SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC  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): September 12, 2014 (September 9, 2014)

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Indiana

 

0-21719

 

35-1929476

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

 

7575 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  260-969-3500

 

Not Applicable

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

 

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

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On September 9, 2014, in connection with the closing of the issuance and sale of $700 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes” and, together with the 2021 Notes, the “Notes”), referred to in Item 2.03 of this report, Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Registration Rights Agreement.  A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.21 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement (defined below), on September 9, 2014, the Company also entered into an Escrow Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under each of the Indentures (defined below) (the “Escrow Agreement”), pursuant to which the gross proceeds of the offering were deposited into escrow.  The Escrow Agent will release the net proceeds of the offering to the Company immediately prior to the consummation of the Company’s planned acquisition of Severstal Columbus, LLC, announced on July 21, 2014 (the “Acquisition”), or, alternatively, if the Acquisition is not consummated, the Escrow Agent will release the gross proceeds of the offering to the Trustee to fund a special mandatory redemption of the Notes.  A copy of the Escrow Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

On September 4, 2014, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets, PNC Capital Markets LLC, RBS Securities Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the “Initial Purchasers”) relating to the issuance and sale by the Company of the Notes referred to in Item 1.01 of this report. A copy of the Purchase Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.22 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

On September 9, 2014, the Company consummated the issuance and sale of the 2021 Notes pursuant to the terms of an Indenture dated as of September 9, 2014, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the “2021 Indenture”) and the 2024 Notes pursuant to the terms of an Indenture dated as of September 9, 2014, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (the “2024 Indenture” and, together with the 2021 Indenture, the “Indentures”).  The Notes were offered in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.  The Company intends to use the proceeds of the offering along with cash on hand and credit available under its existing senior secured credit facility to finance the Acquisition. A copy of the 2021 Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.23 and a copy of the 2024 Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.24 and each is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01.  Other Events.

 

On September 9, 2014, Steel Dynamics, Inc. issued a press release titled “Steel Dynamics Announces Completion of Note Offering.”  The full text of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)                                  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

 

4.21

 

Registration Rights Agreement among Steel Dynamics, Inc., the subsidiaries of the Company listed therein, and Goldman, Sachs & Co.,

 

2



 

 

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as representatives of the several initial purchasers as set forth therein, dated September 9, 2014.

 

 

 

4.22

 

Purchase Agreement among Steel Dynamics, Inc. and the Guarantors named therein, and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BMO Capital Markets, PNC Capital Markets LLC, RBS Securities Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Initial Purchasers, dated September 4, 2014.

 

 

 

4.23

 

Indenture dated September 9, 2014, relating to the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, among Steel Dynamics, Inc., as Issuer, the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.

 

 

 

4.24

 

Indenture dated September 9, 2014, relating to the 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024, among Steel Dynamics, Inc., as Issuer, the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Escrow Agreement, dated September 9, 2014, among Steel Dynamics, Inc. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under each of the Indentures.

 

 

 

99.1

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc. press release, dated September 9, 2014.

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

Date: September 12, 2014

 

By:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 

3


Exhibit 4.21

 

Execution Version

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

Dated September 9, 2014

 

among

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.,

 

as Issuer,

 

the Guarantors named herein

 

and

 

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
MORGAN STANLEY & CO LLC.

 

as representatives of the several Initial Purchasers

 

 

 



 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into September 9, 2014, among STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), the subsidiaries of the Company listed on Schedule I hereto (the “ Guarantors ”) and GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO., MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED, and MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers set forth on Schedule II hereto (the “ Initial Purchasers ”).

 

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated September 4, 2014, among the Company, the Initial Purchasers and the Guarantors (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of an aggregate of $700,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ 2021 Notes ”) and an aggregate of $500,000,000 principal amount of the Company’s 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “ 2024 Notes ”).  As used herein, the term “Securities” shall mean the 2021 Notes and the 2024 Notes, as individual series of notes and not collectively.  The Securities will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors.  In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement.  The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

 

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.              Definitions .

 

As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:

 

1933 Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

1934 Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

2021 Notes ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

2024 Notes ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Closing Date ” shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Company’s successors.

 

DTC ” The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York.

 



 

Exchange Offer ” shall mean an exchange offer by the Company of Exchange Securities of a series for Registrable Securities of the applicable series pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer Registration ” shall mean a registration under the 1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Exchange Securities ” shall mean two series of securities, each issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the applicable Indenture containing terms identical to the corresponding series of Securities (except that (i) interest thereon shall accrue from the last date on which interest was paid on such series of Securities or, if no such interest has been paid, September 9, 2014 (ii) the Exchange Securities will not contain restrictions on transfer, and (iii) the Exchange Securities will not be entitled to Additional Interest) and to be offered to Holders of the applicable series of Securities in exchange for Securities of such series pursuant to the applicable Exchange Offer.

 

Free Writing Prospectus ” shall mean each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used by the Company in connection with the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities.

 

Guarantors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include any Guarantor’s successor.

 

Holder ” shall mean, for each series of Registrable Securities, the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities of such series, and each of their respective successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become registered owners of such series of Registrable Securities under the applicable Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the term “Holder” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined in Section 4(a)).

 

Indenture ” shall mean, as applicable, either (i) the indenture relating to the 2021 Notes dated as of September 9, 2014 among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee thereunder, and as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof or (ii) the indenture relating to the 2024 Notes dated as of September 9, 2014 among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee thereunder, and as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Initial Purchasers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 



 

Issuer Information ” shall mean material information about the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective securities that has been provided by or on behalf of the Company and/or the Guarantors.

 

Majority Holders ” shall mean, for any series of Registrable Securities, the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Registrable Securities of such series; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities of such series is required hereunder, Registrable Securities of such series held by the Company or any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) (other than the Initial Purchasers or subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities of such series if such subsequent holders are deemed to be such affiliates solely by reason of their holding of such Registrable Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount of such series.

 

Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Prospectus ” shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Registrable Securities ” shall mean the Securities and the guarantee thereof by the Guarantors; provided , however , that the Securities and the guarantees thereof shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when such Securities are exchanged for Exchange Securities, (ii) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities and the guarantees thereof shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and such Securities and the guarantees thereof shall have been disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, or (iii) when such Securities and the guarantees thereof shall have otherwise ceased to be outstanding.

 

Registration Expenses ” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with this Agreement, including without limitation:  (i) all SEC, stock exchange or Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements and other

 



 

documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of each Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Holders of a series of Securities (which counsel shall be selected by the Majority Holders of such series and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors, including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

 

Registration Statement ” shall mean any registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated or deemed incorporated by the securities laws to be incorporated by reference therein.

 

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Shelf Registration ” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Company and the Guarantors pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated or deemed incorporated by the securities laws to be incorporated by reference therein.

 

Trustee ” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under each Indenture.

 

Underwriter ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

 

Underwritten Registration ” or “ Underwritten Offering ” shall mean a registration in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 



 

2.              Registration Under the 1933 Act .

 

(a)            To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretation of the Staff of the SEC, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering the offer by the Company and the Guarantors to the Holders to exchange all of the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities and to have such Registration Statement remain effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer.  The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC and use its reasonable best efforts to have the Exchange Offer consummated not later than 60 days after such effective date.  The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related exchange offer Prospectus and accompanying documents to each Holder, through DTC or otherwise, stating in such Prospectus or accompanying documents, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law:

 

(i)             that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;

 

(ii)            the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 business days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Exchange Dates ”);

 

(iii)           that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest, but will not retain any rights under this Agreement;

 

(iv)           that Holders electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to surrender such Registrable Security, together with the enclosed letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

 

(v)            that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by sending to the institution and at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the notice a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Securities exchanged.

 

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company shall:

 

(i)             accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

 

(ii)            deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and mail to each Holder, an

 



 

Exchange Security of the applicable series equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities surrendered by such Holder.

 

The Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the Staff of the SEC.  The Company shall inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and addresses of the Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall have the right, subject to applicable law, to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.

 

If the Company and the Guarantors effect the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall be entitled to close the Exchange Offer twenty (20) business days after such commencement (provided that the Company and the Guarantors have accepted all the Securities theretofore validly tendered and not withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer).

 

Each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to the Company and the Guarantors in writing that at the time of the consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Securities received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business, (ii) such Holder will have no arrangements or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the 1933 Act) of the Exchange Securities and (iii) such Holder is not affiliate of either the Company or any of the Guarantors within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker dealer, that it is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Exchange Securities and (v) if such Holder is a broker dealer, that it will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities that were acquired as a result of market making activities or other trading activities and that it will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with the resale of such Exchange Securities.

 

(b)            In the event that (i) the Company and the Guarantors determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not available or may not be consummated as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate applicable law or the applicable interpretations of the Staff of the SEC, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason consummated by September 9, 2015 or (iii) the Exchange Offer has been completed and in the opinion of counsel for the Initial Purchasers a Registration Statement must be filed and a Prospectus must be delivered by the Initial Purchasers in connection with any offering or sale of Registrable Securities, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination, date or notice of such opinion of counsel is given to the Company, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale by the Holders of all of the Registrable Securities and to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC.  In the event the Company and the Guarantors are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement solely as a result of the matters referred to in clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company and the

 



 

Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective by the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.  The Company and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the second anniversary of the Closing Date or such shorter period that will terminate when all of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company and the Guarantors for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the 1933 Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registration or if reasonably requested by a Holder with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use its reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable.  The Company and the Guarantors agree to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.  To the extent that the Company and the Guarantors are required to include any Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors may include such Registrable Securities on any other shelf registration statement otherwise filed by the Company with respect to any of its other securities.

 

(c)            The Company and the Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b).  Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(d)            An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC; provided , however , that, if, after it has been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities of any series pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Registration Statement with respect to such series of Registrable Securities will be deemed not to have become effective during the period of such interference until the offering of Registrable Securities of such series pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.  In the event the Exchange Offer with respect to a series of Registrable Securities is not consummated and the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such series is not declared effective on or prior to September 9, 2015 (and in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such series , thereafter ceases to be effective as provided in the preceding sentence) , the interest rate on such series of Securities will be increased by 0.5% per annum until the Exchange Offer with respect to such series is consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such series is declared effective by the SEC.

 



 

(e)            Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by the Company or the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company’s or the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

 

3.              Registration Procedures .

 

In connection with the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall as expeditiously as possible:

 

(a)            prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the 1933 Act, which form (x) shall be selected by the Company and the Guarantors and (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

 

(b)            prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act; to keep each Prospectus current during the period described under Section 4(3) and Rule 174 under the 1933 Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

 

(c)            in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for the Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or Underwriter may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities; and the Company and the Guarantors consent to the use of such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

 



 

(d)            use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to cooperate with such Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided , however , that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (ii) file any general consent to service of process or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not so subject;

 

(e)            in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of Registrable Securities who has provided contact information to the Company, counsel for the Holders and counsel for the Initial Purchasers promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if, between the effective date of a Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to the offering cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the Company or any Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event during the period a Shelf Registration Statement is effective which makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (vi) of any determination by the Company or any Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate;

 

(f)             make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any such order;

 

(g)            in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

 



 

(h)            in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the applicable Indenture) and registered in such names as the selling Holders may reasonably request at least one business day prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

 

(i)             in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(e)(v) hereof, use its reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  The Company and the Guarantors agree to notify the Holders to suspend use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and the Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the Company and the Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission;

 

(j)             a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Company and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel) available for discussion of such document, and shall not at any time file or make any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or any document which is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders or their counsel) shall object;

 

(k)            obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement;

 

(l)             cause each Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ TIA ”), in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of each series to effect such changes to the applicable Indenture as may be

 



 

required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA and execute, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause the applicable Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable each Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

 

(m)           in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities of the applicable series, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, and attorneys and accountants designated by the Holders of such series, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all financial and other records, pertinent documents and properties of the Company and the Guarantors, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Company and the Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement;

 

(n)            in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its reasonable best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities of the applicable series to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company or any Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders of such series, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

 

(o)            use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities or the Exchange Securities, as the case may be, to continue to be rated by two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) under the 1934 Act);

 

(p)            if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as the Company has received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such filing; and

 

(q)            in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority of either series of Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (i) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested, (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and the Guarantors (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be

 



 

reasonably satisfactory to such Holders and Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of such Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in connection with underwritten firm commitment offerings, (iii) obtain “cold comfort” letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Guarantor, or of any business acquired by the Company or any Guarantor for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of such Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten firm commitment offerings, and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of either series of Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement.

 

In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company and the Guarantors such information regarding the Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Company and the Guarantors may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

 

In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company and the Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(e)(v) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company and the Guarantors, such Holder will deliver to the Company and the Guarantors (at its expense) all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.  If the Company and the Guarantors shall give any such notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall extend the period during which the Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions.  The Company and the Guarantors may give any such notice only twice during any 365-day period and any such suspensions may not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there may not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 365-day period.

 

The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering.  In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or

 



 

managers (the “ Underwriters ”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of each series of the Registrable Securities included in such offering.

 

4.              Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer .

 

(a)            The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”), may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the 1933 Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

 

The Company and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the 1933 Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the 1933 Act.

 

(b)            In light of the above, notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors agree that the provisions of this Agreement as they relate to a Shelf Registration shall also apply to an Exchange Offer Registration to the extent, and with such reasonable modifications thereto as may be, reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers, in each case as provided in clause (ii) below, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above; provided that:

 

(i)             the Company and the Guarantors shall not be required to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to a series of Registrable Securities, as would otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(i), (A) after the Participating Broker-Dealers shall have disposed of the Registrable Securities of such series or (B) for a period exceeding 180 days after the last Exchange Date with respect to such series (as such period may be extended pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 3 of this Agreement) and Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the Company and the Guarantors to deliver and shall not deliver such Prospectus after such period in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4; and

 

(ii)            the application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement to an Exchange Offer Registration, to the extent not required by the positions of the Staff of the SEC or the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, will be in conformity with the reasonable request to the Company and the Guarantors by the Initial Purchasers or with the reasonable request in writing to the Company and the Guarantors by one or more broker-dealers who certify to the Initial

 



 

Purchasers and the Company and the Guarantors in writing that they anticipate that they will be Participating Broker-Dealers; and provided further that, in connection with such application of the Shelf Registration procedures set forth in Section 3 to an Exchange Offer Registration, the Company and the Guarantors shall be obligated (x) to deal only with one entity representing the Participating Broker-Dealers, which shall be Goldman, Sachs & Co. unless it elects not to act as such representative, (y) to pay the fees and expenses of only one counsel representing the Participating Broker-Dealers, which shall be counsel to the Initial Purchasers unless such counsel elects not to so act and (z) to cause to be delivered only one, if any, “cold comfort” letter with respect to the Prospectus in the form existing on the last Exchange Date and with respect to each subsequent amendment or supplement, if any, effected during the period specified in clause (i) above.

 

(c)            The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request that it may make pursuant to Section 4(b) above.

 

5.              Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a)            Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless the Initial Purchasers and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchasers or any Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, any Initial Purchasers or any Holder, from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchaser, any Holder and their respective affiliates, directors and officers or any such controlling or affiliated Person in connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company and the Guarantors shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), any Free Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon information relating to the Initial Purchasers or any Holder furnished to the Company or the Guarantors in writing through Goldman, Sachs & Co. or any selling Holder expressly for use therein.  In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company and each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their affiliates, officers and directors and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act) to the

 



 

same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information.

 

(b)            Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and their affiliates and the other selling Holders, and each of their respective directors, officers who sign the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company and the Guarantors in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Free Writing Prospectus.

 

(c)            In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) above, such Person (the “ indemnified party ”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “ indemnifying party ”) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.  In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them or (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action.  It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for (a) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Initial Purchasers and all Persons, if any, who control any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of either Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, (b) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the Company and the Guarantors, their directors, their officers who sign the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company or the Guarantors within the meaning of either such Section and (c) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Holders and all Persons, if any, who control any Holder within the meaning of either such Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred.  In such case involving the Initial Purchasers and Persons who control the Initial Purchasers, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Initial Purchasers.  In such case involving the Holders and such Persons who control Holders, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders.  In all other cases, such firm shall be designated by the Company.  The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any

 



 

proceeding effected without its written consent but, if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party for such fees and expenses of counsel in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which such indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d)            If the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this Section 5 is unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Guarantors, on the one hand, or by the Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The Holders’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Registrable Securities of such Holder that were registered pursuant to a Registration Statement.

 

(e)            The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, no Holder shall be required to indemnify or contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which Registrable Securities were sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages

 



 

that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

 

The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates, any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Company, the Guarantors, their officers or directors or any Person controlling the Company or the Guarantors, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

 

6.              Miscellaneous .

 

(a)            No Inconsistent Agreements .  Neither the Company nor the Guarantors have entered into, and on or after the date of this Agreement will not enter into, any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or the Guarantors’ other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.

 

(b)            Amendments and Waivers .  The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities of the series of Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided , however , that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder.

 

(c)            Notices .  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the Company or the Guarantors, initially at the Company’s address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c).

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after being deposited in

 



 

the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

 

Copies of all such notices, demands, or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the applicable Indenture.

 

(d)            Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement.  If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.  The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Company or the Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

 

(e)            Purchases and Sales of Securities .  The Company and the Guarantors shall not, and shall use their best efforts to cause their affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) not to, purchase and then resell or otherwise transfer any Securities.

 

(f)             Third Party Beneficiary .  The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent any such Holder deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of any other Holders hereunder.

 

(g)            Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission (e.g., a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

 

(h)            Headings .  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(i)             Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

(j)             Severability .  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable,

 



 

the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name: Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

 

 

 

By:

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., its sole member

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name: Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name: Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name: Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name: Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

SWVA, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

 

 

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

 

OMNISOURCE, LLC

 

 

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

 

 

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

 

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name: Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

Confirmed and accepted as of

 

the date first above written:

 

 

 

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

 

INCORPORATED

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

 

Acting on behalf of themselves and

 

as representatives of the several Initial Purchasers

 

 

 

 

 

By: GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Hickey

 

Name:  Michael Hickey

 

Title:    Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

By: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

 

INCORPORATED

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Justin Neubauer

 

Name: Justin Neubauer

 

Title:   Director

 

 

 

 

 

By: MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James N. Pearson

 

Name: Robbie Pearson

 

Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Guarantors

 

NAME

 

JURISDICTION

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

Delaware

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

Indiana

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

 

Indiana

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

 

Indiana

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

 

Delaware

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

 

Delaware

SWVA, INC.

 

Delaware

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

 

Delaware

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

Delaware

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

 

Indiana

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

 

Michigan

OMNISOURCE, LLC

 

Indiana

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

 

Indiana

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

 

Indiana

 



 

SCHEDULE II

 

Initial Purchasers

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
BMO Capital Markets Corp.
PNC Capital Markets LLC
RBS Securities Inc.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 


Exhibit 4.22

 

Execution Version

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

AND THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN

 

 

$700,000,000

 

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021

 

$500,000,000

 

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024

 

 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT
dated September 4, 2014

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
BMO Capital Markets
PNC Capital Markets LLC
RBS Securities Inc.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 



 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

September 4, 2014

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
As Representatives of the Initial Purchasers

 

c/o                    Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street
New York, New York 10282

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Introductory .  Steel Dynamics, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) and the other several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule I and Schedule II (together, the “Initial Purchasers”), acting severally and not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule I of $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) and the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule II of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes” and, together with the 2021 Notes, the “Notes”).  Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley have agreed to act as the representatives of the several Initial Purchasers (the “Representatives”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

 

The 2021 Notes and related Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated as of the Closing Date (the “2021 Initial Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “2021 Trustee”).  The 2024 Notes and related Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated as of the Closing Date (the “2024 Initial Indenture” and, together with the 2021 Initial Indenture, the “Initial Indentures” and each, an “Initial Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “2024 Trustee” and, together with the 2021 Trustee, the “Trustee”).  Notes will be issued only in book-entry form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) pursuant to a letter of representations, to be dated on or before the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2 hereof) (the “DTC Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Depositary.

 

The Notes are being issued in connection with the acquisition of Severstal Columbus, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Columbus”), by the Company.  On July 18, 2014, the Company entered into a membership interest purchase agreement with Severstal Columbus Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”), and Columbus (the “Acquisition Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the membership interests of Columbus from Seller (the “Acquisition”).

 



 

On the Closing Date, the Company will enter into an escrow agreement (the “Escrow Agreement”), the form of which is attached hereto as Annex A, with the Trustee and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), pursuant to which the gross proceeds of the offering of the Notes will be deposited into an escrow account (the “Escrow Account”).  Funds held in the Escrow Account (collectively, the “Escrow Property”) will be released in accordance with the conditions set forth in the Escrow Agreement for the purpose of consummating the Acquisition (the date of such release, the “Release Date”).  If the Release Date does not occur on or prior to April 18, 2015 (the “Outside Date”), or if the Acquisition Agreement is terminated prior to the Outside Date, or if the Company determines, in its discretion, that the escrow conditions cannot be satisfied by the Outside Date, the Escrow Property shall be released to the Trustee to redeem the Notes at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes outstanding and at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes outstanding, plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest from the Closing Date up to, but not including, the date of redemption (such date of redemption, the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”).

 

The holders of the Notes will be entitled to the benefits of a registration rights agreement, to be dated as of the Closing Date (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, pursuant to which the Company and the Guarantors will agree to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), under the circumstances set forth therein, (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder), relating to another series of debt securities of the Company with terms substantially identical to the 2021 Notes (the “2021 Exchange Notes”) and to the 2024 Notes (the “2024 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2021 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) to be offered in exchange for the applicable series of Notes (the “Exchange Offer”) and (ii) to the extent required by the Registration Rights Agreement, a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act relating to the resale by certain holders of the Notes, and in each case, to use its reasonable best efforts to cause any applicable registration statement to be declared effective.

 

The obligations of the Company under the Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Indentures will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by (i) the Guarantors named in Schedule III and (ii) any other subsidiary of the Company that executes a supplemental indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indentures, including upon execution of the Supplemental Indentures (as defined below), Columbus, and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “Guarantors”), pursuant to the terms of the Indentures (each, a “Guarantee” and, collectively, the “Guarantees”).  Within three business days of the Release Date, Columbus will (i) execute a supplemental indenture to the 2021 Initial Indenture (the “2021 Supplemental Indenture”), providing for an unconditional guarantee of all of the Company’s obligations under the 2021 Initial Indenture and 2021 Notes on a senior unsecured basis (the “Columbus 2021 Guarantee”) and (ii) execute a supplemental indenture to the 2024 Initial Indenture (the “2024 Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the 2021 Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures” and each, a “Supplemental Indenture), providing for an unconditional guarantee of all of the Company’s obligations under the 2024 Indenture and 2024 Notes on a senior unsecured basis (the “Columbus 2024 Guarantee” and, together with the Columbus 2021 Guarantee, the “Columbus Guarantee”).  The 2021 Initial

 

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Indenture, as supplemented by the 2021 Supplemental Indenture, is herein referred to as the “2021 Indenture”; the 2024 Initial Indenture, as supplemented by the 2024 Supplemental Indenture, is herein referred to as the “2024 Indenture”; and the 2021 Indenture and the 2024 Indenture are collectively referred to herein as the “Indentures” and each, an “Indenture.”

 

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “Guarantors,” “Affiliate,” “affiliate” and “subsidiaries” and other similar terms (in each case, with respect to the Company) shall be deemed to include Columbus.  The Notes and the Guarantees thereof are herein collectively referred to as the “Securities”; and the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees are herein collectively referred to as the “Exchange Securities.”

 

Promptly following consummation of the Acquisition, (i)  Columbus shall execute and deliver a joinder agreement (the “Joinder Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B, whereby Columbus will agree to observe and fully perform all of the rights, obligations and liabilities contemplated herein as if it were an original signatory hereto and (ii) Columbus shall execute and deliver a joinder agreement (the “Registration Rights Joinder Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex C, whereby Columbus will agree to observe and fully perform all of the rights, obligations and liabilities contemplated under the Registration Rights Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto.

 

The Company understands that the Initial Purchasers propose to make an offering of the Securities on the terms and in the manner set forth herein and in the Pricing Disclosure Package (as defined below) and agrees that the Initial Purchasers may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a portion of the Securities to purchasers (the “Subsequent Purchasers”) on the terms set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package (the first time when sales of the Securities are made is referred to as the “Time of Sale”).  The Securities are to be offered and sold to or through the Initial Purchasers without being registered with the Commission under the Securities Act, in reliance upon exemptions therefrom.  Pursuant to the terms of the Securities and the Indentures, investors who acquire Securities shall be deemed to have agreed that Securities may only be resold or otherwise transferred, after the date hereof, if such Securities are registered for sale under the Securities Act or if an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available (including the exemptions afforded by Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) or Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”)).

 

The Company has prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated September 4, 2014 (the “Preliminary Offering Memorandum”), and has prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Pricing Supplement attached hereto as Schedule V, dated September 4, 2014 (the “Pricing Supplement”), describing the terms of the Securities, each for use by such Initial Purchaser in connection with its solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities.  The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Supplement are herein referred to as the “Pricing Disclosure Package.”  Promptly after this Agreement is executed and delivered, the Company will prepare and deliver to each Initial Purchaser a final offering memorandum dated the date hereof (the “Final Offering Memorandum”).

 

All references herein to the terms “Pricing Disclosure Package” and “Final Offering Memorandum” shall be deemed to mean and include all information filed under the Securities

 

3



 

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder), prior to the Time of Sale and incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package (including the Preliminary Offering Memorandum) or the Final Offering Memorandum (as the case may be), and all references herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Final Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to mean and include all information filed under the Exchange Act after the Time of Sale and incorporated by reference in the Final Offering Memorandum as of its date.

 

Each of the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus), and upon execution of the Joinder Agreement, Columbus, hereby confirms its agreements with the Initial Purchasers as follows:

 

SECTION 1.          Representations and Warranties .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus), and upon execution of the Joinder Agreement, Columbus, jointly and severally, hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Initial Purchaser that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (references in this Section 1 to the “Offering Memorandum” are to (x) the Pricing Disclosure Package in the case of representations and warranties made as of the date hereof and (y) each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum in the case of representations and warranties made as of the Closing Date):

 

(a)            No Registration Required .  Subject to compliance by the Initial Purchasers with the representations and warranties set forth in Section 2 hereof and with the procedures set forth in Section 8 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum to register the Securities under the Securities Act or, until such time as the Exchange Securities may be issued pursuant to an effective registration statement, to qualify the Indentures under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).

 

(b)            No Integration of Offerings or General Solicitation .  None of the Company, its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) (each, an “Affiliate”), or any person acting on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or offered to sell, or will, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the Securities to be registered under the Securities Act.  None of the Company, its Affiliates, or any person acting on its or any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act.  With respect to those Securities sold in reliance upon Regulation S, (i) none of the Company, its Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S

 

4



 

and (ii) each of the Company and its Affiliates and any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company makes no representation or warranty) has complied and will comply with the offering restrictions set forth in Regulation S.

 

(c)            Eligibility for Resale under Rule 144A .  The Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and will not be, at the Closing Date, of the same class as securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system.

 

(d)            The Offering Memorandum .  Neither the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Time of Sale, nor the Final Offering Memorandum, as of its date or (as amended or supplemented in accordance with Section 3(a), if applicable) as of the Closing Date, contains or represents an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Initial Purchaser through the Representatives expressly for use in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be.  The Pricing Disclosure Package contains, and the Final Offering Memorandum will contain, all the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A.  Each Company Supplemental Disclosure Document (as defined in Section 4(a) below) does not conflict with the information contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum, and each such Company Supplemental Disclosure Document, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Time of Sale, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions made in any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Initial Purchaser through the Representatives expressly for use therein.  The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the later of the Closing Date and the completion of the Initial Purchasers’ distribution of the Securities, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum and any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document set forth on Schedule VI.

 

(e)            Incorporated Documents .  The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission (collectively, the “Incorporated Documents”) complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.

 

(f)             The Purchase Agreement and the Joinder Agreement .  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors.  Upon execution and delivery in accordance with this Agreement, the Joinder Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Columbus.

 

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(g)            The Registration Rights Agreement and the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement .  The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, and will be executed and delivered at the Closing Date, by, and will be a valid and binding agreement of, the Company and each Guarantor (other than Columbus), enforceable against the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus) in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity and except as rights to indemnification and contribution under the Registration Rights Agreement may be limited under applicable law.  Within three business days of the Release Date, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and will be a valid and binding agreement of, Columbus, enforceable against Columbus in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity and except as rights to indemnification and contribution under the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement may be limited under applicable law.

 

(h)            The Notes .  The Notes have been duly authorized and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Company and, when authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Initial Indentures and delivered to and paid for by the Initial Purchasers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Initial Indentures and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(i)             The Guarantees .  The Guarantee by each Guarantor (other than Columbus) pursuant to the terms of the applicable Initial Indenture has been duly authorized and, when the Notes have been issued and authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable Initial Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will be a valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

(j)             Authorization of the Exchange Notes and Exchange Guarantees .  The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by the Company, and when issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Exchange Offer, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity and will be entitled to the benefits of the applicable Indenture.  The Guarantees of the Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by the Guarantors (other than Columbus), and within three business days of the Release Date, the Guarantee of Columbus of the Exchange Notes will have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by Columbus, and when the Exchange Notes have been issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement and the Exchange Offer, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to

 

6



 

applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity and will be entitled to the benefits of the applicable Indenture.

 

(k)            The Initial Indentures and the Supplemental Indentures .  Each Initial Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus) and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each such Guarantor and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the Company and such Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and such Guarantors in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.  Within three business days of the Release Date, the Supplemental Indentures will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and Columbus and will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and Columbus, enforceable against the Company and Columbus in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

(l)             Description of the Securities and the Indentures .  The Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Indentures will conform in all material respects to the respective descriptions thereof contained in the Offering Memorandum under the heading “Description of the Notes.”

 

(m)           No Material Adverse Change .  There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement).

