false000184428000018442802022-04-082022-04-08

 

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): April 08, 2022

 

 

Thorne HealthTech, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

001-40826

27-2877253

(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

152 W. 57th Street

 

New York, New York

 

10019

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (929) 251-6321

 

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

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

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 


Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share

 

THRN

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On April 8, 2022, Thorne HealthTech, Inc. (Thorne or the Company), entered into a Loan Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (BofA or the Lender), with an effective date of March 31, 2022. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Loan Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Lender will provide a revolving line of credit to the Company in the amount of $15.0 million (the Line of Credit). Under the Loan Agreement, the Company may repay principal amounts and reborrow them as necessary, up through March 31, 2027 (the Expiration Date). Outstanding borrowings under the Loan Agreement will be subject to interest at a rate equal to the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index rate (BSBY), plus 1.50 percentage points, adjusted on the first day of each month (the Adjustment Date). Interest is calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed. The Company will pay interest on any outstanding borrowings beginning April 31, 2022, and then on the same day of each month thereafter, until all principal outstanding is repaid under the Loan Agreement. Should the first day of a calendar month fall on a day that is not a banking day, then the Adjustment Date shall be the first banking day immediately following thereafter. The Line of Credit is subject to an Unused Commitment Fee equal to 0.2% per year. The Unused Commitment Fee is due on May 1, 2022, and on the same day each following quarter until the expiration of the Loan Agreement.

 

As a sub-facility under the Line of Credit, the Lender will provide up to $6.0 million in commercial and standby letters of credit (the Letters of Credit). Any outstanding and undrawn Letters of Credit shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and such amount shall not be available for borrowings. Letters of Credit issued under the Loan Agreement are subject to BofA’s customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges.

 

All borrowings under the Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Thorne Research, Inc., a subsidiary of Thorne, and secured by substantially all personal property of the company, including depository accounts, receivables, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, and other unencumbered assets, as set forth in the related Security Agreement, and the Continuing and Unconditional Guaranty, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3, respectively.

 

Upon the occurrence of any default, all outstanding and unpaid amounts, including unpaid interest, fees, or costs will bear interest at a rate equal the then effective interest rate, plus 6.0 percentage points.

 

The Loan Agreement is subject to customary covenants, including the following financial covenants:

 

i.
Consolidated Total Leverage to EBITDA Ratio: maintain a consolidated Funded Debt to EBITDA not exceeding 2.5:1.0. Funded Debt is defined as all outstanding liabilities for borrowed money (including any outstanding Letters of Credit) and other interest-bearing liabilities, including current and long-term debt, less the non-current portion of Subordinated Liabilities. Funded Debt shall not include operating lease liabilities.

 

ii.
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: maintain a consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.25:1.0. Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is defined as the ratio of (a) consolidated EBITDA, less the amount of unfinanced capital expenditures, plus rental expense for such period, to (b) the sum of Federal/state/local taxes, interest expense, lease expense, rent expense, the current portion of long term debt, the current portion of finance lease obligations, and any Restricted Payments incurred or made during the period.

 

The Company incurred and paid an origination loan fee at the closing on April 8, 2022, of $15,000.

 

The foregoing description of the Loan Agreement, Security Agreement, and the Continuing and Unconditional Guarantee, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Loan Agreement, Security Agreement, and the Continuing and Unconditional Guarantee, filed herewith as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

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

 

The descriptions of the Loan Agreement, Security Agreement, and the Continuing and Unconditional Guarantee, set forth in Item 1.01, are incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

 


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.1

 

Loan Agreement, dated March 31, 2022, between Thorne HealthTech, Inc., as borrower, and Bank of America N.A., as lender.

10.2

 

Security Agreement, dated March 31, 2022, between Thorne HealthTech, Inc. and Thorne Research, Inc., as pledgor, and Bank of America, N.A.

10.3

 

Continuing and Unconditional Guaranty, dated March 31, 2022, by Thorne Research, Inc., as guarantor.

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 


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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

THORNE HEALTHTECH, INC.

 

 

 

 

Date:

April 12, 2022

By:

/s/ Bryan K. Conley

 

 

 

Bryan K. Conley, Chief Financial Officer

 


Exhibit 10.1

img228535156_0.jpg 

 

loan AGREEMENT

This Agreement dated as of March 31, 2022, is between Bank of America, N.A. (the "Bank") and Thorne HealthTech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower").

1.
definitions

In addition to the terms which are defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated for the purposes of this Agreement:

1.1 “Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

1.2 “Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

1.3 "Credit Limit" means the amount of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).

1.4 “Guarantor” means any person, if any, providing a guaranty with respect to the obligations hereunder.

1.5 “Obligor” means any Borrower, Guarantor and/or Pledgor, or if the Borrower is comprised of the trustees of a trust, any trustor.

1.6 “Pledgor” means any person, if any, providing a pledge of collateral with respect to the obligations hereunder.

1.7 “Related Party” means each of the Borrower and its subsidiaries.

2.
facility no. 1: line of credit amount and terms
2.1
Line of Credit Amount.

(a) During the availability period described below, the Bank will provide a line of credit to the Borrower (the “Line of Credit”). The amount of the Line of Credit (the "Facility No. 1 Commitment") is Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).

(b) This is a revolving line of credit. During the availability period, the Borrower may repay principal amounts and reborrow them.

(c) The Borrower agrees not to permit the principal balance outstanding to exceed the Facility No. 1 Commitment. If the Borrower exceeds this limit, the Borrower will immediately pay the excess to the Bank upon the Bank's demand.

2.2
Availability Period.

The Line of Credit is available between the date of this Agreement and March 31, 2027, or such earlier date as the availability may terminate as provided in this Agreement (the "Facility No. 1 Expiration Date").

The availability period for this Line of Credit will be considered renewed if and only if the Bank has sent to the Borrower a written notice of renewal for the Line of Credit (the “Renewal Notice”). If this Line of Credit is renewed, it will continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement except as modified by the Renewal Notice. If this Line of Credit is renewed, the term “Expiration Date” shall mean the date set forth in the Renewal Notice as the Expiration Date. The same process for renewal will apply to any subsequent renewal of this Line of Credit.

2.3
Repayment Terms.

(a) The Borrower will pay interest on April 30, 2022, and then on the same day of each month thereafter until payment in full of all principal outstanding under this facility. The amount of each interest payment shall be the amount of


accrued interest on the Line of Credit as of the interest payment date or such earlier accrual date as indicated on the billing statement for such interest payment.

(b) The Borrower will repay in full all principal, interest or other charges outstanding under this Agreement no later than the Expiration Date.

(c) The Borrower may prepay the Line of Credit in full or in part at any time. The prepayment will be applied to the most remote payment of principal due under this Agreement.

2.4
Interest Rate.

(a) The interest rate is a rate per year equal to the sum of the BSBY Rate (Adjusted Periodically) plus 1.50 percentage point(s).

(b) The interest rate will be adjusted on the first day of each month (the “Adjustment Date”) and remain fixed until the next Adjustment Date. If the Adjustment Date in any particular month would otherwise fall on a day that is not a banking day then, at the Bank’s option, the Adjustment Date for that particular month will be the first banking day immediately following thereafter.

(c) The BSBY Rate (Adjusted Periodically) is a rate of interest equal to the rate per annum equal to the BSBY Screen Rate as determined for each Adjustment Date two (2) Business Days prior to the Adjustment Date (for delivery on the first day of such interest period) with a term of one month; provided that if such rate is not published on such determination date then the rate will be the BSBY Screen Rate on the first Business Day immediately prior thereto. “BSBY Screen Rate” means the Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index rate (“BSBY”) administered by Bloomberg Index Services Limited and published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Bank from time to time). If the BSBY Rate (Adjusted Periodically) is not available at such time for any reason or the Bank makes the determination to incorporate or adopt a new interest rate to replace the BSBY Rate (Adjusted Periodically) in credit agreements, then the Bank may replace the BSBY Rate (Adjusted Periodically) with an alternate interest rate and adjustment, if applicable, as reasonably selected by the Bank, giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing conventions for such interest rate and adjustment (any such successor interest rate, as adjusted, the “Successor Rate”). In connection with the implementation of the Successor Rate, the Bank will have the right, from time to time, in good faith to make any conforming, technical, administrative or operational changes to this Agreement as may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and administration thereof and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other loan document, any amendments to this Agreement implementing such conforming changes will become effective upon notice to the Borrower without any further action or consent of the other parties hereto. A “Business Day” is a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which banks are open for business in the State of New York. If at any time the BSBY Rate (Adjusted Periodically) or any Successor Rate is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

2.5
Letters of Credit.

(a) As a subfacility under the Line of Credit, during the availability period, the Bank agrees from time to time to issue or cause an affiliate to issue commercial and standby letters of credit for the account of the Borrower (each a "Letter of Credit," and collectively "Letters of Credit"); provided however, that the aggregate drawn and undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00). The form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by the Bank, in its sole discretion. Each Letter of Credit shall be issued for a term, as designated by the Borrower, not to exceed three hundred sixty-five (365) days; provided however, that no Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date more than three hundred sixty-five (365) days beyond the Facility No. 1 Expiration Date. The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and such amount shall not be available for borrowings. 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 the Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit. At the option of the Bank, any drawing paid under a Letter of Credit may be deemed an advance under the Line of Credit and shall be repaid by the 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 the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Bank the full amount drawn, together with interest from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by the Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable to advances under the Line of Credit. In such event the Borrower agrees that the Bank, in its sole discretion, may debit any account maintained by the Borrower with the Bank for the amount of any such drawing. The Borrower agrees to deposit in a cash collateral account with the Bank an amount equal to the aggregate outstanding undrawn face amount of all letters of credit which remain outstanding on the Facility No. 1 Expiration Date. The Borrower grants


a security interest in such cash collateral account to the Bank. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Bank to the payment of drafts drawn under such letters of credit and to the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Bank, in such order of application as the Bank may in its sole discretion elect.

3.
collateral
3.1
Personal Property.

The personal property listed below now owned or owned in the future by the parties listed below will secure the Borrower’s obligations to the Bank under this Agreement or, if the collateral is owned by a Guarantor, will secure the guaranty, if so indicated in the security agreement. The collateral is further defined in security agreement(s) executed by the owners of the collateral.

(a) Equipment and fixtures owned by Borrower.

(b) Inventory owned by Borrower.

(c) Receivables owned by Borrower.

(d) Patents, trademarks and other general intangibles owned by Borrower.

4.
loan administration and fees
4.1
Fees.

The Borrower will pay to the Bank the fees set forth on Schedule A.

4.2
Collection of Payments; Payments Generally.

(a) Regularly scheduled interest and principal payments will be made by debit to a deposit account, if direct debit is provided for in this Agreement or is otherwise authorized by the Borrower. For regularly scheduled interest and principal payments not made by direct debit and for all other payments, such payments will be made by such other method as may be permitted by the Bank.

(b) Each disbursement by the Bank and each payment by the Borrower will be evidenced by records kept by the Bank which will, absent manifest error, be conclusively presumed to be correct and accurate and constitute an account stated between the Borrower and the Bank.

(c) All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.

4.3
Borrower’s Instructions.

Subject to the terms, conditions and procedures stated elsewhere in this Agreement, the Bank may honor instructions for advances or repayments and any other instructions under this Agreement given by the Borrower (if an individual), or by any one of the individuals the Bank reasonably believes is authorized to sign loan agreements on behalf of the Borrower, or any other individual(s) designated by any one of such authorized signers (each an “Authorized Individual”). The Bank may honor any such instructions made by any one of the Authorized Individuals, whether such instructions are given in writing or by telephone, telefax or Internet and intranet websites designated by the Bank with respect to separate products or services offered by the Bank.

4.4
Direct Debit.

The Borrower agrees that on the due date of any amount due under this Agreement, the Bank will debit the amount due from deposit account number ______________ owned by Borrower, or such other of the Borrower’s accounts with the Bank as designated in writing by the Borrower (the "Designated Account"). Should there be insufficient funds in the Designated Account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by the Borrower.

