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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to

Section 13 OR 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 11, 2019

 

BRUKER CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware   000-30833   04-3110160
(State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission   (IRS Employer
of Incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

40 Manning Road

Billerica, MA 01821

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

 

(978663-3660

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

N/A

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share BRKR The Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

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

 

Emerging growth company  ¨

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On December 11, 2019, Bruker Corporation (the “Company”) entered into (1) a new revolving credit agreement to establish a new revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of $600 million; (2) a term loan agreement to establish a new term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $300 million; and (3) a note purchase agreement to issue and sell CHF 297 million aggregate principal amount of 1.01% senior notes due December 11, 2029.

 

The new revolving credit agreement replaces the Company’s $500 million five-year revolving credit agreement established on October 27, 2015, that was terminated on December 11, 2019. The existing $105 million 4.31% Series 2012A Senior Notes, Tranche C, due January 18, 2022, and the existing $100 million 4.46% Series 2012A Senior Notes, Tranche D, due January 18, 2024, which the Company issued pursuant to a note purchase agreement dated January 18, 2012, will remain in full force and effect.

 

Each of the revolving credit agreement, term loan agreement and note purchase agreement are described below.

 

A. 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement

 

On December 11, 2019, the Company, together with certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a credit agreement with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., TD Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Bank, and the several banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto as lenders (the “2019 Revolving Credit Agreement”). Terms used in this Item 1.01(A) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, which is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1.

 

The 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a five-year revolving credit facility in the U.S. Dollar equivalent amount of $600 million, comprised of sub-facilities for revolving loans, swing-line loans, letters of credit and foreign borrowings. The 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement also provides for an uncommitted incremental facility whereby, under certain circumstances, the Company may, at its option, increase the amount of the revolving facility or incur term loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250 million. Loans under the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement will be repayable in full at maturity, and may also be prepaid at the Company’s option in whole or in part without premium or penalty. Amounts borrowed under the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement may be repaid and reborrowed from time to time prior to the maturity date.

 

Amounts outstanding under the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, (a) the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) applicable to the relevant currency, plus a margin ranging from 1.000% to 1.500%, based on the Company’s leverage ratio, or (b) the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1%, (ii) the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., and (iii) LIBOR, as adjusted, plus 1%, plus a margin rate ranging from 0.100% to 0.500%, based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company has also agreed to pay a quarterly facility fee based on the aggregate amount available under the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement ranging from 0.100% to 0.200%, based on the Company’s leverage ratio.

 

The 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement includes affirmative, negative and financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. The negative covenants include, among others, restrictions on liens, indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries, asset sales, dividends, and transactions with affiliates. The financial covenants include maximum leverage ratio and minimum interest coverage ratios of the Company. The events of default include, among others, payment defaults, defaults in the performance of affirmative and negative covenants, the inaccuracy of representations and warranties, bankruptcy and insolvency related events, certain ERISA events, material judgments, and the occurrence of a change of control.

 

Proceeds of the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement may be used by the Company and its subsidiaries to finance working capital needs and for general corporate purposes.

 

 

 

 

The obligations under the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.  

 

B. Term Loan Agreement

 

On December 11, 2019, the Company, together with certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, entered into a term loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Term Loan Agreement”), TD Bank, N.A. and the other banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto as lenders. Terms used in this Item 1.01(B) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Agreement, which is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.2.

 

The Term Loan Agreement provides for a $300 million seven-year term loan facility subject to terms and conditions substantially consistent with those provisions contained in the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement. Loans under the Term Loan Agreement will be repayable in full at maturity, subject to scheduled amortization beginning in 2022, and may also be prepaid at the Company’s option in whole or in part without premium or penalty.

 

Amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, (a) the US Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (USD LIBOR), plus a margin ranging from 1.000% to 1.500%, based on the Company’s leverage ratio, or (b) the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus ½ of 1%, (ii) the prime rate announced by Bank of America, N.A., and (iii) USD LIBOR, as adjusted, plus 1%, plus a margin ranging from 0.100% to 0.500%, based on the Company’s leverage ratio.

 

The other terms of the Term Loan Agreement are substantially similar to the terms of the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, including representations and warranties, affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and events of default.

 

Proceeds of the Term Loan Agreement may be used by the Company for repayment of existing indebtedness, to finance working capital needs and for general corporate purposes.

 

The obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

C. Note Purchase Agreement

 

On December 11, 2019, the Company entered into a note purchase agreement among the Company and the institutional accredited investors named therein (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company issued and sold CHF 297 million aggregate principal amount of 1.01% senior notes due December 11, 2029 (the “Notes”) in an offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Terms used in this Item 1.01(C) and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Note Purchase Agreement, which is attached to this Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.3.

 

Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on June 11 and December 11 of each year, commencing June 11, 2020. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company may prepay some or all of the Notes at any time in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding at a price equal to the sum of (a) the principal amount to be prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest, (b) any applicable “make-whole” amount, and (c) certain other fees and expenses. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) of the Company, the Company may be required to prepay the Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and certain other fees and expenses.

 

The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among others, restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur liens, transfer or sell assets, engage in certain mergers and consolidations, enter into transactions with affiliates, and engage or permit any subsidiary to engage in certain lines of business. The Note Purchase Agreement also includes customary representations and warranties and events of default.

 

 

 

 

Additionally, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company may not permit (i) its leverage ratio (as determined pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement) as of the end of any fiscal quarter to exceed 3.50 to 1.00 unless a material acquisition causes an adjusted leverage ratio to apply pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, (ii) its interest coverage ratio (as determined pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement) as of the end of any fiscal quarter for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters to be less than 2.50 to 1.00, or (iii) Priority Debt at any time to exceed 15% of consolidated total assets (as determined pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement).

 

Proceeds of the Notes may be used by the Company for general corporate purposes.

 

The obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

The foregoing summary descriptions of the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreement, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

In connection with entering into the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement discussed under Item 1.01, effective as of December 11, 2019 the Company terminated the credit agreement dated as of October 27, 2015 among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries as borrowers, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

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

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above with respect to the 2019 Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Credit Agreement, dated December 11, 2019, by and among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries as borrowers, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., TD Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Bank, and the several banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto as lenders.
     
10.2   Term Loan Agreement, dated December 11, 2019, by and among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, TD Bank, N.A. and the other banks or other financial institutions or entities from time to time party thereto as lenders.
     
10.3   Note Purchase Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019.
     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  BRUKER CORPORATION
  (Registrant)
   
Dated: December 11, 2019 /s/ GERALD N. HERMAN
  Name: Gerald N. Herman
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

  Published Deal CUSIP: 11679RAH0  
  Published Facility CUSIP: 11679RAJ6  
 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

December 11, 2019

 

among

 

BRUKER CORPORATION,

BRUKER INVEST AG, and

BRUKER FINANCE B.V.,

as Borrowers,

 

The Other Borrowers From Time to Time Party Hereto,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Bank,

 

and

 

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC., and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Co-Syndication Agents

 

BofA SECURITIES, INC.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,

and

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers

 

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

CREDIT SUISSE (SWITZERLAND) LTD.,

TD BANK, N.A.,

and

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page  
         
Article I Definitions     1  
         
Section 1.01 Defined Terms     1  
Section 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings     33  
Section 1.03 Terms Generally     34  
Section 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations     34  
Section 1.05 Rounding     35  
Section 1.06 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents     35  
Section 1.07 Additional Foreign Currencies     36  
Section 1.08 Change of Currency     37  
Section 1.09 Times of Day     37  
Section 1.10 Letter of Credit Amounts     37  
         
Article II The Credits     37  
         
Section 2.01 Commitments     37  
Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings     38  
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings     39  
Section 2.04 Determination of Dollar Amount     39  
Section 2.05 Swing Line Loans     39  
Section 2.06 Letters of Credit     42  
Section 2.07 Funding of Borrowings     49  
Section 2.08 Interest Elections     50  
Section 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Commitments     51  
Section 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt     52  
Section 2.11 Prepayment of Loans     53  
Section 2.12 Fees     53  
Section 2.13 Interest     54  
Section 2.14 Illegality; Inability to Determine Rates     56  
Section 2.15 Increased Costs     59  
Section 2.16 Break Funding Payments     61  
Section 2.17 Taxes     61  
Section 2.18 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs     65  
Section 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders     67  
Section 2.20 Expansion Option     68  
Section 2.21 Cash Collateral     69  
Section 2.22 Judgment Currency     70  
Section 2.23 Designated Borrowers     70  
Section 2.24 Senior Debt     71  
Section 2.25 Defaulting Lenders     72  
Section 2.26 Foreign Subsidiaries Not Obligated For Obligations of U.S.     74  
Section 2.27 Lender Status Confirmation     74  
         
Article III Representations and Warranties     75  
         
Section 3.01 Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries     75  
Section 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability     75  
Section 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts     76  
Section 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change     76  
Section 3.05 Properties     76  

 

i

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page  
         
Section 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters     76  
Section 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements     77  
Section 3.08 Investment Company Status     77  
Section 3.09 Taxes     78  
Section 3.10 ERISA     78  
Section 3.11 Disclosure     78  
Section 3.12 Federal Reserve Regulations     79  
Section 3.13 Liens     79  
Section 3.14 No Default     79  
Section 3.15 No Burdensome Restrictions     79  
Section 3.16 Solvency     79  
Section 3.17 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions     79  
Section 3.18 Representations as to Foreign Obligors     79  
Section 3.19 EEA Financial Institutions     80  
Section 3.20 Covered Party     80  
Section 3.21 Beneficial Ownership Certification     80  
Section 3.22 Fiscal Unity for Dutch Tax Purposes     80  
Section 3.23 Residency for Dutch Tax Purposes     80  
         
Article IV Conditions     81  
         
Section 4.01 Effective Date     81  
Section 4.02 Each Credit Event     82  
         
Article V Affirmative Covenants     83  
         
Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information     83  
Section 5.02 Notices of Material Events     85  
Section 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business     85  
Section 5.04 Payment of Obligations     85  
Section 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance     86  
Section 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights     86  
Section 5.07 Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations     86  
Section 5.08 Swiss Non-Bank Rules     87  
Section 5.09 Use of Proceeds     87  
Section 5.10 Subsidiary Guaranty     88  
Section 5.11 KYC/Beneficial Ownership     88  
Section 5.12 Fiscal Unity for Dutch Tax Purposes     88  
Section 5.13 Residency for Dutch Tax Purposes     88  
         
Article VI Negative Covenants     88  
         
Section 6.01 Indebtedness     88  
Section 6.02 Liens     90  
Section 6.03 Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales     93  
Section 6.04 [Intentionally Omitted]     94  
Section 6.05 Swap Agreements     94  
Section 6.06 Transactions with Affiliates     94  
Section 6.07 Restricted Payments     94  
Section 6.08 Restrictive Agreements     95  

 

ii

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page  
         
Section 6.09 Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness Documents     95  
Section 6.10 Financial Covenants     96  
Section 6.11 Sanctions     97  
Section 6.12 Anti-Corruption Laws     97  
         
Article VII Events of Default     97  
         
Section 7.01 Events of Default     97  
Section 7.02 Application of Funds     100  
         
Article VIII The Administrative Agent     101  
         
Section 8.01 Appointment and Authority     101  
Section 8.02 Appointment of the Administrative Agent for Swiss Security     101  
Section 8.03 Rights as a Lender     102  
Section 8.04 Exculpatory Provisions     102  
Section 8.05 Reliance by Administrative Agent     103  
Section 8.06 Delegation of Duties     103  
Section 8.07 Resignation of Administrative Agent     103  
Section 8.08 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders     105  
Section 8.09 No Other Duties, Etc.     105  
Section 8.10 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding     105  
Section 8.11 Guaranteed Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements     106  
Section 8.12 Guaranty Matters     107  
Section 8.13 Lender Representations     107  
         
Article IX Miscellaneous     109  
         
Section 9.01 Notices     109  
Section 9.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders     110  
Section 9.03 Waivers; Amendments     110  
Section 9.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver     112  
Section 9.05 Successors and Assigns     114  
Section 9.06 Survival     120  
Section 9.07 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution     121  
Section 9.08 Severability     121  
Section 9.09 Right of Setoff     121  
Section 9.10 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process     122  
Section 9.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL     123  
Section 9.12 Headings     124  
Section 9.13 Confidentiality     124  
Section 9.14 USA PATRIOT Act     125  
Section 9.15 Interest Rate Limitation     125  
Section 9.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility     125  
Section 9.17 Attorney Representation     126  
Section 9.18 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions     126  
Section 9.19 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs     126  
Section 9.20 Enforcement     127  
Section 9.21 Payments Set Aside     127  

 

iii

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page  
         
Section 9.22 ENTIRE AGREEMENT     128  
         
Article X Cross-Guarantee     128  
         
Section 10.01 U.S. Borrower Guarantee     128  
Section 10.02 Foreign Borrower Guarantee     130  
Section 10.03 Guarantee limitation for Swiss Loan Parties     132  

 

iv

 

 

SCHEDULES  
 
2.01 Commitments and Applicable Percentages
 
2.02 Competitors
 
3.01 Subsidiaries
 
3.03 Required Consents
 
6.01 Indebtedness
 
6.02 Liens
 
9.01 Address for Notices

 

EXHIBITS  
 
A Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
 
B-1 Form of Borrowing Request
 
B-2 Form of Interest Election Request
 
B-3 Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
 
C Form of Increasing Lender Supplement
 
D Form of Augmenting Lender Supplement
 
E List of Closing Documents
 
F-1 Form of Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement
 
F-2 Form of Designated Borrower Notice
 
G-1 Form of Subsidiary Guaranty (Domestic Subsidiaries)
 
G-2 Form of Subsidiary Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)
 
H Form of Compliance Certificate
 
I-1 to I-4 Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
 
J Notice of Loan Prepayment

 

v

 

 

 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of December 11, 2019 among BRUKER CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party hereto pursuant to Section 2.23 (each a “Designated Borrower” and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers” and, each a “Borrower”), the lenders from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Bank, with BofA SECURITIES, INC., DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC., and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC acting as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (collectively, the “Arrangers”) and DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Co-Syndication Agents.

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Article I

 

Definitions

 

Section 1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to a Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Additional Adjustments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.04(b).

 

Adjusted Covenant Requirement” means, with respect to the making of any Restricted Payment, the Company shall not permit, at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto (on a Pro Forma Basis), the Leverage Ratio to be greater than a ratio equal to (x) the numerator of the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.10(a) minus (y) 0.25.

 

Adjusted Leverage Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.10(a).

 

Adjustment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14.

 

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America (including its branches and affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 9.01 with respect to such currency, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Company and the Lenders in writing.

 

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(c).

 

 

 

 

Aggregate Commitment” means the aggregate of the Commitments of all of the Lenders, as reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Commitment is $600,000,000.

 

Agreed Currencies” means Dollars and each Foreign Currency.

 

Alternate Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, and other laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.18(a).

 

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the Aggregate Commitment represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that, in the case of Section 2.25 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate Commitment (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

 

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan or any ABR Loan or with respect to the unused fee payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Eurocurrency Spread”, “ABR Spread” or “Unused Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio applicable on such date:

 

  Leverage Ratio: Eurocurrency
Spread
ABR
Spread
Unused Fee
Rate
Category 1: < 1.00 to 1.00 1.000% 0.100% 0.100%
Category 2: > 1.00 to 1.00 but
< 1.75 to 1.00
1.125% 0.125% 0.125%
Category 3: > 1.75 to 1.00 but
< 2.50 to 1.00
1.250% 0.250% 0.150%
Category 4: > 2.50 to 1.00 1.500% 0.500% 0.200%

 

For purposes of the foregoing,

 

(i)       if at any time the Company fails to deliver the Financials on or before the date the Financials are due pursuant to Section 5.01, Category 4 shall be deemed applicable for the period commencing three (3) Business Days after the required date of delivery and ending on the date which is three (3) Business Days after the Financials are actually delivered, after which the Category shall be determined in accordance with the table above as applicable;

 

2

 

 

(ii)       adjustments, if any, to the Category then in effect shall be effective three (3) Business Days after the Administrative Agent has received the applicable Financials (it being understood and agreed that each change in Category shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change); and

 

(iii)       notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Category 3 shall be deemed to be applicable until the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the applicable Financials for the Company’s first full fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date (unless such Financials demonstrate that Category 4 should have been applicable during such period, in which case such other Category shall be deemed to be applicable during such period) and adjustments to the Category then in effect shall thereafter be effected in accordance with the preceding paragraphs and (y) the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.13(g).

 

Applicant Borrower” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23(b).

 

Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05.

 

Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that constitutes (i) assets comprising all or substantially all or any significant portion of a business or operating unit of a business, or (ii) all or substantially all of the common stock or other Equity Interests of a Person.

 

Arrangers” means BofA Securities, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.05), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Augmenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c)(iii).

 

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

 

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

3

 

 

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Company or any Subsidiary by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) leasing services, (e) trade finance services, and (f) treasury management services (including, without limitation, deposit accounts, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, returned check concentration, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

Banking Services Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with Banking Services.

 

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, or has become the subject of a Bail-In Action, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, which certification shall be substantially similar in form and substance to the form of Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers published jointly, in May 2018, by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

 

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

 

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Borrower” means the Company or any Designated Borrower.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

 

Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (b) a Swing Line Loan.

 

Borrowing Request” means a request by any Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-1 or such other form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower.

 

4

 

 

Bruker Finance” means Bruker Finance B.V., a besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands having its corporate seat (statutaire zetel) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

 

Bruker Invest” means Bruker Invest AG, a company incorporated in Switzerland as a corporation limited by shares.

 

Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.08 (without giving effect to any exceptions described in clauses (i) through (iv) of such Section 6.08).

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars is located and:

 

(a)               if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day;

 

(b)               if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan, means a TARGET2 Day;

 

(c)               if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency; and

 

(d)               if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or Euro in respect of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Loan (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

 

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, as collateral for LC Exposure or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of LC Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

5

 

 

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than any Laukien Family Member, of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group; (d) the occurrence of a change in control, or other similar provision, as defined in any agreement or instrument evidencing any Material Indebtedness (triggering a default or mandatory prepayment, which default or mandatory prepayment has not been waived in writing); or (e) the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, and Control 100% (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of the ordinary voting and economic power of any Designated Borrower.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rules, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

Co-Documentation Agent” means each of Citizens Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., New York Branch, TD Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as co-documentation agent for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.

 

Co-Syndication Agent” means each of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as co-syndication agents for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09, (b) increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.20 and (c) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.05. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.

 

6

 

 

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Company” means Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

Competitor” means each of the Persons listed on Schedule 2.02 hereto and their subsidiaries.

 

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with reference to any period, Consolidated Net Income plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation (including write down to net realizable value of demonstration equipment), (iv) amortization, (v) extraordinary non-cash losses incurred other than in the ordinary course of business, (vi) non-cash expenses resulting from the grant of stock options or other equity-related incentives to any director, officer or employee of, or consultant to, the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to a written plan or agreement approved by the board of directors of the Company, (vii) (A) unrealized non-cash losses relating to any foreign currency hedging or currency fluctuations and (B) unrealized non-cash losses related to interest rate hedging, (viii) all other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses and non-cash losses of the Company or any Subsidiary that are not otherwise expressly excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant hereto (and excluding (A) any non-cash charge, non-cash expense and non-cash loss that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure to be made in a subsequent period and (B) minority interest expense), (ix) integration charges, severance charges, and restructuring charges resulting from Acquisitions, provided that (A) such charges shall be incurred within twelve (12) months of the related Acquisition and (B) the aggregate amount added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (ix) and clause (x) below in any period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to this clause (ix) and such clause (x)), (x) other restructuring charges, other than those arising from an Acquisition, provided that such restructuring charges are incurred under a restructuring program approved by the Company’s senior management, provided that the aggregate amount added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (ix) above and this clause (x) in any period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to such clause (ix) and this clause (x)), minus, (xi) to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (A) interest income, (B) extraordinary gains realized other than in the ordinary course of business and (C) unrealized non-cash gains relating to any foreign currency hedging or currency fluctuations, and unrealized non-cash gains related to interest rate hedging, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis. For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Reference Period”), (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.

 

7

 

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including without limitation interest expense under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and net costs under interest rate Swap Agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP).

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period.

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, at any time, (i) the aggregate amount of all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus (ii) to the extent included in a determination pursuant to the foregoing clause (i), the aggregate amount of all assets which constitute “intangible assets” of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation any “goodwill”.

 

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means at any time the sum, without duplication, the result (a) of the sum of (i) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis as of such time in accordance with GAAP (excluding the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries relating to undrawn or Cash Collateralized letters of credit outstanding) and (ii) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (i) hereof of another Person guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries minus (b) the Unrestricted Cash Amount.

 

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Country Risk Event” means:

 

(i)       any law, action or failure to act by any Governmental Authority in any Borrower’s or Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country which has the effect of:

 

(a)       changing the obligations under the relevant Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents as originally agreed or otherwise creating any additional material liability, cost or expense to the Issuing Bank, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent,

 

(b)       changing the ownership or control by such Borrower or Letter of Credit beneficiary of its business, or

 

(c)       preventing or restricting the conversion into or transfer of the applicable Agreed Currency,

 

(ii)       force majeure,

 

which, in relation to (i) or (ii), directly or indirectly, prevents or restricts the payment or transfer of any amounts owing under the relevant Letter of Credit in the applicable Agreed Currency into an account designated by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank and freely available to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank.

 

8

 

 

Covered Entity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19(b).

 

Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19(a).

 

Credit Event” means a Borrowing, the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, an LC Disbursement or any of the foregoing.

 

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender.

 

CRR” means the Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012.

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

 

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Company or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to the last paragraph of Section 2.25) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Company, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

 

9

 

 

Designated Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

Designated Borrower Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23.

 

Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23.

 

Disqualified Institutions” means, on any date, (a) any Competitor and (b) any other Person that directly competes with the Company and its Subsidiaries in a principal line of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, which Person has been designated by the Company as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including by posting such notice to a Platform) not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such date; provided that, in no event shall any update to the list of Disqualified Institutions apply retroactively to disqualify Persons that have previously acquired an assignment or a participating interest under this Agreement or that is a party to a pending trade; provided, further that, “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Company has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time.

 

Disqualifying Event” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Eligible Currency.”

 

Dividing Person” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Division.”

 

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

 

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division.  A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

 

Dollar Amount” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Foreign Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with such Foreign Currency.

 

Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States.

 

DQ List” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(e)(iv).

 

Dutch Borrower” means (i) Bruker Finance and (ii) any other Borrower that is organized under the laws of the Netherlands.

 

10

 

 

Dutch Non-Public Lender” means: (i) until the publication of an interpretation of “public” as referred to in the CRR by the competent authority/ies: an entity which (x) assumes existing rights and/or obligations vis-à-vis a Dutch Borrower, the value of which is at least €100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency), (y) provides repayable funds for an initial amount of at least €100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) or (z) otherwise qualifies as not forming part of the public; and (ii) as soon as the interpretation of the term “public” as referred to in the CRR has been published by the relevant authority/ies: an entity which is not considered to form part of the public on the basis of such interpretation.

 

Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary Guarantor that is organized under the laws of the Netherlands.

 

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

 

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.03). The Effective Date is December 11, 2019

 

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

 

Eligible Currency” means any lawful currency other than Dollars that is readily available, freely transferable and convertible into Dollars in the international interbank market available to the Lenders in such market and as to which a Dollar Amount may be readily calculated. If, after the designation by the Lenders of any currency as a Foreign Currency, any change in currency controls or exchange regulations or any change in the national or international financial, political or economic conditions are imposed in the country in which such currency is issued, result in, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (in the case of any Loans to be denominated in a Foreign Currency) or the Issuing Bank (in the case of any Letter of Credit to be denominated in a Foreign Currency), (a) such currency no longer being readily available, freely transferable and convertible into Dollars, (b) a Dollar Amount is no longer readily calculable with respect to such currency, (c) providing such currency is impracticable for the Lenders or (d) no longer a currency in which the Required Lenders are willing to make Credit Events available (each of (a), (b), (c), and (d) a “Disqualifying Event”), then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrowers in writing, and such country’s currency shall no longer be a Foreign Currency until such time as the Disqualifying Event(s) no longer exist. Within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers shall repay all Loans in such currency to which the Disqualifying Event applies or convert such Loans into the Dollar Amount of Loans in Dollars, subject to the other terms contained herein.

 

11

 

 

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

 

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing. For the avoidance of any doubt, “Equity Interests” shall not include net investment Swap Agreements of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

 

EU” means the European Union.

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

 

Euro” and/or “€” means the single currency of the Participating Member States.

 

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Eurocurrency”, when used in reference to a currency means an Agreed Currency and when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, means that such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means:

 

(a)          for any interest period, with respect to any Credit Event:

 

(i)                 denominated in a LIBOR Quoted Currency, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for U.S. Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period) (“LIBOR”), as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in the relevant currency (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

 

(ii)               denominated in any Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency, the rate per annum as designated with respect to such Agreed Currency at the time such Agreed Currency is approved by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 1.07(a); and

 

(b)          for any rate calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for U.S. Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

 

provided that if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Exchange Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in good faith if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided, further that the Issuing Bank may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Specified Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Specified Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation. If a Specified Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Specified Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

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Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or branch profits taxes (i) imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Company under Section 2.19(b)), any U.S. federal withholding tax resulting from any law in effect (including FATCA) on the date such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a).

 

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015, by and among the Company, the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended.

 

Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2012, between the Company and the purchasers named therein, pursuant to which the Existing Senior Notes were issued.

 

Existing Senior Note Purchase Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement, (b) the Existing Senior Notes, and (c) the other documents (including any Guarantees thereunder), instruments or agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced in accordance therewith and with this Agreement.

 

Existing Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Senior Note Purchase Documents.

 

Existing Senior Notes” means (i) those certain 4.31% Series 2012A senior notes due January 18, 2022 and (ii) those certain 4.46% Series 2012A senior notes due January 18, 2024, in each case issued pursuant to the Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum calculated by the FRBNY based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the FRBNY shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the FRBNY as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Fee Letter” means that certain BofA Fee Letter, dated September 18, 2019, between the Company, Bank of America and BofA Securities, Inc.

 

Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Company.

 

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Financials” means the annual or quarterly financial statements, and accompanying certificates and other documents, of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b).

 

Foreign Currencies” means each of the following currencies (i) Euro, (ii) Sterling, (iii) Swiss Francs (iv) Japanese Yen and (v) any other currency (other than Dollars) that is approved in accordance with Section 1.07; provided that for each Foreign Currency, such requested currency is an Eligible Currency.

 

Foreign Currency Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Agreed Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in good faith, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Agreed Currency with Dollars.

 

Foreign Currency Letter of Credit” means a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency.

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

Foreign Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Foreign Obligors and their Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates under any Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof; provided that the definition of “Foreign Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.

 

Foreign Obligor” means any Loan Party that is a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

FRBNY” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the LC Exposure other than LC Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

German Borrower” means any Designated Borrower that is organized under the laws of Germany.

 

German GmbH Obligor” means any Designated Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantor that is incorporated in Germany as a German limited liability company (GmbH).

 

German Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of Germany.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Guaranteed Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate, currency, foreign exchange, or commodity Swap Agreement between any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Person that is (or that was on the date hereof) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations (other than obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee, or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Honor Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(d)(i).

 

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Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (together with its Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (a) (i) contributed less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (ii) the consolidated total assets of which constituted less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, and (b) (i) taken together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, contributed less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (ii) the consolidated total assets of which, taken together with the consolidated total assets of all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, constituted less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date.

 

Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision” means each of the interest coverage ratio calculated in accordance with (a) Section 10.2 of the Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement, (b) Section 10.2 of the Senior Note Purchase Agreement, and (c) any similar provision in any other debt securities of any Loan Party, in each case, as in effect on the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such interest coverage ratio is first incorporated pursuant to the terms hereof, in each case without giving effect to any waiver, supplement or other modification thereof that would have the effect of making any such Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision less restrictive on the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, to the extent such waiver, supplement or other modification has not been consented to by the Required Lenders.

 

Increasing Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

Incremental Term Loan Amendment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable and intercompany charges of expenses (including expenses related to research and development and intellectual technology) and other accrued obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and (k) obligations of such Person under Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, in connection with any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary not prohibited hereunder (or any sale, transfer or other disposition by the Company or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder), the term “Indebtedness” shall not include contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments or earn-outs to which the seller in such Acquisition (or the buyer in such sale, transfer or other disposition, as the case may be) may become entitled or contingent indemnity obligations that may be owed to such seller (or buyer, if applicable) in respect thereof. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (f) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

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Indemnified Taxes” means (i) Taxes that are imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any Loan Party under any Loan Document, other than Excluded Taxes and (ii) Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

 

Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

 

Interest Election Request” means a request by the applicable Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2 or such other form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower.

 

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swing Line Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date and (c) with respect to any Swing Line Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid and the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the applicable Borrower (or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower) may elect in its Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the Issuing Bank and the Company (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the Issuing Bank and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

Issuing Bank” means Bank of America, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). The Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates or branches of the Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate or branch with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

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Japanese Yen” and/or “¥” means the lawful currency of Japan.

 

Laukien Family Member” means any one or more of the following individuals: Frank Laukien, Dirk Laukien, Isolde Laukien and Joerg Laukien.

 

LC Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any LC Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. All LC Advances shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

LC Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing. All LC Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

LC Disbursement” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn Dollar Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate Dollar Amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.10. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

 

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.20 or pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Bank.

 

Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Sublimit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.06(b).

 

Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the Issuing Bank.

 

Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

 

Leverage Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.10(a).

 

LIBOR” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”.

 

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LIBOR Quoted Currency” means each of the following currencies: Dollars; Euro; Sterling; Japanese Yen; and Swiss Franc; in each case as long as there is a published LIBOR rate with respect thereto.

 

LIBOR Screen Rate” means the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).

 

LIBOR Successor Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(c).

 

LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definition of Alternate Base Rate, Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other technical, administrative or operational matters as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, to reflect the adoption and implementation of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

 

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Fee Letter, any promissory notes executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.10(e) and any and all other instruments and documents executed and delivered in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Local Time” means as to any borrowings and payments in any Agreed Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Agreed Currency as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.

 

London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U issued by the Board.

 

Material Acquisition” means any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary that involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000,000.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any and all other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

 

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Material Disposition” means any sale, transfer or disposition of property or series of related sales, transfers, or dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000,000.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each Domestic Subsidiary which (together with its Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (i) contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period, (ii) the consolidated total assets of which contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date or (iii) is otherwise designated as a “Material Domestic Subsidiary” at such time pursuant to the proviso to this definition; provided that, if as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Company the aggregate amount of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA or Company’s Consolidated Total Assets attributable to Domestic Subsidiaries (together with their respective Subsidiaries) that are not Material Domestic Subsidiaries exceed ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for any such period or ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, the Company (or, in the event the Company has failed to do so within ten days of the required date of delivery of financial statements for the applicable fiscal quarter or fiscal year pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the Administrative Agent) shall designate sufficient Domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Domestic Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Domestic Subsidiaries and each such Domestic Subsidiary (to the extent not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder) shall comply with the requirements of Section 5.10 (to the extent required thereunder).

 

Material Foreign Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each Foreign Subsidiary which (together with its Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (i) contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period, (ii) the consolidated total assets of which contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date or (iii) is otherwise designated as a “Material Foreign Subsidiary” at such time pursuant to the proviso to this definition; provided that, if as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Company the aggregate amount of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA or Company’s Consolidated Total Assets attributable to Foreign Subsidiaries and Domestic Subsidiaries (together with their respective Subsidiaries) that are not Material Foreign Subsidiaries or Material Domestic Subsidiaries exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for any such period or fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of any such fiscal quarter, the Company (or, in the event the Company has failed to do so within ten days of the required date of delivery of financial statements for the applicable fiscal quarter or fiscal year pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the Administrative Agent) shall designate sufficient Foreign Subsidiaries as “Material Foreign Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Foreign Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Foreign Subsidiaries and each such Foreign Subsidiary (to the extent not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder) shall comply with the requirements of Section 5.10 (to the extent required thereunder). Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to Guarantee the Obligations of a U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party).

 

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Material Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

Material Intellectual Property” means, as of any date of determination, intellectual property of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries that as of such date is considered to be material to the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as conducted as of the date of determination or have a material financial value to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any intellectual property that would otherwise be considered Material Intellectual Property, which is developed or acquired by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, shall be considered to be Material Intellectual Property as of the date of determination described above.

 

Maturity Date” means December 11, 2024, and if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

 

Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.15.

 

Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during the existence of a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 100% of the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (ii) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.21(a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), an amount equal to 105% of the outstanding amount of all LC Exposures, and (iii) otherwise, an amount reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

New Money Credit Event” means with respect to the Issuing Bank, any increase (directly or indirectly) in the Issuing Bank’s exposure (whether by way of additional credit or banking facilities or otherwise, including as part of a restructuring) to any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Governmental Authority in any Borrower’s, Subsidiary’s or any applicable Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country occurring by reason of (i) any law, action or requirement of any Governmental Authority in such Borrower’s, Subsidiary’s or such Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country, or (ii) any request in respect of external indebtedness of borrowers in such Borrower’s, Subsidiary’s or such Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country applicable to banks generally which conduct business with such borrowers, or (iii) any agreement in relation to clause (i) or (ii), in each case to the extent calculated by reference to the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures outstanding prior to such increase.

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(d).

 

Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(c)(iii).

 

Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency” means any currency other than a LIBOR Quoted Currency.

 

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Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit J or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.

 

Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Company and its Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates under any Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof; provided that the definition of “Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.

 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

Original Currency” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(a).

 

Originators means the Company and/or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries in their respective capacities as parties to any documents related to any Receivables Facility, as sellers or transferors of any Receivables and related security in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transfer.

 

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).

 

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in a Foreign Currency, the rate of interest per annum at which overnight deposits in the applicable Foreign Currency, in an amount approximately equal to the amount with respect to which such rate is being determined, would be offered for such day by a branch or Affiliate of Bank of America in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency to major banks in such interbank market.

 

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Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(c).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(c).

 

Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to economic and monetary union.

 

Patriot Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

 

(a)           Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies that are (i) not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04, (ii) not yet delinquent for a period of more than 30 days, or (iii) for property taxes on property that the Company or any Subsidiary has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such property tax is to such property;

 

(b)            landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, craftsmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days (or, if more than 30 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien) or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

(c)           pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

(d)           deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)           judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and

 

(f)           easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Securitization Indebtedness” means non-recourse Indebtedness of an SPV and secured by Receivables pledged or otherwise acquired in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transfer pursuant to a Receivables Facility.

 

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Permitted Receivables Transfer” means (i) a sale or other transfer by an Originator to an SPV of Receivables for fair market value and without recourse (except for limited recourse typical of such structured finance transactions), and/or (ii) a sale, pledge or other transfer by an SPV to (a) purchasers of or other investors in such Receivables and related security or (b) any other Person (including an SPV) in a transaction in which purchasers or other investors purchase or are otherwise transferred (including a pledge thereof) such Receivables and related security, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of any Receivables Facility; provided that the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions of any such Receivables Facility shall be market terms at the time that such transaction is consummated.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

 

Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any event and subject to Section 1.04(b), that the Company is in compliance on a pro forma basis with the applicable covenant, calculation or requirement herein recomputed as if the event with respect to which compliance on a Pro Forma Basis is being tested had occurred on the first day of the four fiscal quarter period most recently ended on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

 

Proposed Change” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(d).

 

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

 

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.18(a).

 

Receivables” shall mean, with respect to any Person, all obligations of any obligor (whether now existing or hereafter arising) under a contract for sale of goods or services by such Person or any of them, which shall include any obligation of such obligor (whether now existing or hereafter arising) to pay interest, finance charges or amounts with respect thereto, and, with respect to any of the foregoing receivables or obligations, (a) all of the interest of such Person in the goods (including returned goods) the sale of which gave rise to such receivable or obligation after the passage of title thereto to any obligor, (b) all other Liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such receivables or obligations, (c) all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of any such receivables or obligations, (d) all records and (e) all proceeds of the foregoing.

 

Receivables Facility” shall mean any agreement of any Person providing for sales, transfers or conveyances of Receivables of such Person purporting to be sales (and considered sales under applicable law) that do not provide, directly or indirectly, for recourse against the seller of such Receivables (or against any of such seller’s Affiliates) by way of a guaranty or any other support arrangement, with respect to the amount of such Receivables (based on the financial condition or circumstances of the obligor thereunder), other than such limited recourse as is reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type, taking into account such factors as historical bad debt loss experience and obligor concentration levels.

 

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Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender, (c) any Issuing Bank, or (d) any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of the obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.

 

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05.

 

Regulation” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board and/or the FRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board and/or the FRBNY or any successor thereof for the purpose of recommending a benchmark rate to replace LIBOR in loan agreements similar to this Agreement.

 

Removal Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.07(b).

 

Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.25, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time.

 

Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.07(a).

 

Responsible Officer” means (i) the chief executive officer, president, or Financial Officer of a Loan Party or with respect to a Dutch Borrower or a Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor, any board member authorized to represent such Dutch Borrower of Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and (iii) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Company or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Company.

 

Revaluation Date” means (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Agreed Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Loan denominated in an Agreed Currency, and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Agreed Currency, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Agreed Currency, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require.

 

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Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swing Line Exposure at such time.

 

Revolving Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any sale or other transfer of any property or asset by any Person with the intent to lease such property or asset as lessee.

 

Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in a Foreign Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Foreign Currency.

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of comprehensive Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, the European Union, any European Union member state, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, or Switzerland (administered by SECO and/or the Swiss Directorate of Public International Law) including OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

 

Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Switzerland and/or the Swiss Directorate of Public International Law.

 

Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(c)(ii).

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

Senior Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2019, between the Company and the purchasers named therein, pursuant to which the Senior Notes were issued.

 

Senior Note Purchase Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Purchase Agreement, (b) the Senior Notes, and (c) the other documents (including any Guarantees thereunder), instruments or agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced in accordance therewith and with this Agreement.

 

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Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Senior Note Purchase Documents.

 

Senior Notes” means those certain 1.01% Senior Notes due December 11, 2029 issued pursuant to the Senior Note Purchase Agreement.

 

SOFR” means with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the FRBNY, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the FRBNY’s website (or any successor source) and, in each case, that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

SOFR-Based Rate” means SOFR or Term SOFR.

 

Solvent” means, in reference to any Borrower, (i) the fair value of the assets of such Borrower, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Borrower will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) such Borrower will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) such Borrower will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.

 

Special Notice Currency” means at any time a Foreign Currency, other than the currency of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development at such time located in North America or Europe.

 

Specified Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

SPV” means any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company (formed solely for the purposes of engaging in a Receivables Facility with an Originator and to which such Originator transfers accounts receivable and related security) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable contributed by such Originator to such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, security relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the board of directors of the Company, or a committee thereof (in each case, as provided below), as a SPV and:

 

(a)           no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary:

 

(i)             is guaranteed by any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(ii)            is recourse to or obligates any Borrower or any Subsidiary in any way, other than such limited recourse to such SPV or the applicable Originator as is reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type; or

 

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(iii)           subjects any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than such limited recourse to such SPV or the applicable Originator as is reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type;

 

(b)           with which neither any Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Company reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Loan Parties; and

 

(c)           to which neither the Company nor any other Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

Any such designation by the board of directors of the Company (or any committee thereof) will be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by filing with the Administrative Agent a certified copy of the resolution of the board of directors of Company (or any committee thereof) giving effect to such designation and a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Stated Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.10(a).

 

Sterling” and “£” mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness Documents” means any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Subordinated Indebtedness or entered into in connection with any Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company, or, as applicable, any other Loan Party, as specified herein.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor” means collectively (a) with respect to all Obligations, each Material Domestic Subsidiary that is not a Borrower (other than any SPV) and (b) solely with respect to the Foreign Obligations, each Material Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Borrower (other than any SPV). The Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule 3.01 hereto.

 

Subsidiary Guaranty” means (a) that certain Guaranty (Domestic Subsidiaries) dated as of the Effective Date in the form of Exhibit G-1 (including any and all supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, (b) that certain Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries) dated as of the Effective Date in the form of Exhibit G-2 (including any and all supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, and, (c) each other guaranty agreement (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) with respect to the Obligations furnished by a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.18(a).

 

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, foreign exchange, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

SWIFT” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(g).

 

Swing Line Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swing Line Loans outstanding at such time. The Swing Line Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swing Line Exposure at such time.

 

Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America, in its capacity as lender of Swing Line Loans hereunder.

 

Swing Line Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05.

 

Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.05(b), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approve by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower.

 

Swiss Borrower” means a Borrower incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to Art. 9 of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss Federal Tax Administration” means the tax authorities referred to in article 34 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act (Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung).

 

Swiss Federal Withholding Tax” means a tax under the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act” means the Swiss Federal Act on the Withholding Tax of 13 October 1965 (Bundesgesetz vom 13. Oktober 1965 über die Verrechnungssteuer), together with the related ordinances, regulations and guidelines, all as amended and applicable from time to time.

 

Swiss Francs” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

 

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Swiss Guidelines” means, together, the guidelines S-02.123 in relation to interbank loans of 22 September 1986 as issued by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (Merkblatt S-02.123 vom 22 September 1986 betreffend Zinsen von Bankguthaben, deren Gläubiger Banken sind Interbankguthaben)), S-02.130.1 in relation to money market instruments and accounts receivable of April 1999 (Merkblatt S-02.130.1 vom April 1999 “Geldmarktpapiere und Buchforderungen inländischer Schuldner”), the circular letter No. 15 (1-015-DVS-2017) of 3 October 2017 in relation to bonds and derivative financial instruments as subject matter of taxation of Swiss federal income tax, Swiss withholding tax and Swiss stamp taxes (Kreisschreiben Nr. 15 “Obligationen und derivative Finanzinstrumente als Gegenstand der direkten Bundessteuer, der Verrechnungssteuer und der Stempelabgaben” vom 3. Oktober 2017) and the circular letter No. 34 of 26 July 2011 (1-034-V-2011) in relation to customer credit balances (Kreisschreiben Nr. 34 “Kundenguthaben” vom 26. Juli 2011) and the practice note 010-DVS-2019 dated 5 February 2019 published by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration regarding Swiss Withholding Tax in the Group (Mitteilung-010-DVS-2019-d vom 5. Februar 2019 - Verrechnungssteuer: Guthaben im Konzern), the circular letter No. 46 of 24 July 2019 (1-046-VS-2019) in relation to syndicated credit facilities, promissory note loans, bills of exchange and subparticipations (Kreisschreiben Nr. 46 vom 24. Juli 2019 betreffend "Steuerliche Behandlung von Konsortialdarlehen, Schuldscheindarlehen, Wechseln und Unterbeteiligungen") and the circular letter No. 47 of 25 July 2019 (1-047-V-2019) in relation to bonds (Kreisschreiben Nr. 47 vom 25. Juli 2019 betreffend "Obligationen") as issued, and as amended or replaced from time to time by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, or as applied in accordance with a tax ruling (if any) issued by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, or as substituted or superseded and overruled by any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, court decision or the like as in force from time to time.

 

Swiss Loan Party” means any Loan Party incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to art 9 of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss Non-Bank Rules” means the Swiss Ten Non-Bank Rule and the Swiss Twenty Non-Bank Rule.

 

Swiss Non-Qualifying Bank” means a financial institution or other entity which does not qualify as a Swiss Qualifying Bank.

 

Swiss Qualifying Bank” means:

 

any bank as defined in the Swiss Federal Code for Banks and Savings Banks dated 8 November 1934 (Bundesgesetz über die Banken und Sparkassen); or

 

a person or entity which effectively conducts banking activities with its own infrastructure and staff as its principal business purpose and which has a banking license in full force and effect issued in accordance with the banking laws in force in its jurisdiction of incorporation, or if acting through a branch, issued in accordance with the banking laws in the jurisdiction of such branch, all and in each case in accordance with the Swiss Guidelines.

 

Swiss Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment or transfer for security purposes, retention of title arrangement, mandate to create a mortgage or a pledge over business assets or other security interest having a similar effect, in each case governed by Swiss law.

 

Swiss Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Loan Document in connection with the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax.

 

Swiss Ten Non-Bank Rule” means the rule that the aggregate number of creditors that are Swiss Non-Qualifying Banks must not at any time exceed ten, in each case in accordance with the meaning of the Swiss Guidelines or the applicable legislation or explanatory notes addressing the same issues that are in force at such time.

 

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Swiss Twenty Non-Bank Rule” means the rule that (without duplication) the aggregate number of creditors (including the Lenders), other than Swiss Qualifying Banks, of any Swiss Loan Party under all outstanding debts relevant for classification as debenture (Kassenobligation) (including debt arising under this Agreement and intra-group loans (if and to the extent intra-group loans are not exempt in accordance with the ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council of 18 June 2010 amending the Swiss Federal Ordinance on Swiss withholding tax and the Swiss Federal Ordinance on stamp duties with effect as of 1 August 2010), loans, facilities and/or private placements (including under this Agreement)) must not at any time exceed twenty, all in accordance with the Swiss Guidelines and it being understood that each Swiss Loan Party shall assume that the aggregate number of Lenders which are Swiss Non-Qualifying Banks is ten.

 

TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) for the settlement of payments in Euro which utilizes a single shared platform and which was launched on November 19, 2007.

 

TARGET2 Day” means a day that TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

 

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, assessments, fees, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, addition to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Term Loan Agreement” means the Term Loan Agreement dated as of the date hereof among others, the Company, the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, as administrative agent.

 

Term Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Term Loan Obligations” means all “Obligations” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate for any period that is approximately (as determined by the “Administrative Agent”) as long as any of the Interest Period options set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” and that is based on SOFR and that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body, in each case as published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion.

 

Trade Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05.

 

Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.

 

Treasury Stock” means capital stock of the Company that is owned by the Company and held in treasury.

 

Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

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UCP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

 

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(d)(i).