 

(n)            Other Transactions .  Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum, (1) the Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business; (2) the Company has not purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared (except for the dividends declared or paid on the Company’s common stock in the first and second quarters of 2014 in the ordinary course), paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock; and (3) there has not been any material change in the capital stock, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, except in each case as described in or contemplated by the Offering Memorandum.

 

(o)            Independent Accountants .  Ernst & Young LLP, which expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements (which term as used in this Agreement includes the related notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (other than Columbus) filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum, are independent public or certified public accountants within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and any non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the Company or any of the Guarantors (other than Columbus) have been approved by the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company.  KPMG LLP, which expressed its opinion with respect to the financial statements of Columbus included in the Offering Memorandum, are independent public or certified public accountants within the meaning of Regulation S-X under

 

7



 

the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and no non-audit services have been provided by KPMG LLP to Columbus in 2013 or 2014.

 

(p)            Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company and its Subsidiaries .  The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Initial Indentures, the Supplemental Indentures, the Escrow Agreement, the Securities and the Exchange Securities; the Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business, properties, operations or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity (a “Material Adverse Effect”).  Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated or organized, is validly existing as a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the Offering Memorandum and each Guarantor has the power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Joinder Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Initial Indentures, the Supplemental Indentures, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, as applicable; each subsidiary is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect; each direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company and the percentage of capital stock and voting stock of each such subsidiary owned by the Company directly or indirectly, as applicable, is set forth on Schedule IV hereto and all of the issued shares of capital stock of such subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned directly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims, except as described in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(q)            Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required .  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its articles of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents or (ii) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject except in the case of clause (ii) above for such defaults that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The execution and delivery by the Company and the Guarantors of, and the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective obligations under, this Agreement, the Joinder Agreement, the Initial Indentures , the Supplemental Indentures, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, as applicable, and the

 

8



 

consummation of the transactions described herein and therein and in the Offering Memorandum, do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, contravene (i) any provision of applicable law or the articles of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (ii) any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (including, but not limited to, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2011, as amended from time to time, among Steel Dynamics, Inc., as borrower, certain designated “Initial Lenders,” PNC Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agents, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agents, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”)), or any judgment, order, regulation or decree of any regulatory or governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any regulatory or governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Company or the Guarantors of their respective obligations under this Agreement, the Joinder Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Initial Indentures , the Supplemental Indentures, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement, the Securities and the Exchange Securities and the Guarantees, except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities and by federal and state securities laws with respect to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement.

 

(r)             No Material Actions or Proceedings .  There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject other than proceedings accurately described in all material respects in the Offering Memorandum and proceedings that would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or a material adverse effect on the power or ability of the Company or the Guarantors to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement, the Joinder Agreement, the Initial Indentures, the Supplemental Indentures, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Securities and the Exchange Securities or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Offering Memorandum.

 

(s)             Intellectual Property Rights .  The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, all material patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks and trade names currently employed by them in connection with the business now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in any Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(t)             All Necessary Permits, etc .  Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has all necessary consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits of and from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal, state, local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations and all courts and other tribunals, to own, lease, license and use its properties and assets and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum, except to the extent that the failure to obtain such consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates and permits or make such declarations and filings would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such consent, authorization, approval, order, certificate or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect, except as described in or contemplated by the Offering Memorandum.

 

(u)            Title to Properties .  The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except such as are described in the Offering Memorandum or such as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case except as described in or contemplated by the Offering Memorandum.

 

(v)            Investment Company Act Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors is required, or after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Offering Memorandum will be required, to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(w)           Insurance .  The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business, or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as described in or contemplated by the Offering Memorandum.

 

(x)            No Price Stabilization or Manipulation .  None of the Company or any of the Guarantors (including, to our knowledge, Columbus) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in

 

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stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

(y)            Accounting Systems .  The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (1) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (2) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (3) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (4) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (5) the interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Disclosure Package fairly present the information called for in all material respects and are prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.  Since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness or significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Since the end of Columbus’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (i) no material weakness or significant deficiencies in Columbus’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (ii) no change in Columbus’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Columbus’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

(z)            Disclosure Controls and Procedures .  The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d- 15 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Company by others within the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably effective to perform the functions for which they were established subject to the limitations of any such control system; the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company have been advised of:  (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; and since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

(aa)          Compliance with Environmental Laws .  The Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“Environmental Laws”), (ii) have received all

 

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permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum and (iii)  are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in any Material Adverse Effect.

 

(bb)          Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance .  In the ordinary course of business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries (other than Columbus), in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties).  On the basis of such review, the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and liabilities for its current operations would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the Company, the associated costs and liabilities associated with the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of Columbus (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties) would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(cc)          No Material Labor Dispute .  No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists, except as described in or contemplated by the Offering Memorandum, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and the Company is not aware of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors that could result in any Material Adverse Effect.

 

(dd)          Regulation S .  The Company, the Guarantors and their respective affiliates and all persons acting on their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Company and the Guarantors make no representation) have complied with and will comply with the offering restrictions requirements of Regulation S in connection with the offering of the Securities outside the United States and, in connection therewith, the Offering Memorandum will contain the disclosure required by Rule 902.  The Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S will be represented upon issuance by a temporary global security that may not be exchanged for definitive securities until the expiration of the 40-day restricted period referred to in Rule 903 of the Securities Act and only upon certification of beneficial ownership of such Securities by non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such Securities in transactions that were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(ee)          Preparation of the Financial Statements .  The financial statements, together with the related schedules and notes, included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum present fairly the consolidated financial position of the entities to which they relate as of and at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods specified.  Such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods

 

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involved, except as may be expressly stated in the related notes thereto.  The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein.  The summary financial information included in the Offering Memorandum presents fairly the information shown therein and has been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum.  All disclosures contained in the Offering Memorandum regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.  In addition, the pro forma financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the related notes thereto included in the Offering Memorandum present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.  The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Disclosure Package fairly present the information called for in all material respects and are prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

 

(ff)           Solvency .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus) is, and immediately after the Closing Date will be, Solvent.  Columbus is, and immediately after the execution of the Supplemental Indentures, will be, Solvent.  As used herein, the term “Solvent” means, with respect to any person on a particular date, that on such date (i) the fair market value of the assets (including any rights to contribution) of such person is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of such person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, including contingent obligations, as they mature and (iv) such person does not have unreasonably small capital.  For the purposes of determining whether a Guarantor is Solvent, the amount of contingent liabilities at any time of such Guarantor shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability of such Guarantor.

 

(gg)          Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley .  The Company and its subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors are in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).

 

(hh)          ERISA Compliance .  The Company and its subsidiaries and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended, “ERISA,” which term, as used herein, includes the regulations and published interpretations thereunder) established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or their ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA.  “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company or a subsidiary, any member of any group of organizations described in Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, the “Code,” which term, as used herein, includes the regulations and published

 

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interpretations thereunder) of which the Company or such subsidiary is a member.  No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates.  No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA).  Neither the Company, its subsidiaries nor any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code.  Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company, its subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

 

(ii)            Related Party Transactions .  No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, on the one hand, and any director, officer, member, stockholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any affiliate of the Company, on the other hand, which is required by the Securities Act to be disclosed in a registration statement on Form S-1 which is not so disclosed in the Offering Memorandum.  There are no outstanding loans, advances (except advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company or any affiliate of the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any of their respective family members.

 

(jj)            No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments .  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of (i) the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or (ii) the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted, maintained and enforced policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

“FCPA” means Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

(kk)          Money Laundering Laws .  The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by

 

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any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(ll)            OFAC .  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of any Sanctions; and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person, (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of any Sanctions, or is in Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan or in any other country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the offering, whether as initial purchaser, advisor, investor or otherwise) of any Sanctions.

 

(mm)       Escrow Agreement.  The Escrow Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company, and when executed and delivered by the Company, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Escrow Agent and the Trustee, will be a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity.

 

Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company or any Guarantor and delivered to the Initial Purchasers or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company or such Guarantor to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters set forth therein.

 

SECTION 2.          Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities .

 

(a)            The Securities .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus) agrees to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, all of the Securities, and the Initial Purchasers agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and the Guarantors the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth opposite such Initial Purchaser’s name on Schedules I and II hereto, at a purchase price of 100.000% of the principal amount thereof with respect to the 2021 Notes and at a purchase price of 100.000% of the principal amount thereof with respect to the 2024 Notes, as the case may be, in each case, payable on the Closing Date, in each case, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereto, herein set forth.  As compensation for the services rendered by the Initial Purchasers to the Company in respect of the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Company agrees to pay the Initial Purchasers a

 

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commission in the amount of 1.375% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities on the Release Date, or, in the event the Acquisition is not consummated, the Company agrees to pay the Initial Purchasers a commission in the amount of 0.6875% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.

 

(b)            The Closing Date .  Delivery of certificates for the Securities in definitive form to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers and payment therefor shall be made at the offices of Shearman & Sterling LLP, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Company and the Initial Purchasers) at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on September 9, 2014, or such other time and date as the Initial Purchasers shall designate by notice to the Company (the time and date of such closing are called the “Closing Date”).  The Company hereby acknowledges that circumstances under which the Initial Purchasers may provide notice to postpone the Closing Date as originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by the Company or the Initial Purchasers to recirculate to investors copies of an amended or supplemented Offering Memorandum or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 18 hereof.

 

(c)            Delivery of the Securities .  The Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Representatives for the accounts of the several Initial Purchasers certificates for the Notes at the Closing Date against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor to the Escrow Account.  The certificates for the Notes shall be in such denominations and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary, pursuant to the DTC Agreement, and shall be made available for inspection on the business day preceding the Closing Date at a location in New York City, as the Initial Purchasers may designate.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers.

 

(d)            Initial Purchasers as Qualified Institutional Buyers .  Each Initial Purchaser severally and not jointly represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that it is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A (a “Qualified Institutional Buyer”).

 

SECTION 3.          Additional Covenants .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors further jointly and severally covenants and agrees with each Initial Purchaser as follows:

 

(a)            Preparation of Final Offering Memorandum; Initial Purchasers’ Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements .  As promptly as practicable following the Time of Sale and in any event not later than the second business day following the date hereof, the Company will prepare and deliver to the Initial Purchasers the Final Offering Memorandum, which shall consist of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum as modified only by the information contained in the Pricing Supplement.  The Company will not amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Pricing Supplement.  The Company will not amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum prior to the Closing Date unless the Representatives shall previously have been furnished a copy of the proposed amendment or supplement at least two business days prior to the proposed use or filing, and shall not have objected to such amendment or supplement.  Before using, authorizing, approving or distributing any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document, the Company will furnish to the Representatives a copy of

 

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such written communication for review and will not use, authorize, approve or distribute any such written communication to which the Representatives reasonably objects.

 

(b)            Amendments and Supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum and Other Securities Act Matters .  If, prior to the later of (x) the Closing Date and (y) the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum (or the Pricing Disclosure Package in the event the Final Offering Memorandum is not yet available), as then amended or supplemented, in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Final Offering Memorandum (or the Pricing Disclosure Package in the event the Final Offering Memorandum is not yet available) is delivered to a Subsequent Purchaser, not misleading, or if in the judgment of the Representatives or counsel for the Initial Purchasers it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum (or the Pricing Disclosure Package in the event the Final Offering Memorandum is not yet available) to comply with law, the Company agrees to promptly notify the Initial Purchasers and promptly prepare (subject to Section 3(a) hereof), and furnish at its own expense to the Initial Purchasers, amendments or supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum (or the Pricing Disclosure Package in the event the Final Offering Memorandum is not yet available) so that the statements in the Final Offering Memorandum (or the Pricing Disclosure Package in the event the Final Offering Memorandum is not yet available) as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances at the Closing Date and at the time of sale of Securities, be misleading or so that the Final Offering Memorandum (or the Pricing Disclosure Package in the event the Final Offering Memorandum is not yet available), as amended or supplemented, will comply with all applicable law.

 

Following the consummation of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of an applicable shelf registration statement, in each case, if necessary under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and for so long as the Securities are outstanding if, in the judgment of the Representatives, the Initial Purchasers or any of their affiliates (as such term is defined in the Securities Act) are required to deliver a prospectus in connection with sales of, or market-making activities with respect to, the Securities, to periodically amend the applicable registration statement so that the information contained therein complies with the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, to amend the applicable registration statement or supplement the related prospectus or the documents incorporated therein when necessary to reflect any material changes in the information provided therein so that the registration statement and the prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing as of the date the prospectus is so delivered, not misleading and to provide the Initial Purchasers with copies of each amendment or supplement filed and such other documents as the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

 

The Company and the Guarantors hereby expressly acknowledge that the indemnification and contribution provisions of Sections 9 and 10 hereof are specifically applicable and relate to each offering memorandum, registration statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement referred to in this Section 3.

 

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(c)            Copies of the Offering Memorandum .  The Company agrees to furnish the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto as they shall have reasonably requested.

 

(d)            Blue Sky Compliance .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall cooperate with the Representatives and counsel for the Initial Purchasers to qualify or register (or to obtain exemptions from qualifying or registering) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or any other jurisdictions designated by the Representatives, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities.  None of the Company or any of the Guarantors shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation.  The Company will advise the Representatives promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

(e)            Use of Proceeds .  The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities sold by it in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

 

(f)             The Depositary .  The Company will cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and use its best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of the Depositary.

 

(g)            Additional Issuer Information .  Prior to the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, the Company shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission all reports and documents required to be filed under Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act.  Additionally, at any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, for the benefit of holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the Securities, the Company shall furnish, at its expense, upon request, to holders and beneficial owners of Securities and prospective purchasers of Securities information (“Additional Issuer Information”) satisfying the requirements of Rule 144A(d).

 

(h)            [Reserved.]

 

(i)             Future Reports to the Initial Purchasers .  At any time when any Securities or Exchange Securities remain outstanding and the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, the Company will furnish to the Representatives:  (i) as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, copies of the Annual Report of the Company containing the balance sheet of the Company as of the close of such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended and the opinion thereon of the Company’s independent public or certified public accountants; (ii) as soon as practicable after

 

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the filing thereof, copies of each proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other report filed by the Company with the Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or any securities exchange; and (iii) as soon as available, copies of any report or communication of the Company mailed generally to holders of its capital stock or debt securities (including the holders of the Securities), if, in each case, such documents are not filed with the Commission within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and regulations under Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act.

 

(j)             No Integration .  The Company agrees that it will not and will cause its Affiliates not to make any offer or sale of securities of the Company of any class if, as a result of the doctrine of “integration” referred to in Rule 502 under the Securities Act, such offer or sale would render invalid (for the purpose of (i) the sale of the Securities by the Company to the Initial Purchasers, (ii) the resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers or (iii) the resale of the Securities by such Subsequent Purchasers to others) the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof or by Rule 144A or by Regulation S thereunder or otherwise.

 

(k)            No General Solicitation or Directed Selling Efforts .  The Company has not and agrees that it will not and will not permit any of its Affiliates or any other person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to which no representation or covenant is given) to (i) solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities (A) by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act or (B) in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or (ii) engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Securities within the meaning of Regulation S, and the Company will and will cause all such persons to comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S with respect to the Securities.

 

(l)             No Restricted Resales .  During the period of one year after the Closing Date, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to resell any of the Notes which constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by any of them.

 

(m)           No Stabilization Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

 

(n)            Legended Securities .  Each certificate for a Note will bear the legend contained in “Transfer Restrictions” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum for the time period and upon the other terms stated in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum.

 

(o)            Escrow Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement .  The Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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(p)            Joinder Agreement, Registration Rights Joinder Agreement and Supplemental Indentures.  Promptly following consummation of the Acquisition, the Company will cause to be delivered to the Representatives, (x) executed copies of the Joinder Agreement and the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement (y) such documents and information as the Representatives may reasonably require in connection with the execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement and the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement.  Within three business days of the Release Date, the Company will cause to be delivered to the Representatives executed copies of the Supplemental Indentures and documents and information as the Representatives may reasonably require in connection with the execution and delivery of the Supplemental Indentures.

 

(q)            Escrow Agreement Officer’s Certificate .  On the Release Date, the Company will cause to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers a certificate, dated the Release Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company to the effect that each of the conditions to the release of the Escrow Property set forth in the Escrow Agreement has been satisfied on or before the Release Date.

 

The Representatives on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers may, in their sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by the Company or any Guarantor of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.

 

SECTION 4.          Supplemental Disclosure Documents .

 

(a)            The Company (including its affiliates, agents and other representatives, other than the Initial Purchasers in their capacity as such) represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Initial Purchasers, it has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or distributed and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or distribute any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities, other than (i) the Pricing Disclosure Package, (ii) the Final Offering Memorandum and (iii) any electronic road show or other written communications in each case used in accordance with Section 3(a).  Each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence and any other General Solicitation by the Company or its agents and representatives (each, a “Company Supplemental Disclosure Document”).

 

(b)            Each Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company and the other Initial Purchasers, other than one or more term sheets relating to the Securities containing customary information and conveyed to purchasers of Securities, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that, if the offering of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement were conducted as a public offering pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act with the Commission, would constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (any such offer (other than any such term sheets) that would be required to be filed with the Commission, is hereinafter referred to as a “Purchaser Supplemental Disclosure Document”).

 

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(c)            Any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document or Purchaser Supplemental Disclosure Document the use of which has been consented to by the Company and the Initial Purchasers is listed on Schedule VI hereto.

 

SECTION 5.          Payment of Expenses Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, jointly and severally, to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Securities (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers, (iii) all fees and expenses of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (iv) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document , the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum (including financial statements and exhibits), and all amendments and supplements thereto, this Agreement, the Joinder Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Joinder Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Initial Indentures, the Supplemental Indentures, the DTC Agreement and the Notes and Guarantees, (v) all filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or other jurisdictions designated by the Initial Purchasers (including, without limitation, the cost of preparing, printing and mailing preliminary and final blue sky or legal investment memoranda and any related supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum), (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Initial Indentures, the Supplemental Indentures, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, (vii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Securities or the Exchange Securities with the ratings agencies, (viii) any filing fees incident to, and any reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the review by FINRA, if any, of the terms of the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities, (ix) all fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company and the Guarantors in connection with approval of the Securities by the Depositary for “book-entry” transfer, and the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective other obligations under this Agreement, (x) the fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent and its counsel, (xi) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations or any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company, the Guarantors and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, and (xii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section.  Except as provided in this Section 5 and Sections 7, 9 and 10 hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.

 

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SECTION 6.          Conditions of the Obligations of the Initial Purchasers .  The obligations of the several Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Securities as provided herein on the Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made and to the timely performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)            Accountants’ Comfort Letter .  On the date hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall have received (i) from Ernst & Young LLP, independent public or certified public accountants for the Company, a “comfort letter” dated the date hereof addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, covering the financial information of the Company in the Pricing Disclosure Package and other customary matters and (ii) from KPMG LLP, independent public or certified public accountants for Columbus, a “comfort letter” dated the date hereof addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, covering the financial information of Columbus in the Pricing Disclosure Package and other customary matters.  In addition, on the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from each such accounting firm, a “bring-down comfort letter” dated the Closing Date addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, in the form of the “comfort letters” delivered on the date hereof, except that (i) such “bring-down comfort letters” shall cover the financial information in the Final Offering Memorandum and any amendment or supplement thereto and (ii) procedures shall be brought down to a date no more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

 

(b)            No Material Adverse Change or Ratings Agency Change .  For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:

 

(i)             in the judgment of the Representatives there shall not have occurred any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Change”); and

 

(ii)            there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities or indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.

 

(c)            Opinion of Counsel for the Company .  On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of such Closing Date, of Barrett & McNagny LLP, counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A.

 

(d)            Opinion of Counsel for the Initial Purchasers .  On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for

 

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the Initial Purchasers, dated as of such Closing Date, with respect to such matters as may be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers.

 

(e)            Officers’ Certificate .  On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received a written certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and by the Secretary of each Guarantor (other than Columbus), dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, and further to the effect that:

 

(i)             for the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date there has not occurred any Material Adverse Change;

 

(ii)            the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Section 1 hereof were true and correct as of the Time of Sale and are true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of the Closing Date; and

 

(iii)           the Company and the Guarantors have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(f)             Indentures and Notes The Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus) shall have executed and delivered each Initial Indenture, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received executed copies thereof.  The Company shall have executed and delivered the Notes, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers.

 

(g)            Registration Rights Agreement .  The Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus) shall have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement and the Initial Purchasers shall have received executed counterparts thereof.

 

(h)            Escrow Agreement and Escrow Account .  The Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent shall have executed the Escrow Agreement and the Initial Purchasers shall have received a copy thereof, executed by the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent and such agreement shall be in full force and effect on and as of the Closing Date; and (ii) the Escrow Property equal to the Escrow Amount shall have been deposited with the Escrow Agent solely in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

(i)             Additional Documents .  On or before the Closing Date, the Representatives and counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall have received such information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

 

If any condition specified in this Section 6 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Initial Purchasers by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the

 

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part of any party to any other party, except that Sections 5, 7, 9 and 10 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

SECTION 7.          Reimbursement of Initial Purchasers’ Expenses .  If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives pursuant to Section 6 or 11 hereof, including if the sale to the Initial Purchasers of the Securities on the Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the Company and the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to reimburse the Initial Purchasers (or such Initial Purchasers as have terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves), severally, upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Securities, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.

 

SECTION 8.          Offer, Sale and Resale Procedures .  Each of the Initial Purchasers, on the one hand, and the Company and each of the Guarantors, on the other hand, hereby agree to observe the following procedures in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities:

 

(A)           Offers and sales of the Securities will be made only by the Initial Purchasers or Affiliates thereof qualified to do so in the jurisdictions in which such offers or sales are made.  Each such offer or sale shall only be made to persons whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or non-U.S. persons outside the United States to whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes offers and sales of the Securities may be made in reliance upon Regulation S upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I hereto, which Annex I is hereby expressly made a part hereof.

 

(B)           No general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act) will be used in the United States in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

(C)           Upon original issuance by the Company, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Notes (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, other than the Exchange Notes) shall bear the following legend:

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER

 

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THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER IS AN EXHIBIT TO THE INDENTURE), AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A NON-U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION”, “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS PROVISIONS REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.”

 

Following the sale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers pursuant to the terms hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall not be liable or responsible to the Company or the Guarantors for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or incurred by the

 

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Company or the Guarantors, including any losses, damages or liabilities under the Securities Act, arising from or relating to any resale or transfer of any Security.

 

SECTION 9.          Indemnification .

 

(a)            Indemnification of the Initial Purchasers .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors (other than Columbus, and upon execution of the Joinder Agreement, Columbus), jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, its directors, officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Initial Purchaser, affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company or otherwise permitted by Section 9(d) hereof), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based:  (i) upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or (ii) in whole or in part upon any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein; or (iii) in whole or in part upon any failure of the Company to perform its obligations hereunder or under law; or (iv) any act or failure to act or any alleged act or failure to act by any Initial Purchaser in connection with, or relating in any manner to, the offering contemplated hereby, and which is included as part of or referred to in any loss, claim, damage, liability or action arising out of or based upon any matter covered by clause (i) above; provided that the Company shall not be liable under this clause (iv) to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction shall have determined by a final judgment that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from any such acts or failures to act undertaken or omitted to be taken by such Initial Purchaser through its gross negligence or willful misconduct; and to reimburse each Initial Purchaser and each such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Initial Purchaser or such affiliate, director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided , however , that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representatives expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document.  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 9(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company and the Guarantors may otherwise have.

 

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(b)            Indemnification of the Company and the Guarantors .  Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each Guarantor (other than Columbus, and upon execution of the Joinder Agreement, Columbus), each of their respective directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, any Guarantor or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Initial Purchaser or otherwise permitted by Section 9(d) hereof), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement, the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Company Supplemental Disclosure Document, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Representatives expressly for use therein; and to reimburse the Company, any Guarantor and each such director, officer or controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company, any Guarantor or such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action.  Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Initial Purchasers through the Representatives have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Supplement or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the second and third sentences of the second paragraph and the sixth, seventh and eighth paragraphs under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Final Offering Memorandum.  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 9(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Initial Purchaser may otherwise have.

 

(c)            Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures .  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 9 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 9, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 9 or to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to

 

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assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided , however , if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 9 for any fees and expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.

 

(d)            Settlements .  The indemnifying party under this Section 9 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this Section 9, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

SECTION 10.        Contribution .  If the indemnification provided for in Section 9 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses

 

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referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions or inaccuracies in the representations and warranties herein which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total fees received by the Initial Purchasers bear to the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities.  The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact, any such omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.

 

The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.  The provisions set forth in Section 9 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 10; provided , however , that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 9 hereof for purposes of indemnification.

 

The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 10.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the fee received by such Initial Purchaser in connection with the Securities distributed by it.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 10 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedules I and II.  For purposes of this Section 10, each affiliate, director, officer and employee of an Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the

 

29



 

Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Initial Purchaser, and each director of the Company or any Guarantor, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Guarantor with the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and the Guarantors.

 

SECTION 11.        Termination of this Agreement .  The Initial Purchasers may terminate this Agreement by notice given by the Representatives to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a material disruption in securities settlement, payment or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities or (v) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and which, singly or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Memorandum; (vi) in the judgment of the Representatives there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or (vii) the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall have sustained a loss by strike, fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity of such character as in the judgment of the Representatives may interfere materially with the conduct of the business and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, regardless of whether or not such loss shall have been insured.  Any termination pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability on the part of (i) the Company or any Guarantor to any Initial Purchaser, except that the Company and the Guarantors shall be obligated to reimburse the expenses of the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 5 and 7 hereof, (ii) any Initial Purchaser to the Company, or (iii) any party hereto to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 9 and 10 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

SECTION 12.        Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery .  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, the Guarantors, their respective officers and the several Initial Purchasers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser, the Company, any Guarantor or any of their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 13.        Notices .  All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, couriered or facsimiled and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

 

If to the Initial Purchasers:

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street

 

30



 

New York, New York
Toll-free telephone:  (866) 471-2526
Attention:  Registration Department

 

and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated
50 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York  10020
Facsimile:  (212) 901-7897
Attention:  HY Legal Department

 

and

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Attention:  High Yield
Syndicate Desk, with
a copy to the Legal Department

 

with a copy to:

 

Shearman & Sterling LLP
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Facsimile:  212-848-7293
Attention:  Jonathan DeSantis

 

If to the Company or the Guarantors:

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.
7575 West Jefferson Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804
Facsimile:  260-969-3587
Attention:  Theresa E. Wagler

 

with a copy to:

 

Barrett & McNagny LLP
215 East Berry Street
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Facsimile:  260-423-8920
Attention:  Robert S. Walters

 

31



 

Any party hereto may change the address or facsimile number for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.

 

SECTION 14.        Successors .  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 18 hereof, and to the benefit of the indemnified parties referred to in Sections 9 and 10 hereof, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.  The term “successors” shall not include any Subsequent Purchaser or other purchaser of the Securities as such from any of the Initial Purchasers merely by reason of such purchase.

 

SECTION 15.        Partial Unenforceability .  The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof.  If any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

SECTION 16.        Governing Law Provisions .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.

 

SECTION 17.        Consent to Jurisdiction .  Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for suits, actions, or proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any Specified Court in a Related Proceeding, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of the Specified Courts in any Related Proceeding.  Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court.  The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Specified Proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any Specified Court that any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

SECTION 18.        Default of One or More of the Several Initial Purchasers .  If any one or more of the several Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on the Closing Date, and the aggregate number of Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Initial Purchasers shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Securities set forth opposite their respective names on Schedules I and II, as applicable, bears to the aggregate number of Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Initial Purchasers with the consent of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, to purchase the Securities which such

 

32



 

defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase on the Closing Date.  If any one or more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities and the aggregate number of Securities with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Securities to be purchased on the Closing Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and the Company for the purchase of such Securities are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 5, 7, 9 and 10 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.  In any such case either the Initial Purchasers or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Final Offering Memorandum or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

 

As used in this Agreement, the term “Initial Purchaser” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Initial Purchaser under this Section 18.  Any action taken under this Section 18 shall not relieve any defaulting Initial Purchaser from liability in respect of any default of such Initial Purchaser under this Agreement.

 

SECTION 19.        No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility .  Each of the Company and the Guarantors acknowledges and agrees that:  (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the several Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the Company and the Guarantors are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Initial Purchaser is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, the Guarantors or their respective affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (iii) no Initial Purchaser has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or the Guarantors with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Initial Purchaser has advised or is currently advising the Company or the Guarantors on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company and the Guarantors except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (iv) the several Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Guarantors and that the several Initial Purchasers have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any fiduciary or advisory relationship; and (v) the Initial Purchasers have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company and the Guarantors have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate.

 

This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company, the Guarantors and the several Initial Purchasers, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company and the Guarantors

 

33



 

may have against the several Initial Purchasers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty.

 

SECTION 20.        General Provisions .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.  The section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

34



 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Purchase Agreement

 



 

 

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SWVA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Purchase Agreement

 



 

 

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Purchase Agreement

 



 

The foregoing Purchase Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial Purchasers as of the date first above written.

 

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

 

INCORPORATED

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

 

 

 

Acting on behalf of themselves

 

and as the Representatives of

 

the several Initial Purchasers

 

 

 

By: Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Hickey

 

 

Name: Michael Hickey

 

 

Title:   Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

 

Incorporated

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Dolce

 

 

Name: Michael Dolce

 

 

Title:    Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul Quinlan

 

 

Name:  Paul Quinlan

 

 

Title:    Authorized Signatory

 

 

Purchase Agreement

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Initial Purchasers

 

Aggregate
Principal Amount
of 2021 Notes to be
Purchased

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

$

245,000,000

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

 

$

140,000,000

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

 

$

105,000,000

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

$

84,000,000

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

$

70,000,000

 

BMO Capital Markets

 

$

14,000,000

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

$

14,000,000

 

RBS Securities Inc.