4.5
Banking Days.

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, a banking day is a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close, or are in fact closed, in the state where the Bank's lending office is located, and, if such day relates to amounts bearing interest at an offshore rate (if any), means any such day on which dealings in dollar deposits are conducted among banks in the offshore dollar interbank market. All payments and disbursements which would be due or which are received on a day which is not a banking day will be due or applied, as applicable, on the next banking day.

4.6
Interest Calculation.

Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all interest and fees, if any, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed. This results in more interest or a higher fee than if a 365-day year is used. Installments of principal which are not paid when due under this Agreement shall continue to bear interest until paid. To the extent that any calculation of interest or any fee required to be paid under this Agreement shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

4.7
Default Rate.

Upon the occurrence of any default or after maturity or after judgment has been rendered on any obligation under this Agreement, all amounts outstanding under this Agreement, including any unpaid interest, fees, or costs, will at the option of the Bank bear interest at a rate which is [6.0] percentage point(s) higher than the rate of interest otherwise provided under this Agreement. This may result in compounding of interest. This will not constitute a waiver of any default.

4.8
Overdrafts.

At the Bank's sole option in each instance, the Bank may do one of the following:

(a) The Bank may make advances under this Agreement to prevent or cover an overdraft on any account of the Borrower with the Bank. Each such advance will accrue interest from the date of the advance or the date on which the account is overdrawn, whichever occurs first, at the interest rate described in this Agreement. The Bank may make such advances even if the advances may cause any credit limit under this Agreement to be exceeded.

(b) The Bank may reduce the amount of credit otherwise available under this Agreement by the amount of any overdraft on any account of the Borrower with the Bank.

This paragraph shall not be deemed to authorize the Borrower to create overdrafts on any of the Borrower's accounts with the Bank.

4.9
Payments in Kind.

If the Bank requires delivery in kind of the proceeds of collection of the Borrower's accounts receivable, such proceeds shall be credited to interest, principal, and other sums owed to the Bank under this Agreement in the order and proportion determined by the Bank in its sole discretion. All such credits will be conditioned upon collection and any returned items may, at the Bank's option, be charged to the Borrower.

5.
conditions

Before the Bank is required to extend any credit to the Borrower under this Agreement, it must receive any documents and other items it may reasonably require, in form and content acceptable to the Bank, including any items specifically listed below.

5.1
Authorizations.

If the Borrower or any other Obligor is anything other than a natural person, evidence that the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and/or such Obligor of this Agreement and any instrument or agreement required under this Agreement have been duly authorized.

5.2
Governing Documents.

If required by the Bank, a copy of the Borrower's organizational documents.

5.3
KYC Information.

(a)
Upon the request of the Bank, the Borrower shall have provided to the Bank, and the Bank shall be reasonably satisfied with, the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act.

 

(b)
If the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it shall have provided a Beneficial Ownership Certification to the Bank if so requested.
5.4
Guaranties.

Guaranty signed by Thorne Research, Inc.

5.5
Security Agreements.

Signed original security agreements covering the personal property collateral which the Bank requires.

5.6
Perfection and Evidence of Priority.

Evidence that the security interests and liens in favor of the Bank are valid, enforceable, properly perfected in a manner acceptable to the Bank and prior to all others' rights and interests, except those the Bank consents to in writing.

5.7
Landlord Agreement.

For any personal property collateral located on real property which is subject to a mortgage or deed of trust or which is not owned by the Borrower (or the grantor of the security interest), an agreement from the owner of the real property and the holder of any such mortgage or deed of trust to be delivered to Bank within sixty (60) days of closing.

5.8
Payment of Fees.

Payment of all fees, expenses and other amounts due and owing to the Bank. If any fee is not paid in cash, the Bank may, in its discretion, treat the fee as a principal advance under this Agreement or deduct the fee from the loan proceeds.

5.9
Repayment of Other Credit Agreement.

Evidence that the existing $20,000,000 revolving line of credit with Sumitomo Bank has been or will be repaid and cancelled on or before the first disbursement under this Agreement.

5.10
Good Standing.

Certificates of good standing for the Borrower from its state of formation and from any other state in which the Borrower is required to qualify to conduct its business.

5.11
Legal Opinion.

A written opinion from the Borrower's legal counsel, covering such matters as the Bank may require. The legal counsel and the terms of the opinion must be acceptable to the Bank.

5.12
Insurance.

Evidence of insurance coverage, as required in the "Covenants" section of this Agreement.

6.
representations and warranties

When the Borrower signs this Agreement, and until the Bank is repaid in full, the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties. Each request for an extension of credit constitutes a renewal of these representations and warranties as of the date of the request:

6.1
Formation.

If the Borrower is anything other than a natural person, it is duly formed and existing under the laws of the state or other jurisdiction where organized.


6.2
Authorization.

This Agreement, and any instrument or agreement required under this Agreement, are within the Borrower's powers, have been duly authorized, and do not conflict with any of its organizational papers.

6.3
Beneficial Ownership Certification.

The information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification most recently provided to the Bank, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects.

6.4
Good Standing.

In each state in which the Borrower does business, it is properly licensed, in good standing, and, where required, in compliance with fictitious name (e.g. trade name or d/b/a) statutes.

6.5
Government Sanctions.

(a) The Borrower represents that no Obligor, nor any affiliated entities of any Obligor, including in the case of any Obligor that is not a natural person, subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any owner, trustee, director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of the Borrower or any other Obligor is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government, including, without limitation, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Borrower or any other Obligor located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.

(b) The Borrower represents and covenants that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the credit provided under this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions.

6.6
Financial Information.

All financial and other information that has been or will be supplied to the Bank is sufficiently complete to give the Bank accurate knowledge of the Borrower's (and any other Obligor's) financial condition, including all material contingent liabilities. Since the date of the most recent financial statement provided to the Bank, there has been no material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations, properties or prospects of the Borrower (or any other Obligor). If the Borrower is comprised of the trustees of a trust, the above representations shall also pertain to the trustor(s) of the trust.

6.7
Lawsuits.

There is no lawsuit, tax claim or other dispute pending or threatened against the Borrower or any other Obligor which, if lost, would impair the Borrower's or such Obligor’s financial condition or ability to repay its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby, except as have been disclosed in writing to the Bank prior to the date of this Agreement.

6.8
Other Obligations.

The Borrower and each Related Party is not in default on any obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation, except as have been disclosed in writing to the Bank prior to the date of this Agreement.

6.9
Tax Matters.

The Borrower has no knowledge of any pending assessments or adjustments of income tax for itself or for any Related Party for any year and all taxes due have been paid, except as have been disclosed in writing to the Bank prior to the date of this Agreement.

6.10
Collateral.

All collateral required in this Agreement is owned by the grantor of the security interest free of any title defects or any liens or interests of others, except those which have been approved by the Bank in writing.

6.11
No Event of Default.

There is no event which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would be, a default under this Agreement.

6.12
Location of Pledgor.

The place of business of Borrower (or, if this Pledgor has more than one place of business, its chief executive office) is located as follows: 152 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019.

6.13
ERISA Plans.

(a) Each Plan (other than a multiemployer plan) is in compliance in all material respects with ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law, including all applicable minimum funding standards and there have been no prohibited transactions with respect to any Plan (other than a multiemployer plan), which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect.

(b) With respect to any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA:

(i) No reportable event has occurred under Section 4043(c) of ERISA which requires notice.

(ii) No action by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to terminate or withdraw from any Plan has been taken and no notice of intent to terminate a Plan has been filed under Section 4041 or 4042 of ERISA.

(c) The following terms have the meanings indicated for purposes of this Agreement:

(i) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(ii) "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

(iii) "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

(iv) "Plan" means a plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, including any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

6.14
No Plan Assets.

The Borrower represents that, as of the date hereof and throughout the term of this Agreement, no Borrower or Guarantor, if any, is (1) an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), (2) a plan or account subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”); (3) an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” of any such plans or accounts for purposes of ERISA or the Code; or (4) a “governmental plan” within the meaning of ERISA.

6.15
Enforceable Agreement.

This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, and any instrument or agreement required under this Agreement, when executed and delivered, will be similarly legal, valid, binding and enforceable.

6.16
No Conflicts.

This Agreement does not conflict with any law, agreement, or obligation by which the Borrower or any other Obligor is bound.

6.17
Permits, Franchises.

Each Related Party possesses all permits, memberships, franchises, contracts and licenses required and all trademark rights, trade name rights, patent rights, copyrights, and fictitious name rights necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged.

6.18
Insurance.

The Borrower and each Related Party has obtained, and maintained in effect, the insurance coverage required in the "Covenants" section of this Agreement.

6.19
Merchantable Inventory; Compliance with FSLA.

All inventory is of good and merchantable quality and free from defects, and has been produced in compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. §§201 et seq.).

7.
covenants

The Borrower agrees, so long as credit is available under this Agreement and until the Bank is repaid in full, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Related Party:

7.1
Use of Proceeds.

To use the proceeds of the credit extended under this Agreement only for business purposes.

7.2
Financial Information.

To provide the following financial information and statements in form and content acceptable to the Bank, and such additional information as requested by the Bank from time to time. The Bank reserves the right, upon written notice to the Borrower, to require the Borrower to deliver financial information and statements to the Bank more frequently than otherwise provided below, and to use such additional information and statements to measure any applicable financial covenants in this Agreement.

(a) Copies of the Form 10-K Annual Report and Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for Borrower within 90 days after the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Form 10-K Annual Report and 45 days after the date of filing for the Form 10-Q Quarterly Report.

(b) Within 90 days of the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate of the Borrower, signed by an authorized financial officer and setting forth whether there existed as of the date of such financial statements and whether there exists as of the date of the certificate, any default under this Agreement applicable to the party submitting the information and, if any such default exists, specifying the nature thereof and the action the party is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(c) Within 45 days of the end of each quarter (excluding the last period in each fiscal year), a compliance certificate of the Borrower, signed by an authorized financial officer and setting forth whether there existed as of the date of such financial statements and whether there exists as of the date of the certificate, any default under this Agreement applicable to the party submitting the information and, if any such default exists, specifying the nature thereof and the action the party is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto.

(d) The budget of the Borrower, in form and content acceptable to the Bank, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year.

7.3
Consolidated Total Leverage to EBITDA Ratio.

To maintain on a consolidated basis a ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA not exceeding 2.5:1.0.

“Funded Debt” means all outstanding liabilities for borrowed money (including any outstanding Letters of Credit) and other interest-bearing liabilities for Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, including current and long term debt,


less the non-current portion of Subordinated Liabilities; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, “Funded Debt” shall not include operating lease liabilities.

“EBITDA" means, for any period, for the Borrower and its subsidiaries, consolidated net income, less income or plus loss from discontinued operations (including unusual and infrequent items, agreed to at the sole discretion of the Bank), plus income taxes, plus interest expense, plus depreciation, depletion, and amortization, plus other non-cash charge, less non-cash gains / income. This ratio will be calculated at the end of each reporting period for which the Bank requires financial statements each fiscal year, using the results of the twelve-month period ending with that reporting period.

“Subordinated Liabilities” means liabilities subordinated to the Borrower’s obligations to the Bank in a manner acceptable to the Bank in its sole discretion.

7.4
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

To maintain on a consolidated basis a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.25:1.0.

"Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means the ratio of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, to (b) the sum of, for the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Federal, state, and local taxes paid for such period interest expense, lease expense, rent expense, the current portion of long term debt and the current portion of finance lease obligations, plus Restricted Payments made during such period.

"Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA" means, for any period, for the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (a) EBITDA, less (b) the amount of unfinanced capital expenditures for such period, plus (c) rental expense for such period.

“Restricted Payments” means any divided or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any equity interest in Borrower or any other Related Party, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such equity interests in Borrower (including, without limitation, any equity interests of an employee of Borrower) or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such equity interests in Borrower.