 

Unrestricted Cash” means cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries that (i) does not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) is not otherwise subject to any Lien, except in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document to secure the Obligations.

 

Unrestricted Cash Amount” shall mean, on any date of determination, the lesser of (a) Unrestricted Cash in an amount equal to $100,000,000 and (b) the aggregate sum of Unrestricted Cash, in each case, of the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors maintained in an account with a Lender.

 

U.S. Loan Party” means any Loan Party that is not a Foreign Obligor.

 

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.18(a).

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(e).

 

VAT” means any indirect tax levied on the consumption of goods and services in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112) or any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax, or imposed elsewhere.

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary all of the equity interests (except directors’ qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company’s other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at such time.

 

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

Withholding Agent” means as applicable and as the context may require, the Company and/or the Administrative Agent.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Section 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing”).

 

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Section 1.03 terms Generally.

 

(a)           The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders and decrees, of all Governmental Authorities. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

(b)          Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).

 

Section 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations.

 

(a)            Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any changes in GAAP from time to time (including changes described in Accounting Standard Codification 842 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect), any lease that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect immediately prior to such change (whether such lease is entered into before or after the Effective Date) shall not constitute a Capital Lease under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of such changes in GAAP unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and the Required Lenders. In furtherance of the foregoing, notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, each financial covenant, ratio, accounting definition or requirement used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 842; provided that all financial statements delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall, if applicable and solely to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, be accompanied by a schedule showing any adjustments necessary to reconcile such financial statements with GAAP prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 842, with respect to such lease liabilities.

 

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(b)           All pro forma computations required to be made hereunder giving effect to any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction shall in each case be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto (and, in the case of any pro forma computation made hereunder to determine whether such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction is permitted to be consummated hereunder, to any other such transaction consummated since the first day of the period covered by any component of such pro forma computation and on or prior to the date of such computation) as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), and, to the extent applicable, to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness, all in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

Section 1.05 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

Section 1.06 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.

 

(a)           The Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, shall determine in good faith the Exchange Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Amounts of Credit Events and outstanding Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Agreed Currencies. Such Exchange Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Exchange Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Amount as so determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable.

 

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(b)           Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Eurocurrency Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in a Foreign Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Foreign Currency Equivalent of such Dollar Amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Foreign Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be.

 

(c)            Any amount specified in this Agreement (other than in Articles VIII and IX) or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the equivalent of such amount in any currency other than Dollars, such equivalent amount thereof in the applicable currency to be determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Exchange Rate for the purchase of such currency with Dollars.

 

(d)           The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate” or with respect to any rate that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any of such rate (including, without limitation, any LIBOR Successor Rate) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes.

 

Section 1.07 Additional Foreign Currencies.

 

(a)            The Company may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Loans be made and/or Letters of Credit be issued in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of “Foreign Currency;” provided that such requested currency is an Eligible Currency. In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Eurocurrency Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; and in the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

(b)           Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., 20 Business Days prior to the date of the desired Credit Event (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank, in its or their sole discretion). In the case of any such request pertaining to Eurocurrency Loans, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof; and in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Issuing Bank thereof. Each Lender (in the case of any such request pertaining to Eurocurrency Loans) or the Issuing Bank (in the case of a request pertaining to Letters of Credit) shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., ten Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit, as the case may be, in such requested currency.

 

(c)             Any failure by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to permit Eurocurrency Loans to be made or Letters of Credit to be issued in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Company in writing and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Agreed Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Loans; and if the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank consent to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Company in writing and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Agreed Currency hereunder for purposes of any Letter of Credit issuances. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.07, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Company in writing.

 

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Section 1.08 Change of Currency.

 

(a)           Each obligation of the Borrowers to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the date hereof shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption. If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

 

(b)           Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro; provided, however, that any changes to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 1.08(b) shall be consistent with changes that the Administrative Agent is generally making in credit agreements involving borrowers similarly situated to the Borrowers.

 

(c)          Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent (in consultation with Borrowers) may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in any Agreed Currency and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in such Agreed Currency; provided, however, that any changes to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 1.08(c) shall be consistent with changes that the Administrative Agent is generally making in credit agreements involving borrowers similarly situated to the Borrowers.

 

Section 1.09 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

Section 1.10 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Amount of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Amount of the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

Article II

 

The Credits

 

Section 2.01 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender (severally and not jointly) agrees to make Loans to the Borrowers in one or more Agreed Currencies from time to time, on any Business Day, during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) subject to Section 2.04 and Section 2.11(b), the Dollar Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment, or (b) subject to Section 2.04 and Section 2.11(b), the sum of the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the Aggregate Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

 

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Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.

 

(a)           Each Revolving Loan (other than a Swing Line Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required. Any Swing Line Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05.

 

(b)           Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the relevant Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that (i) each ABR Loan shall only be made in Dollars and (ii) each Loan denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be made as a Eurocurrency Loan. Each Swing Line Loan shall be made solely in Dollars and shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 and Section 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the relevant Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)           At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or, if such Borrowing is denominated in (i) Japanese Yen, ¥100,000,000 or (ii) a Foreign Currency other than Japanese Yen, 1,000,000 units of such currency) and not less than $3,000,000 (or, if such Borrowing is denominated in (i) Japanese Yen, ¥300,000,000 or (ii) a Foreign Currency other than Japanese Yen, 3,000,000 units of such currency). At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Commitment or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(i). Each Swing Line Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of ten (10) Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Borrower shall be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

 

(e)           Any Credit Event to any Dutch Borrower shall at all times be provided by a Lender that is a Dutch Non-Public Lender.

 

(f)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Company, the Administrative Agent, and such Lender.

 

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Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (a) by irrevocable written notice via a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, or (b) by telephone; provided that any such telephonic notice shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower. Each such Borrowing Request must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Eurocurrency Loans denominated in Dollars, Euro or Sterling, (ii) four Business Days (or five Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Eurocurrency Loans denominated in any other Foreign Currencies, and (iii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of ABR Loans. Each such telephonic notice and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)             the name of the Borrower requesting such Borrowing;

 

(ii)            the aggregate principal amount and currency of the requested Borrowing;

 

(iii)           the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iv)           whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

 

(v)             in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

(vi)          the location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.

 

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then, in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. If, in the case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency, Borrowing Request does not specify a Type of Borrowing or an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected a Eurocurrency Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

Section 2.04 Determination of Dollar Amount. The Administrative Agent will determine in good faith the Dollar Amount of each Eurocurrency Borrowing, the LC Exposure, or outstanding Credit Events, in each case, on and as of each Revaluation Date.

 

Section 2.05 Swing Line Loans.

 

(a)           Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.05, the Swing Line Lender may, in its sole discretion, make Swing Line Loans in Dollars to the Company from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swing Line Loans exceeding $25,000,000 or (ii) the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the Aggregate Commitment; provided that the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to make a Swing Line Loan to refinance an outstanding Swing Line Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swing Line Loans. All Swing Line Loans shall be ABR Loans. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

 

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(b)           To request a Swing Line Loan, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (i) by telephone or (ii) by a Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such Swing Line Loan Notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day of a proposed Swing Line Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swing Line Loan, which shall be a minimum of $50,000. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swing Line Lender of any such notice received from the Company. The Swing Line Lender shall make, in its sole discretion, each Swing Line Loan available to the Company by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Company with the Swing Line Lender (or, in the case of a Swing Line Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(i), by remittance to the Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m. on the requested date of such Swing Line Loan.

 

(c)           Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.

 

(i)        The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Company (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make an ABR Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Borrowing Request for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of ABR Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Company of a Borrowing Request). The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Company with a copy of the applicable Borrowing Request promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Borrowing Request available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Borrowing Request, whereupon, subject to Section 2.05(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made an ABR Loan to the Company in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

 

(ii)       If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.05(c)(i), the request for ABR Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

 

(iii)      If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05(c) by the time specified in Section 2.05(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(iv)       Each Lender’s obligation to make Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Company or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Company of a Borrowing Request). No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Company to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(d)           Repayment of Participations.

 

(i)        At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

 

(ii)       If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 9.21 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(e)            Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Company for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its ABR Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.05 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

 

(f)            Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Company shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

 

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Section 2.06 Letters of Credit.

 

(a)           General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) the Issuing Bank agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.06(a), (A) from time to time on any Business Day prior to the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Agreed Currencies for the account of any Borrower (or for the account of any Subsidiary), and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.06(b) below, and (B) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (ii) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of any Borrower (or for the account of any Subsidiary) and any drawings thereunder. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by a Borrower to, or entered into by a Borrower with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control; provided, however, if the Issuing Bank is requested to issue Letters of Credit with respect to a jurisdiction the Issuing Bank deems, in its reasonable judgment, may at any time subject it to a New Money Credit Event or a Country Risk Event, the Loan Parties shall, at the written request of the Issuing Bank, guaranty and indemnify the Issuing Bank against any and all costs, liabilities and losses resulting from such New Money Credit Event or Country Risk Event, in each case, in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (i) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions to the extent such activities or business would be prohibited by Sanctions or (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement. Each Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the support of any obligations of any such Person’s Subsidiary as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph and subject to Section 2.26, such Borrower will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with the terms hereof, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.12(b) to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit (each Borrower hereby irrevocably waiving any defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of the obligations of such Subsidiary that is an account party in respect of any such Letter of Credit). Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of such Borrower, and that such Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

(b)           Certain Conditions. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit each Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (x) subject to Section 2.04 and Section 2.11(b), the Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure shall not exceed $25,000,000 (the “Letter of Credit Sublimit”), (y) subject to Section 2.04 and Section 2.11(b), the sum of the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Commitments and (z) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment.

 

(i)                 The Issuing Bank shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if:

 

(1)         subject to Section 2.06(c)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

 

(2)         the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry date.

 

(ii)               The Issuing Bank shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(1)        any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it;

 

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(2)         the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

(3)         except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $50,000;

 

(4)          except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than an Agreed Currency;

 

(5)         the Issuing Bank does not as of the issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit issue Letters of Credit in the requested currency; or

 

(6)         any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the Issuing Bank (in its sole discretion) with the Borrowers or such Lender to eliminate the Issuing Bank’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.25) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.

 

(c)            Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

 

(i)        Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of a Borrower delivered to the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower (or, a Responsible Officer of the Company, on behalf of such Borrower). Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the Issuing Bank, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the Issuing Bank. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Bank: (A) the applicant Borrower and the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount and currency thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the Issuing Bank may reasonably require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the Issuing Bank may reasonably require. Additionally, each Borrower shall furnish to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

 

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(ii)       Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the Issuing Bank will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from a Borrower and, if not, the Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Issuing Bank has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the Issuing Bank’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Bank a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)      If a Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Issuing Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior written notice to the applicable Borrower and the beneficiary thereof at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the next scheduled automatic extension (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”). Unless otherwise directed by the Issuing Bank, the applicable Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Issuing Bank for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Issuing Bank to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Issuing Bank shall not permit any such extension if (A) the Issuing Bank has determined in good faith that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.06(b)(i) or (ii) or otherwise), or (B) it has received written notice on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Loan Party that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by a Borrower of a Borrowing Request) is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the Issuing Bank not to permit such extension.

 

(iv)      Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Bank will also deliver to the applicable Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

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(d)           Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

 

(i)        Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall notify the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing thereof. In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank in such Foreign Currency, unless (A) the Issuing Bank (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or (B) in the absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the applicable Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Bank promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that the Company will reimburse the Issuing Bank in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency, the Issuing Bank shall notify the applicable Borrower of the Dollar Amount of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. Not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Local Time on the date of any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in a Foreign Currency (each such date, an “Honor Date”) if the applicable Borrower shall have received notice of such payment prior to 10:00 a.m. on the date of such payment, or, if such notice has not been received by the applicable Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately following the day that the applicable Borrower receives such notice under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Local Time on the Business Day immediately following the day that the applicable Borrower receives such notice under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in a Foreign Currency, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency. In the event that (A) a drawing denominated in a Foreign Currency is to be reimbursed in Dollars pursuant to the second sentence in this Section 2.06(d)(i) and (B) the Dollar Amount paid by the applicable Borrower, whether on or after the Honor Date, shall not be adequate on the date of that payment to purchase in accordance with normal banking procedures a sum denominated in the Foreign Currency equal to the drawing, such Borrower agrees, as a separate and independent obligation, to indemnify the Issuing Bank for the loss resulting from its inability on that date to purchase the Foreign Currency in the full amount of the drawing. If the applicable Borrower fails to timely reimburse the Issuing Bank on the Honor Date, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (expressed in Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Amount thereof in the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency) (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of ABR Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of ABR Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Borrowing Notice). Any notice given by the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.06(d)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

(ii)       Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.06(d)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the Issuing Bank, in Dollars, at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.06(d)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made an ABR Loan to the applicable Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Issuing Bank in Dollars.

 

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(iii)      With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of ABR Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Company of a Borrowing Request) cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the Issuing Bank an LC Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which LC Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the interest rate otherwise applicable to an ABR Loan (including the Applicable Rate) plus 2% per annum. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.06(d)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such LC Borrowing and shall constitute an LC Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.06.

 

(iv)      Until each Lender funds its Loan or LC Advance pursuant to this Section 2.06(d) to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the Issuing Bank.

 

(v)       Each Lender’s obligation to make Loans or LC Advances to reimburse the Issuing Bank for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.06(d), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Issuing Bank, any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06(d) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery of a Borrowing Request). No such making of an LC Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the applicable Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of any payment made by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(vi)      If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.06(d) by the time specified in Section 2.06(d)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the Issuing Bank shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Bank at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Issuing Bank in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or LC Advance in respect of the relevant LC Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the Issuing Bank submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(e)            Repayment of Participations.

 

(i)        At any time after the Issuing Bank has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s LC Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.06(d), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the Issuing Bank any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from a Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in Dollars and in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)       If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.06(d)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 9.21 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Issuing Bank in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(f)            Obligations Absolute. The obligation of each Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each LC Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

 

(i)        any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

 

(ii)       the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that any Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Bank or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

(iii)      any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)     waiver by the Issuing Bank of any requirement that exists for the Issuing Bank’s protection and not the protection of the applicable Borrower or any waiver by the Issuing Bank which does not in fact materially prejudice the applicable Borrower;

 

(v)       honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;

 

(vi)     any payment made by the Issuing Bank in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under, such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

 

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(vii)     any payment by the Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(viii)    any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Agreed Currency to the applicable Borrower or any Subsidiary or in the relevant currency markets generally; or

 

(ix)      any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the applicable Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

Each Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the applicable Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the applicable Borrower will immediately notify the Issuing Bank. The applicable Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the Issuing Bank and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

(g)           Role of Issuing Bank. Each Lender and the Borrowers agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the applicable Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the Issuing Bank shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrowers hereby assume all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude any Borrower pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the Issuing Bank shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 2.06(f); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrowers may have a claim against the Issuing Bank, and the Issuing Bank may be liable to the Borrowers, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrowers found by a nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the Issuing Bank’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the Issuing Bank’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Bank may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the Issuing Bank shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The Issuing Bank may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

 

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(h)           Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Bank and the applicable Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuing Bank shall not be responsible to any Borrower for, and the Issuing Bank’s rights and remedies against each Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the Issuing Bank required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the Issuing Bank or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

 

(i)            Replacement of the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Company, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Company shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

(j)             Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

 

Section 2.07 Funding of Borrowings.

 

(a)           Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the applicable currency (i) in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, by 1:00 p.m. and (ii) in the case of each Loan denominated in a Foreign Currency, not later than the Local Time specified by the Administrative Agent; provided that Swing Line Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the relevant Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to (x) an account of such Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent and designated by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, or (y) by wire transfer of such funds in accordance with instructions provided (and reasonably acceptable) to the Administrative Agent by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(i) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank.

 

(b)           Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing (or in the case of an ABR Borrowing, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the relevant Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and such Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand in Same Day Funds such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to such Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to such Borrower the amount of such interest paid by such Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by such Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim such Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(c)           If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Event set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

Section 2.08 Interest Elections.

 

(a)           Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the relevant Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. A Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply to Swing Line Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

 

(b)           To make an election pursuant to this Section, a Borrower, or the Company on its behalf, shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by (1) telephone or (2) an irrevocable written notice via an Interest Election Request signed by such Borrower, or the Company on its behalf; provided that any such telephonic notice shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by such Borrower, or the Company on its behalf. Each such Interest Election Request must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not be construed to permit any Borrower to (i) change the currency of any Borrowing, (ii) elect an Interest Period for Eurocurrency Loans that does not comply with Section 2.02(d) or (iii) convert any Borrowing to a Borrowing of a Type not available under such Borrowing. No Loan may be converted into or continued as a Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be prepaid in the original currency of such Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.

 

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(c)            Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)        the name of the applicable Borrower and the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)       the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)      whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

 

(iv)      if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period and Agreed Currency to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which Interest Period shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d)           Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)           If the relevant Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period (i) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency in respect of which the applicable Borrower shall have failed to deliver an Interest Election Request prior to the third (3rd) Business Day preceding the end of such Interest Period, such Borrowing shall automatically continue as a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the same Foreign Currency with an Interest Period of one month unless such Eurocurrency Borrowing is or was repaid in accordance with Section 2.11. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Company, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing denominated in Dollars may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing, (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency shall automatically be continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of one month.

 

Section 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Commitments.

 

(a)           Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

 

(b)           The Company may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000, (ii) the Company shall not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Dollar Amount of the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the Aggregate Commitment and (iii) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Commitments, such Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

 

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(c)            The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent (in a form reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent) of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section not later than 11:00 a.m. at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Company pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Company may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

 

Section 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)           Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan made to such Borrower on the Maturity Date in the currency of such Loan and (ii) in the case of the Company, to the Swing Line Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date ten (10) Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made.

 

(b)           Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)           The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class, Agreed Currency and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)           The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

(e)           Any Lender may request that Loans made by it to any Borrower be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the relevant Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.05) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if any such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

 

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Section 2.11 Prepayment of Loans.

 

(a)            Each Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.11(a). The applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender) of a Notice of Loan Prepayment of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, three (3) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars, Euro or Sterling) or four (4) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in any other Foreign Currency), in each case before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swing Line Loan, not later than 12:00 noon on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the Types of Loans to be prepaid and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, if Eurocurrency Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Periods of such Loans; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.

 

(b)           If at any time, (i) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all of the Revolving Credit Exposures (calculated, with respect to those Credit Events denominated in Foreign Currencies, as of the most recent Revaluation Date with respect to each such Credit Event) exceeds the Aggregate Commitment or (ii) solely as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all of the outstanding LC Exposures (so calculated), as of the most recent Revaluation Date, exceeds 105% of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, the Borrowers shall in each case immediately repay Borrowings or Cash Collateralize LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.21, as applicable, in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to cause (i) the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all Revolving Credit Exposures (so calculated) to be less than or equal to the Aggregate Commitment or (ii) the aggregate principal Dollar amount of LC Exposures (so calculated and net of any Cash Collateral provided pursuant to this Section 2.11(b)) to be less than or equal to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.11, no prepayment by a Foreign Obligor shall be used to pay or be applied against any Obligations of or attributable to any U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, the Foreign Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party) or any Domestic Subsidiary.

 

Section 2.12 Fees.

 

(a)            The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (subject to the provisions of Section 2.25) in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a unused fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans and (ii) LC Exposures, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.25. For the avoidance of doubt, the outstanding amount of Swing Line Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Commitments for purposes of determining the unused fee. The unused fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Effective Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The unused fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

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(b)           Each applicable Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee in Dollars with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Loans on the average daily Dollar Amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure and (ii) to the Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily Dollar Amount of the aggregate LC Exposure attributable to Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank for the account of such Borrower during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the first Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). Participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit shall be paid in Dollars. For purposes of computing the Dollar Amount of any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.10.

 

(c)           The Company shall pay to the parties entitled thereto for their own respective account, in Dollars, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(d)            The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)            All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars and Same Day Funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of unused fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

Section 2.13 Interest.

 

(a)           The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swing Line Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

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(b)           The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by any Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

(d)           Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan, upon termination of the Commitments and at such other times as specified herein; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgement, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

(e)           All computations of fees and interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except (i) that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate (including the Alternate Base Rate determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate) shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed and (ii) in the case of interest in respect of Loans denominated in Foreign Currencies as to which market practice differs from the foregoing, in accordance with such market practice and generally consistent with the Administrative Agent’s practice for other similarly situated syndicated credit facilities. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is repaid, provided, that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.18, bear interest for one day. The applicable interest rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error. With respect to all Non-LIBOR Quoted Currencies, the calculation of the applicable interest rate shall be determined in accordance with the then-prevailing market practice.

 

(f)           (i) The interest rates provided for in this Agreement, including this Section 2.13 are minimum interest rates, (ii) when entering into this Agreement, the parties have assumed that the interest payable at the rates set out in this Section or in other Sections of this Agreement is not and will not become subject to the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, (iii) notwithstanding that the parties do not anticipate that any payment of interest will be subject to the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, they agree that, in the event that the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax should be imposed on interest payments, the payment of interest due by any Borrower shall, to the extent provided in Section 2.17 including the limitations therein, be increased to an amount which (after making any deduction of the Non-Refundable Portion (as defined below) of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax) results in a payment to each Lender entitled to such payment of an amount equal to the payment which would have been due had no deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax been required, (iv) for this purpose, the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax shall be calculated on the full grossed-up interest amount and (v) such Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent the documents required by law or applicable double taxation treaties for the Lenders to claim a refund of any Swiss Federal Withholding Tax so deducted. For the purposes of this Section, “Non-Refundable Portion” shall mean Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at the standard rate (being, as at the date hereof, 35%) unless a tax ruling issued by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) confirms that, in relation to a specific Lender based on an applicable double tax treaty, the Non-Refundable Portion is a specified lower rate in which case such lower rate shall be applied in relation to such Lender.

 

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(g)           If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Company or for any other reason, the Company or the Lenders determine that (i) the Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Company as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the applicable Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, promptly on written demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing bank), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and/or fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and/or fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, under Section 2.06(d)(iii), Section 2.12(b) or Section 2.13(b) or under Article VII. The Company’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

(h)           Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if a Swiss Tax Deduction is required by law in respect of any interest payable by a Loan Party under a Loan Document and should it be unlawful for any Loan Party to comply with clause (h) of Section 2.17 for any reason, where this would otherwise be required by the terms of clause (h) of Section 2.17 (taking into account the exclusions in clause (h) of Section 2.17, then:

 

(i)        the applicable interest rate in relation to that interest payment shall be the interest rate which would have applied to that interest payment as provided for by clauses (a) to (g) of Section 2.13 divided by one minus the rate at which the relevant Swiss Tax Deduction is required to be made under Swiss domestic tax law and/or applicable double taxation treaties (where the rate at which the relevant Swiss Tax Deduction is required to be made is for this purpose expressed as a fraction of one); and

 

(ii)       the Loan Party shall (A) pay the relevant interest at the adjusted rate in accordance with paragraph (i) above and (B) make the Swiss Tax Deduction on the interest so recalculated, and all references to a rate of interest under the Loan Documents shall be construed accordingly.

 

Section 2.14 Illegality; Inability to Determine Rates.

 

(a)            Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars or any Foreign Currency in the applicable interbank market, then, on written notice thereof by such Lender to the Company through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Loan or Letter of Credit or to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans in Dollars, to convert ABR Loans to Eurocurrency Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining ABR Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Company in writing that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon written demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable and such Loans are denominated in Dollars, convert all Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans (the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

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(b)           Inability to Determine Rates. If in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) (i) the Administrative Agent determines that deposits (whether in Dollars or a Foreign Currency) are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Loan, or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Loan (whether denominated in Dollars or a Foreign Currency) or in connection with an existing or proposed ABR Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a) above, “Impacted Loans”), or (b) the Administrative Agent determines that for any reason the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurocurrency Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Lender in writing. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Loans in the affected currency or currencies shall be suspended, (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Alternate Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans in the affected currency or currencies (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans in the amount specified therein. Each Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or subject such Lender to any unreimbursed costs or expense.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in this Section 2.14(b), the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Company and the Required Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Company that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Company written notice thereof.

 

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(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Company or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to the Company) that the Company or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

(i)        adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or

 

(ii)       the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans, provided that, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide LIBOR after such specific date (such specific date, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”); or

 

(iii)      syndicated loans currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section 2.14, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR,

 

then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Company may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing LIBOR in accordance with this Section 2.14 with (x) one or more SOFR-Based Rates or (y) another alternate benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such benchmarks, which adjustment or method for calculating such adjustment shall be published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion and may be periodically updated (the “Adjustment;” and any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Company unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders (A) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (x), object to the Adjustment; or (B) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (y), object to such amendment; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of clause (A), the Required Lenders shall not be entitled to object to any SOFR-Based Rate contained in any such amendment. Such LIBOR Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such LIBOR Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) the Eurocurrency Rate component shall no longer be utilized in determining the Alternate Base Rate. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans (subject to the foregoing clause (y)) in the amount specified therein.

 

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Notwithstanding anything else herein, any definition of LIBOR Successor Rate shall provide that in no event shall such LIBOR Successor Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

In connection with the implementation of a LIBOR Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly notify the Borrowers in writing of such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes upon the effectiveness thereof and (ii) post each such amendment implementing such LIBOR Successor Conforming Changes to the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.

 

Section 2.15 Increased Costs.

 

(a)           If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)        impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement, other than as set forth below) or the Issuing Bank;

 

(ii)       impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

 

(iii)      subject any Recipient of any payments hereunder to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clause (b) of the definition of Excluded Taxes (including changes in the rate or basis of the imposition thereof) and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Person of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan (including, without limitation, pursuant to any conversion of any Borrowing denominated in an Agreed Currency into a Borrowing denominated in any other Agreed Currency) or to increase the cost to such Person of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (including, without limitation, pursuant to any conversion of any Borrowing denominated in an Agreed Currency into a Borrowing denominated in any other Agreed Currency) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Person hereunder, whether of principal, interest or otherwise (including, without limitation, pursuant to any conversion of any Borrowing denominated in an Agreed Currency into a Borrowing denominated in any other Agreed Currency), then the applicable Borrower will pay to such Person such additional amount or amounts as determined by such Person in good faith as will compensate such Person for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered; provided, however, that it is generally the practice of such Person to charge similarly situated borrowers for such amounts under comparable provisions of other financing agreements.

 

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(b)           If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the applicable Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as calculated by such Person in good faith as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered; provided, however, that it is generally the practice of such Person to charge similarly situated borrowers for such amounts under comparable provisions of other financing agreements.

 

(c)           A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay, or cause the other applicable Borrowers to pay, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)           Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(e)            Each applicable Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or costs shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

 

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(f)              Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights of any Lender and the Issuing Bank to receive compensation from any Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall only be available to the extent that such compensation is reasonably requested by such Lender or Issuing Bank and not invoked in an arbitrary or capricious manner.

 

Section 2.16  Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(a) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Company pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. Such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurocurrency Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the relevant currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

Section 2.17 Taxes.

 

(a)             Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law; provided that if any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are required to be deducted or withheld from such payments under applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the applicable Withholding Agent), then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions or withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made, (ii) the relevant Withholding Agent shall make such deductions or withholding and (iii) the relevant Withholding Agent shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)            In addition, the Loan Parties shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law or at the option of the Administrative Agent, timely reimburse it for the payment of any Other Taxes.

 

(c)            The Loan Parties shall indemnify the applicable Recipient, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from any payment to such Recipient (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Company by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(d)            As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)           (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which a Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to such Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. Each Lender, if reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such documentation reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Company or Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(e)(ii)(A) and (ii)(B) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)           Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is the Company:

 

(A)         any Lender that is not a Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)         any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1)         in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

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(2)         in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(3)         in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Company within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

 

(4)         to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-2 or Exhibit I-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; and

 

(C)          any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Company or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent to permit the Company or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(f)            If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that each Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to such Loan Party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.

 

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(g)            To the extent that interest payable by a Swiss Borrower under a Loan Document becomes subject to Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, each relevant Lender and such Swiss Borrower shall, at such Swiss Borrower’s reasonable request, promptly cooperate in completing any procedural formalities (including submitting forms and documents required by the appropriate tax authorities) to the extent possible and necessary for such Swiss Borrower to obtain authorization to make interest payments without them being subject to Swiss Federal Withholding Tax or to being subject to Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at a rate reduced under an applicable double taxation treaty. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the completion of any procedural formalities or the execution and submission of such documentation shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(h)            No Loan Party is required to make an increased payment to a specific Lender (i.e. without prejudice to the rights of all other Lenders hereunder) under clause (a) of this Section 2.17 above or to make an increased interest payment in accordance with clause (h) of Section 2.13 in connection with the deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax:

 

(i)            if a Swiss Loan Party has breached the Swiss Ten Non-Bank Rule or the Swiss Twenty Non-Bank Rule as a direct consequence of that Lender:

 

(A) not complying with its obligations under clause (b) of Section 9.05; or

 

(B) having acquired any rights pursuant to clause (b) of Section 9.05 against such Swiss Loan Party as a result of such breach;

 

(ii)          if the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Swiss Tax Deduction, but, provided such Lender confirmed that it was a Swiss Qualifying Bank, (A) never was a Swiss Qualifying Bank or (B) on that date that Lender has ceased to be a Swiss Qualifying Bank other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application of) any law or double taxation treaty, or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority; or

 

(iii)         if and to the extent the Company and/or the relevant Swiss Loan Party making the payment is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to that Lender with a smaller or without a Swiss Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under clause (h) of Section 2.13.

 

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(i)             Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent for any Taxes (but, in the case of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, only to the extent that the Loan Parties have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) attributable to such Lender that are paid or payable by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement (including any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.05(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The indemnity under this Section 2.17(i) shall be paid within ten (10) days after the Administrative Agent delivers to the applicable Lender a certificate stating the amount of Taxes so paid or payable by the Administrative Agent. Such certificate shall be conclusive of the amount so paid or payable absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (h).

 

(j)             The indemnification under clause (c) of Section 2.17 shall not apply to the extent a loss, liability or cost would have been compensated for by an increased payment under clause (h) of Section 2.17 but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in the sub-paragraphs (A) or (B) in clause (h) of Section 2.17 applied.

 

(k)            If a payment made to a Lender under this Agreement would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(k), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

(l)             All amounts payable by the Borrowers to each Recipient under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents are exclusive of any VAT and if any VAT becomes payable, the Borrowers shall increase the amount of the payment by an amount equal to such VAT. Should VAT become chargeable retroactively, the Recipient may retroactively charge, and the Borrowers shall pay, such VAT. Where this Agreement or any other Loan Documents require the Borrowers to reimburse or indemnify the Recipients for any cost or expense, the Borrowers shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) the Recipients for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines in its own discretion that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant Governmental Authority.

 

Section 2.18  Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

 

(a)            Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16 or Section 2.17, or otherwise) prior to (i) in the case of payments denominated in Dollars, 12:00 noon time and (ii) in the case of payments denominated in a Foreign Currency, 12:00 noon, Local Time, in each case on the date when due, in Same Day Funds, free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or set-off. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. Except as otherwise set forth herein, all such payments shall be made (i) in the same currency in which the applicable Credit Event was made and (ii) to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 9.04 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments denominated in the same currency received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, if any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if, after the making of any Credit Event in any Foreign Currency, currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that the type of currency in which the Credit Event was made (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or any Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Borrower hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of repayment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrowers take all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations.

 

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(b)            If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

(c)            If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swing Line Loans held by it resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swing Line Loans and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (i) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (ii) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swing Line Loans of other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing to them; provided that (i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (y) any payment made by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in LC Disbursements and Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

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(d)            Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the relevant Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the relevant Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the relevant Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand in Same Day Funds the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate.

 

(e)            If any Lender shall fail to make any payment to the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Bank required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), Section 2.06(d), Section 2.07(b), Section 2.18(d), Section 9.04(c) or any other provision of this Agreement, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Bank to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as Cash Collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under such Sections; in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

Section 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)            If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14(b), or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14(b) or Section 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)           If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14(b), (ii) any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.05), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.14(b) or Section 2.17) and obligations under the Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank and the Swing Line Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swing Line Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.16), from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14(b) or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments, (iv) the Company shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified by Section 9.05(b), and (v) such assignment does not conflict with applicable laws. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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Section 2.20 Expansion Option. The Company may from time to time elect to increase the Commitments or enter into one or more tranches of term loans (each an “Incremental Term Loan”), in each case in minimum increments of $20,000,000 so long as, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of such increases and all such Incremental Term Loans does not exceed $250,000,000. The Company may arrange for any such increase or tranche to be provided by one or more Lenders (each Lender so agreeing to an increase in its Commitment, or to participate in such Incremental Term Loans, an “Increasing Lender”), or by one or more new banks, financial institutions or other entities (each such new bank, financial institution or other entity, an “Augmenting Lender”; provided that no Ineligible Institution may be an Augmenting Lender), which agree to increase their existing Commitments, or to participate in such Incremental Term Loans, or provide new Commitments, as the case may be; provided that (i) each Augmenting Lender, shall be subject to the approval of the Company and the Administrative Agent and (ii) (x) in the case of an Increasing Lender, the Company and such Increasing Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, and (y) in the case of an Augmenting Lender, the Company and such Augmenting Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto. No consent of any Lender (other than the Lenders participating in the increase or any Incremental Term Loan) shall be required for any increase in Commitments or Incremental Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.20. Increases and new Commitments and Incremental Term Loans created pursuant to this Section 2.20 shall become effective on the date agreed by the Company, the Administrative Agent and the relevant Increasing Lenders or Augmenting Lenders, and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no increase in the Commitments (or in the Commitment of any Lender) or tranche of Incremental Term Loans shall become effective under this paragraph unless, (i) on the proposed date of the effectiveness of such increase or Incremental Term Loans, (A) the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 shall be satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to that effect dated such date and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company and (B) the Company shall be in compliance (on a Pro Forma Basis reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) with the covenants contained in Section 6.10 and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received documents and opinions consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date as to the organizational power and authority of the Borrowers to borrow hereunder after giving effect to such increase. On the effective date of any increase in the Commitments or any Incremental Term Loans being made, (i) each relevant Increasing Lender and Augmenting Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in Same Day Funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of all the Lenders to equal its Applicable Percentage of such outstanding Revolving Loans, and (ii) except in the case of any Incremental Term Loans, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase in the Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, in respect of each Eurocurrency Loan, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. The Incremental Term Loans (a) shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the Revolving Loans, (b) shall not mature earlier than the Maturity Date (but may have amortization prior to such date) and (c) shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Revolving Loans; provided that (i) the terms and conditions applicable to any tranche of Incremental Term Loans maturing after the Maturity Date may provide for material additional or different financial or other covenants or prepayment requirements applicable only during periods after the Maturity Date and (ii) the Incremental Term Loans may be priced differently than the Revolving Loans. Incremental Term Loans may be made hereunder pursuant to an amendment or restatement (an “Incremental Term Loan Amendment”) of this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrowers, each Increasing Lender participating in such tranche, each Augmenting Lender participating in such tranche, if any, and the Administrative Agent. The Incremental Term Loan Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.20. Nothing contained in this Section 2.20 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder, or provide Incremental Term Loans, at any time.

 

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Section 2.21 Cash Collateral.

 

(a)            Certain Credit Support Events. If (i) the Issuing Bank has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an LC Borrowing, (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any LC Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrowers shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Article VII or (iv) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, the applicable Borrowers (or the Company, on behalf of all Borrowers) shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within two Business Days (in all other cases) following receipt of any written request by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above, after giving effect to Section 2.25(c) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). Additionally, if any Borrower shall be required to Cash Collateralize LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.11(b), then, within two Business Days such Borrower (or, the Company on behalf of such Borrower) shall provide Cash Collateral for the outstanding amount of the LC Exposure in an amount required by Section 2.11(b).

 

(b)           Grant of Security Interest. Each Borrower furnishing such Cash Collateral, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.21(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, each applicable Borrower (or, the Company on behalf of such Borrower) will, promptly upon written demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. Each Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all reasonable and customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

 

(c)            Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Agreement, including any of this Section 2.21, Section 2.11, Section 2.25 or Article VII in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific LC Exposure, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.21, Section 2.11, Section 2.25 or Article VII, no Cash Collateral furnished by a Foreign Obligor shall be used to pay or be applied against any Obligations of or attributable to any U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Foreign Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party) or any Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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(d)           Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 9.05(b)(ii)(G))) or (ii) the reasonable determination by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

Section 2.22 Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Borrower hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency, each Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Lenders as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Lender under Section 2.18, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, agrees to remit such excess to such Borrower.

 

Section 2.23 Designated Borrowers.

 

(a)            Effective as of the date hereof Bruker Invest and Bruker Finance shall each be a “Designated Borrower” hereunder and may receive Loans for its account on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

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(b)            The Company may at any time, upon not less than 15 Business Days’ notice from the Company to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), request that any additional Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (other than any SPV) of the Company (an “Applicant Borrower”) be designated as a Designated Borrower to receive Loans hereunder by delivering to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly deliver counterparts thereof to each Lender) a duly executed notice and agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit F-1 (a “Designated Borrower Request and Assumption Agreement”). The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that prior to any Applicant Borrower becoming entitled to utilize the credit facilities provided for herein the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received such supporting resolutions, incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information, in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be reasonably required by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, and Notes signed by such new Borrowers to the extent any Lenders so require. If the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees that an Applicant Borrower shall be entitled to receive Loans hereunder, then promptly following receipt of all such requested resolutions, incumbency certificates, opinions of counsel and other documents or information, the Administrative Agent shall send a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit F-2 (a “Designated Borrower Notice”) to the Company and the Lenders specifying the effective date upon which the Applicant Borrower shall constitute a Designated Borrower for purposes hereof, whereupon each of the Lenders agrees to permit such Designated Borrower to receive Loans hereunder, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and each of the parties agrees that such Designated Borrower otherwise shall be a Borrower for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that no Borrowing Notice or Letter of Credit Application may be submitted by or on behalf of such Designated Borrower until the date that is five Business Days after such effective date.

 

(c)             The Obligations of the Company and each U.S. Loan Party that is a Borrower shall be joint and several in nature. The Foreign Obligations of each Foreign Obligor that is a Designated Borrower shall be joint and several in nature, provided that each U.S. Loan Party shall Guarantee all such Foreign Obligations. The Foreign Obligors shall not under any circumstances be liable for any Obligations of the Company or any U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Foreign Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party).

 

(d)           Each Subsidiary of the Company that is or becomes a “Designated Borrower” pursuant to this Section 2.23 hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including (i) the giving and receipt of notices, (ii) the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and all modifications hereto, and (iii) the receipt of the proceeds of any Loans made by the Lenders to any such Designated Borrower hereunder. Any acknowledgment, consent, direction, certification or other action which might otherwise be valid or effective only if given or taken by all Borrowers, or by each Borrower acting singly, shall be valid and effective if given or taken only by the Company, whether or not any such other Borrower joins therein. Any notice, demand, consent, acknowledgement, direction, certification or other communication delivered to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been delivered to each Designated Borrower.

 

(e)            The Company may from time to time, upon not less than 15 Business Days’ notice from the Company to the Administrative Agent (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), terminate a Designated Borrower’s status as such, provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or result therefrom and (ii) there are no outstanding Loans payable by such Designated Borrower, or other amounts payable by such Designated Borrower on account of any Loans made to it, as of the effective date of such termination. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such termination of a Designated Borrower’s status.

 

Section 2.24  Senior Debt. The Company hereby designates all Obligations now or hereinafter incurred or otherwise outstanding, and agrees that the Obligations shall at all times constitute, senior indebtedness and designated senior indebtedness, or terms of similar import, which are entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of all Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

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Section 2.25  Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)           fees shall cease to accrue on the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

 

(b)          the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.03); provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.03, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(c)           if any Swing Line Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)            all or any part of the Swing Line Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swing Line Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments;

 

(ii)            if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Company shall within five (5) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swing Line Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Bank only the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.21 for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii)          if the Company Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is Cash Collateralized;

 

(iv)           if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

 

(v)            if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor Cash Collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all unused fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment that was utilized by such LC Exposure) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or Cash Collateralized; and

 

(d)          so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or Cash Collateral will be provided by the Company in accordance with Section 2.25(c), and participating interests in any such newly made Swing Line Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.25(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

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If (i) a Bankruptcy Event with respect to a Lender Parent shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Company or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

 

Subject to Section 9.18, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

(e)            Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.09 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.25; fourth, as the Company may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Company, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.21; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Company as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Company against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Exposure owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Exposure owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in LC Exposure and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.25(c). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.25(e) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Company, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto in writing, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender and (i) the Swing Line Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swing Line Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage and (ii) any cash, or portion thereof, as applicable, provided by the Company as Cash Collateral under this Section 2.25 shall be promptly released and returned to the Company.

 

Section 2.26 Foreign Subsidiaries Not Obligated For Obligations of U.S. Loan Parties. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in any Loan Document, all references in the Loan Documents to payments, proceeds, liabilities, Obligations, Loans, fees, collections, Guarantees, security interests, pledges, provision of Cash Collateral, LC Advances, LC Borrowings and any other arrangement affecting the payment obligations of the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties and their responsibilities to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, Swing Line Lender, Issuing Bank and any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of the obligation of any Loan Party hereunder, shall mean, in the case of and as applied to any U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Foreign Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party), only such U.S. Loan Party and the other U.S. Loan Parties Guaranteeing the Obligations of such U.S. Loan Party, such that no payments received from, or collections on account of the property or assets of, a Foreign Obligor (or rights to such receipt or such collection) shall be applied to such U.S. Loan Party’s Obligations (or the Obligations of any other Domestic Subsidiary) (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Foreign Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party), it being the intention of the parties hereto to avoid adverse tax consequences due to the application of Section 956 of the Code. All provisions contained in any Loan Document shall be interpreted consistently with this Section 2.26 to the extent possible, and where such other provisions conflict with the provisions of this Section 2.26, the provisions of this Section 2.26 shall govern. The Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that (x) each U.S. Loan Party has Guaranteed, inter alia, all Obligations of the Foreign Obligors and the Foreign Subsidiaries and (y) each Foreign Obligor has Guaranteed, inter alia, all Foreign Obligations of each other Foreign Obligor and the Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that no such Foreign Obligor and/or such Foreign Subsidiary shall Guarantee the Obligations of any U.S. Loan Party or other Domestic Subsidiary. The foregoing shall in no event abrogate the obligations of the Loan Parties to make any and all required payments (in full in cash) in respect of their respective Obligations as and when required by the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that all such Obligations are absolute, unconditional and irrevocable.

 

Section 2.27 Lender Status Confirmation.

 

(a)          Each Lender (as of the date of this Agreement and the Effective Date) confirms that it is a Swiss Qualifying Bank. Each Lender which becomes a Party to this Agreement after the date of this Agreement shall indicate, in the Assignment and Assumption which it executes on becoming a Party, and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and without liability to any Loan Party, which of the following categories it falls in:

 

(i)            a Swiss Qualifying Bank;

 

(ii)           a Swiss Non-Qualifying Bank.

 

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If a New Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this Section 2.27 then such New Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by each Loan Party) as if it is not a Swiss Qualifying Bank until such time as it notifies the Administrative Agent which category applies (and the Administrative Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the Company). For the avoidance of doubt, an Assignment and Assumption shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this Section 2.27.

 

Article III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

Section 3.01  Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, except where the failure to so be in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect), has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 3.01 hereto (as supplemented from time to time) identifies each Subsidiary, noting whether such Subsidiary is a Material Domestic Subsidiary or a Material Foreign Subsidiary, the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class of its capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Company and the other Subsidiaries and, if such percentage is not 100% (excluding directors’ qualifying shares as required by law), a description of each class issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable and all such shares and other equity interests indicated on Schedule 3.01 as owned by the Company or another Subsidiary are owned, beneficially and of record, by the Company or any Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01, there are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary. For the purposes of the Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings (as amended from time to time, the “Insolvency Regulation”), each Dutch Borrower’s centre of main interests (as that term in used in Article 3(1) of the Insolvency Regulation) is situated in its jurisdiction of incorporation and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(10) of the Insolvency Regulation) in any other jurisdiction. There is no works council with jurisdiction over the transaction as envisaged by any Loan Document to which a Dutch Borrower or a Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor is a party and there is no obligation for a Dutch Borrower or a Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor to establish a works council pursuant to the Dutch Works Council Act (Wet op de Ondernemingsraden).

 

Section 3.02  Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, shareholder action. The Loan Documents to which each Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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Section 3.03  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or (except as set forth on Schedule 3.03) any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not contravene the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) will not (x) violate any order of any Governmental Authority or (y) violate in any material respect any applicable law or regulation, (d) will not violate in any material respect or result in a material default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment (other than payments contemplated by the Loan Documents) to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (e) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except as otherwise provided herein).

 

Section 3.04  Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

 

(a)            The Company has heretofore furnished or otherwise made available to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 reported on by Pricewaterhouse Coopers L.L.P., independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

 

(b)           Since December 31, 2018, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Section 3.05  Properties.

 

(a)            Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes and Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

(b)           Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use or has a right to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.06  Litigation and Environmental Matters.

 

(a)            Except as disclosed prior to the Effective Date on the Company’s public filings on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions. There are no labor controversies pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

 

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(b)          Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

(c)           Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any law, regulation, rule or order, or any obligation under any agreement or instrument, that has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.07  Compliance with Laws and Agreements.

 

(a)           Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except in any case where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)           Each of the Swiss Loan Parties represents and warrants that it is in compliance with the Swiss Non-Bank Rules at all times, provided that a Swiss Loan Party shall not be in breach of this representation if such numbers of creditors is exceeded solely by reason of:

 

(c)           one or more Lenders:

 

(i)             not complying with their obligations under clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05; or

 

(ii)           having acquired any rights pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05 against such Swiss Loan Party as a result of such breach;

 

(d)          one or more Lenders did confirm that they were a Swiss Qualifying Bank but (A) never was a Swiss Qualifying Bank or (B) has ceased to be a Swiss Qualifying Bank as a result of any reason attributable to such Lender(s) other than as a result of any change after the date it or they became a Lender under this Agreement in or in the interpretation, administration, or application of (x) any law or treaty, or any published practice or (y) concession of any relevant taxing authority); or

 

(e)          any of the confirmations made by an original lender in Section 2.26 or by a new Lender made in an Assignment and Assumption is incorrect.

