidiary in Borrower; (iv) Investments of Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary thereof consisting of Equity Interests disclosed on Schedule 3.12 ; and (v) following the Closing Date, Investments of Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary thereof in: Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Joint Ventures in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed $25,000,000 for all such Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Joint Ventures;
(e) Investments made for the benefit of employees of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof for the purposes of deferred compensation;
(f) Guarantees permitted by Section 6.4(d) ;
(g) Investments consisting of Swap Contracts permitted by Section 6.4(a) ;
(h) Investments consisting of Capital Expenditures permitted by Section 6.2 ; and
(i) Investments not to exceed $30,000,000.

 

19


 

SECTION 6.8 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except:
(a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Borrower and to wholly owned Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Subsidiary, to Borrower and any Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests);
(b) Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person;
(c) Borrower may declare and make other Restricted Payments, up to the Restricted Payments Permitted Amount, so long as (i) no Default exists at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment or results or would result by virtue of the making thereof and (ii) Borrower, after giving effect to such Restricted Payments (and any other Restricted Payments pursuant to this Section 6.8 ) on a pro forma basis, would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.9 as of the end of the fiscal quarter most recently ended, as if such Restricted Payments were made during such fiscal quarter; provided that Borrower shall not make any Restricted Payment in respect of any of the Senior Unsecured Notes triggered by any calculation of “excess cash flow” without Bank’s prior written consent.
SECTION 6.9. PLEDGE OF ASSETS. Mortgage, pledge, grant or permit to exist a Lien upon all or any portion of Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except any of the following (“ Permitted Liens ”):
(a) any Lien in favor of Bank;
(b) any Lien existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 6.10 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that: (i) the property covered thereby is not changed; (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased; (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed; and (iv) and any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 6.4(b) ;
(c) any Lien for tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies not yet due or to the extent that non payment thereof is permitted by Section 5.7 ; provided that no notice of lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;
(d) any landlord’s, grower’s, supplier’s, producer’s, carrier’s, warehouseman’s, mechanic’s, materialman’s, repairman’s or other like Lien arising in the ordinary course of business that is not overdue for a period of more than thirty days or that is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings timely instituted and diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto, if any, in accordance with GAAP are set aside on the financial statements of the applicable Person;
(e) any pledge or deposit in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(f) any deposit to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts or leases (other than Debt), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

20


 

(g) any lease, utility access, sublease, easement, right of way, encroachment, restriction or other similar encumbrance affecting real property that, when aggregated with all other such Liens, is not substantial in amount, and that does not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(h) any Lien securing a judgment for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 7.1(f) or securing an appeal or other surety bond related to any such judgment;
(i) any Lien existing on any property prior to a Permitted Acquisition or existing on any property of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower; provided that: (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary of Borrower as otherwise permitted hereunder, as the case may be; (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such Permitted Acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower, as the case may be;
(j) any Lien securing obligations in respect of a capital lease on the assets subject to such lease; provided that such capital lease is otherwise permitted hereunder;
(k) any Lien arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution; provided that: (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the FRB; and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof to provide collateral to the depository institution;
(l) any Lien on assets of a Foreign Subsidiary securing Debt permitted under Section 6.4(c) ;
(m) the right of a licensee under a license agreement entered into by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof, as licensor, in the ordinary course of business for the use of intellectual property or other intangible assets of Borrower or any such Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of any such license granted by Borrower or any such Subsidiary on an exclusive basis: (i) such Person shall have determined in its reasonable business judgment that such intellectual property or other intangible assets are no longer useful in the ordinary course of business; (ii) such license is for the use of intellectual property or other intangible assets in geographic regions in which Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof does not have material operations or in connection with the exploitation of any product not then produced or planned to be produced by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; or (iii) such license is granted in connection with a transaction otherwise permitted by this Agreement in which a third party acquires the right to manufacture or sell any product covered by such intellectual property or other intangible assets from Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided further that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) of this subsection (m), Borrower or such Subsidiary has determined that it is in its best economic interest to grant such license; and
(n) any Lien securing Debt permitted under Section 6.4(e) ; provided that: (i) any such Lien does not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by the related Debt; and (ii) the Debt secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of the acquisition thereof.

 

21


 

SECTION 6.10. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of any Loan Party, irrespective of whether in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower as would be obtainable by such Person at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to: (a) transactions between or among Borrower and any Subsidiary Guarantor or between or among Subsidiary Guarantors; (b) Restricted Payments permitted hereunder; and (c) Guarantees permitted by Section 6.4(d) .
SECTION 6.11 SALES AND LEASE BACKS. No Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease (a “ Sale-Leaseback ”) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter required, which such Loan Party (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Loan Party to any Person (other than Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) in connection with such lease; provided, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into Sale-Leasebacks which are in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s business, consistent with past practice and at market rates and subject to compliance with Section 6.5(d)(ii) , with respect to equipment acquired by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date (“ Permitted Sale Leasebacks ”). For avoidance of doubt, Sale-Leasebacks that result in capital leases shall be treated as Debt for all purposes of this Agreement.
SECTION 6.12 SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES. Borrower shall not amend or modify any of the terms applicable to the Senior Unsecured Notes unless such amendment or modification would not, as determined by Bank in Bank’s reasonable discretion (confirmed by an opinion of counsel at Borrower’s expense if requested by Bank) (i) be or result in any conflict with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (ii) adversely effect any of Bank’s rights or interests under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or (iii) adversely effect Borrower’s or any other Loan Party’s ability to perform and observe their respective obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 7.1. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:
(a) Borrower shall fail to pay (i) when due any principal or interest payable under any of the Loan Documents, or (ii) within five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
(b) Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in connection with, or any representation or warranty made by Borrower or any other party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made.

 

22


 

(c) Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation, agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document (other than those specifically described as an “Event of Default” in this Section 7.1 ), and with respect to any such default that by its nature can be cured, such default shall continue for a period of twenty (20) days from its occurrence.
(d) Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any defined event of default, under the terms of any contract, instrument or document (other than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower, any guarantor hereunder or any general partner or joint venturer in Borrower if a partnership or joint venture (with each such guarantor, general partner and/or joint venturer referred to herein as a “Third Party Obligor”) has incurred any debt or other liability to any person or entity, including Bank.
(e) Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or consent to or apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of itself or any of its property, or shall generally fail to pay its debts as they become due, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or seeking reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time (“Bankruptcy Code”), or under any state or federal law granting relief to debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of any involuntary petition; or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be entered against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor by any court of competent jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law; or any involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law is filed or commenced against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor unless dismissed within sixty (60) days thereof.
(f) (i) There is entered against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor a judgment or order that has or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in any such case there is a period of thirty consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect, or (ii) the filing of a notice of judgment lien against, or the recording in any county in which Borrower or such Third Party Obligor has an interest in real property of any abstract of judgment against, Borrower or any Third Party Obligor, or the service of a notice of levy and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like process, against any material portion of assets of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor.
(g) There shall exist or occur any event or condition that Bank in good faith believes materially impairs, or is substantially likely to materially impair, the prospect of payment or performance by Borrower, any Third Party Obligor, or the general partner of either if such entity is a partnership, of its obligations under any of the Loan Documents.
(h) The dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or (unless permitted pursuant to Section 6.5 ) any Third Party Obligor; or Borrower or any such Third Party Obligor, or any of its directors, stockholders or members, shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or (unless permitted pursuant to Section 6.5 ) such Third Party Obligor.
(i) Any Change of Control.