 

$

14,000,000

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

$

14,000,000

 

Total

 

$

700,000,000

 

 

Schedule I-1



 

SCHEDULE II

 

Initial Purchasers

 

Aggregate
Principal Amount
of 2024 Notes to be
Purchased

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

$

175,000,000

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

 

$

100,000,000

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

 

$

75,000,000

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

$

60,000,000

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

$

50,000,000

 

BMO Capital Markets

 

$

10,000,000

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

$

10,000,000

 

RBS Securities Inc.

 

$

10,000,000

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

$

10,000,000

 

Total

 

$

500,000,000

 

 

Schedule II-1



 

SCHEDULE III

 

GUARANTORS

 

NAME

 

JURISDICTION

Omnisource Southeast, LLC

 

Delaware

Steel Dynamics Sales North America, Inc.

 

Indiana

New Millennium Building Systems, LLC

 

Indiana

Roanoke Electric Steel Corporation

 

Indiana

Steel of West Virginia, Inc.

 

Delaware

Steel Ventures, Inc.

 

Delaware

SWVA, Inc.

 

Delaware

Marshall Steel, Inc.

 

Delaware

The Techs Industries, Inc.

 

Delaware

Omnisource Corporation

 

Indiana

Jackson Iron & Metal Company, Inc.

 

Michigan

OmniSource, LLC

 

Indiana

Omnisource Transport, LLC

 

Indiana

Superior Aluminum Alloys, LLC

 

Indiana

 

Schedule III-1



 

SCHEDULE IV

 

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name

 

Percent of
capital
stock/equity
units owned
by Steel
Dynamics,
Inc.

 

Percent of
voting
stock/voting
units owned by
Steel Dynamics,
Inc.

 

New Millennium Building Systems, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Paragon Steel Enterprises, LLC

 

50

%

50

%

Ferrous Resources, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

STLD Holdings, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

Steel Dynamics Sales North America, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

Roanoke Electrical Steel Corporation

 

100

%

100

%

Dynamic Composites, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Steel of West Virginia, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

SWVA, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

Marshall Steel, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

Steel Ventures, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

Dynamic Aviation, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

The Techs Industries, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

Mesabi Nugget Delaware, LLC

 

81

%

81

%

OmniSource Corporation

 

100

%

100

%

Jackson Iron & Metal Company, Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

OmniSource, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

OmniSource Transport, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Speedbird Aviation, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Superior Aluminum Alloys, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Cumberland Recycling Group, LLC

 

50

%

50

%

OmniSource/Mervis, LLC

 

50

%

50

%

Mississippi Scrap Recycling, LLC

 

49

%

49

%

Dynamic Abrasives, LLC

 

90

%

90

%

Indiana Melting & Manufacturing, LLC

 

90

%

90

%

Mesabi Mining, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

OmniSource Southeast, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Protrade Steel Company, Ltd

 

13.2

%

13.2

%

Second Pass, LLC

 

50

%

50

%

OmniSource Scrap Metals Management of Mexico, S.de.R.L. de C.V.

 

100

%

100

%

Resource Ventures, LLC

 

90

%

90

%

Resource Ventures II, LLC

 

64

%

64

%

Dynamic Holdings, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

OmniSource Holdings, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

Cohen & Green Salvage Co., Inc.

 

100

%

100

%

 

Schedule IV-1



 

Name

 

Percent of
capital
stock/equity
units owned
by Steel
Dynamics,
Inc.

 

Percent of
voting
stock/voting
units owned by
Steel Dynamics,
Inc.

 

Cumberland Scrap Processors Transport, LLC

 

50

%

50

%

Mining Resources LLC

 

80

%

80

%

OmniSource Athens Division, LLC

 

100

%

100

%

PST Investments, LLC

 

50

%

50

%

SDI LaFarga, LLC

 

55

%

55

%

New Millennium Joist & Deck DE Mexico, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

 

100

%

100

%

New Millennium Building Systems Holdings DE Mexico, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

 

100

%

100

%

 

Schedule IV-2



 

SCHEDULE VI

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS

 

Electronic Roadshow dated September 4, 2014

 

Schedule VI-1



 

ANNEX B

 

Form of Joinder Agreement

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

TO

 

THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

[ · ], 2014

 

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented, replaced, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Joinder Agreement ”), dated as of [ · ], 2014, by and among Severstal Columbus, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Columbus ”), and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representatives (the “ Representatives ”) of the other several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule I and Schedule II to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (together, the “ Initial Purchasers ”), in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, the Steel Dynamics, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), the Guarantors (named in the Purchase Agreement) and the Representatives heretofore executed and delivered a purchase agreement, dated as of [ · ], 2014 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), providing for the issuance and sale of the Securities; and

 

WHEREAS, Columbus, who initially was not party thereto, has agreed to join in the Purchase Agreement on the Release Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Columbus hereby agrees for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers, as follows:

 

SECTION 21.        Joinder .  The undersigned hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Purchase Agreement and all other documents it deems appropriate prior to entering into this Joinder Agreement, and acknowledges and agrees to:  (i) join and become a party to the Purchase Agreement as a Guarantor of the Notes as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by all covenants, agreements, representations, warranties and acknowledgments attributed to such party in the Purchase Agreement, as if it were an original signatory to the Purchase Agreement on the date thereof; and (iii) perform and observe all obligations and duties required of it pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, as if it were an original signatory to the Purchase Agreement on the date thereof.

 

SECTION 22.        Representations and Warranties and Agreements .  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Initial Purchasers that it has all the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this

 

Annex B-1



 

Joinder Agreement and that the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly authorized.

 

SECTION 23.        Successors.   This Joinder Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 18 of the Purchase Agreement, and to the benefit of the indemnified parties referred to in Sections 9 and 10 of the Purchase Agreement, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation under this Joinder Agreement.  The term “successors” shall not include any Subsequent Purchaser or other purchaser of the Securities as such from any of the Initial Purchasers merely by reason of such purchase.

 

SECTION 24.        Partial Unenforceability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Joinder Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof.  If any section, paragraph or provision of this Joinder Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

SECTION 25.        Governing Law Provisions .  This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state.

 

SECTION 26.        Consent to Jurisdiction .  Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Joinder Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“ Related Proceedings ”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “ Specified Courts ”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for suits, actions, or proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any Specified Court in a Related Proceeding, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of the Specified Courts in any Related Proceeding.  Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court.  The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Specified Proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any Specified Court that any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

SECTION 27.        General Provisions.  This Joinder Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Joinder Agreement by telecopier, facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.  This Joinder Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.  The section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Joinder Agreement .

 

Annex B-2



 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

Annex B-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS COLUMBUS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Annex B-4



 

The foregoing Joinder Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial Purchaser as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

 

INCORPORATED

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC

 

 

 

Acting on behalf of themselves

 

and as the Representatives of

 

the several Initial Purchasers

 

 

 

By: Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

By: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

 

Incorporated

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

By: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Annex B-5



 

ANNEX C

 

Form of Registration Rights Joinder Agreement

 

$1,000,000,000

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

$500,000,000 [ · ]% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021
$500,000,000 [
· ]% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2024

 

JOINDER TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

[ · ], 2014

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith,

Incorporated

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

As Representatives of the Several Initial

Purchasers set forth on Schedule I and

Schedule II of the Purchase Agreement

c/o        Goldman, Sachs & Co.
200 West Street

New York, New York 10282

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of [ · ], 2014 (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), among Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Issuer ”), the Guarantors identified on Schedule I to the Registration Rights Agreement, and Goldman, Sachs & Co.,  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as the representatives (the “ Representatives ”) of the initial purchasers (the “ Initial Purchasers ”) listed on Schedule II to the Registration Rights Agreement.  Capitalized terms used in this joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Joinder Agreement ”) without definition have the respective meanings given to them in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

SECTION 1.          Joinder .  The undersigned hereby agrees to accede to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement and to undertake and perform all of the obligations of a “Guarantor” set forth therein as though the undersigned had entered into the Registration Rights Agreement on the Closing Date and been named as a “Guarantor” therein.  The undersigned agrees that such obligations include, without limitation, (a) all of the obligations of a Guarantor to perform and comply with all of the agreements thereof contained in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligation to pay any Additional Interest, and (b) a Guarantor’s

 

Annex C-1



 

indemnification and other obligations contained in Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement.  The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that all references to “Guarantors” in the Registration Rights Agreement shall include the undersigned and that the undersigned shall be bound by all provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement containing such references.

 

SECTION 2.          Representations and Warranties and Agreements .  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Initial Purchasers that it has all the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Joinder Agreement and that the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly authorized and that when this Joinder Agreement is executed and delivered, it will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement enforceable against the undersigned in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

SECTION 3.          Successors and Assigns This Joinder Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders.

 

SECTION 4.          Third Party Beneficiary .  The Holders shall be third party beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

 

SECTION 5.          Counterparts .  This Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Joinder Agreement by electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

 

SECTION 6.          Headings .  The headings in this Joinder Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

SECTION 7.          Governing Law .  This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

SECTION 8.          Severability .  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Joinder Agreement, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Annex C-2



 

SECTION 9.          Amendments and Waivers This Joinder Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.

 

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Annex C-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS COLUMBUS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Annex C-4



 

The foregoing Joinder Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial Purchasers as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

 

GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER, & SMITH

 

INCORPORATED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY & CO., LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For themselves and the other Initial Purchasers named in Schedule II of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

 

Annex C-5


Exhibit 4.23

 

Execution Version

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.,

 

as the Company,

 

and

 

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

SWVA, INC.

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

OMNISOURCE, LLC

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

as the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors,

 

and

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

 

as the Trustee

 


 

Indenture

 

Dated as of September 9, 2014

 


 

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021

 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Sections

 

Indenture Sections

§ 310(a)(1)

 

 

7.10

(a)(2)

 

 

7.10

(a)(5)

 

 

7.10

(b)

 

 

7.03; 7.08

§ 311(a)

 

 

7.03

(b)

 

 

7.03

§ 312(a)

 

 

2.04

(b)

 

 

11.02

(c)

 

 

11.02

§ 313(a)

 

 

7.06

(b)(2)

 

 

7.07

(c)

 

 

7.05; 7.06; 11.02

(d)

 

 

7.06

§ 314(a)

 

 

4.11; 11.02

(a)(4)

 

 

4.10; 11.02

(c)(1)

 

 

11.03

(c)(2)

 

 

11.03

(e)

 

 

4.10; 11.04

§ 315(a)

 

 

7.01; 7.02

(b)

 

 

7.05; 11.02

(c)

 

 

7.01

(d)

 

 

7.01; 7.02

(e)

 

 

6.11

§ 316(a)

 

 

2.10

(a)(1)(A)

 

 

6.05

(a)(1)(B)

 

 

6.04

(b)

 

 

6.07

(c)

 

 

9.03

§ 317(a)(1)

 

 

6.08

(a)(2)

 

 

6.09

(b)

 

 

2.05

§ 318(a)

 

 

11.01

(c)

 

 

11.01

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Definitions

 

1

SECTION 1.02.

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

 

13

SECTION 1.03.

Rules of Construction

 

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Form and Dating

 

14

SECTION 2.02.

Restrictive Legends

 

15

SECTION 2.03.

Execution, Authentication and Denominations

 

17

SECTION 2.04.

Registrar and Paying Agent

 

17

SECTION 2.05.

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

 

18

SECTION 2.06.

Transfer and Exchange

 

19

SECTION 2.07.

Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes

 

19

SECTION 2.08.

Special Transfer Provisions

 

21

SECTION 2.09.

Replacement Notes

 

24

SECTION 2.10.

Outstanding Notes

 

24

SECTION 2.11.

Temporary Notes

 

25

SECTION 2.12.

Cancellation

 

25

SECTION 2.13.

CUSIP Numbers

 

25

SECTION 2.14.

Defaulted Interest

 

26

SECTION 2.15.

Issuance of Additional Notes

 

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Right of Redemption

 

26

SECTION 3.02.

Notices to Trustee

 

27

SECTION 3.03.

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

 

27

SECTION 3.04.

Notice of Redemption

 

28

SECTION 3.05.

Effect of Notice of Redemption

 

29

SECTION 3.06.

Deposit of Redemption Price

 

29

SECTION 3.07.

Payment of Notes Called for Redemption

 

29

SECTION 3.08.

Notes Redeemed in Part

 

29

SECTION 3.09.

Mandatory Redemption

 

29

SECTION 3.10.

Special Mandatory Redemption

 

30

 

i



 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.01.

Payment of Notes

 

31

SECTION 4.02.

Maintenance of Office or Agency

 

31

SECTION 4.03.

Limitation on Liens

 

32

SECTION 4.04.

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

 

34

SECTION 4.05.

Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control

 

34

SECTION 4.06.

Existence

 

35

SECTION 4.07.

Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

 

35

SECTION 4.08.

Maintenance of Properties and Insurance

 

35

SECTION 4.09.

Notice of Defaults

 

36

SECTION 4.10.

Compliance Certificates

 

36

SECTION 4.11.

Commission Reports and Reports to Holders

 

36

SECTION 4.12.

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

 

36

SECTION 4.13.

Issuances of Subsidiary Guarantees

 

37

SECTION 4.14.

Additional Interest Notice

 

37

SECTION 4.15.

Escrow of Funds

 

37

 

 

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

When Company or Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge, Etc.

 

38

SECTION 5.02.

Successor Substituted

 

39

 

 

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

 

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Events of Default

 

39

SECTION 6.02.

Acceleration

 

40

SECTION 6.03.

Other Remedies

 

41

SECTION 6.04.

Waiver of Past Defaults

 

41

SECTION 6.05.

Control by Majority

 

42

SECTION 6.06.

Limitation on Suits

 

42

SECTION 6.07.

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

 

43

SECTION 6.08.

Collection Suit by Trustee

 

43

SECTION 6.09.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

 

43

SECTION 6.10.

Priorities

 

43

SECTION 6.11.

Undertaking for Costs

 

44

SECTION 6.12.

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

 

44

SECTION 6.13.

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

 

44

SECTION 6.14.

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

 

44

 

 

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

General

 

45

SECTION 7.02.

Certain Rights of Trustee

 

45

SECTION 7.03.

Individual Rights of Trustee

 

47

SECTION 7.04.

Trustee’s Disclaimer

 

47

 

ii



 

SECTION 7.05.

Notice of Default

 

47

SECTION 7.06.

Reports by Trustee to Holders

 

47

SECTION 7.07.

Compensation and Indemnity

 

48

SECTION 7.08.

Replacement of Trustee

 

49

SECTION 7.09.

Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

50

SECTION 7.10.

Eligibility

 

50

SECTION 7.11.

Authority to Enter into Escrow Agreement

 

50

SECTION 7.12.

Money Held in Trust .

 

50

 

 

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

Termination of Company’s Obligations

 

50

SECTION 8.02.

Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture

 

51

SECTION 8.03.

Defeasance of Certain Obligations

 

53

SECTION 8.04.

Application of Trust Money

 

55

SECTION 8.05.

Repayment to Company

 

55

SECTION 8.06.

Reinstatement

 

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Without Consent of Holders

 

56

SECTION 9.02.

With Consent of Holders

 

56

SECTION 9.03.

Revocation and Effect of Consent

 

57

SECTION 9.04.

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

 

58

SECTION 9.05.

Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

 

58

SECTION 9.06.

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

 

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

Note Guarantee

 

59

SECTION 10.02.

Obligations Unconditional

 

61

SECTION 10.03.

Release of Note Guarantees

 

61

SECTION 10.04.

Notice to Trustee

 

62

SECTION 10.05.

This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default

 

62

SECTION 10.06.

Execution and Delivery

 

62

 

 

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.

Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

62

SECTION 11.02.

Notices

 

63

SECTION 11.03.

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

 

64

SECTION 11.04.

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

 

64

SECTION 11.05.

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar

 

64

SECTION 11.06.

Payment Date Other Than a Business Day

 

65

 

iii



 

SECTION 11.07.

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

 

65

SECTION 11.08.

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

 

65

SECTION 11.09.

No Recourse Against Others

 

65

SECTION 11.10.

Successors

 

65

SECTION 11.11.

Duplicate Originals

 

66

SECTION 11.12.

Separability

 

66

SECTION 11.13.

Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

 

66

SECTION 11.14.

Force Majeure

 

66

 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Note

 

A-1

EXHIBIT B

Form of Certificate

 

B-1

EXHIBIT C

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Non-QIB Accredited Investors

 

C-1

EXHIBIT D

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S

 

D-1

EXHIBIT E

FORM of Supplemental Indenture to be delivered by subsequent Subsidiary Guarantors

 

E-1

 

iv



 

INDENTURE, dated as of September 9, 2014 among STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance initially of up to $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”) issuable as provided in this Indenture.  All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done, and the Company has done all things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and duly issued by the Company, valid obligations of the Company as hereinafter provided, and the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors have done all things necessary to make the Note Guarantees valid obligations of the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors as hereinafter provided.

 

This Indenture is subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be a part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

AND THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01.    Definitions .

 

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of Severstal Columbus, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Columbus ”), by the Company pursuant to the membership interest purchase agreement dated as of July 18, 2014 (the “ Acquisition Agreement ”), among the Company, Columbus and Severstal Columbus Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Affiliate ” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “ control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ controlling ,” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 



 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Co-Registrar, Paying Agent or authenticating agent.

 

Agent Members ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).

 

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to a Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

 

(i)            1.0 % of the principal amount of such Note, and

 

(ii)           the excess, if any, of (A) the present value as of such Redemption Date of (I) the Redemption Price of such Note on October 1, 2017 (such Redemption Price being described in Section 3.01(a)), plus (II) all required interest payments due on such Note through October 1, 2017 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points, over (B) the then outstanding principal of such Note.

 

Attributable Debt ” in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, means, as of the time of determination, the total obligation (discounted to present value at the rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would be applicable to a capital lease obligation with like term in accordance with GAAP) of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining portion of the initial term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee of such Board of Directors.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York or in the city of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee are authorized by law to close.

 

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all common stock and preferred stock.

 

Change of Control ” means such time as:

 

(i)            the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken

 

2



 

as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act);

 

(ii)           a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis;

 

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

 

(iv)          individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination by the Board of Directors for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office who either were members of the Board of Directors on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office; or

 

(v)           the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (A) the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (B) immediately after such transaction, no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes, directly or indirectly, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person.

 

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Notes are originally issued under this Indenture.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

Company ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company (i) by its Chairman, a Vice Chairman, its President or a Vice President and (ii) by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and delivered to the

 

3



 

Trustee; provided, however , that such written request or order may be signed by any two of the officers or directors listed in clause (i) above in lieu of being signed by one of such officers or directors listed in such clause (i) and one of the officers listed in clause (ii) above.

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets ” means the total amount of assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (less applicable depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves), after deducting therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, prepared in conformity with GAAP.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at 10 South Wacker Drive, 13 th  Floor, Chicago, IL 60606; Attention:  Corporate Trust Services.

 

Credit Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2011, as amended from time to time, among the Company, as Borrower, certain designated “Initial Lenders,” PNC Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent,  Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agents, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agents, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, together with any agreements, instruments, security agreements, guaranties and other documents executed or delivered pursuant to or in connection with such credit agreement, as such credit agreement or such agreements, instruments, security agreements, guaranties or other documents may be amended, supplemented, extended, restated, renewed or otherwise modified from time to time and any refunding, refinancing, replacement or substitution thereof or therefor, whether with the same or different lenders.

 

Credit Facilities ” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or indentures, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders or a trustee, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or issuance of notes, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Default ” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

Escrow Account ” has the meaning provided in Section 4.15.

 

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Escrow Agent ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent, and any successor thereto.

 

Escrow Agreement ” means the escrow agreement dated as of September 9, 2014, among the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent.

 

Escrow Release Conditions ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Events of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Exchange Notes ” means any securities of the Company containing terms identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange Notes shall be registered under the Securities Act) that are issued and exchanged for the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture.

 

fair market value ” means the price that would be paid in an arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is an entity which is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code and does not guarantee or otherwise provide direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Funded Debt ” means all Indebtedness having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the determination is made or having a maturity of 12 months or less but by its terms being renewable or extendable beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower, but excluding any such Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession which are in effect on the Closing Date.

 

Global Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Global Notes Legend ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.02.

 

Guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by

 

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agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.  The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Holder ” or “ Noteholder ” means the registered holder of any Note.

 

Indebtedness ” means indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as originally executed or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Initial Subsidiary Guarantors ” means each Subsidiary of the Company that on the Closing Date has Guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement or its existing senior notes, including Steel Dynamics Sales North America, Inc., an Indiana corporation, New Millennium Building Systems, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, Roanoke Electric Steel Corporation, an Indiana corporation, Steel of West Virginia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Steel Ventures, Inc., a Delaware corporation, SWVA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Marshall Steel, Inc., a Delaware corporation, The Techs Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, OmniSource Corporation, an Indiana corporation, Jackson Iron & Metal Company, Inc., a Michigan corporation, OmniSource, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, OmniSource Transport, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, Superior Aluminum Alloys, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, and OmniSource Southeast, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means each semiannual interest payment date on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April 1, 2015 with respect to the Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

Investment Grade ” means (1) BBB- or above, in the case of S&P (or its equivalent under any successor Rating Categories of S&P) and Baa3 or above, in the case of Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor Rating Categories of Moody’s) or (2) the equivalent in respect of the Rating Categories of any Rating Agencies.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

 

Mortgage ” means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, encumbrance, or any other security arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

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Net Cash Proceeds ” means the proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents and proceeds from the conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net of attorney’s fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

 

Non-U.S. Person ” means a person who is not a “U.S. person” (as defined in Regulation S).

 

Note Guarantee ” means a Guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Notes ” means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.  For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall include the Notes initially issued on the Closing Date, any Exchange Notes to be issued and exchanged for any Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture and any other Notes issued after the Closing Date under this Indenture.  For purposes of this Indenture, all Notes shall vote together as one series of Notes under this Indenture.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the final offering memorandum dated September 4, 2014 relating to the offer and sale of the Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

Offer to Purchase ” means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder stating:

 

(i)            that all Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis;

 

(ii)           the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Payment Date ”);

 

(iii)          that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest pursuant to its terms;

 

(iv)          that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Payment Date;

 

(v)           that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender the Note, together with the form entitled “Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse side of the Note completed (or transfer by book-entry transfer), to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date;

 

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

 

(vii)         that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

On the Payment Date, the Company shall (a) accept for payment on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as needed so that no Notes purchased in part shall be in an unauthorized denomination) Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (b) deposit by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (c) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee all Notes or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate specifying the Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company.  The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holders a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer); provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The Company will publicly announce the results of an Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment Date.  The Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase.  The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable, in the event that the Company is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control.

 

Officer ” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or the Chief Financial Officer, and (ii) the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by one Officer listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause (ii) of the definition thereof or two officers listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof.  Each Officers’ Certificate (other than certificates provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).

 

Offshore Global Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Offshore Physical Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Operating Property ” means any real property, including any manufacturing plant or warehouse erected thereon, or equipment located in the United States owned by, or leased to,

 

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the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, that has a market value in excess of $50.0 million.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.04.  Each such Opinion of Counsel shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).

 

Paying Agent ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04, except that, for the purposes of Article Eight, the Paying Agent shall not be the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them.  The term “ Paying Agent ” includes its successors and assigns and any additional Paying Agent.

 

Paying Agent Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust paying agent office of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at 608 Second Avenue South, MAC N9303-121, Minneapolis, MN 55479; Attention:  Corporate Trust Operation.

 

Payment Date ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Offer to Purchase.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Physical Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

principal ” of a debt security, including the Notes, means the principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.

 

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend initially set forth as the first legend on the Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Rating Agencies ” means (1) S&P and Moody’s or (2) if S&P or Moody’s or both of them are not making ratings publicly available, a nationally recognized U.S. rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company, which will be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

 

Rating Category ” means (1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories (any of which may include a “+” or a “-”):  AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories), (2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories (any of which may include a numeric qualifier):  Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories) and (3) the equivalent of any such categories of S&P or Moody’s used by another Rating Agency, if applicable.

 

Redemption Date ” means, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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Redemption Price ” means, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Registrar ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means (i) in the case of the Notes issued on the Closing Date, the registration rights agreement among the Company, the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers set forth on Schedule II thereto, dated September 9, 2014, including any supplements, joinder or amendments thereto and (ii) in the case of any additional Notes, a registration rights agreement between the Company and the other parties thereto relating to such additional Notes.

 

Registration Statement ” has the meaning provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Global Note ” means a Global Note that is a Restricted Note.

 

Restricted Note ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act for the term “restricted securities”; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.  Restricted Notes are required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any property or assets, which property or assets have been or are to be sold or transferred by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to such Person.

 

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S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, and its successors.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Register ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act as in effect on the Closing Date; provided that all references to 10% in the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be 7.5%.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Date ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Notice ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, (1) with respect to any debt security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (2) with respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which such installment is due and payable.

 

Subsidiary ” means any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is, or other entity of which at least a majority of the common equity interests are, at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Company, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Initial Subsidiary Guarantor and any other Subsidiary of the Company which provides a Note Guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes, until such Note Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

TIA ” or “ Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.06.

 

Treasury Rate ” means as of any Redemption Date of Notes the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as

 

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compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to October 1 , 2017 ; provided , however , that if the period from the Redemption Date to October 1, 2017 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to October 1 , 2017 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of Article Seven of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.

 

United States Bankruptcy Code ” means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended and as codified in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.

 

Unrestricted Global Note ” means a Global Note that is an Unrestricted Note.

 

Unrestricted Notes ” means one or more Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend, including, without limitation, the Exchange Notes and any Notes registered under the Securities Act pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means STLD Holdings, Inc., Dynamic Aviation, LLC, Speedbird Aviation, LLC, Paragon Steel Enterprises, LLC and each of their respective direct and indirect Subsidiaries; provided, however, in the event (a) any such Subsidiary Guarantees Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an aggregate amount exceeds $50 million or (b) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) contributes or otherwise transfers (other than a sale for fair market value) any Operating Property (including shares of stock of a Subsidiary that owns the Operating Property) to such Subsidiary, in either case such Subsidiary shall cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if such Subsidiary would be a Significant Subsidiary, such Subsidiary will Guarantee payment of the principal of, premium if any and interest on the Notes.

 

U.S. Global Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the full and timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust

 

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company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

U.S. Physical Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Voting Stock ” means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02.    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

indenture security holder ” means a Holder or a Noteholder;

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and

 

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes.

 

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by a rule of the Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

 

SECTION 1.03.    Rules of Construction .

 

U nless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

(iii)          “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

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(v)           provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(vi)          “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

 

(vii)         all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with the definition of GAAP set forth in Section 1.01; and

 

(viii)        all references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

 

ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01.    Form and Dating .

 

The Notes and the accompanying Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject or usage.  The Company shall approve the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on the Notes.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture.  To the extent applicable, the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

 

Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “ U.S. Global Notes ”), registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  The aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, in accordance with the instructions given by the Holder thereof, as hereinafter provided.

 

Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary Global Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “ Offshore Global Notes ”), registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  The aggregate principal amount of the Offshore Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, in accordance with the instructions given by the Holder thereof, as hereinafter provided.

 

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Notes transferred to Institutional Accredited Investors pursuant to Section 2.08(a) of this Indenture shall be issued in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note” attached thereto) (the “ U.S. Physical Notes ”).  Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.07 in exchange for interests in the Offshore Global Notes shall be in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note” attached thereto) (the “ Offshore Physical Notes ”).

 

The Offshore Physical Notes and U.S. Physical Notes are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the “ Physical Notes .”  The U.S. Global Notes and the Offshore Global Notes are sometimes referred to herein as the “ Global Notes .”

 

The definitive Notes shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, all as determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

 

SECTION 2.02.    Restrictive Legends .

 

Unless and until a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (x) each U.S. Global Note and each U.S. Physical Note shall be a Restricted Note and bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof and (y) each Offshore Physical Note and each Offshore Global Note shall be a Restricted Note and bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof until at least the 41 st  day after the Closing Date and receipt by the Company and the Trustee of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN

 

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REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER IS AN EXHIBIT TO THE INDENTURE), AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.  IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE.  IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR NON-U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.  AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION”, “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.  THE INDENTURE CONTAINS PROVISIONS REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.

 

Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, Restricted Global Note or Unrestricted Global Note shall also bear the following legend (the “ Global Note Legend ”) on the face thereof:

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN THE NAME OF SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

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TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE.

 

SECTION 2.03.    Execution, Authentication and Denominations .

 

Subject to Article Four and applicable law, the aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Notes shall be executed by one Officer of the Company.  The signature of this Officer on the Notes may be by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company.

 

If the Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee or authenticating agent authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall upon receipt of a Company Order authenticate for original issue Notes in the aggregate principal amount specified in such Company Order; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company in connection with such authentication of Notes.  Such Company Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and, in case of an issuance of Notes pursuant to Section 2.15, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Article Four.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to authenticate Notes.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such authenticating agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 in principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 2.04.    Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “ Security Register ”).  The Security Register shall be in written form or any other

 

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form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.  The Company may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent and any change in the address of such Agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands, the Company shall appoint the Trustee to act as, and the Trustee shall act as, such Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands.  The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso.  The Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and demands.

 

The Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands.  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee as of each Regular Record Date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of Holders as they appear in the Security Register, including the aggregate principal amount of Notes held by each Holder.

 

SECTION 2.05.    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

Not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each due date of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any Notes, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due.  The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes), and such Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed.  Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee.  If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to

 

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such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.

 

SECTION 2.06.    Transfer and Exchange .