 

(f)          For the purposes of this Section 3.07, each Swiss Loan Party shall assume that the aggregate number of Lenders which are Swiss Non-Qualifying Banks is ten.

 

Section 3.08  Investment Company Status. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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Section 3.09  Taxes.

 

(a)           Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)          It is not required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment a Loan Party may make under any Loan Document to a Lender which is a Swiss Qualifying Bank.

 

(c)          No Swiss Loan Party shall be in breach of the representation made under (b) above in case a Swiss Tax Deduction is required as a consequence of:

 

(i)           one or more Lenders:

 

(A)         not complying with their obligations under clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05; or

 

(B)          having acquired any rights pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05 against such Swiss Loan Party as a result of such breach;

 

(ii)          one or more Lenders did confirm that they were a Swiss Qualifying Bank but (A) never was a Swiss Qualifying Bank or (B) has ceased to be a Swiss Qualifying Bank as a result of any reason attributable to such Lender(s) other than as a result of any change after the date it or they became a Lender under this Agreement in or in the interpretation, administration, or application of (i) any law or treaty, or any published practice or (ii) concession of any relevant taxing authority);

 

(iii)         any of the confirmations made by an original Lender in Section 2.27 or by a New Lender made in an Assignment and Assumption is incorrect; or

 

(iv)         a payment under Section 10.03(b).

 

Section 3.10  ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower is or will be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments.

 

Section 3.11  Disclosure. The reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished or filed with the SEC) when taken as a whole and when taken together with the Company’s filings with the SEC prior to the date hereof contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that (a) with respect to forecasts or projected financial information, the Borrowers represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time made (it being understood that such forecasts and projections may vary from actual results and such variances may be material) and (b) no representation is made with respect to general economic or industry data.

 

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Section 3.12 Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan have been used or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.

 

Section 3.13 Liens. There are no Liens on any of the real or personal properties of the Company or any Subsidiary except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

Section 3.14  No Default. Each Borrower is in full compliance with this Agreement and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 3.15 No Burdensome Restrictions. On the date hereof, no Borrower is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.08.

 

Section 3.16 Solvency.

 

(a)                Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

 

(b)                Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries intend to, and the Company does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

 

Section 3.17 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Company and its Subsidiaries (a) have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with all Anti-Corruption Laws and (b) have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or representatives thereof with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions. The Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company their respective officers, employees, directors, agents, affiliates or representatives thereof, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not engaged in any activity that could reasonably be expected to result in such Borrower being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of the Company, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Company or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or representatives thereof is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is a Sanctioned Person.

 

Section 3.18 Representations as to Foreign Obligors. Each of the Company and each Foreign Obligor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

 

(a)                Such Foreign Obligor is subject to civil and commercial laws with respect to its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party (collectively as to such Foreign Obligor, the “Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents”), and the execution, delivery and performance by such Foreign Obligor of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents constitute and will constitute private and commercial acts and not public or governmental acts. Neither such Foreign Obligor nor any of its property has any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing in respect of its obligations under the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents.

 

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(b)                The Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents are in proper legal form under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing for the enforcement thereof against such Foreign Obligor under the laws of such jurisdiction, and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability, priority or admissibility in evidence of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability, priority or admissibility in evidence of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents that the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents be filed, registered or recorded with, or executed or notarized before, any court or other authority in the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing or that any registration charge or stamp or similar tax be paid on or in respect of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents or any other document, except for (i) any such filing, registration, recording, execution or notarization as has been made or is not required to be made until the Applicable Foreign Obligor Document or any other document is sought to be enforced and (ii) any charge or tax as has been timely paid.

 

(c)                There is no tax, levy, impost, duty, fee, assessment or other governmental charge, or any deduction or withholding, imposed by any Governmental Authority in or of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing either (i) on or by virtue of the execution or delivery of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents or (ii) on any payment to be made by such Foreign Obligor pursuant to the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents, except as has been disclosed to the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)                The execution, delivery and performance of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents executed by such Foreign Obligor are, under applicable foreign exchange control regulations of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing, not subject to any notification or authorization except (i) such as have been made or obtained or (ii) such as cannot be made or obtained until a later date (provided that any notification or authorization described in clause (ii) shall be made or obtained as soon as is reasonably practicable).

 

Section 3.19 EEA Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Section 3.20 Covered Party. No Loan Party is a Covered Party.

 

Section 3.21 Beneficial Ownership Certification. As of the Effective Date, the information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered by or on behalf of the Borrowers is true and correct in all respects.

 

Section 3.22 Fiscal Unity for Dutch Tax Purposes. Any fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch corporate income tax (vennootschapsbelasting) or Dutch value added tax (omzetbelasting) purposes in which a Loan Party is included consists of Loan Parties only, unless with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

Section 3.23 Residency for Dutch Tax Purposes. Each Dutch Borrower or Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor is resident for tax purposes in the Netherlands only and does not have any permanent establishment or other taxable presence outside the Netherlands, unless with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

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Article IV

 

Conditions

 

Section 4.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.03):

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from (i) each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement and (ii) each initial Subsidiary Guarantor either (A) a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty signed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of the Subsidiary Guaranty) that such Subsidiary Guarantor has signed a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

(b)                The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of each of (i) Nixon Peabody LLP, special U.S. counsel for the Loan Parties, (ii) CMS von Erlach Poncet AG, special Swiss counsel for the Loan Parties, (iii) CMS Hasche Sigle, special German counsel for the Loan Parties, and (iv) CMS Derks Star Busmann NV, special Dutch counsel for the Loan Parties, and, in each case, covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Company hereby requests such counsels to deliver such opinions.

 

(c)                The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the initial Loan Parties, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to such Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and as further described in the list of closing documents attached as Exhibit E.

 

(d)                The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, certifying (i) that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 have been satisfied and (ii) that since December 31, 2018 there has been no event or condition (including any action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Company, threatened in writing) that has had or could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Existing Credit Agreement and all commitments to extend credit under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been terminated and all amounts outstanding or payable thereunder shall have been repaid in full.

 

(f)                 The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Company hereunder.

 

(g)                The Lenders shall have completed a due diligence investigation of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in scope, and with results, satisfactory to the Lenders, with respect to Anti-Corruption Laws and “know your customer” due diligence. The Loan Parties shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, at least three (3) business days prior to the Effective Date, the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in order to comply with applicable law, including without limitation, the Patriot Act, in each case, requested in writing by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(h)                At least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, any Borrower that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Borrower.

 

(i)                 The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect.

 

(j)                 The Company shall have received gross proceeds under the Term Loan Agreement of $300,000,000.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

Section 4.02 Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)                The representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects if qualified by material adverse change or other materiality qualifier) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, unless specifically stated to have been made on a previous date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects if qualified by material adverse change or other materiality qualifier) as of such date.

 

(b)                At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(c)                No law or regulation shall prohibit, and no order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall enjoin, prohibit or restrain, any Lender from making the requested Loan or the Issuing Bank or any Lender from issuing, renewing, extending or increasing the face amount of or participating in the Letter of Credit requested to be issued, renewed, extended or increased.

 

(d)                The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the Issuing Lender or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Borrowing Request or Swing Line Loan Notice, as applicable, in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

(e)                If the applicable Borrower is a Designated Borrower, then the conditions of Section 2.23 to the designation of such Borrower as a Designated Borrower shall have been met to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

 

(f)                 In the case of a Loan or Letter of Credit to be denominated in a Foreign Currency, such currency remains an Eligible Currency.

 

Each Borrowing (provided that a conversion or a continuation of a Borrowing shall not constitute a “Borrowing” for purposes of this Section) and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

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Article V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or otherwise become subject to Cash Collateralization or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrowers covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

 

Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information. The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:

 

(a)                within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Pricewaterhouse Coopers L.L.P. or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

(b)                within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited related statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers (which certification shall be satisfied by the certification provided in Exhibit 31.2 to the Company’s applicable Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c)                concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.10, (iii) (A) certifying that there has been no change to the list of Material Domestic Subsidiaries and Material Foreign Subsidiaries since the Effective Date or since the date of the most recently delivered certificate pursuant to this Section 5.01(c), as applicable, or (B) setting forth all Material Domestic Subsidiaries and all Material Foreign Subsidiaries and the Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Total Assets attributable to such Material Domestic Subsidiaries and Material Foreign Subsidiaries and (iv) stating whether, to the knowledge of such Financial Officer, any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

 

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(d)                as soon as available, but in any event not more than ninety (90) days following the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the plan and forecast of the Company for the upcoming fiscal year in form as presented to the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(e)                promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and

 

(f)                 promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Company or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; provided that the Company will not be required to provide any information (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective customers or suppliers (in each case, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provided that, in such case, such information shall be available to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (or to any Lender to the extent such visit or inspection is coordinated through the Administrative Agent, provided that, in connection with such information, each such Lender shall be subject to customary “clean-room” restrictions that are reasonably satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and the Company)), (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives) is prohibited by applicable law or (iii) the revelation of which would violate any confidentiality obligations owed to any third party by the Company or any Subsidiary (other than to any Affiliate), provided, further, that in the event that information is withheld in reliance on this provision, the Company shall (x) in the case of any confidentiality obligation, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain waivers of such confidentiality obligations or eliminate any such restriction or communicate, to the extent permitted, the applicable information in a way that would not violate such restrictions and (y) notify the Administrative Agent to the extent the Company and its Subsidiaries are not providing otherwise requested information.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) and (e) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Company posts such documents on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Company’s website at the address communicated to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in accordance with Section 9.01 or (ii) on which similar website, if any, to which the Administrative Agent and each Lender has access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether a website sponsored by the Administrative Agent), provided that (A) the Company shall have notified (which notice may be by facsimile or electronic mail and shall be given in accordance with Section 9.01) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and (B) the Company shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Company to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Company with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Company.

 

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Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of such Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to any of the Borrowers or their respective Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. Each Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrowers shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.13); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Borrower shall be under any obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

Section 5.02 Notices of Material Events. The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)                the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b)                the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against, or to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer, affecting the Company or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)                any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer or other executive officer of the Company setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

Section 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its (a) legal existence and (b) the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, governmental authorizations and intellectual property rights material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted; except, in the case of clause (b), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

 

Section 5.04 Payment of Obligations. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Company or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain in all material respects all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

Section 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, keep proper books of record and account from which financial statements may be prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in any event, consistent with the Company’s (or such Subsidiary’s, as the case may be) past practice or changes in such practice necessary to meet the requirements of GAAP. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, (a) only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (or a Lender to the extent such visit or inspection is coordinated through the Administrative Agent) may exercise the rights under this Section 5.06, (b) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, collectively, shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default and only one such time shall be at the Company’s expense absent the existence of an Event of Default and (c) the Person exercising such rights shall attempt not to exercise such rights during the first thirty (30) days of any of the Company’s fiscal quarters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06 or any other Loan Document, none of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making of copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (a) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information (in each case, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provided that, in such case, such information shall be available to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (or to any Lender to the extent such visit or inspection is coordinated through the Administrative Agent, provided that, in connection with such information, each such Lender shall be subject to customary “clean-room” restrictions that are reasonably satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and the Company)), (b) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives) is prohibited by any law or any binding contractual agreement or (c) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product; provided, further, that that in the event that any information is not provided in reliance on this provision, the Company shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent that such information is being withheld and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to communicate, to the extent feasible, the applicable information in a way that would not violate the applicable agreement or risk waiver of such privilege.

 

Section 5.07 Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, in the case of (i) and (ii), except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company will conduct its businesses in compliance in all material respects with Anti-Corruption Laws and will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions; provided, however, that no covenant shall be made with respect to any German Subsidiary to the extent it would violate section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung).

 

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Section 5.08 Swiss Non-Bank Rules.

 

(a)                Each Swiss Loan Party shall at all times during the term of this Agreement be in compliance with the Swiss Non-Bank Rules, provided that a Swiss Loan Party shall not be in breach of this undertaking if such numbers of creditors is exceeded solely by reason of:

 

(i)                 one or more Lenders:

 

(A) not complying with their obligations under clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05; or

 

(B) having acquired any rights pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05 against such Swiss Loan Party as a result of such breach;

 

(ii)               one or more Lenders did confirm that they were a Swiss Qualifying Bank but (A) never was a Swiss Qualifying Bank or (B) has ceased to be a Swiss Qualifying Bank as a result of any reason attributable to such Lender(s) other than as a result of any change after the date it or they became a Lender under this Agreement in or in the interpretation, administration, or application of (i) any law or treaty, or any published practice or (ii) concession of any relevant taxing authority); or

 

(iii)             any of the confirmations made by an original Lender in Section 2.26 or by a new Lender made in an Assignment an Assumption is incorrect.

 

(b)                For the purposes of this Section 5.08 each Swiss Loan Party shall assume that the aggregate number of Lenders which are Swiss Non-Qualifying Banks is ten.

 

Section 5.09 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans will be used only to finance the working capital needs and for general corporate purposes, of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including Acquisitions not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and the Company shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

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Section 5.10 Subsidiary Guaranty. As promptly as possible but in any event within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after any Person becomes a Subsidiary or any Subsidiary qualifies independently as, or is designated by the Company or the Administrative Agent as, a Material Domestic Subsidiary or a Material Foreign Subsidiary (including, without limitation, upon the formation of any Subsidiary that is a Division Successor), the Company shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in reasonable detail describing the material assets of such Person and shall cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary and/or Material Foreign Subsidiary (other than any SPV) (to the extent such Subsidiary is not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty (in the form contemplated thereby) pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions of thereof, such joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty to be accompanied by appropriate corporate resolutions, other corporate documentation and legal opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing (or any limitation set forth in the definition of “Subsidiary Guarantor”, the Company will cause each of its Subsidiaries that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower, an additional or co-borrower, Guarantor or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under the Existing Senior Notes, the Senior Notes or any other Material Indebtedness (other than any SPV with respect to any Permitted Securitization Indebtedness) to concurrently therewith to become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. For the Avoidance of any doubt, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to Guarantee the Obligations of a U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party) or any other Domestic Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Company reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences (including tax consequences) of providing a Guarantee of the Obligations by a Subsidiary is likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby, such Subsidiary shall not be required to Guarantee the Obligations.

 

Section 5.11 KYC/Beneficial Ownership. Promptly following any written request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” requirements under the Patriot Act, the Beneficial Ownership Regulation or other applicable anti-money laundering laws.

 

Section 5.12 Fiscal Unity for Dutch Tax Purposes. Procure that any fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) for Dutch corporate income tax (vennootschapsbelasting) or Dutch value added tax (omzetbelasting) purposes in which a Loan Party is included consists of Loan Parties only, unless with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

Section 5.13 Residency for Dutch Tax Purposes. Procure that each Dutch Borrower or Dutch Subsidiary Guarantor is resident for tax purposes in the Netherlands only and does not have any permanent establishment or other taxable presence outside the Netherlands, unless with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

Article VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated (or otherwise become subject to Cash Collateralization or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank), and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrowers covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

 

Section 6.01 Indebtedness. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)                the Obligations and any other Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

 

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(b)                Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness of a similar type that does not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(c)                Indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Company or any other Subsidiary (provided that all such Indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of the Dollar Amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) of any (x) Loan Party owing to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or (y) any U.S. Loan Party owing to any Foreign Obligor shall, in each case, be subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent);

 

(d)                Guarantees by the Company of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary (provided that any such Guarantee provided by a Loan Party shall be made only to the extent that such Loan Party is otherwise permitted to incur such Indebtedness directly) pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 6.01, provided that any such Indebtedness of any Subsidiary or any such Guarantee of any Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Loan Party shall be made pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 6.01;

 

(e)                Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets (including any replacement thereof, and additions and accessions to such asset and the proceeds and products thereof (and any customary security deposits made in connection therewith)) prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) shall not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(f)                 Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary as an account party in respect of letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement) or bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000 at any time;

 

(g)                Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a U.S. Loan Party and Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary secured by a Lien on any asset of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (g) shall not exceed, at the time of the incurrence thereof, 10% of Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));

 

(h)                unsecured Indebtedness of any U.S. Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $25,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that no such Dollar limitation shall apply so long as at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving effect thereto (on a Pro Forma Basis) (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Company shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.10;

 

(i)                 Indebtedness owed to any Person (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of such Person) providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(j)                 Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of the issuer thereof) in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations (other than in respect of other Indebtedness), in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.05;

 

(l)                 Indebtedness arising in connection with customary cash management services and from the honoring by a bank or financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds, in each case in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days after its incurrence;

 

(m)              Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)                Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Company or any Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors or employees or to their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests (or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any Equity Interests) permitted by Section 6.07;

 

(o)                customer deposits and advance payments received by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary consisting of (A) Indebtedness owed to any insurance provider for the financing of insurance premiums so long as such Indebtedness shall not be in excess of the amount of such premiums, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of such premiums, for the annual period in which such Indebtedness is incurred or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(q)                Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof or is merged with and into the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that (x) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with and into the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and is not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or being merged with and into the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, (y) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (q) shall not exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings of any such Indebtedness so long as the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings does not exceed the principal (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, replaced or refinanced (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and redemption premium payable by the terms of such Indebtedness thereon and other reasonable amounts paid, and reasonable fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing; provided, further that, immediately after giving effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (q), no Event of Default exists and the covenants in Section 6.10 would be met on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

Section 6.02 Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a)                Permitted Encumbrances;

 

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(b)                any Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and premium payable by the terms of such obligations thereon and other reasonable amounts paid, and reasonable fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing);

 

(c)                any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with and into the Company or any Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (iv) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (q) of Section 6.01, and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(d)                Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(e)                Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York (or, if applicable, the corresponding section of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction), in each case covering only the items being collected upon;

 

(f)                 Liens representing any interest or title of a licensor, lessor, sublicensor or sublessor under any lease or license permitted by this Agreement (so long as any such Lien does not secure Indebtedness);

 

(g)                Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)                pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(i)                 Liens representing any interest of a licensee, lessee, sublicense or sublessee arising by virtue of being granted a license, sublease, sublicense or sublease (including the provision of software under an open source license) permitted by this Agreement (so long as any such Lien does not secure any Indebtedness);

 

(j)                 Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(k)                Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l)                 Liens that are customary contractual liens (including rights of set-off and pledges) encumbering deposits and accounts and (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other financial institutions not given in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)               Liens solely on cash earnest money deposits or deposits in connection with indemnity obligations made by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into in connection with any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder;

 

(n)                Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods;

 

(o)                Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof granted in the ordinary course of business to secure the financing of insurance premiums with respect thereto as permitted under Section 6.01(p);

 

(p)                customary Liens securing any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository or cash management services or automated clearing house transfers of funds, all in favor of the provider of such services;

 

(q)                any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to the transfer of the Equity Interests of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to the terms thereof;

 

(r)                 Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof securing obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(s)                 Liens arising by operation of law under §1120 of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch), under §369 of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch) or under similar provisions of Swiss law; and

 

(t)                 Liens on assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted above so long as the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness subject to such Liens does not exceed, at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, 7.5% of Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).

 

For purposes of this Section 6.02, Treasury Stock to the extent constituting Margin Stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Material Intellectual Property to secure any Indebtedness.

 

Section 6.03 Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales.

 

(a)                The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person (including, in each case, pursuant to a Division), or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) any of its assets, (including pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction), or any of the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

(i)                any Person may merge into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving corporation;

 

(ii)               any Subsidiary may merge into a Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is such Loan Party (provided that any such merger involving the Company must result in the Company as the surviving entity);

 

(iii)              any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to a Loan Party;

 

(iv)              the Company and its Subsidiaries may (A) sell inventory in the ordinary course of business, (B) effect sales, trade-ins or dispositions of used equipment for value in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) enter into licenses of technology in the ordinary course of business, and (D) make any other sales, transfers, leases or dispositions (including any Originator or SPV pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Transfer so long as the aggregate outstanding amount of all Permitted Securitization Indebtedness shall not at any time exceed the greater of (x) $200,000,000 and (y) 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, determined as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such sale, lease or other disposition) that, together with all other property of the Company and its Subsidiaries previously leased, sold or disposed of as permitted by this clause (D) during any fiscal year of the Company, does not exceed, as of the time of making such sale, transfer, lease or disposition, 10% of Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));

 

(v)                any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Company and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; or

 

(vi)               any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party may merge with or consolidate into another Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party.

 

(b)                The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.

 

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(c)                The Company will not change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.

 

For purposes of this Section 6.03, Treasury Stock to the extent constituting Margin Stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 6.04 [Intentionally Omitted].

 

Section 6.05 Swap Agreements. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Company or any Subsidiary has actual or reasonably forecasted exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

Section 6.06 Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable (taken as a whole) to the Company or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Company and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.07; (d) loans or advances to employees not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, (e) payroll, travel, moving and similar advances to cover matters not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, (f) the payment of reasonable fees to, and the reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (to the extent incurred in any such Person’s capacity as a director) of, directors of the Company or any Subsidiary who are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, and compensation, severance and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Company or the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (g) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Company’s board of directors (or a committee thereof) and (h) employment and severance arrangements or similar arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business between any employee and the Company or any Subsidiary and any thereof.

 

Section 6.07 Restricted Payments. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, (it being understood and agreed that the Company and the Subsidiaries shall be permitted to agree to pay or make a Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, so long as the actual payment or making of such Restricted Payment is contingent upon (x) receipt of the consent therefor (via a waiver or amendment to this Section 6.07) from the requisite number of Lenders in accordance with Section 9.03 or (y) the Commitments having expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent amounts not yet due) under any Loan Document having been paid in full in cash and all Letters of Credit having expired or been terminated (or otherwise having become subject to Cash Collateralization or other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank (including in respect of fees that would otherwise be payable in connection with such Letters of Credit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), and all LC Disbursements having been reimbursed, except (a) the Company may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (c) the Company may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (d) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make any other Restricted Payment (including without limitation the payment of dividends in cash with respect to its Equity Interests) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to making such Restricted Payment or would arise after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto and the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments does not exceed $50,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Company; provided that no such Dollar limitation shall apply if the Company has complied and remains in compliance with the Adjusted Covenant Requirement.

 

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Section 6.08 Restrictive Agreements. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to holders of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers of the Company or any Subsidiary under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions (A) set forth in any instrument or agreement governing the terms of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(q) or (B) that are binding on a non-Loan Party Subsidiary at the time such Person first becomes a Subsidiary or any assets acquired by a non-Loan Party Subsidiary at the time such assets are acquired, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), so long as such restrictions were not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or the acquisition of such assets and apply only to the assets of such Subsidiary or such assets so acquired, as the case may be, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions arising in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (except to the extent relating to the ability of any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any Material Intellectual Property), (viii) the forgoing shall not apply to restrictions under arrangements with any Governmental Authority imposed on any Foreign Subsidiary in connection with government grants, financial aid, subsidies, tax holidays or other similar benefits or economic incentives (so long as such restrictions apply only to the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary) and (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions on then-market terms contained in the Term Loan Documents, the Existing Senior Note Purchase Documents, the Senior Note Purchase Documents or agreements relating to issuances of Indebtedness of one or more Loan Parties pursuant to a privately placed note offering to institutional investors with a maturity date that is no earlier than the Maturity Date.

 

Section 6.09 Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness Documents. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, any Subordinated Indebtedness or any Indebtedness from time to time outstanding under the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (other than Subordinated Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c) (“Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness”), subject to the subordination terms applicable to such Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness). Furthermore, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (or any replacements, substitutions, extensions, renewals or refinancings thereof) (other than any such documents evidencing any Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness, subject to the subordination terms applicable to such Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness) or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued where such amendment, modification or supplement provides for the following or which has any of the following effects:

  

(a)                increases the overall principal amount of any such Indebtedness or increases the amount of any single scheduled installment of principal or interest;

 

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(b)                shortens or accelerates the date upon which any installment of principal or interest becomes due or adds any additional mandatory redemption provisions;

 

(c)                shortens the final maturity date of such Indebtedness or otherwise accelerates the amortization schedule with respect to such Indebtedness;

 

(d)                increases the rate of interest accruing on such Indebtedness;

 

(e)                provides for the payment of additional fees or increases existing fees;

 

(f)                 amends or modifies any financial or negative covenant (or covenant which prohibits or restricts the Company or any Subsidiary from taking certain actions) in a manner which is more onerous or more restrictive in any material respect to the Company or such Subsidiary or which is otherwise materially adverse to the Company, any Subsidiary and/or the Lenders or, in the case of any such covenant, which places material additional restrictions on the Company or such Subsidiary or which requires the Company or such Subsidiary to comply with more restrictive financial ratios or which requires the Company to better its financial performance, in each case from that set forth in the existing applicable covenants in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenants in this Agreement; or

 

(g)                amends, modifies or adds any affirmative covenant in a manner which (i) when taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the Company, any Subsidiary and/or the Lenders or (ii) is more onerous than the existing applicable covenant in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenant in this Agreement.

 

Section 6.10 Financial Covenants.

 

(a)                Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Company will not permit the ratio (the “Leverage Ratio”), determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after December 31, 2019, of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (the “Stated Ratio”); provided, however, that, upon the election of the Company (which may be exercised not more than three (3) times during the term of this Agreement) following a Material Acquisition, the Company may increase the maximum Leverage Ratio by 0.50x above the Stated Ratio (the “Adjusted Leverage Ratio”), provided, further, that the Adjusted Leverage Ratio (i) shall step down by 0.25x after two (2) full fiscal quarters following the date of such Material Acquisition and (ii) shall return to the otherwise Stated Ratio after four (4) full fiscal quarters following the date of such Material Acquisition.

 

(b)                Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. To the extent and for so long as any Loan Party is required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio under any Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision, the Company will not permit the interest coverage ratio required under any such Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision, determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after December 31, 2019, in each case for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be less than the minimum interest coverage ratio required under any such Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision.

 

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Section 6.11 Sanctions. Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Event, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any Sanctioned Person to the extent such activities or business would be prohibited by Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arrangers, Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions; provided, however, that no covenant shall be made with respect to any German Subsidiary to the extent it would violate section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung).

 

Section 6.12 Anti-Corruption Laws. Directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Credit Event for any purpose which would breach any Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

Article VII

 

Events of Default

 

Section 7.01 Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

 

(a)                any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable and in the currency required herein, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

 

(b)                any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable and in the currency required hereunder, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

 

(c)                any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

 

(d)                (i) any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, Section 5.03 (with respect to any Borrower’s existence), Section 5.08 or Section 5.10, in Article VI or in Article X or (ii) any Loan Document shall for any reason not be or shall cease to be in full force and effect or is declared to be null and void, or any Loan Party party thereto takes any action for the purpose of terminating, repudiating or rescinding any Loan Document or any of its obligations thereunder;

 

(e)                any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Company (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);

 

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(f)                 the Company or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable after giving effect to any applicable grace period;

 

(g)                any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due and payable prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits, in each case, after the applicable grace period, the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, in any case, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to (A) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (for the avoidance of any doubt, Indebtedness that is repaid as a result of a refinancing thereof permitted by Section 6.01 shall not be deemed to have been due and payable for purposes of this clause (g)).

 

(h)                an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, except if a bankruptcy is declared (faillissement is uitgesproken) under the Dutch Bankruptcy Act (Faillissementswet), such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(i)                 the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

(j)                 the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts (other than intercompany indebtedness which may be capitalized from time to time) as they become due;

 

(k)                without prejudice to the provisions of clauses (h) to (j) (each inclusive), any of the following occurs in respect of a German Borrower or a German Subsidiary: (i) it is or admits to be, unable to pay its debts as they fall due (Zahlungsunfähigkeit) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung), or it suspends (aussetzen) making payments on all or a material part of its debts or it announces an intention to do so or commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness; or (ii) it is over-indebted (Überschuldung) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung); or (iii) for any of the reasons set out in section 17 through 19 (inclusive) of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung), it files for insolvency in accordance with the German Insolvency Code (Antrag auf Eröffnung eines Insolvenzverfahrens) or its directors are required by law to file for insolvency; or (iv) a third party creditor files for insolvency against it unless the petition is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged or dismissed within 60 days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised; or (v) a competent court takes any of the actions set out in section 21 of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung) or a competent court institutes or rejects (for reason of insufficiency of its funds to implement such proceedings) insolvency proceedings against it (Eröffnung des Insolvenzverfahrens);

 

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(l)                 without prejudice to the provisions of clauses (h) to (j) inclusive, any of the following occurs in respect of a Swiss Subsidiary: (i) it is deemed unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed to or declared to be unable to pay its debts or insolvent (zahlungsunfähig) under applicable law, (ii) it ceases or suspends making payments on any of its debts or announces any intention to do so (or is so deemed for the purposes of any law applicable to it) (Zahlungseinstellung), (iii) by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, it commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness, (iv) it files a petition for the opening of bankruptcy proceedings because of insolvency (Zahlungsunfähigkeit) pursuant to Section 191(1) of the Swiss Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs) or such bankruptcy is declared otherwise (Konkurseröffnung und Konkurs), or (v) its liabilities are not covered by its assets (overindebtedness) within the meaning of art. 725 para. 2 and art. 820 para. 1 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations (CO) (Überschuldung); (vi) composition with creditors (Nachlassverfahren) including in particular moratorium (Nachlassstundung) and proceedings regarding composition agreements (Nachlassvertrag) and emergency moratorium (Notstundung), (vii) proceedings regarding postponement of the opening of bankruptcy; (viii) moratorium proceedings pursuant to art. 725a or art. 820 para. 2 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) and notification of the judge of a capital loss or over-indebtedness under these provisions "Konkursaufschub / Gesellschaftsrechtliches Moratorium), or (X) dissolution/liquidation (Auflösung / Liquidation);

 

(m)              one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage thereof) shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged or unpaid for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

 

(n)               an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(o)                a Change in Control shall occur;

 

(p)               the occurrence of any “default”, as defined in any Loan Document (other than this Agreement) or the breach of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document (other than this Agreement), which default or breach continues beyond any period of grace or cure therein provided; or

 

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(q)                any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Company, take any of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers and (iii) require that the Company Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and in case of any event with respect to any Loan Party described in Sections 7.01(h) and 7.01(i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Company to Cash Collateralize the LC Exposure in accordance with clause (iii) above shall be automatically required, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.

 

Section 7.02 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the LC Exposure has automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in Section 7.01), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.21 and Section 2.25, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article II) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit fees) payable to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel to the respective Lenders and the Issuing Bank and amounts payable under Article II), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit fees and interest on the Loans, LC Disbursements and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting (i) unpaid principal of the Loans and LC Disbursements and (ii) amounts owing under Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements, ratably among the Lenders and their Affiliates and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

 

Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank, to Cash Collateralize that portion of the LC Exposure in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Company pursuant to Sections 2.21; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash, to the Company or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Subject to Section 2.21, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

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Article VIII

 

The Administrative Agent

 

Section 8.01 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and neither the Company nor any other Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

Section 8.02 Appointment of the Administrative Agent for Swiss Security.

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent shall:

 

(i)                 enter into, execute, hold, administer and, as the case may be, realize or release any non-accessory Swiss Security (nicht-akzessorische Transaktionssicherheit) as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) in its own name but on behalf and for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank; and

 

(ii)               hold and administer any accessory Swiss Security (akzessorische Transaktionssicherheit) (e.g. a right of pledge) (a "Swiss Accessory Security") for itself (including as creditor of any parallel debt or similar obligations) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank.

 

(b)                In relation to any Swiss Accessory Security each present and future Lender and the Issuing Bank (in each case other than the Administrative Agent) hereby appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to do all acts in the name and for the account of such Lender and/or Issuing Bank as its direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter), including, without limitation :

 

(i)                 to (i) enter into, accept and execute and (ii) hold, administer and, if necessary, enforce the Swiss Accessory Security granted under any of the Swiss Accessory Security;

 

(ii)               to agree to amendments, restatements and other alterations to Swiss Accessory Security;

 

(iii)             to effect any release of the Swiss Accessory Security under, and the termination of, any Swiss Accessory Security; and

 

(iv)              to exercise such other rights, powers, authorities and discretions granted to the Administrative Agent hereunder, any other Loan Documents or under the relevant Swiss Accessory Security,

 

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Section 8.03 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

Section 8.04 Exculpatory Provisions.

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent or the Arrangers, as applicable, shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers, as applicable:

 

(i)                 shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(ii)               shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(iii)             shall not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Lender or the Issuing Bank, any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their Affiliates, that is communicated to, obtained or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent, Arrangers, or any of their Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein;

 

(iv)              shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Article VII or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Company, a Lender or the Issuing Bank; and

 

(v)                shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(b)                Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties (other than any such Person’s obligations hereunder with respect to the Disqualified Institutions in its capacity as a Lender) shall be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions of this Agreement relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not ‎(i) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any other Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified ‎Institution or (ii) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any ‎Disqualified Institution.

 

Section 8.05 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Section 8.06 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

 

Section 8.07 Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Company. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Company, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Institution. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

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(b)                If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Company and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Company, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

(c)                With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Bank directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Company to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

 

(d)                Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as an Issuing Bank, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Issuing Bank hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Bank and all LC Exposure with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make ABR Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06(d). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make ABR Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(c). Upon the appointment by the Company of a successor Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (b) the retiring Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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Section 8.08 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent or any Arranger hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or any Arranger to any Lender or the Issuing Bank as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent or such Arranger have disclosed material information in their (or their Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank represents to the Administrative Agent and each Arranger that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrowers hereunder. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender or the Issuing Bank for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or such the Issuing Bank, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.

 

Section 8.09 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arrangers, Co-Syndication Agents or Co-Documentation Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder.

 

Section 8.10 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise.

 

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(a)                to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, Letters of Credit and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent under Section 2.12 and Section 9.07) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)                to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on 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 Lender and the Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 2.12 and Section 9.07.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

 

Section 8.11 Guaranteed Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no Lender or any of its Affiliate that is party to a Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 7.02 or the Subsidiary Guaranty by virtue of the provisions hereof shall have any right to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Subsidiary Guaranty (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof of or the Subsidiary Guaranty) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents (it being understood that Administrative Agent may take any and all action expressly specified in Section 8.12). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VIII to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Guaranteed Obligations arising under Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a notice of such Guaranteed Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Lender or Affiliate of such Lender, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Guaranteed Obligations arising under Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements in the case of a termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees (including on behalf of any of its Affiliates that may be a party to a Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement) that (x) obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement shall be guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty only until such time as the Subsidiary Guaranty terminates pursuant to the terms thereof and (y) any release of Guarantors and/or Designated Borrowers effected in a manner not prohibited by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not require the consent of holders of obligations under Banking Services Agreements or Guaranteed Hedge Agreements.

 

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Section 8.12 Guaranty Matters. The Lenders and the Issuing Bank irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to this Section 8.12.

 

Section 8.13 Lender Representations.

 

(a)                Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Company or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i)                 such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

 

(ii)               the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii)             (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv)              such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

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(b)                In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Company or any other Loan Party, that:

 

(i)                none of the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

 

(ii)               the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

 

(iii)              the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

 

(iv)              the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

 

(v)               no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

(c)                The Administrative Agent and the Arrangers hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, unused fees, arrangement fees, unused fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

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Article IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 9.01 Notices.

 

(a)                Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number as follows:

 

(i)                 if to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 9.01; and

 

(ii)               if to any other Lender, to it at its address, telecopy number, electronic mail address or telephone number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Company).

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

(b)                Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Company may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

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(c)                The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. Except to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent Parties (as determined by final, non-appealable judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction), in no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Borrower, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Company’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet.

 

(d)                Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Company or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

Section 9.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic notices, Borrowing Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

Section 9.03 Waivers; Amendments.

 

(a)                No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

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(b)                Except as provided in Section 2.20 with respect to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment or pursuant to any fee letter entered into by the Company in connection with this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase any Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (except that any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) or Section 7.02, in each case, in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or the order of priority of payments, as the case may be, required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (it being understood that, solely with the consent of the parties prescribed by Section 2.20 to be parties to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment, Incremental Term Loans may be included in the determination of Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Commitments and the Loans are included on the Effective Date), or (vi) release the Company or all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under Article X or the Subsidiary Guaranty, as applicable, without the written consent of each Lender; provided, further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any change to Section 2.25 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swing Line Lender). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first proviso of this paragraph and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification.

 

(c)                Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (x) to add one or more credit facilities (in addition to the Incremental Term Loans pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan Amendment) to this Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Revolving Loans, Incremental Term Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Lenders.

 

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(d)                In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “Proposed Change”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this Section being referred to as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.05), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (a) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, the Issuing Bank), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (b) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swing Line Loans, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, accrued and unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder (including any amounts under Section 2.16) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts), (c) such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.05(b), (d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws, and (e) the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

(e)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrowers only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.

 

Section 9.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a)                The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through a service such as Intralinks) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank and one additional counsel for all the Lenders (other than the Administrative Agent) and one additional counsel (for each affected class) in light of actual or potential conflicts of interest or the availability of different claims of defenses) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

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(b)                The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (A) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or its affiliates or controlling persons or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or members of any of the foregoing, (B) any material breach by any of them of the Loan Documents or (C) disputes between and among Indemnitees (not arising as a result of any act or omission by the Company or any of its Affiliates). This Section 9.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)                To the extent that the Borrowers fail to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, in each case, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that the Borrowers’ failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such.

 

(d)                To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Borrower shall assert, and each Borrower hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet) in the absence of willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable decision). To the extent permitted by applicable law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any other party hereto on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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(e)           All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than fifteen (15) days after written demand therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Foreign Obligors shall not be required to make any payment under this Section 9.04 in respect of any Obligations allocable to any U.S. Loan Party (other than for the avoidance of any doubt, such Foreign Obligations of a Foreign Obligor which may also be Guaranteed by a U.S. Loan Party) and such Foreign Obligors shall only be required to make payments under this Section 9.04 in respect of Obligations allocable to Foreign Obligors and Foreign Subsidiaries (it being understood and agreed that all other Loan Parties shall be jointly and severally liable of all payments required under this Section 9.04).

 

Section 9.05  Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)          The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Loan Party without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document except in accordance with this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)          (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) (the “New Lender”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in LC Exposure and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (for the avoidance of doubt, no other consents shall be required):

 

(a)           the Company (provided that the Company shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof); provided, further, that no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;

 

(b)          the Administrative Agent;

 

(c)          the Issuing Bank; and

 

(d)          the Swing Line Lender.

 

(ii)          Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(a)          Minimum Amounts.

 

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(1)          in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such Assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(ii)(A)(2) of this Section in the aggregate and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(2)           in any case not described in subsection (b)(ii)(A)(1) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(b)          each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not (i) apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans, or (ii) be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;

 

(c)          the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment;

 

(d)          the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material nonpublic information about the Company and its affiliates and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws;

 

(e)           any assignment or transfer to or assumption by any Person of all or a portion of a Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments or Loans) with respect to a Dutch Borrower shall only be permitted if such Person is a Dutch Non-Public Lender; and

 

(f)            in connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Company and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

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(iii)         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the proposed New Lender is a Swiss Non-Qualifying Bank, no existing Lender may make an assignment or transfer of its rights and/or obligations of its Commitment and the Loans to that Swiss Non-Qualifying Bank without the prior written consent of the Company and no assignment or transfer shall be valid without such consent, provided that consent:

 

(a)            is not required where an Event of Default is continuing;

 

(b)           may only be (under the title of this paragraph Section 9.05(b)(iii)) withheld if as a result of such assignment or transfer the number Lenders that are Swiss Non-Qualifying Banks would exceed the number of ten.

 

For the purposes of this Section 9.05(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

 

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person (or any holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of one or more natural persons), (b) a Defaulting Lender, its subsidiaries or its Lender Parent, (c) the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates, (d) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof or (e) a Disqualified Institution.

 

(iv)          Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 9.04) with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, each Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.05 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

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(v)           The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose solely as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower (and such agency shall be solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Company, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(c)          (i) Subject to clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05, any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.03(b) that affects such Participant. Each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16 and Section 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.18 and Section 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(ii)          A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14(b) or Section 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender). Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in the obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such interest is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 9.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation, and (ii) the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(d)          Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(e)          Disqualified Institutions.

 

(i)            No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign or grant a participation in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Company has consented to such assignment or participation in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee or Participant that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a notice pursuant to, and/or the expiration of the notice period referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), (x) such assignee or Participant shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender or Participant and (y) the execution by the Company of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment or participation in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.

 

(ii)           If any assignment is made to any Disqualified Institution without the Company’s prior written consent in violation of clause (i) above, or if any Person becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date, the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, (A) terminate any Commitment of such Disqualified Institution and repay all obligations of the Borrowers owing to such Disqualified Institution in connection with such Commitment, and/or (B) require such Disqualified Institution to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.05), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement and related Loan Documents to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) satisfying the requirements of Section 9.05(b) that shall assume such obligations at the lesser of (1) the principal amount thereof and (2) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and other the other Loan Documents; provided, that, (x) the Company shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 9.05(b), and (y) such assignment does not conflict with applicable laws.

 

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(iii)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Institutions (A) will not (1) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by or on behalf of the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (2) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (3) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (1) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter, and (2) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws (“Plan of Reorganization”), each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (I) not to vote on such Plan of Reorganization, (II) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such Plan of Reorganization notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (I), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such Plan of Reorganization in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (III) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the bankruptcy court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (II).

 

(iv)         The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Company hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Institutions provided by the Company and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on a Platform, including that portion of such Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders and/or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender requesting the same.

 

(v)          Neither the Administrative Agent nor its Related Parties (other than any such Person’s obligations hereunder with respect to the Disqualified Institutions in its capacity as a Lender) shall be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, by any other Person to any Disqualified Institution.

 

(f)           Resignation as Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitments and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days’ written notice to the Company and the Lenders, resign as Issuing Bank and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ written notice to the Company, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, the Company shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Company to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as Issuing Bank, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Issuing Bank hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as Issuing Bank and all LC Exposure with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make ABR Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06(d)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make ABR Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(c). Upon the appointment of a successor Issuing Bank and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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(g)          In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Section 9.05, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Loan Party, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Loan Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

 

(i)            any charge, assignment or other security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

(ii)           in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

 

except that no such charge, assignment or security shall:

 

(i)           release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Loan Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or security for the Lender as a party to any of the Loan Documents; or

 

(ii)           require any payments to be made by a Loan Party other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

and further provided that any such charge, assignment or other security shall provide that, upon any enforcement thereof, any resulting assignment, transfer or sub-participation of any such rights under the Loan Documents shall be made in accordance with this Section 9.05.

 

Section 9.06  Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 9.04 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

 

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Section 9.07 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Borrowing Requests, Swing Line Loan Notices, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

Section 9.08  Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.08, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

Section 9.09  Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Company or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Company or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing Bank or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Company or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or the Issuing Bank different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.25 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent and the Company a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

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Section 9.10  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

 

(a)          GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)         SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE ISSUING BANK, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE ISSUING BANK MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(c)           WAIVER OF VENUE. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)          SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN Section 9.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH LOAN PARTY THAT IS A FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS THE COMPANY AS SUCH PERSON’S AUTHORIZED AGENT, TO ACCEPT AND ACKNOWLEDGE ON ITS BEHALF, SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING, AND AGREES THAT THE FAILURE OF THE COMPANY TO GIVE ANY NOTICE OF ANY SUCH SERVICE SHALL NOT IMPAIR OR AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF SUCH SERVICE OR OF ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED IN ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING BASED THEREON.  THE COMPANY HEREBY CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS AGREED TO ACCEPT SUCH APPOINTMENT (AND ANY SIMILAR APPOINTMENT BY ANY OTHER PERSON THAT IS A FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY THAT BECOMES A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE).  THE DESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT MADE PURSUANT TO THE PRECEDING SENTENCE SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE BY THE COMPANY AND EACH LOAN PARTY THAT IS A FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY.  IF THE FOREGOING APPOINTMENT IS TERMINATED FOR ANY REASON, THE COMPANY WILL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS.

 

(e)           Waiver of Immunities. Each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries (and its and their respective process agents), and each such Person’s properties and revenues of any kind, hereby irrevocably agrees that, to the extent that such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Person’s properties or revenues has or may hereafter acquire any right of immunity, whether characterized as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from any legal proceedings, to enforce or collect upon the Obligations, including immunity from service of process, immunity from jurisdiction or judgment of any court or tribunal, immunity from execution of a judgment, and immunity of any of its property or revenues from attachment prior to any entry of judgment, or from attachment in aid of execution upon a judgment, each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law, any such immunity, and agrees not to assert any such right or claim in any such proceeding, whether in the United States or elsewhere. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party further agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 9.10(e) shall have the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and other applicable Law and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and such other applicable Law.

 

Section 9.11  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

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Section 9.12  Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 9.13  Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) on a need to know basis to its Affiliates, its auditors and its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in any case, other than to a Disqualified Institution (it being understood that the DQ List may be disclosed to any assignee or Participant, or prospective assignee or Participant, in reliance on this clause (f) so long as such Person is not listed on such DQ List) or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any of the Borrowers and their obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Company or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the written consent of the Company or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.

 

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Company or any Subsidiary relating to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Company or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential or otherwise requested in writing to be held confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

 

Section 9.14  USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

Section 9.15  Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Company. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

Section 9.16  No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Company, each other Loan Party, and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, (B) each of the Company and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Company and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and each of the Lenders and their Affiliates is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) none of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, any Lender nor any of their Affiliates has any obligation to the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except, in the case of a Lender, those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of such Borrower and its Affiliates, and no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Company and each other Loan Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any Lenders and their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 9.17  Attorney Representation. If a Dutch Borrower or another Loan Party incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands is represented by an attorney in connection with the signing and/or execution of the Agreement and/or any other Loan Document it is hereby expressly acknowledged and accepted by the parties to the Agreement and/or any other Loan Document that the existence and extent of the attorney’s authority and the effects of the attorney’s exercise or purported exercise of his or her authority shall be governed by the laws of the Netherlands.