This ratio will be calculated at the end of each reporting period for which the Bank requires financial statements, using the results of the twelve-month period ending with that reporting period. The current portion of long-term liabilities will be measured as of the last day of the calculation period.

7.5
Bank as Principal Depository.

To maintain the Bank or one of its affiliates as its principal depository bank, including for the maintenance of business, cash management, operating and administrative deposit accounts.

7.6
Other Debts.

Not to have outstanding or incur any direct or contingent liabilities or lease obligations (other than those to the Bank or to any affiliate of the Bank), or become liable for the liabilities of others, without the Bank's written consent. This does not prohibit:

(a) Acquiring goods, supplies, or merchandise on normal trade credit.

(b) Liabilities, lines of credit and leases in existence on the date of this Agreement disclosed in writing to the Bank.

7.7
Other Liens.

Not to create, assume, or allow any security interest or lien (including judicial liens) on property each Related Party now or later owns without the Bank's written consent. This does not prohibit:

(a) Liens and security interests in favor of the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank.

(b) Liens for taxes not yet due.

(c) Liens outstanding on the date of this Agreement disclosed in writing to the Bank.


7.8
Maintenance of Assets.

(a) Not to sell, assign, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any part of any Related Party’s business or any Related Party’s assets except inventory sold in the ordinary course of such Related Party’s business.

(b) Not to sell, assign, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets for less than fair market value, or enter into any agreement to do so.

(c) Not to enter into any sale and leaseback agreement covering any of its fixed assets.

(d) To maintain and preserve all rights, privileges, and franchises any Related Party now has.

(e) To make any repairs, renewals, or replacements to keep each Related Party’s properties in good working condition.

(f) To execute and deliver such documents as the Bank deems necessary to create, perfect and continue the security interests contemplated by this Agreement.

 

7.9
Investments.

To (i) only make any new investments in any individual or entity, or make any capital contributions or other transfers of assets to any individual or entity that are not, or do not become, a borrower or guarantor hereunder, or (ii) only enter into any consolidation, merger or other combination or become a partner in a partnership, a member of a joint venture, or member of a limited liability company, provided that such that sums collectively expended under (i) or (ii) above do not exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate. In addition, the following investments are permissible and shall not be subject to the foregoing $20,000,000 limitation:

(a) Existing investments disclosed to the Bank in writing prior to the date of this Agreement.

(b) Investments in any of the following:

(i) certificates of deposit;

(ii) U.S. treasury bills and other obligations of the federal government;

(iii) readily marketable securities (including commercial paper, but excluding restricted stock and stock subject to the provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities and Exchange Commission).

7.10
Loans.

Not to make any loans, advances or other extensions of credit to any individual or entity, except for:

(a) Existing extensions of credit disclosed to the Bank in writing prior to the date of this Agreement.

(b) Extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary course of business to non-affiliated entities.

7.11
Change of Management.

Not to make any substantial change in the present executive or management personnel of the Borrower.

7.12
Change of Ownership.

Not to cause, permit, or suffer any change in capital ownership such that there is a material change, as determined by the Bank in its sole discretion in the direct or indirect capital ownership of the Borrower.

7.13
Additional Negative Covenants.

Except for Permitted Acquisitions (as defined below), not to, without the Bank's written consent:

(a) Engage in any business activities substantially different from the Borrower's present business.


(b) Liquidate or dissolve any Obligor’s business.

(c) With respect to any Obligor which is a business entity, adopt a plan of division or divide itself into two or more business entities (pursuant to a “plan of division” under Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act or a similar arrangement under any other applicable state statute).

(f) Voluntarily suspend its business.

A “Permitted Acquisition” shall mean:

(a)
The board of directors or comparable governing body of the entity to be (or whose assets are to be) acquired has approved such transaction.
(b)
The line or lines of business of the entity to be acquired are substantially the same as or reasonably related to one or more line or lines of business conducted by the Borrower.
(c)
The Borrower shall have delivered to the Bank all documents required to be delivered pursuant to, and in accordance with, paragraphs (e) and (f) below.
(d)
No default or event of default shall have occurred either immediately prior to or immediately after giving effect to such acquisition and any indebtedness incurred in connection therewith.
(e)
The entity being acquired shall become a Related Party, or shall be merged into one of the Related Parties immediately upon consummation of said acquisition (or if assets are being acquired, the acquirer shall be, or become, as the case may be, a Borrower).
(f)
prior to any single Permitted Acquisition (or series of related Permitted Acquisitions) for which the aggregate Permitted Acquisition consideration is greater than $10,000,000.00, or any Permitted Acquisition, if the Permitted Acquisition consideration for any such Permitted Acquisition, together with the aggregate Permitted Acquisition consideration for all Permitted Acquisitions consummated during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding such Permitted Acquisition is greater than $30,000,000, Borrower shall have furnished to the Bank, at least five (5) business days prior to such Permitted Acquisition, (i) written notice of such Permitted Acquisition and the Borrower’s historical financial statements prepared on a pro forma basis as of the most recent fiscal quarter-end and a certificate in a form acceptable to the Bank prepared on a historical pro forma basis as of the most recent fiscal quarter-end, which certificate shall demonstrate (A) that no default or event of default would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, and (B) the Borrower’s Consolidated Total Leverage to EBITDA Ratio on a pro forma basis is at least 0.25 less than the maximum ratio permitted at such time and (ii) Bank shall have received diligence information about the Permitted Acquisition, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Bank.
7.14
Notices to Bank.

To promptly notify the Bank in writing of:

(a) Any event of default under this Agreement, or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of default.

(b) Any change in any Obligor’s name, legal structure, principal residence, or name on any driver’s license or special identification card issued by any state (for an individual), state of registration (for a registered entity), place of business, or chief executive office if the Obligor has more than one place of business.

7.15
Insurance.

(a) General Business Insurance. To maintain insurance satisfactory to the Bank as to amount, nature and carrier covering property damage (including loss of use and occupancy) to any of the Obligor’s properties, business interruption insurance, public liability insurance including coverage for contractual liability, product liability and workers' compensation, and any other insurance which is usual for such Obligor’s business. Each policy shall include a cancellation clause in favor of the Bank.

(b) Insurance Covering Collateral. To maintain all risk property damage insurance policies (including without limitation windstorm coverage, flood coverage, and hurricane coverage as applicable) covering the tangible property


comprising the collateral. Each insurance policy must be for the full replacement cost of the collateral and include a replacement cost endorsement. The insurance must be issued by an insurance company acceptable to the Bank and must include a lender's loss payable endorsement in favor of the Bank in a form acceptable to the Bank.

(c) Evidence of Insurance. Upon the request of the Bank, to deliver to the Bank a copy of each insurance policy, or, if permitted by the Bank, a certificate of insurance listing all insurance in force.

7.16
Compliance with Laws.

To comply with the requirements of all laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to cause a material adverse change in any Obligor's business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties, or ability to repay the credit, or, in the case of the Controlled Substances Act, result in the forfeiture of any material property of any Obligor.

7.17
Books and Records.

To maintain adequate books and records, including complete and accurate records regarding all Collateral.

7.18
Audits.

To allow the Bank and its agents to inspect the Borrower's properties and examine, audit, and make copies of books and records at any time. If any of the Borrower's properties, books or records are in the possession of a third party, the Borrower authorizes that third party to permit the Bank or its agents to have access to perform inspections or audits and to respond to the Bank's requests for information concerning such properties, books and records.

7.19
Perfection of Liens.

To help the Bank perfect and protect its security interests and liens, and reimburse it for related costs it incurs to protect its security interests and liens.

7.20
Cooperation.

To take any action reasonably requested by the Bank to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

7.21
Patriot Act; Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Promptly following any request therefor, to provide information and documentation reasonably requested by the Bank for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

8.
hazardous substances
8.1
Indemnity Regarding Hazardous Substances.

The Borrower will indemnify and hold harmless the Bank from any loss or liability the Bank incurs in connection with or as a result of this Agreement, which directly or indirectly arises out of the use, generation, manufacture, production, storage, release, threatened release, discharge, disposal or presence of a hazardous substance. This indemnity will apply whether the hazardous substance is on, under or about the Borrower's property or operations or property leased to the Borrower. The indemnity includes but is not limited to attorneys' fees (including the reasonable estimate of the allocated cost of in-house counsel and staff). The indemnity extends to the Bank, its parent, subsidiaries and all of their directors, officers, employees, agents, successors, attorneys and assigns.

8.2
Compliance Regarding Hazardous Substances.

The Borrower represents and warrants that the Borrower has complied with all current and future laws, regulations and ordinances or other requirements of any governmental authority relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of health or the environment or hazardous substances.


8.3
Notices Regarding Hazardous Substances.

Until full repayment of the loan, the Borrower will promptly notify the Bank in writing of any threatened or pending investigation of the Borrower or its operations by any governmental agency under any current or future law, regulation or ordinance pertaining to any hazardous substance.

8.4
Site Visits, Observations and Testing.

The Bank and its agents and representatives will have the right at any reasonable time, after giving reasonable notice to the Borrower, to enter and visit any locations where the collateral securing this Agreement (the “Collateral”) is located for the purposes of observing the Collateral, taking and removing environmental samples, and conducting tests. The Borrower shall reimburse the Bank on demand for the costs of any such environmental investigation and testing. The Bank will make reasonable efforts during any site visit, observation or testing conducted pursuant to this paragraph to avoid interfering with the Borrower’s use of the Collateral. The Bank is under no duty to observe the Collateral or to conduct tests, and any such acts by the Bank will be solely for the purposes of protecting the Bank's security and preserving the Bank's rights under this Agreement. No site visit, observation or testing or any report or findings made as a result thereof (“Environmental Report”) (i) will result in a waiver of any default of the Borrower; (ii) impose any liability on the Bank; or (iii) be a representation or warranty of any kind regarding the Collateral (including its condition or value or compliance with any laws) or the Environmental Report (including its accuracy or completeness). In the event the Bank has a duty or obligation under applicable laws, regulations or other requirements to disclose an Environmental Report to the Borrower or any other party, the Borrower authorizes the Bank to make such a disclosure. The Bank may also disclose an Environmental Report to any regulatory authority, and to any other parties as necessary or appropriate in the Bank’s judgment. The Borrower further understands and agrees that any Environmental Report or other information regarding a site visit, observation or testing that is disclosed to the Borrower by the Bank or its agents and representatives is to be evaluated (including any reporting or other disclosure obligations of the Borrower) by the Borrower without advice or assistance from the Bank.

8.5
Definition of Hazardous Substances.

"Hazardous substance" means any substance, material or waste that is or becomes designated or regulated as "toxic," "hazardous," "pollutant," or "contaminant" or a similar designation or regulation under any current or future federal, state or local law (whether under common law, statute, regulation or otherwise) or judicial or administrative interpretation of such, including without limitation petroleum or natural gas.

8.6
Continuing Obligation.

The Borrower's obligations to the Bank under this Article, except the obligation to give notices to the Bank, shall survive termination of this Agreement and repayment of the Borrower's obligations to the Bank under this Agreement.

9.
default and remedies

If any of the following events of default occurs, the Bank may do one or more of the following without prior notice except as required by law or expressly agreed in writing by Bank: declare the Borrower in default, stop making any additional credit available to the Borrower, and require the Borrower to repay its entire debt immediately. If an event which, with notice or the passage of time, will constitute an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the Bank has no obligation to make advances or extend additional credit under this Agreement. In addition, if any event of default occurs, the Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available under any instruments and agreements required by or executed in connection with this Agreement, as well as all rights and remedies available at law or in equity. If an event of default occurs under the paragraph entitled “Bankruptcy/Receivers,” below with respect to any Obligor, then the entire debt outstanding under this Agreement will automatically be due immediately.

9.1
Failure to Pay.

The Borrower fails to make a payment under this Agreement when due.