 

23


 

(j) The sale, transfer, hypothecation, assignment or encumbrance, whether voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, without Bank’s prior written consent, of all or any part of or interest in any real property collateral required hereby.
SECTION 7.2. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default: (a) all indebtedness of Borrower under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof to the contrary notwithstanding, shall at Bank’s option and without notice become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; (b) the obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further credit under any of the Loan Documents shall immediately cease and terminate; (c) Bank may require Borrower immediately to cash collateralize the Obligations in respect of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 105.00% of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all unreimbursed amounts in respect of drawn Letters of Credit (the “ L/C Outstanding Amount ”); and (d) Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available under each of the Loan Documents, or accorded by law, including without limitation the right to resort to any or all security for any credit subject hereto and to exercise any or all of the rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to applicable law. All rights, powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at any time by Bank and from time to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, are cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity; provided that, upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to Borrower or any other Loan Party under any Bankruptcy Law, any commitment and obligation of Bank to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of Borrower to Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit obligations in an amount equal to 105.00% of the then L/C Outstanding Amount shall automatically become effective, in each case, without further act of Bank.
ARTICLE VIII
GUARANTY BY SUBSIDIARIES
SECTION 8.1. GUARANTY. Each Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower party hereto (each, a “ Subsidiary Guarantor ”) unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Bank the full and prompt payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise) and performance of the Obligations (the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). The Guaranteed Obligations include interest that, but for a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against Borrower for such interest in any such proceeding.
SECTION 8.2. SEPARATE OBLIGATION. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the Guaranteed Obligations are separate and distinct from any Debt arising under or in connection with any other document, including under any provision of this Agreement other than this Article VIII, executed at any time by such Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of Bank; and (ii) such Subsidiary Guarantor shall pay and perform all of the Guaranteed Obligations as required under this Article VIII, and Bank may enforce any and all of its rights and remedies hereunder, without regard to any other document, including any provision of this Agreement other than this Article VIII, at any time executed by such Subsidiary Guarantor in favor of Bank, irrespective of whether any such other document, or any provision thereof or hereof, shall for any reason become unenforceable or any of the Debt thereunder shall have been discharged, whether by performance, avoidance or otherwise. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that, in providing benefits to Borrower, Bank is relying upon the enforceability of this Article VIII and the Guaranteed Obligations as separate and distinct Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor, and each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that Bank would be denied the full benefit of its bargain if at any time this Article VIII or the Guaranteed Obligations were treated any differently. The fact that the guaranty is set forth in this Agreement rather than in a separate guaranty document is for the convenience of Borrower and Subsidiary Guarantors and shall in no way impair or adversely affect the rights or benefits of Bank under this Article VIII. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver a separate document, immediately upon request at any time of Bank, evidencing such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Article VIII. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, a separate action or actions may be brought against such Subsidiary Guarantor, whether or not Borrower, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person is joined therein or a separate action or actions are brought against Borrower, any such other Subsidiary Guarantor or any such other Person.

 

24


 

SECTION 8.3. LIMITATION OF GUARANTY. To the extent that any court of competent jurisdiction shall impose by final judgment under applicable law (including the California Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act and Sections 544 and 548 of the Bankruptcy Code) any limitations on the amount of any Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations that Bank can enforce under this Article VIII, Bank by its acceptance hereof accepts such limitation on the amount of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability hereunder to the extent needed to make this Article VIII fully enforceable and nonavoidable.
SECTION 8.4. LIABILITY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS. The liability of any Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article VIII shall be irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any circumstance that might constitute a discharge of a surety or guarantor other than the indefeasible payment and performance in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees as follows:
(a) such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall be the immediate, direct, and primary obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor and shall not be contingent upon Bank’s exercise or enforcement of any remedy it may have against Borrower or any other Person, or against any collateral or other security for any Guaranteed Obligations;
(b) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not merely of collectibility;
(c) Bank may enforce this Article VIII upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between Bank, on the one hand, and Borrower or any other Person, on the other hand, with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;
(d) such Subsidiary Guarantor’s payment of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations remaining unsatisfied; and

 

25


 

(e) such Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be impaired or affected by, nor shall such Subsidiary Guarantor be exonerated or discharged by, any of the following events:
(i) any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law;
(ii) any limitation, discharge, or cessation of the liability of Borrower or any other Person for any Guaranteed Obligations due to any statute, regulation or rule of law, or any invalidity or unenforceability in whole or in part of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the Loan Documents;
(iii) any merger, acquisition, consolidation or change in structure of any Loan Party or any other Person, or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any or all of the assets or shares of Borrower or any other Person;
(iv) any assignment or other transfer, in whole or in part, of Bank’s interests in and rights under this Agreement (including this Article VIII) or the other Loan Documents;
(v) any claim, defense, counterclaim or setoff, other than that of prior performance, that Borrower or any Guarantor or any other Person may have or assert, including any defense of incapacity or lack of corporate or other authority to execute any of the Loan Documents;
(vi) Bank’s amendment, modification, renewal, extension, cancellation or surrender of any Loan Document or any Guaranteed Obligations;
(vii) Bank’s exercise or non-exercise of any power, right or remedy with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations or any collateral;
(viii) Bank’s vote, claim, distribution, election, acceptance, action or inaction in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law; or
(ix) any other guaranty, whether by such Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of Borrower to Bank.
SECTION 8.5. CONSENTS OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby unconditionally consents and agrees that, without notice to or further assent from such Subsidiary Guarantor:
(i) the principal amount of the Guaranteed Obligations may be increased or decreased and additional indebtedness or obligations of Borrower under the Loan Documents may be incurred and the time, manner, place or terms of any payment under any Loan Document may be extended or changed, by one or more amendments, modifications, renewals or extensions of any Loan Document or otherwise;
(ii) the time for Borrower’s (or any other Person’s) performance of or compliance with any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed under any Loan Document may be extended, or such performance or compliance waived, or failure in or departure from such performance or compliance consented to, all in such manner and upon such terms as Bank may deem proper;

 

26


 