 

Section 9.18  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)          the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Bank that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

(b)          the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)            a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)           a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)          the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

Section 9.19  Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Agreement or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

(a)           In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

 

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(b)          As used in this Section 9.19, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

Section 9.20  Enforcement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Article VII for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Bank; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the Issuing Bank or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Issuing Bank or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.05 (subject to the terms of Section 2.18(c)), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article VII and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.18(c), any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to them and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

Section 9.21  Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the Issuing Bank severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment. The obligations of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.22  ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

Article X

 

Cross-Guarantee

 

Section 10.01  U.S. Borrower Guarantee. In order to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the other Borrowers hereunder, but subject to the limitations set forth in this Article X, the Company and each Borrower that is a U.S. Loan Party (the “U.S. Borrowers”) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the payment when and as due of the Obligations of the other Borrowers, the other Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Obligors”). The U.S. Borrowers further agree that the due and punctual payment of such Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal of any such Obligation.

 

Each U.S. Borrower waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to any Borrower of any of the Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its obligations and notice of protest for nonpayment. The obligations of each U.S. Borrower hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against any Obligor under the provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any of the Obligations; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or release from, any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, or any other Loan Document or agreement; (d) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Obligations; (e) the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Obligations, if any; (f) any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Obligor or any other guarantor of any of the Obligations; (g) the enforceability or validity of the Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Obligor or any other guarantor of any of the Obligations, for any reason related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any provision of applicable law, decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Obligor or any other guarantor of the Obligations, of any of the Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Obligations; or (h) any other act, omission or delay to do any other act which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such U.S. Borrower or otherwise operate as a discharge of a guarantor as a matter of law or equity or which would impair or eliminate any right of such U.S. Borrower to subrogation.

 

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Each U.S. Borrower further agrees that its agreement hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual or collection of any of the Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in favor of any Obligor or any other Person.

 

The obligations of each U.S. Borrower hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever, by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Obligations or otherwise.

 

Each U.S. Borrower further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Obligor or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a holder of Obligations in its discretion).

 

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have at law or in equity against any U.S. Borrower by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any other Obligor to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each U.S. Borrower hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in cash an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of such Obligations then due, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Each U.S. Borrower further agrees that if payment in respect of any Obligation shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and/or at a place of payment other than the Administrative Agent’s Office and if, by reason of any Change in Law, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Obligation in such currency or at such place of payment shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, disadvantageous to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in any material respect, then, at the election of the Administrative Agent, such Borrower shall make payment of such Obligation in Dollars (based upon the applicable Dollar Amount in effect on the date of payment) at such Administrative Agent’s Office as is designated by the Administrative Agent and, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and any Lender against any losses or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment.

 

Upon payment by any U.S. Borrower of any sums as provided above, all rights of such U.S. Borrower against any other Obligor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations owed by such Obligor to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders.

 

Nothing shall discharge or satisfy the liability of any U.S. Borrower hereunder except the full performance and payment of the Obligations.

 

The Company hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Subsidiary Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that the Company shall only be liable under this paragraph for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this paragraph or otherwise under this Article X voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The Company intends that this paragraph constitute, and this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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Section 10.02  Foreign Borrower Guarantee. In order to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the other Borrowers that are Foreign Obligors hereunder (the “Foreign Borrowers”), but subject to the limitations set forth in this Article X, each Foreign Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Foreign Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Foreign Obligations, the payment when and as due of the Foreign Obligations of the other Foreign Obligors and their Subsidiaries. The Foreign Borrowers further agree that the due and punctual payment of such Foreign Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal of any such Foreign Obligation.

 

Each Foreign Borrower waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to any Foreign Borrower of any of the Foreign Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its obligations and notice of protest for nonpayment. The obligations of each Foreign Borrower hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against any Foreign Obligor or any of their Subsidiaries under the provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any of the Foreign Obligations; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or release from, any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, or any other Loan Document or agreement; (d) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Foreign Obligations; (e) the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Foreign Obligations, if any; (f) any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Foreign Obligor, any of their Subsidiaries or any other guarantor of any of the Foreign Obligations; (g) the enforceability or validity of the Foreign Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Foreign Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Foreign Obligor or any other guarantor of any of the Foreign Obligations, for any reason related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any provision of applicable law, decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Foreign Obligor, any of their Subsidiaries or any other guarantor of the Foreign Obligations, of any of the Foreign Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Foreign Obligations; or (h) any other act, omission or delay to do any other act which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Foreign Borrower or otherwise operate as a discharge of a guarantor as a matter of law or equity or which would impair or eliminate any right of such Foreign Borrower to subrogation.

 

Each Foreign Borrower further agrees that its agreement hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual or collection of any of the Foreign Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in favor of any Foreign Obligor or any other Person.

 

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The obligations of each Foreign Borrower hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever, by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Foreign Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Foreign Obligations or otherwise.

 

Each Foreign Borrower further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Foreign Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Foreign Obligation (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Foreign Obligor, any Subsidiary or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a holder of Foreign Obligations in its discretion).

 

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have at law or in equity against any Foreign Borrower by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any other Foreign Obligor, any Subsidiary to pay any Foreign Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Foreign Borrower hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in cash an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of such Foreign Obligations then due, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Each Foreign Borrower further agrees that if payment in respect of any Foreign Obligation shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and/or at a place of payment other than the Administrative Agent’s Office and if, by reason of any Change in Law, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Foreign Obligation in such currency or at such place of payment shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, disadvantageous to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in any material respect, then, at the election of the Administrative Agent, such Foreign Borrower shall make payment of such Foreign Obligation in Dollars (based upon the applicable Dollar Amount in effect on the date of payment) at such Administrative Agent’s Office as is designated by the Administrative Agent and, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and any Lender against any losses or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment.

 

Upon payment by any Foreign Borrower of any sums as provided above, all rights of such Foreign Borrower against any other Foreign Obligor or Subsidiary arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Foreign Obligations owed by such Foreign Obligor or such Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders.

 

Nothing shall discharge or satisfy the liability of any Foreign Borrower hereunder except the full performance and payment of the Foreign Obligations.

 

Nothing in this Section 10.02 shall oblige a Foreign Borrower that is a German GmbH to make a payment in respect of this Section 10.02 if and to the extent that this Section 10.02 shall secure obligations of such Foreign Borrower’s shareholders and/or affiliated companies (verbundene Unternehmen) of such shareholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz) (other than the Subsidiaries of such Foreign Borrower that is a German GmbH) and such payment would cause such Foreign Borrower that is a German GmbH not to have sufficient net assets (Reinvermögen) to maintain its stated share capital (Stammkapital) and as a result cause a violation of Sections 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

 

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Section 10.03  Guarantee limitation for Swiss Loan Parties.

 

(a)           If and to the extent that:

 

(i)            a Swiss Loan Party under this Article X or any other Loan Document guarantees and/or secures obligations other than obligations of one of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries (i.e. obligations of a Swiss Loan Party’s direct or indirect parent companies (up-stream liabilities) or sister companies (cross-stream liabilities)) (“Restricted Obligations”); and

 

(ii)           a guarantee payment in fulfilling such obligations would, under Swiss law and practice, constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by such Swiss Loan Party or would otherwise be restricted under Swiss corporate law,

 

such Restricted Obligations (and the amount of any payment in relation thereto) shall from time to time be limited to the amount permitted to be paid under Swiss law and practice, provided that, such limited amount shall at no time be less than the profits and reserves of such Swiss Loan Party available for distribution as dividends (being - according to Swiss law and practice as of the date of this Agreement – the balance sheet profits and any reserves available for this purpose, in each case in accordance with art. 675(2) and art. 671(1) and (2), no. 3 and (4) CO) at the time or times payment under or pursuant to this Article X or otherwise under a Loan Document is requested from such Swiss Loan Party and further provided that such limitation (as may apply from time to time or not) shall not (generally or definitively) free such Swiss Loan Party from payment obligations hereunder in excess thereof, but merely postpone the payment date therefor until such times as payment is again permitted notwithstanding such limitation. Any and all indemnities and guarantees of such Swiss Loan Party contained in any Loan Documents shall be construed in a manner consistent with the provisions herein contained.

 

(b)          In case a Swiss Loan Party who must make a payment in respect of Restricted Obligations under this Agreement is obliged to withhold Swiss Federal Withholding Tax in respect of such payment, such Swiss Loan Party shall:

 

(i)            procure that such payments can be made without deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, or with deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability to such tax by notification pursuant to applicable law (including double tax treaties) rather than payment of the tax;

 

(ii)            if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above does not apply, deduct Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at the rate of 35% (or such other rate as in force from time to time), or if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above applies for a part of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax only, deduct Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at the reduced rate resulting after the discharge of part of such tax by notification under applicable law, from any payment made by it in respect of Restricted Obligations and promptly pay any such taxes to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

(iii)         notify the Administrative Agent that such notification, or as the case may be, deduction has been made and provide the Administrative Agent with evidence that such a notification of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been made or, as the case may be, such taxes deducted have been paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

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(iv)         in the case of a deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, use its best efforts to ensure that any person other than the Administrative Agent, which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted from such payment in respect of Restricted Obligations, will, as soon as possible after such deduction:

 

(A)         request a refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax under applicable law (including tax treaties) and pay to the Administrative Agent upon receipt any amounts so refunded; or

 

(B)          if the Administrative Agent or a Lender is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted from such payment and if requested by the Administrative Agent, provide the Administrative Agent or such Lender with those documents that are required by law and applicable tax treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax in order to enable the Administrative Agent or such Lender to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax.

 

(c)           If a Swiss Loan Party is obliged to withhold Swiss Federal Withholding Tax in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to further request payment under the guarantee as per this Article X and other indemnity granted to it under this Agreement and apply proceeds therefrom against the Restricted Obligations up to an amount which is equal to that amount which would have been obtained if no withholding of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax were required, whereby such further payments shall always be limited to the maximum amount of the freely distributable capital of such Swiss Loan Party as set out in paragraph (a) above.

 

(d)          If and to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent and if and to the extent this is from time to time required under Swiss law (restricting profit distributions), in order to allow the Administrative Agent (and the Lenders and the Issuing Bank) to obtain a maximum benefit under the Loan Documents and, in particular, this clause, the Swiss Loan Party shall promptly implement the following:

 

(i)            the preparation of an up-to-date audited (interim) balance sheet of such Swiss Loan Party;

 

(ii)           the confirmation of the auditors of such Swiss Loan Party that the relevant amount represents (the maximum of) freely distributable profits;

 

(iii)         the prompt convening of a meeting of the shareholders of such Swiss Loan Party which will approve the (resulting) profit distribution;

 

(iv)          if the enforcement of any Restricted Obligations would be limited as a result of any matter referred to in this clause, such Swiss Loan Party shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (A) write up or realize any of its assets shown in its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets, in case of realization, however, only if such assets are not necessary for such Swiss Loan Party’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and/or (B) reduce its share capital; and

 

(v)           all such other measures reasonably necessary and/or to promptly procure the fulfilment of all prerequisites reasonably necessary to allow such Swiss Loan Party and relevant parent company to promptly make the payments and perform the obligations agreed hereunder from time to time with a minimum of limitations.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

133

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

  BRUKER CORPORATION,
  as the Company  
   
  By:  /s/ Gerald Herman
                                                                    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  BRUKER INVEST AG
   
  By:   /s/ Patrick Minhorst
                                                                    Name: Patrick Minhorst
    Title: Delegate of the Board of Directors
   
  By: /s/ Patrick Büchi
    Name: Patrick Büchi
    Title: Member of the Board of Directors                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  BRUKER FINANCE B.V.
   
  By:  /s/ Kristin Amy Brown
                                                                    Name: Kristin Amy Brown
    Title: Non-executive Managing Director                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., individually as a Lender, as the Swing Line Lender, as the Issuing Bank and as Administrative Agent
   
                                                                  By:  /s/ Linda E. C. Alto
    Name: Linda E. C. Alto
    Title: Senior Vice President                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually as a Lender
                                                                   
  By:  /s/ Christopher S. Allen                                            
    Name: Christopher S. Allen
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, individually as a Lender
   
  By:  /s/ Ming K. Chu
    Name: Ming K. Chu
    Title: Director
                                                                   
  By: /s/ Douglas Darman
    Name: Douglas Darman
    Title: Director                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  CITIZENS BANK, N.A., individually as a Lender
   
                                                                  By:  /s/ Marc J Lubelczyk
    Name: Marc J Lubelczyk
    Title: Senior Vice President                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  TD BANK, N.A., individually as a Lender
   
  By:  /s/ Todd Antico
                                                                    Name: Todd Antico
    Title: Senior Vice President                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  CREDIT SUISSE (SWITZERLAND) LTD., individually as a Lender
   
  By:  /s/ Christophe Müller
    Name: Christophe Müller
    Title: Managing Director
                                                                   
  By: /s/ Johanna Treier
    Name: Johanna Treier
    Title: Assistant Vice President                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  PEOPLES UNITED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually as a Lender
   
                                                                  By:  /s/ Darci Buchanan                           
    Name: Darci Buchanan
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually as a Lender
   
  By:  /s/ Michael West
    Name: Michael West
                                                                    Title: Senior Vice President                              

 

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

December 11, 2019

 

These schedules and all attachments hereto (each of which is incorporated herein by this reference) constitutes the “Schedules” to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2019, between Bruker Corporation, the Designated Borrowers, the Lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender (the “Credit Agreement”).

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used in these Schedules shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement. These Schedules are qualified in their entirety by reference to specific provisions of the Credit Agreement, and are not intended to constitute, and shall not be construed as constituting representations or warranties of the parties except as and to the extent provided in the Credit Agreement. References to or descriptions of any document herein do not purport to be complete and are qualified in entirety by the document itself.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 2.01

 

Commitments and Applicable Percentages

 

    Lender   Revolving Commitment     Letter of Credit
Sublimit
    Swingline
Sublimit
    Applicable Percentage  
1.    Bank of America, N.A.   $ 105,000,000.00     $ 25,000,000.00     $ 25,000,000.00       17.500000000 %
2.    Wells Fargo Bank, National Association   $ 105,000,000.00                       17.500000000 %
3.    Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch   $ 105,000,000.00                       17.500000000 %
4.    Citizens Bank, N.A.   $ 65,000,000.00                       10.833333333 %
5.    TD Bank, N.A.   $ 65,000,000.00                       10.833333333 %
6.    Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd.   $ 65,000,000.00                       10.833333333 %
7.    U.S. Bank National Association   $ 65,000,000.00                       10.833333333 %
8.    Peoples United Bank, National Association   $ 25,000,000.00                       4.166666668 %
    TOTAL:   $ 600,000,000.00     $ 25,000,000.00     $ 25,000,000.00       100.000000000 %

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3.01

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Corporation No  
Bruker AXS LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker BioSpin Corporation Massachusetts, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker Scientific LLC (formerly known as Bruker Optics Inc.) Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker HTS GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  
Hydrostatic Extrusions Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker OST LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  
Bruker Advanced Supercon GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker HTS GmbH No  
Bruker EAS GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker HTS GmbH No  
RI Research Instruments GmbH Germany 51% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  
Bruker AXS GmbH Germany 90% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS LLC and 10% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker AXS Handheld Inc. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS LLC No  
Bruker Nano, Inc. Arizona, United States 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS LLC Yes X

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Vutara LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Nano, Inc. No  
Anasys Instruments Corp. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Nano, Inc. No  
Bruker Austria GmbH Austria 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker Singapore Pte Ltd Singapore 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker do Brasil Ltda. Brazil 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Mexico 99.99% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH and 0.01% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS LLC No  
Bruker Polska Sp. Z.o.o. Poland 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

InCoaTec GmbH Germany 66% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker Nano GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS GmbH Yes X
JPK Instruments USA, Inc. California, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests of common stock owned by Bruker Nano GmbH No  
JPK Instruments Limited United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Nano GmbH No  
Bruker Invest AG Switzerland 90% of ordinary registered shares owned by Bruker BioSpin Corp. and 10% of ordinary registered shares owned by Bruker Corporation No  
Bruker Switzerland AG Switzerland 100% of ordinary registered shares owned by Bruker Invest AG Yes X

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic 

/Foreign Subsidiary

Mestrelab Research S.L. Spain 50.998% of membership interests owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
PMOD Technologies LLC Switzerland 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Agapetus GmbH Austria 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Alicona Imaging GmbH Austria 100% of ordinary shares owned by Agapetus GmbH No  
Alicona Corporation Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  
Alicona GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  
Alicona UK Limited United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  
Alicona s.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker Espanola S.A. Spain 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Japan K.K.

Japan

100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Korea Co. Ltd. Korea 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker MicroCT N.V. (38) Belgium 99.99% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG and .01% of common stock owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Luxendo GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Nederland B.V. Netherlands 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Ltd. Canada 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker AXS Ltd. United Kingdom 50% of common stock owned by Bruker UK Ltd. and 50% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker JV UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker UK Ltd. No  
Bruker France S.A.S. France 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Belgium S.A./N.V. Belgium 99.99% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG and .01% of common stock owned by Bruker BioSpin AG No  
Bruker Turkey Teknolojik Sistemler Ticaret Ltd. Sirketi Turkey 99.74% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG and .26% of common stock owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker Italia S.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
XGLabs S.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Italia S.r.l. No  

Bruker Portugal Unipessoal Lda.

Portugal 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Scientific Israel Ltd. Israel 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Technologies Ltd. Israel 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific Israel Ltd. No  
Bruker (Beijing) Scientific Technology Co., Ltd. China 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Singapore Pte. Ltd. No  
Bruker (Malaysia) SDN BHD Malaysia 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Ltd. Russia 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker India Scientific PVT, Ltd. India 73.59% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG, 6.53% of common stock owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH and 19.88% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker PTY Ltd. Australia 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Physik GmbH Germany 50.5% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker BioSpin Corporation, 24.75% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH and 24.75% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Optik GmbH Yes X
Bruker BioSpin GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Physik GmbH Yes X
Bruker Daltonik GmbH Germany 90% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Scientific LLC and 10% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker Taiwan Co. Ltd. Taiwan 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction
of Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Bruker Daltonics Pty Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Finance B.V. Netherlands 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Daltonics Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Daltonics s.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Detection Corporation Massachusetts, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker  Nordic AB Sweden 100% of membership interests  owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Hain LifeScience GmbH Germany 80% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Hain LifeScience E.A. Ltd. Kenya 100% of membership interests owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience Spain S.L. Spain 100% of membership interests owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain Lifescience Solutions (pty) Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Biocentra AS Norway 100% of membership interests owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
SAS Biocentric France 100% of ordinary shares owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience S.A. Pty. Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material Domestic

/Foreign Subsidiary

Advanced Diagnostic Solutions Pty Ltd. South Africa 50% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH and 50% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience S.A. Pty. Ltd. No  
Bruker Business Support Center sp. Z.o.o. Poland 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Finance B.V. No  
Bruker s.r.o. Czech Republic 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
Merlin Diagnostika GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
InVivo Biotech Svs GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
Bruker Optik GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Scientific LLC Yes X
Bruker Scientific Instruments Hong Kong Co. Ltd. China 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  

 

 

 

 

The following is a list of options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, or obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to issue, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary:

 

· Pursuant to the Bruker Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the Company is authorized to grant Company directors, officers and employees up to 12,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or grant restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

· Pursuant to the Bruker Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company is authorized to grant Company directors, officers and employees up to 1,178,778 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or grant restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

· Pursuant to the Bruker Corporation 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company is authorized to grant of awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units, as well as cash-based awards, and to issue up to 9,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Company directors, officers and employees.

 

· Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 6, 2016 (the “Agreement and Plan of Merger”) by and among the Company and Active Spectrum, Inc., the Company may be required, subject to satisfaction of certain performance conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, to issue shares of its common stock to the former stockholders of Active Spectrum, Inc., in an aggregate value equal to approximately $200,000.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT G-1

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY (DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES)

 

[see attached]

 

 

 

 

GUARANTY (DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES)

 

THIS GUARANTY (DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES) (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”) is made as of December 11, 2019, by and among each of the undersigned Domestic Subsidiaries (the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company which become parties to this Guaranty by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below), under the Credit Agreement referred to below.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as a borrower (each a “Designated Borrower”, and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) have entered into a certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 (as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented and/or restated, and as in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement, among other things, provides, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for extensions from time to time of credit and other financial accommodations by the Lenders to the Borrowers;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the extensions of credit by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement that each of the Guarantors (constituting all of the Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company required to execute this Guaranty pursuant to the Credit Agreement, including pursuant to Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement) execute and deliver this Guaranty, whereby each of the Guarantors shall guarantee the payment when due of all Obligations; and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the direct and indirect financial and other support that the Borrowers have provided, and such direct and indirect financial and other support as the Borrowers may in the future provide, to the Guarantors, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into the Credit Agreement, each of the Guarantors is willing to guarantee the Obligations as set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.      Definitions. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have, as used herein, the respective meanings provided for therein.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.      Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Each of the Guarantors represents and warrants (which representations and warranties shall be deemed to have been renewed at the time of the making, conversion or continuation of any Loan or issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit) that:

 

(A)             It is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other corporate entity duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except to the extent that the failure to have such authority could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(B)              It (to the extent applicable) has the requisite power and authority and legal right and/or has taken all necessary corporate or other action to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its respective obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by each Guarantor of this Guaranty and the performance by each of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by proper proceedings, and this Guaranty constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against such Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, capital maintenance requirements or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(C)              Neither the execution and delivery by it of this Guaranty, nor the consummation by it of the transactions herein contemplated, nor compliance by it with the provisions hereof will (i) (a) violate any order of any Governmental Authority, (b) violate in any material respect any applicable law or regulation, or (c) contravene its articles or certificate of incorporation (or equivalent charter documents), limited liability company or partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of organization, by-laws, or operating agreement or other management agreement, as the case may be, (ii) conflict in any material respect with, or constitute a material default under any indenture, instrument or other agreement binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment (other than a payment contemplated by the Loan Documents) to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except as provided in the Loan Documents). No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by it, is required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by it of, or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against it of, this Guaranty.

 

In addition to the foregoing, each of the Guarantors covenants that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment outstanding under the Credit Agreement or any amount payable under the Credit Agreement or any other Guaranteed Obligations shall remain unpaid, it will, and, if necessary, will enable each of the Borrowers to, fully comply with those covenants and agreements of such Borrower applicable to such Guarantor set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.      Guaranty. Each of the Guarantors hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations, including, without limitation, (i) the principal of and interest on each Loan made to any Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, (ii) any obligations of any Borrower to reimburse LC Disbursements (“Reimbursement Obligations”), (iii) all obligations of any Borrower or any Subsidiary owing to any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender under any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or Banking Services Agreement, (iv) all other amounts payable by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (v) the punctual and faithful performance, keeping, observance, and fulfillment by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of all of the agreements, conditions, covenants, and obligations of such Loan Party contained in the Loan Documents (all of the foregoing being referred to collectively as the “Guaranteed Obligations” and the holders from time to time of the Guaranteed Obligations being referred to collectively as the “Holders of Guaranteed Obligations”). Upon (x) the failure by any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, to pay punctually any such amount or perform such obligation, and (y) such failure continuing beyond any applicable grace or notice and cure period, each of the Guarantors agrees that it shall forthwith on demand pay such amount or perform such obligation at the place and in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the relevant Loan Document, as the case may be. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that this Guaranty is an absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guaranty of payment and is not a guaranty of collection.

 

Notwithstanding any limitation on liability set forth herein to the contrary, if the Guaranteed Obligations are made subject to a debt restructuring arrangement between a country and its creditors or creditors of persons or entities of such country, and as a result thereof any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations and other credit facilities to such country, persons or entities of such country, shall agree to provide any new credit facilities, each Guarantor shall fund (and be the beneficial owner of) that amount of such new credit facilities which is calculated by (i) dividing the face value of such Guaranteed Obligations by the aggregate amount of the Holder of Guaranteed Obligations’ credit facilities made part of the restructuring arrangement and (ii) multiplying the result by the amount of such new credit facilities. Each Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver such documents and take such actions as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent to effect the purposes of this paragraph. Each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations agrees to provide each Guarantor with copies of the relevant documents governing its participation in the restructuring arrangement and new credit facilities and shall provide such Guarantor with the basis on which it has calculated such Guarantor’s portion of such new credit facilities, which calculations shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.      Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

 

(A)             any extension, renewal, settlement, indulgence, compromise, waiver or release of or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether (in any such case) by operation of law or otherwise, or any failure or omission to enforce any right, power or remedy with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(B)              any modification or amendment of or supplement to the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement, including, without limitation, any such amendment which may increase the amount of, or the interest rates applicable to, any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(C)              any release, surrender, compromise, settlement, waiver, subordination or modification, with or without consideration, of any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, any other guaranties with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other obligation of any person or entity with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any nonperfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(D)             any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any such Borrower, other Loan Party, Subsidiary or other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any of their respective assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of such Person of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(E)              the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which the Guarantors may have at any time against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in connection with any unrelated transactions; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(F)              the enforceability or validity of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related to the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any provision of applicable law decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Borrower, other Loan Party, Subsidiary or other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

 

 

 

(G)             the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, if any;

 

(H)            the election by, or on behalf of, any one or more of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) (the “Bankruptcy Code”), of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

(I)               any borrowing or grant of a security interest by any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary, as debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

(J)              the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of all or any portion of the claims of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent for repayment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(K)             the failure of any Person to sign or become party to this Guaranty or any amendment, change, or reaffirmation hereof; or

 

(L)              any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this Section 4, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder except as provided in Section 5.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, each Guarantor consents and agrees that any Holder of the Guaranteed Obligations may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent and the Holder of the Guaranteed Obligations in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.      Continuing Guaranty; Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full; Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances. Each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash and the Commitments and all Letters of Credit issued under the Credit Agreement shall have terminated or expired. If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation, including any Loan, any Reimbursement Obligation or any other amount payable by any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other party under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in its discretion), each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due and payable in the same currency as such Guaranteed Obligation is denominated but if currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that such currency (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the relevant Guarantor is not able to make payment in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Guarantor hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of payment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that each Guarantor takes all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations. The obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any acts of any legislative body or governmental authority affecting the Loan Parties, including but not limited to, any restrictions on the conversion of currency or repatriation or control of funds or any total or partial expropriation of any Loan Party’s property, or by economic, political, regulatory or other events in the countries where a Loan Party is located. The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

SECTION 6.      General Waivers; Additional Waivers.

 

(A)             General Waivers. Each of the Guarantors irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand or action on delinquency, protest, the benefit of any statutes of limitations and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person.

 

(B)              Additional Waivers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Guarantors hereby absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives:

 

(i)                any right it may have to revoke this Guaranty as to future indebtedness or notice of acceptance hereof;

 

(ii)              (a) notice of acceptance hereof; (b) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements or the Banking Services Agreements or the creation or existence of any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) notice of the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, subject, however, to each Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Administrative Agent and Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to ascertain the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations at any reasonable time; (d) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of any Borrower or any other Person or of any other fact that might increase such Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (e) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instruments among the Loan Documents; (f) notice of any Default or Event of Default; and (g) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to such Guarantor hereunder or under the Loan Documents) and demands to which each Guarantor might otherwise be entitled;

 

 

 

 

(iii)            its right, if any, to require the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to institute suit against, or to exhaust any rights and remedies which the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations has or may have against, the other Guarantors or any third party, or against any collateral security provided by the Loan Parties, or any third party; and each Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and paid in full in cash) of the other Guarantors or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of the other Guarantors in respect thereof;

 

(iv)             (a) any rights to assert against the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which such Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against the other Guarantors or any other party liable to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor; (c) any defense such Guarantor has to performance hereunder (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and paid in full in cash), and any right such Guarantor has to be exonerated, arising by reason of: the impairment or suspension of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ rights or remedies against the other Guarantors; the alteration by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of the Guaranteed Obligations; any discharge of the other Guarantors’ obligations to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law as a result of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ intervention or omission; or the acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of anything in partial satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations; and (d) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guaranteed Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to such Guarantor’s liability hereunder; and

 

(v)               any defense arising by reason of or deriving from (a) any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; or (b) any election by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, to limit the amount of, or any collateral securing, its claim against the Guarantors.

 

 

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Guaranty and subject to Section 7 below, no Guarantor shall waive any rights it may have (in particular but not limited to any right for reimbursement and/or indemnity) against any of its direct or indirect shareholders.

 

SECTION 7.      Subordination of Subrogation; Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.

 

(A)             Subordination of Subrogation. Until the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully and finally performed and indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the Guarantors (i) shall have no right of subrogation with respect to such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) waive any right to enforce any remedy which the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent now have or may hereafter have against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary, any endorser or any guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, and (iii) waive any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent to secure the payment or performance of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other liability of any Borrower to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Issuing Bank. Should any Guarantor have the right, notwithstanding the foregoing, to exercise its subrogation rights, each Guarantor hereby expressly and irrevocably (i) subordinates any and all rights at law or in equity to subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off that such Guarantor may have to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and (ii) waives any and all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor, in each case, until the Guaranteed Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full in cash. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that this subordination is intended to benefit the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall not limit or otherwise affect such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforceability of this Guaranty, and that the Administrative Agent, the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and assigns are intended third party beneficiaries of the waivers and agreements set forth in this Section 7(A).

 

 

 

 

(B)              Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness. Each Guarantor agrees that any and all claims of such Guarantor against any Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder (each an “Obligor”) with respect to any “Intercompany Indebtedness” (as hereinafter defined), any endorser, obligor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Obligations, or against any of its properties shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment, in full and in cash, of all Obligations; provided that, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Guarantor may receive payments of principal and interest from any Obligor with respect to Intercompany Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any right of any Guarantor to ask, demand, sue for, take or receive any payment from any Obligor, all rights, liens and security interests of such Guarantor, whether now or hereafter arising and howsoever existing, in any assets of any other Obligor shall be and are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and the Administrative Agent in those assets. No Guarantor shall have any right to possession of any such asset or to foreclose upon any such asset, whether by judicial action or otherwise, unless and until all of the Obligations shall have been fully paid and satisfied (in cash) and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement have been terminated. If all or any part of the assets of any Obligor, or the proceeds thereof, are subject to any distribution, division or application to the creditors of such Obligor, whether partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, and whether by reason of liquidation, bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding, or if the business of any such Obligor is dissolved or if substantially all of the assets of any such Obligor are sold, then, and in any such event (such events being herein referred to as an “Insolvency Event”), any payment or distribution of any kind or character, either in cash, securities or other property, which shall be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to any indebtedness of any Obligor to any Guarantor (“Intercompany Indebtedness”) shall be paid or delivered directly to the Administrative Agent for application on any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or to become due, until such Guaranteed Obligations shall have first been fully paid and satisfied (in cash). Should any payment, distribution, security or instrument or proceeds thereof be received by the applicable Guarantor upon or with respect to the Intercompany Indebtedness after any Insolvency Event and prior to the satisfaction of all of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document among any Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, such Guarantor shall receive and hold the same in trust, as trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall forthwith deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of the Guarantor where necessary), for application to any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or not due, and, until so delivered, the same shall be held in trust by the Guarantor as the property of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations. If any such Guarantor fails to make any such endorsement or assignment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent or any of its officers or employees is irrevocably authorized to make the same. Each Guarantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Guarantor solely for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing provisions of this Guaranty and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Administrative Agent reasonably may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest and shall terminate upon the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement. Each Guarantor agrees that until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than the contingent indemnity obligations) have been paid in full (in cash) and satisfied and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document among any Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations have been terminated, no Guarantor will assign or transfer to any Person (other than the Administrative Agent or another Guarantor) any claim any such Guarantor has or may have against any Obligor.

 

(C)              The provisions of this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.      Contribution with Respect to Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(A)             To the extent that any Guarantor shall make a payment under this Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Guarantor if each Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements and the Banking Services Agreements, such Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

 

(B)              As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

 

(C)              This Section 8 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 8 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Guaranty.

 

(D)             The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Guarantor or Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

 

(E)              The rights of the indemnifying Guarantors against other Guarantors under this Section 8 shall be exercisable upon the full and indefeasible payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in cash and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements and the Banking Services Agreements.

 

SECTION 9.      Limitation of Guaranty. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Guarantor may have under this Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.      Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by any Borrower or other Person under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of such Borrower or other Person, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document shall nonetheless be payable by each of the Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 11.      Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given in the manner prescribed in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement with respect to the Administrative Agent at its notice address therein and with respect to any Guarantor, in care of the Company at the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number of the Company set forth in the Credit Agreement or such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as such party may hereafter specify for such purpose by notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of such Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

SECTION 12.      No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided in this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

SECTION 13.      Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, that no Guarantor shall have any right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of all of the Lenders, and any such assignment in violation of this Section 13 shall be null and void; and in the event of an assignment of any amounts payable under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the other Loan Documents in accordance with the respective terms thereof, the rights hereunder, to the extent applicable to the indebtedness so assigned, may be transferred with such indebtedness. This Guaranty shall be binding upon each of the Guarantors and their respective successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 14.      Changes in Writing. Other than in connection with the addition of additional Subsidiaries, which become parties hereto by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only in writing signed by each of the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders under the Credit Agreement.

 

SECTION 15.      GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 16.     CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; JURY TRIAL; IMMUNITY.

 

(A)             CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE ISSUING BANK, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE ISSUING BANK MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE GUARANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(B)              EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

 

 

 

(C)              EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

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

 

(E)              Each Guarantor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries (and its and their respective process agents), and each such Person’s properties and revenues of any kind, hereby irrevocably agrees that, to the extent that such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Person’s properties or revenues has or may hereafter acquire any right of immunity, whether characterized as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from any legal proceedings, to enforce or collect upon the Guaranteed Obligations, including immunity from service of process, immunity from jurisdiction or judgment of any court or tribunal, immunity from execution of a judgment, and immunity of any of its property or revenues from attachment prior to any entry of judgment, or from attachment in aid of execution upon a judgment, each Guarantor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law, any such immunity, and agrees not to assert any such right or claim in any such proceeding, whether in the United States or elsewhere. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party further agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 16(E) shall have the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and other applicable Law and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and such other applicable Law.

 

SECTION 17.     No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Guaranty. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Guaranty shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Guaranty.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 18.     Taxes, Expenses of Enforcement, etc.

 

(A)            Taxes.

 

(i)               All payments by any Guarantor to or for the account of any Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all Taxes and shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 2.17 thereof. If any Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit to any Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations, (a) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 18(A)) such Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (b) such Guarantor shall make such deductions, (c) such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law and (d) such Guarantor shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof as soon as practicable after such payment is made.

 

(ii)              In addition, the Guarantors hereby agree to pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes and any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit or from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty or any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit (“Other Taxes”). For the avoidance of doubt, each applicable Guarantor shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment under this Guaranty the amount of any Excluded Taxes required to be deducted and withheld under applicable law.

 

(iii)            The Guarantors hereby agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender and any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section 18(A)) paid or payable by, or required to be deducted or withheld from any payment to, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, such Lender or such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to a Guarantor by any Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Payments due under this indemnification shall be made within ten (10) days of the date the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, such Lender or such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations makes written demand therefor.

 

 

 

 

(iv)             By accepting the benefits hereof, each Foreign Lender agrees that it will comply with Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement.

 

(v)               The provisions of this Section 18(A) shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

(B)              Expenses of Enforcement, Etc. The Guarantors agree to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations for any reasonable and documented costs and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and time charges of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in connection with the collection and enforcement of amounts due under the Loan Documents, including without limitation this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 19.      Setoff. At any time after all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations have become due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise), each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) may, without notice to any Guarantor and regardless of the acceptance of any security or collateral for the payment hereof, appropriate and apply in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement toward the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations then due and payable (i) any indebtedness due or to become due from such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent to any Guarantor, and (ii) any moneys, credits or other property belonging to any Guarantor, at any time held by or coming into the possession of such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) or any of their respective affiliates.

 

SECTION 20.     Financial Information. Each Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of each of the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties, the Subsidiaries and any and all endorsers and/or other Guarantors of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, that diligent inquiry would reveal, and each Guarantor hereby agrees that none of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to any of them regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to a Guarantor, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall be under no obligation (i) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, (ii) to disclose any information which such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance or banking practices, wishes to maintain confidential or (iii) to make any other or future disclosures of such information or any other information to such Guarantor.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 21.     Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 22.      Merger. This Guaranty represents the final agreement of each of the Guarantors with respect to the matters contained herein and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreements, or subsequent oral agreements, between the Guarantor and any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent).

 

SECTION 23.      Headings. Section headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and shall not govern the interpretation of any provision of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 24.      Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Guarantor hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of each Guarantor in respect of any sum due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, in the specified currency, each Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Person under Section 2.18 of the Credit Agreement, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations agrees to remit such excess to such Guarantor.

 

SECTION 25.      Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 25 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 25 or otherwise under this Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 25 shall remain in full force and effect until a discharge of such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 25 constitute, and this Section 25 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. As used herein, “Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Specified Swap Obligation, each Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation or such other Person as constitutes an ECP and can cause another Person to qualify as an ECP at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1(a)(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 26.      Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that this Guaranty provides support for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that this Guaranty and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

(A)             In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Guaranty that apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and this Guaranty were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

(B)              As used in this Section 26, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

 

 

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

SECTION 27.      Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Initial Guarantors has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Bruker Scientific LLC
   
  By   /s/ Kristin Caplice
    Name:   Kristin Caplice
    Title: Manager
   
  Bruker BioSpin Corporation
   
  By /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Assistant Treasurer
   
  Bruker AXS LLC
   
  By /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Manager
   
  Bruker Nano, Inc.
   
  By /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Domestic Subsidiary)]

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed

 

As of the date first written above:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

By:   /s/ Anthony W. Kell  
  Name:   Anthony W. Kell  
  Title: Vice President  

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Domestic Subsidiary)]

 

 

 

 

  

ANNEX I

 

SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY

 

Reference is hereby made to the Guaranty (Domestic Subsidiaries) (the “Guaranty”) made as of December 11, 2019, by and among, initially, Bruker Nano, Inc., an Arizona corporation, Bruker AXS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bruker Scientific LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Bruker BioSpin Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (collectively, the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company, which become parties thereto and together with the undersigned, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, under the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty. By its execution below, the undersigned [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] (a) agrees to become, and does hereby become, a Guarantor under the Guaranty and agrees to be bound by such Guaranty as if originally a party thereto and (b) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Guaranteed Obligations. By its execution below, the undersigned represents and warrants as to itself that all of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2 of the Guaranty are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 16 OF THE GUARANTY ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] has executed and delivered this Annex I counterpart to the Guaranty as of this[ ______] day of [_________] , 20[___].

 

  [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR]
   
  By:             
   
  Its:

  

 

 

EXHIBIT G-2

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY (FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES)

 

[see attached]

 

 

 

GUARANTY (FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES)

 

THIS GUARANTY (FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES) (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”) is made as of December 11, 2019, by and among each of the undersigned Foreign Subsidiaries (the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company which become parties to this Guaranty by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below), under the Credit Agreement referred to below.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as a borrower (each a “Designated Borrower”, and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) have entered into a certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 (as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented and/or restated, and as in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement, among other things, provides, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for extensions from time to time of credit and other financial accommodations by the Lenders to the Borrowers;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the extensions of credit by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement that each of the Guarantors (constituting all of the Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company required to execute this Guaranty pursuant to the Credit Agreement, including pursuant to Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement) execute and deliver this Guaranty, whereby each of the Guarantors shall guarantee the payment when due of all Foreign Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement); and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the direct and indirect financial and other support that the Borrowers have provided, and such direct and indirect financial and other support as the Borrowers may in the future provide, to the Guarantors, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into the Credit Agreement, each of the Guarantors is willing to guarantee the Foreign Obligations as set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.      Definitions. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have, as used herein, the respective meanings provided for therein.

 

 

 

SECTION 2.      Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Each of the Guarantors represents and warrants (which representations and warranties shall be deemed to have been renewed at the time of the making, conversion or continuation of any Loan or issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit) that:

 

(A)             It is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other corporate entity duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except to the extent that the failure to have such authority could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(B)              It (to the extent applicable) has the requisite power and authority and legal right and/or has taken all necessary corporate or other action to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its respective obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by each Guarantor of this Guaranty and the performance by each of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by proper proceedings, and this Guaranty constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against such Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, capital maintenance requirements or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(C)              Neither the execution and delivery by it of this Guaranty, nor the consummation by it of the transactions herein contemplated, nor compliance by it with the provisions hereof will (i) (a) violate any order of any Governmental Authority, (b) violate in any material respect any applicable law or regulation, or (c) contravene its articles or certificate of incorporation (or equivalent charter documents), limited liability company or partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of organization, by-laws, or operating agreement or other management agreement, as the case may be, (ii) conflict in any material respect with, or constitute a material default under, any indenture, instrument or other agreement binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment (other than a payment contemplated by the Loan Documents) to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except as provided in the Loan Documents). No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by it, is required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by it of, or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against it of, this Guaranty.

 

In addition to the foregoing, each of the Guarantors covenants that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment outstanding under the Credit Agreement or any amount payable under the Credit Agreement or any other Guaranteed Obligations shall remain unpaid, it will, and, if necessary, will enable each of the Borrowers to, fully comply with those covenants and agreements of such Borrower applicable to such Guarantor set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

SECTION 3.      Guaranty. Each of the Guarantors hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Foreign Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Foreign Obligations, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Foreign Obligations, including, without limitation, (i) the principal of and interest on each Loan made to any Foreign Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, (ii) any obligations of any Foreign Borrower to reimburse LC Disbursements (“Reimbursement Obligations”), (iii) all obligations of any Foreign Borrower or any Foreign Subsidiary owing to any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender under any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or Banking Services Agreement, (iv) all other amounts payable by any Foreign Borrower or any of its Foreign Subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (v) the punctual and faithful performance, keeping, observance, and fulfillment by any Foreign Borrower or any other Foreign Obligor of all of the agreements, conditions, covenants, and obligations of such Foreign Obligor contained in the Loan Documents (all of the foregoing being referred to collectively as the “Guaranteed Obligations” and the holders from time to time of the Guaranteed Obligations being referred to collectively as the “Holders of Guaranteed Obligations”). Upon (x) the failure by any Foreign Obligor or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, to pay punctually any such amount or perform such obligation, and (y) such failure continuing beyond any applicable grace or notice and cure period, each of the Guarantors agrees that it shall forthwith on demand pay such amount or perform such obligation at the place and in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the relevant Loan Document, as the case may be. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that this Guaranty is an absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guaranty of payment and is not a guaranty of collection.

 

Notwithstanding any limitation on liability set forth herein to the contrary, if the Guaranteed Obligations are made subject to a debt restructuring arrangement between a country and its creditors or creditors of persons or entities of such country, and as a result thereof any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations and other credit facilities to such country, persons or entities of such country, shall agree to provide any new credit facilities, each Guarantor shall fund (and be the beneficial owner of) that amount of such new credit facilities which is calculated by (i) dividing the face value of such Guaranteed Obligations by the aggregate amount of the Holder of Guaranteed Obligations’ credit facilities made part of the restructuring arrangement and (ii) multiplying the result by the amount of such new credit facilities. Each Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver such documents and take such actions as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent to effect the purposes of this paragraph. Each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations agrees to provide each Guarantor with copies of the relevant documents governing its participation in the restructuring arrangement and new credit facilities and shall provide such Guarantor with the basis on which it has calculated such Guarantor’s portion of such new credit facilities, which calculations shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

 

 

SECTION 4.      Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

 

(A)             any extension, renewal, settlement, indulgence, compromise, waiver or release of or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether (in any such case) by operation of law or otherwise, or any failure or omission to enforce any right, power or remedy with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(B)              any modification or amendment of or supplement to the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement, including, without limitation, any such amendment which may increase the amount of, or the interest rates applicable to, any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(C)              any release, surrender, compromise, settlement, waiver, subordination or modification, with or without consideration, of any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, any other guaranties with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other obligation of any person or entity with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any nonperfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(D)             any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any such Borrower, other Loan Party, Subsidiary or other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any of their respective assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of such Person of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(E)              the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which the Guarantors may have at any time against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in connection with any unrelated transactions; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(F)              the enforceability or validity of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related to the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any provision of applicable law decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Borrower, other Loan Party, Subsidiary or other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

 

 

(G)             the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, if any;

 

(H)             the election by, or on behalf of, any one or more of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) (the “Bankruptcy Code”), of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

(I)                any borrowing or grant of a security interest by any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary, as debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

(J)                the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of all or any portion of the claims of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent for repayment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(K)             the failure of any Person to sign or become party to this Guaranty or any amendment, change, or reaffirmation hereof; or

 

(L)              any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this Section 4, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder except as provided in Section 5.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, each Guarantor consents and agrees that any Holder of the Guaranteed Obligations may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent and the Holder of the Guaranteed Obligations in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.

 

 

 

SECTION 5.      Continuing Guaranty; Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full; Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances. Each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash and the Aggregate Commitments and all Letters of Credit issued under the Credit Agreement shall have terminated or expired and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement have been terminated. If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation, including any Loan, any Reimbursement Obligation or any other amount payable by any Foreign Borrower, any Foreign Subsidiary or any other party under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in its discretion), each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due and payable in the same currency as such Guaranteed Obligation is denominated but if currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that such currency (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the relevant Guarantor is not able to make payment in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Guarantor hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of payment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that each Guarantor takes all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations. The obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any acts of any legislative body or governmental authority affecting the Loan Parties, including but not limited to, any restrictions on the conversion of currency or repatriation or control of funds or any total or partial expropriation of any Loan Party’s property, or by economic, political, regulatory or other events in the countries where a Loan Party is located. The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

SECTION 6.      General Waivers; Additional Waivers.