9.2
Other Bank Agreements.

(a) (i) Any default occurs under any other document executed or delivered in connection with this Agreement, including without limitation, any note, guaranty, subordination agreement, mortgage or other collateral agreement, (ii) any Obligor purports to revoke or disavow any guaranty or collateral agreement provided in connection with this Agreement; (iii) any representation or warranty made by any Obligor is false when made or deemed to be made; or (iv) any default occurs under


any other agreement the Borrower (or any Obligor) or any of the Borrower's related entities or affiliates has with the Bank or any affiliate of the Bank.

9.3
Cross-default.

Any default occurs under any agreement in connection with any credit any Obligor or any of the Borrower's related entities or affiliates has obtained from anyone else or which any Obligor or any of the Borrower's related entities or affiliates has guaranteed.

9.4
False Information.

The Borrower or any other Obligor has given the Bank false or misleading information or representations.

9.5
Bankruptcy/Receivers.

Any Obligor or any general partner of any Obligor files a bankruptcy petition, a bankruptcy petition is filed against any of the foregoing parties, or any Obligor, or any general partner of any Obligor makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or a receiver or similar official is appointed for a substantial portion of any Obligor's business; or the business is terminated, or such Obligor is liquidated or dissolved.

9.6
Lien Priority.

The Bank fails to have an enforceable first lien (except for any prior liens to which the Bank has consented in writing) on or security interest in any property given as security for this Agreement (or any guaranty).

9.7
Judgments.

Any judgments or arbitration awards are entered against any Obligor in an aggregate amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) or more.

9.8
Death.

If any Obligor is a natural person, such Obligor dies or becomes legally incompetent; if any Obligor is a trust, a trustor dies or becomes legally incompetent; if any Obligor is a partnership, any general partner dies or becomes legally incompetent.

9.9
Material Adverse Change.

A material adverse change occurs, or is reasonably likely to occur, in any Obligor's business condition (financial or otherwise), operations or properties, or ability to repay its obligations as contemplated hereunder or under any document executed in connection with this Agreement.

9.10
Government Action.

Any government authority takes action that the Bank believes materially adversely affects any Obligor's financial condition or ability to repay.

9.11
ERISA Plans.

A reportable event occurs under Section 4043(c) of ERISA, or any Plan termination (or commencement of proceedings to terminate a Plan) or the full or partial withdrawal from a Plan under Section 4041 or 4042 of ERISA occurs; provided such event or events could reasonably be expected, in the judgment of the Bank, to have a material adverse effect.

9.12
Covenants.

Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation, agreement or other provision contained in this Agreement (other than those specifically described as an event of default in this Article).

9.13
Forfeiture.

A judicial or nonjudicial forfeiture or seizure proceeding is commenced by a government authority and remains pending with respect to any property of Borrower or any part thereof, on the grounds that the property or any part thereof had been used


to commit or facilitate the commission of a criminal offense by any person, including any tenant, pursuant to any law, including under the Controlled Substances Act or the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act, regardless of whether or not the property shall become subject to forfeiture or seizure in connection therewith.

10.
enforcing this agreement; miscellaneous
10.1
GAAP.

Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all financial information provided to the Bank and all financial covenants will be made under generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth herein, and either the Borrower or the Bank shall so request, the Borrower and the 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, ( SEQ level3\r1\*roman \* MERGEFORMAT i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and ( SEQ level3\*roman \* MERGEFORMAT ii) the 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 ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

10.2
Governing Law.

Except to the extent that any law of the United States may apply, this Agreement shall be governed and interpreted according to the laws of South Carolina (the “Governing Law State”), without regard to any choice of law, rules or principles to the contrary. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect any rights or remedies of the Bank under federal law.

10.3
Venue and Jurisdiction.

The Borrower agrees that any action or suit against the Bank arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be filed in federal court or state court located in the Governing Law State. The Borrower agrees that the Bank shall not be deemed to have waived its rights to enforce this section by filing an action or suit against the Borrower or any Obligor in a venue outside of the Governing Law State. If the Bank does commence an action or suit arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Borrower agrees that the case may be filed in federal court or state court in the Governing Law State. The Bank reserves the right to commence an action or suit in any other jurisdiction where any Borrower, any other Obligor, or any Collateral has any presence or is located. The Borrower consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in such forum selected by the Bank and waives any right to contest jurisdiction and venue and the convenience of any such forum. The provisions of this section are material inducements to the Bank’s acceptance of this Agreement.

10.4
Successors and Assigns.

This Agreement is binding on the Borrower's and the Bank's successors and assignees. The Borrower agrees that it may not assign this Agreement without the Bank's prior consent. The Bank may sell participations in or assign this loan and the related loan documents, and may exchange information about the Borrower and any other Obligor (including, without limitation, any information regarding any hazardous substances) with actual or potential participants or assignees. If a participation is sold or the loan is assigned, the purchaser will have the right of set-off against the Borrower.

10.5
Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION AND (c) CERTIFIES THAT THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE.


10.6
Waiver of Class Actions.

The terms “Claim” or “Claims” refer to any disputes, controversies, claims, counterclaims, allegations of liability, theories of damage, or defenses between Bank of America, N.A., its subsidiaries and affiliates, on the one hand, and the other parties to this Agreement, on the other hand (all of the foregoing each being referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”). Whether in state court, federal court, or any other venue, jurisdiction, or before any tribunal, the Parties agree that all aspects of litigation and trial of any Claim will take place without resort to any form of class or representative action. Thus the Parties may only bring Claims against each other in an individual capacity and waive any right they may have to do so as a class representative or a class member in a class or representative action. THIS CLASS ACTION WAIVER PRECLUDES ANY PARTY FROM PARTICIPATING IN OR BEING REPRESENTED IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION REGARDING A CLAIM.

10.7
Severability; Waivers.

If any part of this Agreement is not enforceable, the rest of the Agreement may be enforced. The Bank retains all rights, even if it makes a loan after default. If the Bank waives a default, it may enforce a later default. Any consent or waiver under this Agreement must be in writing.

10.8
Expenses.

(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, expended or incurred by the Bank in connection with (i) the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and any related agreements, the Bank's continued administration of this Agreement and such related agreements, and the preparation of any amendments and waivers related to this Agreement or such related agreements, (ii) filing, recording and search fees, appraisal fees, field examination fees, title report fees, and documentation fees with respect to any collateral and books and records of the Borrower or any other Obligor (iii) the Bank's costs or losses arising from any changes in law which are allocated to this Agreement or any credit outstanding under this Agreement, and (iv) costs or expenses required to be paid by the Borrower or any other Obligor that are paid, incurred or advanced by the Bank.

(b) The Borrower will indemnify and hold the Bank harmless from any loss, liability, damages, judgments, and costs of any kind relating to or arising directly or indirectly out of (i) this Agreement or any document required hereunder, (ii) any credit extended or committed by the Bank to the Borrower hereunder, (iii) any claim, whether well-founded or otherwise, that there has been a failure to comply with any law regulating the Borrower's sales or leases to or performance of services for debtors obligated upon the Borrower's accounts receivable and disclosures in connection therewith, and (iv) any litigation or proceeding related to or arising out of this Agreement, any such document, any such credit, or any such claim, including, without limitation, any act resulting from (A) the Bank complying with instructions the Bank reasonably believes are made by any Authorized Individual and (B) the Bank’s reliance on any Communication executed using an Electronic Signature, or in the form of an Electronic Record, that the Bank reasonably believes is made by any Authorized Individual. This paragraph will survive this Agreement's termination, and will benefit the Bank and its officers, employees, and agents.

(c) The Borrower shall reimburse the Bank for any reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred by the Bank in connection with (a) the enforcement or preservation of the Bank's rights and remedies and/or the collection of any obligations of the Borrower which become due to the Bank and in connection with any "workout" or restructuring, and (b) the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to this Agreement, the credit provided hereunder or any related agreements, including without limitation, 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 without limitation, any adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by the Bank or any other person) relating to the Borrower or any other person or entity.

10.9
Set-Off.

Upon and after the occurrence of an event of default under this Agreement, (a) the Borrower hereby authorizes the Bank at any time without notice and whether or not the Bank shall have declared any amount owing by the Borrower to be due and payable, to set off against, and to apply to the payment of, the Borrower’s indebtedness and obligations to the Bank under this Agreement and all related agreements, whether matured or unmatured, fixed or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, any and all amounts owing by the Bank to the Borrower, and in the case of deposits, whether general or special (except trust and escrow accounts), time or demand and however evidenced, and (b) pending any such action, to hold such amounts as collateral to secure such indebtedness and obligations of the Borrower to the Bank and to return as unpaid for insufficient funds any and all checks and other items drawn against any deposits so held as the Bank, in its sole discretion, may elect.


The Borrower hereby grants to the Bank a security interest in all deposits and accounts maintained with the Bank to secure the payment of all such indebtedness and obligations of the Borrower to the Bank.

10.10
One Agreement.

This Agreement and any related security or other agreements required by this Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the Borrower and the Bank with respect to each credit subject hereto and supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any other agreements required by this Agreement, this Agreement will prevail.

10.11
Notices.

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in another agreement between the Bank and the Borrower, all notices required under this Agreement shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier, to the addresses on the signature page of this Agreement, or sent by facsimile to the fax number(s) listed on the signature page, or to such other addresses as the Bank and the Borrower may specify from time to time in writing (any such notice a “Written Notice”). Written Notices shall be effective (i) if mailed, upon the earlier of receipt or five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, (ii) if telecopied, when transmitted, or (iii) if hand-delivered, by courier or otherwise (including telegram, lettergram or mailgram), when delivered. In lieu of a Written Notice, notices and/or communications from the Bank to the Borrower may, to the extent permitted by law, be delivered electronically (i) by transmitting the communication to the electronic address provided by the Borrower or to such other electronic address as the Borrower may specify from time to time in writing, or (ii) by posting the communication on a website and sending the Borrower a notice to the Borrower’s postal address or electronic address telling the Borrower that the communication has been posted, its location, and providing instructions on how to view it (any such notice, an “Electronic Notice”). Electronic Notices shall be effective when the communication, or a notice advising of its posting to a website, is sent to the Borrower’s electronic address.

10.12
Headings.

Article and paragraph headings are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation or meaning of any provisions of this Agreement.

10.13
Borrower/Obligor Information; Reporting to Credit Bureaus.

The Borrower authorizes the Bank at any time to verify or check any information given by the Borrower to the Bank, check the Borrower’s credit references, verify employment, and obtain credit reports and other credit bureau information from time to time in connection with the administration, servicing and collection of the loans under this Agreement. The Borrower agrees that the Bank shall have the right at all times to disclose and report to credit reporting agencies and credit rating agencies such information pertaining to the Borrower and all other Obligors as is consistent with the Bank's policies and practices from time to time in effect.

10.14
Amendments.

This Agreement may only be amended by a writing signed by the parties hereto; which, to the extent expressly agreed to by the Bank in its discretion, may include being amended by an Electronic Record signed by the parties hereto using Electronic Signatures pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

10.15
Electronic Records and Signatures.

This Agreement and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement (each a “Communication”), including Communications required to be in writing, may, if agreed by the Bank, be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures, including, without limitation, facsimile and/or .pdf. The Borrower agrees that any Electronic Signature (including, without limitation, facsimile or .pdf) on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on the Borrower to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered to the Bank. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the Bank of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Bank may, at its option, create one or more


copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Bank is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Bank pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Bank has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Bank shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Obligor without further verification and (b) upon the request of the Bank any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed, original counterpart. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.

10.16
Disposition of Schedules and Reports.

The Bank will not be obligated to return any schedules, invoices, statements, budgets, forecasts, reports or other papers delivered by the Borrower. The Bank will destroy or otherwise dispose of such materials at such time as the Bank, in its discretion, deems appropriate.