(iii) Bank may request and accept other guaranties and may take and hold security as collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, and may, from time to time, in whole or in part, exchange, sell, surrender, release, subordinate, modify, waive, rescind, compromise or extend such other guaranties or security and may permit or consent to any such action or the result of any such action, and may apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof; and
(iv) Bank may exercise, or waive or otherwise refrain from exercising, any other right, remedy, power or privilege even if the exercise thereof affects or eliminates any right of subrogation or any other right of such Subsidiary Guarantor against Borrower.
SECTION 8.6. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR’S WAIVERS. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and agrees not to assert:
(i) any right to require Bank to proceed against Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person, or to pursue any other right, remedy, power or privilege of Bank whatsoever;
(ii) the defense of the statute of limitations in any action hereunder or for the collection or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(iii) any defense arising by reason of any lack of corporate or other authority or any other defense of Borrower, such Guarantor or any other Person;
(iv) any defense based upon Bank’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations;
(v) any rights to set-offs and counterclaims;
(vi) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties, or that may conflict with the terms of this Article VIII, including any and all benefits that otherwise might be available to such Subsidiary Guarantor under California Civil Code Sections 1432, 2809, 2810, 2815, 2819, 2839, 2845, 2848, 2849, 2850, 2899 and 3433 and California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 580a, 580b, 580d and 726; and
(vii) any and all notice of the acceptance of this guaranty, and any and all notice of the creation, renewal, modification, extension or accrual of the Guaranteed Obligations, or the reliance by Bank upon this Guaranty, or the exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder. The Guaranteed Obligations shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted, incurred and permitted to exist in reliance upon this Guaranty. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives promptness, diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment, notice of default, dishonor or nonpayment and all other notices to or upon Borrower, each Guarantor or any other Person with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

27


 

SECTION 8.7. FINANCIAL CONDITION OF BORROWER. No Subsidiary Guarantor shall have any right to require Bank to obtain or disclose any information with respect to: the financial condition or character of Borrower or the ability of Borrower to pay and perform the Guaranteed Obligations; the Guaranteed Obligations; any collateral or other security for any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; the existence or nonexistence of any other guarantees of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; any action or inaction on the part of Bank or any other Person; or any other matter, fact or occurrence whatsoever. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby acknowledges that it has undertaken its own independent investigation of the financial condition of Borrower and all other matters pertaining to this Guaranty and further acknowledges that it is not relying in any manner upon any representation or statement of Bank with respect thereto.
SECTION 8.8. SUBROGATION. Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall be satisfied in full and the commitment of Bank hereunder shall be terminated, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall directly or indirectly exercise: (i) any rights that it may acquire by way of subrogation under this Article VIII, by any payment hereunder or otherwise; (ii) any rights of contribution, indemnification, reimbursement or similar suretyship claims arising out of this Article VIII; or (iii) any other right that it might otherwise have or acquire (in any way whatsoever) that could entitle it at any time to share or participate in any right, remedy or security of Bank as against Borrower, any other Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person, whether in connection with this Article VIII, any of the other Loan Documents or otherwise. If any amount shall be paid to any Subsidiary Guarantor on account of the foregoing rights at any time when all the Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Bank and shall forthwith be paid to Bank to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 8.9. SUBORDINATION. All payments on account of all indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of Borrower to any Subsidiary Guarantor, whether now existing or hereafter arising, and whether due or to become due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined (the “ Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt ”), shall be subject, subordinate and junior in right of payment and exercise of remedies, to the extent and in the manner set forth herein, to the prior payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of the Guaranteed Obligations. As long as any of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations) shall remain outstanding and unpaid, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall accept or receive any payment or distribution by or on behalf of Borrower, directly or indirectly, or assets of Borrower, of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt, as a result of any collection, sale or other disposition of collateral, or by setoff, exchange or in any other manner, for or on account of any Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt (“ Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments ”), except that, so long as an Event of Default does not then exist, any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to accept and receive payments on its Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt, in accordance with past business practices of such Subsidiary Guarantor and Borrower and not in contravention of any Law or the terms of the Loan Documents.
If any Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments shall be received in contravention of this Article VIII, such Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments shall be held in trust for the benefit of Bank and shall be paid over or delivered to Bank for application to the payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of all Guaranteed Obligations remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to give effect to this Article VIII after giving effect to any concurrent payments or distributions to Bank in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

28


 

SECTION 8.10. CONTINUING GUARANTY. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and agreement of subordination and shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor until termination of the commitment and payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, including Guaranteed Obligations which may exist continuously or which may arise from time to time under successive transactions, and each Subsidiary Guarantor expressly acknowledges that this guaranty shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding that there may be periods in which no Guaranteed Obligations exist. This Guaranty shall continue in effect and be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor until actual receipt by Bank of written notice from such Subsidiary Guarantor of its intention to discontinue this Guaranty as to future transactions (which notice shall not be effective until noon on the day that is five Business Days following such receipt); provided that no revocation or termination of this guaranty shall affect in any way any rights of Bank hereunder with respect to any Guaranteed Obligations arising or outstanding on the date of receipt of such notice, including any subsequent continuation, extension, or renewal thereof, or change in the terms or conditions thereof, or any Guaranteed Obligations made or created after such date to the extent made or created pursuant to a legally binding commitment of Bank in existence as of the date of such revocation (collectively, “ Existing Guaranteed Obligations ”), and the sole effect of such notice shall be to exclude from this Guaranty Guaranteed Obligations thereafter arising which are unconnected to any Existing Guaranteed Obligations.
SECTION 8.11. REINSTATEMENT. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated and revived, as the case may be, if, for any reason, any payment of the Guaranteed Obligations by or on behalf of Borrower (or receipt of any proceeds of collateral) shall be rescinded, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, voided or otherwise required to be repaid to Borrower, its estate, trustee, receiver or any other Person (including under any Bankruptcy Law), or must otherwise be restored by Bank, whether as a result of proceedings under any Bankruptcy Law or otherwise. All losses, damages, costs and expenses that Bank may suffer or incur as a result of any voided or otherwise set aside payments shall be specifically covered by the indemnity in favor of Bank contained in Section 9.3 .
SECTION 8.12. SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS. The Credit Extensions provided to or for the benefit of Borrower hereunder have been and are to be contemporaneously used for the benefit of Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor. It is the position, intent and expectation of the parties that Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor have derived and will derive significant and substantial benefits from the Credit Extensions to be made available under the Loan Documents. Each Subsidiary Guarantor has received at least “reasonably equivalent value” (as such phrase is used in Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code and in comparable provisions of other applicable law) and more than sufficient consideration to support its obligations hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations. Immediately prior to and after and giving effect to the incurrence of each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be Solvent.
SECTION 8.13. Knowing and Explicit Waivers . Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it either has obtained the advice of legal counsel or has had the opportunity to obtain such advice in connection with the terms and provisions of this Article VIII. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that each of the waivers and consents set forth herein is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences, that all such waivers and consents herein are explicit and knowing and that each Subsidiary Guarantor expects such waivers and consents to be fully enforceable.