 

(A)             General Waivers. Each of the Guarantors irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand or action on delinquency, protest, the benefit of any statutes of limitations and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person.

 

(B)              Additional Waivers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Guarantors hereby absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives:

 

(i)                 any right it may have to revoke this Guaranty as to future indebtedness or notice of acceptance hereof;

 

(ii)              (a) notice of acceptance hereof; (b) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements or the Banking Services Agreements or the creation or existence of any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) notice of the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, subject, however, to each Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Administrative Agent and Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to ascertain the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations at any reasonable time; (d) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of any Borrower or any other Person or of any other fact that might increase such Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (e) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instruments among the Loan Documents; (f) notice of any Default or Event of Default; and (g) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to such Guarantor hereunder or under the Loan Documents) and demands to which each Guarantor might otherwise be entitled;

 

 

 

(iii)            its right, if any, to require the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to institute suit against, or to exhaust any rights and remedies which the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations has or may have against, the other Guarantors, the other Loan Parties or any third party, or against any collateral security provided by the Loan Parties, or any third party; and each Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and paid in full in cash) of the other Guarantors or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of the other Guarantors in respect thereof;

 

(iv)             (a) any rights to assert against the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which such Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against the other Guarantors, the other Loan Parties or any other party liable to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor; (c) any defense such Guarantor has to performance hereunder (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and paid in full in cash), and any right such Guarantor has to be exonerated, arising by reason of: the impairment or suspension of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ rights or remedies against the other Guarantors or Loan Parties; the alteration by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of the Guaranteed Obligations; any discharge of the other Guarantors’ obligations to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law as a result of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ intervention or omission; or the acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of anything in partial satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations; and (d) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guaranteed Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to such Guarantor’s liability hereunder; and

 

(v)               any defense arising by reason of or deriving from (a) any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; or (b) any election by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, to limit the amount of, or any collateral securing, its claim against the Guarantors.

 

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Guaranty and subject to Section 7 below, no Guarantor shall waive any rights it may have (in particular but not limited to any right for reimbursement and/or indemnity) against any of its direct or indirect shareholders.

 

SECTION 7.      Subordination of Subrogation; Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.

 

(A)             Subordination of Subrogation. Until the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully and finally performed and indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the Guarantors (i) shall have no right of subrogation with respect to such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) waive any right to enforce any remedy which the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent now have or may hereafter have against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary, any endorser or any guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, and (iii) waive any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent to secure the payment or performance of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other liability of any Borrower to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Issuing Bank. Should any Guarantor have the right, notwithstanding the foregoing, to exercise its subrogation rights, each Guarantor hereby expressly and irrevocably (i) subordinates any and all rights at law or in equity to subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off that such Guarantor may have to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and (ii) waives any and all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor, in each case, until the Guaranteed Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full in cash and the Aggregate Commitments and all Letters of Credit issued under the Credit Agreement shall have terminated or expired and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement have been terminated. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that this subordination is intended to benefit the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall not limit or otherwise affect such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforceability of this Guaranty, and that the Administrative Agent, the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and assigns are intended third party beneficiaries of the waivers and agreements set forth in this Section 7(A).

 

 

 

(B)              Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness. Each Guarantor agrees that any and all claims of such Guarantor against any Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder (each an “Obligor”) with respect to any “Intercompany Indebtedness” (as hereinafter defined), any endorser, obligor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Obligations, or against any of its properties shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment, in full and in cash, of all Obligations; provided that, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Guarantor may receive payments of principal and interest from any Obligor with respect to Intercompany Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any right of any Guarantor to ask, demand, sue for, take or receive any payment from any Obligor, all rights, liens and security interests of such Guarantor, whether now or hereafter arising and howsoever existing, in any assets of any other Obligor shall be and are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and the Administrative Agent in those assets. No Guarantor shall have any right to possession of any such asset or to foreclose upon any such asset, whether by judicial action or otherwise, unless and until all of the Obligations shall have been fully paid and satisfied (in cash) and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement have been terminated. If all or any part of the assets of any Obligor, or the proceeds thereof, are subject to any distribution, division or application to the creditors of such Obligor, whether partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, and whether by reason of liquidation, bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding, or if the business of any such Obligor is dissolved or if substantially all of the assets of any such Obligor are sold, then, and in any such event (such events being herein referred to as an “Insolvency Event”), any payment or distribution of any kind or character, either in cash, securities or other property, which shall be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to any indebtedness of any Obligor to any Guarantor (“Intercompany Indebtedness”) shall be paid or delivered directly to the Administrative Agent for application on any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or to become due, until such Guaranteed Obligations shall have first been fully paid and satisfied (in cash). Should any payment, distribution, security or instrument or proceeds thereof be received by the applicable Guarantor upon or with respect to the Intercompany Indebtedness after any Insolvency Event and prior to the satisfaction of all of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement among any Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, such Guarantor shall receive and hold the same in trust, as trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall forthwith deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of the Guarantor where necessary), for application to any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or not due, and, until so delivered, the same shall be held in trust by the Guarantor as the property of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations. If any such Guarantor fails to make any such endorsement or assignment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent or any of its officers or employees is irrevocably authorized to make the same. Each Guarantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Guarantor solely for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing provisions of this Guaranty and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Administrative Agent reasonably may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest and shall terminate upon the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement. Each Guarantor agrees that until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than the contingent indemnity obligations) have been paid in full (in cash) and satisfied and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document among any Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations have been terminated, no Guarantor will assign or transfer to any Person (other than the Administrative Agent or another Guarantor) any claim any such Guarantor has or may have against any Obligor.

 

 

 

(C)              The provisions of this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

SECTION 8. Contribution with Respect to Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(A)             To the extent that any Guarantor shall make a payment under this Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Guarantor if each Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements and the Banking Services Agreements, such Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

 

(B)              As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

 

(C)              This Section 8 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 8 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Guaranty.

 

(D)             The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Guarantor or Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

 

(E)              The rights of the indemnifying Guarantors against other Guarantors under this Section 8 shall be exercisable upon the full and indefeasible payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in cash and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements and the Banking Services Agreements.

 

SECTION 9.      Limitation of Guaranty. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Guarantor may have under this Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

 

 

 

SECTION 10. Guarantee Limitations for Swiss Guarantors.

 

(A)             Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty if and to the extent that:

 

(i)                 a Guarantor incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to art. 9 of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act (the “Swiss Guarantor”) under this Guaranty guarantees and/or secures obligations other than obligations of one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries (i.e. obligations of a Swiss Guarantor’s direct or indirect parent companies (up-stream liabilities) or sister companies (cross-stream liabilities)) “Restricted Obligations”); and

 

(ii)              a guarantee payment in fulfilling such obligations would, under Swiss law and practice, constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by such Swiss Guarantor or would otherwise be restricted under Swiss corporate law, such Restricted Obligations (and the amount of any payment in relation thereto) shall from time to time be limited to the amount permitted to be paid under Swiss law and practice, provided that, such limited amount shall at no time be less than the profits and reserves of such Swiss Guarantor available for distribution as dividends (being - according to Swiss law and practice as of the date of this Guaranty – the balance sheet profits and any reserves available for this purpose, in each case in accordance with art. 675(2) and art. 671(1) and (2), no. 3 and (4) CO) at the time or times payment under or pursuant to this Guarantee is requested from such Swiss Guarantor and further provided that such limitation (as may apply from time to time or not) shall not (generally or definitively) free such Swiss Guarantor from payment obligations hereunder in excess thereof, but merely postpone the payment date therefore until such times as payment is again permitted notwithstanding such limitation. Any and all indemnities and guarantees of such Swiss Guarantor contained in this Guarantee shall be construed in a manner consistent with the provisions herein contained.

 

(B)              In case a Swiss Guarantor who must make a payment in respect of Restricted Obligations under this Guaranty is obliged to withhold Swiss Federal Withholding Tax in respect of such payment, such Swiss Guarantor shall:

 

(i)                 procure that such payments can be made without deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, or with deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability to such tax by notification pursuant to applicable law (including double tax treaties) rather than payment of the tax;

 

 

 

(ii)              if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above does not apply, deduct Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at the rate of 35% (or such other rate as in force from time to time), or if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above applies for a part of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax only, deduct Swiss Federal Withholding Tax at the reduced rate resulting after the discharge of part of such tax by notification under applicable law, from any payment made by it in respect of Restricted Obligations and promptly pay any such taxes to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

(iii)            notify the Administrative Agent that such notification, or as the case may be, deduction has been made and provide the Administrative Agent with evidence that such a notification of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been made or, as the case may be, such taxes deducted have been paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

(iv)             in the case of a deduction of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax, use its best efforts to ensure that any person other than the Administrative Agent, which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted from such payment in respect of Restricted Obligations, will, as soon as possible after such deduction:

 

1)                  request a refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax under applicable law (including tax treaties) and pay to the Administrative Agent upon receipt any amounts so refunded; or

 

2)                  if the Administrative Agent or a Lender is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax deducted from such payment and if requested by the Administrative Agent, provide the Administrative Agent or the Lender with those documents that are required by law and applicable tax treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax in order to enable the Administrative Agent or Lender to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax.

 

(v)               if any of the steps mentioned above under (i) through (iv) were considered to be an illegal tax gross-up or indemnification under the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act by a Swiss court or Swiss administrative body, the Swiss Guarantor shall not be obliged to such gross-up or indemnification.

 

(C)              If a Swiss Guarantor is obliged to withhold Swiss Federal Withholding Tax in accordance with paragraph (B) above, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to further request payment under the guarantee as per this Guaranty and other indemnity granted to it under this Guaranty and apply proceeds therefrom against the Restricted Obligations up to an amount which is equal to that amount which would have been obtained if no withholding of Swiss Federal Withholding Tax were required, whereby such further payments shall always be limited to the maximum amount of the freely distributable capital of such Swiss Guarantor as set out in paragraph (A) above.

 

 

 

(D)             If and to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent and if and to the extent this is from time to time required under Swiss law (restricting profit distributions), in order to allow the Administrative Agent (and the Lenders and the Issuing Bank) to obtain a maximum benefit under the Guaranty and, in particular, this clause, the Swiss Guarantor shall promptly implement the following:

 

(i)                 the preparation of an up-to-date audited (interim) balance sheet of such Swiss Guarantor;

 

(ii)              the confirmation of the auditors of such Swiss Guarantor that the relevant amount represents (the maximum of) freely distributable profits;

 

(iii)            the prompt convening of a meeting of the shareholders of such Swiss Guarantor which will approve the (resulting) profit distribution;

 

(iv)             if the enforcement of any Restricted Obligations would be limited as a result of any matter referred to in this clause, such Swiss Guarantor shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (A) write up or realise any of its assets shown in its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets, in case of realisation, however, only if such assets are not necessary for such Swiss Guarantor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and/or (B) reduce its share capital; and

 

(v)               all such other measures reasonably necessary and/or to promptly procure the fulfilment of all prerequisites reasonably necessary to allow such Swiss Guarantor and relevant parent company to promptly make the payments and perform the obligations agreed hereunder from time to time with a minimum of limitations.

 

SECTION 11.  Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by any Borrower or other Person under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of such Borrower or other Person, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document shall nonetheless be payable by each of the Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 12.  Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given in the manner prescribed in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement with respect to the Administrative Agent at its notice address therein and with respect to any Guarantor, in care of the Company at the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number of the Company set forth in the Credit Agreement or such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as such party may hereafter specify for such purpose by notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of such Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

SECTION 13.  No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided in this Guaranty, the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

SECTION 14.  Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, that no Guarantor shall have any right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of all of the Lenders, and any such assignment in violation of this Section 14 shall be null and void; and in the event of an assignment of any amounts payable under the Credit Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the other Loan Documents in accordance with the respective terms thereof, the rights hereunder, to the extent applicable to the indebtedness so assigned, may be transferred with such indebtedness. This Guaranty shall be binding upon each of the Guarantors and their respective successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 15.  Changes in Writing. Other than in connection with the addition of additional Subsidiaries, which become parties hereto by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only in writing signed by each of the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders under the Credit Agreement.

 

SECTION 16.  GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 17.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; JURY TRIAL; IMMUNITY.

 

(A)             CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE ISSUING BANK, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE ISSUING BANK MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE GUARANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

 

 

(B)              EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(C)              EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 12. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH FOREIGN OBLIGOR IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS THE COMPANY AS SUCH PERSON’S AUTHORIZED AGENT, TO ACCEPT AND ACKNOWLEDGE ON ITS BEHALF, SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING, AND AGREES THAT THE FAILURE OF THE COMPANY TO GIVE ANY NOTICE OF ANY SUCH SERVICE SHALL NOT IMPAIR OR AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF SUCH SERVICE OR OF ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED IN ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING BASED THEREON.  THE COMPANY HEREBY CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS AGREED TO ACCEPT SUCH APPOINTMENT (AND ANY SIMILAR APPOINTMENT BY ANY OTHER PERSON THAT IS A FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY THAT BECOMES A PARTY TO THIS GUARANTY AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE).  THE DESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT MADE PURSUANT TO THE PRECEDING SENTENCE SHALL BE IRREVOCABLE BY THE COMPANY AND EACH FOREIGN OBLIGOR.  IF THE FOREGOING APPOINTMENT IS TERMINATED FOR ANY REASON, THE COMPANY WILL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS.

 

 

 

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

 

(E)              Each Guarantor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries (and its and their respective process agents), and each such Person’s properties and revenues of any kind, hereby irrevocably agrees that, to the extent that such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Person’s properties or revenues has or may hereafter acquire any right of immunity, whether characterized as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from any legal proceedings, to enforce or collect upon the Guaranteed Obligations, including immunity from service of process, immunity from jurisdiction or judgment of any court or tribunal, immunity from execution of a judgment, and immunity of any of its property or revenues from attachment prior to any entry of judgment, or from attachment in aid of execution upon a judgment, each Guarantor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law, any such immunity, and agrees not to assert any such right or claim in any such proceeding, whether in the United States or elsewhere. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party further agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 17(E) shall have the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and other applicable Law and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and such other applicable Law.

 

SECTION 18.  No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Guaranty. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Guaranty shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 19.  Taxes, Expenses of Enforcement, etc.

 

(A)             Taxes.

 

(i)               All payments by any Guarantor to or for the account of any Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all Taxes and shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 2.17 thereof. If any Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit to any Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations, (a) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 19(A)) such Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (b) such Guarantor shall make such deductions, (c) such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law and (d) such Guarantor shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof as soon as practicable after such payment is made.

 

 

 

 

(ii)              In addition, the Guarantors hereby agree to pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes and any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit or from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty or any other Loan Document or application for a Letter of Credit (“Other Taxes”). For the avoidance of doubt, each applicable Guarantor shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment under this Guaranty the amount of any Excluded Taxes required to be deducted and withheld under applicable law.

 

(iii)            The Guarantors hereby agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender and any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section 19(A)) paid or payable by, or required to be deducted or withheld from any payment to, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, such Lender or such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to a Guarantor by any Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Payments due under this indemnification shall be made within ten (10) days of the date the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, such Lender or such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations makes written demand therefor.

 

(iv)             By accepting the benefits hereof, each Foreign Lender agrees that it will comply with Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement.

 

(v)              The provisions of this Section 19(A) shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

 

 

 

(B)              Expenses of Enforcement, Etc. The Guarantors agree to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations for any reasonable and documented costs and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and time charges of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in connection with the collection and enforcement of amounts due under the Loan Documents, including without limitation this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 20.  Setoff. At any time after all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations have become due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise), each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) may, without notice to any Guarantor and regardless of the acceptance of any security or collateral for the payment hereof, appropriate and apply in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement toward the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations then due and payable (i) any indebtedness due or to become due from such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent to any Guarantor, and (ii) any moneys, credits or other property belonging to any Guarantor, at any time held by or coming into the possession of such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) or any of their respective affiliates.

 

SECTION 21.  Financial Information. Each Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of each of the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties, the Subsidiaries and any and all endorsers and/or other Guarantors of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, that diligent inquiry would reveal, and each Guarantor hereby agrees that none of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to any of them regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to a Guarantor, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall be under no obligation (i) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, (ii) to disclose any information which such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance or banking practices, wishes to maintain confidential or (iii) to make any other or future disclosures of such information or any other information to such Guarantor.

 

SECTION 22.  Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 23.  Merger. This Guaranty represents the final agreement of each of the Guarantors with respect to the matters contained herein and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreements, or subsequent oral agreements, between the Guarantor and any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent).

 

 

 

 

SECTION 24.  Headings. Section headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and shall not govern the interpretation of any provision of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 25.  Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Guarantor hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of each Guarantor in respect of any sum due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, in the specified currency, each Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Person under Section 2.18 of the Credit Agreement, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations agrees to remit such excess to such Guarantor.

 

SECTION 26.  Limitation of Liability of German Guarantor. Nothing in this Guaranty shall oblige a Guarantor that is a German GmbH Obligor to make a payment in respect of this Guaranty if and to the extent that this Guaranty shall secure obligations of such Guarantor’s shareholders and/or affiliated companies (verbundene Unternehmen) of such shareholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz) (other than the Subsidiaries of such Guarantor) and such payment would cause such Guarantor not to have sufficient net assets (Reinvermögen) to maintain its stated share capital (Stammkapital) and as a result cause a violation of Sections 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

 

SECTION 27.  Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 27 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 27 or otherwise under this Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 27 shall remain in full force and effect until a discharge of such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 27 constitute, and this Section 27 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. As used herein, “Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Specified Swap Obligation, each Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation or such other Person as constitutes an ECP and can cause another Person to qualify as an ECP at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1(a)(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 28.  Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that this Guaranty provides support for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that this Guaranty and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

(A)             In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Guaranty that apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and this Guaranty were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

(B)              As used in this Section 28, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

 

 

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

SECTION 29.  Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Initial Guarantors has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Bruker Switzerland AG,
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Falko Busse
    Name: Falko Busse
    Title: President of the Board of Directors
   
  By: /s/ Patrick Büchi
    Name: Patrick Büchi
    Title: Member of the Board of Directors
   
  Bruker AXS GmbH,
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Dr. Frank Walter Burgäzy
    Name: Dr. Frank Walter Burgäzy
    Title: Managing Director
   
  By: /s/ Dr. Klaus Gohlke
    Name: Dr. Klaus Gohlke
    Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)]

 

 

 

 

  Bruker Physik GmbH
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Dr. Falko Busse
    Name: Dr. Falko Busse
    Title: Group President
   
  By: /s/ Patrick Minhorst
    Name: Patrick Minhorst
    Title: Managing Director
   
  Bruker Daltonik GmbH,
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Jürgen Srega
    Name: Jürgen Srega
    Title: Managing Director
   
  By: /s/ Stefan Ruge
    Name: Stefan Ruge
    Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)]

 

 

 

 

  Bruker Optik GmbH,
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Urban Faeh
    Name: Urban Faeh
    Title: Managing Director
   
  By: /s/ Marc Beisel
    Name: Marc Beisel
    Title: Managing Director
   
  Bruker BioSpin GmbH,
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Dr. Falko Busse
    Name: Dr. Falko Busse
    Title: Group President
   
  By: /s/ Patrick Minhorst
    Name: Patrick Minhorst
    Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)]

 

 

 

 

  Bruker Nano GmbH,
  as a Guarantor
   
  By: /s/ Thomas Schülein
    Name: Thomas Schülein
    Title: Managing Director
   
  By: /s/ Gabriele Seifert
    Name: Gabriele Seifert
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)]

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed  
   
As of the date first written above:  
   
   
BRUKER CORPORATION,  
   
as the Company  
   
   
By: /s/ Gerald Herman  
  Name: Gerald Herman  
  Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)]

 

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed  
As of the date first written above:  
   
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,  
as Administrative Agent  
   
By: /s/ Anthony W. Kell  
  Name: Anthony W. Kell  
  Title: Vice President  

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries)]

 

 

 

 

ANNEX I

 

SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY

 

Reference is hereby made to the Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries) (the “Guaranty”) made as of December 11, 2019, by and among, initially, (i) Bruker Switzerland AG, (ii) Bruker AXS GmbH, (iii) Bruker Physik GmbH, (iv) Bruker Daltonik GmbH, (v) Bruker Optik GmbH, (vi) Bruker BioSpin GmbH, and (vii) Bruker Nano GmbH (the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Subsidiaries of the Company, which become parties thereto and together with the undersigned, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, under the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty. By its execution below, the undersigned [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] (a) agrees to become, and does hereby become, a Guarantor under the Guaranty and agrees to be bound by such Guaranty as if originally a party thereto and (b) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Guaranteed Obligations. By its execution below, the undersigned represents and warrants as to itself that all of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2 of the Guaranty are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 17 OF THE GUARANTY ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] has executed and delivered this Annex I counterpart to the Guaranty as of this [______] day of [__________], 20[___].

 

  [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR]
   
   
  By:                                
   
  Its:  

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

December 11, 2019

 

among

 

BRUKER CORPORATION,
as a Borrower,

 

The Other Borrowers Party Hereto,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

 

and

 

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
   
ARTICLE I Definitions 1
SECTION 1.01 Defined Terms 1
SECTION 1.02 Classification of Loans and Borrowings 24
SECTION 1.03 Terms Generally 24
SECTION 1.04 Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations 25
SECTION 1.05 Rounding 26
SECTION 1.06 Eurocurrency Rate 26
SECTION 1.07 Currency Equivalents Generally 26
SECTION 1.08 [Reserved] 26
SECTION 1.09 Times of Day 26
     
ARTICLE II The Credits 27
SECTION 2.01 Commitments 27
SECTION 2.02 Loans and Borrowings 27
SECTION 2.03 Requests for Borrowings 28
SECTION 2.04 [Reserved] 28
SECTION 2.05 [Reserved] 28
SECTION 2.06 [Reserved] 28
SECTION 2.07 Funding of Borrowings 28
SECTION 2.08 Interest Elections 29
SECTION 2.09 Termination and Reduction of Commitments 30
SECTION 2.10 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt 30
SECTION 2.11 Prepayment of Loans 31
SECTION 2.12 Fees 31
SECTION 2.13 Interest 32
SECTION 2.14 Illegality; Inability to Determine Rates 33
SECTION 2.15 Increased Costs 35
SECTION 2.16 Break Funding Payments 37
SECTION 2.17 Taxes 37
SECTION 2.18 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs 41
SECTION 2.19 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders 42
SECTION 2.20 [Reserved] 42
SECTION 2.21 [Reserved] 42
SECTION 2.22 [Reserved] 42
SECTION 2.23 [Reserved] 42
SECTION 2.24 Senior Debt 43
SECTION 2.25 Defaulting Lenders 43
     
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties 44
SECTION 3.01 Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries 44
SECTION 3.02 Authorization; Enforceability 44
SECTION 3.03 Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts 44
SECTION 3.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change 45
SECTION 3.05 Properties 45
SECTION 3.06 Litigation and Environmental Matters 45
SECTION 3.07 Compliance with Laws and Agreements 46
SECTION 3.08 Investment Company Status 46

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.09 Taxes 46
SECTION 3.10 ERISA 46
SECTION 3.11 Disclosure 46
SECTION 3.12 Federal Reserve Regulations 46
SECTION 3.13 Liens 46
SECTION 3.14 No Default 46
SECTION 3.15 No Burdensome Restrictions 46
SECTION 3.16 Solvency 47
SECTION 3.17 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions 47
SECTION 3.18 [Reserved] 47
SECTION 3.19 EEA Financial Institutions 47
SECTION 3.20 Covered Party 47
SECTION 3.21 Beneficial Ownership Certification 47
     
ARTICLE IV Conditions 47
SECTION 4.01 Effective Date 47
     
ARTICLE V Affirmative Covenants 49
SECTION 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Information 49
SECTION 5.02 Notices of Material Events 51
SECTION 5.03 Existence; Conduct of Business 51
SECTION 5.04 Payment of Obligations 51
SECTION 5.05 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance 52
SECTION 5.06 Books and Records; Inspection Rights 52
SECTION 5.07 Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations 52
SECTION 5.08 [Reserved] 53
SECTION 5.09 Use of Proceeds 53
SECTION 5.10 Subsidiary Guaranty 53
SECTION 5.11 KYC/Beneficial Ownership 53
     
ARTICLE VI Negative Covenants 54
SECTION 6.01 Indebtedness 54
SECTION 6.02 Liens 56
SECTION 6.03 Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales 58
SECTION 6.04 [Intentionally Omitted] 59
SECTION 6.05 Swap Agreements 59
SECTION 6.06 Transactions with Affiliates 59
SECTION 6.07 Restricted Payments 60
SECTION 6.08 Restrictive Agreements 60
SECTION 6.09 Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness Documents 61
SECTION 6.10 Financial Covenants 61
SECTION 6.11 Sanctions 62
SECTION 6.12 Anti-Corruption Laws 62
     
ARTICLE VII Events of Default 62
SECTION 7.01 Events of Default 62
SECTION 7.02 Application of Funds 65
     
ARTICLE VIII The Administrative Agent 66
SECTION 8.01 Appointment and Authority 66

 

ii

 

 

SECTION 8.02 [Reserved.] 66
SECTION 8.03 Rights as a Lender 66
SECTION 8.04 Exculpatory Provisions 66
SECTION 8.05 Reliance by Administrative Agent 67
SECTION 8.06 Delegation of Duties 67
SECTION 8.07 Resignation of Administrative Agent 68
SECTION 8.08 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders 69
SECTION 8.09 No Other Duties, Etc. 69
SECTION 8.10 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding 69
SECTION 8.11 Guaranteed Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements 70
SECTION 8.12 Guaranty Matters 70
SECTION 8.13 Lender Representations 71
     
ARTICLE IX Miscellaneous 72
SECTION 9.01 Notices 72
SECTION 9.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders 74
SECTION 9.03 Waivers; Amendments 74
SECTION 9.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver 76
SECTION 9.05 Successors and Assigns 77
SECTION 9.06 Survival 82
SECTION 9.07 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution 83
SECTION 9.08 Severability 83
SECTION 9.09 Right of Setoff 84
SECTION 9.10 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process 84
SECTION 9.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 85
SECTION 9.12 Headings 85
SECTION 9.13 Confidentiality 86
SECTION 9.14 USA PATRIOT Act 86
SECTION 9.15 Interest Rate Limitation 87
SECTION 9.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility 87
SECTION 9.17 [Reserved.] 87
SECTION 9.18 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions 87
SECTION 9.19 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs 88
SECTION 9.20 Enforcement 89
SECTION 9.21 Payments Set Aside 89
SECTION 9.22 ENTIRE AGREEMENT 89
   
ARTICLE X Cross-Guarantee 89
SECTION 10.01 Cross Guarantee 89
     
SCHEDULES    
     
2.01 Commitments and Applicable Percentages  
     
2.02 Competitors  
     
3.01 Subsidiaries  
     
3.03 Required Consents  

 

iii

 

 

6.01 Indebtedness
   
6.02 Liens
   
9.01 Address for Notices
   
EXHIBITS
   
A Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
   
B-1 Form of Borrowing Request
   
B-2 Form of Interest Election Request
   
B-3 [Reserved]
   
C [Reserved]
   
D [Reserved]
   
E List of Closing Documents
   
F-1 [Reserved]
   
F-2 [Reserved]
   
G Form of Subsidiary Guaranty
   
H Form of Compliance Certificate
   
I-1 to I-4 Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
   
J Notice of Loan Prepayment
   

 

iv

 

 

 

This TERM LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of December 11, 2019 among BRUKER CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), certain Subsidiaries of the Company party hereto as borrowers (each a “Designated Borrower” and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers” and, each a “Borrower”), the lenders from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01   Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to a Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Additional Adjustments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.04(b).

 

Adjusted Covenant Requirement” means, with respect to the making of any Restricted Payment, the Company shall not permit, at the time thereof and after giving effect thereto (on a Pro Forma Basis), the Leverage Ratio to be greater than a ratio equal to (x) the numerator of the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.10(a) minus (y) 0.25.

 

Adjusted Leverage Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.10(a).

 

Adjustment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14.

 

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America (including its branches and affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office” means, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 9.01, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Company and the Lenders in writing.

 

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(c).

 

Aggregate Commitment” means the aggregate of the Commitments of all of the Lenders, as reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Commitment is $300,000,000.

 

 

 

 

Alternate Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%.The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Anti-Corruption Laws” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, and other laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the Term Facility represented by (i) on or prior to the Effective Date, such Lender’s Commitment at such time and (ii) thereafter, the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans at such time; provided that, in the case of Section 2.25 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall be determined disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Term Loans and/or Commitments at such time.

 

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan or any ABR Loan, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Eurocurrency Spread” or “ABR Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio applicable on such date:

 

  Leverage Ratio: Eurocurrency
Spread
ABR
Spread
Category 1: < 1.00 to 1.00 1.000% 0.100%
Category 2: > 1.00 to 1.00 but
< 1.75 to 1.00
1.125% 0.125%
Category 3: > 1.75 to 1.00 but
< 2.50 to 1.00
1.250% 0.250%
Category 4: > 2.50 to 1.00 1.500% 0.500%

 

For purposes of the foregoing,

 

(i)       if at any time the Company fails to deliver the Financials on or before the date the Financials are due pursuant to Section 5.01, Category 4 shall be deemed applicable for the period commencing three (3) Business Days after the required date of delivery and ending on the date which is three (3) Business Days after the Financials are actually delivered, after which the Category shall be determined in accordance with the table above as applicable;

 

(ii)       adjustments, if any, to the Category then in effect shall be effective three (3) Business Days after the Administrative Agent has received the applicable Financials (it being understood and agreed that each change in Category shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change); and

 

2

 

 

(iii)       notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) Category 3 shall be deemed to be applicable until the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the applicable Financials for the Company’s first full fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date (unless such Financials demonstrate that Category 4 should have been applicable during such period, in which case such other Category shall be deemed to be applicable during such period) and adjustments to the Category then in effect shall thereafter be effected in accordance with the preceding paragraphs and (y) the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.13(g).

 

Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05.

 

Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that constitutes (i) assets comprising all or substantially all or any significant portion of a business or operating unit of a business, or (ii) all or substantially all of the common stock or other Equity Interests of a Person.

 

Arranger” means Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.05), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Company or any Subsidiary by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, (d) leasing services, (e) trade finance services, and (f) treasury management services (including, without limitation, deposit accounts, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, returned check concentration, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

Banking Services Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with Banking Services.

 

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, or has become the subject of a Bail-In Action, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

3

 

 

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, which certification shall be substantially similar in form and substance to the form of Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers published jointly, in May 2018, by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

 

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

 

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

Borrower” means the Company or any Designated Borrower.

 

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

 

Borrowing” means Term Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

Borrowing Request” means a request by any Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-1 or such other form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower.

 

Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.08 (without giving effect to any exceptions described in clauses (i) through (iv) of such Section 6.08).

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.

 

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

4

 

 

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than any Laukien Family Member, of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group; (d) the occurrence of a change in control, or other similar provision, as defined in any agreement or instrument evidencing any Material Indebtedness (triggering a default or mandatory prepayment, which default or mandatory prepayment has not been waived in writing); or (e) the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, and Control 100% (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of the ordinary voting and economic power of any Designated Borrower.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rules, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, its obligation to make Term Loans to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Company” means Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

 

Competitor” means each of the Persons listed on Schedule 2.02 hereto and their subsidiaries.

 

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

5

 

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with reference to any period, Consolidated Net Income plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation (including write down to net realizable value of demonstration equipment), (iv) amortization, (v) extraordinary non-cash losses incurred other than in the ordinary course of business, (vi) non-cash expenses resulting from the grant of stock options or other equity-related incentives to any director, officer or employee of, or consultant to, the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to a written plan or agreement approved by the board of directors of the Company, (vii) (A) unrealized non-cash losses relating to any foreign currency hedging or currency fluctuations and (B) unrealized non-cash losses related to interest rate hedging, (viii) all other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses and non-cash losses of the Company or any Subsidiary that are not otherwise expressly excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant hereto (and excluding (A) any non-cash charge, non-cash expense and non-cash loss that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure to be made in a subsequent period and (B) minority interest expense), (ix) integration charges, severance charges, and restructuring charges resulting from Acquisitions, provided that (A) such charges shall be incurred within twelve (12) months of the related Acquisition and (B) the aggregate amount added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (ix) and clause (x) below in any period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to this clause (ix) and such clause (x)), (x) other restructuring charges, other than those arising from an Acquisition, provided that such restructuring charges are incurred under a restructuring program approved by the Company’s senior management, provided that the aggregate amount added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (ix) above and this clause (x) in any period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to such clause (ix) and this clause (x)), minus, (xi) to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (A) interest income, (B) extraordinary gains realized other than in the ordinary course of business and (C) unrealized non-cash gains relating to any foreign currency hedging or currency fluctuations, and unrealized non-cash gains related to interest rate hedging, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis. For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Reference Period”), (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including without limitation interest expense under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and net costs under interest rate Swap Agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP).

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period.

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, at any time, (i) the aggregate amount of all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus (ii) to the extent included in a determination pursuant to the foregoing clause (i), the aggregate amount of all assets which constitute “intangible assets” of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation any “goodwill”.

 

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

6

 

 

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means at any time the sum, without duplication, the result (a) of the sum of (i) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis as of such time in accordance with GAAP (excluding the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries relating to undrawn letters of credit outstanding or letters of credit under the Revolving Loan Documents that are cash collateralized in the manner specified therein) and (ii) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (i) hereof of another Person guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries minus (b) the Unrestricted Cash Amount.

 

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

Covered Entity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19(b).

 

Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.19(a).

 

Credit Event” means a Borrowing.

 

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent or any other Lender.

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

 

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, or (ii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Company or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied), or (c) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (c) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to the last paragraph of Section 2.25) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Company and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

 

Designated Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

7

 

 

Disqualified Institutions” means, on any date, (a) any Competitor and (b) any other Person that directly competes with the Company and its Subsidiaries in a principal line of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, which Person has been designated by the Company as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including by posting such notice to a Platform) not less than five (5) Business Days prior to such date; provided that, in no event shall any update to the list of Disqualified Institutions apply retroactively to disqualify Persons that have previously acquired an assignment or a participating interest under this Agreement or that is a party to a pending trade; provided, further that, “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Company has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time.

 

Dividing Person” has the meaning assigned to it in the definition of “Division.”

 

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

 

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division.  A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

 

Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States.

 

DQ List” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(e)(iv).

 

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

 

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.03). The Effective Date is December 11, 2019.

 

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

 

8

 

 

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

 

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing. For the avoidance of any doubt, “Equity Interests” shall not include net investment Swap Agreements of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

 

EU” means the European Union.

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

 

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Eurocurrency”, when used in reference to a currency means an Agreed Currency and when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, means that such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate.

 

Eurocurrency Rate” means:

 

(a)       for any interest period with respect to any Credit Event: a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for U.S. Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period) (“LIBOR”), as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

 

(b)       for any rate calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for U.S. Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

 

provided that if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Specified Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Specified Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation. If a Specified Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Specified Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrowers hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or branch profits taxes (i) imposed by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Company under Section 2.19(b)), any U.S. federal withholding tax resulting from any law in effect (including FATCA) on the date such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a).

 

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2015, by and among the Company, the borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended.

 

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Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2012, between the Company and the purchasers named therein, pursuant to which the Existing Senior Notes were issued.

 

Existing Senior Note Purchase Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement, (b) the Existing Senior Notes, and (c) the other documents (including any Guarantees thereunder), instruments or agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced in accordance therewith and with this Agreement.

 

Existing Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Senior Note Purchase Documents.

 

Existing Senior Notes” means (i) those certain 4.31% Series 2012A senior notes due January 18, 2022 and (ii) those certain 4.46% Series 2012A senior notes due January 18, 2024, in each case issued pursuant to the Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum calculated by the FRBNY based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the FRBNY shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the FRBNY as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter, dated September 18, 2019, between the Company and Bank of America.

 

Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Company.

 

Financials” means the annual or quarterly financial statements, and accompanying certificates and other documents, of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b).

 

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

FRBNY” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

Funding Indemnity Letter” means a funding indemnity letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which may be in the form of the initial Borrowing Request.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

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German Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of Germany.

 

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

Guaranteed Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate, currency, foreign exchange, or commodity Swap Agreement between any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Person that is (or that was on the date hereof) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

 

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations (other than obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee, or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (together with its Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (a) (i) contributed less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (ii) the consolidated total assets of which constituted less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, and (b) (i) taken together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, contributed less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (ii) the consolidated total assets of which, taken together with the consolidated total assets of all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, constituted less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date.

 

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Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision” means each of the interest coverage ratio calculated in accordance with (a) Section 10.2 of the Existing Senior Note Purchase Agreement, (b) Section 10.2 of the Senior Note Purchase Agreement, and (c) any similar provision in any other debt securities of any Loan Party, in each case, as in effect on the Effective Date (or, if later, the date such interest coverage ratio is first incorporated pursuant to the terms hereof, in each case without giving effect to any waiver, supplement or other modification thereof that would have the effect of making any such Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision less restrictive on the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, to the extent such waiver, supplement or other modification has not been consented to by the Required Lenders.

 

Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable and intercompany charges of expenses (including expenses related to research and development and intellectual technology) and other accrued obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and (k) obligations of such Person under Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, in connection with any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary not prohibited hereunder (or any sale, transfer or other disposition by the Company or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder), the term “Indebtedness” shall not include contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments or earn-outs to which the seller in such Acquisition (or the buyer in such sale, transfer or other disposition, as the case may be) may become entitled or contingent indemnity obligations that may be owed to such seller (or buyer, if applicable) in respect thereof. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (f) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

Indemnified Taxes” means (i) Taxes that are imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any Loan Party under any Loan Document, other than Excluded Taxes and (ii) Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

 

Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

 

Interest Election Request” means a request by the applicable Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-2 or such other form as is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower.

 

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Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the applicable Borrower (or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower) may elect in its Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

Laukien Family Member” means any one or more of the following individuals: Frank Laukien, Dirk Laukien, Isolde Laukien and Joerg Laukien.

 

Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

 

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.20 or pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby.

 

Leverage Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.10(a).

 

LIBOR” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”.

 

LIBOR Screen Rate” means the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).

 

LIBOR Successor Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(c).

 

LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definition of Alternate Base Rate, Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other technical, administrative or operational matters as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, to reflect the adoption and implementation of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

 

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Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, the Fee Letter, any promissory notes executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.10(e) and any and all other instruments and documents executed and delivered in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement.

 

London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Margin Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U issued by the Board.

 

Material Acquisition” means any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary that involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000,000.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any and all other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

 

Material Disposition” means any sale, transfer or disposition of property or series of related sales, transfers, or dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000,000.

 

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each Domestic Subsidiary which (together with its Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) and for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (i) contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period, (ii) the consolidated total assets of which contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date or (iii) is otherwise designated as a “Material Domestic Subsidiary” at such time pursuant to the proviso to this definition; provided that, if as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Company the aggregate amount of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA or Company’s Consolidated Total Assets attributable to Domestic Subsidiaries (together with their respective Subsidiaries) that are not Material Domestic Subsidiaries exceed ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for any such period or ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, the Company (or, in the event the Company has failed to do so within ten days of the required date of delivery of financial statements for the applicable fiscal quarter or fiscal year pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), the Administrative Agent) shall designate sufficient Domestic Subsidiaries as “Material Domestic Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Domestic Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Domestic Subsidiaries and each such Domestic Subsidiary (to the extent not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder) shall comply with the requirements of Section 5.10 (to the extent required thereunder).

 

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Material Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

Material Intellectual Property” means, as of any date of determination, intellectual property of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries that as of such date is considered to be material to the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries as conducted as of the date of determination or have a material financial value to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any intellectual property that would otherwise be considered Material Intellectual Property, which is developed or acquired by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries after the Effective Date, shall be considered to be Material Intellectual Property as of the date of determination described above.

 

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) December 11, 2026, and if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day and (b) the date that all Loans and other Obligations shall become due and payable pursuant to Article VII.

 

Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.15.

 

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(d).

 

Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit J or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.

 

Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Company and its Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates under any Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any instruments at any time evidencing any thereof; provided that the definition of “Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.

 

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OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

Originators” means the Company and/or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries in their respective capacities as parties to any documents related to any Receivables Facility, as sellers or transferors of any Receivables and related security in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transfer.

 

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).

 

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(c).

 

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(c).

 

Patriot Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

 

(a)               Liens imposed by law for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies that are (i) not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04, (ii) not yet delinquent for a period of more than 30 days, or (iii) for property taxes on property that the Company or any Subsidiary has determined to abandon if the sole recourse for such property tax is to such property;

 

(b)               landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, craftsmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days (or, if more than 30 days overdue, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien) or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

(c)               pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

 

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(d)               deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and

 

(f)                easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Securitization Indebtedness” means non-recourse Indebtedness of an SPV and secured by Receivables pledged or otherwise acquired in connection with a Permitted Receivables Transfer pursuant to a Receivables Facility.

 

Permitted Receivables Transfer” means (i) a sale or other transfer by an Originator to an SPV of Receivables for fair market value and without recourse (except for limited recourse typical of such structured finance transactions), and/or (ii) a sale, pledge or other transfer by an SPV to (a) purchasers of or other investors in such Receivables and related security or (b) any other Person (including an SPV) in a transaction in which purchasers or other investors purchase or are otherwise transferred (including a pledge thereof) such Receivables and related security, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) above pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of any Receivables Facility; provided that the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions of any such Receivables Facility shall be market terms at the time that such transaction is consummated.

 

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

 

Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any event and subject to Section 1.04(b), that the Company is in compliance on a pro forma basis with the applicable covenant, calculation or requirement herein recomputed as if the event with respect to which compliance on a Pro Forma Basis is being tested had occurred on the first day of the four fiscal quarter period most recently ended on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01.

 

Proposed Change” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(d).

 

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

 

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QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.18(a).

 

Receivables” shall mean, with respect to any Person, all obligations of any obligor (whether now existing or hereafter arising) under a contract for sale of goods or services by such Person or any of them, which shall include any obligation of such obligor (whether now existing or hereafter arising) to pay interest, finance charges or amounts with respect thereto, and, with respect to any of the foregoing receivables or obligations, (a) all of the interest of such Person in the goods (including returned goods) the sale of which gave rise to such receivable or obligation after the passage of title thereto to any obligor, (b) all other Liens and property subject thereto from time to time purporting to secure payment of such receivables or obligations, (c) all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or securing payment of any such receivables or obligations, (d) all records and (e) all proceeds of the foregoing.

 

Receivables Facility” shall mean any agreement of any Person providing for sales, transfers or conveyances of Receivables of such Person purporting to be sales (and considered sales under applicable law) that do not provide, directly or indirectly, for recourse against the seller of such Receivables (or against any of such seller’s Affiliates) by way of a guaranty or any other support arrangement, with respect to the amount of such Receivables (based on the financial condition or circumstances of the obligor thereunder), other than such limited recourse as is reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type, taking into account such factors as historical bad debt loss experience and obligor concentration levels.

 

Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender or (c) any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of the obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.

 

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05.

 

Regulation” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board and/or the FRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board and/or the FRBNY or any successor thereof for the purpose of recommending a benchmark rate to replace LIBOR in loan agreements similar to this Agreement.

 

Removal Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.07(b).

 

Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.25, at any time, Lenders having Term Loan Exposures representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Term Loan Exposures at such time.

 

Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.07(a).

 

Responsible Officer” means (i) the chief executive officer, president, or Financial Officer of a Loan Party, (ii) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and (iii) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

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Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Company or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Company.

 

Revolving Loan Agreement” means the Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, as administrative agent.

 

Revolving Loan Documents” means the “Loan Documents” under and as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement.

 

Revolving Loan Obligations” means all “Obligations” under and as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any sale or other transfer of any property or asset by any Person with the intent to lease such property or asset as lessee.

 

Same Day Funds” means immediately available funds.

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of comprehensive Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, the European Union, any European Union member state, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, or Switzerland (administered by SECO and/or the Swiss Directorate of Public International Law) including OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

 

Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Switzerland and/or the Swiss Directorate of Public International Law.

 

Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(c)(ii).

 

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

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Senior Note Purchase Agreement” means that certain Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2019, between the Company and the purchasers named therein, pursuant to which the Senior Notes were issued.

 

Senior Note Purchase Documents” means, collectively, (a) the Senior Note Purchase Agreement, (b) the Senior Notes, and (c) the other documents (including any Guarantees thereunder), instruments or agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or replaced in accordance therewith and with this Agreement.

 

Senior Note Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Senior Note Purchase Documents.

 

Senior Notes” means those certain 1.01% Senior Notes due December 11, 2029 issued pursuant to the Senior Note Purchase Agreement.

 

SOFR” means with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the FRBNY, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the FRBNY’s website (or any successor source) and, in each case, that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

SOFR-Based Rate” means SOFR or Term SOFR.

 

Solvent” means, in reference to any Borrower, (i) the fair value of the assets of such Borrower, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Borrower will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) such Borrower will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) such Borrower will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.