10.17
Returned Merchandise.

Until the Bank exercises its rights to collect the accounts receivable as provided under any security agreement required under this Agreement, the Borrower may continue its present policies for returned merchandise and adjustments. Credit adjustments with respect to returned merchandise shall be made immediately upon receipt of the merchandise by the Borrower or upon such other disposition of the merchandise by the debtor in accordance with the Borrower's instructions.

10.18
Verification of Receivables.

The Bank may at any time, either orally or in writing, request confirmation from any debtor of the current amount and status of the accounts receivable upon which such debtor is obligated.

10.19
Waiver of Confidentiality.

The Borrower authorizes the Bank to discuss the Borrower's financial affairs and business operations with any accountants, auditors, business consultants, or other professional advisors employed by the Borrower, and authorizes such parties to disclose to the Bank such financial and business information or reports (including management letters) concerning the Borrower as the Bank may request.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 

 


Signature Page

 

The Borrower executed this Agreement as of the date stated at the top of the first page, intending to create an instrument executed under seal.

 

Bank:

 

Bank of America, N.A.

 

 

By: /s/ Robert D. Davis, III

Robert D. Davis, III, Vice President

 

 

 

Borrower:

 

Thorne HealthTech, Inc.,

a Delaware corporation

 

 

By: /s/ Scott S. Wheeler (Seal)

Scott S. Wheeler

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Prepared by: Moore & Van Allen PLLC

 

 

Address where notices to

the Bank are to be sent:

 

Bank of America

NC1-001-05-13

One Independence Center

101 North Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28255-0001

 

 

Address where notices to

the Borrower are to be sent:

 

Thorne HealthTech, Inc.

620 Omni Industrial Blvd.

Summerville, SC 02986

 

 

 

 

[Loan Agreement Signature Page]


USA Patriot Act Notice; Affiliate Sharing Notice; Affiliate Marketing Notice.

Federal law requires Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank”) to provide the following three notices. The notices are not part of the foregoing agreement or instrument and may not be altered. Please read the notices carefully.

USA PATRIOT ACT NOTICE

 

Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account or obtains a loan. The Bank will ask for the Borrower’s legal name, address, tax ID number or social security number and other identifying information. The Bank may also ask for additional information or documentation or take other actions reasonably necessary to verify the identity of the Borrower, guarantors or other related persons.

 

 

 

 

 


schedule a FEES

 

(a) Facility No. 1 Loan Fee.

The Borrower agrees to pay a loan fee for Facility No. 1 in the amount of $15,000.00. This fee is due on the date of this Agreement.

(b) Late Fee.

To the extent permitted by law, the Borrower agrees to pay a late fee in an amount not to exceed four percent (4%) of any payment that is more than fifteen (15) days late. The imposition and payment of a late fee shall not constitute a waiver of the Bank’s rights with respect to the default.

(c) Returned Payment Fee.

The Bank, in its discretion, may collect from the Borrower a returned payment fee each time a payment is returned or if there are insufficient funds in the designated account when a payment is attempted through automatic payment.

(d) Letter of Credit Fees.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank, the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the Bank relating to Letters of Credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

(e) Unused Commitment Fee.

The Borrower agrees to pay a fee on any difference between the Facility No. 1 Commitment and the amount of credit it actually uses, determined by the daily amount of credit outstanding during the specified period. The fee will be calculated at 0.2% per year. This fee is due on April 1, 2022, and on the same day of each following quarter until the expiration of the availability period.

 

 

 


EXHIBIT 10.2

img229458677_0.jpg 

 

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

(Multiple Use)

 

1.
THE SECURITY. The undersigned Thorne HealthTech, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Thorne Research, Inc., a South Carolina corporation (collectively, the “Pledgor") hereby assigns and grants to Bank of America, N.A., its successors and assigns (“BANA”), and to Bank of America Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates (BANA and all such secured parties, collectively, the "Bank") a security interest in the following described property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Pledgor (the "Collateral"):

 

(a)
All accounts, and all chattel paper, instruments, deposit accounts, letter of credit rights, and general intangibles related thereto; and all returned or repossessed goods which, on sale or lease, resulted in an account.

 

(b)
All inventory.

 

(d) All equipment and fixtures now owned or hereafter acquired by the Pledgor, (including, but not limited to, the equipment described in the attached Equipment Description, if any).

 

(d)
All of the Pledgor’s deposit accounts with the Bank. The Collateral shall include any renewals or rollovers of the deposit accounts, any successor accounts, and any general intangibles and choses in action arising therefrom or related thereto.

 

(e)
All instruments, chattel paper, documents, certificates of deposit, securities and investment property of every type.

 

(f)
All general intangibles. The Collateral shall include all good will connected with or symbolized by any of such general intangibles.

 

(g)
All negotiable and nonnegotiable documents of title covering any Collateral.

 

(h)
All accessions, attachments and other additions to the Collateral, and all tools, parts and equipment used in connection with the Collateral.

 

(i)
All substitutes or replacements for any Collateral, all cash or non-cash proceeds (including insurance proceeds), products, rents and profits of the Collateral, and all income, benefits and property receivable on account of the Collateral, and all supporting obligations covering any Collateral.

 

(j)
All books, data and records pertaining to any Collateral, whether in the form of a writing, photograph, microfilm or electronic media, including but not limited to any computer- readable memory and any computer software necessary to process such memory ("Books and Records").

 

2.
THE INDEBTEDNESS. The obligations secured by this Agreement are the payment and performance of (a) all present and future Indebtedness of the Pledgor to the Bank; (b) all obligations of the Pledgor and rights of the Bank under this Agreement; and (c) all present and future obligations of the Pledgor to the Bank of other kinds. Each party obligated under any Indebtedness is referred to in this Agreement as a “Debtor.” "Indebtedness" is used in its most comprehensive sense and includes any and all advances, debts, obligations and liabilities of the Debtor, now or hereafter existing, absolute or

 


contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined, voluntary or involuntary, including under any swap, derivative, foreign exchange, hedge, or other arrangement (“Swap”), deposit, treasury management or other similar transaction or arrangement, and whether the Debtor may be liable individually or jointly with others, or whether recovery upon such Indebtedness may be or hereafter becomes unenforceable. "Indebtedness" secured by the Collateral of such Pledgor shall not include obligations arising under any Swap to which it is not party if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty by such Pledgor to the Bank of, or the grant by such Pledgor of a security interest to the Bank to secure, such Swap, would violate the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C., Sec. 1. et. seq.) by virtue of such Pledgor’s failure to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act at the time such guaranty or grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap.

 

Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Bank and the Pledgor, if the Indebtedness includes, now or hereafter, any Special Flood Zone Loan, then the following shall apply: The Special Flood Zone Loan shall not be secured under this Agreement by any Collateral which would constitute “contents” located within the Flood Zone Improvements. For the purposes of this subparagraph, (a) “Flood Zone Improvements” means any “improved” real property that is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area;

(b) a “Special Flood Zone Loan” means a loan or line of credit which is secured by Flood Zone Improvements; and (c) the terms “improved” real property, “Special Flood Hazard Area,” and “contents” shall have the meaning ascribed to them by the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. § 4001 et seq., and implementing regulations, 44 C.F.R. Parts 59 et seq., and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”).

 

3.
PLEDGOR'S COVENANTS. The Pledgor represents, covenants and warrants that unless compliance is waived by the Bank in writing:

 

(a)
The Pledgor agrees: (i) to indemnify the Bank against all losses, claims, demands, liabilities and expenses of every kind caused by any Collateral; (ii) to permit the Bank to exercise its rights under this Agreement; (iii) to execute and deliver such documents as the Bank deems necessary to create, perfect and continue the security interests contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) not to change its name (including, for an individual, the Pledgor’s name on any driver’s license or special identification card issued by any state), and as applicable, its chief executive office, its principal residence or the jurisdiction in which it is organized and/or registered or its business structure without giving the Bank at least 30 days prior written notice; (v) not to change the places where the Pledgor keeps any Collateral or the Pledgor's Books and Records concerning the Collateral without giving the Bank prior written notice of the address to which the Pledgor is moving same; and (vi) to cooperate with the Bank in perfecting all security interests granted by this Agreement and in obtaining such agreements from third parties as the Bank deems necessary, proper or convenient in connection with the preservation, perfection or enforcement of any of its rights under this Agreement.

 

(b)
The Pledgor agrees with regard to the Collateral, unless the Bank agrees otherwise in writing: (i) that the Bank is authorized to file financing statements in the name of the Pledgor to perfect the Bank's security interest in the Collateral; (ii) that the Bank is authorized to notify any account debtors, any buyers of the Collateral, or any other persons of the Bank's interest in the Collateral, (iii) where applicable, to operate the Collateral in accordance with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations relating to the use and control of the Collateral, and not to use any Collateral for any unlawful purpose or in any way that would void any insurance required to be carried; (iv) not to remove the Collateral from the Pledgor's premises except in the ordinary course of the Pledgor's business; (v) to pay when due all license fees, registration fees and other charges in connection with any Collateral; (vi) not to permit any lien on the Collateral, including without limitation, liens arising from repairs to or storage of the Collateral, except in favor of the Bank; (vii) not to sell, hypothecate or dispose of, nor permit the transfer by operation of law of, any Collateral or any interest in the Collateral, except sales of inventory to buyers in the ordinary course of the Pledgor's business; (viii) to permit the Bank to inspect the Collateral at any

 


time; (ix) to keep, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, complete and accurate Books and Records regarding all the Collateral, and to permit the Bank to inspect the same and make copies at any reasonable time; (x) if requested by the Bank, to receive and use reasonable diligence to collect the Collateral consisting of accounts and other rights to payment and proceeds, in trust and as the property of the Bank, and to immediately endorse as appropriate and deliver such Collateral to the Bank daily in the exact form in which they are received together with a collection report in form satisfactory to the Bank; (xi) not to commingle the Collateral, or collections with respect to the Collateral, with other property; (xii) to give only normal allowances and credits and to advise the Bank thereof immediately in writing if they affect any rights to payment or proceeds in any material respect; (xiii) from time to time, when requested by the Bank, to prepare and deliver a schedule of all the Collateral subject to this Agreement and to assign in writing and deliver to the Bank all accounts, contracts, leases and other chattel paper, instruments, and documents; (xiv) in the event the Bank elects to receive payments or rights to payment or proceeds hereunder, to pay all expenses incurred by the Bank, including expenses of accounting, correspondence, collection efforts, reporting to account or contract debtors, filing, recording, record keeping and other expenses; and (xv) to provide any service and do any other acts which may be necessary to maintain, preserve and protect all the Collateral and, as appropriate and applicable, to keep all the Collateral in good and saleable condition, to deal with the Collateral in accordance with the standards and practices adhered to generally by users and manufacturers of like property, and to keep all the Collateral free and clear of all defenses, rights of offset and counterclaims.

 

(c)
If any Collateral is or becomes the subject of any registration certificate, certificate of deposit or negotiable document of title, including any warehouse receipt or bill of lading, the Pledgor shall immediately deliver such document to the Bank, together with any necessary endorsements.

 

(d)
The Pledgor will maintain and keep in force all risk insurance covering the Collateral against fire, theft, liability and extended coverages (including without limitation flood, windstorm coverage and hurricane coverage as applicable), to the extent that any Collateral is of a type which can be so insured. Such insurance shall be in form, amounts, coverages and basis reasonably acceptable to the Bank, shall require losses to be paid on a replacement cost basis, shall be issued by insurance companies acceptable to the Bank and include a lender loss payable endorsement and additional insured endorsement in favor of the Bank in a form acceptable to the Bank. Upon the request of the Bank, the Pledgor will deliver to the Bank a copy of each insurance policy, or, if permitted by the Bank, a certificate of insurance listing all insurance in force.

 

(e)
The Pledgor will not attach any Collateral to any real property or fixture in a manner which might cause such Collateral to become a part thereof unless the Pledgor first obtains the written consent of any owner, holder of any lien on the real property or fixture, or other person having an interest in such property to the removal by the Bank of the Collateral from such real property or fixture. Such written consent shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Bank and shall provide that the Bank has no liability to such owner, holder of any lien, or any other person.