 

29


 

If, while any Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt is outstanding, any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law is commenced by or against Borrower or its property, Bank is hereby irrevocably authorized and empowered (in the name of Bank or in the name of any Subsidiary Guarantor or otherwise), but shall have no obligation, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every payment or distribution in respect of all Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt and give acquittances therefor and to file claims and proofs of claim and take such other action (including voting the Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt) as it may deem necessary or advisable for the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights or interests of Bank; and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall promptly take such action as Bank may reasonably request: (A) to collect the Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt for the account of Bank and to file appropriate claims or proofs of claim in respect of the Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt; (B) to execute and deliver to Bank such powers of attorney, assignments and other instruments as it may request to enable it to enforce any and all claims with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt; and (C) to collect and receive any and all Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments.
SECTION 8.14. COLLATERAL. As security for all of its Guaranty Obligations and all of other indebtedness and obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor to Bank hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby grants to Bank security interests of first priority in all Collateral in which such Subsidiary Guarantor has any right, title or interest, whether now existing or hereafter arising, acquired or created. All of the foregoing shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of such security agreements, financing statements, deeds or mortgages, and other documents as Bank shall reasonably require, all in form and substance satisfactory to Bank. Each Subsidiary Guarantor shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all charges, costs and expenses (to include fees paid to third parties), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with any of the foregoing security, including filing and recording fees and costs of appraisals, audits and title insurance.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1. NO WAIVER. No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.
SECTION 9.2. NOTICES.
(a)  Addresses . All notices, requests and demands which any party is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at its address as set forth in its signature block to this Agreement or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all other parties. Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or made as follows: (i) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (ii) if sent by mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (iii) if sent by telecopy, upon receipt.

 

30


 

(b)  Electronic Communications . Each of Bank and Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by means of electronic communication pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless Bank 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 not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, 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.
(c)  Reliance by Bank . Bank shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronically delivered requests for credit extensions) purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower even if: (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein; or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. Borrower shall indemnify Bank and its Related Parties from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with Bank may be recorded by Bank, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
SECTION 9.3. COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES; INDEMNITY.
(a) Costs and Expenses. Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (to include outside counsel fees), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with (i) the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Bank’s continued administration hereof and thereof, and the preparation of any amendments and waivers hereto and thereto, (ii) the enforcement of Bank’s rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to Bank under any of the Loan Documents, and (iii) the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents, including any action for declaratory relief, whether incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including any adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to Borrower or any other person or entity.

 

31


 

(b)  Indemnification by Borrower . Borrower shall indemnify each of Bank and its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (each, and “ Indemnified Party ”) against, and hold each Indemnified Party harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnified Party), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys, who may be employees of any Indemnified Party, incurred by any Indemnified Party or asserted against any Indemnified Party by any third party or by Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of: (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom; (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of toxic or hazardous waste or materials on or from any property owned or operated by Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof or any other Loan Party, or any Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability related in any way to Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof or any other Loan Party; or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnified Party is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnified Party; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnified Party, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.
(c)  Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, each Loan Party shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnified Party, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnified Party shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(d)  Payments . All amounts due under this Section 9.3 shall be payable not later than three Business Days after demand therefor.
(e)  Survival . The agreements in this Section 9.3 shall survive the termination of the commitment and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
SECTION 9.4. SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that Borrower may not assign or transfer its interests or rights hereunder without Bank’s prior written consent. Bank reserves the right to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate or grant participations in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank’s rights and benefits under each of the Loan Documents. In connection therewith, Bank may disclose all documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter acquire relating to any credit subject hereto, Borrower or its business, any guarantor hereunder or the business of such guarantor, or any collateral required hereunder.
SECTION 9.5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Bank and the Loan Parties with respect to each credit subject hereto and supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by Bank and Bow and, if applicable, the applicable Loan Party.

 

32


 

SECTION 9.6. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents to which it is not a party.
SECTION 9.7. TIME. Time is of the essence of each and every provision of this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 9.8. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 9.10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
SECTION 9.11. ARBITRATION.
(a)  Arbitration . The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to submit to binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or among them (and their respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and other agents), whether in tort, contract or otherwise in any way arising out of or relating to (i) any credit subject hereto, or any of the Loan Documents, and their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.
(b)  Governing Rules . Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location in California selected by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”); (ii) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA’s commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes to be referred to herein, as applicable, as the “ Rules ”). If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any dispute. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. §91 or any similar applicable state law.

 

33


 

(c)  No Waiver of Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure . The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.
(d)  Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers . Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral attorney licensed in the State of California or a neutral retired judge of the state or federal judiciary of California, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the dispute to be arbitrated. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrator’s discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all disputes in accordance with the substantive law of California and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the California Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.
(e)  Discovery . In any arbitration proceeding, discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party’s presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.
(f)  Class Proceedings and Consolidations . No party hereto shall be entitled to join or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties who have executed any Loan Document, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney general capacity.
(g)  Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees . The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.

 

34


 

(h)  Real Property Collateral; Judicial Reference . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if the dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien or security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or benefits that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute of California, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable. If any such dispute is not submitted to arbitration, the dispute shall be referred to a referee in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Section 638 et seq., and this general reference agreement is intended to be specifically enforceable in accordance with said Section 638. A referee with the qualifications required herein for arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to the AAA’s selection procedures. Judgment upon the decision rendered by a referee shall be entered in the court in which such proceeding was commenced in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.
(i)  Miscellaneous . To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the subject matter of the dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the parties.
(j)  Small Claims Court . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party retains the right to pursue in Small Claims Court any dispute within that court’s jurisdiction. Further, this arbitration provision shall apply only to disputes in which either party seeks to recover an amount of money (excluding attorneys’ fees and costs) that exceeds the jurisdictional limit of the Small Claims Court.
SECTION 9.12 RIGHT OF SETOFF.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Bank and its Affiliates are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by Bank to or for the credit or the account of Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the Obligations to Bank or such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not Bank shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of Bank different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such obligations. The rights of Bank and its Affiliates under this Section 9.12 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that Bank or its Affiliates may have. Bank agrees to notify Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

35


 

SECTION 9. 13 COUNTERPARTS; INTEGRATION; EFFECTIVENESS.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous documents, agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.1 , this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed and delivered by Bank and when Bank shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 9. 14 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Bank, regardless of any investigation made by Bank or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Bank may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation (other than unasserted contingent indemnification obligations) shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.
SECTION 9. 15 SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9. 16 USA PATRIOT ACT NOTICE.
Bank hereby notifies Borrower that, pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower and each other Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and each other Loan Party and other information that will allow Bank to identify Borrower and each other Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

36


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.
                 