 

Specified Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

SPV” means any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company (formed solely for the purposes of engaging in a Receivables Facility with an Originator and to which such Originator transfers accounts receivable and related security) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable contributed by such Originator to such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, security relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the board of directors of the Company, or a committee thereof (in each case, as provided below), as a SPV and:

 

(a)              no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary:

 

(i)       is guaranteed by any Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(ii)      is recourse to or obligates any Borrower or any Subsidiary in any way, other than such limited recourse to such SPV or the applicable Originator as is reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type; or

 

(iii)     subjects any property or asset of any Borrower or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than such limited recourse to such SPV or the applicable Originator as is reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type;

 

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(b)                with which neither any Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Company reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Loan Parties; and

 

(c)                to which neither the Company nor any other Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

 

Any such designation by the board of directors of the Company (or any committee thereof) will be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by filing with the Administrative Agent a certified copy of the resolution of the board of directors of Company (or any committee thereof) giving effect to such designation and a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

 

Stated Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.10(a).

 

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

Subordinated Indebtedness Documents” means any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Subordinated Indebtedness or entered into in connection with any Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company, or, as applicable, any other Loan Party, as specified herein.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Material Domestic Subsidiary (other than any SPV). The Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule 3.01 hereto.

 

Subsidiary Guaranty” means collectively (a) that certain Guaranty dated as of the Effective Date in the form of Exhibit G (including any and all supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, and, (b) each other guaranty agreement (in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) with respect to the Obligations furnished by a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.18(a).

 

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, foreign exchange, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act” means the Swiss Federal Act on the Withholding Tax of 13 October 1965 (Bundesgesetz vom 13. Oktober 1965 über die Verrechnungssteuer), together with the related ordinances, regulations and guidelines, all as amended and applicable from time to time.

 

Swiss Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to Art. 9 of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act.

 

Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, assessments, fees, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, addition to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Term Facility” means, at any time, (a) on or prior to the Effective Date, the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of all Lenders outstanding at such time.

 

Term Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

Term Loan Amortization Amount” means, at any applicable time, an amount equal to the product of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Facility on the Effective Date times (b) (i) at any time prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date, 0%, (ii) from and after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, but prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date, 0.25% and (iii) at any time thereafter, 1.25%.

 

Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans.

 

Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate for any period that is approximately (as determined by the “Administrative Agent”) as long as any of the Interest Period options set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” and that is based on SOFR and that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body, in each case as published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion.

 

Trade Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05.

 

Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

Treasury Stock” means capital stock of the Company that is owned by the Company and held in treasury.

 

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Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

 

Unrestricted Cash” means cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries that (i) does not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) is not otherwise subject to any Lien, except in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document to secure the Obligations.

 

Unrestricted Cash Amount” shall mean, on any date of determination, the lesser of (a) Unrestricted Cash in an amount equal to $100,000,000 and (b) the aggregate sum of Unrestricted Cash, in each case, of the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors maintained in an account with a Lender.

 

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.18(a).

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(e).

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary all of the equity interests (except directors’ qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company’s other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at such time.

 

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

Withholding Agent” means as applicable and as the context may require, the Company and/or the Administrative Agent.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

SECTION 1.02   Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan” or, a “Eurocurrency Term Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing” or, a “Eurocurrency Term Loan Borrowing”).

 

SECTION 1.03   Terms Generally.

 

(a)                The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders and decrees, of all Governmental Authorities. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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(b)                Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).

 

SECTION 1.04   Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations.

 

(a)                Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof. Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any changes in GAAP from time to time (including changes described in Accounting Standard Codification 842 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect), any lease that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect immediately prior to such change (whether such lease is entered into before or after the Effective Date) shall not constitute a Capital Lease under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of such changes in GAAP unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and the Required Lenders. In furtherance of the foregoing, notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, each financial covenant, ratio, accounting definition or requirement used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 842; provided that all financial statements delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall, if applicable and solely to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, be accompanied by a schedule showing any adjustments necessary to reconcile such financial statements with GAAP prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 842, with respect to such lease liabilities.

 

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(b)                All pro forma computations required to be made hereunder giving effect to any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction shall in each case be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto (and, in the case of any pro forma computation made hereunder to determine whether such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction is permitted to be consummated hereunder, to any other such transaction consummated since the first day of the period covered by any component of such pro forma computation and on or prior to the date of such computation) as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), and, to the extent applicable, to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness, all in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

SECTION 1.05   Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

SECTION 1.06   Eurocurrency Rate. The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate” or with respect to any rate that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any of such rate (including, without limitation, any LIBOR Successor Rate) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes.

 

SECTION 1.07   Currency Equivalents Generally. Any amount specified in this Agreement (other than in Articles II, VIII and IX) or any of the other Loan Documents to be in Dollars shall also include the equivalent of such amount in any currency other than Dollars, such equivalent amount thereof in the applicable currency to be determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (as defined below) for the purchase of such currency with Dollars.  For purposes of this Section 1.07, the “Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date of such determination; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

 

SECTION 1.08   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 1.09   Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

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ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01   Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make a single Loan to the Borrowers, in Dollars, on the Effective Date in an amount not to exceed such Lender’s Commitment. The Borrowing shall consist of Term Loans made simultaneously by the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments. Borrowings repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Term Loans may be ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans, as further provided herein; provided, however, any Borrowing made on the Effective Date or any of the three (3) Business Days following the Effective Date shall be made at the Alternate Base Rate unless the Borrowers deliver a Funding Indemnity Letter not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 2.02   Loans and Borrowings.

 

(a)                The Term Loans shall be made as part of a single Borrowing made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Term Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Term Loans as required.

 

(b)                Subject to Section 2.14, the Term Loan Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the relevant Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Section 2.14, Section 2.15, Section 2.16 and Section 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the relevant Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)                At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $3,000,000. Each ABR Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five (5) Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

 

(d)                Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Borrower shall be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

 

(e)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Term Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Company, the Administrative Agent, and such Lender.

 

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SECTION 2.03   Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (a) by irrevocable written notice via a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, or (b) by telephone; provided that any such telephonic notice shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower. Each such Borrowing Request must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of Eurocurrency Loans and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of ABR Loans. Each such telephonic notice and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)        the name of the Borrower requesting such Borrowing;

 

(ii)       the aggregate principal amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

(iii)      the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iv)      whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

 

(v)       in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

(vi)      the location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.

 

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Term Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.04   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.05   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.06   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.07   Funding of Borrowings.

 

(a)                Each Lender shall make its Term Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office by 1:00 p.m. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the relevant Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to (x) an account of such Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent and designated by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, or (y) by wire transfer of such funds in accordance with instructions provided (and reasonably acceptable) to the Administrative Agent by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request.

 

(b)                Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing (or in the case of an ABR Borrowing, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the relevant Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and such Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand in Same Day Funds such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to such Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to such Borrower the amount of such interest paid by such Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by such Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim such Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(c)                If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Event set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

SECTION 2.08   Interest Elections.

 

(a)                Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the relevant Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. A Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

(b)                To make an election pursuant to this Section, a Borrower, or the Company on its behalf, shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by (1) telephone or (2) an irrevocable written notice via an Interest Election Request signed by such Borrower, or the Company on its behalf; provided that any such telephonic notice shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by such Borrower, or the Company on its behalf. Each such Interest Election Request must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not be construed to permit any Borrower to elect an Interest Period for Eurocurrency Loans that does not comply with Section 2.02(d).

 

(c)                Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)       the name of the applicable Borrower and the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)      the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

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(iii)             whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

 

(iv)              if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which Interest Period shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d)                Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)                If the relevant Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Company, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

SECTION 2.09   Termination and Reduction of Commitments. The aggregate Term Loan Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced to zero on the Effective Date upon funding of the Term Loans.

 

SECTION 2.10   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)                On the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, the Borrowers shall repay the outstanding amount of the Term Loans in installments equal to the Term Loan Amortization Amount (after giving effect to the application of prepayments of Term Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) (unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 7.01); provided that (i) the final principal repayment installment of such Term Loans shall be repaid on the Maturity Date and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans outstanding on such date and (ii) (A) if any principal repayment installment to be made by the Borrowers (other than principal repayment on Eurocurrency Rate Loans) shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, such principal repayment shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be and (B) if any principal repayment installment to be made by the Borrowers on a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, such principal repayment installment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such principal repayment installment into another calendar month, in which event such principal installment shall be due on the immediately preceding Business Day.

 

(b)                Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)                The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

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(d)                The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

(e)                Any Lender may request that Loans made by it to any Borrower be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the relevant Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.05) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if any such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

 

SECTION 2.11   Prepayment of Loans. Each Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Term Loans in whole or in part, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.11(a). The applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date, the Types of Loans to be prepaid and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid and, if Eurocurrency Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Periods of such Loans; provided that a notice of prepayment delivered by the Company may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be applied to the principal repayment installments thereof in inverse order of maturity. Subject to Section 2.25, such prepayments shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of the Term Facility. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.

 

SECTION 2.12   Fees.

 

(a)                The Company shall pay to the parties entitled thereto for their own respective account, in Dollars, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(b)                The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

 

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(c)                All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars and Same Day Funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders. Fees paid shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

SECTION 2.13   Interest.

 

(a)                The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)                The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(c)                Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by any Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

(d)                Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan, upon and at such other times as specified herein; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the Maturity Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgement, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

(e)                All computations of fees and interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate (including the Alternate Base Rate determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate) shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is repaid, provided, that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.18, bear interest for one day. The applicable interest rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(f)                 [Reserved].

 

(g)                If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Company or for any other reason, the Company or the Lenders determine that (i) the Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Company as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, each Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders promptly on written demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to any Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent or any Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and/or fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and/or fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, under Section 2.12(b) or Section 2.13(b) or under Article VII. The Company’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

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(h)                [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.14   Illegality; Inability to Determine Rates.

 

(a)                Illegality. If any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Loan, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the applicable interbank market, then, on written notice thereof by such Lender to the Company through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Loan or to make or continue Eurocurrency Loans or to convert ABR Loans to Eurocurrency Loans, shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining ABR Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Company in writing that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrowers shall, upon written demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurocurrency Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans (the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

(b)                Inability to Determine Rates. If in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) (i) the Administrative Agent determines that Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Loan, or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed ABR Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a) above, “Impacted Loans”), or (b) the Administrative Agent determines that for any reason the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurocurrency Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Lender in writing. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended, (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Alternate Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such written notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans in the amount specified therein. Each Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or subject such Lender to any unreimbursed costs or expense.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in this Section 2.14(b), the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Company and the Required Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Company that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (3) any Lender reasonably determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Company written notice thereof.

 

(c)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) or the Company or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to the Company) that the Company or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

(i)                 adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or

 

(ii)               the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans, provided that, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide LIBOR after such specific date (such specific date, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”); or

 

(iii)             syndicated loans currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section 2.14, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR,

 

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then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Company may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing LIBOR in accordance with this Section 2.14 with (x) one or more SOFR-Based Rates or (y) another alternate benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar Dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such benchmarks, which adjustment or method for calculating such adjustment shall be published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion and may be periodically updated (the “Adjustment;” and any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Company unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders (A) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (x), object to the Adjustment; or (B) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (y), object to such amendment; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of clause (A), the Required Lenders shall not be entitled to object to any SOFR-Based Rate contained in any such amendment. Such LIBOR Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such LIBOR Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) the Eurocurrency Rate component shall no longer be utilized in determining the Alternate Base Rate. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans (subject to the foregoing clause (y)) in the amount specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding anything else herein, any definition of LIBOR Successor Rate shall provide that in no event shall such LIBOR Successor Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

In connection with the implementation of a LIBOR Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly notify the Borrowers in writing of such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes upon the effectiveness thereof and (ii) post each such amendment implementing such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes to the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.

 

SECTION 2.15   Increased Costs.

 

(a)                If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)                 impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement, other than as set forth below);

 

(ii)               impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender; or

 

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(iii)             subject any Recipient of any payments hereunder to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clause (b) of the definition of Excluded Taxes (including changes in the rate or basis of the imposition thereof) and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Person of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Person hereunder, whether of principal, interest or otherwise, then the applicable Borrower will pay to such Person such additional amount or amounts as determined by such Person in good faith as will compensate such Person for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered; provided, however, that it is generally the practice of such Person to charge similarly situated borrowers for such amounts under comparable provisions of other financing agreements.

 

(b)                If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by such Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the applicable Borrower will pay to such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as calculated by such Person in good faith as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered; provided, however, that it is generally the practice of such Person to charge similarly situated borrowers for such amounts under comparable provisions of other financing agreements.

 

(c)                A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay, or cause the other applicable Borrowers to pay, such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

(e)                Each applicable Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or costs shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

 

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(f)                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rights of any Lender to receive compensation from any Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall only be available to the extent that such compensation is reasonably requested by such Lender and not invoked in an arbitrary or capricious manner.

 

SECTION 2.16   Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(a) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Company pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. Such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurocurrency Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the relevant currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

SECTION 2.17   Taxes.

 

(a)                Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law; provided that if any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes are required to be deducted or withheld from such payments under applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the applicable Withholding Agent), then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions or withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made, (ii) the relevant Withholding Agent shall make such deductions or withholding and (iii) the relevant Withholding Agent shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)                In addition, the Loan Parties shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law or at the option of the Administrative Agent, timely reimburse it for the payment of any Other Taxes.

 

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(c)                The Loan Parties shall indemnify the applicable Recipient, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from any payment to such Recipient (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Company by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)                (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which a Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to such Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. Each Lender, if reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such documentation reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Company or Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(e)(ii)(A) and (ii)(B) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)               Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is the Company:

 

(A)             any Lender that is not a Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)              any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1)               in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

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(2)               in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(3)               in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Company within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

 

(4)               to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-2 or Exhibit I-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; and

 

(C)              any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Company or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent to permit the Company or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

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(f)                 If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of the Administrative Agent or such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that each Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to such Loan Party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.

 

(g)                [Reserved.]

 

(h)                [Reserved.]

 

(i)                 Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent for any Taxes (but, in the case of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, only to the extent that the Loan Parties have not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) attributable to such Lender that are paid or payable by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement (including any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.05(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The indemnity under this Section 2.17(i) shall be paid within ten (10) days after the Administrative Agent delivers to the applicable Lender a certificate stating the amount of Taxes so paid or payable by the Administrative Agent. Such certificate shall be conclusive of the amount so paid or payable absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (h).

 

(j)                 [Reserved.]

 

(k)                If a payment made to a Lender under this Agreement would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA and, as necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 2.17(k), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 2.18   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

 

(a)                Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or of amounts payable under Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16 or Section 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon on the date when due, in Same Day Funds, free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or set-off. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. Except as otherwise set forth herein, all such payments shall be made in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office and except that payments pursuant to Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 9.04 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments in the same form received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, if any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.

 

(b)                If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

 

(c)                If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans held by it resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (i) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (ii) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing to them; provided that (i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (y) any payment made by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(d)                Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the relevant Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Lenders hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the relevant Lenders the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the relevant Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand in Same Day Funds the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate.

 

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(e)                If any Lender shall fail to make any payment to the Administrative Agent required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.07(b), Section 2.18(d), Section 9.04(c) or any other provision of this Agreement, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under such Sections; in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

SECTION 2.19   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)                If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14(b), or if any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.14(b) or Section 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)                If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14(b), (ii) any Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.05), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.14(b) or Section 2.17) and obligations under the Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.16), from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.14(b) or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments, (iv) the Company shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified by Section 9.05(b), and (v) such assignment does not conflict with applicable laws. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

SECTION 2.20   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.21   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.22   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 2.23   [Reserved].

 

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SECTION 2.24   Senior Debt. The Company hereby designates all Obligations now or hereinafter incurred or otherwise outstanding, and agrees that the Obligations shall at all times constitute, senior indebtedness and designated senior indebtedness, or terms of similar import, which are entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of all Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

SECTION 2.25   Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)                [Reserved];

 

(b)                the Term Loan Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.03); provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.03, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(c)                [Reserved];

 

(d)                [Reserved]; and

 

(e)                Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.09 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Company may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent; third, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fourth, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Company as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Company against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and fifth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the initial Commitments hereunder. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.25(e) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

In the event that the Administrative Agent and the Company each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto in writing, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01   Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, except where the failure to so be in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect), has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 3.01 hereto (as supplemented from time to time) identifies each Subsidiary, noting whether such Subsidiary is a Material Domestic Subsidiary, the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class of its capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Company and the other Subsidiaries and, if such percentage is not 100% (excluding directors’ qualifying shares as required by law), a description of each class issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable and all such shares and other equity interests indicated on Schedule 3.01 as owned by the Company or another Subsidiary are owned, beneficially and of record, by the Company or any Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.01, there are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 3.02   Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, shareholder action. The Loan Documents to which each Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

SECTION 3.03   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or (except as set forth on Schedule 3.03) any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not contravene the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) will not (x) violate any order of any Governmental Authority or (y) violate in any material respect any applicable law or regulation, (d) will not violate in any material respect or result in a material default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment (other than payments contemplated by the Loan Documents) to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (e) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except as otherwise provided herein).

 

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SECTION 3.04   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

 

(a)                The Company has heretofore furnished or otherwise made available to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 reported on by Pricewaterhouse Coopers L.L.P., independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

 

(b)                Since December 31, 2018, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

SECTION 3.05   Properties.

 

(a)                Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes and Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

(b)                Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use or has a right to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.06   Litigation and Environmental Matters.

 

(a)                Except as disclosed prior to the Effective Date on the Company’s public filings on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions. There are no labor controversies pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

 

(b)                Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

(c)                Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any law, regulation, rule or order, or any obligation under any agreement or instrument, that has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 3.07   Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except in any case where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.08   Investment Company Status. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

SECTION 3.09   Taxes. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.10   ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Borrower is or will be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments.

 

SECTION 3.11   Disclosure. The reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished or filed with the SEC) when taken as a whole and when taken together with the Company’s filings with the SEC prior to the date hereof contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that (a) with respect to forecasts or projected financial information, the Borrowers represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time made (it being understood that such forecasts and projections may vary from actual results and such variances may be material) and (b) no representation is made with respect to general economic or industry data.

 

SECTION 3.12   Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan have been used or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.

 

SECTION 3.13   Liens. There are no Liens on any of the real or personal properties of the Company or any Subsidiary except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 3.14   No Default. Each Borrower is in full compliance with this Agreement and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 3.15   No Burdensome Restrictions. On the date hereof, no Borrower is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.08.

 

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SECTION 3.16   Solvency.

 

(a)                Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

 

(b)                Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries intend to, and the Company does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 3.17   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Company and its Subsidiaries (a) have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with all Anti-Corruption Laws and (b) have implemented and maintain in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or representatives thereof with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions. The Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company their respective officers, employees, directors, agents, affiliates or representatives thereof, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not engaged in any activity that could reasonably be expected to result in such Borrower being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of the Company, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Company or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, affiliates or representatives thereof is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is a Sanctioned Person.

 

SECTION 3.18   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 3.19   EEA Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

SECTION 3.20   Covered Party. No Loan Party is a Covered Party.

 

SECTION 3.21   Beneficial Ownership Certification. As of the Effective Date, the information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered by or on behalf of the Borrowers is true and correct in all respects.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions

 

SECTION 4.01   Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Term Loans on the Effective Date shall not become effective until each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.03):

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from (i) each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement and (ii) each initial Subsidiary Guarantor either (A) a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty signed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of the Subsidiary Guaranty) that such Subsidiary Guarantor has signed a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty.

 

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(b)                The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Nixon Peabody LLP, special counsel for the Loan Parties covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Company hereby requests such counsels to deliver such opinions.

 

(c)                The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the initial Loan Parties, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to such Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and as further described in the list of closing documents attached as Exhibit E.

 

(d)                The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, certifying (i) that the conditions set forth in paragraphs (k) and (l) of Section 4.01 have been satisfied and (ii) that since December 31, 2018 there has been no event or condition (including any action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer of the Company, threatened in writing) that has had or could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Existing Credit Agreement and all commitments to extend credit under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been terminated and all amounts outstanding or payable thereunder shall have been repaid in full.

 

(f)                 The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arranger shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Company hereunder.

 

(g)                The Lenders shall have completed a due diligence investigation of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in scope, and with results, satisfactory to the Lenders, with respect to Anti-Corruption Laws and “know your customer” due diligence. The Loan Parties shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, at least three (3) business days prior to the Effective Date, the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in order to comply with applicable law, including without limitation, the Patriot Act, in each case, requested in writing by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date.

 

(h)                At least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, any Borrower that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Borrower.

 

(i)                 The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect.

 

(j)                 The Revolving Loan Documents shall have been duly executed by each of the parties thereto, and the commitments of the Lenders thereunder shall be effective.

 

(k)                The representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (or in all respects if qualified by material adverse change or other materiality qualifier) on the Effective Date.

 

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(l)                 No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(m)              The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Borrowers covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 5.01   Financial Statements and Other Information. The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:

 

(a)                within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Pricewaterhouse Coopers L.L.P. or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

(b)                within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited related statements of income and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers (which certification shall be satisfied by the certification provided in Exhibit 31.2 to the Company’s applicable Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c)                concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.10, (iii) (A) certifying that there has been no change to the list of Material Domestic Subsidiaries since the Effective Date or since the date of the most recently delivered certificate pursuant to this Section 5.01(c), as applicable, or (B) setting forth all Material Domestic Subsidiaries and the Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Total Assets attributable to such Material Domestic Subsidiaries and (iv) stating whether, to the knowledge of such Financial Officer, any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

 

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(d)                as soon as available, but in any event not more than ninety (90) days following the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the plan and forecast of the Company for the upcoming fiscal year in form as presented to the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(e)                promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and

 

(f)                 promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Company or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; provided that the Company will not be required to provide any information (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective customers or suppliers (in each case, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provided that, in such case, such information shall be available to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (or to any Lender to the extent such visit or inspection is coordinated through the Administrative Agent, provided that, in connection with such information, each such Lender shall be subject to customary “clean-room” restrictions that are reasonably satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and the Company)), (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives) is prohibited by applicable law or (iii) the revelation of which would violate any confidentiality obligations owed to any third party by the Company or any Subsidiary (other than to any Affiliate), provided, further, that in the event that information is withheld in reliance on this provision, the Company shall (x) in the case of any confidentiality obligation, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain waivers of such confidentiality obligations or eliminate any such restriction or communicate, to the extent permitted, the applicable information in a way that would not violate such restrictions and (y) notify the Administrative Agent to the extent the Company and its Subsidiaries are not providing otherwise requested information.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b) and (e) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Company posts such documents on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Company’s website at the address communicated to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in accordance with Section 9.01 or (ii) on which similar website, if any, to which the Administrative Agent and each Lender has access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether a website sponsored by the Administrative Agent), provided that (A) the Company shall have notified (which notice may be by facsimile or electronic mail and shall be given in accordance with Section 9.01) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and (B) the Company shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Company to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Company with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for timely accessing posted documents or requesting delivery of paper copies of such documents from the Company.

 

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Each Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of such Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to any of the Borrowers or their respective Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. Each Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrowers shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrowers or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.13); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Borrower shall be under any obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

SECTION 5.02   Notices of Material Events. The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)                the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b)                the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against, or to the knowledge of a Responsible Officer, affecting the Company or any Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)                any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer or other executive officer of the Company setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.03   Existence; Conduct of Business. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its (a) legal existence and (b) the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, governmental authorizations and intellectual property rights material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted; except, in the case of clause (b), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

 

SECTION 5.04   Payment of Obligations. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Company or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.05   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain in all material respects all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

SECTION 5.06   Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, keep proper books of record and account from which financial statements may be prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in any event, consistent with the Company’s (or such Subsidiary’s, as the case may be) past practice or changes in such practice necessary to meet the requirements of GAAP. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested, provided that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, (a) only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (or a Lender to the extent such visit or inspection is coordinated through the Administrative Agent) may exercise the rights under this Section 5.06, (b) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, collectively, shall not exercise such rights more often than two times during any calendar year absent the existence of an Event of Default and only one such time shall be at the Company’s expense absent the existence of an Event of Default and (c) the Person exercising such rights shall attempt not to exercise such rights during the first thirty (30) days of any of the Company’s fiscal quarters. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06 or any other Loan Document, none of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making of copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (a) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information (in each case, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provided that, in such case, such information shall be available to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders (or to any Lender to the extent such visit or inspection is coordinated through the Administrative Agent, provided that, in connection with such information, each such Lender shall be subject to customary “clean-room” restrictions that are reasonably satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and the Company)), (b) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives) is prohibited by any law or any binding contractual agreement or (c) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product; provided, further, that that in the event that any information is not provided in reliance on this provision, the Company shall provide notice to the Administrative Agent that such information is being withheld and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to communicate, to the extent feasible, the applicable information in a way that would not violate the applicable agreement or risk waiver of such privilege.

 

SECTION 5.07   Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, in the case of (i) and (ii), except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company will conduct its businesses in compliance in all material respects with Anti-Corruption Laws and will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance by the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

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SECTION 5.08   [Reserved].

 

SECTION 5.09   Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans will be used only to pay Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, to finance the working capital needs and for general corporate purposes, of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including Acquisitions not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. No Borrower will request any Borrowing, and no Borrower shall use, and the Company shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

SECTION 5.10   Subsidiary Guaranty. As promptly as possible but in any event within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after any Person becomes a Subsidiary or any Subsidiary qualifies independently as, or is designated by the Company or the Administrative Agent as, a Material Domestic Subsidiary (including, without limitation, upon the formation of any Subsidiary that is a Division Successor), the Company shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in reasonable detail describing the material assets of such Person and shall cause each such Material Domestic Subsidiary (to the extent such Subsidiary is not already a Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty (in the form contemplated thereby) pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions of thereof, such joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty to be accompanied by appropriate corporate resolutions, other corporate documentation and legal opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing (or any limitation set forth in the definition of “Subsidiary Guarantor”, the Company will cause each of its Subsidiaries that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower, an additional or co-borrower, guarantor or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under the Existing Senior Notes, the Senior Notes or any other Material Indebtedness (other than any SPV with respect to any Permitted Securitization Indebtedness) to concurrently therewith to become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, provided, further, that notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.10 to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to (but may in its sole discretion) require any Foreign Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of this Agreement and the Loan Documents to the extent (x) such Foreign Subsidiary’s obligations under all Material Indebtedness consist solely of direct borrowings solely to such Foreign Subsidiary (a Foreign Borrowing) or guaranties of a Foreign Borrowing by another Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Guarantee) and (y) such Foreign Subsidiary does not guarantee or otherwise become liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary under any Material Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, to the extent that the Administrative Agent and the Company reasonably agree that the cost or other consequences (including tax consequences) of providing a Guarantee of the Obligations by a Subsidiary is likely to be excessive in relation to the value to be afforded thereby, such Subsidiary shall not be required to Guarantee the Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.11   KYC/Beneficial Ownership. Promptly following any written request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” requirements under the Patriot Act, the Beneficial Ownership Regulation or other applicable anti-money laundering laws.

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Borrowers covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 6.01   Indebtedness. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)                the Obligations and any other Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

 

(b)                Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness of a similar type that does not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(c)                Indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the Company or any other Subsidiary (provided that any such Indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of an amount equal to Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) of any Loan Party owing to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent);

 

(d)                Guarantees by the Company of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary (provided that any such Guarantee provided by a Loan Party shall be made only to the extent that such Loan Party is otherwise permitted to incur such Indebtedness directly) pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 6.01, provided that any such Indebtedness of any Subsidiary or any such Guarantee of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be made pursuant to the other provisions of this Section 6.01;

 

(e)                Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets (including any replacement thereof, and additions and accessions to such asset and the proceeds and products thereof (and any customary security deposits made in connection therewith)) prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) shall not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(f)                 Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary as an account party in respect of letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement) or bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000 at any time;

 

(g)                Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary secured by a Lien on any asset of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (g) shall not exceed, at the time of the incurrence thereof, 10% of Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));

 

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(h)                unsecured Indebtedness of any Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $25,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that no such Dollar limitation shall apply so long as at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving effect thereto (on a Pro Forma Basis) (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Company shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.10;

 

(i)                 Indebtedness owed to any Person (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of such Person) providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                 Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary (including obligations in respect of letters of credit for the benefit of the issuer thereof) in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations (other than in respect of other Indebtedness), in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.05;

 

(l)                 Indebtedness arising in connection with customary cash management services and from the honoring by a bank or financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds, in each case in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days after its incurrence;

 

(m)              Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)                Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Company or any Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors or employees or to their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests (or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any Equity Interests) permitted by Section 6.07;

 

(o)                customer deposits and advance payments received by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary consisting of (A) Indebtedness owed to any insurance provider for the financing of insurance premiums so long as such Indebtedness shall not be in excess of the amount of such premiums, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of such premiums, for the annual period in which such Indebtedness is incurred or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(q)                Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof or is merged with and into the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that (x) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with and into the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and is not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or being merged with and into the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, (y) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (q) shall not exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings of any such Indebtedness so long as the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings does not exceed the principal (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being extended, renewed, replaced or refinanced (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and redemption premium payable by the terms of such Indebtedness thereon and other reasonable amounts paid, and reasonable fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing; provided, further that, immediately after giving effect to such incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (q), no Event of Default exists and the covenants in Section 6.10 would be met on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

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SECTION 6.02   Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a)                Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(b)                any Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (plus any accrued but unpaid interest and premium payable by the terms of such obligations thereon and other reasonable amounts paid, and reasonable fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing);

 

(c)                any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary or is merged with and into the Company or any Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (iv) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (q) of Section 6.01, and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

 

(d)                Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(e)                Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York (or, if applicable, the corresponding section of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction), in each case covering only the items being collected upon;

 

(f)                 Liens representing any interest or title of a licensor, lessor, sublicensor or sublessor under any lease or license permitted by this Agreement (so long as any such Lien does not secure Indebtedness);

 

(g)                Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(h)             pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(i)             Liens representing any interest of a licensee, lessee, sublicense or sublessee arising by virtue of being granted a license, sublease, sublicense or sublease (including the provision of software under an open source license) permitted by this Agreement (so long as any such Lien does not secure any Indebtedness);

 

(j)              Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)              Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l)               Liens that are customary contractual liens (including rights of set-off and pledges) encumbering deposits and accounts and (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other financial institutions not given in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)             Liens solely on cash earnest money deposits or deposits in connection with indemnity obligations made by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into in connection with any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder;

 

(n)             Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings solely as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods;

 

(o)             Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof granted in the ordinary course of business to secure the financing of insurance premiums with respect thereto as permitted under Section 6.01(p);

 

(p)             customary Liens securing any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository or cash management services or automated clearing house transfers of funds, all in favor of the provider of such services;

 

(q)             any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to the transfer of the Equity Interests of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to the terms thereof;

 

(r)               Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof securing obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(s)              Liens arising by operation of law under §1120 of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch), under §369 of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch) or under similar provisions of Swiss law; and

 

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(t)               Liens on assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted above so long as the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness subject to such Liens does not exceed, at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, 7.5% of Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)).

 

For purposes of this Section 6.02, Treasury Stock to the extent constituting Margin Stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Material Intellectual Property to secure any Indebtedness.

 

SECTION 6.03   Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales.

 

(a)                The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person (including, in each case, pursuant to a Division), or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) any of its assets, (including pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction), or any of the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

(i)               any Person may merge into the Company in a transaction in which the Company is the surviving corporation;

 

(ii)              any Subsidiary may merge into a Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is such Loan Party (provided that any such merger involving the Company must result in the Company as the surviving entity);

 

(iii)             any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to a Loan Party;

 

(iv)            the Company and its Subsidiaries may (A) sell inventory in the ordinary course of business, (B) effect sales, trade-ins or dispositions of used equipment for value in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) enter into licenses of technology in the ordinary course of business, and (D) make any other sales, transfers, leases or dispositions (including any Originator or SPV pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Transfer so long as the aggregate outstanding amount of all Permitted Securitization Indebtedness shall not at any time exceed the greater of (x) $200,000,000 and (y) 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets, determined as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such sale, lease or other disposition) that, together with all other property of the Company and its Subsidiaries previously leased, sold or disposed of as permitted by this clause (D) during any fiscal year of the Company, does not exceed, as of the time of making such sale, transfer, lease or disposition, 10% of Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a));

 

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(v)                any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Company and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; or

 

(vi)              any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party may merge with or consolidate into another Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party.

 

(b)              The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.

 

(c)              The Company will not change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.

 

For purposes of this Section 6.03, Treasury Stock to the extent constituting Margin Stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

SECTION 6.04   [Intentionally Omitted].

 

SECTION 6.05   Swap Agreements. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Company or any Subsidiary has actual or reasonably forecasted exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 6.06   Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable (taken as a whole) to the Company or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Company and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.07; (d) loans or advances to employees not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, (e) payroll, travel, moving and similar advances to cover matters not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement, (f) the payment of reasonable fees to, and the reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (to the extent incurred in any such Person’s capacity as a director) of, directors of the Company or any Subsidiary who are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary, and compensation, severance and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Company or the Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (g) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Company’s board of directors (or a committee thereof) and (h) employment and severance arrangements or similar arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business between any employee and the Company or any Subsidiary thereof.

 

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SECTION 6.07   Restricted Payments. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, (it being understood and agreed that the Company and the Subsidiaries shall be permitted to agree to pay or make a Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, so long as the actual payment or making of such Restricted Payment is contingent upon (x) receipt of the consent therefor (via a waiver or amendment to this Section 6.07) from the requisite number of Lenders in accordance with Section 9.03 or (y) the Commitments having expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees, expenses and other amounts payable (other than contingent amounts not yet due) under any Loan Document having been paid in full in cash, except (a) the Company may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (c) the Company may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (d) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make any other Restricted Payment (including without limitation the payment of dividends in cash with respect to its Equity Interests) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to making such Restricted Payment or would arise after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto and the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments does not exceed $50,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Company; provided that no such Dollar limitation shall apply if the Company has complied and remains in compliance with the Adjusted Covenant Requirement.

 

SECTION 6.08   Restrictive Agreements. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to holders of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof, (v) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers of the Company or any Subsidiary under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (vi) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions (A) set forth in any instrument or agreement governing the terms of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(q) or (B) that are binding on a non-Loan Party Subsidiary at the time such Person first becomes a Subsidiary or any assets acquired by a non-Loan Party Subsidiary at the time such assets are acquired, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), so long as such restrictions were not created in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or the acquisition of such assets and apply only to the assets of such Subsidiary or such assets so acquired, as the case may be, (vii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions arising in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (except to the extent relating to the ability of any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any Material Intellectual Property), (viii) the forgoing shall not apply to restrictions under arrangements with any Governmental Authority imposed on any Foreign Subsidiary in connection with government grants, financial aid, subsidies, tax holidays or other similar benefits or economic incentives (so long as such restrictions apply only to the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary) and (ix) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions on then-market terms contained in the Term Loan Documents, the Existing Senior Note Purchase Documents, the Senior Note Purchase Documents or agreements relating to issuances of Indebtedness of one or more Loan Parties pursuant to a privately placed note offering to institutional investors with a maturity date that is no earlier than the Maturity Date.

 

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SECTION 6.09   Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness Documents. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, any Subordinated Indebtedness or any Indebtedness from time to time outstanding under the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (other than Subordinated Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c) (“Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness”), subject to the subordination terms applicable to such Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness). Furthermore, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (or any replacements, substitutions, extensions, renewals or refinancings thereof) (other than any such documents evidencing any Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness, subject to the subordination terms applicable to such Subordinated Intercompany Indebtedness) or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued where such amendment, modification or supplement provides for the following or which has any of the following effects:

 

(a)               increases the overall principal amount of any such Indebtedness or increases the amount of any single scheduled installment of principal or interest;

 

(b)             shortens or accelerates the date upon which any installment of principal or interest becomes due or adds any additional mandatory redemption provisions;

 

(c)              shortens the final maturity date of such Indebtedness or otherwise accelerates the amortization schedule with respect to such Indebtedness;

 

(d)              increases the rate of interest accruing on such Indebtedness;

 

(e)               provides for the payment of additional fees or increases existing fees;

 

(f)               amends or modifies any financial or negative covenant (or covenant which prohibits or restricts the Company or any Subsidiary from taking certain actions) in a manner which is more onerous or more restrictive in any material respect to the Company or such Subsidiary or which is otherwise materially adverse to the Company, any Subsidiary and/or the Lenders or, in the case of any such covenant, which places material additional restrictions on the Company or such Subsidiary or which requires the Company or such Subsidiary to comply with more restrictive financial ratios or which requires the Company to better its financial performance, in each case from that set forth in the existing applicable covenants in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenants in this Agreement; or

 

(g)              amends, modifies or adds any affirmative covenant in a manner which (i) when taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the Company, any Subsidiary and/or the Lenders or (ii) is more onerous than the existing applicable covenant in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenant in this Agreement.

 

SECTION 6.10   Financial Covenants.

 

(a)              Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Company will not permit the ratio (the “Leverage Ratio”), determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after December 31, 2019, of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (the “Stated Ratio”); provided, however, that, upon the election of the Company (which may be exercised not more than three (3) times during the term of this Agreement) following a Material Acquisition, the Company may increase the maximum Leverage Ratio by 0.50x above the Stated Ratio (the “Adjusted Leverage Ratio”), provided, further, that the Adjusted Leverage Ratio (i) shall step down by 0.25x after two (2) full fiscal quarters following the date of such Material Acquisition and (ii) shall return to the otherwise Stated Ratio after four (4) full fiscal quarters following the date of such Material Acquisition.

 

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(b)              Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. To the extent and for so long as any Loan Party is required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio under any Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision, the Company will not permit the interest coverage ratio required under any such Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision, determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after December 31, 2019, in each case for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be less than the minimum interest coverage ratio required under any such Incorporated Interest Coverage Ratio Provision.

 

SECTION 6.11   Sanctions. Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Event, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any Sanctioned Person to the extent such activities or business would be prohibited by Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

SECTION 6.12   Anti-Corruption Laws. Directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Credit Event for any purpose which would breach any Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

SECTION 7.01   Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

 

(a)              any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable and in the currency required herein, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

 

(b)              any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable and in the currency required hereunder, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

 

(c)              any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

 

(d)              (i) any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02, Section 5.03 (with respect to any Borrower’s existence), Section 5.08 or Section 5.10, in Article VI or in Article X or (ii) any Loan Document shall for any reason not be or shall cease to be in full force and effect or is declared to be null and void, or any Loan Party party thereto takes any action for the purpose of terminating, repudiating or rescinding any Loan Document or any of its obligations thereunder;

 

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(e)               any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Company (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);

 

(f)                the Company or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable after giving effect to any applicable grace period;

 

(g)               any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due and payable prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits, in each case, after the applicable grace period, the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, in any case, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to (A) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (for the avoidance of any doubt, Indebtedness that is repaid as a result of a refinancing thereof permitted by Section 6.01 shall not be deemed to have been due and payable for purposes of this clause (g)).

 

(h)              an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, except if a bankruptcy is declared (faillissement is uitgesproken) under the Dutch Bankruptcy Act (Faillissementswet), such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(i)               the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

(j)               the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts (other than intercompany indebtedness which may be capitalized from time to time) as they become due;

 

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(k)              without prejudice to the provisions of clauses (h) to (j) (each inclusive), any of the following occurs in respect of a German Subsidiary: (i) it is or admits to be, unable to pay its debts as they fall due (Zahlungsunfähigkeit) within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung), or it suspends (aussetzen) making payments on all or a material part of its debts or it announces an intention to do so or commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness; or (ii) it is over-indebted (Überschuldung) within the meaning of section 19 of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung); or (iii) for any of the reasons set out in section 17 through 19 (inclusive) of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung), it files for insolvency in accordance with the German Insolvency Code (Antrag auf Eröffnung eines Insolvenzverfahrens) or its directors are required by law to file for insolvency; or (iv) a third party creditor files for insolvency against it unless the petition is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged or dismissed within 60 days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised; or (v) a competent court takes any of the actions set out in section 21 of the German Insolvency Code (Insolvenzordung) or a competent court institutes or rejects (for reason of insufficiency of its funds to implement such proceedings) insolvency proceedings against it (Eröffnung des Insolvenzverfahrens);

 

(l)                 without prejudice to the provisions of clauses (h) to (j) inclusive, any of the following occurs in respect of a Swiss Subsidiary: (i) it is deemed unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed to or declared to be unable to pay its debts or insolvent (zahlungsunfähig) under applicable law, (ii) it ceases or suspends making payments on any of its debts or announces any intention to do so (or is so deemed for the purposes of any law applicable to it) (Zahlungseinstellung), (iii) by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, it commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness, (iv) it files a petition for the opening of bankruptcy proceedings because of insolvency (Zahlungsunfähigkeit) pursuant to Section 191(1) of the Swiss Federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act (Bundesgesetz über Schuldbetreibung und Konkurs) or such bankruptcy is declared otherwise (Konkurseröffnung und Konkurs), or (v) its liabilities are not covered by its assets (overindebtedness) within the meaning of art. 725 para. 2 and art. 820 para. 1 of the Swiss Federal Code of Obligations (CO) (Überschuldung); (vi) composition with creditors (Nachlassverfahren) including in particular moratorium (Nachlassstundung) and proceedings regarding composition agreements (Nachlassvertrag) and emergency moratorium (Notstundung), (vii) proceedings regarding postponement of the opening of bankruptcy; (viii) moratorium proceedings pursuant to art. 725a or art. 820 para. 2 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) and notification of the judge of a capital loss or over-indebtedness under these provisions Konkursaufschub / Gesellschaftsrechtliches Moratorium), or (X) dissolution/liquidation (Auflösung / Liquidation);

 

(m)             one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of such judgment and has not denied or failed to acknowledge coverage thereof) shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged or unpaid for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

 

(n)               an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(o)               a Change in Control shall occur;

 

(p)              the occurrence of any “default”, as defined in any Loan Document (other than this Agreement) or the breach of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document (other than this Agreement), which default or breach continues beyond any period of grace or cure therein provided; or

 

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(q)              any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Company, take any of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; and in case of any event with respect to any Loan Party described in Sections 7.01(h) and 7.01(i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers.

 

SECTION 7.02   Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in Section 7.01), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.21 and Section 2.25, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article II) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders Bank (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel to the respective Lenders and amounts payable under Article II), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting (i) unpaid principal of the Loans and (ii) amounts owing under Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements, ratably among the Lenders and their Affiliates in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash, to the Company or as otherwise required by Law.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent

 

SECTION 8.01   Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, and neither the Company nor any other Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

SECTION 8.02   [Reserved.]

 

SECTION 8.03   Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

SECTION 8.04   Exculpatory Provisions.

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent or the Arranger, as applicable, shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Arranger, as applicable:

 

(i)                 shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(ii)               shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(iii)             shall not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Lender, any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their Affiliates, that is communicated to, obtained or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent, Arranger, or any of their Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein;

 

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(iv)              shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Article VII or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Company or a Lender; and

 

(v)                shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)                Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties (other than any such Person’s obligations hereunder with respect to the Disqualified Institutions in its capacity as a Lender) shall be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions of this Agreement relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not ‎(i) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified ‎Institution or (ii) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any ‎Disqualified Institution.

 

SECTION 8.05   Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

SECTION 8.06   Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

 

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SECTION 8.07   Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

(a)                The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Company. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Company, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender or a Disqualified Institution. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b)                If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Company and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Company, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

(c)                With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Company to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

 

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SECTION 8.08   Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent or any Arranger hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or any Arranger to any Lender as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent or such Arranger have disclosed material information in their (or their Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrowers hereunder. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties. Each Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Lender represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.

 

SECTION 8.09   No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arranger or any other agent or arranger listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.

 

SECTION 8.10   Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on any Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise.

 

(a)                to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Section 2.12 and Section 9.07) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

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(b)                to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on 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 Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 2.12 and Section 9.07.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 8.11   Guaranteed Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no Lender or any of its Affiliate that is party to a Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 7.02 or the Subsidiary Guaranty by virtue of the provisions hereof shall have any right to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Subsidiary Guaranty (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof of or the Subsidiary Guaranty) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents (it being understood that Administrative Agent may take any and all action expressly specified in Section 8.12). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VIII to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Guaranteed Obligations arising under Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a notice of such Guaranteed Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Lender or Affiliate of such Lender, as the case may be. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Guaranteed Obligations arising under Banking Services Agreements and Guaranteed Hedge Agreements in the case of a termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees (including on behalf of any of its Affiliates that may be a party to a Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement) that (x) obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Banking Services Agreement or Guaranteed Hedge Agreement shall be guaranteed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty only until such time as the Subsidiary Guaranty terminates pursuant to the terms thereof and (y) any release of Guarantors and/or Designated Borrowers effected in a manner not prohibited by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not require the consent of holders of obligations under Banking Services Agreements or Guaranteed Hedge Agreements.

 

SECTION 8.12   Guaranty Matters. The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to this Section 8.12.

 

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SECTION 8.13   Lender Representations.

 

(a)                Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Company or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i)                 such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,

 

(ii)               the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii)             (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

(iv)              such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b)                In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Company or any other Loan Party, that:

 

(i)                 none of the Administrative Agent or the Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

 

(ii)               the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

 

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(iii)             the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

 

(iv)              the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

 

(v)                no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent or the Arranger or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

(c)                The Administrative Agent and the Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, unused fees, arrangement fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01   Notices.

 

(a)                Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number as follows:

 

(i)                 if to any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 9.01; and

 

(ii)               if to any other Lender, to it at its address, telecopy number, electronic mail address or telephone number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Company).

 

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Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

(b)                Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Company may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

(c)                The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. Except to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent Parties (as determined by final, non-appealable judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction), in no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Company’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet.

 

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(d)                Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Company and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Company or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

SECTION 9.02   Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic notices, Borrowing Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

SECTION 9.03   Waivers; Amendments.

 

(a)                No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

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(b)                Except pursuant to any fee letter entered into by the Company in connection with this Agreement, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase any Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (except that any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii)), (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) or Section 7.02, in each case, in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or the order of priority of payments, as the case may be, required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender, or (vi) release the Company or all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under Article X or the Subsidiary Guaranty, as applicable, without the written consent of each Lender; provided, further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that any change to Section 2.25 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first proviso of this paragraph and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification.

 

(c)                [Reserved.]