 

5.
BANK RIGHTS. The Pledgor appoints the Bank its attorney in fact to perform any of the following rights, which are coupled with an interest, are irrevocable until termination of this Agreement and may be exercised from time to time by the Bank's officers and employees, or any of them, whether or not the Pledgor is in default: (a) to perform any obligation of the Pledgor hereunder in the Pledgor's name or otherwise; (b) to release persons liable on the Collateral and to give receipts and acquittances and compromise disputes; (c) to release or substitute security; (d) to prepare, execute, file, record or deliver notes, assignments, schedules, designation statements, financing statements, continuation statements, termination statements, statements of assignment, applications for registration or like documents to perfect, preserve or release the Bank's interest in the Collateral; (e) to take cash, instruments for the

 


payment of money and other property to which the Bank is entitled; (f) to verify facts concerning the Collateral by inquiry of obligors thereon, or otherwise, in its own name or a fictitious name; (g) to endorse, collect, deliver and receive payment under instruments for the payment of money constituting or relating to the Collateral; (h) to prepare, adjust, execute, deliver and receive payment under insurance claims, and to collect and receive payment of and endorse any instrument in payment of loss or returned premiums or any other insurance refund or return, and to apply such amounts received by the Bank, at the Bank's sole option, toward repayment of the Indebtedness or, where appropriate, replacement of the Collateral; (i) to enter onto the Pledgor's premises in inspecting the Collateral; (j) to make withdrawals from and to close deposit accounts or other accounts with any financial institution, wherever located, into which proceeds may have been deposited, and to apply funds so withdrawn to payment of the Indebtedness; (j) to preserve or release the interest evidenced by chattel paper to which the Bank is entitled and to endorse and deliver any evidence of title; and (k) to do all acts and things and execute all documents in the name of the Pledgor or otherwise, deemed by the Bank as necessary, proper and convenient in connection with the preservation, perfection or enforcement of its rights.

 

5.
DEFAULTS. Any one or more of the following shall be a default hereunder:

 

(a)
The occurrence of any defined or described event of default under, or any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation, agreement, representation, warranty, or other provision contained in (i) this Agreement, or (ii) any other contract or instrument evidencing the Indebtedness.

 

(b)
Any involuntary lien of any kind or character attaches to any Collateral, except for liens for taxes not yet due.

 

6.
BANK'S REMEDIES AFTER DEFAULT. In the event of any default, the Bank may do any one or more of the following, to the extent permitted by law:

 

(a)
Declare any Indebtedness immediately due and payable, without notice or

demand.

 

(b)
Enforce the security interest given hereunder pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code and any other applicable law.

 

(c)
Enforce the security interest of the Bank in any deposit account of the Pledgor maintained with the Bank by applying such account to the Indebtedness.

 

(d)
Require the Pledgor to obtain the Bank's prior written consent to any sale, lease, agreement to sell or lease, or other disposition of any Collateral consisting of inventory.

 

(e)
Require the Pledgor to segregate all collections and proceeds of the Collateral so that they are capable of identification and deliver daily such collections and proceeds to the Bank in kind.

 

(f)
Require the Pledgor to direct all account debtors to forward all payments and proceeds of the Collateral to a post office box under the Bank's exclusive control.

 

(g)
Give notice to others of the Bank's rights in the Collateral, to enforce or forebear from enforcing the same and make extension and modification agreements.

 

(h)
Require the Pledgor to assemble the Collateral, including the Books and Records, and make them available to the Bank at a place designated by the Bank.

 

(i)
Enter upon the property where any Collateral, including any Books and Records, are located and take possession of such Collateral and such Books and Records, and

 


use such property (including any buildings and facilities) and any of the Pledgor's equipment, if the Bank deems such use necessary or advisable in order to take possession of, hold, preserve, process, assemble, prepare for sale or lease, market for sale or lease, sell or lease, or otherwise dispose of, any Collateral.

 

(j)
Demand and collect any payments on and proceeds of the Collateral. In connection therewith the Pledgor irrevocably authorizes the Bank to endorse or sign the Pledgor's name on all checks, drafts, collections, receipts and other documents, and to take possession of and open the mail addressed to the Pledgor and remove therefrom any payments and proceeds of the Collateral.

 

(k)
Grant extensions and compromise or settle claims with respect to the Collateral for less than face value, all without prior notice to the Pledgor.

 

(l)
Use or transfer any of the Pledgor's rights and interests in any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Pledgor, if the Bank deems such use or transfer necessary or advisable in order to take possession of, hold, preserve, process, assemble, prepare for sale or lease, market for sale or lease, sell or lease, or otherwise dispose of, any Collateral. The Pledgor agrees that any such use or transfer shall be without any additional consideration to the Pledgor. As used in this paragraph, "Intellectual Property" includes, but is not limited to, all trade secrets, computer software, service marks, trademarks, trade names, trade styles, copyrights, patents, applications for any of the foregoing, customer lists, working drawings, instructional manuals, and rights in processes for technical manufacturing, packaging and labeling, in which the Pledgor has any right or interest, whether by ownership, license, contract or otherwise.

 

(m)
Have a receiver appointed by any court of competent jurisdiction to take possession of the Collateral. The Pledgor hereby consents to the appointment of such a receiver and agrees not to oppose any such appointment.

 

(n)
Take such measures as the Bank may deem necessary or advisable to take possession of, hold, preserve, process, assemble, insure, prepare for sale or lease, market for sale or lease, sell or lease, or otherwise dispose of, any Collateral, and the Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Bank as the Pledgor's attorney-in-fact to perform all acts and execute all documents in connection therewith.

 

(o)
Without notice or demand to the Pledgor, set off and apply against any and all of the Indebtedness any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) and any other indebtedness, at any time held or owing by the Bank or any of the Bank's agents or affiliates to or for the credit of the account of the Pledgor or any guarantor or endorser of the Pledgor's Indebtedness.

 

(p)
Exercise all rights, powers and remedies which the Pledgor would have, but for this Agreement, with respect to all Collateral.

 

(q)
Receive, open and read mail addressed to the Pledgor.

 

(r)
Resort to the Collateral under this Agreement, and any other collateral related to the Indebtedness, in any order.

 

(s)
Exercise any other remedies available to the Bank at law or in equity.

 


7.
MISCELLANEOUS.

 

(a)
Any waiver, express or implied, of any provision hereunder and any delay or failure by the Bank to enforce any provision shall not preclude the Bank from enforcing any such provision thereafter.

 

(b)
The Pledgor shall, at the request of the Bank, execute such other agreements, documents, instruments, or financing statements in connection with this Agreement as the Bank may reasonably deem necessary.

 

(c)
All notes, security agreements, subordination agreements and other documents executed by the Pledgor or furnished to the Bank in connection with this Agreement must be in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank.

 

(d)
Governing Law. Except to the extent that any law of the United States may apply, this Agreement shall be governed and interpreted according to the laws of South Carolina (the “Governing Law State”), without regard to any choice of law, rules or principles to the contrary. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect any rights or remedies of the Bank under federal law.

 

(e)
All rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies otherwise provided by law. Any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall not preclude the further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

 

(f)
All terms not defined herein are used as set forth in the Uniform Commercial

Code.

 

(g)
The Pledgor shall pay to the Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, expended or incurred by the Bank in connection with (a) the perfection and preservation of the Collateral or the Bank's interest therein, and (b) the realization, enforcement and exercise of any right, power, privilege or remedy conferred by this Agreement, relating to the Pledgor, or in any way affecting any of the Collateral or the Bank's ability to exercise any of its rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral.

 

(h)
In the event the Bank seeks to take possession of any or all of the Collateral by judicial process, the Pledgor irrevocably waives any bonds and any surety or security relating thereto that may be required by applicable law as an incident to such possession, and waives any demand for possession prior to the commencement of any such suit or action.

 

(i)
This Agreement shall constitute a continuing agreement, applying to all future as well as existing transactions.

 

(j)
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties, and may be amended or modified only in writing signed by the Bank and the Pledgor.

 

(k)
The secured parties covered by this Agreement include BANA as well as Bank of America Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Such secured parties are collectively referred to as the “Bank.” If, from time to time, any of the Indebtedness covered by this Agreement includes obligations to entities other than BANA, then BANA shall act as collateral agent for itself and all such other secured parties. BANA shall have the right to apply proceeds of the Collateral against debts, obligations or liabilities constituting all or part of the Indebtedness in

 


such order as BANA may determine in its sole discretion, unless otherwise agreed by BANA and one or more of the other secured parties.

 

8.
FINAL AGREEMENT. BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT EACH PARTY REPRESENTS AND AGREES THAT: (A) THIS DOCUMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, (B) THIS DOCUMENT SUPERSEDES ANY COMMITMENT LETTER, TERM SHEET, OR OTHER WRITTEN OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, UNLESS SUCH COMMITMENT LETTER, TERM SHEET, OR OTHER WRITTEN OUTLINE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS EXPRESSLY PROVIDES TO THE CONTRARY, (C) THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES, AND (D) THIS DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE PARTIES.

 

9.
Notices. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in another agreement between the Bank and the Pledgor, all notices required under this Agreement shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier, to the addresses on the signature page of this Agreement, or sent by facsimile to the fax number(s) listed on the signature page, or to such other addresses as the Bank and the Pledgor may specify from time to time in writing (any such notice a “Written Notice”). Written Notices shall be effective (i) if mailed, upon the earlier of receipt or five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, (ii) if telecopied, when transmitted, or (iii) if hand-delivered, by courier or otherwise (including telegram, lettergram or mailgram), when delivered. In lieu of a Written Notice, notices and/or communications from the Bank to the Pledgor may, to the extent permitted by law, be delivered electronically (i) by transmitting the communication to the electronic address provided by the Pledgor or to such other electronic address as the Pledgor may specify from time to time in writing, or (ii) by posting the communication on a website and sending the Pledgor a notice to the Pledgor’s postal address or electronic address telling the Pledgor that the communication has been posted, its location, and providing instructions on how to view it (any such notice, an “Electronic Notice”). Electronic Notices shall be effective when the communication, or a notice advising of its posting to a website, is sent to the Pledgor’s electronic address.

 

10.
Amendments. This Agreement may only be amended by a writing signed by the parties hereto; which, to the extent expressly agreed to by the Bank in its discretion, may include being amended by an Electronic Record signed by the parties hereto using Electronic Signatures pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

11.
Electronic Records and Signatures. This Agreement and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement (each a “Communication”), including Communications required to be in writing, may, if agreed by the Bank, be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures, including, without limitation, facsimile and/or .pdf. The Pledgor agrees that any Electronic Signature (including, without limitation, facsimile or .pdf) on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on the Pledgor to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Pledgor enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered to the Bank. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the Bank of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Bank may, at its option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall

 


be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Bank is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Bank pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Bank has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Bank shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Pledgor without further verification and

(b) upon the request of the Bank any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed, original counterpart. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Dated: March 31, 2022

Bank:

Bank of America, N.A.

 

By: /s/ Robert D. Davis, III

Robert D. Davis, III, Vice President

 

Pledgor:

 

Thorne HealthTech, Inc., a Delaware corporation

 

By: /s/ Scott S. Wheeler(Seal)

Name: Scott S. Wheeler

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Thorne Research, Inc.,

a South Carolina corporation

 

By: /s/ Scott S. Wheeler(Seal)

Name: Scott S. Wheeler

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

Prepared by: Moore & Van Allen PLLC

 

Address where notices to the Bank are to be sent:

 

Bank of America NC1-001-05-13

One Independence Center 101 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255-0001

 

Address where notices to the Pledgor are to be sent:

 

Thorne HealthTech, Inc. 620 Omni Industrial Blvd. Summerville, SC 02986


EXHIBIT 10.3

 

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BORROWER: Thorne HealthTech, Inc. GUARANTOR: Thorne Research, Inc.