BORROWER:       ADDRESS:
 
               
AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:       ADDRESS:
 
               
AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS COMPANY, L.L.C.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
AMERICAN REPROGRAPHICS SOUTHEAST, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
ARC ACQUISITION CORPORATION        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
BLUE PRINT SERVICE COMPANY, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       

 

 


 

                 
BPI REPRO, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
DUNN BLUE PRINT COMPANY, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
ERS DIGITAL, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
LEET-MELBROOK, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
               
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
LICENSING SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
MBC PRECISION IMAGING, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
MCKEE ENTERPRISES, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       

 

 


 

                 
MIRROR PLUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
OLYMPIC REPROGRAPHICS, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
PENINSULA BLUEPRINT, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
PLANWELL, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
REPROGRAPHICS FORT WORTH, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
REPROGRAPHICS NORTHWEST, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
RIDGWAY’S, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       

 

 


 

                 
SUBHUB, INC.        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
THE PEIR GROUP, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       
 
               
THE PEIR GROUP INTERNATIONAL, LLC        
 
               
By   /s/ JONATHAN MATHER       1981 N. Broadway, Suite 385
             
 
  Name:  
 
      Walnut Creek, CA 94596 
 
  Title:           Attn:
 
     
 
       

 

 


 

                 
BANK:       ADDRESS:
 
               
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
       
 
               
By   /s/ MEHDI T. EMRANI       Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
             
 
  Name:   Mehdi T. Emrani       1000 Lakes Drive, Suite 250
 
  Title:   Assistant Vice President       West Covina, CA 91790
Attn: Mehdi Emrani, Relationship Manager

 

 


 

SCHEDULE 1
DEFINED TERMS
As used in this Agreement and unless otherwise expressly indicated, or unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
AAA ” means the American Arbitration Association.
Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement, as amended, modified and/or supplemented from time to time.
Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
Applicable Rate ” means (i) from the Closing Date to the date on which Bank receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.3(c) for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2010, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below corresponding to Pricing Level 1, and (ii) thereafter, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by Bank pursuant to Section 5.3(c) :
                 
PRICING   CONSOLIDATED   INTEREST   STANDBY   UNUSED
LEVEL   LEVERAGE RATIO   RATE   L/C FEE   FEE
1   > 3.00x   LIBOR + 2.00%   2.00% p.a.   0.20%
2   2.00x – 2.99x   LIBOR + 1.75%   1.75% p.a.   0.15%
3   < 2.00x   LIBOR + 1.50%   1.50% p.a.   0.10%
LIBOR shall be determined as provided in Section 2.2(a) . Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 5.3(c) ; provided , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then Pricing Level 1 shall apply, in each case as of the third Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and in each case shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, if, for any period and for any reason, the actual Consolidated Leverage Ratio is higher than that reported in the related Compliance Certificate delivered for such period, then Borrower shall immediately, without the requirement of notice or demand from any Person, pay to Bank an amount equal to the excess of: (A) the amount of interest or fees that would have accrued had the Applicable Rates for such period been based upon the actual Consolidated Leverage Ratio for such period rather than the Consolidated Leverage Ratio reported in the Compliance Certificate delivered for such period; over (B) the amount of interest or fees that was actually paid by Borrower based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio reported in the Compliance Certificate delivered for such period.

 

 


 

Asset Sale ” means any direct or indirect Disposition (whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions) by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof to any Person other than Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary Guarantor of: (a) any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of Borrower; or (b) any other property of Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof other than: (i) any Disposition by Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof of Investments of the type described in Section 6.7(a); (ii) any Disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (iii) any Disposition of used, obsolete or surplus property Disposed of in the ordinary course of business (unless such Disposition is prohibited by Section 6.5). For the avoidance of doubt, an Asset Sale does not include any issuance by Borrower of common Equity Interests.
Attributable Debt ” means, on any date of determination: (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP; and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.
Bank ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Bankruptcy Code ” means the federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. Sections 101 et seq .).
Bankruptcy Laws ” means, collectively: (a) the Bankruptcy Code; and (b) all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Borrower ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in California are authorized or required by law to close.
Cash Collateral Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d) .
Cash Equivalents ” means, as to any Person: (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (but only so long as the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition; (b) securities issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than ninety days from the date of acquisition and having one of the two highest ratings from either Standard & Poor’s Corporation or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; (c) domestic and Eurodollar certificates of deposit, time or demand deposits or bankers’ acceptances maturing within six months after the date of acquisition issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by: (i) Bank; and (ii) any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia having combined capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000; (d) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) and (b) of this definition entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) of this definition; (e) commercial paper issued by the parent corporation of Bank or any commercial bank (provided that the parent corporation and the bank are both incorporated in the United States) having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 and commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated in the United States, which commercial paper is rated at least A 1 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or at least P 1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and in each case maturing not more than ninety days after the date of acquisition by such Person; and (f) investments in money market funds substantially all the assets of which are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition.

 

 


 

Change of Control ” means, (a) at any time (i) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (A) shall have acquired “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of 25% or more on a fully diluted basis of the voting or economic interest in the Equity Interests of the Borrower, or (B) shall have obtained the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Borrower; or (ii) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Borrower by Persons who were neither (x) nominated by the board of directors of Borrower nor (y) appointed by directors so nominated; or (b) the occurrence of any event or the existence of any circumstance that constitutes “fundamental change” or “change of control” (or any similar term) under the documents governing any Debt.
Closing Date ” means December 1, 2010.
“Collateral” means, with respect to Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, all property and interests in property of such Person as described below or as described in any Security Document:
(a) all accounts, deposit accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, (whether electronic or tangible) instruments, promissory notes, documents, general intangibles, payment intangibles, software, letter of credit rights, health-care insurance receivables and other rights to payment of every kind now existing or at any time hereafter arising;
(b) all inventory, goods held for sale or lease or to be furnished under contracts for service, or goods so leased or furnished, raw materials, component parts, work in process and other materials used or consumed in Debtor’s business, now or at any time hereafter owned or acquired by Debtor, wherever located, and all products thereof, whether in the possession of Debtor, any warehousemen, any bailee or any other person, or in process of delivery, and whether located at Debtor’s places of business or elsewhere;
(c) all warehouse receipts, bills of sale, bills of lading and other documents of every kind (whether or not negotiable) in which Debtor now has or at any time hereafter acquires any interest, and all additions and accessions thereto, whether in the possession or custody of Debtor, any bailee or any other person for any purpose;
(d) all money and property heretofore, now or hereafter delivered to or deposited with Secured Party or otherwise coming into the possession, custody or control of Secured Party (or any agent or bailee of Secured Party) in any manner or for any purpose whatsoever during the existence of this Agreement and whether held in a general or special account or deposit for safekeeping or otherwise;

 

 


 