 

The Notes are issuable only in registered form.  A Holder may transfer a Note only by written application to the Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying with the terms of this Indenture.  No such transfer shall be effected until, and such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Security Register.  Prior to the registration of any transfer by a Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company shall treat the person in whose name the Note is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or not the Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.  Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.  When Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations (including an exchange of Notes for Exchange Notes), the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements for such transactions are met (including that such Notes are duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by an attorney who is authorized in writing to act on behalf of the Holder); provided that no exchanges of Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the Commission and that any Notes that are exchanged for Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request.  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of the Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, Section 3.08 or Section 9.04).

 

The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

SECTION 2.07.    Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes .

 

The U.S. Global Notes and Offshore Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.02.

 

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(a)           Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

 

(b)           Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in Global Notes may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08.  In addition, U.S. Physical Notes and Offshore Physical Notes shall be executed and delivered to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a written request from the Depositary or (iii) in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08.

 

(c)           Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in another Global Note and become an interest in such other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such an interest.

 

(d)           In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.07, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S. Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of like tenor and amount.

 

(e)           In connection with the transfer of the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global Notes, in whole, to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.07, the U.S. Global Notes or Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes or Offshore

 

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Global Notes, as the case may be, an equal aggregate principal amount of U.S. Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of authorized denominations.

 

(f)            Any U.S. Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the U.S. Global Notes pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this Section 2.07 shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the U.S. Physical Note set forth in Section 2.02.

 

(g)           Any Offshore Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Offshore Global Notes pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this Section 2.07 shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Offshore Physical Note set forth in Section 2.02.

 

(h)           The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.08.    Special Transfer Provisions .

 

Unless and until (i) a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the Private Placement Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.02, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)           Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Note to any Institutional Accredited Investor which is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):

 

(i)            The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note, whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if the proposed transferee has delivered to the Registrar (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and (B) if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being transferred is less than $100,000, an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(ii)           If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S. Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.

 

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(b)           Transfers to QIBs .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of U.S. Physical Notes or an interest in U.S. Global Notes to a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):

 

(i)            If the Note to be transferred consists of (x) either Offshore Physical Notes prior to the removal of the Private Placement Legend or U.S. Physical Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the box provided for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the certification provided for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A or (y) an interest in the U.S. Global Notes, the transfer of such interest may be effected only through the book entry system maintained by the Depositary.

 

(ii)           If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Note to be transferred consists of U.S. Physical Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of the documents referred to in paragraph (i) above and instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of U.S. Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the U.S. Physical Notes to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the U.S. Physical Notes so transferred.

 

(c)           Transfers of Interests in the Offshore Global Notes or Offshore Physical Notes .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of interests in the Offshore Global Notes or Offshore Physical Notes:

 

(i)            Prior to the removal of the Private Placement Legend from an Offshore Global Note or Offshore Physical Note pursuant to Section 2.02, the Registrar shall refuse to register such transfer unless such transfer complies with Section 2.08(b) or Section 2.08(d), as the case may be; and

 

(ii)           After such removal, the Registrar shall register the transfer of any such Note without requiring additional certification.

 

(d)           Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons at Any Time .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Note to a Non-U.S. Person:

 

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(i)            The Registrar shall register any proposed transfer to any Non-U.S. Person if the Note to be transferred is a U.S. Physical Note or an interest in U.S. Global Notes, upon receipt of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto from the proposed transferor.

 

(ii)           (a) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) and (y) instructions in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes to be transferred, and (b) if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon receipt by the Registrar of instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Offshore Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the U.S. Physical Notes or the U.S. Global Notes, as the case may be, to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Note, if any, so transferred or decrease the amount of the U.S. Global Notes.

 

(e)           Private Placement Legend .  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Unrestricted Notes, the Registrar shall deliver Unrestricted Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Restricted Notes or beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes, the Registrar shall deliver only Restricted Notes or credit the account of the applicable transferee with a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, as the case may be, unless (i) the Private Placement Legend is no longer required by Section 2.02 or (ii) the Trustee has received from the Company an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(f)            General .  By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges receipt of a Restricted Note with restrictions on the transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture until such time as the Private Placement Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.02 and such Private Placement legend is removed pursuant to Section 2.02.  The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture.  In connection with any transfer of Notes, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or the Company such certifications, legal opinions or other information as either of them may reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act until such time as the Private Placement Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.02 and such Private Placement legend is removed pursuant to Section 2.02; provided that the Registrar shall not be required to determine

 

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(but may rely on a determination made by the Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions or other information.

 

The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08.  The Company, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.  The Trustee and the Registrar shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restriction on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including transfers between or among beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

SECTION 2.09.    Replacement Notes .

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, then, in the absence of written notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding; provided that the requirements of this Section 2.09 are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company may charge such Holder for its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee in replacing a Note.  In case any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.10.    Outstanding Notes .

 

Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the maturity date money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them shall cease to accrue.

 

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A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its Affiliates holds such Note, provided, however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which the Trustee has actual knowledge to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

SECTION 2.11.    Temporary Notes .

 

Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes.  If temporary Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Notes.

 

SECTION 2.12.    Cancellation .

 

The Company, at any time, may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated hereunder.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall destroy them in accordance with its normal procedure.

 

SECTION 2.13.    CUSIP Numbers .

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Company and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices, including notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice shall state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice or notice of redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other

 

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identification numbers printed on the Notes.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in “CUSIP,” “CINS” or “ISIN” numbers for the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.14.    Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date.  A special record date, as used in this Section 2.14 with respect to the payment of any defaulted interest, shall mean the 15 th  day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a Business Day.  At least 15 days before the subsequent special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder and to the Trustee a notice that states the subsequent special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15.    Issuance of Additional Notes .

 

The Company may, subject to Article Four of this Indenture and applicable law, issue additional Notes under this Indenture.  The Notes issued on the Closing Date and any additional Notes subsequently issued shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.    Right of Redemption .

 

(a)           The Notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after October 1, 2017 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s last address, as it appears in the Security Register, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on October 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

 

Price

 

2017

 

102.563

%

2018

 

101.281

%

2019 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(b)           At any time prior to October 1 , 2017 , the Company may redeem up to 35 % of the principal amount of the Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more sales of our common stock at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 105.125 %, plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to

 

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receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date) ; provided that (A) at least 65 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued on the Closing Date remains outstanding after each such redemption and (B) notice of any such redemption is mailed or sent within 90 days of each such sale of common stock.

 

(c)           At any time or from time to time prior to October 1, 2017 , the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to each holder or otherwise sent in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, at a Redemption Price equal to 100 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date ( subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date) .

 

SECTION 3.02.    Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which redemption shall occur.  If the Redemption Price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as described in the terms of the Notes to be redeemed, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.02 in an Officers’ Certificate at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

 

SECTION 3.03.    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, subject to DTC procedures, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements, as certified to it by the Company, of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not listed on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Note of $2,000 in principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.

 

The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not previously called for redemption.  Notes in denominations of $2,000 in principal amount may only be redeemed in whole.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal to $2,000 in principal amount or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000 in principal amount.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.  The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Registrar promptly in writing of the Notes or portions of Notes to be called for redemption.

 

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SECTION 3.04.    Notice of Redemption .

 

With respect to any redemption of Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.

 

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

 

(i)            the Redemption Date;

 

(ii)           the Redemption Price, or manner of computation if not then known;

 

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

 

(iv)          that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;

 

(v)           that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive payment of the Redemption Price plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date upon surrender of the Notes to the Paying Agent;

 

(vi)          that, if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount (equal to $2,000 in principal amount or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be reissued (or transferred by book-entry transfer); and

 

(vii)         that, if any Note contains a CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number as provided in Section 2.13, no representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

 

At the Company’s request (which request may be revoked by the Company at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 45 days (or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before a Redemption Date, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company.  If, however, the Company gives such notice to the Holders, the Company shall concurrently deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such notice has been given.

 

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SECTION 3.05.    Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price.  Upon surrender of any Notes to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the Redemption Price, plus accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

 

Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.  In any event, failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was properly given.

 

SECTION 3.06.    Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.05) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 3.07.    Payment of Notes Called for Redemption .

 

If notice of redemption has been given in the manner provided above, the Notes or portion of Notes specified in such notice to be redeemed shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price stated therein, together with accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date, in which case the principal, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed in the Notes), such Notes shall cease to accrue interest.  Upon surrender of any Note for redemption in accordance with a notice of redemption, such Note shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date.

 

SECTION 3.08.    Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of any Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder without service charge, a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of such surrendered Note.

 

SECTION 3.09.    Mandatory Redemption .

 

Other than pursuant to Section 3.10, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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SECTION 3.10.    Special Mandatory Redemption .

 

(a)           On or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015 and upon delivery to the Escrow Agent of a Consummation Release Certificate (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) certifying that

 

(i)                    the Acquisition will be consummated on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum, substantially concurrently with the release of the Escrow Property (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) and the Escrow Property will be applied in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum; and

 

(ii)                   no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (together with the conditions specified in the immediately clause (i), the “ Escrow Release Conditions ”),

 

then the Escrow Property shall be released to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and used as described in “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(b)           If

 

(i)                    the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms,

 

(ii)                   the Company determines (in its discretion) that the Escrow Release Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to April 18, 2015, or

 

(iii)                  the Acquisition is not consummated on or prior to April 18, 2015,

 

then the Company shall deliver a Redemption Release Certificate (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) to the Escrow Agent in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

(c)           If a Redemption Release Certificate is delivered by the Company in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, then the Company shall promptly deliver, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of Notes, or sent to DTC in accordance with its procedures applicable to Global Notes, a revocable special mandatory redemption notice (the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Notice ”) in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof.  Such Special Mandatory Redemption Notice shall state that the entire aggregate principal amount of the Notes shall be redeemed on the earlier of (i) April 21, 2015 and (ii) the third Business Day after the date of delivery of the Special Mandatory Redemption Notice (such date, the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Date ”), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to but excluding the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (a “ Special Mandatory Redemption ”).

 

(d)           In the event of a Special Mandatory Redemption because the Acquisition has not yet been consummated, if the Redemption Release Certificate indicates that the

 

30



 

Acquisition may be consummated, in addition to the information required by Section 3.03, the Special Mandatory Redemption Notice shall state that such redemption shall occur only if the Acquisition shall not have occurred at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015.

 

(e)           If a Special Mandatory Redemption Notice shall have been delivered and the Acquisition shall have been consummated at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015, then the Company shall (i) deliver to the Trustee a written order of the Company withdrawing the Special Mandatory Redemption Notice and (ii) promptly deliver, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of Notes, or sent to DTC in accordance with its procedures applicable to Global Notes, a notice stating that the Acquisition was consummated at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015 and therefore no Special Mandatory Redemption shall occur. If the Acquisition shall not have been consummated at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015, then the Company shall redeem the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Special Mandatory Redemption Notice in accordance with this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.    Payment of Notes .

 

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture.  An installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them) holds on that date by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment.  If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent, an installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the due date if the entity acting as Paying Agent complies with the last sentence of Section 2.05.  As provided in Section 6.09, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization procedure relative to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent, if any, for the Notes.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum specified in the Notes.  Except as otherwise specifically stated herein or in the Notes, all calculations to be made in respect of the Notes shall be the obligation of the Company.  All calculations made by the Company or its agent as contemplated pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Notes shall be made in good faith and be final and binding on the Holders absent manifest error.  The Company shall provide a schedule of calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon the accuracy of the calculations by the Company without independent verification.  The Trustee shall forward calculations made by the Company to any Holder of Notes upon request.

 

SECTION 4.02.    Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and

 

31



 

demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Paying Agent Office of the Trustee as such office or agency of the Company where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as such office where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.

 

SECTION 4.03.    Limitation on Liens .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage upon any of its properties or assets, whether owned on the Closing Date or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing concurrently that the Notes are secured equally and ratably with or, at the Company’s option, prior to such Indebtedness so long as such Indebtedness shall be so secured.

 

The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Indebtedness in any computation under such restriction, Indebtedness secured by:

 

(i)            Mortgages on any property or assets existing at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

(ii)           Mortgages on property or assets of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; provided that any such Mortgage does not extend to any property or assets owned by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or disposition;

 

(iii)          Mortgages on property or assets of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(iv)          Mortgages in favor of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(v)           Mortgages on property or assets (including shares of Capital Stock of any Subsidiary formed to acquire, construct, develop or improve such property) to secure all or part of the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property, or to secure Indebtedness incurred to provide funds for any such purpose; provided that the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such Mortgage shall have been obtained no later than 360 days after the later of (a) the completion of the acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property or assets or (b) the placing in operation of such property or assets;

 

(vi)          Mortgages to secure obligations under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (A) $1,000 million and (B) the sum of an amount equal to (x) 70% of the consolidated book value of the inventory of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (y) 90% of the consolidated book value of the accounts receivable of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements are available; provided , however , that the amounts referred to in clause (B) above shall be determined on a pro forma basis, giving effect to (1) the acquisition or disposition of any property or assets of the type described in clause (B) above since the date of such financial statements and (2) the acquisition or disposition of any property or assets of the type described in clause (B) above being acquired or disposed of in connection with any transaction giving rise to the calculation of the amounts referred to in clause (B) above ;

 

(vii)         Mortgages in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments; and

 

(viii)        Mortgages existing on the date of this Indenture or any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage existing on the date of this Indenture or referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of this Section 4.03; provided that any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Indebtedness shall be created within 360 days of repaying the Indebtedness secured by the Mortgage referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) of this Section 4.03, and the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of this Section 4.03 shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness, plus any premium, accrued interest or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding.

 

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, the Company and any of its Significant Subsidiaries may create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Indebtedness secured by Mortgages without equally and ratably securing the Notes, if at the time of such creation, incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any Indebtedness which is concurrently being retired, the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness secured by Mortgages which would otherwise be subject to restrictions (other than any Indebtedness secured by Mortgages permitted as described in clauses (i) through (viii) of this Section 4.03) plus all Attributable Debt of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (with the exception of such transactions which are

 

33



 

permitted under clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 4.04) does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

 

SECTION 4.04.    Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless:

 

(i)            the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is solely with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)           the lease is for a period not in excess of 24 months, including renewals;

 

(iii)          the Company or such Significant Subsidiary would (at the time of entering into such arrangement) be entitled under clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03, without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding under this Indenture, to create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage on such property or assets in the amount of the Attributable Debt arising from such Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

 

(iv)          the Company or such Significant Subsidiary within 360 days after the sale of property or assets in connection with such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is completed, applies an amount equal to the greater of (A) the net proceeds of the sale of such property or assets or (B) the fair market value of such property or assets to (i) the retirement of the Notes, other Funded Debt of the Company ranking on a parity with the Notes or Funded Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the purchase of property or assets; or

 

(v)           the Attributable Debt of the Company and its Significant Subsidiary in respect of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into after the Closing Date (other than any such Sale and Leaseback Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 4.04), plus the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by Mortgages then outstanding (not including any such Indebtedness secured by Mortgages described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03) which do not equally and ratably secure the Notes (or secure Notes on a basis that is prior to other Indebtedness secured thereby), would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

 

SECTION 4.05.    Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control .

 

The Company must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date.  The Company will not be required to make an Offer to Purchase upon the occurrence of a Change of Control pursuant to this Section 4.05, if a third party makes an offer to purchase the Notes in the manner, at the times and price and otherwise in compliance with this Indenture applicable to an Offer to Purchase and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn in such Offer to Purchase.

 

34



 

SECTION 4.06.    Existence .

 

Subject to Articles Four and Five of this Indenture, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational documents of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary and the rights (whether pursuant to charter, certificate of formation, article of incorporation, partnership certificate, agreement, statute or otherwise), licenses and franchises of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if the maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

SECTION 4.07.    Payment of Taxes and Other Claims .

 

The Company shall pay or discharge and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon (a) the Company or any such Subsidiary, (b) the income or profits of any such Subsidiary which is a corporation or (c) the property of the Company or any such Subsidiary and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established.

 

SECTION 4.08.    Maintenance of Properties and Insurance .

 

The Company shall cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section 4.08 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties, including, but not limited to, products liability insurance and public liability insurance, with reputable insurers or with the government of the United States of America, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such methods as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the industry in which the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is then conducting business.

 

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SECTION 4.09.    Notice of Defaults .

 

In the event that any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.10.    Compliance Certificates .

 

The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year, an Officers’ Certificate that need not comply with Section 11.04 stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year.  Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture.  For purposes of this Section 4.10, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture.  If any of the officers of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and its status.  The first certificate to be delivered pursuant to this Section 4.10 shall be for the fiscal year beginning after the execution of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.11.    Commission Reports and Reports to Holders .

 

Whether or not the Company is required to file reports with the Commission, the Company shall file with the Commission all such reports and other information as it would be required to file with the Commission by Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it were subject thereto within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and regulations.  The Company shall supply the Trustee and each Holder who so requests or make available on its website to each such Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other information.  Delivery of such reports and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the compliance by the Company with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.12.    Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any

 

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

 

SECTION 4.13.    Issuances of Subsidiary Guarantees .

 

The Company shall cause each Significant Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Foreign Subsidiary or a Significant Subsidiary that is already a Subsidiary Guarantor) that (a) Guarantees Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an aggregate amount in excess of $50 million or (b) incurs or otherwise becomes liable for Indebtedness or Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions, in an aggregate amount in excess of $50 million (other than (x) Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage permitted by clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 4.03 hereof or unsecured Indebtedness incurred to provide funds for the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of property of such Significant Subsidiary and (y) Attributable Debt permitted by clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 4.04 hereof) shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture (substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto) to this Indenture providing for a Note Guarantee by such Significant Subsidiary pursuant to Article Ten.

 

SECTION 4.14.    Additional Interest Notice .

 

In the event that the Company is required to pay interest to holders of Notes at an increased rate pursuant to the terms of the Notes, the Company will provide written notice (“ Additional Interest Notice ”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay interest at an increased rate no later than fifteen days prior to the proposed payment date for the interest, and the Additional Interest Notice shall set forth the amount of interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any holder of Notes to determine the interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the interest.

 

SECTION 4.15.    Escrow of Funds .

 

(a)           Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company shall cause $700,000,000 to be deposited in an escrow account (the “ Escrow Account ”) maintained with the Escrow Agent, and (ii) the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent shall enter into the Escrow Agreement.

 

(b)           The Company agrees that (i) the terms of the Escrow Agreement shall exclusively control the conditions under which and procedures pursuant to which the Escrow Property shall be released and (ii) it will not attempt to have Escrow Property released from Escrow Account except in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 5.01.    When Company or Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge, Etc.

 

The Company will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (as an entirety or substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to any Person or permit any Person to merge with or into it unless:

 

(i)            it shall be the continuing Person, or the Person (if other than it) formed by such consolidation or into which it is merged or that acquired or leased such property and assets (the “ Surviving Person ”), shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes;

 

(ii)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iii)          it delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture complies with this Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been complied with; and

 

(iv)          each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless such Subsidiary Guarantor is the Person with which the Company has entered into a transaction under this Section 5.01, shall have confirmed in writing that its Note Guarantee shall apply to the obligations of the Company or the Surviving Person in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor whose Note Guarantee is to be released in accordance with the terms of its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, in connection with the sale, exchange or transfer to any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) of all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) will not, and the Company will not cause or permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate with or merge with or into any Person other than the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

 

(i)            such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Subsidiary Guarantor) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person assumes by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor on its Note Guarantee; and

 

(ii)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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SECTION 5.02.    Successor Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor herein; provided that the Company shall not be released from its obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall not be released from its Note Guarantee in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its property and assets.

 

ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01.    Events of Default .

 

The following events will be defined as “ Events of Default ” in this Indenture:

 

(a)           default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

 

(b)           default in the payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(c)           (1) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement in this Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a) or (b) above and other than a default related to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.11) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) and (2) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches its obligations under Section 4.11 and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (with a copy to the Trustee);

 

(d)           there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $75.0 million or more in the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (A) an event of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (B) the failure to make a principal payment at the final (but not any

 

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interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default;

 

(e)           any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $75.0 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $75.0 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

 

(f)            a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(g)           the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(h)           any Subsidiary Guarantor repudiates its obligations under its Note Guarantee or, except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is determined to be unenforceable or invalid or shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.02.    Acceleration .

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 that occurs with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such notice is given by the Holders), may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable.  Upon a declaration of

 

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acceleration, such principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable.  In the event of a declaration of acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause (d) of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of acceleration shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (d) of Section 6.01 shall be remedied or cured by the Company, the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor or the relevant Significant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

Any time after such declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for the payment of money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all past defaults with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, (ii) all overdue interest on all Notes, (iii) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration or occurrence of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, and (iv) to the extent that payment for such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest, if any, at the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, (b) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and (c) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 6.03.    Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, subject to Section 6.05, pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.04.    Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note as specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.  Upon any such waiver,

 

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such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.05.    Control by Majority .

 

The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes.

 

SECTION 6.06.    Limitation on Suits .

 

A Holder of Notes may not institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Notes, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(i)            the Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

 

(ii)           the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes shall have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue such remedy;

 

(iii)          such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense;

 

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

 

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

 

For purposes of Section 6.05 of this Indenture and this Section 6.06, the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 316(a) in making any determination of whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee to pursue any remedy available to the Trustee or the Holders with respect to this Indenture or the Notes or otherwise under the law.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.  The Trustee shall mail to all Holders any notice it receives from Holders under this Section.

 

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SECTION 6.07.    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08.    Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other obligor of the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid on the Notes, together with interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate specified in the Notes, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09.    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor of the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Notes or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided , however , the Trustee may vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar person and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

 

SECTION 6.10.    Priorities .

 

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

First:  to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

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Second:  to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as their interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

SECTION 6.11.    Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12.    Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

SECTION 6.13.    Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Notes in Section 2.09, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 6.14.    Delay or Omission Not Waiver .

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given

 

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by this Article Six or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01.    General .

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA and as set forth herein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it.  Whether or not herein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article Seven.  The permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.

 

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee need only perform such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture.  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise of the rights and powers vested in it under this Indenture as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.02.    Certain Rights of Trustee .

 

Subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through (d):

 

(i)            the Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person;

 

(ii)           before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to Section 11.04.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion;

 

(iii)          the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

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(iv)          the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee satisfactory security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(v)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or bad faith;

 

(vi)          whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(vii)         the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, financial statement, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, to examine the books, records and premises of the Company personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

 

(viii)        the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any Holder of the Notes;

 

(ix)          the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(x)           in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

 

(xi)          the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the

 

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Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(xii)         the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder; and

 

(xiii)        the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.03.    Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee is subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.  To the extent permitted by the TIA, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to Notes under this Indenture or any other indenture of the Company or Subsidiary Guarantors by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

SECTION 7.04.    Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee (i) makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, (ii) shall not be accountable for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall not be responsible for any statement in the Notes or in any offering document in connection with the offering or sale of the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.    Notice of Default .

 

If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is known to any Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c) notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided , however , that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Notes.

 

SECTION 7.06.    Reports by Trustee to Holders .

 

Within 60 days after each April 15, beginning with April 15, 2015, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such April 15, if required by TIA Section 313(a).

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA Section 313(d).  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.07.    Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing, from time to time, for its services hereunder.  The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by the Trustee without negligence or bad faith on its part.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their agents for, and hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section 7.07, except to the extent that such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense is due to its own negligence or bad faith.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, unless the Company is materially prejudiced thereby.  The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense provided , however , that the Trustee shall have the right to defend such claim if, upon the advice of counsel, its interests may be prejudiced by the conduct of such defense by the Company.  Unless otherwise set forth herein, the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes.

 

If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01, the expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and termination of this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

SECTION 7.08.    Replacement of Trustee .

 

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

 

The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in writing.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the consent of the Company.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:  (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If the successor Trustee does not deliver its written acceptance required by the next succeeding paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after the delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the lien provided in Section 7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.  No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10 or shall fail to comply with TIA Section 310(b), any Holder who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.08, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Company or successor Trustee shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.  Upon the Trustee’s resignation or removal, the Company shall promptly pay the Trustee all amounts owed by the Company to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09.    Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee herein, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

SECTION 7.10.    Eligibility .

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a).  The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition that is subject to the requirements of applicable federal or state supervising or examining authority.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.10, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article.

 

SECTION 7.11.    Authority to Enter into Escrow Agreement .

 

The Trustee is authorized and directed to execute, deliver and perform its duties under the Escrow Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.12.    Money Held in Trust .

 

The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in trust under Article Eight of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01.    Termination of Company’s Obligations .

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture if:

 

(i)            all Notes previously authenticated and delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or Notes that are paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or Notes for whose payment money or securities have theretofore been held in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Company has paid all sums payable by it hereunder; or

 

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(ii)           (A) the Notes mature within one year or all of them are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee during such one-year period, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds solely for the benefit of the Holders for that purpose, money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee), without consideration of any reinvestment of any interest thereon, to pay principal, premium, if, any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder, (C) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, (D) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and (E) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall survive.  With respect to the foregoing clause (ii), the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.  After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

SECTION 8.02.    Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture .

 

The Company will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Notes on the 123 rd  day after the deposit referred to in clause (A) of this Section 8.02, and the provisions of this Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to the Notes (except for, among other matters, certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Notes, to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same if:

 

(A)          With reference to this Section 8.02, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders, in and to (1) money in an amount, (2) U.S. Government Obligations, that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to

 

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in clause (A), money in an amount or (3) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of, premium if any, and accrued interest on the outstanding Notes (i) on the Stated Maturity of such principal and interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes or (ii) on any earlier Redemption Date pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Notes; provided that the Company has provided the Trustee with irrevocable instructions to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such Redemption Date;

 

(B)          The Company has delivered to the Trustee (1) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.02 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion of Counsel shall be based upon (and accompanied by a copy of) a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect unless there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law after the Closing Date such that a ruling is no longer required or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of Counsel and (2) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that after the passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an “insider” for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (I) the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally) or (II) if a court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the Company, (a) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such statute and (b) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding;

 

(C)          immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such

 

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deposit or during the period ending on the 123 rd  day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(D)          if the Notes are then listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Notes will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

 

(E)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.02 have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the end of the 123-day (or one-year) period referred to in clause (B)(2) of this Section 8.02, none of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture shall be discharged.  Subsequent to the end of such 123-day (or one year) period with respect to this Section 8.02, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 and the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and Article Eleven (with respect to payments in respect of Senior Subordinated Obligations other than with the assets held in trust as described in this Section 8.02) shall survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.  If and when a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (B)(1) of this Section 8.02 is able to be provided specifically without regard to, and not in reliance upon, the continuance of the Company’s obligations under Section 4.01, then the Company’s obligations under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon delivery to the Trustee of such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with the other conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.02.

 

After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations in the immediately preceding paragraph.

 

SECTION 8.03.    Defeasance of Certain Obligations .

 

The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 4.03 through 4.05 and such omission shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default under clause (c) of Section 6.01 and clauses (d) and (e) of Section 6.01 of this Indenture, shall be deemed not to be Events of Default, in each case with respect to the outstanding Notes if:

 

(i)            with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated

 

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solely to, the benefit of the Holders, in and to (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest, premium, if any, and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes (i) on the Stated Maturity of such principal or interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes or (ii) on any earlier Redemption Date pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Notes; provided that the Company has provided the Trustee with irrevocable instructions to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption Date;

 

(ii)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, (B) after the passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an “insider” for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (1) the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally) or (2) if a court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the Company, (x) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise (except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such statute) and (y) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding, (C) the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (D) the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders, has a valid first-priority security interest in the trust funds;

 

(iii)          immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after such date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this

 

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Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(iv)          if the Notes are then listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Notes will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

 

(v)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.04.    Application of Trust Money .

 

Subject to Section 8.06, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

SECTION 8.05.    Repayment to Company .

 

Subject to any applicable escheat and abandoned property laws and Sections 7.07, 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company, upon request set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, any excess money held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with respect to such money.  The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that the Trustee or Paying Agent, before being required to make any payment, may cause to be published at the expense of the Company once in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or mail to each Holder entitled to such money at such Holder’s address (as set forth in the Security Register) notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified therein (which shall be at least 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing) any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.  After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.06.    Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company

 

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has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.01.    Without Consent of Holders .

 

The Company, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee), the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than with respect to any supplemental indenture executed in accordance with Section 4.13) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without notice to, or the consent of, any Holder to:

 

(1)           cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture;

 

(2)           comply with Article Five or Section 4.13;

 

(3)           comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or in order to maintain such qualification;

 

(4)           evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee;

 

(5)           provide for Additional Notes; or

 

(6)           make any change that, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

SECTION 9.02.    With Consent of Holders .

 

Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 and without prior notice to the Holders, the Company, when authorized by its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee), the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

 

(i)            change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note;

 

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(ii)                                   reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

 

(iii)                                change the optional redemption dates or optional redemption prices of the Notes from that stated in Section 3.01;

 

(iv)                               change any place or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

 

(v)                                  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) of any Note;

 

(vi)                               waive a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

 

(vii)                            modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby;

 

(viii)                         release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Note Guarantee, except as provided in this Indenture;

 

(ix)                               amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and consummate an Offer to Purchase under Section 4.05 after a Change of Control has occurred, including amending, changing or modifying any definition relating thereto; or

 

(x)                                  reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain Defaults.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.  The Company will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request.  Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.03.            Revocation and Effect of Consent .

 

Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting Holder, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the

 

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consent as to its Note or portion of its Note.  Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the Holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver.  If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the last two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder unless it is of the type described in the second paragraph of Section 9.02.  In case of an amendment or waiver of the type described in the second paragraph of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the Note of the consenting Holder.

 

SECTION 9.04.            Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder to deliver such Note to the Trustee.  At the Company’s expense, the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter authenticated.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation, or issue a new Note, shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.05.            Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

 

The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.  Subject to the preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such amendment, supplement or waiver if the same does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

SECTION 9.06.            Conformity with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

SECTION 10.01.     Note Guarantee .