 

(d)                In connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination (a “Proposed Change”) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders, if the consent of the Required Lenders to such Proposed Change is obtained, but the consent to such Proposed Change of other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this Section being referred to as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then, so long as the Lender that is acting as Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Non-Consenting Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Non-Consenting Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.05), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that (a) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, (b) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, accrued and unpaid fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder (including any amounts under Section 2.16) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts), (c) such assignee shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the processing and recordation fee specified in Section 9.05(b), (d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable laws, and (e) the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

(e)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrowers only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.

 

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SECTION 9.04   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a)                The Borrowers shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through a service such as Intralinks) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and one additional counsel for all the Lenders (other than the Administrative Agent) and one additional counsel (for each affected class) in light of actual or potential conflicts of interest or the availability of different claims of defenses) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

 

(b)                The Borrowers shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (A) the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or its affiliates or controlling persons or any of the officers, directors, employees, agents or members of any of the foregoing, (B) any material breach by any of them of the Loan Documents or (C) disputes between and among Indemnitees (not arising as a result of any act or omission by the Company or any of its Affiliates). This Section 9.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)                To the extent that the Borrowers fail to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that the Borrowers’ failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve the Borrowers of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.

 

(d)                To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Borrower shall assert, and each Borrower hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet) in the absence of willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable decision). To the extent permitted by applicable law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any other party hereto on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions or any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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(e)                All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than fifteen (15) days after written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 9.05   Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)                The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) no Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Loan Party without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document except in accordance with this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)                (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) (the “New Lender”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of (for the avoidance of doubt, no other consents shall be required):

 

(A)             the Company (provided that the Company shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof); provided, further, that no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and

 

(B)              the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)               Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)             Minimum Amounts.

 

(1)               in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such Assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(ii)(A)(2) of this Section in the aggregate and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

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(2)               in any case not described in subsection (b)(ii)(A)(1) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $1,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(B)              each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(C)              the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment;

 

(D)             the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material nonpublic information about the Company and its affiliates and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws;

 

(E)              [Reserved]; and

 

(F)              in connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Company and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

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For the purposes of this Section 9.05(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

 

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person (or any holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of one or more natural persons), (b) a Defaulting Lender, its subsidiaries or its Lender Parent, (c) the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates, (d) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof or (e) a Disqualified Institution.

 

(iii)             Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 9.04) with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, each Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.05 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

(iv)              The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose solely as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower (and such agency shall be solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Company and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

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(c)                (i) Subject to clause (b)(iii) of Section 9.05, any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.03(b) that affects such Participant. Each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16 and Section 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.18 and Section 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(ii)               A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.14(b) or Section 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender). Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in the obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such interest is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 9.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation, and (ii) the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(d)                Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(e)                Disqualified Institutions.

 

(i)                 No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign or grant a participation in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Company has consented to such assignment or participation in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee or Participant that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a notice pursuant to, and/or the expiration of the notice period referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), (x) such assignee or Participant shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender or Participant and (y) the execution by the Company of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment or participation in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.

 

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(ii)               If any assignment is made to any Disqualified Institution without the Company’s prior written consent in violation of clause (i) above, or if any Person becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date, the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, (A) terminate any Commitment of such Disqualified Institution and repay all obligations of the Borrowers owing to such Disqualified Institution in connection with such Commitment, and/or (B) require such Disqualified Institution to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.05), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement and related Loan Documents to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) satisfying the requirements of Section 9.05(b) that shall assume such obligations at the lesser of (1) the principal amount thereof and (2) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and other the other Loan Documents; provided, that, (x) the Company shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 9.05(b), and (y) such assignment does not conflict with applicable laws.

 

(iii)             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Institutions (A) will not (1) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by or on behalf of the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (2) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (3) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (1) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter, and (2) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws (“Plan of Reorganization”), each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (I) not to vote on such Plan of Reorganization, (II) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such Plan of Reorganization notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (I), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such Plan of Reorganization in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (III) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the bankruptcy court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (II).

 

(iv)              The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Company hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Institutions provided by the Company and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on a Platform, including that portion of such Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders and/or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender requesting the same.

 

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(v)                Neither the Administrative Agent nor its Related Parties (other than any such Person’s obligations hereunder with respect to the Disqualified Institutions in its capacity as a Lender) shall be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any other Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, by any other Person to any Disqualified Institution.

 

(f)                 [Reserved.]

 

(g)                In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Section 9.05, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Loan Party, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Loan Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

 

(i)                 any charge, assignment or other security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

(ii)               in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

 

except that no such charge, assignment or security shall:

 

(i)                 release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Loan Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or security for the Lender as a party to any of the Loan Documents; or

 

(ii)               require any payments to be made by a Loan Party other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Loan Documents;

 

and further provided that any such charge, assignment or other security shall provide that, upon any enforcement thereof, any resulting assignment, transfer or sub-participation of any such rights under the Loan Documents shall be made in accordance with this Section 9.05.

 

SECTION 9.06   Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments and the Loan Documents have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Section 2.14(b), Section 2.16, Section 2.17 and Section 9.04 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

 

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SECTION 9.07   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Borrowing Requests, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

SECTION 9.08   Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.08, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

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SECTION 9.09   Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Company or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Company or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Company or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.25 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent and the Company a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

SECTION 9.10   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

 

(a)                GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)                SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(c)                WAIVER OF VENUE. THE COMPANY AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)                SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 9.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

(e)                Waiver of Immunities. Each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries (and its and their respective process agents), and each such Person’s properties and revenues of any kind, hereby irrevocably agrees that, to the extent that such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Person’s properties or revenues has or may hereafter acquire any right of immunity, whether characterized as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from any legal proceedings, to enforce or collect upon the Obligations, including immunity from service of process, immunity from jurisdiction or judgment of any court or tribunal, immunity from execution of a judgment, and immunity of any of its property or revenues from attachment prior to any entry of judgment, or from attachment in aid of execution upon a judgment, each Loan Party, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law, any such immunity, and agrees not to assert any such right or claim in any such proceeding, whether in the United States or elsewhere. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party further agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 9.10(e) shall have the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and other applicable Law and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and such other applicable Law.

 

SECTION 9.11   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 9.12   Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 9.13   Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) on a need to know basis to its Affiliates, its auditors and its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, in any case, other than to a Disqualified Institution (it being understood that the DQ List may be disclosed to any assignee or Participant, or prospective assignee or Participant, in reliance on this clause (f) so long as such Person is not listed on such DQ List) or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any of the Borrowers and their obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Company or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the written consent of the Company or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.

 

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Company or any Subsidiary relating to the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Company or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential or otherwise requested in writing to be held confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

 

SECTION 9.14   USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

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SECTION 9.15   Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Company. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

SECTION 9.16   No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Company, each other Loan Party, and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, (B) each of the Company and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Company and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and each of the Lenders and their Affiliates is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) none of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any Lender nor any of their Affiliates has any obligation to the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except, in the case of a Lender, those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of such Borrower and its Affiliates, and no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Company, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Company and each other Loan Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any Lenders and their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 9.17   [Reserved.]

 

SECTION 9.18   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)                the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

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(b)                the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)                 a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)               a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)             the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

SECTION 9.19   Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Agreement or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

(a)                In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

 

(b)                As used in this Section 9.19, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

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QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

SECTION 9.20   Enforcement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Article VII for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.05 (subject to the terms of Section 2.18(c)), or (c) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article VII and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.18(c), any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to them and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

SECTION 9.21   Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment. The obligations of the Lenders under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.22   ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Cross-Guarantee

 

SECTION 10.01    Cross Guarantee. In order to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the other Borrowers hereunder, but subject to the limitations set forth in this Article X, each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the payment when and as due of the Obligations of the other Borrowers, the other Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Obligors”). Each Borrower further agrees that the due and punctual payment of such Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal of any such Obligation.

 

89

 

 

Each Borrower waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to any Borrower of any of the Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its obligations and notice of protest for nonpayment. The obligations of each Borrower hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against any Obligor under the provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any of the Obligations; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or release from, any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, or any other Loan Document or agreement; (d) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Obligations; (e) the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Obligations, if any; (f) any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Obligor or any other guarantor of any of the Obligations; (g) the enforceability or validity of the Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Obligor or any other guarantor of any of the Obligations, for any reason related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any provision of applicable law, decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Obligor or any other guarantor of the Obligations, of any of the Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Obligations; or (h) any other act, omission or delay to do any other act which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Borrower or otherwise operate as a discharge of a guarantor as a matter of law or equity or which would impair or eliminate any right of such Borrower to subrogation.

 

Each Borrower further agrees that its agreement hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual or collection of any of the Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in favor of any Obligor or any other Person.

 

The obligations of each Borrower hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever, by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Obligations or otherwise.

 

Each Borrower further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Obligor or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a holder of Obligations in its discretion).

 

90

 

 

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have at law or in equity against any Borrower by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any other Obligor to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, each Borrower hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in cash an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of such Obligations then due, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Each Borrower further agrees that if payment in respect of any Obligation shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and/or at a place of payment other than the Administrative Agent’s Office and if, by reason of any Change in Law, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Obligation in such currency or at such place of payment shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, disadvantageous to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in any material respect, then, at the election of the Administrative Agent, such Borrower shall make payment of such Obligation in Dollars (based upon the applicable Spot Rate in effect on the date of payment) at such Administrative Agent’s Office as is designated by the Administrative Agent and, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and any Lender against any losses or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment.

 

Upon payment by any Borrower of any sums as provided above, all rights of such Borrower against any other Obligor arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Obligations owed by such Obligor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

Nothing shall discharge or satisfy the liability of any Borrower hereunder except the full performance and payment of the Obligations.

 

The Company hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Subsidiary Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that the Company shall only be liable under this paragraph for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this paragraph or otherwise under this Article X voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The Company intends that this paragraph constitute, and this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

91

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

  BRUKER CORPORATION,
  as the Company
   
  By:  /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., individually as a Lender, and as Administrative Agent
   
  By:  /s/ Linda E. C. Alto
    Name: Linda E. C. Alto
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

  TD BANK, N.A., individually as a Lender
   
  By:  /s/ Matthew Waszmer
    Name: Matthew Waszmer
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]

 

 

 

SCHEDULES TO TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

December 11, 2019

 

These schedules and all attachments hereto (each of which is incorporated herein by this reference) constitutes the “Schedules” to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2019, between Bruker Corporation, the Designated Borrowers, the Lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Term Loan Agreement”).

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used in these Schedules shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Term Loan Agreement. These Schedules are qualified in their entirety by reference to specific provisions of the Term Loan Agreement, and are not intended to constitute, and shall not be construed as constituting representations or warranties of the parties except as and to the extent provided in the Term Loan Agreement. References to or descriptions of any document herein do not purport to be complete and are qualified in entirety by the document itself.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.01

 

COMMITMENTS AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES

 

Lender   Commitment     Applicable
Percentage
 
Bank of America, N.A.   $ 275,000,000       91.666666667 %
TD Bank, N.A.   $ 25,000,000       8.333333333 %
TOTAL:   $ 300,000,000       100.000000000 %

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3.01

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor
Material
Domestic

Subsidiary
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Corporation No  
Bruker AXS LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker BioSpin Corporation Massachusetts, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker Scientific LLC (formerly known as Bruker Optics Inc.) Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Corporation Yes X
Bruker HTS GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  
Hydrostatic Extrusions Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  
Bruker OST LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor
Material
Domestic

Subsidiary
Bruker Advanced Supercon GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker HTS GmbH No  
Bruker EAS GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker HTS GmbH No  
RI Research Instruments GmbH Germany 51% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No  
Bruker AXS GmbH Germany 90% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS LLC and 10% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Corporation No  
Bruker AXS Handheld Inc. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS LLC No  
Bruker Nano, Inc. Arizona, United States 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS LLC Yes X
Vutara LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Nano, Inc. No  
Anasys Instruments Corp. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Nano, Inc. No  
Bruker Austria GmbH Austria 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic

Subsidiary 

Bruker Singapore Pte Ltd Singapore 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker do Brasil Ltda. Brazil 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Mexico 99.99% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH and 0.01% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS LLC No  
Bruker Polska Sp. Z.o.o. Poland 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
InCoaTec GmbH Germany 66% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker Nano GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
JPK Instruments USA, Inc. California, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests of common stock owned by Bruker Nano GmbH No  
JPK Instruments Limited United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Nano GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic
Subsidiary 

Bruker Invest AG Switzerland 90% of ordinary registered shares owned by Bruker BioSpin Corp. and 10% of ordinary registered shares owned by Bruker Corporation No  
Bruker Switzerland AG Switzerland 100% of ordinary registered shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Mestrelab Research S.L. Spain 50.998% of membership interests owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
PMOD Technologies LLC Switzerland 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Agapetus GmbH Austria 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Alicona Imaging GmbH Austria 100% of ordinary shares owned by Agapetus GmbH No  
Alicona Corporation Delaware, U.S.A. 100% of membership interests owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  
Alicona GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic
Subsidiary 

Alicona UK Limited United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  
Alicona s.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No  
Bruker Espanola S.A. Spain 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Japan K.K.

Japan

100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Korea Co. Ltd. Korea 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker MicroCT N.V. (38) Belgium 99.99% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG and .01% of common stock owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Luxendo GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Nederland B.V. Netherlands 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Ltd. Canada 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic

Subsidiary 

Bruker UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker AXS Ltd. United Kingdom 50% of common stock owned by Bruker UK Ltd. and 50% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker JV UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker UK Ltd. No  
Bruker France S.A.S. France 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Belgium S.A./N.V. Belgium 99.99% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG and .01% of common stock owned by Bruker BioSpin AG No  
Bruker Turkey Teknolojik Sistemler Ticaret Ltd. Sirketi Turkey 99.74% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG and .26% of common stock owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No  
Bruker Italia S.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
XGLabs S.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Italia S.r.l. No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic

Subsidiary 

Bruker Portugal Unipessoal Lda.

Portugal 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Scientific Israel Ltd. Israel 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Technologies Ltd. Israel 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific Israel Ltd. No  
Bruker (Beijing) Scientific Technology Co., Ltd. China 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Singapore Pte. Ltd. No  
Bruker (Malaysia) SDN BHD Malaysia 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker Ltd. Russia 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  
Bruker India Scientific PVT, Ltd. India 73.59% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG, 6.53% of common stock owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH and 19.88% of common stock owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No  
Bruker PTY Ltd. Australia 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic
Subsidiary 

Bruker Physik GmbH Germany 50.5% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker BioSpin Corporation, 24.75% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH and 24.75% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Optik GmbH No  
Bruker BioSpin GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Physik GmbH No  
Bruker Daltonik GmbH Germany 90% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Scientific LLC and 10% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Corporation No  
Bruker Taiwan Co. Ltd. Taiwan 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Daltonics Pty Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Finance B.V. Netherlands 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Daltonics Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic
Subsidiary 

Bruker Daltonics s.r.l. Italy 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Detection Corporation Massachusetts, U.S.A. 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Bruker Nordic AB Sweden 100% of membership interests wned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  
Hain LifeScience GmbH Germany 80% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience E.A. Ltd. Kenya 100% of membership interests owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience Spain S.L. Spain 100% of membership interests owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain Lifescience Solutions (pty) Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Biocentra AS Norway 100% of membership interests owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic

Subsidiary 

SAS Biocentric France 100% of ordinary shares owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Hain LifeScience S.A. Pty. Ltd. South Africa 100% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No  
Advanced Diagnostic Solutions Pty Ltd. South Africa 50% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH and 50% of common stock owned by Hain LifeScience S.A. Pty. Ltd. No  
Bruker Business Support Center sp. Z.o.o. Poland 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Finance B.V. No  
Bruker s.r.o. Czech Republic 100% of membership interests owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
Merlin Diagnostika GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
InVivo Biotech Svs GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No  
Bruker Optik GmbH Germany 100% of ordinary shares owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No  

 

 

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage
Ownership/Class of
Equity Interest
Subsidiary
Guarantor

Material
Domestic

Subsidiary 

Bruker Scientific Instruments Hong Kong Co. Ltd. China 100% of common stock owned by Bruker Invest AG No  

 

The following is a list of options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, or obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to issue, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary:

 

Pursuant to the Bruker Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the Company is authorized to grant Company directors, officers and employees up to 12,000,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or grant restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

Pursuant to the Bruker Corporation 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company is authorized to grant Company directors, officers and employees up to 1,178,778 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock or grant restricted shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

Pursuant to the Bruker Corporation 2016 Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company is authorized to grant of awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units, as well as cash-based awards, and to issue up to 9,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Company directors, officers and employees.

 

Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 6, 2016 (the “Agreement and Plan of Merger”) by and among the Company and Active Spectrum, Inc., the Company may be required, subject to satisfaction of certain performance conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, to issue shares of its common stock to the former stockholders of Active Spectrum, Inc., in an aggregate value equal to approximately $200,000.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT G

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

 

[see attached]

 

 

 

 

GUARANTY

 

THIS GUARANTY (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”) is made as of December 11, 2019, by and among each of the undersigned Subsidiaries (the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Subsidiaries of the Company which become parties to this Guaranty by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below), under the Term Loan Agreement referred to below.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), certain subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as a borrower (each a “Designated Borrower”, and, together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders (the “Lenders”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) have entered into a certain Term Loan Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 (as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented and/or restated, and as in effect from time to time, the “Term Loan Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Term Loan Agreement, among other things, provides, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for extensions from time to time of credit and other financial accommodations by the Lenders to the Borrowers;

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the extensions of credit by the Lenders under the Term Loan Agreement that each of the Guarantors (constituting all of the Subsidiaries of the Company required to execute this Guaranty pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, including pursuant to Section 5.10 of the Term Loan Agreement) execute and deliver this Guaranty, whereby each of the Guarantors shall guarantee the payment when due of all Obligations; and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the direct and indirect financial and other support that the Borrowers have provided, and such direct and indirect financial and other support as the Borrowers may in the future provide, to the Guarantors, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into the Term Loan Agreement, each of the Guarantors is willing to guarantee the Obligations as set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.      Definitions. Terms defined in the Term Loan Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have, as used herein, the respective meanings provided for therein.

 

SECTION 2.      Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Each of the Guarantors represents and warrants (which representations and warranties shall be deemed to have been renewed at the time of the making, conversion or continuation of any Loan) that:

 

(A)             It is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other corporate entity duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except to the extent that the failure to have such authority could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

 

(B)              It (to the extent applicable) has the requisite power and authority and legal right and/or has taken all necessary corporate or other action to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its respective obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by each Guarantor of this Guaranty and the performance by each of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by proper proceedings, and this Guaranty constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against such Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, capital maintenance requirements or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

(C)              Neither the execution and delivery by it of this Guaranty, nor the consummation by it of the transactions herein contemplated, nor compliance by it with the provisions hereof will (i) (a) violate any order of any Governmental Authority, (b) violate in any material respect any applicable law or regulation, or (c) contravene its articles or certificate of incorporation (or equivalent charter documents), limited liability company or partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of organization, by-laws, or operating agreement or other management agreement, as the case may be, (ii) conflict in any material respect with, or constitute a material default under any indenture, instrument or other agreement binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment (other than a payment contemplated by the Loan Documents) to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except as provided in the Loan Documents). No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by it, is required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by it of, or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against it of, this Guaranty.

 

In addition to the foregoing, each of the Guarantors covenants that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement or any amount payable under the Term Loan Agreement or any other Guaranteed Obligations shall remain unpaid, it will, and, if necessary, will enable each of the Borrowers to, fully comply with those covenants and agreements of such Borrower applicable to such Guarantor set forth in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.      Guaranty. Each of the Guarantors hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations, including, without limitation, (i) the principal of and interest on each Loan made to any Borrower pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, (ii) all obligations of any Borrower or any Subsidiary owing to any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender under any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or Banking Services Agreement, (iv) all other amounts payable by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (v) the punctual and faithful performance, keeping, observance, and fulfillment by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of all of the agreements, conditions, covenants, and obligations of such Loan Party contained in the Loan Documents (all of the foregoing being referred to collectively as the “Guaranteed Obligations” and the holders from time to time of the Guaranteed Obligations being referred to collectively as the “Holders of Guaranteed Obligations”). Upon (x) the failure by any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, to pay punctually any such amount or perform such obligation, and (y) such failure continuing beyond any applicable grace or notice and cure period, each of the Guarantors agrees that it shall forthwith on demand pay such amount or perform such obligation at the place and in the manner specified in the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the relevant Loan Document, as the case may be. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that this Guaranty is an absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guaranty of payment and is not a guaranty of collection.

 

 

 

 

Notwithstanding any limitation on liability set forth herein to the contrary, if the Guaranteed Obligations are made subject to a debt restructuring arrangement between a country and its creditors or creditors of persons or entities of such country, and as a result thereof any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations and other credit facilities to such country, persons or entities of such country, shall agree to provide any new credit facilities, each Guarantor shall fund (and be the beneficial owner of) that amount of such new credit facilities which is calculated by (i) dividing the face value of such Guaranteed Obligations by the aggregate amount of the Holder of Guaranteed Obligations’ credit facilities made part of the restructuring arrangement and (ii) multiplying the result by the amount of such new credit facilities. Each Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver such documents and take such actions as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent to effect the purposes of this paragraph. Each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations agrees to provide each Guarantor with copies of the relevant documents governing its participation in the restructuring arrangement and new credit facilities and shall provide such Guarantor with the basis on which it has calculated such Guarantor’s portion of such new credit facilities, which calculations shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 4.      Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

 

(A)             any extension, renewal, settlement, indulgence, compromise, waiver or release of or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether (in any such case) by operation of law or otherwise, or any failure or omission to enforce any right, power or remedy with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

 

 

 

(B)              any modification or amendment of or supplement to the Term Loan Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement, including, without limitation, any such amendment which may increase the amount of, or the interest rates applicable to, any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(C)              any release, surrender, compromise, settlement, waiver, subordination or modification, with or without consideration, of any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, any other guaranties with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other obligation of any person or entity with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any nonperfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(D)             any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any such Borrower, other Loan Party, Subsidiary or other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any of their respective assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of such Person of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(E)              the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which the Guarantors may have at any time against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in connection with any unrelated transactions; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(F)              the enforceability or validity of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related to the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any provision of applicable law decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Borrower, other Loan Party, Subsidiary or other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(G)             the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, if any;

 

(H)             the election by, or on behalf of, any one or more of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) (the “Bankruptcy Code”), of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

 

 

 

(I)                any borrowing or grant of a security interest by any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary, as debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

 

(J)                the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of all or any portion of the claims of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent for repayment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(K)             the failure of any Person to sign or become party to this Guaranty or any amendment, change, or reaffirmation hereof; or

 

(L)              any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this Section 4, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder except as provided in Section 5.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, each Guarantor consents and agrees that any Holder of the Guaranteed Obligations may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent and the Holder of the Guaranteed Obligations in their sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.

 

SECTION 5.      Continuing Guaranty; Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full; Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances. Each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash and the Commitments under the Term Loan Agreement shall have terminated. If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation, including any Loan or any other amount payable by any Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other party under the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party, any Subsidiary or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in its discretion), each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due and payable in the same currency as such Guaranteed Obligation is denominated but if currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that such currency (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the relevant Guarantor is not able to make payment in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Guarantor hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of payment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that each Guarantor takes all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations. The obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any acts of any legislative body or governmental authority affecting the Loan Parties, including but not limited to, any restrictions on the conversion of currency or repatriation or control of funds or any total or partial expropriation of any Loan Party’s property, or by economic, political, regulatory or other events in the countries where a Loan Party is located. The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.      General Waivers; Additional Waivers.

 

(A)             General Waivers. Each of the Guarantors irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand or action on delinquency, protest, the benefit of any statutes of limitations and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person.

 

(B)              Additional Waivers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Guarantors hereby absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives:

 

(i)                 any right it may have to revoke this Guaranty as to future indebtedness or notice of acceptance hereof;

 

(ii)              (a) notice of acceptance hereof; (b) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements or the Banking Services Agreements or the creation or existence of any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) notice of the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, subject, however, to each Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Administrative Agent and Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to ascertain the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations at any reasonable time; (d) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of any Borrower or any other Person or of any other fact that might increase such Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (e) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instruments among the Loan Documents; (f) notice of any Default or Event of Default; and (g) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to such Guarantor hereunder or under the Loan Documents) and demands to which each Guarantor might otherwise be entitled;

 

 

 

 

(iii)            its right, if any, to require the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to institute suit against, or to exhaust any rights and remedies which the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations has or may have against, the other Guarantors or any third party, or against any collateral security provided by the Loan Parties, or any third party; and each Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and paid in full in cash) of the other Guarantors or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of the other Guarantors in respect thereof;

 

(iv)             (a) any rights to assert against the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which such Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against the other Guarantors or any other party liable to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor; (c) any defense such Guarantor has to performance hereunder (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed and paid in full in cash), and any right such Guarantor has to be exonerated, arising by reason of: the impairment or suspension of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ rights or remedies against the other Guarantors; the alteration by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of the Guaranteed Obligations; any discharge of the other Guarantors’ obligations to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law as a result of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ intervention or omission; or the acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of anything in partial satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations; and (d) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guaranteed Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to such Guarantor’s liability hereunder; and

 

(v)               any defense arising by reason of or deriving from (a) any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; or (b) any election by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations under Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, to limit the amount of, or any collateral securing, its claim against the Guarantors.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Guaranty and subject to Section 7 below, no Guarantor shall waive any rights it may have (in particular but not limited to any right for reimbursement and/or indemnity) against any of its direct or indirect shareholders.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.      Subordination of Subrogation; Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.

 

(A)             Subordination of Subrogation. Until the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully and finally performed and indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the Guarantors (i) shall have no right of subrogation with respect to such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) waive any right to enforce any remedy which the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent now have or may hereafter have against any Borrower, any other Loan Party, any Subsidiary, any endorser or any guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, and (iii) waive any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and the Administrative Agent to secure the payment or performance of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other liability of any Borrower to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations. Should any Guarantor have the right, notwithstanding the foregoing, to exercise its subrogation rights, each Guarantor hereby expressly and irrevocably (i) subordinates any and all rights at law or in equity to subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off that such Guarantor may have to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and (ii) waives any and all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor, in each case, until the Guaranteed Obligations are indefeasibly paid in full in cash. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that this subordination is intended to benefit the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall not limit or otherwise affect such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforceability of this Guaranty, and that the Administrative Agent, the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and assigns are intended third party beneficiaries of the waivers and agreements set forth in this Section 7(A).

 

 

 

 

(B)              Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness. Each Guarantor agrees that any and all claims of such Guarantor against any Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder (each an “Obligor”) with respect to any “Intercompany Indebtedness” (as hereinafter defined), any endorser, obligor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Obligations, or against any of its properties shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment, in full and in cash, of all Obligations; provided that, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Guarantor may receive payments of principal and interest from any Obligor with respect to Intercompany Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any right of any Guarantor to ask, demand, sue for, take or receive any payment from any Obligor, all rights, liens and security interests of such Guarantor, whether now or hereafter arising and howsoever existing, in any assets of any other Obligor shall be and are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and the Administrative Agent in those assets. No Guarantor shall have any right to possession of any such asset or to foreclose upon any such asset, whether by judicial action or otherwise, unless and until all of the Obligations shall have been fully paid and satisfied (in cash) and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement have been terminated. If all or any part of the assets of any Obligor, or the proceeds thereof, are subject to any distribution, division or application to the creditors of such Obligor, whether partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, and whether by reason of liquidation, bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding, or if the business of any such Obligor is dissolved or if substantially all of the assets of any such Obligor are sold, then, and in any such event (such events being herein referred to as an “Insolvency Event”), any payment or distribution of any kind or character, either in cash, securities or other property, which shall be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to any indebtedness of any Obligor to any Guarantor (“Intercompany Indebtedness”) shall be paid or delivered directly to the Administrative Agent for application on any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or to become due, until such Guaranteed Obligations shall have first been fully paid and satisfied (in cash). Should any payment, distribution, security or instrument or proceeds thereof be received by the applicable Guarantor upon or with respect to the Intercompany Indebtedness after any Insolvency Event and prior to the satisfaction of all of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document among any Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, such Guarantor shall receive and hold the same in trust, as trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall forthwith deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of the Guarantor where necessary), for application to any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or not due, and, until so delivered, the same shall be held in trust by the Guarantor as the property of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations. If any such Guarantor fails to make any such endorsement or assignment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent or any of its officers or employees is irrevocably authorized to make the same. Each Guarantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent the true and lawful attorney-in-fact of such Guarantor solely for the purpose of carrying out the foregoing provisions of this Guaranty and taking any action and executing any instrument that the Administrative Agent reasonably may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest and shall terminate upon the indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement. Each Guarantor agrees that until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than the contingent indemnity obligations) have been paid in full (in cash) and satisfied and all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document among any Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations have been terminated, no Guarantor will assign or transfer to any Person (other than the Administrative Agent or another Guarantor) any claim any such Guarantor has or may have against any Obligor.

 

(C)              The provisions of this Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.      Contribution with Respect to Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(A)             To the extent that any Guarantor shall make a payment under this Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Guarantor if each Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations and termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements and the Banking Services Agreements, such Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

 

(B)              As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

 

(C)              This Section 8 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 8 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Guaranty.

 

(D)             The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Guarantor or Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

 

(E)              The rights of the indemnifying Guarantors against other Guarantors under this Section 8 shall be exercisable upon the full and indefeasible payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in cash and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the Loan Documents, the Guaranteed Hedge Agreements and the Banking Services Agreements.

 

SECTION 9.      Limitation of Guaranty. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Guarantor may have under this Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.  Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by any Borrower or other Person under the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of such Borrower or other Person, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document shall nonetheless be payable by each of the Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 11.  Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given in the manner prescribed in Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement with respect to the Administrative Agent at its notice address therein and with respect to any Guarantor, in care of the Company at the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number of the Company set forth in the Term Loan Agreement or such other address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number as such party may hereafter specify for such purpose by notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of such Section 9.01 of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 12.  No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided in this Guaranty, the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

SECTION 13.  Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, that no Guarantor shall have any right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of all of the Lenders, and any such assignment in violation of this Section 13 shall be null and void; and in the event of an assignment of any amounts payable under the Term Loan Agreement, any Guaranteed Hedge Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the other Loan Documents in accordance with the respective terms thereof, the rights hereunder, to the extent applicable to the indebtedness so assigned, may be transferred with such indebtedness. This Guaranty shall be binding upon each of the Guarantors and their respective successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 14.  Changes in Writing. Other than in connection with the addition of additional Subsidiaries, which become parties hereto by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only in writing signed by each of the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders under the Term Loan Agreement.

 

SECTION 15.  GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 16.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; JURY TRIAL; IMMUNITY.

 

(A)             CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE GUARANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(B)              EACH GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(C)              EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

 

 

 

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

 

(E)              Each Guarantor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries (and its and their respective process agents), and each such Person’s properties and revenues of any kind, hereby irrevocably agrees that, to the extent that such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Person’s properties or revenues has or may hereafter acquire any right of immunity, whether characterized as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from any legal proceedings, to enforce or collect upon the Guaranteed Obligations, including immunity from service of process, immunity from jurisdiction or judgment of any court or tribunal, immunity from execution of a judgment, and immunity of any of its property or revenues from attachment prior to any entry of judgment, or from attachment in aid of execution upon a judgment, each Guarantor, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable Law, any such immunity, and agrees not to assert any such right or claim in any such proceeding, whether in the United States or elsewhere. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party further agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 16(E) shall have the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and other applicable Law and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (U.S.) and such other applicable Law.

 

SECTION 17.  No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Guaranty. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Guaranty shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 18.  Taxes, Expenses of Enforcement, etc.

 

(A)             Taxes.

 

(i)                 All payments by any Guarantor to or for the account of any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all Taxes and shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to the applicable provisions of the Term Loan Agreement, including, but not limited to, Section 2.17 thereof. If any Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations, (a) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 18(A)) such Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (b) such Guarantor shall make such deductions, (c) such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law and (d) such Guarantor shall furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof as soon as practicable after such payment is made.

 

 

 

 

(ii)              In addition, the Guarantors hereby agree to pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes and any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty or any other Loan Document (“Other Taxes”). For the avoidance of doubt, each applicable Guarantor shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment under this Guaranty the amount of any Excluded Taxes required to be deducted and withheld under applicable law.

 

(iii)            The Guarantors hereby agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on amounts payable under this Section 18(A)) paid or payable by, or required to be deducted or withheld from any payment to, the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to a Guarantor by any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Payments due under this indemnification shall be made within ten (10) days of the date the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations makes written demand therefor.

 

(iv)             By accepting the benefits hereof, each Foreign Lender agrees that it will comply with Section 2.17(e) of the Term Loan Agreement.

 

(v)               The provisions of this Section 18(A) shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and the repayment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

 

(B)              Expenses of Enforcement, Etc. The Guarantors agree to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations for any reasonable and documented costs and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and time charges of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in connection with the collection and enforcement of amounts due under the Loan Documents, including without limitation this Guaranty.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 19.  Setoff. At any time after all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations have become due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise), each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) may, without notice to any Guarantor and regardless of the acceptance of any security or collateral for the payment hereof, appropriate and apply in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement toward the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations then due and payable (i) any indebtedness due or to become due from such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent to any Guarantor, and (ii) any moneys, credits or other property belonging to any Guarantor, at any time held by or coming into the possession of such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) or any of their respective affiliates.

 

SECTION 20.  Financial Information. Each Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of each of the Borrowers, the other Loan Parties, the Subsidiaries and any and all endorsers and/or other Guarantors of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, that diligent inquiry would reveal, and each Guarantor hereby agrees that none of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to any of them regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to a Guarantor, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall be under no obligation (i) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, (ii) to disclose any information which such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance or banking practices, wishes to maintain confidential or (iii) to make any other or future disclosures of such information or any other information to such Guarantor.

 

SECTION 21.  Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty.

 

SECTION 22.  Merger. This Guaranty represents the final agreement of each of the Guarantors with respect to the matters contained herein and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreements, or subsequent oral agreements, between the Guarantor and any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent).

 

SECTION 23.  Headings. Section headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and shall not govern the interpretation of any provision of this Guaranty.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 24.   Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Guarantor hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of each Guarantor in respect of any sum due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations, as the case may be, in the specified currency, each Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Person under Section 2.18 of the Credit Agreement, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations agrees to remit such excess to such Guarantor.

 

SECTION 25.   Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 25 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 25 or otherwise under this Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 25 shall remain in full force and effect until a discharge of such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 25 constitute, and this Section 25 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. As used herein, “Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Specified Swap Obligation, each Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation or such other Person as constitutes an ECP and can cause another Person to qualify as an ECP at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1(a)(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

 

 

SECTION 26.   Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that this Guaranty provides support for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that this Guaranty and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

(A)             In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Guaranty that apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and this Guaranty were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

(B)              As used in this Section 26, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

 

 

SECTION 27.   Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it.

 

Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Initial Guarantors has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Bruker Scientific LLC
   
  By /s/ Kristin Caplice
    Name: Kristin Caplice
    Title: Manager
   
  Bruker BioSpin Corporation
   
  By /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Assistant Treasurer
   
  Bruker AXS LLC
   
  By /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Manager
   
  Bruker Nano, Inc.
   
  By /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty]

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed

As of the date first written above:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

By: /s/ Anthony W. Kell  
  Name: Anthony W. Kell  
  Title: Vice President  

 

 

 

ANNEX I

 

SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY

 

Reference is hereby made to the Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) made as of December 11, 2019, by and among, initially, Bruker Nano, Inc., an Arizona corporation, Bruker AXS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Bruker Scientific LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Bruker BioSpin Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (collectively, the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Subsidiaries of the Company, which become parties thereto and together with the undersigned, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, under the Term Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty. By its execution below, the undersigned [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] (a) agrees to become, and does hereby become, a Guarantor under the Guaranty and agrees to be bound by such Guaranty as if originally a party thereto and (b) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as a surety, irrespective of the validity of the Obligations, waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Obligations, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Guaranteed Obligations. By its execution below, the undersigned represents and warrants as to itself that all of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2 of the Guaranty are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.

 

THIS SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENT TO GUARANTY AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 16 OF THE GUARANTY ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, MUTATIS MUTANDIS.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] has executed and delivered this Annex I counterpart to the Guaranty as of this [______] day of [________], 20[___].

 

  [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR]
   
  By:
  Its:                  

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation

 

 

CHF 297,000,000

 

 

1.01% Senior Notes due December 11, 2029

 

 

______________

 

Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

______________

 

 

Dated December 11, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Section   Heading   Page
         
Section 1.1.   Authorization of Notes   1
Section 1.2.   Incremental Leverage Fee   1
Section 1.3.   Recalculation of Interest   2
         
Section 2.   Sale and Purchase of Notes; Guaranties   3
         
Section 3.   Closing   3
         
Section 4.   Conditions to Closing   4
         
Section 4.1.   Representations and Warranties   4
Section 4.2.   Performance; No Default   4
Section 4.3.   Compliance Certificates   4
Section 4.4.   Opinions of Counsel   4
Section 4.5.   Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc   4
Section 4.6.   Sale of Other Notes   5
Section 4.7.   Payment of Special Counsel Fees   5
Section 4.8.   Private Placement Number   5
Section 4.9.   Changes in Corporate Structure   5
Section 4.10.   Funding Instructions   5
Section 4.11.   Subsidiary Guaranty   5
Section 4.12.   Proceedings and Documents   5
         
Section 5.   Representations and Warranties of the Company   6
         
Section 5.1.   Organization; Power and Authority   6
Section 5.2.   Authorization, Etc   6
Section 5.3.   Disclosure   6
Section 5.4.   Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates   7
Section 5.5.   Financial Statements; Material Liabilities   7
Section 5.6.   Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc   8
Section 5.7.   Governmental Authorizations, Etc   8
Section 5.8.   Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders   8
Section 5.9.   Taxes   8
Section 5.10.   Title to Property; Leases   9
Section 5.11.   Licenses, Permits, Etc   9
Section 5.12.   Compliance with ERISA   9
Section 5.13.   Private Offering by the Company   11
Section 5.14.   Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations   11
Section 5.15.   Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens   11

 

  - i -  

 

 

Section 5.16.   Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc   12
Section 5.17.   Status under Certain Statutes   13
Section 5.18.   Environmental Matters   13
Section 5.19.   Ranking of Obligations.   14
Section 5.20.   Solvency   14
         
Section 6.   Representations of the Purchasers   14
         
Section 6.1.   Purchase for Investment   14
Section 6.2.   Source of Funds   14
         
Section 7.   Information as to Company   16
         
Section 7.1.   Financial and Business Information   16
Section 7.2.   Officer’s Certificate   19
Section 7.3.   Visitation   19
Section 7.4.   Electronic Delivery   20
         
Section 8.   Payment and Prepayment of the Notes   21
         
Section 8.1.   Maturity   21
Section 8.2.   Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount   21
Section 8.3.   Allocation of Partial Prepayments   21
Section 8.4.   Maturity; Surrender, Etc.   22
Section 8.5.   Purchase of Notes   22
Section 8.6.   Make-Whole Amount   22
Section 8.7.   Swap Breakage   28
Section 8.8.   Change in Control Prepayment Offer   29
Section 8.9.   Payments Due on Non-Business Days   31
         
Section 9.   Affirmative Covenants.   31
         
Section 9.1.   Compliance with Laws   31
Section 9.2.   Insurance   32
Section 9.3.   Maintenance of Properties   32
Section 9.4.   Payment of Taxes and Claims   32
Section 9.5.   Corporate Existence, Etc   32
Section 9.6.   Books and Records   32
Section 9.7.   Subsidiary Guarantors   33
Section 9.8.   Priority of Obligations   34
Section 9.9.   Restriction on Use of Proceeds of the Notes in Switzerland   34
         
Section 10.   Negative Covenants.   35
         
Section 10.1.   Maximum Leverage Ratio   35
Section 10.2.   Interest Coverage Ratio   35
Section 10.3.   Priority Debt   35
Section 10.4.   Liens   35

 

  - ii -  

 

 

Section 10.5.   Sales of Asset   39
Section 10.6.   Merger, Consolidation, Etc   40
Section 10.7.   Transactions with Affiliates   41
Section 10.8.   Line of Business   41
Section 10.9.   Economic Sanctions, Etc.   41
         
Section 11.   Events of Default   42
         
Section 12.   Remedies on Default, Etc   44
         
Section 12.1.   Acceleration   44
Section 12.2.   Other Remedies   45
Section 12.3.   Rescission   45
Section 12.4.   No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc   46
         
Section 13.   Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes   46
         
Section 13.1.   Registration of Notes   46
Section 13.2.   Transfer and Exchange of Notes   46
Section 13.3.   Replacement of Notes   47
         
Section 14.   Payments on Notes   47
         
Section 14.1.   Place of Payment   47
Section 14.2.   Payment by Wire Transfer   47
Section 14.3.   FATCA Information   48
         
Section 15.   Expenses, Etc   49
         
Section 15.1.   Transaction Expenses   49
Section 15.2.   Certain Taxes   49
Section 15.3.   Survival   49
         
Section 16.   Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement   50
         
Section 17.   Amendment and Waiver   50
         
Section 17.1.   Requirements   50
Section 17.2.   Solicitation of Holders of Notes   50
Section 17.3.   Binding Effect, Etc   51
Section 17.4.   Notes Held by Company, Etc   51
         
Section 18.   Notices; English Language   51
         
Section 19.   Reproduction of Documents   52

 

  - iii -  

 

 

Section 20.   Confidential Information   52
         
Section 21.   Substitution of Purchaser   53
         
Section 22.   Miscellaneous   54
         
Section 22.1.   Successors and Assigns   54
Section 22.2.   Accounting Terms   54
Section 22.3.   Severability   55
Section 22.4.   Construction, Etc   55
Section 22.5.   Counterparts   56
Section 22.6.   Governing Law   56
Section 22.7.   Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial   56
Section 22.8.   Obligation to Make Payment in Swiss Francs   57

 

  - iv -  

 

 

Schedule A Defined Terms
     
Schedule 1 Form of 1.01% Senior Note due December 11, 2029
     
Schedule 4.4(a) Form of Opinion of U.S. Special Counsel for the Note Parties
     
Schedule 4.4(b) Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Purchasers
     
Schedule 4.9 Changes in Corporate Structure
     
Schedule 5.3 Disclosure Materials
     
Schedule 5.4 Subsidiaries of the Company and Ownership of Subsidiary Stock
     
Schedule 5.5 Financial Statements
     
Schedule 5.9 Tax Returns
     
Schedule 5.10 Title to Property; Leases
     
Schedule 5.15 Existing Indebtedness
     
Schedule 5.16(b) Foreign Asset Control Regulations, etc.
     
Schedule 5.16(c) Dealings with Blocked Persons; OFAC
     
Schedule 10.4 Liens
     
Exhibit 14.2 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
     
Purchaser Schedule Information Relating to Purchasers
     
Exhibit 1 Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

 

  - v -  

 

 

Bruker Corporation

40 Manning Road

Billerca, Massachusetts 01821

 

CHF 297,000,000 1.01% Senior Notes due December 11, 2029

 

December 11, 2019

 

To Each of the Purchasers Listed in

the Purchaser Schedule Hereto:

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), agrees with each of the Purchasers as follows:

 

Section 1.1.         Authorization of Notes. The Company will authorize the issue and sale of CHF 297,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.01% Senior Notes due December 11, 2029 (the “Notes”). The Notes shall be substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule A and, for purposes of this Agreement, the rules of construction set forth in Section 22.4 shall govern.

 

Section 1.2.         Incremental Leverage Fee. (a) If the Leverage Ratio exceeds 3.50 to 1.00 as permitted by Section 10.1, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(a), an incremental leverage fee shall be due on the Notes in an aggregate amount equal to 0.50% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes per annum, which shall be due and payable on the Notes as and to the extent provided in Section 1.2(b) below (the “Incremental Leverage Fee”). Such Incremental Leverage Fee shall begin to accrue on the first day of the fiscal quarter following the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Officer’s Certificate was delivered (the “Incremental Leverage Start Date”), and shall continue to accrue until the Company has provided an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2(a) demonstrating that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Officer’s Certificate is delivered, the Leverage Ratio is not more than 3.50 to 1.00. In the event such Officer’s Certificate evidencing that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is not more than 3.50 to 1.00 is delivered, the Incremental Leverage Fee shall cease to accrue on and as of the last day of the fiscal quarter in respect of which such Officer’s Certificate is delivered.

 

(b)            Within 10 Business Days of the delivery of an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 7.2(a) for any fiscal quarter in which the Incremental Leverage Fee accrued, the Company shall pay to each holder of a Note the amount attributable to the Incremental Leverage Fee (the “Incremental Leverage Fee Payment”) which shall be the product of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes held by such holder (or its predecessor(s) in interest, to the extent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes transferred by such predecessor(s) in interest to such holder) as of the first day that the Incremental Leverage Fee begins to accrue with respect to the period covered by such Officer’s Certificate, (ii) 0.50% (to reflect the Incremental Leverage Fee) and (iii) 0.25 (to reflect that the Incremental Leverage Fee is payable quarterly). The Incremental Leverage Fee Payment, if any, shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to each holder of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Company, the Purchasers and each holder agree that, for purposes of the Code, the Incremental Leverage Fee Payment constitutes additional interest.

 

     

 

 

(c)            For avoidance of doubt, no Incremental Leverage Fee will be used in calculating any Make-Whole Amount.

 

(d)            All payments of the Incremental Leverage Fee in respect of any Swapped Note shall be made in Dollars. For purposes of determining the amount of Incremental Leverage Fee due and payable with respect to a Swapped Note, such amounts shall be converted to Dollars at the rate of exchange in effect on the Incremental Leverage Start Date.