(e) all right, title and interest of Debtor under licenses, guaranties, warranties, management agreements, marketing or sales agreements, escrow contracts, indemnity agreements, insurance policies, service or maintenance agreements, supporting obligations and other similar contracts of every kind in which Debtor now has or at any time hereafter shall have an interest;
(f) all goods, tools, machinery, furnishings, furniture and other equipment and fixtures of every kind now existing or hereafter acquired, and all improvements, replacements, accessions and additions thereto and embedded software included therein, whether located on any property owned or leased by Debtor or elsewhere, including any of the foregoing now or at any time hereafter located at or installed on the land or in the improvements at any of the real property owned or leased by Debtor, and all such goods after they have been severed and removed from any of said real property;
(g) all motor vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, manufactured homes, boats, other rolling stock and related equipment of every kind now existing or hereafter acquired and all additions and accessories thereto, whether located on any property owned or leased by Debtor or elsewhere;
(h) all of the following (collectively, “Intellectual Property Collateral”):
(i) all patents and patent applications and all patent rights with respect thereto throughout the world, including without limitation all license royalties, foreign filing rights, and rights to extend such patents and patent rights, and all rights in all patentable inventions, and to file applications for patent under federal patent law or under the laws or regulations of any foreign country (collectively, the “Patents”);
(ii) all copyrights (whether or not registered with the United States Copyright Office), and all applications for copyright registration (including applications for copyright registrations of derivative works and compilations), all license royalties, foreign filing rights, and extension rights (collectively, the “Copyrights”);
(iii) all trademarks and rights and interests which are capable of being protected as trademarks (including without limitation trademarks, service marks, designs, logos, indicia, tradenames, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, and other source or business identifiers, and the goodwill related thereto and represented thereby, and applications pertaining thereto, and all rights to register trademark claims under any state or federal trademark law or regulation of any foreign country, and to apply for, renew, and extend trademark registrations and trademark rights (collectively, “Trademarks” );
(iv) all computer programs, software, source codes, object codes, data bases, processes and trade secrets and all other intellectual property in which Debtor now has or hereafter creates or acquires any interest; and
(v) all applications for any of the foregoing and all licenses with respect to any of the foregoing;
(i) all commercial tort claims in existence on the date of this Agreement or at any time hereafter arising and identified by the Debtor to Secured Party; and

 

 


 

(j) all Real Property Assets other than Owned Real Property and Material Leased Real Estate listed on Schedule 3.19 as of the Closing Date and any other Real Property Asset that is not required to be subject to a Lien in favor of Bank pursuant to Section 2.4(b);
together with whatever is receivable or received when any of the foregoing or the proceeds thereof are sold, leased, collected, exchanged or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, including all rights to payment, including returned premiums, with respect to any insurance relating to any of the foregoing, any infringement claims or causes of action and all rights to payment with respect to any claim or cause of action affecting or relating to any of the foregoing.
Commercial Letter of Credit” means a commercial letter of credit issued by Bank hereunder for the account of Borrower.
Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA ” means, for any period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) Consolidated Net Income; and to the extent already deducted in arriving at Consolidated Net Income: (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, (c) provisions for taxes based on income, (d) total depreciation expense, (e) total amortization expense, and (f) other non cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash item that were paid in a prior period), minus (ii) other non cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such non cash item to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash item in any prior period).
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR ” means, for any period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA plus (b) Consolidated Rental Payments.
Consolidated Funded Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (without duplication): (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; plus (b) all purchase money Debt; plus (c) all direct obligations arising under letters of credit (whether standby or commercial and whether or not issued hereunder), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; plus (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business); plus (e) all Attributable Debt; plus (f) all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Debt of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) of this definition of Persons other than Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; plus (g) all Debt of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (f) of this definition of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which Borrower or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided that Consolidated Funded Debt shall not include (without duplication): (i) Debt in respect of Swap Contracts; or (ii) obligations to the extent that such obligations are indirect, contingent obligations (other than contingent obligations with respect to the undrawn face amount of letters of credit (including standby and commercial letters of credit)).

 

 


 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of: (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the period consisting of the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date, to (b) the sum of (i) to the extent paid in cash during such period, of Consolidated Interest Expense (excluding any termination payments made under any interest rate Swap Contracts to the extent included in Consolidated Interest Expense determined in accordance with GAAP) plus (ii) Consolidated Rental Payments.
Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, for any period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum for such period of (without duplication): (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets; plus (b) all payments made under interest rate Swap Contracts to the extent not included in clause (a) of this definition; minus (c) all payments received under interest rate Swap Contracts; plus (d) the portion of rent expense under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of: (a) Consolidated Funded Debt on such date; to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period consisting of the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date.
Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income (or loss) for such period, but excluding (without duplication): (a) any income of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that Borrower’s direct or indirect equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such computation of net income (or loss) up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to Borrower or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution; and (b) net income of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of that income is prohibited by operation of the terms of its Organizational Documents or any document or Laws applicable to such Subsidiary or by which Subsidiary is bound.
Consolidated Rental Payments ” means, for any period, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the total rent expense (including under any agreement to rent or lease any real or personal property, but exclusive of obligations under capital leases).
“Consolidated Senior Secured Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (without duplication) the aggregate amount of all Debt, including all Obligations and all Attributable Debt, that is secured by a Lien on any assets or properties of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Consolidated Senior Secured Debt Leverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of: (a) Consolidated Senior Secured Debt on such date; to (b) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period consisting of the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date.
Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. The terms “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to vote 5.00% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

 

 


 

Daily One Month LIBOR ” means for any day, the rate of interest equal to LIBOR then in effect for delivery for a one (1) month period.
Debt ” means, as to any Person as of any date of determination, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP: (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial letters of credit), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; (c) the Swap Termination Value under all Swap Contracts to which such Person is a party; (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business not past due for more than sixty days after the date on which such trade account payable was created); (e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse; (f) the amount of Attributable Debt in respect of all capital lease obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person; (g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Disqualified Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a Disqualified Equity Interest that is a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and (h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing. For all purposes hereof, the Debt of any Person shall include the Debt of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.
Default ” means a condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.
“Default Rate” means the rate per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) equal to four percent (4%) above the rate of interest from time to time applicable to Line of Credit Advances.
Disposition ” means the sale, assignment transfer, conveyance, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith. The term “Dispose” has a meaning correlative thereto.
Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of Borrower that is organized under the Laws of the United States of America, any State or Territory thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

 


 

“Earn-Out Obligation” means any unsecured contingent liability of Borrower or ARC Acquisition Corporation owed to any seller in connection with any Permitted Acquisition that (a) constitutes a portion of the purchase price for such Permitted Acquisition but is not an amount certain on the date of incurrence thereof and is not subject to any right of acceleration by such seller, (b) is only payable upon the achievement of performance standards by the Person or other property acquired in such Permitted Acquisition and in an amount based upon such achievement; provided that the maximum aggregate amount of such liability shall be fixed at a specified amount on the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and (c) is expressly subordinate and made junior to the payment and performance in full of all the Obligations in accordance with a subordination agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D or an agreement containing substantially similar terms; provided, that up to $20,000,000 outstanding at any time of such unsecured contingent liabilities of Borrower shall not be required to be subordinate pursuant to the above clause (c).
Equity Interests ” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Event of Default ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .
Existing Guaranteed Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.10 .
Fixed Rate Term ” means a period commencing on a Business Day and continuing for one (1), three (3) or six (6) months, as designated by Borrower, during which all or a portion of the outstanding principal balance of the Obligations bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR; provided, that no Fixed Rate Term in respect of any Line of may be selected for a principal amount less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00); and provided further, that no Fixed Rate Term shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. If any Fixed Rate Term would end on a day which is not a Business Day, then such Fixed Rate Term shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.
Foreign Joint Venture ” means a joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form between or among any of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower and any Person that is organized under the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State or Territory thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that no corporate or limited liability company Foreign Subsidiary wholly owned (directly or indirectly) by Borrower shall be considered to be a Foreign Joint Venture to which Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower is a party.
Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of Borrower other than a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

 


 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles or standards as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are in effect and applicable to the circumstances and/or Persons to which such generally accepted accounting principles relate as of the date of determination, consistently applied and used consistently with the prior practices of such Persons (which Persons include Borrower each Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of this Agreement). Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered most recently prior to the Closing Date, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and Borrower and Bank shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided that, until so amended: (i) such financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein; and (ii) Borrower shall provide to the Bank financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such financial ratio, financial covenant or other requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Governmental Authorization ” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.
Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect: (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation; (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt or other obligation; (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt or other obligation; or (d) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “ Guarantee ” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
Guaranteed Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 .
Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(b) .