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally Guarantees to each Holder of Notes hereunder and to the Trustee on behalf of the Holders:  (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms of such Note and this Indenture and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, subject, however , in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, to the limitations set forth in the next succeeding paragraph.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Note Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of each Subsidiary Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or pursuant to the following paragraph, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting such fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors agree, inter se , that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “ Funding Guarantor ”) under its Note Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from all other Subsidiary Guarantors in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to its Note Guarantee.  “ Adjusted Net Assets ” of such Subsidiary Guarantor at any date shall mean the lesser of the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such Subsidiary Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date), but excluding liabilities under the Note Guarantee, of such Guarantor at such date and (y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor on its debts (after giving effect to all other

 

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fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor), excluding debt in respect of its Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor), excluding debt in respect of its Note Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, the benefit of discussion, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the debt evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever (except as specified above), and covenants that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon and as provided in Sections 8.01,  8.02 and 8.03.  In the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of this Article Ten.  In addition, without limiting the foregoing provisions, upon the effectiveness of an acceleration under Article Six, the Trustee shall promptly make a demand for payment on the Notes under the Note Guarantee provided for in this Article Ten.

 

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee are independent of the obligations Guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holders, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, against any Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce this Note Guarantee, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the Company or whether the Company is joined in any such action or actions.

 

If the Trustee or the Holder is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any custodian, receiver, liquidator, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official acting in relation to Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid to the Trustee or such Holder in respect of a Note, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.  Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees, to the fullest extent that it may lawfully do so, that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, the maturity of the obligations Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition extant under any applicable bankruptcy law preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations Guaranteed hereby.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of its obligations under this Note Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification, any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Holders against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any collateral which any such Holder or the Trustee on behalf of such Holder hereafter acquires, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

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directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights.  If any amount shall be paid to a Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders to be credited and applied upon the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes.  Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the issuance of the Notes pursuant to this Indenture and that the waivers set forth in this Section 10.01 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

The Note Guarantee set forth in this Section 10.01 shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose with respect to a Note until the certificate of authentication on such Note shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 10.02.     Obligations Unconditional .

 

Nothing contained in this Article Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among any Subsidiary Guarantor and the holders of the Notes, the obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, upon failure by the Company to pay to the holders of the Notes the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of such Subsidiary Guarantor, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent any Holder or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Ten will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Note Guarantee to be due and payable prior to the Stated Maturity of any Notes pursuant to Section 6.02 or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

SECTION 10.03.     Release of Note Guarantees .

 

The Note Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

 

(i)                                      upon any sale, exchange or transfer (including by way of merger or consolidation) to any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(ii)                                   upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company or the repayment of the Indebtedness (or Attributable Debt) of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case which resulted in the obligation to Guarantee the Notes; provided that such Subsidiary Guarantor has not Guaranteed any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or incurred or otherwise become liable for any other Indebtedness (or Attributable Debt) which would have resulted in an obligation to Guarantee the Notes;

 

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(iii)                                if the Notes are rated Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing; or

 

(iv)                               if the Notes are defeased in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

If the Note Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor is deemed to be released or is automatically released, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the identity of the released Subsidiary Guarantor, the basis for release in reasonable detail, and that such release complies with this Indenture.  At the request of the Company and upon being provided an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 11.04, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release.

 

SECTION 10.04.     Notice to Trustee .

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to such Subsidiary Guarantor which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Note Guarantee pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten.

 

SECTION 10.05.     This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default .

 

The failure to make a payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes by reason of any provision of this Article Ten will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 10.06.     Execution and Delivery.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, executed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor by an officer thereof in accordance with Section 4.13 shall evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 without the need for any further notation on the Notes.  Upon the execution and delivery of the supplemental indenture, the Note Guarantees set forth in this Indenture shall be deemed duly delivered, without any further action by any Person, on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Note Guarantee.  The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01.     Trust Indenture Act of 1939 .

 

Prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the TIA.  After the effectiveness of the Registration Statement,

 

62



 

this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

SECTION 11.02.     Notices .

 

Any notice, request or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first-class mail or sent by fax transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

7575 West Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804

Facsimile:  260-969-3587

Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

 

if to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

10 South Wacker Drive, 13 th  Floor

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Fax:  312-726-2158

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to it at its address as it appears on the Security Register by first-class mail and shall be sufficiently given to the Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed.  Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.  Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder as provided herein or any defect in any such notice or communication shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.  Except for a notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only when received, and except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 11.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

63



 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.03.     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(i)                                      an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(ii)                                   an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such Counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.04.     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

(i)                                      a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(ii)                                   a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based;

 

(iii)                                a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, the person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(iv)                               a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however , that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

SECTION 11.05.     Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

64



 

SECTION 11.06.     Payment Date Other Than a Business Day .

 

If an Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Note, as the case may be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity or date of maturity of such Note; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 11.07.     Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

This Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.  The Trustee, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes.  EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.08.     No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.09.     No Recourse Against Others .

 

No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator or against any past, present or future partner, stockholder, other equityholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.

 

SECTION 11.10.     Successors .

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

65



 

SECTION 11.11.     Duplicate Originals .

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.12.     Separability .

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.13.     Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.14.     Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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SIGNATURES

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

 

Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

 

By:

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2021 Notes Indenture

 



 

 

SWVA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2021 Notes Indenture

 



 

 

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2021 Notes Indenture

 



 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stefan Victory

 

 

Name:

Stefan Victory

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2021 Notes Indenture

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[APPLICABLE LEGENDS]

 

[FACE OF NOTE]

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021

 

[144A CUSIP:  858119 BA7

144A ISIN:  US858119BA71144A](1)

 

[REG S CUSIP:  U85795 AM1

REG S ISIN:  USU85795AM15](2)

 

No.        

$                       

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto](3) [of                      ($            )] on October 1, 2021.

 

Interest Payment Dates:  April 1 and October 1, commencing [April 1, 2015].(4)

 

Regular Record Dates:  March 15 and September 15.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 


(1)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

(2)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

(3)  With respect to Global Notes.

 

(4)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

A-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

A-2



 

(Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

 

This is one of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

A-3



 

[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021

 

1.             Principal and Interest .

 

The Company will pay the principal of this Note on October 1, 2021.

 

The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note on each Interest Payment Date, as set forth below, at a rate of 5.125% per annum, subject to increase as described below.

 

Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of record of the Notes at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date, commencing [April 1, 2015].(5)

 

In certain circumstances, the Notes may be subject to the payment of additional interest pursuant to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from September 9, 2014; provided that, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest and this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such Interest Payment Date.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise payable.

 

2.             Method of Payment .

 

The Company will pay interest (except defaulted interest) on the principal amount of the Notes as provided above on each Interest Payment Date, commencing [April 1, 2015](6) to the persons who are Holders (as reflected in the Security Register at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date), in each case, even if the Note is cancelled on registration of transfer or registration of exchange after such record date; provided that, with respect to the payment of principal, the Company will make payment to the Holder that surrenders this Note to a Paying Agent on or after October 1, 2021.

 


(5)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

(6)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

A-4



 

This Note is a “book-entry” note and is being registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), a clearing agency.  As long as this Note is registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, the Trustee will make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee.  With respect to any Note that is not registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, the Company may pay principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.  It may mail an interest check to a Holder’s registered address (as reflected in the Security Register).  If a payment date is a date other than a Business Day at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

The Notes may be exchanged or transferred at the office or agency of the Company.  Initially, the paying agent office of the Trustee will serve as such office.

 

3.             Paying Agent and Registrar .

 

Initially, the Trustee will act as authenticating agent, Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change any authenticating agent, Paying Agent or Registrar without notice.  The Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

 

4.             Indenture; Limitations .

 

The Company issued the Notes under an indenture dated as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Company, the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).  Capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of all such terms.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Note and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

The Company may, subject to and applicable law, issue additional Notes under the Indenture.  The Indenture does not limit the amount of Notes that may be issued.

 

5.             Optional Redemption .

 

The Notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after October 1, 2017 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s last address, as it appears in the Security Register, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the

 

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Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing October 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

 

Redemption Price

 

2017

 

102.563

%

2018

 

101.281

%

2019 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2017, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more sales of common stock of the Company at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 105.125%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date); provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued on the Closing Date remains outstanding after each such redemption and (ii) notice of such redemption is mailed or sent within 90 days after such sale of common stock.

 

At any time or from time to time prior to October 1, 2017, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to each holder or otherwise sent in accordance with the procedures of the depository, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

 

Notes in original denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part in multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price.

 

6.             Special Mandatory Redemption .

 

The Notes are subject to special mandatory redemption in accordance with Section 3.10 of the Indenture.

 

7.             Repurchase upon Change of Control .

 

Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in cash pursuant to the offer described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “ Payment Date ”).

 

A notice of such Change of Control will be mailed within 30 days after any Change of Control occurs to each Holder at its last address as it appears in the Security Register.  Notes in original denominations larger than $2,000 may be sold to the Company in part in

 

A-6



 

multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  On and after the Payment Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes surrendered for purchase by the Company, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price.

 

8.             Denominations; Transfer; Exchange .

 

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 of principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  A Holder may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption.  Also, it need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected for redemption.

 

9.             Persons Deemed Owners .

 

A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes.

 

10.          Unclaimed Money .

 

Subject to any applicable escheat and abandoned property laws, if money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will pay the money back to the Company at its request.  After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment, unless an abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

11.          Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity .

 

If the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the then outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes (a) to redemption or maturity, the Company will be discharged from the Indenture and the Notes, except in certain circumstances for certain provisions thereof, and (b) to the Stated Maturity, the Company will be discharged from certain covenants set forth in the Indenture.

 

12.          Amendment; Supplement; Waiver .

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing default or compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.  Without notice to or the consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency and make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

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13.          Restrictive Covenants .

 

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, among other things, suffer to exist or incur Liens, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, or merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of its assets.  Within 90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating whether or not the signers thereof know of any Default or Event of Default under such restrictive covenants.

 

14.          Successor Persons .

 

When a successor person or other entity assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor person will be released from those obligations.

 

15.          Defaults and Remedies .

 

Any of the following events constitutes an “ Event of Default ” under the Indenture:

 

(a)           default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

 

(b)           default in the payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(c)           (1) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement in the Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a) or (b) above and other than a default related to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.11 of the Indenture) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and (2) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches its obligations under Section 4.11 of the Indenture and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;

 

(d)           there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $75.0 million or more in the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (A) an event of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (B) the failure to make a principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default;

 

(e)           any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $75.0 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders

 

A-8



 

against all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $75.0 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

 

(f)            a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(g)           the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(h)           any Subsidiary Guarantor repudiates its obligations under its Note Guarantee or, except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee is determined to be unenforceable or invalid or shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect.

 

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all the Notes to be due and payable.  If a bankruptcy or insolvency default with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become due and payable.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.

 

A-9



 

16.          Guarantee .

 

The Company’s obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

17.          Trustee Dealings with the Company .

 

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.

 

18.          No Recourse Against Others .

 

No incorporator or any past, present or future partner, stockholder, other equityholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of any successor Person shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

19.          Authentication .

 

This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

20.          Abbreviations .

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

20.          Governing Law .

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

The Company will furnish a copy of the Indenture to any Holder upon written request and without charge.  Requests may be made to Steel Dynamics, Inc., 7575 West Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804; Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

 

A-10



 

[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

 

Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing                                                     attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES, UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES AND UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE PHYSICAL NOTES]

 

In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to the date which is the earlier of (i) the date the Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the Private Placement Legend is removed from the Note pursuant to Section 2.02(ii) of the Indenture, the undersigned confirms that without utilizing any general solicitation or general advertising that:

 

[ Check One ]

 

o (a)                   this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended provided by Rule 144A thereunder.

 

or

 

o (b)                   this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

 

A-11



 

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE:  To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-12



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Indenture, check the Box:

 

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Indenture, state the principal amount:  $                                     .

 

Date:

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

A-13



 

[include for Global Notes]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $[                     ].  The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Physical Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Physical Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date

 

Amount of
decreases in
principal amount

 

Amount of
increases in
principal amount

 

Principal amount
of this Global
Note following
such decrease or
increase

 

Signature of
authorized officer of
Trustee or Notes
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-14



 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Certificate

 

                              ,

 

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust-DAPS Reorg

6th & Marquette Ave 12th Floor

MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN  55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:  Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”)

 

Dear Sirs:

 

This letter relates to U.S. $                principal amount of Notes due represented by a note (the “ Legended Note ”) which bears a legend outlining restrictions upon transfer of such Legended Note.  Pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture dated as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”) relating to the Notes, we hereby certify that we are (or we will hold such securities on behalf of) a person outside the United States to whom the Notes could be transferred in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Accordingly, you are hereby requested to exchange the legended certificate for an unlegended certificate representing an identical principal amount of Notes, all in the manner provided for in the Indenture.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

[Name of Holder]

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

B-1



 

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Certificate to Be

Delivered in Connection with

Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors

 

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust-DAPS Reorg

6th & Marquette Ave 12th Floor

MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN  55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:  Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”)

 

Dear Sirs:

 

In connection with our proposed purchase of $                   aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that:

 

1.  We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”) relating to the Notes and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes except in compliance with such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).

 

2.  We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence.  We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell any Notes, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000, an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available) or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any

 

C-1



 

of the Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are restricted as stated herein.

 

3.  We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions.  We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

4.  We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

5.  We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “ accredited investor ”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

[Name of Transferee]

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

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EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in

Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S

 

                              ,

 

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust-DAPS Reorg

6th & Marquette Ave 12th Floor

MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN  55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:  Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Notes”)

 

Dear Sirs:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of U.S.$                   aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) and, accordingly, we represent that:

 

(1)  the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States;

 

(2)  at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;

 

(3)  no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

(4)  the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

[Name of Transferor]

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

D-1



 

EXHIBIT E

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]

 

Supplemental Indenture (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of                    , among                                  (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”), a subsidiary of Steel Dynamics, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (as supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), dated as of September 9, 2014, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Company are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, to amend or supplement the Indenture to add a Guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Notes.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

(1)  Capitalized Terms .  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(2)  Agreement to be Bound .  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such will have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

(3)  Guarantee .  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees, on a joint and several basis with all the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, to Guarantee to each Holder and the Trustee the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to Article Ten of the Indenture.

 

(4)  No Recourse Against Others .  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

E-1



 

(5)  Notices .  All notices and other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, at its address set forth below, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

(6)  Parties .  Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

(7)  Governing Law .  This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

(8)  Severability Clause .  In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

(9)  Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture .  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.  Every reference in the Indenture to the Indenture shall hereby be deemed to mean the Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture.  This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.  The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

(10)  Counterparts .  The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Supplemental Indenture in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

(11)  Headings .  The headings of the sections in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

E-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

[SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR], as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., as the Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

E-3


Exhibit 4.24

 

Execution Version

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.,

 

as the Company,

 

and

 

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

SWVA, INC.

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

OMNISOURCE, LLC

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

as the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors,

 

and

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

 

as the Trustee

 


 

Indenture

 

Dated as of September 9, 2014

 


 

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024

 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Sections

 

Indenture Sections

§ 310(a)(1)

 

7.10

(a)(2)

 

7.10

(a)(5)

 

7.10

(b)

 

7.03; 7.08

§ 311(a)

 

7.03

(b)

 

7.03

§ 312(a)

 

2.04

(b)

 

11.02

(c)

 

11.02

§ 313(a)

 

7.06

(b)(2)

 

7.07

(c)

 

7.05; 7.06; 11.02

(d)

 

7.06

§ 314(a)

 

4.11; 11.02

(a)(4)

 

4.10; 11.02

(c)(1)

 

11.03

(c)(2)

 

11.03

(e)

 

4.10; 11.04

§ 315(a)

 

7.01; 7.02

(b)

 

7.05; 11.02

(c)

 

7.01

(d)

 

7.01; 7.02

(e)

 

6.11

§ 316(a)

 

2.10

(a)(1)(A)

 

6.05

(a)(1)(B)

 

6.04

(b)

 

6.07

(c)

 

9.03

§ 317(a)(1)

 

6.08

(a)(2)

 

6.09

(b)

 

2.05

§ 318(a)

 

11.01

(c)

 

11.01

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

SECTION 1.01.

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02.

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

13

SECTION 1.03.

Rules of Construction

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

THE NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 2.01.

Form and Dating

14

SECTION 2.02.

Restrictive Legends

15

SECTION 2.03.

Execution, Authentication and Denominations

17

SECTION 2.04.

Registrar and Paying Agent

17

SECTION 2.05.

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

18

SECTION 2.06.

Transfer and Exchange

19

SECTION 2.07.

Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes

19

SECTION 2.08.

Special Transfer Provisions

21

SECTION 2.09.

Replacement Notes

24

SECTION 2.10.

Outstanding Notes

24

SECTION 2.11.

Temporary Notes

25

SECTION 2.12.

Cancellation

25

SECTION 2.13.

CUSIP Numbers

25

SECTION 2.14.

Defaulted Interest

26

SECTION 2.15.

Issuance of Additional Notes

26

 

 

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

SECTION 3.01.

Right of Redemption

26

SECTION 3.02.

Notices to Trustee

27

SECTION 3.03.

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

27

SECTION 3.04.

Notice of Redemption

28

SECTION 3.05.

Effect of Notice of Redemption

29

SECTION 3.06.

Deposit of Redemption Price

29

SECTION 3.07.

Payment of Notes Called for Redemption

29

SECTION 3.08.

Notes Redeemed in Part

29

SECTION 3.09.

Mandatory Redemption

29

SECTION 3.10.

Special Mandatory Redemption

30

 

i



 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.

Payment of Notes

31

SECTION 4.02.

Maintenance of Office or Agency

31

SECTION 4.03.

Limitation on Liens

32

SECTION 4.04.

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

34

SECTION 4.05.

Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control

34

SECTION 4.06.

Existence

35

SECTION 4.07.

Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

35

SECTION 4.08.

Maintenance of Properties and Insurance

35

SECTION 4.09.

Notice of Defaults

36

SECTION 4.10.

Compliance Certificates

36

SECTION 4.11.

Commission Reports and Reports to Holders

36

SECTION 4.12.

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

36

SECTION 4.13.

Issuances of Subsidiary Guarantees

37

SECTION 4.14.

Additional Interest Notice

37

SECTION 4.15.

Escrow of Funds

37

 

 

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

 

 

SECTION 5.01.

When Company or Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge, Etc.

38

SECTION 5.02.

Successor Substituted

39

 

 

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

SECTION 6.01.

Events of Default

39

SECTION 6.02.

Acceleration

40

SECTION 6.03.

Other Remedies

41

SECTION 6.04.

Waiver of Past Defaults

41

SECTION 6.05.

Control by Majority

42

SECTION 6.06.

Limitation on Suits

42

SECTION 6.07.

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

43

SECTION 6.08.

Collection Suit by Trustee

43

SECTION 6.09.

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

43

SECTION 6.10.

Priorities

43

SECTION 6.11.

Undertaking for Costs

44

SECTION 6.12.

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

44

SECTION 6.13.

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

44

SECTION 6.14.

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

44

 

 

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

TRUSTEE

 

 

 

SECTION 7.01.

General

45

SECTION 7.02.

Certain Rights of Trustee

45

SECTION 7.03.

Individual Rights of Trustee

47

SECTION 7.04.

Trustee’s Disclaimer

47

 

ii



 

SECTION 7.05.

Notice of Default

47

SECTION 7.06.

Reports by Trustee to Holders

47

SECTION 7.07.

Compensation and Indemnity

48

SECTION 7.08.

Replacement of Trustee

49

SECTION 7.09.

Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

50

SECTION 7.10.

Eligibility

50

SECTION 7.11.

Authority to Enter into Escrow Agreement

50

SECTION 7.12.

Money Held in Trust

50

 

 

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

 

 

SECTION 8.01.

Termination of Company’s Obligations

50

SECTION 8.02.

Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture

51

SECTION 8.03.

Defeasance of Certain Obligations

53

SECTION 8.04.

Application of Trust Money

55

SECTION 8.05.

Repayment to Company

55

SECTION 8.06.

Reinstatement

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

 

 

SECTION 9.01.

Without Consent of Holders

56

SECTION 9.02.

With Consent of Holders

56

SECTION 9.03.

Revocation and Effect of Consent

57

SECTION 9.04.

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

58

SECTION 9.05.

Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

58

SECTION 9.06.

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

 

 

SECTION 10.01.

Note Guarantee

59

SECTION 10.02.

Obligations Unconditional

61

SECTION 10.03.

Release of Note Guarantees

61

SECTION 10.04.

Notice to Trustee

62

SECTION 10.05.

This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default

62

SECTION 10.06.

Execution and Delivery

62

 

 

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

SECTION 11.01.

Trust Indenture Act of 1939

62

SECTION 11.02.

Notices

63

SECTION 11.03.

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

64

SECTION 11.04.

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

64

SECTION 11.05.

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar

64

SECTION 11.06.

Payment Date Other Than a Business Day

65

 

iii



 

SECTION 11.07.

Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

65

SECTION 11.08.

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

65

SECTION 11.09.

No Recourse Against Others

65

SECTION 11.10.

Successors

65

SECTION 11.11.

Duplicate Originals

66

SECTION 11.12.

Separability

66

SECTION 11.13.

Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

66

SECTION 11.14.

Force Majeure

66

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Note

A-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

Form of Certificate

B-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers

 

 

Pursuant to Non-QIB Accredited Investors

C-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with

 

 

Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S

D-1

 

 

 

EXHIBIT E

FORM of Supplemental Indenture to be delivered by

 

 

subsequent Subsidiary Guarantors

E-1

 

iv



 

INDENTURE, dated as of September 9, 2014 among STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance initially of up to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “ Notes ”) issuable as provided in this Indenture.  All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done, and the Company has done all things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder and duly issued by the Company, valid obligations of the Company as hereinafter provided, and the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors have done all things necessary to make the Note Guarantees valid obligations of the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors as hereinafter provided.

 

This Indenture is subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be a part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

AND THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01.            Definitions .

 

Acquisition ” means the acquisition of Severstal Columbus, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Columbus ”), by the Company pursuant to the membership interest purchase agreement dated as of July 18, 2014 (the “ Acquisition Agreement ”), among the Company, Columbus and Severstal Columbus Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Affiliate ” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “ control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ controlling ,” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 



 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Co-Registrar, Paying Agent or authenticating agent.

 

Agent Members ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).

 

Applicable Premium ” means, with respect to a Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

 

(i)                                      1.0 % of the principal amount of such Note, and

 

(ii)                                   the excess, if any, of (A) the present value as of such Redemption Date of (I) the Redemption Price of such Note on October 1, 2019 (such Redemption Price being described in Section 3.01(a)), plus (II) all required interest payments due on such Note through October 1, 2019 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points, over (B) the then outstanding principal of such Note.

 

Attributable Debt ” in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, means, as of the time of determination, the total obligation (discounted to present value at the rate per annum equal to the discount rate which would be applicable to a capital lease obligation with like term in accordance with GAAP) of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining portion of the initial term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee of such Board of Directors.

 

Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York or in the city of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee are authorized by law to close.

 

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all common stock and preferred stock.

 

Change of Control ” means such time as:

 

(i)                                      the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken

 

2



 

as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act);

 

(ii)                                   a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis;

 

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

 

(iv)                               individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of Directors (together with any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination by the Board of Directors for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office who either were members of the Board of Directors on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office; or

 

(v)                                  the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (A) the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance) and (B) immediately after such transaction, no “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes, directly or indirectly, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee Person.

 

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Notes are originally issued under this Indenture.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

Company ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company (i) by its Chairman, a Vice Chairman, its President or a Vice President and (ii) by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary and delivered to the

 

3



 

Trustee; provided, however , that such written request or order may be signed by any two of the officers or directors listed in clause (i) above in lieu of being signed by one of such officers or directors listed in such clause (i) and one of the officers listed in clause (ii) above.

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets ” means the total amount of assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (less applicable depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves), after deducting therefrom all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, prepared in conformity with GAAP.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at 10 South Wacker Drive, 13 th  Floor, Chicago, IL 60606; Attention:  Corporate Trust Services.

 

Credit Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2011, as amended from time to time, among the Company, as Borrower, certain designated “Initial Lenders,” PNC Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent, PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent,  Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agents, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Documentation Agents, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, together with any agreements, instruments, security agreements, guaranties and other documents executed or delivered pursuant to or in connection with such credit agreement, as such credit agreement or such agreements, instruments, security agreements, guaranties or other documents may be amended, supplemented, extended, restated, renewed or otherwise modified from time to time and any refunding, refinancing, replacement or substitution thereof or therefor, whether with the same or different lenders.

 

Credit Facilities ” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or indentures, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders or a trustee, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or issuance of notes, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

 

Default ” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

Escrow Account ” has the meaning provided in Section 4.15.

 

4



 

Escrow Agent ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent, and any successor thereto.

 

Escrow Agreement ” means the escrow agreement dated as of September 9, 2014, among the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent.

 

Escrow Release Conditions ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Events of Default ” has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Exchange Notes ” means any securities of the Company containing terms identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange Notes shall be registered under the Securities Act) that are issued and exchanged for the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture.

 

fair market value ” means the price that would be paid in an arm’s-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is an entity which is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code and does not guarantee or otherwise provide direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Funded Debt ” means all Indebtedness having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the determination is made or having a maturity of 12 months or less but by its terms being renewable or extendable beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower, but excluding any such Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession which are in effect on the Closing Date.

 

Global Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Global Notes Legend ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.02.

 

Guarantee ” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by

 

5



 

agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.  The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Holder ” or “ Noteholder ” means the registered holder of any Note.

 

Indebtedness ” means indebtedness for borrowed money.

 

Indenture ” means this Indenture as originally executed or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

Initial Subsidiary Guarantors ” means each Subsidiary of the Company that on the Closing Date has Guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement or its existing senior notes, including Steel Dynamics Sales North America, Inc., an Indiana corporation, New Millennium Building Systems, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, Roanoke Electric Steel Corporation, an Indiana corporation, Steel of West Virginia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Steel Ventures, Inc., a Delaware corporation, SWVA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Marshall Steel, Inc., a Delaware corporation, The Techs Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, OmniSource Corporation, an Indiana corporation, Jackson Iron & Metal Company, Inc., a Michigan corporation, OmniSource, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, OmniSource Transport, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, Superior Aluminum Alloys, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, and OmniSource Southeast, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor ” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means each semiannual interest payment date on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing April 1, 2015 with respect to the Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

Investment Grade ” means (1) BBB- or above, in the case of S&P (or its equivalent under any successor Rating Categories of S&P) and Baa3 or above, in the case of Moody’s (or its equivalent under any successor Rating Categories of Moody’s) or (2) the equivalent in respect of the Rating Categories of any Rating Agencies.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

 

Mortgage ” means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, encumbrance, or any other security arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

6



 

Net Cash Proceeds ” means the proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of cash or cash equivalents, including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of cash or cash equivalents and proceeds from the conversion of other property received when converted to cash or cash equivalents, net of attorney’s fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

 

Non-U.S. Person ” means a person who is not a “U.S. person” (as defined in Regulation S).

 

Note Guarantee ” means a Guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Notes ” means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.  For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall include the Notes initially issued on the Closing Date, any Exchange Notes to be issued and exchanged for any Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture and any other Notes issued after the Closing Date under this Indenture.  For purposes of this Indenture, all Notes shall vote together as one series of Notes under this Indenture.

 

Offering Memorandum ” means the final offering memorandum dated September 4, 2014 relating to the offer and sale of the Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

Offer to Purchase ” means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder stating:

 

(i)                                      that all Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis;

 

(ii)                                   the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Payment Date ”);

 

(iii)                                that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest pursuant to its terms;

 

(iv)                               that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Payment Date;

 

(v)                                  that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender the Note, together with the form entitled “Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse side of the Note completed (or transfer by book-entry transfer), to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date;

 

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

 

(vii)                            that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

On the Payment Date, the Company shall (a) accept for payment on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as needed so that no Notes purchased in part shall be in an unauthorized denomination) Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (b) deposit by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof so accepted; and (c) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee all Notes or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate specifying the Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company.  The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holders a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer); provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The Company will publicly announce the results of an Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment Date.  The Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase.  The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable, in the event that the Company is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control.

 

Officer ” means, with respect to the Company, (i) the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or the Chief Financial Officer, and (ii) the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed by one Officer listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof and one Officer listed in clause (ii) of the definition thereof or two officers listed in clause (i) of the definition thereof.  Each Officers’ Certificate (other than certificates provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).

 

Offshore Global Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Offshore Physical Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Operating Property ” means any real property, including any manufacturing plant or warehouse erected thereon, or equipment located in the United States owned by, or leased to,

 

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the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, that has a market value in excess of $50.0 million.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.04.  Each such Opinion of Counsel shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).

 

Paying Agent ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04, except that, for the purposes of Article Eight, the Paying Agent shall not be the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them.  The term “ Paying Agent ” includes its successors and assigns and any additional Paying Agent.

 

Paying Agent Office ” means the designated office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust paying agent office of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at 608 Second Avenue South, MAC N9303-121, Minneapolis, MN 55479; Attention:  Corporate Trust Operation.

 

Payment Date ” has the meaning provided in the definition of Offer to Purchase.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Physical Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

principal ” of a debt security, including the Notes, means the principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.

 

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend initially set forth as the first legend on the Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02.

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Rating Agencies ” means (1) S&P and Moody’s or (2) if S&P or Moody’s or both of them are not making ratings publicly available, a nationally recognized U.S. rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company, which will be substituted for S&P or Moody’s or both, as the case may be.

 

Rating Category ” means (1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories (any of which may include a “+” or a “-”):  AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories), (2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories (any of which may include a numeric qualifier):  Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories) and (3) the equivalent of any such categories of S&P or Moody’s used by another Rating Agency, if applicable.

 

Redemption Date ” means, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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Redemption Price ” means, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Registrar ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

 

Registration Rights Agreement ” means (i) in the case of the Notes issued on the Closing Date, the registration rights agreement among the Company, the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors and Goldman, Sachs & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers set forth on Schedule II thereto, dated September 9, 2014, including any supplements, joinder or amendments thereto and (ii) in the case of any additional Notes, a registration rights agreement between the Company and the other parties thereto relating to such additional Notes.