 

CONTINUING AND UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY

 

1.
The Guaranty. For valuable consideration, the undersigned (whether one or more than one "Guarantor") hereby unconditionally guarantees and promises to pay promptly to Bank of America, N.A., its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, "Bank"), or order, in lawful money of the United States, any and all Indebtedness of Thorne HealthTech, Inc. ("Borrower") to Bank when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter. The liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty is not limited as to the principal amount of the Indebtedness guaranteed and includes, without limitation, liability for all interest, fees, indemnities, and other costs and expenses relating to or arising out of the Indebtedness and for all swap, derivative, foreign exchange or hedge or other similar transaction or arrangement (“Swap Obligations”) now or hereafter owing from Borrower to Bank. No Guarantor will be deemed to be a guarantor of any Swap Obligation to the extent that such Guarantor is not an Eligible Contract Participant at the time such guaranty becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligations as set forth in the Commodities Exchange Act (7 U.S.C., Sec. 1, et. seq.). The liability of Guarantor is continuing and relates to any Indebtedness, including that arising under successive transactions which shall either continue the Indebtedness or from time to time renew it after it has been satisfied. This Guaranty is cumulative and does not supersede any other outstanding guaranties, and the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty is exclusive of Guarantor's liability under any other guaranties signed by Guarantor. If multiple individuals or entities sign this Guaranty, their obligations under this Guaranty shall be joint and several "Indebtedness" shall mean and includes any and all advances, debts, obligations and liabilities of Borrower, or any of them, previously, now or later made, incurred or created, whether voluntary or involuntary and however arising, whether due or not due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, determined or undetermined, including Swap Obligations and obligations under any deposit, treasury management or other similar transaction or arrangement, and whether any of the Borrowers may be liable individually or jointly with others, or whether recovery upon such Indebtedness may be or later becomes unenforceable.

 

2.
Obligations Independent. The obligations under this Guaranty are independent of the obligations of Borrower or any other guarantor, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against Guarantor whether action is brought against Borrower or any other guarantor or whether Borrower or any other guarantor be joined in any such action or actions.

 

3.
Rights of Bank. Guarantor authorizes Bank, without notice or demand and without affecting its liability hereunder, from time to time to:

 

(a)
renew, compromise, extend, accelerate, or otherwise change the time for payment, or otherwise change the terms, of the Indebtedness or any part thereof, including increase or decrease of the rate of interest, or otherwise change the terms of any Bank Agreements;

 

(b)
receive and hold security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Indebtedness and exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any such security;

 

(c)
apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as Bank in its discretion may determine;

 

(d)
release or substitute any Guarantor or any one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Indebtedness; and

 

(e)
permit the Indebtedness to exceed Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty, and Guarantor agrees that any amounts received by Bank from any source other than Guarantor shall be deemed to be applied first to any portion of the Indebtedness not guaranteed by Guarantor.

 

4.
Guaranty to be Absolute. Guarantor agrees that until the Indebtedness has been paid in full in immediately available funds and any commitments of Bank or facilities provided by Bank with respect to the Indebtedness

have been terminated, Guarantor shall not be released by or because of the taking, or failure to take, any action that might in any manner vary, discharge or otherwise reduce, limit, or modify Guarantor's obligations under this Guaranty. Guarantor waives and surrenders any defense to any liability under this Guaranty based upon any such action, including but not limited to any action of Bank described in the immediately preceding paragraph of this Guaranty. It is the express intent of Guarantor that Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty are and shall be absolute and unconditional. This is a guaranty of payment and not merely a guaranty of collection. If this Guaranty is revoked, returned, or canceled, and subsequently any payment or transfer of any interest in property by Borrower to Bank is rescinded or must be returned by Bank to Borrower, this Guaranty shall be reinstated with respect to any such payment or transfer, regardless of any such prior revocation, return, or cancellation; and any guaranty of any indemnities, shall survive any termination of this Guaranty. In the event of the death of a Guarantor, the liability of the estate of the deceased Guarantor shall continue in full force and effect as to (i) the Indebtedness existing at the date of death, and any renewals or extensions, and (ii) loans or advances made to or for the account of Borrower after the date of the death of the deceased Guarantor pursuant to a commitment made by Bank to Borrower prior to the date of such death. As to all surviving Guarantors, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect after the death of a Guarantor, not only as to the Indebtedness existing at that time, but also as to the Indebtedness later incurred by Borrower to Bank. In the event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Indebtedness is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, or reorganization of Borrower or otherwise, all such Indebtedness guaranteed by Guarantor shall nonetheless be payable by Guarantor immediately if requested by Bank.

 

5.
Guarantor's Waivers of Certain Rights and Certain Defenses. Guarantor waives:

 

(a)
any right to require Bank to:

 

(i)
proceed against Borrower or any other person;

 

(ii)
marshal assets or proceed against or exhaust any security held from any of the Borrowers or any other person;

 

(iii)
give notice of the terms, time and place of any public or private sale or other disposition of personal property security held from Borrower or any other person;

 

(iv)
take any other action or pursue any other remedy in Bank's power;

or

 

(v)
make any presentment or demand for performance, or give any notice of nonperformance, acceleration, protest, notice of protest or notice of dishonor hereunder or in connection with any obligations or evidences of indebtedness held by Bank as security for or which constitute in whole or in part the Indebtedness guaranteed hereunder, or in connection with the creation of new or additional Indebtedness, or give any notice of acceptance of this Guaranty, or notices of any fact that might increase Guarantor’s risk.

 

(b)
any defense to its obligations under this Guaranty based upon or arising by

reason of:

 


(i)
any disability or other defense of Borrower or any other person;

 

(ii)
the cessation or limitation from any cause whatsoever, other than payment in full, of the Indebtedness of Borrower or any other person;

 

(iii)
any lack of authority of any officer, director, partner, agent or any other person acting or purporting to act on behalf Borrower which is a corporation, partnership or other type of entity, or any defect in the formation of Borrower;

 

(iv)
the application by Borrower of the proceeds of any Indebtedness for purposes other than the purposes represented by Borrower to, or intended or understood by, Bank or Guarantor;

 

(v)
any act or omission by Bank which directly or indirectly results in or aids the discharge of Borrower or any portion of the Indebtedness by operation of law or otherwise, or which in any way impairs or suspends any rights or remedies of Bank against Borrower;

 

(vi)
any impairment of the value of any interest in any security for the Indebtedness, including without limitation, the failure to obtain or maintain perfection or recordation of any interest in any such security, the release of any such security without substitution, and/or the failure to preserve the value of, or to comply with applicable law in disposing of, any such security;

 

(vii)
any modification of the Indebtedness, in any form whatsoever, including any modification made after revocation hereof to any Indebtedness incurred prior to such revocation, and including without limitation the renewal, extension, acceleration or other change in time for payment of, or other change in the terms of, the Indebtedness, including increase or decrease of the rate of interest;

 

(viii)
any requirement that Bank give any notice of acceptance of this

Guaranty;

 

(ix)
any defense based on any claim that Guarantor's obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of Borrower;

 

(x)
the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty; or

 

(xi)
any election of remedies by Bank, even though that election of remedies, such as a non-judicial foreclosure with respect to any security for any portion of the Indebtedness, destroys Guarantor's rights of subrogation or Guarantor's rights to proceed against Borrower for reimbursement.

 

(d)
until the Indebtedness has been paid in full and any commitments of Bank or facilities provided by Bank with respect to the Indebtedness have been terminated, even though the Indebtedness may be in excess of Guarantor’s liability hereunder, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification, and contribution (contractual, statutory, or otherwise).

 

7.
Lien and Setoff. Guarantor grants to Bank a continuing lien, security interest, and right of setoff as security for all of Guarantor's liabilities and obligations to Bank, whether now existing or later arising, upon and against all the deposits, credits, collateral and property of Guarantor (other than clients’ trust and other fiduciary accounts or escrows) now or hereafter in the possession, custody, or control of Bank or any entity under the control of Bank of America Corporation and its successors and

 


assigns or in transit to any of them. At any time, without further demand or notice (any such notice being expressly waived by Guarantor), Bank may set off the same or any part thereof and apply the same to any liability or obligation of Guarantor even though unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing this Guaranty. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE BANK TO EXERCISE ITS REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE LIABILITIES PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SET OFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF GUARANTOR, ARE VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY, AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

 

7.
Subordination. Any obligations of Borrower to Guarantor, now or hereafter existing, including but not limited to any obligations to Guarantor as subrogee of Bank or resulting from Guarantor's performance under this Guaranty, are hereby subordinated to the Indebtedness. Guarantor agrees that, if Bank so requests, Guarantor shall not demand, take, or receive from Borrower, by setoff or in any other manner, payment of any other obligations of Borrower to Guarantor until the Indebtedness has been paid in full and any commitments of Bank or facilities provided by Bank with respect to the Indebtedness have been terminated. If any payments are received by Guarantor in violation of such waiver or agreement, such payments shall be received by Guarantor as trustee for Bank and shall be paid over to Bank on account of the Indebtedness, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty. Any security interest, lien, or other encumbrance that Guarantor may now or hereafter have on any property of Borrower is hereby subordinated to any security interest, lien, or other encumbrance that Bank may have on any such property.

 

8.
Revocation of Guaranty.

 

(a)
This Guaranty may be revoked at any time by Guarantor in respect to future transactions. Such revocation shall be effective upon actual receipt by Bank, at the address shown below or at such other address as may have been provided to Guarantor by Bank, of written notice of revocation. Revocation shall not affect any of Guarantor's obligations or Bank's rights with respect to transactions committed or entered into prior to Bank's receipt of such notice, nor shall it affect Guarantor’s obligations with respect to any indemnities, executed prior to Bank’s receipt of such notice.

 

(b)
Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that this Guaranty may be revoked only in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph and shall not be revoked simply as a result of any change in name, location, ownership or composition or structure of Borrower, or the dissolution of Borrower.

 

9.
Extent of Guaranty. If Guarantor is a subsidiary or affiliate of Borrower, Guarantor's liability hereunder shall not exceed at any one time the largest amount during the period commencing with Guarantor's execution of this Guaranty and thereafter that would not render Guarantor's obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

 

10.
Taxes.

 

(a)
Guarantor represents and warrants that it is organized and resident in the United States of America. All payments by Guarantor hereunder shall be paid in full, without setoff or counterclaim or any deduction or withholding whatsoever, including, without limitation, for any and all present and future taxes. If Guarantor must make a payment under this Guaranty, Guarantor represents and warrants that it will make the payment from one of its U.S. resident offices to Bank so that no withholding tax is imposed on the payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Guarantor makes a payment under this Guaranty to which withholding tax applies or if any taxes (other than taxes on net income (i) imposed by the country or any subdivision of the country in which Bank's principal office or actual lending office is located and (ii) measured by the United States taxable income Bank would have received if all payments under or in respect of this

 


Guaranty were exempt from taxes levied by Guarantor's country) are at any time imposed on any payments under or in respect of this Guaranty including, but not limited to, payments made pursuant to this paragraph, Guarantor shall pay all such taxes to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law such that Bank receives the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made (or, if Guarantor cannot legally comply with the foregoing, Guarantor shall pay to Bank such additional amounts as will result in Bank receiving the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made). Further, Guarantor shall also pay to Bank, on demand, all additional amounts that Bank specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax yield Bank would have received if such taxes had not been imposed.

 

(b)
Guarantor shall promptly provide Bank with an original receipt or certified copy issued by the relevant authority evidencing the payment of any such amount required to be deducted or withheld.