 

 


 

Interest Payment Date ” means the last Business Day of each calendar month or, if earlier, the last day of any Fixed Rate Term and the Maturity Date.
Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person in another Person, whether by means of: (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person; (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or limited liability company interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Debt of such other Person; or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Joinder Agreement ” means an agreement entered into by a Subsidiary of Borrower following the date hereof to join in the guaranty set forth in Article VIII, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto or any other form approved by Bank.
“L/C Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) .
“L/C Outstanding Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 .
Letter of Credit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) .
LIBOR ” means the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest whole 1/8 of 1%) and determined pursuant to the following formula:
     
LIBOR =
  Base LIBOR
   
  100% – LIBOR Reserve Percentage
(i) “Base LIBOR” means the rate per annum for United States dollar deposits quoted by Bank (A) for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference to LIBOR, as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate, with the understanding that such rate is quoted by Bank for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference thereto, on the first day of a Fixed Rate Term for delivery of funds on said date for a period of time approximately equal to the number of days in such Fixed Rate Term and in an amount approximately equal to the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applies, or (B) for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference to the Daily One Month LIBOR Rate, as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate in effect from time to time for delivery of funds for one (1) month in amounts approximately equal to the principal amount of such loans. Borrower understands and agrees that Bank may base its quotation of the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate upon such offers or other market indicators of the Inter-Bank Market as Bank in its discretion deems appropriate including, but not limited to, the rate offered for U.S. dollar deposits on the London Inter-Bank Market.
(ii) “LIBOR Reserve Percentage” means the reserve percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for “Eurocurrency Liabilities” (as defined in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as amended), adjusted by Bank for expected changes in such reserve percentage during the applicable term of this Agreement.

 

 


 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property).
Line of Credit ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .
Line of Credit Note ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) .
Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).
Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, each Letter of Credit agreement, the Line of Credit Note, any Letter of Credit, each Security Document, and each contract, instrument and other document required under this Agreement or at any time hereafter delivered to Bank in connection herewith or therewith.
Material Adverse Effect ” means any of the following: (a) a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect upon, the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of either: (i) Borrower; or (ii) Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of either Borrower or Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, taken as a whole, to perform their respective obligations under the Loan Documents; or (c) a material adverse effect upon: (i) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Loan Document to which Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party; or (ii) the rights and remedies of Bank under or in respect of any Loan Document.
Material Leased Real Estate ” means all real property in which Borrower or any Subsidiary has a leasehold interest with a rental term (including any optional renewal) expiring on or after December 31, 2013, other than leases or rentals of nonmanufacturing replaceable office space at a rental rate at or above current market rates.
Maturity Date ” means December 1, 2015.
“Note Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(e).
Obligations ” means all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of any Loan Party to Bank under or in respect of any Loan Document or otherwise, whether with respect to any Loan or any Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
Organizational Documents ” means: (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) of such Person; (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement of such Person; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization of such Person and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with such Person’s formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such Person.

 

 


 

Owned Real Estate ” means any real property in which Borrower or any Subsidiary holds title or the beneficial interest in fee simple.
Plan ” means an employee pension benefit plan (as defined in ERISA).
“Permitted Acquisition” means any acquisition by Borrower or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the Equity Interests of, or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person; provided that,
(a) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable laws and in conformity with all applicable Governmental Authorizations;
(c) in the case of the acquisition of Equity Interests, all of the Equity Interests (except for any such securities in the nature of directors’ qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable law) acquired, or otherwise issued by such Person or any newly formed Subsidiary of Borrower, in connection with such acquisition shall be owned 100% by Borrower or another Loan Party, and Borrower shall have taken, or caused to be taken, as of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower each of the actions set forth in Section 5.11 ;
(d) if the consideration to be delivered in connection with the proposed acquisition includes any deferred consideration payable to any seller, such as payment under a seller note, Earn-Out Obligations, or extraordinary payments under consulting, employment or lease agreements with such seller or its Affiliates, such deferred consideration shall in all cases be expressly subordinated to payment of the Obligations pursuant to a Seller Subordinated Note or a subordination agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D (or an agreement containing substantially similar terms);
(e) Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 5.9 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition as of the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended;
(f) Borrower shall have delivered to Bank at least five (5) Business Days prior to such proposed acquisition: (x) a Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with Section 5.9 as required under clause (e) above, together with all relevant financial information with respect to such acquired assets, including the aggregate consideration for such acquisition and any other information required to demonstrate compliance with Section 5.9 ; provided, that Borrower shall not be required to deliver a Compliance Certificate with respect to any proposed acquisition if, since the date of the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate, all the aggregate consideration for all Permitted Acquisitions plus the proposed acquisition is less than $10,000,000; (y) copies of the definitive documentation relating to such proposed acquisition, unless the aggregate consideration to be delivered in connection with the proposed acquisition is less than $10,000,000;

 

 


 

(g) any Person or assets or division as acquired in accordance herewith (i) shall be in the same or a similar or related business or lines of business in which Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries are permitted to be engaged pursuant to Section 6.5 and (ii) if the aggregate consideration to be paid in connection with the proposed acquisition is greater than or equal to $10,000,000, shall have generated positive Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (after allowing for pro forma adjustments permitted hereunder) for the most recently completed four-fiscal quarter period prior to the date of such acquisition;
(h) in the case of a purchase or other acquisition of the Equity Interests of another Person, the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) of such other Person shall have duly approved such purchase or other acquisition; and
(i) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall, in connection with any such transaction, assume or remain liable with respect to any Debt or other liability (including any material tax or ERISA liability) of the related seller or the business, Person or properties acquired, unless (i) with respect to any Debt, such Debt is permitted to exist under Section 6.4 and (ii) with respect to obligations not constituting Debt, such obligations are incurred in the ordinary course of business and are necessary or desirable to the continued operation of the underlying properties; and any other such liabilities or obligations not permitted to be assumed or otherwise supported by any Loan Party hereunder shall be paid in full or released as to the business, Persons or properties being so acquired on or before the consummation of such acquisition.
“Permitted Lien” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.9 .
Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization, including a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
Real Property Assets ” means all Owned Real Estate and all Material Leased Real Estate.
Responsible Officer ” means: (a) with respect to Borrower in connection with any Request for Credit Extension, any Compliance Certificate or any other certificate or notice pertaining to any financial information required to be delivery by Borrower hereunder, the chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of Borrower; and (b) otherwise, with respect to Borrower or any other Loan Party, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.
Restricted Payment ” means, as to any Person: (a) any dividend or other distribution by such Person (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of such Person; (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest; (c) any payment of principal or interest or any purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition or defeasance with respect to any Debt of such Person arising under the Senior Unsecured Notes or which is otherwise subordinated to the payment of the Obligations; (d) the acquisition for value by such Person of any Equity Interests issued by such Person or any other Person that Controls such Person; and (e) any other transaction that has a similar effect as clauses (a) through (d) of this definition.