 

Registration Statement ” has the meaning provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant treasurer, assistant secretary, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Global Note ” means a Global Note that is a Restricted Note.

 

Restricted Note ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act for the term “restricted securities”; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.  Restricted Notes are required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any property or assets, which property or assets have been or are to be sold or transferred by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to such Person.

 

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S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, and its successors.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Register ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means, at any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act as in effect on the Closing Date; provided that all references to 10% in the definition of “significant subsidiary” in Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be 7.5%.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Date ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Special Mandatory Redemption Notice ” has the meaning provided in Section 3.10.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, (1) with respect to any debt security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (2) with respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which such installment is due and payable.

 

Subsidiary ” means any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is, or other entity of which at least a majority of the common equity interests are, at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Company, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means any Initial Subsidiary Guarantor and any other Subsidiary of the Company which provides a Note Guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes, until such Note Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

TIA ” or “ Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 9.06.

 

Treasury Rate ” means as of any Redemption Date of Notes the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as

 

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compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to October 1 , 2019 ; provided , however , that if the period from the Redemption Date to October 1, 2019 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to October 1 , 2019 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of Article Seven of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.

 

United States Bankruptcy Code ” means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended and as codified in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.

 

Unrestricted Global Note ” means a Global Note that is an Unrestricted Note.

 

Unrestricted Notes ” means one or more Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend, including, without limitation, the Exchange Notes and any Notes registered under the Securities Act pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means STLD Holdings, Inc., Dynamic Aviation, LLC, Speedbird Aviation, LLC, Paragon Steel Enterprises, LLC and each of their respective direct and indirect Subsidiaries; provided, however, in the event (a) any such Subsidiary Guarantees Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an aggregate amount exceeds $50 million or (b) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) contributes or otherwise transfers (other than a sale for fair market value) any Operating Property (including shares of stock of a Subsidiary that owns the Operating Property) to such Subsidiary, in either case such Subsidiary shall cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if such Subsidiary would be a Significant Subsidiary, such Subsidiary will Guarantee payment of the principal of, premium if any and interest on the Notes.

 

U.S. Global Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

U.S. Government Obligations ” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the full and timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust

 

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company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

U.S. Physical Notes ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.

 

Voting Stock ” means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers or other voting members of the governing body of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02.    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

indenture security holder ” means a Holder or a Noteholder;

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and

 

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes.

 

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by a rule of the Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

 

SECTION 1.03.    Rules of Construction .

 

U nless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

(iii)          “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

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(v)           provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(vi)          “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

 

(vii)         all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with the definition of GAAP set forth in Section 1.01; and

 

(viii)        all references to Sections or Articles refer to Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

 

ARTICLE TWO

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.01.    Form and Dating .

 

The Notes and the accompanying Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject or usage.  The Company shall approve the form of the Notes and any notation, legend or endorsement on the Notes.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed hereto as Exhibit A shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture.  To the extent applicable, the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.

 

Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “ U.S. Global Notes ”), registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  The aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, in accordance with the instructions given by the Holder thereof, as hereinafter provided.

 

Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary Global Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “ Offshore Global Notes ”), registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  The aggregate principal amount of the Offshore Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, in accordance with the instructions given by the Holder thereof, as hereinafter provided.

 

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Notes transferred to Institutional Accredited Investors pursuant to Section 2.08(a) of this Indenture shall be issued in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note” attached thereto) (the “ U.S. Physical Notes ”).  Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.07 in exchange for interests in the Offshore Global Notes shall be in the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note” attached thereto) (the “ Offshore Physical Notes ”).

 

The Offshore Physical Notes and U.S. Physical Notes are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the “ Physical Notes .”  The U.S. Global Notes and the Offshore Global Notes are sometimes referred to herein as the “ Global Notes .”

 

The definitive Notes shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, all as determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.

 

SECTION 2.02.    Restrictive Legends .

 

Unless and until a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, (x) each U.S. Global Note and each U.S. Physical Note shall be a Restricted Note and bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof and (y) each Offshore Physical Note and each Offshore Global Note shall be a Restricted Note and bear the legend set forth below on the face thereof until at least the 41 st  day after the Closing Date and receipt by the Company and the Trustee of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

 

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN

 

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REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER IS AN EXHIBIT TO THE INDENTURE), AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.  IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, THE HOLDER MUST TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE.  IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR NON-U.S. PERSON, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO THE TRUSTEE AND STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.  AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION”, “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.  THE INDENTURE CONTAINS PROVISIONS REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTION.

 

Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, Restricted Global Note or Unrestricted Global Note shall also bear the following legend (the “ Global Note Legend ”) on the face thereof:

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN THE NAME OF SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

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TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF THE INDENTURE.

 

SECTION 2.03.    Execution, Authentication and Denominations .

 

Subject to Article Four and applicable law, the aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Notes shall be executed by one Officer of the Company.  The signature of this Officer on the Notes may be by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company.

 

If the Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee or authenticating agent authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall upon receipt of a Company Order authenticate for original issue Notes in the aggregate principal amount specified in such Company Order; provided that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company in connection with such authentication of Notes.  Such Company Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and, in case of an issuance of Notes pursuant to Section 2.15, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Article Four.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to authenticate Notes.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such authenticating agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in denominations of $2,000 in principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 2.04.    Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “ Security Register ”).  The Security Register shall be in written form or any other

 

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form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.  The Company may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional Paying Agents.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent and any change in the address of such Agent.  If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands, the Company shall appoint the Trustee to act as, and the Trustee shall act as, such Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands.  The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso.  The Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and demands.

 

The Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands.  The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee as of each Regular Record Date and at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of Holders as they appear in the Security Register, including the aggregate principal amount of Notes held by each Holder.

 

SECTION 2.05.    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

Not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each due date of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any Notes, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due.  The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes), and such Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such payment.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed.  Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee.  If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due until such sum of money shall be paid to

 

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such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure to act.

 

SECTION 2.06.    Transfer and Exchange .

 

The Notes are issuable only in registered form.  A Holder may transfer a Note only by written application to the Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying with the terms of this Indenture.  No such transfer shall be effected until, and such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Security Register.  Prior to the registration of any transfer by a Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company shall treat the person in whose name the Note is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or not the Note shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.  Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.  When Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations (including an exchange of Notes for Exchange Notes), the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements for such transactions are met (including that such Notes are duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by an attorney who is authorized in writing to act on behalf of the Holder); provided that no exchanges of Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the Commission and that any Notes that are exchanged for Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request.  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of the Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.11, Section 3.08 or Section 9.04).

 

The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

SECTION 2.07.    Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes .

 

The U.S. Global Notes and Offshore Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.02.

 

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(a)                                  Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.

 

(b)                                  Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in Global Notes may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08.  In addition, U.S. Physical Notes and Offshore Physical Notes shall be executed and delivered to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a written request from the Depositary or (iii) in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08.

 

(c)                                   Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in another Global Note and become an interest in such other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such an interest.

 

(d)                                  In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.07, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S. Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of like tenor and amount.

 

(e)                                   In connection with the transfer of the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global Notes, in whole, to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 2.07, the U.S. Global Notes or Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes or Offshore

 

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Global Notes, as the case may be, an equal aggregate principal amount of U.S. Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of authorized denominations.

 

(f)                                    Any U.S. Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the U.S. Global Notes pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this Section 2.07 shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the U.S. Physical Note set forth in Section 2.02.

 

(g)                                   Any Offshore Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Offshore Global Notes pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this Section 2.07 shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Offshore Physical Note set forth in Section 2.02.

 

(h)                                  The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.08.            Special Transfer Provisions .

 

Unless and until (i) a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the Private Placement Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.02, the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)                                  Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Note to any Institutional Accredited Investor which is not a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):

 

(i)                                      The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note, whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if the proposed transferee has delivered to the Registrar (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto and (B) if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being transferred is less than $100,000, an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(ii)                                   If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more U.S. Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.

 

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(b)                                  Transfers to QIBs .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of U.S. Physical Notes or an interest in U.S. Global Notes to a QIB (excluding Non-U.S. Persons):

 

(i)                                      If the Note to be transferred consists of (x) either Offshore Physical Notes prior to the removal of the Private Placement Legend or U.S. Physical Notes, the Registrar shall register the transfer if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has checked the box provided for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the provisions of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the certification provided for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in writing, that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A or (y) an interest in the U.S. Global Notes, the transfer of such interest may be effected only through the book entry system maintained by the Depositary.

 

(ii)                                   If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the Note to be transferred consists of U.S. Physical Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of the documents referred to in paragraph (i) above and instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of U.S. Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the U.S. Physical Notes to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the U.S. Physical Notes so transferred.

 

(c)                                   Transfers of Interests in the Offshore Global Notes or Offshore Physical Notes .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of interests in the Offshore Global Notes or Offshore Physical Notes:

 

(i)                                      Prior to the removal of the Private Placement Legend from an Offshore Global Note or Offshore Physical Note pursuant to Section 2.02, the Registrar shall refuse to register such transfer unless such transfer complies with Section 2.08(b) or Section 2.08(d), as the case may be; and

 

(ii)                                   After such removal, the Registrar shall register the transfer of any such Note without requiring additional certification.

 

(d)                                  Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons at Any Time .  The following provisions shall apply with respect to any transfer of a Note to a Non-U.S. Person:

 

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(i)                                      The Registrar shall register any proposed transfer to any Non-U.S. Person if the Note to be transferred is a U.S. Physical Note or an interest in U.S. Global Notes, upon receipt of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto from the proposed transferor.

 

(ii)                                   (a) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) and (y) instructions in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S. Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes to be transferred, and (b) if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon receipt by the Registrar of instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Offshore Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the U.S. Physical Notes or the U.S. Global Notes, as the case may be, to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Note, if any, so transferred or decrease the amount of the U.S. Global Notes.

 

(e)                                   Private Placement Legend .  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Unrestricted Notes, the Registrar shall deliver Unrestricted Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Restricted Notes or beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes, the Registrar shall deliver only Restricted Notes or credit the account of the applicable transferee with a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, as the case may be, unless (i) the Private Placement Legend is no longer required by Section 2.02 or (ii) the Trustee has received from the Company an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(f)                                    General .  By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges receipt of a Restricted Note with restrictions on the transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture until such time as the Private Placement Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.02 and such Private Placement legend is removed pursuant to Section 2.02.  The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture.  In connection with any transfer of Notes, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or the Company such certifications, legal opinions or other information as either of them may reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act until such time as the Private Placement Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.02 and such Private Placement legend is removed pursuant to Section 2.02; provided that the Registrar shall not be required to determine

 

23



 

(but may rely on a determination made by the Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions or other information.

 

The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08.  The Company, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.  The Trustee and the Registrar shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restriction on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including transfers between or among beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

SECTION 2.09.            Replacement Notes .

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, then, in the absence of written notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding; provided that the requirements of this Section 2.09 are met.  If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company may charge such Holder for its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee in replacing a Note.  In case any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.10.            Outstanding Notes .

 

Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds on the maturity date money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and interest on them shall cease to accrue.

 

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A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its Affiliates holds such Note, provided, however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which the Trustee has actual knowledge to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

SECTION 2.11.            Temporary Notes .

 

Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes.  If temporary Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Notes.

 

SECTION 2.12.            Cancellation .

 

The Company, at any time, may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated hereunder.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall destroy them in accordance with its normal procedure.

 

SECTION 2.13.            CUSIP Numbers .

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP,” “CINS” or “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and the Company and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices, including notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice shall state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice or notice of redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other

 

25



 

identification numbers printed on the Notes.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in “CUSIP,” “CINS” or “ISIN” numbers for the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.14.            Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest, plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date.  A special record date, as used in this Section 2.14 with respect to the payment of any defaulted interest, shall mean the 15 th  day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a Business Day.  At least 15 days before the subsequent special record date, the Company shall mail to each Holder and to the Trustee a notice that states the subsequent special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15.            Issuance of Additional Notes .

 

The Company may, subject to Article Four of this Indenture and applicable law, issue additional Notes under this Indenture.  The Notes issued on the Closing Date and any additional Notes subsequently issued shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01.            Right of Redemption .

 

(a)                                  The Notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after October 1, 2019 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s last address, as it appears in the Security Register, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on October 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

 

Price

 

2019

 

102.750

%

2020

 

101.833

%

2021

 

100.917

%

2022 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(b)                                  At any time prior to October 1 , 2017 , the Company may redeem up to 35 % of the principal amount of the Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more sales of our common stock at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of

 

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105.500 %, plus accrued interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date) ; provided that (A) at least 65 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued on the Closing Date remains outstanding after each such redemption and (B) notice of any such redemption is mailed or sent within 90 days of each such sale of common stock.

 

(c)                                   At any time or from time to time prior to October 1, 2019 , the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to each holder or otherwise sent in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, at a Redemption Price equal to 100 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date ( subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date) .

 

SECTION 3.02.            Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which redemption shall occur.  If the Redemption Price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as described in the terms of the Notes to be redeemed, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.02 in an Officers’ Certificate at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

 

SECTION 3.03.            Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, subject to DTC procedures, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements, as certified to it by the Company, of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not listed on a national securities exchange or automated quotation system, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Note of $2,000 in principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.

 

The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not previously called for redemption.  Notes in denominations of $2,000 in principal amount may only be redeemed in whole.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal to $2,000 in principal amount or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000 in principal amount.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.  The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Registrar promptly in writing of the Notes or portions of Notes to be called for redemption.

 

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SECTION 3.04.            Notice of Redemption .

 

With respect to any redemption of Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.

 

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

 

(i)                                      the Redemption Date;

 

(ii)                                   the Redemption Price, or manner of computation if not then known;

 

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

 

(iv)                               that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;

 

(v)                                  that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive payment of the Redemption Price plus accrued interest to the Redemption Date upon surrender of the Notes to the Paying Agent;

 

(vi)                               that, if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount (equal to $2,000 in principal amount or multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be reissued (or transferred by book-entry transfer); and

 

(vii)                            that, if any Note contains a CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number as provided in Section 2.13, no representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

 

At the Company’s request (which request may be revoked by the Company at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 45 days (or such shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before a Redemption Date, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the name and at the expense of the Company.  If, however, the Company gives such notice to the Holders, the Company shall concurrently deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such notice has been given.

 

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SECTION 3.05.            Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price.  Upon surrender of any Notes to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the Redemption Price, plus accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date.

 

Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.  In any event, failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was properly given.

 

SECTION 3.06.            Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.05) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 3.07.            Payment of Notes Called for Redemption .

 

If notice of redemption has been given in the manner provided above, the Notes or portion of Notes specified in such notice to be redeemed shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price stated therein, together with accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date, in which case the principal, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed in the Notes), such Notes shall cease to accrue interest.  Upon surrender of any Note for redemption in accordance with a notice of redemption, such Note shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date.

 

SECTION 3.08.            Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of any Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder without service charge, a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of such surrendered Note.

 

SECTION 3.09.            Mandatory Redemption .

 

Other than pursuant to Section 3.10, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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SECTION 3.10.            Special Mandatory Redemption .

 

(a)                                  On or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015 and upon delivery to the Escrow Agent of a Consummation Release Certificate (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) certifying that

 

(i)                                                              the Acquisition will be consummated on substantially the terms described in the Offering Memorandum, substantially concurrently with the release of the Escrow Property (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) and the Escrow Property will be applied in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum; and

 

(ii)                                                           no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (together with the conditions specified in the immediately clause (i), the “ Escrow Release Conditions ”),

 

then the Escrow Property shall be released to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and used as described in “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum.

 

(b)                                  If

 

(i)                                                              the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms,

 

(ii)                                                           the Company determines (in its discretion) that the Escrow Release Conditions cannot be satisfied on or prior to April 18, 2015, or

 

(iii)                                                        the Acquisition is not consummated on or prior to April 18, 2015,

 

then the Company shall deliver a Redemption Release Certificate (as defined in the Escrow Agreement) to the Escrow Agent in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

(c)                                   If a Redemption Release Certificate is delivered by the Company in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, then the Company shall promptly deliver, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of Notes, or sent to DTC in accordance with its procedures applicable to Global Notes, a revocable special mandatory redemption notice (the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Notice ”) in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof.  Such Special Mandatory Redemption Notice shall state that the entire aggregate principal amount of the Notes shall be redeemed on the earlier of (i) April 21, 2015 and (ii) the third Business Day after the date of delivery of the Special Mandatory Redemption Notice (such date, the “ Special Mandatory Redemption Date ”), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to but excluding the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (a “ Special Mandatory Redemption ”).

 

(d)                                  In the event of a Special Mandatory Redemption because the Acquisition has not yet been consummated, if the Redemption Release Certificate indicates that the

 

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Acquisition may be consummated, in addition to the information required by Section 3.03, the Special Mandatory Redemption Notice shall state that such redemption shall occur only if the Acquisition shall not have occurred at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015.

 

(e)                                   If a Special Mandatory Redemption Notice shall have been delivered and the Acquisition shall have been consummated at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015, then the Company shall (i) deliver to the Trustee a written order of the Company withdrawing the Special Mandatory Redemption Notice and (ii) promptly deliver, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of Notes, or sent to DTC in accordance with its procedures applicable to Global Notes, a notice stating that the Acquisition was consummated at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015 and therefore no Special Mandatory Redemption shall occur. If the Acquisition shall not have been consummated at or prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on April 18, 2015, then the Company shall redeem the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Special Mandatory Redemption Notice in accordance with this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01.            Payment of Notes .

 

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture.  An installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them) holds on that date by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment.  If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent, an installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the due date if the entity acting as Paying Agent complies with the last sentence of Section 2.05.  As provided in Section 6.09, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization procedure relative to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent, if any, for the Notes.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum specified in the Notes.  Except as otherwise specifically stated herein or in the Notes, all calculations to be made in respect of the Notes shall be the obligation of the Company.  All calculations made by the Company or its agent as contemplated pursuant to the terms hereof and of the Notes shall be made in good faith and be final and binding on the Holders absent manifest error.  The Company shall provide a schedule of calculations to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon the accuracy of the calculations by the Company without independent verification.  The Trustee shall forward calculations made by the Company to any Holder of Notes upon request.

 

SECTION 4.02.            Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and

 

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demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Paying Agent Office of the Trustee as such office or agency of the Company where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment.

 

The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as such office where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.

 

SECTION 4.03.            Limitation on Liens .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage upon any of its properties or assets, whether owned on the Closing Date or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing concurrently that the Notes are secured equally and ratably with or, at the Company’s option, prior to such Indebtedness so long as such Indebtedness shall be so secured.

 

The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Indebtedness in any computation under such restriction, Indebtedness secured by:

 

(i)                                      Mortgages on any property or assets existing at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

(ii)                                   Mortgages on property or assets of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; provided that any such Mortgage does not extend to any property or assets owned by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or disposition;

 

(iii)                                Mortgages on property or assets of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(iv)                               Mortgages in favor of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(v)                                  Mortgages on property or assets (including shares of Capital Stock of any Subsidiary formed to acquire, construct, develop or improve such property) to secure all or part of the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property, or to secure Indebtedness incurred to provide funds for any such purpose; provided that the commitment of the creditor to extend the credit secured by any such Mortgage shall have been obtained no later than 360 days after the later of (a) the completion of the acquisition, construction, development or improvement of such property or assets or (b) the placing in operation of such property or assets;

 

(vi)                               Mortgages to secure obligations under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (A) $1,000 million and (B) the sum of an amount equal to (x) 70% of the consolidated book value of the inventory of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (y) 90% of the consolidated book value of the accounts receivable of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements are available; provided , however , that the amounts referred to in clause (B) above shall be determined on a pro forma basis, giving effect to (1) the acquisition or disposition of any property or assets of the type described in clause (B) above since the date of such financial statements and (2) the acquisition or disposition of any property or assets of the type described in clause (B) above being acquired or disposed of in connection with any transaction giving rise to the calculation of the amounts referred to in clause (B) above ;

 

(vii)                            Mortgages in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments; and

 

(viii)                         Mortgages existing on the date of this Indenture or any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage existing on the date of this Indenture or referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of this Section 4.03; provided that any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of such Indebtedness shall be created within 360 days of repaying the Indebtedness secured by the Mortgage referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (v) of this Section 4.03, and the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby and not otherwise authorized by clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of this Section 4.03 shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness, plus any premium, accrued interest or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding.

 

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, the Company and any of its Significant Subsidiaries may create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Indebtedness secured by Mortgages without equally and ratably securing the Notes, if at the time of such creation, incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any Indebtedness which is concurrently being retired, the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness secured by Mortgages which would otherwise be subject to restrictions (other than any Indebtedness secured by Mortgages permitted as described in clauses (i) through (viii) of this Section 4.03) plus all Attributable Debt of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (with the exception of such transactions which are

 

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permitted under clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 4.04) does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

 

SECTION 4.04.            Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Significant Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless:

 

(i)                                      the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is solely with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                   the lease is for a period not in excess of 24 months, including renewals;

 

(iii)                                the Company or such Significant Subsidiary would (at the time of entering into such arrangement) be entitled under clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03, without equally and ratably securing the Notes then outstanding under this Indenture, to create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage on such property or assets in the amount of the Attributable Debt arising from such Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

 

(iv)                               the Company or such Significant Subsidiary within 360 days after the sale of property or assets in connection with such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is completed, applies an amount equal to the greater of (A) the net proceeds of the sale of such property or assets or (B) the fair market value of such property or assets to (i) the retirement of the Notes, other Funded Debt of the Company ranking on a parity with the Notes or Funded Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the purchase of property or assets; or

 

(v)                                  the Attributable Debt of the Company and its Significant Subsidiary in respect of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and all other Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into after the Closing Date (other than any such Sale and Leaseback Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 4.04), plus the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by Mortgages then outstanding (not including any such Indebtedness secured by Mortgages described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03) which do not equally and ratably secure the Notes (or secure Notes on a basis that is prior to other Indebtedness secured thereby), would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

 

SECTION 4.05.            Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control .

 

The Company must commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, and consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date.  The Company will not be required to make an Offer to Purchase upon the occurrence of a Change of Control pursuant to this Section 4.05, if a third party makes an offer to purchase the Notes in the manner, at the times and price and otherwise in compliance with this Indenture applicable to an Offer to Purchase and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn in such Offer to Purchase.

 

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SECTION 4.06.            Existence .

 

Subject to Articles Four and Five of this Indenture, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational documents of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary and the rights (whether pursuant to charter, certificate of formation, article of incorporation, partnership certificate, agreement, statute or otherwise), licenses and franchises of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if the maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

SECTION 4.07.            Payment of Taxes and Other Claims .

 

The Company shall pay or discharge and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon (a) the Company or any such Subsidiary, (b) the income or profits of any such Subsidiary which is a corporation or (c) the property of the Company or any such Subsidiary and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established.

 

SECTION 4.08.            Maintenance of Properties and Insurance .

 

The Company shall cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section 4.08 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

 

The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties, including, but not limited to, products liability insurance and public liability insurance, with reputable insurers or with the government of the United States of America, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such methods as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the industry in which the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is then conducting business.

 

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SECTION 4.09.            Notice of Defaults .

 

In the event that any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.10.            Compliance Certificates .

 

The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year, an Officers’ Certificate that need not comply with Section 11.04 stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year.  Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture.  For purposes of this Section 4.10, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture.  If any of the officers of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of Default and its status.  The first certificate to be delivered pursuant to this Section 4.10 shall be for the fiscal year beginning after the execution of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 4.11.            Commission Reports and Reports to Holders .

 

Whether or not the Company is required to file reports with the Commission, the Company shall file with the Commission all such reports and other information as it would be required to file with the Commission by Section 13(a) or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if it were subject thereto within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and regulations.  The Company shall supply the Trustee and each Holder who so requests or make available on its website to each such Holder, without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other information.  Delivery of such reports and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the compliance by the Company with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.12.            Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any

 

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

 

SECTION 4.13.            Issuances of Subsidiary Guarantees .

 

The Company shall cause each Significant Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Foreign Subsidiary or a Significant Subsidiary that is already a Subsidiary Guarantor) that (a) Guarantees Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an aggregate amount in excess of $50 million or (b) incurs or otherwise becomes liable for Indebtedness or Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions, in an aggregate amount in excess of $50 million (other than (x) Indebtedness secured by a Mortgage permitted by clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 4.03 hereof or unsecured Indebtedness incurred to provide funds for the cost of acquisition, construction, development or improvement of property of such Significant Subsidiary and (y) Attributable Debt permitted by clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 4.04 hereof) shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture (substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto) to this Indenture providing for a Note Guarantee by such Significant Subsidiary pursuant to Article Ten.

 

SECTION 4.14.            Additional Interest Notice .

 

In the event that the Company is required to pay interest to holders of Notes at an increased rate pursuant to the terms of the Notes, the Company will provide written notice (“ Additional Interest Notice ”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay interest at an increased rate no later than fifteen days prior to the proposed payment date for the interest, and the Additional Interest Notice shall set forth the amount of interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any holder of Notes to determine the interest, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the interest.

 

SECTION 4.15.            Escrow of Funds .

 

(a)                                  Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company shall cause $500,000,000 to be deposited in an escrow account (the “ Escrow Account ”) maintained with the Escrow Agent, and (ii) the Company, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent shall enter into the Escrow Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Company agrees that (i) the terms of the Escrow Agreement shall exclusively control the conditions under which and procedures pursuant to which the Escrow Property shall be released and (ii) it will not attempt to have Escrow Property released from Escrow Account except in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 5.01.            When Company or Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge, Etc.

 

The Company will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (as an entirety or substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of related transactions) to any Person or permit any Person to merge with or into it unless:

 

(i)                                      it shall be the continuing Person, or the Person (if other than it) formed by such consolidation or into which it is merged or that acquired or leased such property and assets (the “ Surviving Person ”), shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes;

 

(ii)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iii)                                it delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture complies with this Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to such transaction have been complied with; and

 

(iv)                               each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless such Subsidiary Guarantor is the Person with which the Company has entered into a transaction under this Section 5.01, shall have confirmed in writing that its Note Guarantee shall apply to the obligations of the Company or the Surviving Person in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor (other than any Subsidiary Guarantor whose Note Guarantee is to be released in accordance with the terms of its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, in connection with the sale, exchange or transfer to any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) of all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) will not, and the Company will not cause or permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate with or merge with or into any Person other than the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

 

(i)                                      such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Subsidiary Guarantor) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person assumes by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor on its Note Guarantee; and

 

(ii)                                   immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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SECTION 5.02.            Successor Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is merged or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor herein; provided that the Company shall not be released from its obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall not be released from its Note Guarantee in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its property and assets.

 

ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01.            Events of Default .

 

The following events will be defined as “ Events of Default ” in this Indenture:

 

(a)                                  default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

 

(b)                                  default in the payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(c)                                   (1) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement in this Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a) or (b) above and other than a default related to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.11) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (with a copy to the Trustee) and (2) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches its obligations under Section 4.11 and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or by Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (with a copy to the Trustee);

 

(d)                                  there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $75.0 million or more in the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (A) an event of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (B) the failure to make a principal payment at the final (but not any

 

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interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default;

 

(e)                                   any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $75.0 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $75.0 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

 

(f)                                    a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(g)                                   the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(h)                                  any Subsidiary Guarantor repudiates its obligations under its Note Guarantee or, except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is determined to be unenforceable or invalid or shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.02.            Acceleration .

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 that occurs with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if such notice is given by the Holders), may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable.  Upon a declaration of

 

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acceleration, such principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable.  In the event of a declaration of acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause (d) of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of acceleration shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (d) of Section 6.01 shall be remedied or cured by the Company, the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor or the relevant Significant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

Any time after such declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for the payment of money due has been obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all past defaults with respect to the Notes and rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, (ii) all overdue interest on all Notes, (iii) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration or occurrence of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, and (iv) to the extent that payment for such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest, if any, at the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, (b) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and (c) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 6.03.            Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, subject to Section 6.05, pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.04.            Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note as specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.  Upon any such waiver,

 

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such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

SECTION 6.05.            Control by Majority .

 

The Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes.

 

SECTION 6.06.            Limitation on Suits .

 

A Holder of Notes may not institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Notes, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

 

(i)                                      the Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

 

(ii)                                   the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes shall have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue such remedy;

 

(iii)                                such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense;

 

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

 

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

 

For purposes of Section 6.05 of this Indenture and this Section 6.06, the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 316(a) in making any determination of whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee to pursue any remedy available to the Trustee or the Holders with respect to this Indenture or the Notes or otherwise under the law.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.  The Trustee shall mail to all Holders any notice it receives from Holders under this Section.

 

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SECTION 6.07.            Rights of Holders to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or after the due date expressed in the Notes, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08.            Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other obligor of the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid on the Notes, together with interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate specified in the Notes, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09.            Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor of the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Notes or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided , however , the Trustee may vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar person and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

 

SECTION 6.10.            Priorities .

 

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

First:  to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

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Second:  to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as their interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

SECTION 6.11.            Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

SECTION 6.12.            Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then, and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

SECTION 6.13.            Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or wrongfully taken Notes in Section 2.09, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 6.14.            Delay or Omission Not Waiver .

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given

 

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by this Article Six or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01.            General .

 

The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the TIA and as set forth herein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to it.  Whether or not herein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article Seven.  The permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee.

 

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee need only perform such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture.  If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise of the rights and powers vested in it under this Indenture as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.02.            Certain Rights of Trustee .