 

12.
Information Relating to Borrower. Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has made such independent examination, review, and investigation of the Bank Agreements as Guarantor deems necessary and appropriate, and shall have sole responsibility to obtain from Borrower any information required by Guarantor about any modifications to the Bank Agreements. Guarantor further acknowledges that Bank has no duty, and Guarantor is not relying on Bank, at any time to disclose to Guarantor any information relating to the business operations or financial condition of Borrower. "Bank Agreements" shall mean all agreements, documents, and instruments evidencing any of the Indebtedness, including but not limited to all loan agreements between Borrower and Bank and promissory notes from Borrower in favor of Bank, and all deeds of trust, mortgages, security agreements, and other agreements, documents, and instruments executed by Borrower in connection with the Indebtedness, all as now in effect and as hereafter amended, restated, renewed, or superseded.

 

13.
Borrower's Authorization. Where Borrower is a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, it is not necessary for Bank to inquire into the powers of Borrower or of the officers, directors, partners, members, managers, or agents acting or purporting to act on its behalf, and any Indebtedness made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed under this Guaranty, subject to any limitations on Guarantor's liability set forth in this Guaranty.

 

14.
Guarantor Information; Reporting to Credit Bureaus. Guarantor authorizes Bank to verify or check any information given by Guarantor to Bank, check Guarantor’s credit references, verify employment, and obtain credit reports. Guarantor shall provide such financial statements and other financial information about Guarantor as Bank may request from time to time. Guarantor agrees that Bank shall have the right at all times to disclose and report to credit reporting agencies and credit rating agencies such information pertaining to the Indebtedness and/or Guarantor as is consistent with Bank's policies and practices from time to time in effect. Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the authorizations provided in this paragraph apply to any individual general partner of Guarantor and to Guarantor’s spouse and any such general partner’s spouse if Guarantor or such general partner is married and lives in a community property state.

 

15.
Change of Status. Any Guarantor that is a business entity shall not enter into any consolidation, merger, or other combination unless Guarantor is the surviving business entity. Further, Guarantor shall not change its legal structure unless (a) Guarantor obtains the prior written consent of Bank and (b) all Guarantors’ obligations under this Guaranty are assumed by the new business entity. Any Guarantor which is a business entity, shall not, without the Bank’s written consent, adopt a plan of division or divide itself into two or more business entities (pursuant to a “plan of division” under Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act or a similar arrangement under any other applicable state statute).

 

16.
Remedies. If Guarantor fails to fulfill its duty to pay all Indebtedness guaranteed hereunder or shall breach or fail to comply with any term or provision of this Guaranty, Bank shall have all

 


of the remedies of a creditor and, to the extent applicable, of a secured party, under all applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing to the extent permitted by law, Bank may, at its option and without notice or demand:

 

(a)
declare any Indebtedness due and payable at once;

 

(b)
take possession of any collateral pledged by Borrower or Guarantor, wherever located, and sell, resell, assign, transfer, and deliver all or any part of the collateral at any public or private sale or otherwise dispose of any or all of the collateral in its then condition, for cash or on credit or for future delivery, and in connection therewith Bank may impose reasonable conditions upon any such sale. Further, Bank, unless prohibited by law the provisions of which cannot be waived, may purchase all or any part of the collateral to be sold, free from and discharged of all trusts, claims, rights of redemption and equities of Borrower or Guarantor whatsoever. Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the sale of any collateral through any nationally recognized broker-dealer, investment banker, or any other method common in the securities industry shall be deemed a commercially reasonable sale under the Uniform Commercial Code or any other equivalent statute or federal law, and expressly waives notice thereof except as provided in this Guaranty; and

 

(c)
set off and apply any and all deposit accounts of Guarantor held by Bank or its affiliates against any and all obligations of Guarantor owing to Bank. The set-off may be made irrespective of whether or not Bank shall have made demand under this Guaranty, and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of the applicable deposit accounts and without regard for the availability or adequacy of other collateral. If exercised by Bank, Bank shall be deemed to have exercised such right of setoff and to have made a charge against any such money immediately upon the occurrence of such default although made or entered on the books after such default.

 

17.
Notices. Unless otherwise provided in this Guaranty or in another agreement between the Bank and the Guarantor, all notices required under this Guaranty shall be personally delivered or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier, to the addresses on the signature page of this Guaranty, or sent by facsimile to the fax number(s) listed on the signature page, or to such other addresses as the Bank and the Guarantor may specify from time to time in writing (any such notice a “Written Notice”). Written Notices shall be effective (i) if mailed, upon the earlier of receipt or five

(5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, (ii) if telecopied, when transmitted, or

(iii) if hand-delivered, by courier or otherwise (including telegram, lettergram or mailgram), when delivered. In lieu of a Written Notice, notices and/or communications from the Bank to the Guarantor may, to the extent permitted by law, be delivered electronically (i) by transmitting the communication to the electronic address provided by the Guarantor or to such other electronic address as the Guarantor may specify from time to time in writing, or (ii) by posting the communication on a website and sending the Guarantor a notice to the Guarantor’s postal address or electronic address telling the Guarantor that the communication has been posted, its location, and providing instructions on how to view it (any such notice, an “Electronic Notice”). Electronic Notices shall be effective when the communication, or a notice advising of its posting to a website, is sent to the Guarantor’s electronic address.

 

18.
Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty (a) binds Guarantor and Guarantor's executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, provided that Guarantor may not assign its rights or obligations under this Guaranty without the prior written consent of Bank, and (b) inures to the benefit of Bank and Bank's indorsees, successors, and assigns. Bank may, without notice to Guarantor and without affecting Guarantor's obligations, sell participations in, or assign the Indebtedness and this Guaranty, in whole or in part and may exchange information about Guarantor to any actual or potential participants or assignees.

 

19.
Amendments, Waivers, and Severability. This Guaranty may only be amended by a writing signed by the parties hereto; which, to the extent expressly agreed to by the Bank in its discretion, may include being amended by an Electronic Record signed by the parties hereto using Electronic

 


Signatures pursuant to the terms of this Guaranty. No failure by Bank to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any of its rights, remedies, or powers shall operate as a waiver of such rights, remedies or powers, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, remedy, or power shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, or power. The unenforceability or invalidity of any provision of this Guaranty shall not affect the enforceability or validity of any other provision of this Guaranty.

 

19.
Costs and Expenses. Guarantor agrees to pay all reasonable attorneys' fees and all other costs and expenses that may be incurred by Bank (a) in the enforcement of this Guaranty or (b) in the preservation, protection, or enforcement of any rights of Bank in any case commenced by or against Guarantor under the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) or any similar or successor statute.

 

20.
Representations and Warranties. When Guarantor signs this Guaranty, and until the Indebtedness is repaid in full and any commitments or facilities provided by Bank with respect to the Indebtedness have been terminated, Guarantor makes the following representations and warranties:

 

(a)
If Guarantor is anything other than a natural person, it is duly formed and existing under the laws of the state or other jurisdiction where organized.

 

(b)
This Guaranty, and any instrument or agreement required hereunder, are within Guarantor's powers, have been duly authorized, and do not conflict with any of its organizational papers.

 

(c)
In each state in which Guarantor does business, it is properly licensed, in good standing, and, where required, in compliance with fictitious name statutes.

 

(d)
All financial and other information that has been or will be supplied to Bank is sufficiently complete to give Bank accurate knowledge of Guarantor's financial condition, including all material contingent liabilities. Since the date of the most recent financial statement provided to Bank, there has been no material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise), operations, properties or prospects of Guarantor. If Guarantor is comprised of the trustees of a trust, the foregoing representations shall also pertain to the trustor(s) of the trust.

 

(e)
There is no lawsuit, tax claim or other dispute pending or threatened against Guarantor which, if lost, would impair Guarantor's financial condition or ability to repay the Indebtedness, except as have been disclosed in writing to Bank.

 

(f)
Guarantor is not in default on any obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation, except as have been disclosed in writing to Bank.

 

(g)
Guarantor has no knowledge of any pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax for any year and all taxes due have been paid, except as have been disclosed in writing to Bank.

 

(h)
There is no event which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would be, a default by Guarantor under this Guaranty or under any other instrument or agreement executed in connection with the Indebtedness or this Guaranty.

 

(i)
Guarantor will not be rendered insolvent by the execution, delivery, and performance of its obligations under this Guaranty.

 

(j)
Guarantor, if a natural person, has obtained any spousal or other consents or waivers which may be required by applicable law.

 


21.
Governing Law. Except to the extent that any law of the United States may apply, this Guaranty shall be governed and interpreted according to the laws of South Carolina (the “Governing Law State”), without regard to any choice of law, rules or principles to the contrary. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect any rights or remedies of Bank under federal law.

 

22.
Venue and Jurisdiction. Guarantor agrees that any action or suit against Bank arising out of or relating to this Guaranty shall be filed in federal court or state court located in the Governing Law State. Guarantor agrees that Bank shall not be deemed to have waived its rights to enforce this section by filing an action or suit against Guarantor in a venue outside of the Governing Law State. If Bank does commence an action or suit arising out of or relating to this Guaranty, Guarantor agrees that the case may be filed in federal court or state court in the Governing Law State. Bank reserves the right to commence an action or suit in any other jurisdiction where Borrower, any Guarantor, or any collateral has any presence or is located. Guarantor consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in such forum selected by Bank and waives any right to contest jurisdiction and venue and the convenience of any such forum. The provisions of this section are material inducements to Bank’s acceptance of this Guaranty.

 

23.
Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION AND (c) CERTIFIES THAT THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE.

 

24.
Waiver of Class Actions. The terms “Claim” or “Claims” refer to any disputes, controversies, claims, counterclaims, allegations of liability, theories of damage, or defenses between Bank of America, N.A., its subsidiaries and affiliates, on the one hand, and the parties to this Guaranty, on the other hand (all of the foregoing each being referred to as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”). Whether in state court, federal court, or any other venue, jurisdiction, or before any tribunal, the Parties agree that all aspects of litigation and trial of any Claim will take place without resort to any form of class or representative action. Thus the Parties may only bring Claims against each other in an individual capacity and waive any right they may have to do so as a class representative or a class member in a class or representative action. THIS CLASS ACTION WAIVER PRECLUDES ANY PARTY FROM PARTICIPATING IN OR BEING REPRESENTED IN ANY CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION REGARDING A CLAIM.

 

25.
Electronic Records and Signatures. This Guaranty and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Guaranty (each a “Communication”), including Communications required to be in writing, may, if agreed by the Bank, be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures, including, without limitation, facsimile and/or .pdf. The Guarantor agrees that any Electronic Signature (including, without limitation, facsimile or .pdf) on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on the Guarantor to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered to the Bank. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of

 


doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the Bank of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Bank may, at its option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Bank is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Bank pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Bank has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Bank shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Guarantor without further verification and (b) upon the request of the Bank any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed, original counterpart. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

26.
Application of Singular and Plural. In all cases where there is but a single Borrower, then all words used herein in the plural shall be deemed to have been used in the singular where the context and construction so require; and when there is more than one Borrower, or when this Guaranty is executed by more than one Guarantor, the word “Borrower” or "Borrowers" and the word "Guarantor" respectively shall mean all or any one or more of them as the context requires.

 

27.
Final Agreement. This Agreement and any related security agreements or other agreements required by this Agreement constitute the entire agreement between Guarantor and Bank with respect to the subject matter of this Guaranty and with respect to the credit facilities provided by Bank to Borrower and supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any other agreements required by this Agreement, this Agreement will prevail.

 

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 


Executed this 31st day of March, 2022.

 

 

Business Entity Guarantor:

 

Thorne Research, Inc.,

a South Carolina corporation

 

 

By: /s/ Scott S. Wheeler(Seal)

Name: Scott S. Wheeler

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Prepared by: Moore & Van Allen PLLC

 

 

Address where notices to the Bank are to be sent:

 

Bank of America NC1-001-05-13

One Independence Center 101 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28255-0001

 

 

Address where notices to the Guarantor are to be sent:

 

 

Thorne Research, Inc. 620 Omni Industrial Blvd.

Summerville, SC 02986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guaranty Signature Page]

 

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