 

 


 

Restricted Payments Permitted Amount ” means an aggregate cumulative amount equal to $25,000,000.
Rules ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.11(b) .
Security Agreements ” means (a) the Security Agreements, dated as of the Closing Date, executed by Borrower and by each Subsidiary Guarantor, respectively, in favor of Bank; and (b) any similar document executed thereafter pursuant to the terms hereof or otherwise in connection herewith after the Closing Date.
Security Documents ” means, collectively: (a) the Security Agreements; (b) each deposit account control agreement or securities account control agreement, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank, entered into in connection with this Agreement or the Security Agreements; (c) each intellectual property assignment or security agreement, each in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, entered into in connection with this Agreement or the Security Agreements; and (d) any document similar to the documents referred to in clauses (a) through (c) of this definition executed on or after the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof or the Security Agreements or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Seller Subordinated Notes” means, collectively, the unsecured promissory notes issued by any Loan Party to any seller in connection with a Permitted Acquisition which are expressly subordinated and made junior to the payment and performance in full of all the Obligations in accordance with a subordination agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D .
Senior Unsecured Notes” means the promissory notes issued pursuant to the Note Offering.
Standby Letter of Credit” means a standby letter of credit issued by Bank hereunder for the account of Borrower.
Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise Controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “ Subsidiary ” or to “ Subsidiaries ” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Borrower.
Subsidiary Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 .
Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.9 .
Subsidiary Guarantor Subordinated Debt Payments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.9 .

 

 


 

Swap Contract ” means: (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement; and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, that are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement (in each case, together with any related schedules).
“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts: (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s); and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) of this definition, the amount(s) determined as the mark to market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include Bank or any Affiliate of Bank) .
Synthetic Lease Obligation ” means the monetary obligation of a Person under either: (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease; or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
Third Party Obligor ” means, each Subsidiary Guarantor and any general partner or joint venturer in Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor if a partnership or joint venture.
United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.
Unused Covenant Allocation Amount” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to $50,000,000 minus the sum of (a) the excess over $25,000,000 of Debt of any Foreign Subsidiary permitted pursuant to Section 6.4(c), plus (b) the excess over $30,000,000 of unsecured Debt permitted pursuant to Section 6.4(g).
“USA PATRIOT Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.18(a) .

 

 

Exhibit 99.1
American Reprographics Company Closes $200 Million High Yield Bond Offering
WALNUT CREEK, California (December 2, 2010) – American Reprographics Company (NYSE: ARP) (the “Company” or “ARC”) today announced that on December 1, 2010, it completed a private offering of senior unsecured notes due December 15, 2016, in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million (the “Notes”). The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company, and bear an interest rate of 10.5% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 through the maturity date. The Notes were priced at 97.824% of par, creating a yield at issuance of 11%, and contain an optional call provision dated December 15, 2013. Customary for instruments of this type, there are no financial maintenance covenants associated with the Notes.
The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to repay its existing credit facility which was due to expire in 2012.
“I’m very pleased to have successfully concluded the offering,” said K. “Suri” Suriyakumar, Chairman, President and CEO. “Our new debt structure provides patient capital to help us position the company for success as the economy recovers, and to create long-term value for our investors. The notes enable us to capitalize on ARC’s potential without the restrictions normally associated with a conventional bank loan.”
The transaction was led by BoA Merrill Lynch, with J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities also participating as joint book-running managers. Citi was a co-manager on the transaction.
Concurrent with the offering, the Company also entered into a new 5-year, $50 million revolving credit line with Wells Fargo Bank with normal and customary terms and conditions.
Teleconference and Webcast
American Reprographics Company will host a conference call and audio webcast today at 2:00 P.M. Pacific Time (5:00 P.M. Eastern Time) to review the transaction. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 877-402-8179. The conference ID number is 29350498.
A replay of this call will be available approximately one hour after the call for seven days following the call’s conclusion. To access the replay, dial 800-642-1687. The conference ID number is 29350498.
A Web archive will be made available at http://www.e-arc.com for approximately 90 days following the call’s conclusion.

 

 


 

About American Reprographics Company
American Reprographics Company is the leading reprographics company in the United States providing business-to-business document management technology and services to the architectural, engineering and construction, or AEC industries. The Company provides these services to companies in non-AEC industries, such as technology, financial services, retail, entertainment, and food and hospitality, which also require sophisticated document management services. American Reprographics Company provides its core services through its suite of reprographics technology products, a network of hundreds of locally-branded reprographics service centers across the U.S., Canada and the U.K, on-site at more than 5,000 customer locations, and through UDS, a joint-venture company headquartered in Beijing, China. The Company’s service centers are arranged in a hub and satellite structure and are digitally connected as a cohesive network, allowing the provision of services both locally and nationally to more than 138,000 active customers.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current opinions, estimates and assumptions of management regarding future events and the future financial performance of the Company. Words such as “projects,” “expect,” “suggests,” “potential,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and all statements other than statements of historical fact, including, but not limited to, any projections regarding earnings, revenues and financial performance of the Company, could be deemed forward-looking statements. We caution you that such statements are only predictions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the current economic downturn, general economic conditions and downturn in the architectural, engineering and construction industries specifically; our ability to streamline operations and reduce and/or manage costs; competition in our industry and innovation by our competitors; our failure to anticipate and adapt to future changes in our industry; our failure to take advantage of market opportunities and/or to complete acquisitions; our failure to manage acquisitions, including our inability to integrate and merge the business operations of the acquired companies or failure to retain key personnel and customers of acquired companies; our dependence on certain key vendors for equipment, maintenance services and supplies; damage or disruption to our facilities, our technology centers, our vendors or a majority of our customers; and our failure to continue to develop and introduce new products and services successfully. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is illustrative but is by no means exhaustive. For more information on factors that may affect our future performance, please review our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and specifically the risk factors set forth in our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts:
     
David Stickney
  Joseph Villalta
American Reprographics Company
  The Ruth Group
Phone: 925-949-5100
  Phone: 646-536-7003