 

Subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through (d):

 

(i)                                      the Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person;

 

(ii)                                   before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to Section 11.04.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion;

 

(iii)                                the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

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(iv)                               the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee satisfactory security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(v)                                  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute negligence or bad faith;

 

(vi)                               whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

 

(vii)                            the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, financial statement, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled, at the Company’s sole cost and expense, to examine the books, records and premises of the Company personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

 

(viii)                         the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or by any Holder of the Notes;

 

(ix)                               the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(x)                                  in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

 

(xi)                               the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the

 

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Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

 

(xii)                            the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder; and

 

(xiii)                         the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.03.            Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee is subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.  To the extent permitted by the TIA, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to Notes under this Indenture or any other indenture of the Company or Subsidiary Guarantors by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

SECTION 7.04.            Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee (i) makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, (ii) shall not be accountable for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall not be responsible for any statement in the Notes or in any offering document in connection with the offering or sale of the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05.            Notice of Default .

 

If any Default or any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is known to any Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c) notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured; provided , however , that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Notes.

 

SECTION 7.06.            Reports by Trustee to Holders .

 

Within 60 days after each April 15, beginning with April 15, 2015, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder as provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such April 15, if required by TIA Section 313(a).

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA Section 313(d).  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.07.            Compensation and Indemnity .

 

The Company shall pay to the Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing, from time to time, for its services hereunder.  The compensation of the Trustee shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by the Trustee without negligence or bad faith on its part.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their agents for, and hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section 7.07, except to the extent that such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense is due to its own negligence or bad faith.  The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder, unless the Company is materially prejudiced thereby.  The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense provided , however , that the Trustee shall have the right to defend such claim if, upon the advice of counsel, its interests may be prejudiced by the conduct of such defense by the Company.  Unless otherwise set forth herein, the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes.

 

If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01, the expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to constitute expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and termination of this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

SECTION 7.08.            Replacement of Trustee .

 

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

 

The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in writing.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with the consent of the Company.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:  (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If the successor Trustee does not deliver its written acceptance required by the next succeeding paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after the delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the lien provided in Section 7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.  No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10 or shall fail to comply with TIA Section 310(b), any Holder who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.08, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Company or successor Trustee shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.  Upon the Trustee’s resignation or removal, the Company shall promptly pay the Trustee all amounts owed by the Company to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.09.            Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee herein, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

SECTION 7.10.            Eligibility .

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a).  The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $25 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition that is subject to the requirements of applicable federal or state supervising or examining authority.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.10, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article.

 

SECTION 7.11.            Authority to Enter into Escrow Agreement .

 

The Trustee is authorized and directed to execute, deliver and perform its duties under the Escrow Agreement.

 

SECTION 7.12.            Money Held in Trust .

 

The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in trust under Article Eight of this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01.            Termination of Company’s Obligations .

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture if:

 

(i)                                      all Notes previously authenticated and delivered (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or Notes that are paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or Notes for whose payment money or securities have theretofore been held in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Company has paid all sums payable by it hereunder; or

 

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(ii)                                   (A) the Notes mature within one year or all of them are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee during such one-year period, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds solely for the benefit of the Holders for that purpose, money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee), without consideration of any reinvestment of any interest thereon, to pay principal, premium, if, any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder, (C) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, (D) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and (E) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall survive.  With respect to the foregoing clause (ii), the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.  After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

SECTION 8.02.            Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture .

 

The Company will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Notes on the 123 rd  day after the deposit referred to in clause (A) of this Section 8.02, and the provisions of this Indenture will no longer be in effect with respect to the Notes (except for, among other matters, certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Notes, to maintain paying agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same if:

 

(A)                                With reference to this Section 8.02, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders, in and to (1) money in an amount, (2) U.S. Government Obligations, that through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to

 

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in clause (A), money in an amount or (3) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of, premium if any, and accrued interest on the outstanding Notes (i) on the Stated Maturity of such principal and interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes or (ii) on any earlier Redemption Date pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Notes; provided that the Company has provided the Trustee with irrevocable instructions to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such Redemption Date;

 

(B)                                The Company has delivered to the Trustee (1) either (x) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.02 and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, which Opinion of Counsel shall be based upon (and accompanied by a copy of) a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect unless there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law after the Closing Date such that a ruling is no longer required or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned Opinion of Counsel and (2) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that after the passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an “insider” for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (I) the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally) or (II) if a court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the Company, (a) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such statute and (b) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding;

 

(C)                                immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default, or event that after the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such

 

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deposit or during the period ending on the 123 rd  day after the date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(D)                                if the Notes are then listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Notes will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

 

(E)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.02 have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the end of the 123-day (or one-year) period referred to in clause (B)(2) of this Section 8.02, none of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture shall be discharged.  Subsequent to the end of such 123-day (or one year) period with respect to this Section 8.02, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 and the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and Article Eleven (with respect to payments in respect of Senior Subordinated Obligations other than with the assets held in trust as described in this Section 8.02) shall survive until the Notes are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.  If and when a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (B)(1) of this Section 8.02 is able to be provided specifically without regard to, and not in reliance upon, the continuance of the Company’s obligations under Section 4.01, then the Company’s obligations under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon delivery to the Trustee of such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with the other conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.02.

 

After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations in the immediately preceding paragraph.

 

SECTION 8.03.            Defeasance of Certain Obligations .

 

The Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 4.03 through 4.05 and such omission shall be deemed not to be an Event of Default under clause (c) of Section 6.01 and clauses (d) and (e) of Section 6.01 of this Indenture, shall be deemed not to be Events of Default, in each case with respect to the outstanding Notes if:

 

(i)                                      with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated

 

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solely to, the benefit of the Holders, in and to (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the payment of interest, premium, if any, and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (i), money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest and after payment of all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes (i) on the Stated Maturity of such principal or interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes or (ii) on any earlier Redemption Date pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Notes; provided that the Company has provided the Trustee with irrevocable instructions to redeem all of the outstanding Notes on such redemption Date;

 

(ii)                                   the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment Company Act of 1940, (B) after the passage of 123 days following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an “insider” for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either such statute, and either (1) the trust funds will no longer remain the property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally) or (2) if a court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the Company, (x) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise (except for the effect of Section 552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such statute) and (y) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate protection of their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds are used in such case or proceeding, (C) the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (D) the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders, has a valid first-priority security interest in the trust funds;

 

(iii)                                immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the 123rd day after such date of such deposit, and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this

 

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Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(iv)                               if the Notes are then listed on a national securities exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Notes will not be delisted as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and

 

(v)                                  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with.

 

SECTION 8.04.            Application of Trust Money .

 

Subject to Section 8.06, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

SECTION 8.05.            Repayment to Company .

 

Subject to any applicable escheat and abandoned property laws and Sections 7.07, 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company, upon request set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, any excess money held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all liability with respect to such money.  The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that the Trustee or Paying Agent, before being required to make any payment, may cause to be published at the expense of the Company once in a newspaper of general circulation in The City of New York or mail to each Holder entitled to such money at such Holder’s address (as set forth in the Security Register) notice that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified therein (which shall be at least 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing) any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.  After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.06.            Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company

 

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has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.01.            Without Consent of Holders .

 

The Company, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee), the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than with respect to any supplemental indenture executed in accordance with Section 4.13) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without notice to, or the consent of, any Holder to:

 

(1)                                  cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture;

 

(2)                                  comply with Article Five or Section 4.13;

 

(3)                                  comply with any requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or in order to maintain such qualification;

 

(4)                                  evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee;

 

(5)                                  provide for Additional Notes; or

 

(6)                                  make any change that, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

SECTION 9.02.            With Consent of Holders .

 

Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 and without prior notice to the Holders, the Company, when authorized by its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee), the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:

 

(i)                                      change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note;

 

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(ii)                                   reduce the principal amount of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

 

(iii)                                change the optional redemption dates or optional redemption prices of the Notes from that stated in Section 3.01;

 

(iv)                               change any place or currency of payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

 

(v)                                  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) of any Note;

 

(vi)                               waive a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;

 

(vii)                            modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby;

 

(viii)                         release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Note Guarantee, except as provided in this Indenture;

 

(ix)                               amend, change or modify the obligation of the Company to make and consummate an Offer to Purchase under Section 4.05 after a Change of Control has occurred, including amending, changing or modifying any definition relating thereto; or

 

(x)                                  reduce the percentage or aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain Defaults.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.  The Company will mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request.  Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.03.            Revocation and Effect of Consent .

 

Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting Holder, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the

 

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consent as to its Note or portion of its Note.  Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the Holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver.  If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the last two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder unless it is of the type described in the second paragraph of Section 9.02.  In case of an amendment or waiver of the type described in the second paragraph of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the Note of the consenting Holder.

 

SECTION 9.04.            Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder to deliver such Note to the Trustee.  At the Company’s expense, the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter authenticated.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation, or issue a new Note, shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.05.            Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

 

The Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.  Subject to the preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such amendment, supplement or waiver if the same does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

SECTION 9.06.            Conformity with Trust Indenture Act .

 

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the TIA as then in effect.

 

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ARTICLE TEN
GUARANTEE OF NOTES

 

SECTION 10.01.     Note Guarantee .

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article Ten, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally Guarantees to each Holder of Notes hereunder and to the Trustee on behalf of the Holders:  (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on each Note, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal of and interest, if any, on the Notes, to the extent lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms of such Note and this Indenture and (ii) in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, subject, however , in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, to the limitations set forth in the next succeeding paragraph.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee by any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Note Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of each Subsidiary Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or pursuant to the following paragraph, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting such fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors agree, inter se , that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “ Funding Guarantor ”) under its Note Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from all other Subsidiary Guarantors in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to its Note Guarantee.  “ Adjusted Net Assets ” of such Subsidiary Guarantor at any date shall mean the lesser of the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such Subsidiary Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date), but excluding liabilities under the Note Guarantee, of such Guarantor at such date and (y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor on its debts (after giving effect to all other

 

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fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor), excluding debt in respect of its Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor), excluding debt in respect of its Note Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, the benefit of discussion, protest or notice with respect to any such Note or the debt evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever (except as specified above), and covenants that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged as to any such Note except by payment in full of the principal thereof and interest thereon and as provided in Sections 8.01,  8.02 and 8.03.  In the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of this Article Ten.  In addition, without limiting the foregoing provisions, upon the effectiveness of an acceleration under Article Six, the Trustee shall promptly make a demand for payment on the Notes under the Note Guarantee provided for in this Article Ten.

 

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee are independent of the obligations Guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holders, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, against any Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce this Note Guarantee, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the Company or whether the Company is joined in any such action or actions.

 

If the Trustee or the Holder is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any custodian, receiver, liquidator, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official acting in relation to Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid to the Trustee or such Holder in respect of a Note, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.  Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees, to the fullest extent that it may lawfully do so, that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, the maturity of the obligations Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition extant under any applicable bankruptcy law preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations Guaranteed hereby.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of its obligations under this Note Guarantee and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification, any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Holders against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any collateral which any such Holder or the Trustee on behalf of such Holder hereafter acquires, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

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directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights.  If any amount shall be paid to a Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders to be credited and applied upon the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes.  Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the issuance of the Notes pursuant to this Indenture and that the waivers set forth in this Section 10.01 are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

The Note Guarantee set forth in this Section 10.01 shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose with respect to a Note until the certificate of authentication on such Note shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 10.02.     Obligations Unconditional .

 

Nothing contained in this Article Ten or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Notes is intended to or shall impair, as among any Subsidiary Guarantor and the holders of the Notes, the obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, upon failure by the Company to pay to the holders of the Notes the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of such Subsidiary Guarantor, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent any Holder or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Ten will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Note Guarantee to be due and payable prior to the Stated Maturity of any Notes pursuant to Section 6.02 or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

SECTION 10.03.     Release of Note Guarantees .

 

The Note Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

 

(i)                                      upon any sale, exchange or transfer (including by way of merger or consolidation) to any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(ii)                                   upon the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness of the Company or the repayment of the Indebtedness (or Attributable Debt) of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case which resulted in the obligation to Guarantee the Notes; provided that such Subsidiary Guarantor has not Guaranteed any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or incurred or otherwise become liable for any other Indebtedness (or Attributable Debt) which would have resulted in an obligation to Guarantee the Notes;

 

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(iii)                                if the Notes are rated Investment Grade by both Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing; or

 

(iv)                               if the Notes are defeased in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

If the Note Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor is deemed to be released or is automatically released, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the identity of the released Subsidiary Guarantor, the basis for release in reasonable detail, and that such release complies with this Indenture.  At the request of the Company and upon being provided an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 11.04, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release.

 

SECTION 10.04.     Notice to Trustee .

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to such Subsidiary Guarantor which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Note Guarantee pursuant to the provisions of this Article Ten.

 

SECTION 10.05.     This Article Not to Prevent Events of Default .

 

The failure to make a payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes by reason of any provision of this Article Ten will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 10.06.     Execution and Delivery.

 

Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, executed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor by an officer thereof in accordance with Section 4.13 shall evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 without the need for any further notation on the Notes.  Upon the execution and delivery of the supplemental indenture, the Note Guarantees set forth in this Indenture shall be deemed duly delivered, without any further action by any Person, on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Note Guarantee.  The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01.     Trust Indenture Act of 1939 .

 

Prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the TIA.  After the effectiveness of the Registration Statement,

 

62



 

this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

SECTION 11.02.     Notices .

 

Any notice, request or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first-class mail or sent by fax transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company:

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

7575 West Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804

Facsimile:  260-969-3587

Attention:  Chief Financial Officer

 

if to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

10 South Wacker Drive, 13 th  Floor

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Fax:  312-726-2158

Attention:  Corporate Trust Services

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to it at its address as it appears on the Security Register by first-class mail and shall be sufficiently given to the Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed.  Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.  Copies of any such communication or notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder as provided herein or any defect in any such notice or communication shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.  Except for a notice to the Trustee, which is deemed given only when received, and except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in this Section 11.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

63



 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.03.     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(i)                                      an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(ii)                                   an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such Counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.04.     Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

(i)                                      a statement that each person signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(ii)                                   a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based;

 

(iii)                                a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, the person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(iv)                               a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however , that, with respect to matters of fact, an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

SECTION 11.05.     Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The Paying Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

64



 

SECTION 11.06.     Payment Date Other Than a Business Day .

 

If an Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Note, as the case may be, need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity or date of maturity of such Note; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 11.07.     Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial .

 

This Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.  The Trustee, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes.  EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.08.     No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.09.     No Recourse Against Others .

 

No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator or against any past, present or future partner, stockholder, other equityholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.

 

SECTION 11.10.     Successors .

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

65



 

SECTION 11.11.     Duplicate Originals .

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.12.     Separability .

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.13.     Table of Contents, Headings, Etc .

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.14.     Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

66



 

SIGNATURES

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

 

Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NEW MILLENNIUM BUILDING SYSTEMS, LLC

 

By:

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS SALES NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

ROANOKE ELECTRIC STEEL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL OF WEST VIRGINIA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2024 Notes Indenture

 



 

 

SWVA, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

MARSHALL STEEL, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL VENTURES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

THE TECHS INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

JACKSON IRON & METAL COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2024 Notes Indenture

 



 

 

OMNISOURCE TRANSPORT, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

SUPERIOR ALUMINUM ALLOYS, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

OMNISOURCE SOUTHEAST, LLC

 

By: OMNISOURCE CORPORATION, MANAGER AND SOLE MEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2024 Notes Indenture

 



 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stefan Victory

 

 

Name:

Stefan Victory

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

2024 Notes Indenture

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[APPLICABLE LEGENDS]

 

[FACE OF NOTE]

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024

 

144A CUSIP:  858119 BB5

144A ISIN:  US858119BB54(1)

 

REG S CUSIP:  U85795 AN9

REG S ISIN:  USU85795AN97(2)

 

No.

$                   

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC. an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto](3) [of                      ($            )] on October 1, 2024.

 

Interest Payment Dates:  April 1 and October 1, commencing [April 1, 2015].(4)

 

Regular Record Dates:  March 15 and September 15.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 


(1)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

(2)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

(3)  With respect to Global Notes.

 

(4)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

A-1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

A-2



 

(Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

 

This is one of the 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Date:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

A-3



 

[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024

 

1.                                       Principal and Interest .

 

The Company will pay the principal of this Note on October 1, 2024.

 

The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note on each Interest Payment Date, as set forth below, at a rate of 5.500% per annum, subject to increase as described below.

 

Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of record of the Notes at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date, commencing [April 1, 2015].(5)

 

In certain circumstances, the Notes may be subject to the payment of additional interest pursuant to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from September 9, 2014; provided that, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest and this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such Interest Payment Date.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise payable.

 

2.                                       Method of Payment .

 

The Company will pay interest (except defaulted interest) on the principal amount of the Notes as provided above on each Interest Payment Date, commencing [April 1, 2015](6) to the persons who are Holders (as reflected in the Security Register at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date), in each case, even if the Note is cancelled on registration of transfer or registration of exchange after such record date; provided that, with respect to the payment of principal, the Company will make payment to the Holder that surrenders this Note to a Paying Agent on or after October 1, 2024.

 


(5)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

(6)  With respect to Notes issued on the Closing Date.

 

A-4



 

This Note is a “book-entry” note and is being registered in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), a clearing agency.  As long as this Note is registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, the Trustee will make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on this Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee.  With respect to any Note that is not registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, the Company may pay principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.  It may mail an interest check to a Holder’s registered address (as reflected in the Security Register).  If a payment date is a date other than a Business Day at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

The Notes may be exchanged or transferred at the office or agency of the Company.  Initially, the paying agent office of the Trustee will serve as such office.

 

3.                                       Paying Agent and Registrar .

 

Initially, the Trustee will act as authenticating agent, Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change any authenticating agent, Paying Agent or Registrar without notice.  The Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.

 

4.                                       Indenture; Limitations .

 

The Company issued the Notes under an indenture dated as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Company, the Initial Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).  Capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of all such terms.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Note and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.

 

The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

The Company may, subject to and applicable law, issue additional Notes under the Indenture.  The Indenture does not limit the amount of Notes that may be issued.

 

5.                                       Optional Redemption .

 

The Notes are redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after October 1, 2019 and prior to maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s last address, as it appears in the Security Register, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the

 

A-5



 

Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing October 1 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

 

Redemption Price

 

2019

 

102.750

%

2020

 

101.833

%

2021

 

100.917

%

2022 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

In addition, at any time prior to October 1, 2017, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more sales of common stock of the Company at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 105.500%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date); provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued on the Closing Date remains outstanding after each such redemption and (ii) notice of such redemption is mailed or sent within 90 days after such sale of common stock.

 

At any time or from time to time prior to October 1, 2019, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed to each holder or otherwise sent in accordance with the procedures of the depository, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date).

 

Notes in original denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part in multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price.

 

6.                                       Special Mandatory Redemption .

 

The Notes are subject to special mandatory redemption in accordance with Section 3.10 of the Indenture.

 

7.                                       Repurchase upon Change of Control .

 

Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in cash pursuant to the offer described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (the “ Payment Date ”).

 

A-6



 

A notice of such Change of Control will be mailed within 30 days after any Change of Control occurs to each Holder at its last address as it appears in the Security Register.  Notes in original denominations larger than $2,000 may be sold to the Company in part in multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  On and after the Payment Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes surrendered for purchase by the Company, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price.

 

8.                                       Denominations; Transfer; Exchange .

 

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 of principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  A Holder may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption.  Also, it need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected for redemption.

 

9.                                       Persons Deemed Owners .

 

A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes.

 

10.                                Unclaimed Money .

 

Subject to any applicable escheat and abandoned property laws, if money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will pay the money back to the Company at its request.  After that, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment, unless an abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

11.                                Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity .

 

If the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the then outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes (a) to redemption or maturity, the Company will be discharged from the Indenture and the Notes, except in certain circumstances for certain provisions thereof, and (b) to the Stated Maturity, the Company will be discharged from certain covenants set forth in the Indenture.

 

12.                                Amendment; Supplement; Waiver .

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing default or compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.  Without notice to or the consent of any Holder, the parties thereto may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or

 

A-7



 

inconsistency and make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

13.                                Restrictive Covenants .

 

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, among other things, suffer to exist or incur Liens, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, or merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of its assets.  Within 90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating whether or not the signers thereof know of any Default or Event of Default under such restrictive covenants.

 

14.                                Successor Persons .

 

When a successor person or other entity assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor person will be released from those obligations.

 

15.                                Defaults and Remedies .

 

Any of the following events constitutes an “ Event of Default ” under the Indenture:

 

(a)                                  default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;

 

(b)                                  default in the payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(c)                                   (1) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any other covenant or agreement in the Indenture or under the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a) or (b) above and other than a default related to the obligations of the Company under Section 4.11 of the Indenture) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30 consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and (2) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches its obligations under Section 4.11 of the Indenture and such default or breach continues for a period of 90 consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;

 

(d)                                  there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of Indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $75.0 million or more in the aggregate for all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, (A) an event of default that has caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (B) the failure to make a principal payment at the final (but not any

 

A-8



 

interim) fixed maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or extended within 30 days of such payment default;

 

(e)                                   any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $75.0 million in the aggregate for all such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and shall not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $75.0 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

 

(f)                                    a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, (B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(g)                                   the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B) consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(h)                                  any Subsidiary Guarantor repudiates its obligations under its Note Guarantee or, except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee is determined to be unenforceable or invalid or shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect.

 

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare all the Notes to be due and payable.  If a bankruptcy or insolvency default with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become due and payable.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of at least a

 

A-9



 

majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.

 

16.                                Guarantee .

 

The Company’s obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

17.                                Trustee Dealings with the Company .

 

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.

 

18.                                No Recourse Against Others .

 

No incorporator or any past, present or future partner, stockholder, other equityholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of any successor Person shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

19.                                Authentication .

 

This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

20.                                Abbreviations .

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

20.                                Governing Law .

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

The Company will furnish a copy of the Indenture to any Holder upon written request and without charge.  Requests may be made to Steel Dynamics, Inc., 7575 West Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804; Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

 

A-10



 

[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

 

Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

 

attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES, UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE GLOBAL NOTES AND UNLEGENDED OFFSHORE PHYSICAL NOTES]

 

In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to the date which is the earlier of (i) the date the Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the Private Placement Legend is removed from the Note pursuant to Section 2.02(ii) of the Indenture, the undersigned confirms that without utilizing any general solicitation or general advertising that:

 

[ Check One ]

 

o (a)                   this Note is being transferred in compliance with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended provided by Rule 144A thereunder.

 

or

 

o (b)                   this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

 

A-11



 

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-12



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Indenture, check the Box:

 

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.05 of the Indenture, state the principal amount:  $                                      .

 

Date:

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.

 

A-13



 

[include for Global Notes]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $[                     ].  The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Physical Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Physical Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date

 

Amount of
decreases in
principal amount

 

Amount of
increases in
principal amount

 

Principal amount
of this Global
Note following
such decrease or
increase

 

Signature of
authorized officer of
Trustee or Notes
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A-14



 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Certificate

 

                     ,

 

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust — DAPS Reorg

6th & Marquette Ave 12th Floor

MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN  55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:  Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”)

 

Dear Sirs:

 

This letter relates to U.S. $               principal amount of Notes due represented by a note (the “ Legended Note ”) which bears a legend outlining restrictions upon transfer of such Legended Note.  Pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture dated as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”) relating to the Notes, we hereby certify that we are (or we will hold such securities on behalf of) a person outside the United States to whom the Notes could be transferred in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Accordingly, you are hereby requested to exchange the legended certificate for an unlegended certificate representing an identical principal amount of Notes, all in the manner provided for in the Indenture.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[Name of Holder]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

B-1



 

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Certificate to Be

Delivered in Connection with

Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors

 

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust — DAPS Reorg

6th & Marquette Ave 12th Floor

MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN  55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:  Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”)

 

Dear Sirs:

 

In connection with our proposed purchase of $                   aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that:

 

1.  We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of September 9, 2014 (the “ Indenture ”) relating to the Notes and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes except in compliance with such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”).

 

2.  We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence.  We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell any Notes, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000, an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available) or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any

 

C-1



 

of the Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are restricted as stated herein.

 

3.  We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions.  We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

 

4.  We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

5.  We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “ accredited investor ”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[Name of Transferee]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

C-2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in

Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S

 

                   ,

 

Wells Fargo Corporate Trust — DAPS Reorg

6th & Marquette Ave 12th Floor

MAC N9303-121

Minneapolis, MN  55479

Phone: 1-800-344-5128

Fax: 1-866-969-1290

Email: dapsreorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re:  Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Company ”)

5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Notes”)

 

Dear Sirs:

In connection with our proposed sale of U.S.$                   aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) and, accordingly, we represent that:

 

(1)  the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States;

 

(2)  at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;

 

(3)  no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

(4)  the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[Name of Transferor]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

D-1



 

EXHIBIT E

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]

 

Supplemental Indenture (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of                       , among                                  (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”), a subsidiary of Steel Dynamics, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (as supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), dated as of September 9, 2014, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “ Notes ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Company are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, to amend or supplement the Indenture to add a Guarantee by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the Notes.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

(1)  Capitalized Terms .  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(2)  Agreement to be Bound .  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby becomes a party to the Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and as such will have all of the rights and be subject to all of the obligations and agreements of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture.

 

(3)  Guarantee .  The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees, on a joint and several basis with all the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, to Guarantee to each Holder and the Trustee the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to Article Ten of the Indenture.

 

(4)  No Recourse Against Others .  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees.

 

E-1



 

(5)  Notices .  All notices and other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in the Indenture to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, at its address set forth below, with a copy to the Company as provided in the Indenture for notices to the Company.

 

(6)  Parties .  Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Supplemental Indenture or the Indenture or any provision herein or therein contained.

 

(7)  Governing Law .  This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

(8)  Severability Clause .  In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

 

(9)  Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture .  Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.  Every reference in the Indenture to the Indenture shall hereby be deemed to mean the Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture.  This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.  The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

(10)  Counterparts .  The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Supplemental Indenture in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

(11)  Headings .  The headings of the sections in this Supplemental Indenture are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

E-2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

[SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR], as a Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC., as the Company

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

E-3


Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

This Escrow Agreement (“Escrow Agreement”) is entered into as of September 9, 2014 by and among Steel Dynamics, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “Issuer”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) under each of the Indentures (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, (i) pursuant to the indenture, dated as of September 9, 2014 (as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “2021 Notes Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee, the Issuer will issue $700,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”) and (ii) pursuant to the indenture, dated as of September 9, 2014 (as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “2024 Notes Indenture” and, together with the 2021 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures” and each, an “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee, the Issuer will issue $500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes” and, together with the 2021 Notes, the “Notes”).  The Notes are being issued in an unregistered offering (the “Offering”) pursuant to that certain purchase agreement, dated September 4, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Issuer, certain subsidiaries of the Company signatories thereto and Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”), Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), as representatives of the several initial purchasers named therein (the “Initial Purchasers”), and in connection with the offering of the Notes, the Issuer prepared a preliminary offering memorandum dated September 4, 2014 (the “Preliminary Offering Memorandum”) and a final offering memorandum dated September 4, 2014 (the “Final Offering Memorandum”);

 

WHEREAS, the Notes are being issued in connection with the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of Severstal Columbus, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Columbus”), by the Company pursuant to the membership interest purchase agreement dated as of July 18, 2014 (the “Acquisition Agreement”), among the Company, Columbus and Severstal Columbus Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indentures, the Issuer will redeem all of the Notes on the earliest of (a) the third business day after the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is terminated, (b) the third business day after the date on which the Issuer determines (in its discretion) that the conditions to the release of the Escrow Property (as defined herein) cannot be satisfied by April 18, 2015, and (c) April 21, 2015 (the “Redemption Deadline”), if the Acquisition is not consummated by April 18, 2015;

 

WHEREAS, Pending consummation of the Acquisition, the Issuer has agreed to place in escrow certain funds and the Escrow Agent agrees to hold and distribute such funds in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed as follows:

 



 

ARTICLE ONE

 

ESCROW DEPOSIT

 

Section 1.01                              Appointment of Escrow Agent.

 

The Issuer hereby appoints Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Escrow Agent hereunder.

 

Section 1.02                              Receipt of Escrow Property.

 

Upon execution hereof, the Issuer shall deliver to the Escrow Agent the amount of $1,200,000,000 (the “Escrow Property”) in immediately available funds.  Upon receipt of the Escrow Property the Escrow Agent shall deposit the Escrow Property in a segregated account (the “Escrow Account”). The Escrow Agent and the Trustee shall give notice of such receipt, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to the Issuer.

 

Section 1.03                              Investments.

 

(a)                                  The Escrow Agent is authorized and directed to deposit, transfer, hold and invest the Escrow Property and any investment income thereon as set forth in Exhibit E hereto, or as set forth in any subsequent written instruction signed by the Issuer. Absent its timely receipt of instructions from the Issuer, the Escrow Agent shall have no duty to invest (or otherwise pay interest on) the Escrow Property.  With respect to any Escrow Property received by Escrow Agent after 10:00 a.m., New York City time, Escrow Agent shall not be required to invest such funds or to effect any investment instruction until the next Business Day. For purposes of this Escrow Agreement “Business Day” shall mean any day that the Escrow Agent is open for business.  Any investment earnings and income on the Escrow Property shall become part of the Escrow Property, and shall be disbursed in accordance with Section 1.04 or Section 1.06 of this Escrow Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized and directed to sell or redeem any such investments to make any payments or distributions required under this Escrow Agreement.  The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss, fee, tax, penalty or other charge which may result from any investment, reinvestment, sale or liquidation of investment made pursuant to this Escrow Agreement.  The Escrow Agent is hereby authorized, in making or disposing of any investment permitted by this Escrow Agreement, to deal with itself (in its individual capacity) or with one or more of its affiliates, whether it or any such affiliate is acting as agent of the Escrow Agent or for any third person or dealing as principal for its own account.  The Issuer acknowledges that the Escrow Agent is not providing investment supervision, recommendations or advice.  The Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to afford the Escrow Property any greater degree of care than it gives its own similar property.

 

Section 1.04                              Disbursements.

 

(a)                                  If the Escrow Agent shall have received a certificate from the Issuer in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Consummation Release Certificate”), executed by one of the authorized signatories listed on Exhibit D to this Escrow Agreement, then the Escrow Agent

 

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shall release and deliver all amounts in the Escrow Account in accordance with the instructions and on the date provided therein, which date shall be no later than the Redemption Deadline; provided that such Consummation Release Certificate is received by the Escrow Agent no later than 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the third business day prior to the day on which the release is to occur; provided further that if a Redemption Release Certificate (as defined below) has been delivered no later than 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the third business day prior to the Redemption Deadline because the Acquisition has not been consummated, the Issuer may revoke such Redemption Release Certificate by delivering a Consummation Release Certificate to the Escrow Agent prior to 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the Redemption Deadline.  The Escrow Agent shall confirm in writing to the Issuer that the Escrow Property has been released by it in accordance with the Consummation Release Certificate.

 

(b)                                  If the Escrow Agent shall have received a certificate from the Issuer in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Redemption Release Certificate”), executed by one of the authorized signatories listed on Exhibit D to this Escrow Agreement, then the Escrow Agent shall release to the Trustee from the Escrow Account the amount specified in the Redemption Release Certificate in accordance with the instructions and on the date provided therein, which date shall be no later than the Redemption Deadline (the “Special Redemption Date”); provided that such Redemption Release Certificate is received by the Escrow Agent no later than 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the third business day prior to the day on which the release is to occur; provided further that if the Redemption Release Certificate is not received by 9:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on the Redemption Deadline, then the Escrow Agent shall, without the requirement of notice to or action by the Issuer or any other person, promptly release and deliver all amounts in the Escrow Account to the Trustee on the Redemption Deadline.  The Escrow Agent shall confirm in writing to the Issuer that the Escrow Property has been released by it in accordance with the Redemption Release Certificate.  A Redemption Release Certificate may be revoked as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section 1.04.

 

(c)                                   If any funds remain in the Escrow Account after funds sufficient to pay for the redemption of the Notes on the Special Redemption Date have been released from the Escrow Account to the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 1.04, then such remaining funds shall, on or prior to the close of business on the Special Redemption Date, be released and delivered to the Issuer in accordance with the instructions provided in the Redemption Release Certificate.

 

(d)                                  The Escrow Agent shall confirm each funds transfer instruction received in the name of Issuer by means of the security procedure selected by Issuer and communicated to the Escrow Agent through a signed certificate in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto, which upon receipt by the Escrow Agent shall become a part of this Escrow Agreement.  Once delivered to the Escrow Agent, Exhibit D may be revised or rescinded only by a writing signed by an authorized representative of Issuer.  Such revisions or rescissions shall be effective only after actual receipt and following such period of time as may be necessary to afford the Escrow Agent a reasonable opportunity to act on it.  If a revised Exhibit D or a rescission of an existing Exhibit D is delivered to the Escrow Agent by an entity that is a successor-in-interest to Issuer, such document shall be accompanied by additional documentation satisfactory to the Escrow Agent showing that such entity has succeeded to the rights and responsibilities of Issuer under this Escrow Agreement.

 

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(e)                                   Issuer understands that the Escrow Agent’s inability to receive or confirm funds transfer instructions pursuant to the security procedure selected by Issuer may result in a delay in accomplishing such funds transfer, and agree that the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss caused by any such delay.

 

Section 1.05                              Income Tax Allocation and Reporting.

 

(a)                                  The Issuer agrees that, for tax reporting purposes, all interest and other income from investment of the Escrow Property shall, as of the end of each calendar year and to the extent required by the Internal Revenue Service, be reported as having been earned by the Issuer, whether or not such income was disbursed during such calendar year.

 

(b)                                  Prior to the date hereof, the Issuer shall provide the Escrow Agent with certified tax identification numbers by furnishing appropriate forms W-9 or W-8 and such other forms and documents that the Escrow Agent may request.  The Issuer understands that if such tax reporting documentation is not provided and certified to the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent may be required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to withhold a portion of any interest or other income earned on the investment of the Escrow Property.

 

(c)                                   To the extent that the Escrow Agent becomes liable for the payment of any taxes in respect of income derived from the investment of the Escrow Property, the Escrow Agent shall satisfy such liability to the extent possible from the Escrow Property.  The Issuer shall indemnify, defend and hold the Escrow Agent harmless from and against any tax, late payment, interest, penalty or other cost or expense that may be assessed against the Escrow Agent on or with respect to the Escrow Property and the investment thereof unless such tax, late payment, interest, penalty or other expense was directly caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent.  The indemnification provided by this Section 1.05(c) is in addition to the indemnification provided in Section 3.02 hereof and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent and the termination of this Escrow Agreement.

Section 1.06                              Termination.

 

This Escrow Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the Redemption Deadline or (ii) upon the disbursement of all of the Escrow Property, including any interest and investment earnings thereon, and shall thereafter be of no further force and effect, except that the provisions of Sections 1.05(c), 3.01 and 3.02 hereof shall survive such termination.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

DUTIES OF THE ESCROW AGENT

 

Section 2.01                              Scope of Responsibility.

 

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the Escrow Agent is obligated only to perform the duties specifically set forth in this Escrow Agreement, which shall be deemed purely ministerial in nature.  Under no circumstances will the Escrow Agent be deemed to be a fiduciary to the Issuer or any other person under this Escrow Agreement.  The Escrow Agent will

 

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not be responsible or liable for the failure of the Issuer to perform in accordance with this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall neither be responsible for, nor chargeable with, knowledge of the terms and conditions of any other agreement, instrument, or document other than this Escrow Agreement, whether or not an original or a copy of such agreement has been provided to the Escrow Agent; and the Escrow Agent shall have no duty to know or inquire as to the performance or nonperformance of any provision of any such agreement, instrument, or document.  References in this Escrow Agreement to any other agreement, instrument, or document are for the convenience of the Issuer, and the Escrow Agent has no duties or obligations with respect thereto.  This Escrow Agreement sets forth all matters pertinent to the escrow contemplated hereunder, and no additional obligations of the Escrow Agent shall be inferred or implied from the terms of this Escrow Agreement or any other agreement.

 

Section 2.02                              Authorized Signors.

 

Concurrent with the execution of this Escrow Agreement, the Issuer shall deliver to the Escrow Agent Exhibit D which contains authorized signer designations in Part I thereof.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE ESCROW AGENT AND THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 3.01                              Compensation.

 

For services rendered hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to such compensation as shall have been previously agreed to in writing between the Issuer and the Escrow Agent.  The Issuer agrees to pay such compensation and to reimburse the Escrow Agent for the out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the services rendered by it hereunder.  In the event that any fees and expenses owed to the Escrow Agent (or its counsel) are not paid to the Escrow Agent within 90 calendar days following the presentment of an invoice for the payment of such fees and expenses or the demand for such payment, then the Escrow Agent may, without further action or notice, pay such fees from the Escrow Property and may sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any Escrow Property for such purpose.  The Escrow Agent may, in its sole discretion, withhold from any distribution of the Escrow Property an amount equal to any unpaid fees and expenses to which the Escrow Agent is entitled hereunder.  The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Escrow Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

Section 3.02                              Indemnification.

 

The Issuer agrees to indemnify the Escrow Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim, cost or expense, including attorneys’ fees and expenses (including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability, regardless of who asserts such claim), incurred by the Escrow Agent arising out of or in connection with its appointment as Escrow Agent hereunder, except such losses, liabilities, damages, claims, costs or expenses as may be finally adjudicated to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent shall incur no liability and shall be

 

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indemnified and held harmless by the Issuer for, or in respect of, any actions taken, omitted to be taken or suffered to be taken in good faith by the Escrow Agent in reliance upon any signature, endorsement, assignment, certificate, order, request, notice, instruction or other instrument or document believed to be valid and genuine.  The Escrow Agent shall notify the Issuer, by letter or facsimile transmission, of a claim against the Escrow Agent or of any action commenced against the Escrow Agent, promptly after the Escrow Agent shall have received written notice thereof.  The Issuer shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of any such claim or other action and, if the Issuer so elects, the Issuer shall assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim.  In the event that the Issuer assumes the defense of any such suit, the Issuer shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of any additional counsel thereafter retained by the Escrow Agent, so long as the Issuer shall retain counsel satisfactory to the Escrow Agent; provided, that the Issuer shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any such action if the named parties to such action include both the Escrow Agent and the Issuer and representation of both parties by the same counsel would, in the written opinion of the Escrow Agent’s counsel, be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicting interests between the Escrow Agent and the Issuer.  The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Escrow Agreement or the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent.

 

Section 3.03                              Rights of Escrow Agent.

 

The Escrow Agent:

 

(a)                                  shall not be liable for any act or omission by it unless such act or omission constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct; in no event shall the Escrow Agent be liable to the Issuer or any third party for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, including but not limited to lost profits, irrespective of whether the Escrow Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action arising in connection with this Escrow Agreement;

 

(b)                                  shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein or as may be subsequently agreed to in writing between the Escrow Agent and the Issuer and the Escrow Agent shall have no liability under, and no duty to inquire as to, the provisions of any agreement other than this Escrow Agreement;

 

(c)                                   shall not be obligated to take any action hereunder which might in the Escrow Agent’s judgment involve any risk of expense, loss or liability, unless it shall have been furnished with indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it;

 

(d)                                  may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, or other document or security delivered to it and believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person or persons;

 

(e)                                   may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon written or oral instructions from the Issuer;

 

(f)                                    may consult with counsel of its selection, including its in-house counsel, with respect to any questions relating to its duties and responsibilities and the advice or opinion

 

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of such counsel, or any opinion of counsel to the Issuer provided to the Escrow Agent shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by the Escrow Agent hereunder in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel; and

 

(g)                                   may perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents and attorneys and the Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

 

Section 3.04                              Disagreements.

 

If, at any time, (a) there shall exist any dispute with respect to the holding or disposition of all or any portion of the Escrow Property or any other obligations of the Escrow Agent hereunder or (b) the Escrow Agent is in doubt as to the action to be taken hereunder, the Escrow Agent is authorized to retain the Escrow Property until (i) such dispute or uncertainty shall be resolved to the  satisfaction of the Escrow Agent in its sole discretion or (ii) the Escrow Agent files an interpleader action in any court of competent jurisdiction, and upon the filing thereof, the Escrow Agent shall be relieved of all liability as to the Escrow Property and shall be entitled to recover attorneys’ fees, expenses and other costs incurred in commencing and maintaining any such interpleader action.  The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to act on any agreement, court order or arbitration decision without further question, inquiry or consent.  The Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the the Issuer or any other person with respect to any suspension of performance or disbursement into court, specifically including any liability or claimed liability that may arise, or be alleged to have arisen, out of or as a result of any delay in the disbursement of the Escrow Property or any delay in or with respect to any other action required or requested of Escrow Agent.

 

Section 3.05                              Attachment of Escrow Property; Compliance with Legal Orders.

 

In the event that any Escrow Property shall be attached, garnished or levied upon by any court order, or the delivery thereof shall be stayed or enjoined by an order of a court, or any order, judgment or decree shall be made or entered by any court order affecting the Escrow Property, the Escrow Agent is hereby expressly authorized, in its sole discretion, to respond as it deems appropriate or to comply with all writs, orders or decrees so entered or issued, or which it is advised by legal counsel of its own choosing is binding upon it, whether with or without jurisdiction.  In the event that the Escrow Agent obeys or complies with any such writ, order or decree, it shall not be liable to the Issuer or to any other person, firm or corporation, should, such compliance notwithstanding, such writ, order or decree be subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside or vacated.

 

Section 3.06                              Resignation.

 

Escrow Agent may resign and be discharged from the performance of its duties hereunder at any time by giving ten (10) days written notice to the Issuer specifying the date when such resignation shall take effect.  The Issuer shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent hereunder prior to the effective date of resignation.  The Escrow Agent shall transmit all records pertaining to the

 

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Escrow Property and shall pay all Escrow Property to the successor escrow agent, after making copies of record the Escrow Agent deems advisable and after deduction and payment to the Escrow Agent of all fees and expenses (including court costs and attorneys’ fees and expenses) payable to, incurred by, or expected to be incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the performance of its duties and the exercise of its rights hereunder.  Upon delivery of the Escrow Property to the successor escrow agent, the Escrow Agent shall have no further duties, responsibilities or obligations hereunder.

 

Section 3.07                              Concerning the Trustee.

 

This Escrow Agreement has been accepted, executed and delivered by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee under and pursuant to the terms of each of the Indentures.  The Trustee shall be entitled to all rights, privileges, immunities and protections set forth in the Indentures in the acceptance, execution, delivery and performance of this Escrow Agreement as though fully set forth herein.

ARTICLE FOUR

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 4.01                              Merger, Consolidation.

 

Any entity into which the Escrow Agent may be merged or which it may be consolidated, or any entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Escrow Agent shall be a party, or any entity succeeding to all or substantially all the escrow or corporate trust business of the Escrow Agent shall be the successor Escrow Agent hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto except where an instrument of transfer or assignment is required by law to effect such succession, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

Section 4.02                              Escheat.

 

The parties hereto are aware that under applicable state law, property which is presumed abandoned may under certain circumstances escheat to the appropriate state.  The Escrow Agent shall have no liability to the Issuer, its heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, or any other party, should any or all of the Escrow Property be subject to escheat.

 

Section 4.03                              Notices.

 

Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile and electronic transmission in PDF format) and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, at its address or facsimile number set forth below:

 

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If to the Issuer:

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

7575 West Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804

Facsimile:  260 969 3587

Attention:  Theresa E. Wagler

Email: theresa.wagler@steeldynamics.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Barrett & McNagny LLP

215 East Berry Street

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802

Facsimile:  260 423 8920

Attention:  Robert S. Walters

Email: rsw@barrettlaw.com

 

If to the Escrow Agent:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

10 South Wacker Drive, 13th Floor

Chicago, Illinois  60606

Facsimile:  (312) 726-2158

Email: Gregory.S.Clarke@wellsfargo.com

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

10 South Wacker Drive, 13th Floor

Chicago, Illinois  60606

Facsimile:  (312) 726-2158

Email: Gregory.S.Clarke@wellsfargo.com

 

 

Section 4.04          Governing Law.

 

This Escrow Agreement and the Escrow Agent’s appointment hereunder shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state, and without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.  This Escrow Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and nothing in this Escrow Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent may assign or transfer its rights under this Escrow Agreement to any of its affiliates without the prior written consent of any party hereto, provided that the Escrow Agent shall notify the Issuer in writing of such assignment or transfer promptly

 

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following the effectiveness thereof.  For purposes of this Section, “affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, the Escrow Agent, provided that “control” (including its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise).

 

Section 4.05          Entire Escrow Agreement.

 

This Escrow Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto related to the Escrow Property.  All prior and contemporaneous negotiations and agreements between the parties hereto on the matter contained in this Agreement are expressly merged into and superseded by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.06          Amendment.

 

This Escrow Agreement shall not be amended, in whole or in part except by a written instrument signed by the Issuer, the Trustee, and the Escrow Agent. This Escrow Agreement may not be modified orally or by electronic mail (other than in PDF format).

 

Section 4.07          Waivers.

 

The failure of either party to this Escrow Agreement at any time to require performance of any provision under this Escrow Agreement shall not affect the right at a later time to enforce the same performance.  A waiver by either party to this Escrow Agreement of any condition or breach of any term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement, in one or more instances, shall not be construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or breach of any other term, covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Escrow Agreement.

 

Section 4.08          Headings.

 

The section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 4.09          Counterparts.

 

This Escrow Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Escrow Agreement and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Escrow Agreement for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

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Section 4.10          Severability.

 

In case any provision of this Escrow Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 4.11          Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Escrow Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services. The Escrow Agent shall use shall use commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry, to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

Section 4.12          Venue; Consent to Jurisdiction.

 

(a)           Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Escrow Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for suits, actions, or proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any Specified Court in a Related Proceeding, as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of the Specified Courts in any Related Proceeding.  Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court.  The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any Specified Proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any Specified Court that any Related Proceeding brought in any Specified Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(b)           EACH PARTY HERETO, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.  THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY ACTION OR LEGAL PROCEEDING, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE.

 

Section 4.13          U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Escrow Agent, in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and prevent money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Escrow Agent.  The parties to this Escrow Agreement agree that they will provide the Escrow Agent with such

 

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information as it may request in order for the Escrow Agent to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

Section 4.14          Publication; Disclosure .  By executing this Escrow Agreement, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent acknowledge that this Escrow Agreement (including related attachments) contains certain information that is sensitive and confidential in nature and agree that such information needs to be protected from improper disclosure, including the publication or dissemination of this Escrow Agreement and related information to individuals or entities not a party to this Escrow Agreement.  The Issuer further agrees to take reasonable measures to mitigate any risks associated with the publication or disclosure of this Escrow Agreement and information contained therein, including, without limitation, the redaction of the manual signatures of the signatories to this Escrow Agreement, Exhibit D or, in the alternative, publishing a conformed copy of this Escrow Agreement.  If the Issuer must disclose or publish this Escrow Agreement or information contained therein pursuant to any regulatory, statutory, or governmental requirement, as well as any judicial, or administrative order, subpoena or discovery request, it shall notify in writing the other party and the Escrow Agent at the time of execution of this Escrow Agreement of the legal requirement to do so.  If Issuer becomes aware of any threatened or actual unauthorized disclosure, publication or use of this Escrow Agreement, Issuer shall promptly notify in writing the Trustee and the Escrow Agent and shall be liable for any unauthorized release or disclosure.

 

[Signature pages to follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Escrow Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

Name:

Theresa E. Wagler

 

Title:

Executive Vice President

 

[Signature page to Escrow Agreement]

 



 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stefan Victory

 

Name:

Stefan Victory

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stefan Victory

 

Name:

Stefan Victory

 

Title:

Vice President

 

[Signature page to Escrow Agreement]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

10 South Wacker Drive, 13 th  Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

7575 West Jefferson Blvd.

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804

Facsimile:  260 969 3587

Attention:  Theresa E. Wagler

 

Re:  Receipt of Escrow Amount

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (the “ Escrow Agent ”) under the Escrow Agreement, dated September 9, 2014 (the “ Escrow Agreement ”), among Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Issuer ”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, and the Escrow Agent, relating to the Issuer’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 and 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024, hereby acknowledges receipt pursuant to Section 1.02 of the Escrow Agreement of the aggregate amount of $1,200,000,000.00 in the form of cash by wire transfer in immediately available funds, which amount represents the initial deposit of the Escrow Property under Section 1.02 of the Escrow Agreement.  Such Escrow Property has been deposited in the Escrow Account, which has been established as set forth in the Escrow Agreement.

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Ex. A - 1



 

EXHIBIT B

 

CONSUMMATION RELEASE CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is made to the Escrow Agreement, dated September 9, 2014 (the “ Escrow Agreement ”), by and among Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Issuer ”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under each of the Indentures (the “ Trustee ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (“ Escrow Agent ”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Escrow Agreement.

 

The undersigned                            , in his or her capacity as                                 of the Issuer, does hereby certify on behalf of the Issuer that:

 

(1)           the Acquisition will be consummated on substantially the terms described in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Final Offering Memorandum, substantially concurrently with the release of the Escrow Property and the Escrow Property will be applied in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Final Offering Memorandum; and

 

(2)           no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under, with respect to the 2021 Notes, the 2021 Notes Indenture and, with respect to the 2024 Notes, the 2024 Notes Indenture.

 

Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the Issuer hereby authorizes and directs release by the Escrow Agent of the Escrow Property as follows:

 

(a)           $16,500,000.00, representing the sum of 1.375% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes in immediately available funds as follows:

 

Payee:

 

Wire Instructions:

 

 

 

Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

Bank Name:
ABA Number:
Account Name: Goldman Sachs & Co.
Account Number:
Attn:
Ref: Steel Dynamics, Inc.

 

(b)           after making the transfer described in paragraph (a) above, an amount equal to all amounts remaining in the Escrow Account, payable to the Issuer by wire transfer of immediately available funds as follows:

 

Payee:

 

Wire Instructions:

 

 

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

 

Bank Name:
ABA Number:
Account Name: Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Account Number:
Attn:
Ref:

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Ex. B - 1



 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Ex. B - 2



 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RELEASE

 

The Escrow Agent hereby confirms to the Issuer that the Escrow Property has been released by it in accordance with the Consummation Release Certificate.

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Escrow Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Ex. B - 3



 

EXHIBIT C

 

REDEMPTION RELEASE CERTIFICATE

 

Reference is made to the Escrow Agreement, dated September 9, 2014 (the “ Escrow Agreement ”), by and among Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “ Issuer ”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under each of the Indentures (the “ Trustee ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (“ Escrow Agent ”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Escrow Agreement.

 

The undersigned                                      , in his or her capacity as                                       of the Issuer, does hereby certify on behalf of the Issuer that [the Acquisition Agreement has been terminated prior to April 18, 2015][the Acquisition has not been consummated, and is not expected to be consummated, on or prior to April 18, 2015][the Acquisition has not been consummated, but may be consummated on or prior to April 18, 2015] and the Issuer is required to redeem each series of Notes pursuant to Section [3.10] of each of the Indentures.

 

Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the Issuer hereby authorizes and directs release by the Escrow Agent of the Escrow Property as follows:

 

(a)                                  $[ · ], representing 100.000% of the aggregate principal amount of each series of Notes, payable to the Trustee by wire transfer (or internal transfer, if applicable) of immediately available funds as follows:

 

Payee:

 

Wire Instructions:

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

ABA No.:

Account No.:

Attention:

Reference:

 

(b)                                  after making the transfers described in paragraph (a) above, an amount equal to all amounts remaining in the Escrow Account, payable to the Issuer by wire transfer of immediately available funds as follows:

 

Payee:

 

Wire Instructions:

 

 

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

 

Bank Name:

ABA Number:

Account Name: Steel Dynamics, Inc.

Account Number:

Attn:

Ref:

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the certification above indicates that the Acquisition may be consummated on or prior to April 18, 2015, this Redemption Release Certificate may be revoked by delivery of a Consummation Release Certificate on or prior to April 18, 2015.

 

Ex. C - 1



 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Ex. C - 2



 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RELEASE

 

The Escrow Agent hereby confirms to the Issuer that the Escrow Property has been released by it in accordance with the Redemption Release Certificate.

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as

 

Escrow Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Ex. C - 3



 

EXHIBIT D

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc. certifies that the names, titles, telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and specimen signatures set forth in Parts I and II of this Exhibit D identify the persons authorized to provide direction and initiate or confirm transactions, including funds transfer instructions, on behalf of Steel Dynamics, Inc., and that the option checked in Part III of this Exhibit D is the security procedure selected by Steel Dynamics, Inc. for use in verifying that a funds transfer instruction received by the Escrow Agent is that of Steel Dynamics, Inc.

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc. has reviewed each of the security procedures and has determined that the option checked in Part III of this Exhibit D best meets its requirements; given the size, type and frequency of the instructions it will issue to the Escrow Agent.  By selecting the security procedure specified in Part III of this Exhibit D, Steel Dynamics, Inc. acknowledges that it has elected to not use the other security procedures described and agrees to be bound by any funds transfer instruction, whether or not authorized, issued in its name and accepted by the Escrow Agent in compliance with the particular security procedure chosen by Steel Dynamics, Inc.

 

NOTICE :  The security procedure selected by Steel Dynamics, Inc. will not be used to detect errors in the funds transfer instructions given by Steel Dynamics, Inc.  If a funds transfer instruction describes the beneficiary of the payment inconsistently by name and account number, payment may be made on the basis of the account number even if it identifies a person different from the named beneficiary.  If a funds transfer instruction describes a participating financial institution inconsistently by name and identification number, the identification number may be relied upon as the proper identification of the financial institution.  Therefore, it is important that Steel Dynamics, Inc. take such steps as it deems prudent to ensure that there are no such inconsistencies in the funds transfer instructions it sends to the Escrow Agent.

 

Part I

 

Name, Title, Telephone Number, Electronic Mail (“e-mail”) Address and Specimen Signature for person(s) designated to provide direction, including but not limited to funds transfer instructions, and to otherwise act on behalf of Steel Dynamics, Inc .

 

Name

 

Title

 

Telephone Number

 

E-mail Address

 

Specimen Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa E. Wagler

 

EVP and CFO

 

260-969-3567

 

theresa.wagler@steeldynamics.com

 

/s/ Theresa E. Wagler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

VP and Treasurer

 

260-969-3560

 

rick.poinsatte@steeldynamics.com

 

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

Ex. D - 1



 

Part II

 

Name, Title, Telephone Number and E-mail Address for

person(s) designated to confirm funds transfer instructions

 

Name

 

Title

 

Telephone Number

 

E-mail Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa E. Wagler

 

EVP and CFO

 

260-969-3567

 

theresa.wagler@steeldynamics.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

VP and Treasurer

 

260-969-3560

 

rick.poinsatte@steeldynamics.com

 

Ex. D - 2



 

Part III

 

Means for delivery of instructions and/or confirmations

 

The security procedure to be used with respect to funds transfer instructions is checked below:

 

o                                     Option 1.  Confirmation by telephone call-back .  The Escrow Agent shall confirm funds transfer instructions by telephone call-back to a person at the telephone number designated on Part II above.  T he person confirming the funds transfer instruction shall be a person other than the person from whom the funds transfer instruction was received, unless only one person is designated in both Parts I and II of this Exhibit D.

o             CHECK box, if applicable:

If the Escrow Agent is unable to obtain confirmation by telephone call-back, the Escrow Agent may, at its discretion, confirm by e-mail, as described in Option 2.

 

x                                   Option 2.  Confirmation by e-mail The Escrow Agent shall confirm funds transfer instructions by e-mail to a person at the e-mail address specified for such person in Part II of this Exhibit D.  T he person confirming the funds transfer instruction shall be a person other than the person from whom the funds transfer instruction was received, unless only one person is designated in both Parts I and II of this Exhibit D.  Steel Dynamics, Inc. understands the risks associated with communicating sensitive matters, including time sensitive matters, by e-mail.  Steel Dynamics, Inc. further acknowledges that instructions and data sent by e-mail may be less confidential or secure than instructions or data transmitted by other methods. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss of the confidentiality of instructions and data prior to receipt by the Escrow Agent.

x           CHECK box, if applicable:

If the Escrow Agent is unable to obtain confirmation by e-mail, the Escrow Agent may, at its discretion, confirm by telephone call-back, as described in Option 1.

 

o                                     Option 3. Delivery of funds transfer instructions by password protected file transfer system only - no confirmation .  The Escrow Agent offers the option to deliver funds transfer instructions through a password protected file transfer system. If Steel Dynamics, Inc. wishes to use the password protected file transfer system, further instructions will be provided by the Escrow Agent.  If Steel Dynamics, Inc. chooses this Option 3, it agrees that no further confirmation of funds transfer instructions will be performed by the Escrow Agent.

 

o                                     Option 4.  Delivery of funds transfer instructions by password protected file transfer system with confirmation .  Same as Option 3 above, but the Escrow Agent shall confirm funds transfer instructions by o telephone call-back or o e-mail (must check at least one, may check both) to a person at the telephone number or e-mail address designated on Part II above.  By checking a box in the prior sentence, the party shall be deemed to have agreed to the terms of such confirmation option as more fully described in Option 1 and Option 2 above.

 

Dated this 9th day of September, 2014.

 

 

 

By

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

Ex. D - 3



 

EXHIBIT E

 

AGENCY AND CUSTODY ACCOUNT DIRECTION
FOR CASH BALANCES

 

Direction to use the following Wells Fargo Money Market Deposit Accounts for Cash Balances for the escrow account or accounts (the “ Account ”) established under the Escrow Agreement to which this Exhibit E is attached.

 

You are hereby directed to deposit, as indicated below, or as I shall direct further in writing from time to time, all cash in the Account(s) in the following investment:

 

x Uninvested Cash

 

I understand that amounts on deposit uninvested are insured, subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), in the basic FDIC insurance amount of $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank. This includes principal and accrued interest up to a total of $250,000.   The undersigned acknowledges that he has full power to direct investments of the Account.

 

I acknowledge that I have full power to direct investments of the Account.

 

The undersigned understands that it may change this direction at any time and that it shall continue in effect until revoked or modified by the undersigned by written notice to you.

 

 

 

STEEL DYNAMICS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Poinsatte

 

Name:

Richard A. Poinsatte

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

September 9, 2014

 

 

Ex. E - 1


Exhibit 99.1

 

Press Release

September 9, 2014

GRAPHIC

 

7575 W. Jefferson Blvd.

 

Fort Wayne, IN 46804

 

Steel Dynamics Announces Completion of Note Offering

 

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, September 9, 2014 – Steel Dynamics, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ/GS: STLD) announced today that it has consummated the sale of $700 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 and $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.500% Senior Notes due 2024 (collectively, the “Notes”) in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S.  The Company intends to use the proceeds of this offering along with cash on hand and credit available under its existing senior secured credit facility to finance the Company’s planned acquisition of Severstal Columbus, LLC, announced on July 21, 2014.

 

The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, absent registration under, or an applicable exemption from, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state laws.

 

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any debt securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any debt securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains certain predictive statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  These include statements regarding the completion of the offering, the timing of the closing of the offering and the use of proceeds from the offering. These statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

 

More specifically, we refer you to the Company’s detailed explanation of these and other factors and risks that may cause such predictive statements to turn out differently, as set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or in other reports which we from time to time file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These are available publicly on the SEC Web site, www.sec.gov.

 

Forward-looking or predictive statements we make are based upon information and assumptions, concerning our businesses and the environments in which they operate, which we consider reasonable as of the date on which these statements are made. Due to the foregoing risks and uncertainties however, as well as, matters beyond our control which can affect forward-looking statements, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these predictive statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Contact:  Theresa E. Wagler, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer—+1.260.969.3500