 

Section 1.3.         Recalculation of Interest. (a) The rates of interest due in connection with the Notes provided for in this Agreement are minimum interest rates.

 

(b)            When entering into this Agreement, the parties have assumed that the interest payable at the rates set out in this Agreement is not and will not become subject to Swiss Withholding Tax. Notwithstanding that the parties do not anticipate (acting in good faith) that any payment of interest will be subject to Swiss Withholding Tax, they agree that, if a tax deduction for Swiss Withholding Tax is required by law to be made by a Note Party in respect of any interest payable in relation to the Notes and should in respect of such Note Party be unenforceable for any reason, the applicable interest rate in relation to that interest payment shall be (i) the interest rate which would have applied to that interest payment (as provided for in this Agreement in the absence of this paragraph (b)) divided by (ii) 1 minus the rate at which the relevant tax deduction for Swiss Withholding Tax is required to be made (where the rate at which the relevant deduction or withholding of Swiss Withholding Tax is required to be made is for this purpose expressed as a fraction of 1 rather than as a percentage) and (A) the relevant Note Party shall be obliged to pay the relevant interest at the adjusted rate in accordance with this paragraph, (B) the relevant Note Party shall make the tax deduction for Swiss Withholding Tax on the recalculated interest and (C) all references to a rate of interest in this Agreement shall be construed accordingly.

 

(c)            To the extent that interest payable by a Note Party in connection with the Notes becomes subject to Swiss Withholding Tax, each relevant holder of a Note and the Note Parties shall promptly co-operate in completing any procedural formalities (including submitting forms and documents required by the appropriate tax authority) to the extent possible and necessary for the relevant Note Party to obtain authorisation to make interest payments without them being subject to Swiss Withholding Tax or to allow each relevant holder of a Note to prepare claims for the refund of any Swiss Withholding Tax so deducted.

 

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Section 2.               Sale and Purchase of Notes; Guaranties.

 

(a)            Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser will purchase from the Company, at the Closing provided for in Section 3, Notes in the principal amount specified opposite such Purchaser’s name in the Purchaser Schedule at the purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Purchasers’ obligations hereunder are several and not joint obligations and no Purchaser shall have any liability to any Person for the performance or non-performance of any obligation by any other Purchaser hereunder.

 

(b)            The payment of the principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on the Notes, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement will be absolutely and unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty, dated as of even date herewith, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 attached hereto, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of Section 9.7 hereof.

 

A Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released and discharged from the Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with Section 9.7(b).

 

Section 3.               Closing.

 

The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by each Purchaser shall occur at the offices of Chapman and Cutler LLP, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603, at a closing (the “Closing”) on December 11, 2019 or on such other Business Day thereafter on or prior to December 13, 2019 as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Purchasers. At the Closing the Company will deliver to each Purchaser the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in the form of a single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least CHF2,000,000 as such Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and registered in such Purchaser’s name (or in the name of its nominee), against delivery by such Purchaser to the Company or its order of immediately available funds in the amount of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds for the account of the Company to international bank account number CH820023023005778405F at UBS AG, Bahnofstrasse 45 Zurich, Switzerland 9098, SWIFT: UBSWCHZH80A, Beneficiary Bank: CTZIUS33SPT (Reference: Bruker Corp FX Deal # 2019112600814). If at the Closing the Company shall fail to tender such Notes to any Purchaser as provided above in this Section 3, or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 shall not have been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction, such Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights such Purchaser may have by reason of such failure by the Company to tender such Notes or any of the conditions specified in Section 4 not having been fulfilled to such Purchaser’s reasonable satisfaction.

 

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Section 4.               Conditions to Closing.

 

Each Purchaser’s obligation to purchase and pay for the Notes to be sold to such Purchaser at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to such Purchaser’s satisfaction, prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

Section 4.1.         Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Note Party in each Note Document to which it is a party shall be correct when made and at the Closing.

 

Section 4.2.         Performance; No Default. Each Note Party shall have performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in each Note Document to which it is a party required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing. Before and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.14), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Neither any Note Party nor any Subsidiary shall have entered into any transaction since the date of the Memorandum that would have been prohibited by Section 10 had such Section applied since such date.

 

Section 4.3.         Compliance Certificates.

 

(a)            Officer’s Certificate. Each Note Party shall have delivered to such Purchaser an Officer’s Certificate, dated the date of the Closing, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.9 have been fulfilled.

 

(b)            Secretary’s or Director’s Certificate. Each Note Party shall have delivered to such Purchaser a certificate of its Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Director or another appropriate person, dated the date of the Closing, certifying as to (i) the resolutions attached thereto and other corporate proceedings relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of each Note Document to which it is a party, and (ii) each Note Party’s organizational documents as then in effect.

 

Section 4.4.         Opinions of Counsel. Such Purchaser shall have received opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Purchaser, dated the date of the Closing (a) from Nixon Peabody LLP, U.S. special counsel for the Note Parties, substantially in the form set forth in Schedule 4.4(a), and covering such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as such Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request (and the Company hereby instructs its counsel to deliver such opinion to the Purchasers) and (b) from Chapman and Cutler LLP, the Purchasers’ special counsel, in connection with such transactions, substantially in the form set forth in Schedule 4.4(b) and covering such other matters incident to such transactions as such Purchaser may reasonably request.

 

Section 4.5.         Purchase Permitted By Applicable Law, Etc. On the date of the Closing such Purchaser’s purchase of Notes shall (a) be permitted by the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which such Purchaser is subject, without recourse to provisions (such as section 1405(a)(8) of the New York Insurance Law) permitting limited investments by insurance companies without restriction as to the character of the particular investment, (b) not violate any applicable law or regulation (including Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and (c) not subject such Purchaser to any tax, penalty or liability under or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, which law or regulation was not in effect on the date hereof. If requested by such Purchaser, such Purchaser shall have received an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to such matters of fact as such Purchaser may reasonably specify to enable such Purchaser to determine whether such purchase is so permitted.

 

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Section 4.6.         Sale of Other Notes. Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Company shall sell to each other Purchaser and each other Purchaser shall purchase the Notes to be purchased by it at the Closing as specified in the Purchaser Schedule.

 

Section 4.7.         Payment of Special Counsel Fees. Without limiting Section 15.1, the Company shall have paid on or before the Closing the reasonable fees, reasonable charges and reasonable disbursements of the Purchasers’ special counsel referred to in Section 4.4 to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least three Business Days prior to the Closing.

 

Section 4.8.         Private Placement Number. A Private Placement Number issued by Standard & Poor’s CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the SVO) shall have been obtained for the Notes.

 

Section 4.9.         Changes in Corporate Structure. None of the Note Parties shall have changed its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as applicable, or, except as reflected on Schedule 4.9, been a party to any merger or consolidation or succeeded to all or any substantial part of the liabilities of any other entity, at any time following the date of the most recent financial statements referred to in Schedule 5.5.

 

Section 4.10.       Funding Instructions. At least three Business Days prior to the date of the Closing, each Purchaser shall have received written instructions signed by a Responsible Officer on letterhead of the Company confirming the information specified in Section 3 including (i) the name and address of the transferee bank, (ii) such transferee bank’s ABA number/Swift Code/IBAN and (iii) the account name and number into which the purchase price for the Notes is to be deposited.

 

Section 4.11.       Subsidiary Guaranty. The Subsidiary Guaranty in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 1 hereto, shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Subsidiary Guarantor, shall constitute the legal, valid and binding contract and agreement of each Subsidiary Guarantor and each Purchaser shall have received a true, correct and complete copy thereof.

 

Section 4.12.       Proceedings and Documents. All corporate and other proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by each Note Document and all documents and instruments incident to such transactions shall be satisfactory to such Purchaser and its special counsel, and such Purchaser and its special counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as such Purchaser or such special counsel may reasonably request.

 

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Section 5.               Representations and Warranties of the Company.

 

The Company represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:

 

Section 5.1.         Organization; Power and Authority. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and, where applicable, is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has the corporate power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver each Note Document to which it is a party and to perform the provisions hereof and thereof.

 

Section 5.2.         Authorization, Etc. Each Note Document has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action on the part of each Note Party party thereto, and each Note Document constitutes, and upon execution and delivery thereof each Note (in the case of the Company) will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Note Party party thereto enforceable against such Note Party in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

Section 5.3.         Disclosure. The Company, through its agents, BofA Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, has delivered to each Purchaser a copy of a Private Placement Memorandum, dated November 4, 2019 (the “Memorandum”), relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Memorandum fairly describes, in all material respects, the general nature of the business and principal properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. This Agreement, the Memorandum, the financial statements listed in Schedule 5.5 and the documents, certificates or other writings delivered to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Company prior to November 25, 2019 in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and identified in Schedule 5.3 (this Agreement, the Memorandum, the Company’s public filings on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each delivered to each Purchaser prior to November 25, 2019 and such other documents, certificates or other writings, each delivered to each Purchaser prior to November 25, 2019 and such financial statements delivered to each Purchaser being referred to, collectively, as the “Disclosure Documents”), taken as a whole, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Documents, since December 31, 2018, there has been no change in the financial condition, operations, business or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary except changes that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no fact known to a Responsible Officer that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth herein or in the Disclosure Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein (including Section 5.5) or in any other Note Document, all projections and pro forma financial information delivered by or on behalf of the Company or any other Note Party or representative thereof are based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the management of the Company to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by each Purchaser and each other holder that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount.

 

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Section 5.4.         Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates. (a) Schedule 5.4 contains (except as noted therein) complete and correct lists of (i) the Company’s Subsidiaries, showing, as to each Subsidiary, the name thereof, the jurisdiction of its organization, and the percentage of shares of each class of its capital stock or similar equity interests outstanding owned by the Company and each other Subsidiary and whether such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor, and (ii) the Company’s directors and senior officers.

 

(b)            All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar Equity Interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.4 as being owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Company or another Subsidiary free and clear of any Lien that is prohibited by this Agreement.

 

(c)            Each Subsidiary is a corporation or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and, where applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other legal entity and, where applicable, is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each such Subsidiary has the corporate or other power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease and to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact.

 

(d)            No Subsidiary is subject to any legal, regulatory, contractual or other restriction (other than the agreements listed on Schedule 5.4 and customary limitations imposed by corporate law or similar statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions of profits to the Company or any Subsidiary that owns outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of such Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.5.         Financial Statements; Material Liabilities . The Company has delivered or has otherwise made available to each Purchaser copies of the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.5. All of such financial statements (including in each case the related schedules and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments). The Company and its Subsidiaries are not aware of any Material liabilities that are not disclosed on such financial statements or otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Documents except for any intercompany loans and obligations between other Subsidiaries that are eliminated in consolidation.

 

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Section 5.6.         Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by each Note Party of each Note Document to which it is a party will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of any Note Party or any Subsidiary under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, corporate charter, memorandum of association, articles of association, regulations or by-laws, shareholders agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which any Note Party or any Subsidiary is bound or by which any Note Party or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to any Note Party or any Subsidiary or (iii) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to any Note Party or any Subsidiary.

 

Section 5.7.         Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or the Notes, other than fillings that the Company may be required to make pursuant to the disclosure requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Section 5.8.         Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders. (a) There are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or any property of the Company or any Subsidiary in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Authority that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (i) in default under any agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound, (ii) in violation of any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court, any arbitrator of any kind or any Governmental Authority or (iii) in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws, the USA PATRIOT Act or any of the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16), which default or violation would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.9.         Taxes. (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.9, the Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all Material tax returns that are required to have been filed in any jurisdiction, and have paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments levied upon them or their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent, except for any taxes and assessments (i) the amount of which, individually or in the aggregate, is not Material or (ii) the amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. The Company knows of no basis for any other tax or assessment that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of U.S. federal, state or other taxes for all fiscal periods are adequate in all material respects. The U.S. federal income tax liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been finally determined (whether by reason of completed audits or the statute of limitations having run) for all fiscal years up to and including the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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(b)            The Company is not and will not be incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to article 9 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

 

(c)            Interest payments in connection with the Notes will not be subject to Swiss Withholding Tax.

 

Section 5.10.       Title to Property; Leases. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.10, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and sufficient title to their respective properties that individually or in the aggregate are Material, including all such properties reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to in Section 5.5 or purported to have been acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary after such date (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business), in each case free and clear of Liens prohibited by any Note Document. All leases that individually or in the aggregate are Material are valid and subsisting and are in full force and effect in all material respects.

 

Section 5.11.       Licenses, Permits, Etc. (a) The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess all licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, proprietary software, service marks, trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, that individually or in the aggregate are Material, without known conflict with the rights of others, except for any such conflicts that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            No product or service of the Company or any Subsidiary infringes in any material respect any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned by any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)            There is no Material violation by any Person of any right of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any license, permit, franchise, authorization, patent, copyright, proprietary software, service mark, trademark, trade name or other right owned or used by any Note Party or any Subsidiary except for any such violation that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.12.       Compliance with ERISA. (a)  The Company and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and administered each Plan in compliance with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to section 430(k) of the Code or to any such penalty or excise tax provisions under the Code or federal law or section 4068 of ERISA or by the granting of a security interest in connection with the amendment of a Plan, other than such liabilities or Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material.

 

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(b)            The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each of the Plans (other than Multiemployer Plans) that is funded, determined as of the end of such Plan’s most recently ended plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in such Plan’s most recent actuarial valuation report, did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The present value of the accrued benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Non-U.S. Plan that is funded, determined as of the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal year on the basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions, did not exceed the current value of the assets of such Non-U.S. Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities by more than $100,000,000. The term “benefit liabilities” has the meaning specified in section 4001 of ERISA and the terms “current value” and “present value” have the meaning specified in section 3 of ERISA.

 

(c)            The Company and its ERISA Affiliates have not incurred (i) withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are Material or (ii) any obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Non-U.S. Plan that individually or in the aggregate are Material.

 

(d)            The expected postretirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-60, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not Material.

 

(e)            The execution and delivery of each Note Document and the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code. The representation by the Company to each Purchaser in the first sentence of this Section 5.12(e) is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of such Purchaser’s representation in Section 6.2 as to the sources of the funds to be used to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser.

 

(f)            All Non-U.S. Plans have been established, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto, except where failure so to comply would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All premiums, contributions and any other amounts required by applicable Non-U.S. Plan documents or applicable laws to be paid or accrued by each Note Party and its Subsidiaries have been paid or accrued as required, except where failure so to pay or accrue would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.13.       Private Offering by the Company. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has offered the Notes or any similar Securities for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy the Notes or any similar Securities from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any Person other than the Purchasers and not more than 30 (thirty) other Institutional Investors, each of which has been offered the Notes at a private sale for investment. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes or the execution and delivery of the Subsidiary Guaranty to the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration requirements of any securities or blue sky laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

 

Section 5.14.       Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. (a) The Company will apply the proceeds of the sale of the Notes hereunder for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions not expressly prohibited by the Note Documents. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock in violation of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or trading in any Securities under such circumstances as to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220). Margin stock does not constitute more than 5% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Company does not have any present intention that margin stock will constitute more than 5% of the value of such assets. For the purposes of making the calculation pursuant to the preceding sentence, Treasury Stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries. As used in this Section, the terms “margin stock” and “purpose of buying or carrying” shall have the meanings assigned to them in said Regulation U.

 

(b)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall (x) on-lend or make available any proceeds from the Notes, directly or indirectly, to any member of the Company's group incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to article 9 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act or (y) otherwise use or make available proceeds from the Notes, directly or indirectly, in each case in a manner which would constitute a detrimental 'use of proceeds in Switzerland' (Mittelverwendung in der Schweiz) as interpreted by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration for purposes of Swiss Withholding Tax, unless and until such time as a written confirmation or countersigned tax ruling application from the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been obtained confirming, based on correct and up to date facts and circumstances, that such use of proceeds of any Notes is permitted without interest payments in connection with the Notes becoming subject to Swiss Withholding Tax.

 

Section 5.15.       Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens . (a) Except as described therein, Schedule 5.15 sets forth a complete and correct summary of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2019 (including descriptions of the obligors and obligees, principal amounts outstanding, any collateral therefor and any Guaranties thereof), since which date there has been no Material change in the amounts, interest rates, sinking funds, installment payments or maturities of the Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in any material respect and no waiver of default is currently in effect, in the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary and no event or condition exists with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would permit (or that with notice or the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.

 

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(b)            Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has agreed or consented to cause or permit any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness or to cause or permit in the future (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a Lien that secures Indebtedness, in any case, other than Liens permitted by Section 10.4.

 

(c)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or otherwise subject to any provision contained in, any instrument evidencing Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary, any agreement relating thereto or any other agreement (including its charter or any other organizational document) which limits the amount of, or otherwise imposes restrictions on the incurring of, Indebtedness of any Note Party, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15.

 

Section 5.16.       Foreign Assets Control Regulations, Etc. (a) Neither the Company nor any Controlled Entity (i) is a Blocked Person, (ii) has been notified in writing that its name appears or may in the future appear on a State Sanctions List or (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, is a target of sanctions that have been imposed by the United Nations, the European Union or Switzerland.

 

(b)            Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.16(b), neither the Company nor any Controlled Entity (i) has violated in any material respect, been found in Material violation of, or been charged or convicted under, any applicable Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws or (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for possible violation of any Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(c)            No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder:

 

(i)            constitutes or will constitute funds obtained on behalf of any Blocked Person or will otherwise be used by the Company or any Controlled Entity, directly or indirectly, (A) in connection with any investment in, or any transactions or dealings with, any Blocked Person except as reflected on Schedule 5.16(c), (B) for any purpose that would cause any Purchaser to be in violation in any material respect of any applicable Sanctions Laws or (C) otherwise in violation in any material respect of any applicable Sanctions Laws;

 

(ii)           will be used, directly or indirectly, in violation of, or cause any Purchaser to be in violation of, any applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws; or

 

  - 12 -  

 

 

(iii)          will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of making any improper payments, including bribes, to any Governmental Official or commercial counterparty in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in each case which would be in violation of, or cause any Purchaser to be in violation of, any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(d)            The Company has established policies and procedures which it reasonably believes are adequate (and otherwise comply in all material respects with applicable law) to ensure that the Company and each Controlled Entity is and will continue to be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Sanctions Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(e)            No representation shall be made with respect to any German Controlled Entity to the extent it would violate section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung), any provision of Council Regulation (EC) 2271/1996 or any similar applicable anti-boycott law or regulation binding on that German Controlled Entity.

 

Section 5.17.         Status under Certain Statutes. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, the ICC Termination Act of 1995, or the Federal Power Act.

 

Section 5.18.         Environmental Matters. (a) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has knowledge of any claim or has received any notice of any claim and no proceeding has been instituted asserting any claim against the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective real properties or other assets now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them, alleging any damage to the environment or violation of any Environmental Laws, except, in each case, such as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)            Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has knowledge of any facts which would give rise to any claim, public or private, of violation of Environmental Laws or damage to the environment emanating from, occurring on or in any way related to real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them or to other assets or their use, except, in each case, such as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)            Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has stored any Hazardous Materials on real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any of them in a manner which is contrary to any Environmental Law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)            Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has disposed of any Hazardous Materials in a manner which is contrary to any Environmental Law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)            All buildings on all real properties now owned, leased or operated by the Company or any Subsidiary are in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, except where failure to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  - 13 -  

 

 

Section 5.19.        Ranking of Obligations. The payment obligations of each Note Party under the Note Documents, and, with respect to the Company only, the Notes will, upon issuance of the Notes, rank at least pari passu, in right of payment without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of each Note Party, respectively.

 

Section 5.20.        Solvency. (a) As of the date hereof, the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

 

(b)            None of the Note Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries intend to, and each Note Party does not believe that it or any of their Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

 

Section 6.               Representations of the Purchasers.

 

Section 6.1.         Purchase for Investment. Each Purchaser severally represents that it is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of the Securities Act and is purchasing the Notes for its own account or for one or more separate accounts maintained by such Purchaser or for the account of one or more pension or trust funds and not with a view to the distribution thereof, provided that the disposition of such Purchaser’s or their property shall at all times be within such Purchaser’s or their control. Each Purchaser understands that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may be resold only if registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act or if an exemption from registration is available, except under circumstances where neither such registration nor such an exemption is required by law, and that the Company is not required to register the Notes.

 

Section 6.2.         Source of Funds. Each Purchaser severally represents that at least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source of funds (a “Source”) to be used by such Purchaser to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser hereunder:

 

(a)            the Source is an “insurance company general account” (as the term is defined in the United States Department of Labor’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption (“PTE”) 95-60) in respect of which the reserves and liabilities (as defined by the annual statement for life insurance companies approved by the NAIC (the “NAIC Annual Statement”)) for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any employee benefit plan together with the amount of the reserves and liabilities for the general account contract(s) held by or on behalf of any other employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer (or affiliate thereof as defined in PTE 95-60) or by the same employee organization in the general account do not exceed 10% of the total reserves and liabilities of the general account (exclusive of separate account liabilities) plus surplus as set forth in the NAIC Annual Statement filed with such Purchaser’s state of domicile; or

 

  - 14 -  

 

 

 

 

(b)            the Source is a separate account that is maintained solely in connection with such Purchaser’s fixed contractual obligations under which the amounts payable, or credited, to any employee benefit plan (or its related trust) that has any interest in such separate account (or to any participant or beneficiary of such plan (including any annuitant)) are not affected in any manner by the investment performance of the separate account; or

 

(c)            the Source is either (i) an insurance company pooled separate account, within the meaning of PTE 90-1 or (ii) a bank collective investment fund, within the meaning of the PTE 91-38 and, except as disclosed by such Purchaser to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (c), no employee benefit plan or group of plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization beneficially owns more than 10% of all assets allocated to such pooled separate account or collective investment fund; or

 

(d)            the Source constitutes assets of an “investment fund” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14 (the “QPAM Exemption”)) managed by a “qualified professional asset manager” or “QPAM” (within the meaning of Part VI of the QPAM Exemption), no employee benefit plan’s assets that are managed by the QPAM in such investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization and managed by such QPAM, represent more than 20% of the total client assets managed by such QPAM, the conditions of Part I(c) and (g) of the QPAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the QPAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the QPAM maintains an ownership interest in the Company that would cause the QPAM and the Company to be “related” within the meaning of Part VI(h) of the QPAM Exemption and (i) the identity of such QPAM and (ii) the names of any employee benefit plans whose assets in the investment fund, when combined with the assets of all other employee benefit plans established or maintained by the same employer or by an affiliate (within the meaning of Part VI(c)(1) of the QPAM Exemption) of such employer or by the same employee organization, represent 10% or more of the assets of such investment fund, have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (d); or

 

(e)            the Source constitutes assets of a “plan(s)” (within the meaning of Part IV(h) of PTE 96-23 (the “INHAM Exemption”)) managed by an “in-house asset manager” or “INHAM” (within the meaning of Part IV(a) of the INHAM Exemption), the conditions of Part I(a), (g) and (h) of the INHAM Exemption are satisfied, neither the INHAM nor a person controlling or controlled by the INHAM (applying the definition of “control” in Part IV(d)(3) of the INHAM Exemption) owns a 10% or more interest in the Company and (i) the identity of such INHAM and (ii) the name(s) of the employee benefit plan(s) whose assets constitute the Source have been disclosed to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (e); or

 

(f)            the Source is a governmental plan; or

 

  - 15 -  

 

 

(g)            the Source is one or more employee benefit plans, or a separate account or trust fund comprised of one or more employee benefit plans, each of which has been identified to the Company in writing pursuant to this clause (g); or

 

(h)            the Source does not include assets of any employee benefit plan, other than a plan exempt from the coverage of ERISA.

 

As used in this Section 6.2, the terms “employee benefit plan,” “governmental plan,” and “separate account” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA.

 

Section 7.               Information as to Company

 

Section 7.1.           Financial and Business Information. The Company shall deliver to each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor (and for purposes of this Agreement the information required by this Section 7.1 shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery of such information in the English language or the date of delivery of an English translation thereof):

 

(a)            Interim Statements —within 45 days (or such shorter period as is the date that is 15 days greater than the period applicable to the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Form 10-Q”) with the SEC so long as the Company is subject to the filing requirements thereof and giving effect to any automatic extension available thereunder for the filing of such form) after the end of each quarterly fiscal period in each fiscal year of the Company (other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year), duplicate copies of,

 

(i)            an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal period, and

 

(ii)           unaudited consolidated statements of income, operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal period and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter,

 

setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to interim financial statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries being reported on and their results of operations and cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments;

 

(b)            Annual Statements —within 90 days (or such shorter period as is the date that is 15 days greater than the period applicable to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) with the SEC so long as the Company is subject to the filing requirements thereof and giving effect to any automatic extension available thereunder for the filing of such form) after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, duplicate copies of

 

  - 16 -  

 

 

(i)            a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and

 

(ii)           consolidated statements of income, operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such year,

 

setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by an opinion thereon (without a “going concern” or similar qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of the audit on which such opinion is based) of an independent public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which opinion shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries being reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the examination of such accountants in connection with such financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable basis for such opinion in the circumstances;

 

(c)            SEC and Other Reports —promptly upon their becoming available, one copy of (i) each Material financial statement, report, notice, proxy statement or similar document sent by the Company to its public securities holders generally (other than any filings described in Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b)), and (ii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement (without exhibits except as expressly requested in writing by such holder), and each prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by the Company with the SEC and of all press releases and other statements made available generally by any Note Party or any Subsidiary to the public concerning developments that are Material;

 

(d)            Notice of Default or Event of Default — promptly, and in any event within 7 Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any written notice or taken any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in Section 11(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(e)            Employee Benefits Matters — promptly, and in any event within 7 Business Days after a Responsible Officer becoming aware of any of the following, a written notice setting forth the nature thereof and the action, if any, that any Note Party or an ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto:

 

  - 17 -  

 

 

(i)            with respect to any Plan, any reportable event, as defined in section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, for which notice thereof has not been waived pursuant to such regulations as in effect on the date hereof;

 

(ii)           the taking by the PBGC of steps to institute, or the threatening by the PBGC of the institution of, proceedings under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or the receipt by any Note Party or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multiemployer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan;

 

(iii)          any event, transaction or condition that could result in the incurrence of any liability by any Note Party or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of any Note Party or any ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or such penalty or excise tax provisions, if such liability or Lien, taken together with any other such liabilities or Liens then existing, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(iv)          receipt of notice of the imposition of a Material financial penalty (which for this purpose shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans;

 

(f)            Notices from Governmental Authority — promptly, and in any event within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any written notice to any Note Party or any Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling, statute or other law or regulation that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(g)            Resignation or Replacement of Auditors — within 10 days following the date on which the Company’s auditors resign or the Company elects to change auditors, as the case may be, notification thereof, together with such further information as the Required Holders may reasonably request; provided that the filing by the Company of a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC regarding such resignation or change shall be deemed to constitute notification pursuant to this clause (g); and

 

(h)            Requested Information — with reasonable promptness, such other data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of any Note Party or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) (including electronic copies of the Company’s Form 10-Q and 10-K) or relating to the ability of any Note Party to perform its obligations hereunder and under each Note Document as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such holder of a Note, including information readily available to any Note Party explaining the Company’s financial statements if such information has been requested in writing by the SVO in order to assign or maintain a designation of the Notes; provided that the Company will not be required to provide any information (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective customers or suppliers, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to any holder of a Note (or any of its respective representatives) is prohibited by applicable law or (iii) the revelation of which would violate any confidentiality obligations owed to any third party by the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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Section 7.2.         Officer’s Certificate. Each set of financial statements delivered to a holder of a Note pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer:

 

(a)            Covenant Compliance — setting forth the information from such financial statements that is required in order to establish whether the Company was in compliance with the requirements of Section 10 during the quarterly or annual period covered by the financial statements then being furnished (including with respect to each such provision that involves mathematical calculations, the information from such financial statements that is required to perform such calculations), and detailed calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such Section, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in existence. In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary has made an election to measure any financial liability using fair value (which election is being disregarded for purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement pursuant to Section 22.2) as to the period covered by any such financial statement, such Senior Financial Officer’s certificate as to such period shall include a reconciliation from GAAP with respect to such election;

 

(b)            Event of Default — certifying that such Senior Financial Officer has reviewed the relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries from the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such condition or event existed or exists (including any such event or condition resulting from the failure of the Company or any Subsidiary to comply with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action the Company shall have taken or proposes to take with respect thereto; and

 

(c)            Subsidiary Guarantors – setting forth a list of all Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors and certifying that each Subsidiary that is required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.7 is a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, as of the date of such certificate of Senior Financial Officer.

 

Section 7.3.         Visitation. The Company shall permit the representatives of each holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor:

 

(a)            No Default — if no Default or Event of Default then exists, at the reasonable expense of such holder and upon reasonable prior written notice to the Company, to visit the principal executive office of the Company, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries with the Company’s officers, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) its independent public accountants, and (with the consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) to visit the other offices and properties of the Company and each Subsidiary, all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested in writing and not more than twice per fiscal year of the Company; and

 

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(b)            Default — if a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the reasonable expense of the Company and upon reasonable prior written notice to the Company, to visit and inspect any of the offices or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, to examine all their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers and independent public accountants (and by this provision the Company authorizes said accountants to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries), all at such times and as often as may be requested during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, as applicable.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.3 or in any Subsidiary Guaranty, none of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making of copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter (a) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information (in each case, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), (b) in respect of which disclosure to any holder (or any of their respective representatives) is prohibited by any law or any binding contractual agreement or (c) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

 

Section 7.4.         Electronic Delivery. Financial statements, reports or opinions of independent public accounting firms, other information and Officer’s Certificates that are required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) and Section 7.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if the Company satisfies any of the following requirements with respect thereto:

 

(a)            such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or (b) and related Officer’s Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are delivered to each holder of a Note by e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in such holder’s Purchaser Schedule or as communicated from time to time in a separate writing delivered to the Company;

 

(b)            the Company shall have filed such Form 10–Q or Form 10–K, satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b), as the case may be, with the SEC on EDGAR or shall have made such form available on its home page on the internet, which is located at http://www.bruker.com as of the date of this Agreement, and shall have delivered the related Officer’s Certificate satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 to the applicable holders by e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in such holder’s Purchaser Schedule or as communicated from time to time in a separate writing delivered to the Company;

 

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(c)            such financial statements satisfying the requirements of Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(b) and related Officer’s Certificate(s) satisfying the requirements of Section 7.2 and any other information required under Section 7.1(c) are posted by or on behalf of the Company on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access; or

 

(d)            the Company shall have filed any of the items referred to in Section 7.1(c) with the SEC on EDGAR or shall have made such items available on its home page on the internet or on IntraLinks or on any other similar website to which each holder of Notes has free access;

 

provided however, that in no case shall access to such financial statements, other information and Officer’s Certificates be conditioned upon any waiver or other agreement or consent (other than confidentiality provisions consistent with Section 20 of this Agreement).

 

Section 8.                Payment and Prepayment of the Notes.

 

Section 8.1.         Maturity. As provided therein, the entire unpaid principal balance of each Note shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date thereof.

 

Section 8.2.         Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount. The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes, in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding in the case of a partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, and the Make-Whole Amount, plus any applicable Swap Breakage Loss, if any, with respect to any Swapped Note and, subject to Section 8.7, less any applicable Swap Breakage Gain, if any, with respect to any Swapped Note, determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment unless the Company and the Required Holders agree to another time period pursuant to Section 17. Each such notice shall specify such date (which shall be a Business Day), the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.3), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid, and shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer as to the estimated Make-Whole Amount due in connection with such prepayment (calculated as if the date of such notice were the date of the prepayment), setting forth the details of such computation. Two Business Days prior to such prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer specifying the calculation of such Make-Whole Amount as of the specified prepayment date.

 

Section 8.3.         Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.

 

  - 21 -  

 

 

Section 8.4.         Maturity; Surrender, Etc.         In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any, plus any applicable Swap Breakage Loss, if any, with respect to any Swapped Note, and less, subject to Section 8.7, any applicable Swap Breakage Gain, if any, with respect to any Swapped Note. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, plus any applicable Swap Breakage Loss, if any, with respect to any Swapped Note and, subject to Section 8.7, less any applicable Swap Breakage Gain, if any, with respect to any Swapped Note, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.

 

Section 8.5.         Purchase of Notes. The Company will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except (a) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes or (b) pursuant to an offer to purchase made by the Company or an Affiliate pro rata to the holders of all Notes at the time outstanding upon the same terms and conditions. Any such offer shall provide each holder with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to such offer, and shall remain open for at least 15 Business Days. If the holders of more than 51% of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding accept such offer, the Company shall promptly notify the remaining holders of such fact and the expiration date for the acceptance by holders of Notes of such offer shall be extended by the number of days necessary to give each such remaining holder at least 10 Business Days from its receipt of such notice to accept such offer. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment, prepayment or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.

 

Section 8.6.         Make-Whole Amount.

 

(a)            Make-Whole Amount with respect to Non-Swapped Notes.

 

The term “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note over the amount of such Called Principal, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount and in respect of any Non-Swapped Note shall be made in Swiss Francs. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount with respect to any Non-Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“Applicable Percentage” in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount for any purpose means 0.50% (50 basis points).

 

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“Called Principal” means the principal of such Non-Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

“Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Non-Swapped Note is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.

 

“Non-Swapped Note” means any Note other than a Swapped Note.

 

“Recognized Swiss Government Bond Market Makers” means internationally recognized dealers of Swiss government bonds selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Non-Swapped Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Non-Swapped Notes then owned by any Note Party or any of their Affiliates).

 

“Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note, the sum of (x) the Applicable Percentage plus (y) the yield to maturity implied by the “Ask Yield(s)” reported as of 10:00 a.m. (London time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as “Page 0#CHBMK” (or such other display as may replace Page 0#CHBMK) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run Swiss Government bonds (“Reported”) having a maturity equal to Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. If there are no such Swiss Government bonds Reported having a maturity equal to such Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting Swiss Government bond quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the “Ask Yields” Reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run Swiss Government bonds with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.

 

If such yields are not Reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then “Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Called Principal of such Non-Swapped Note, the average of the yields for such Swiss Government bonds having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date as reported by two Recognized Swiss Government Bond Market Makers. If there are no such Swiss Government bonds having a term equal to such Remaining Average Life, such implied yield will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the applicable Swiss Government bonds with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the applicable Swiss Government bonds with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of such Non-Swapped Note.

 

  - 23 -  

 

 

“Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date, provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of such Non-Swapped Note, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Non-Swapped Note Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 12.1.

 

“Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Non-Swapped Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

(b)            Make-Whole Amount with respect to Swapped Notes.

 

The terms “Make-Whole Amount” means, with respect to any Swapped Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Swapped Note Discounted Value of the Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount related to such Swapped Note over such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. All payments of Make-Whole Amount in respect of any Swapped Note shall be made in Dollars. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount and/or, as applicable, the Swap Breakage Amount with respect to any Swapped Note, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“New Swap Agreement” means any cross-currency swap agreement (which does not qualify as a Replacement Swap Agreement) pursuant to which the holder of a Swapped Note is to receive payment in Dollars and which is entered into in full or partial replacement of an Original Swap Agreement as a result of such Original Swap Agreement having terminated for any reason. The terms of a New Swap Agreement with respect to any Swapped Note do not have to be identical to those of the Original Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into or terminates a New Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated swap description describing the confirmation or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation or termination related thereto.

 

  - 24 -  

 

 

“Original Swap Agreement” means, with respect to any Swapped Note, (x) a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto (an “Initial Swap Agreement”) that is entered into on an arm’s length basis by the original Purchaser of such Swapped Note (or any affiliate thereof) in connection with the execution of this Agreement and the purchase of such Swapped Note and relates to the scheduled payments by the Company of interest and principal on such Swapped Note, under which the Purchaser of such Swapped Note is to receive payments from the counterparty thereunder in Dollars and which is more particularly described in the swap descriptions delivered by such original Purchasers to the Company on or before the issuance of such Swapped Note, (y) any Initial Swap Agreement that has been assumed (without any waiver, amendment, deletion or replacement of any Material economic term or provision thereof) by a holder of a Swapped Note in connection with a transfer of such Swapped Note and (z) any Replacement Swap Agreement; and a “Replacement Swap Agreement” means, with respect to any Swapped Note, a cross-currency swap agreement and annexes and schedules thereto with payment terms and provisions (other than a reduction in notional amount, if applicable) identical to those of the Initial Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note that is entered into on an arm’s length basis by the holder of such Swapped Note in full or partial replacement (by amendment, modification or otherwise) of such Initial Swap Agreement (or any subsequent Replacement Swap Agreement) in a notional amount not exceeding the outstanding principal amount of such Swapped Note following a non-scheduled partial prepayment or a partial repayment or purchase of such Swapped Note prior to its scheduled maturity or an acceleration and rescission thereof of such Swapped Note as provided in Section 12.3. Any holder of a Swapped Note that enters into, assumes or terminates an Initial Swap Agreement or Replacement Swap Agreement shall within a reasonable period of time thereafter deliver to the Company (i) an updated swap description describing the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto or (ii) a copy of the confirmation, assumption or termination related thereto.

 

“Swap Agreement” means, with respect to any Swapped Note, an Original Swap Agreement or a New Swap Agreement, as the case may be.

 

“Swapped Note” means any Note that as of the date of the Closing is subject to a Swap Agreement. A “Swapped Note” shall no longer be deemed a “Swapped Note” for so long as the related Swap Agreement ceases to be in force in respect thereof; provided that if there is any Note that is a Swapped Note outstanding as of the date on which either the Company has provided notice of prepayment or offer of prepayment or purchase of such Note pursuant to Section 8 or such Swapped Note has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, then such Note shall be deemed to be a Swapped Note until payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount (if any) and Swap Breakage Amount due with respect to such Note.

 

“Swapped Note Applicable Percentage” means in the case of a computation of the Make-Whole Amount means 0.50% (50 basis points).

 

  - 25 -  

 

 

“Swapped Note Called Notional Amount” means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the payment in Dollars due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party, attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date, provided that if such Swap Agreement is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the “Swapped Note Called Notional Amount” in respect of such Swapped Note shall not exceed the amount in Dollars which would have been due to the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement to which such holder was a party (or if such holder was never party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of such Swapped Note was a party), attributable to and in exchange for such Swapped Note Called Principal and assuming that such Swapped Note Called Principal is paid on its scheduled payment date.

 

“Swapped Note Called Principal” means, with respect to any Swapped Note, the principal of such Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

“Swapped Note Discounted Value” means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires, the amount obtained by discounting all Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments corresponding to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of such Swapped Note from their respective scheduled due dates to the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on such Swapped Note is payable) equal to the Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount.

 

“Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note, the sum of (x) the Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (y) the yield to maturity implied by the “Ask Yield(s)” reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, on the display designated as “Page PXGE”(or such other display as may replace Page PXGE) on Bloomberg Financial Markets for the most recently issued actively traded on the run U.S. Treasury securities (“Reported”) having a maturity equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there are no such U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, then such implied yield to maturity will be determined by (a) converting U.S. Treasury securities quotations to bond equivalent yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between the “Ask Yields” Reported for the applicable most recently issued actively traded on-the-run U.S. Treasury securities with the maturities (1) closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.

 

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If such yields are not Reported or the yields Reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), then “Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield” means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note, the sum of the (x) Swapped Note Applicable Percentage plus (y) the yield to maturity implied by the U.S. Treasury constant maturity yields reported for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or any comparable successor publication) for the U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to the Swapped Note Remaining Average Life of such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount as of such Swapped Note Settlement Date. If there is no such U.S. Treasury constant maturity having a term equal to such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life, such implied yield to maturity will be determined by interpolating linearly between (1) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and greater than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life and (2) the U.S. Treasury constant maturity so reported with the term closest to and less than such Swapped Note Remaining Average Life. The Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Swapped Note.

 

“Swapped Note Remaining Average Life” means, with respect to any Swapped Note Called Notional Amount, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount by (b) the number of years, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and calculated to two decimal places, that will elapse between the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and the scheduled due date of such Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payment.

 

“Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments” means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount relating to any Swapped Note, the payments due to the holder of such Swapped Note in Dollars under the terms of the Swap Agreement to which such holder is a party which correspond to all payments of the Swapped Note Called Principal of such Swapped Note corresponding to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount and interest on such Swapped Note Called Principal (other than that portion of the payment due under such Swap Agreement corresponding to the interest accrued on the Swapped Note Called Principal to the Swapped Note Settlement Date) that would be due after the Swapped Note Settlement Date with respect to such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount assuming that no payment of such Swapped Note Called Principal is made prior to its originally scheduled payment date, provided that (i) if such Swapped Note Settlement Date is not a date on which an interest payment is due to be made under the terms of such Swapped Note, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Swapped Note Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Swapped Note Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.2, Section 8.3 or Section 12.1 and (ii) if the Swap Agreement with respect to such Swapped Note is not an Original Swap Agreement, then the interest on such Swapped Note Called Notional Amount shall not exceed the amount in Dollars that would have been due with respect to such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement.

 

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“Swapped Note Settlement Date” means, with respect to the Swapped Note Called Notional Amount of any Swapped Note Called Principal of any Swapped Note, the date on which such Swapped Note Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.2 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.

 

Section 8.7.         Swap Breakage. (a) If any Swapped Note is prepaid or purchased pursuant to Section 8.2, or 8.5, 8.8 or 10.5 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 (each a “Swap Unwind Event”), then upon any such Swap Unwind Event (i) any resulting Swap Breakage Loss in connection therewith shall be reimbursed to the holder of such Swapped Note by the Company in Dollars no later than five Business Days after the date such holder has delivered the Swap Breakage Amount Notice with respect to such Swap Unwind Event and (ii) any resulting Swap Breakage Gain in connection therewith shall be forwarded to the Company by the holder of such Swapped Note in Dollars no later than five Business Days after the date such holder shall have received payment in full of the principal, interest and Make-Whole Amount (if any) due hereunder with respect to such Swap Unwind Event, in each case unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and the holder of a Swapped Note. Each holder of a Swapped Note shall be responsible for calculating its own Swap Breakage Amount in Dollars in connection with any Swap Unwind Event, and such calculations shall (unless alternative arrangements are otherwise agreed between the Company and such holder of a Swapped Note) promptly, but no longer than two Business Days following such Swap Unwind Event, be reported to the Company in writing and in reasonable detail (the “Swap Breakage Amount Notice”) and shall be binding on the Company absent demonstrable error.

 

(b)            As used in this Section 8.7, “Swap Breakage Amount” means, with respect to the Swap Agreement associated with any Swapped Note, the amount that is received (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the “Swap Breakage Gain”) or paid (in which case the Swap Breakage Amount shall be referred to as the “Swap Breakage Loss”) by the holder of such Swapped Note in connection with a termination or amendment of its Swap Agreement resulting from a Swap Unwind Event, where:

 

(i)            such Swap Breakage Amount shall be calculated upon the inclusion of an accelerated exchange and payment of principal amounts and associated accrued and unpaid interest, whereby in connection with and incorporated into the termination or amendment of the Swap Agreement and determination of the Swap Breakage Amount, all remaining associated principal payments otherwise scheduled through the natural duration of the Swap Agreement and associated accrued and unpaid interest shall be accelerated and made (in their respective applicable currencies) at the time of the settlement of such termination or amendment (or, in the case of a Swap Unwind Event resulting from a Swapped Note becoming or being declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as if such remaining associated principal payments and associated accrued and unpaid interest had been accelerated and made at the time of the settlement of such termination); and

 

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(ii)            the holder of such Swapped Note shall determine such Swap Breakage Amount in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner in accordance with customary practices for calculating such amounts under the ISDA 1992 Multi-Currency Cross Border Master Agreement or ISDA 2002 Master Agreement, as applicable (the “ISDA Master Agreement”) pursuant to which such holder entered into such Swap Agreement and assuming for the purpose of such calculation that there are no transactions outstanding under such ISDA Master Agreement other than such Swap Agreement,

 

provided, however, that if such holder (or its predecessor-in-interest with respect to such Swapped Note) was, but is not at the time, a party to an Original Swap Agreement but is a party to a New Swap Agreement, then the Swap Breakage Amount shall mean the lesser of (x) the Swap Breakage Amount that would have been received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the Original Swap Agreement (if any) in respect of such Swapped Note to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) was a party (or if such holder was never a party to an Original Swap Agreement, then the last Original Swap Agreement to which the most recent predecessor in interest to such holder as a holder of a Swapped Note was a party) and (y) the Swap Breakage Amount actually received or paid by the holder of such Swapped Note under the terms of the New Swap Agreement to which such holder (or any affiliate thereof) is a party.

 

(c)            The Swap Breakage Amount shall be payable in Dollars.

 

Section 8.8.         Change in Control Prepayment Offer.

 

(a)            Notice of Change in Control or Control Event. The Company will, within 15 Business Days after any Responsible Officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Change in Control or Control Event, give written notice of such Change in Control or Control Event to each holder of Notes. In the case that a Change in Control has occurred, such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay Notes as described in subparagraph (b) of this Section 8.8 and shall be accompanied by the certificate described in subparagraph (e) of this Section 8.8.

 

(b)            Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes contemplated by subparagraph (a) of this Section 8.8 shall be an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this Section 8.8, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only, “holder” in respect of any Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on a date specified in such offer (the “Proposed Prepayment Date”) that is not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days after the date of such offer (if the Proposed Prepayment Date shall not be specified in such offer, the Proposed Prepayment Date shall be the 30th day after the date of such offer).

 

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(c)            Acceptance; Rejection. A holder of Notes may accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.8 by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the Company at least 20 days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date. If the holders of more than 35% of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding accept such offer, the Company at least 7 Business Days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date shall give written notice to each holder of Notes that has not so accepted the offer, in which notice the Company shall (i) state the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Notes in respect of which the offer has been accepted and (ii) renew the offer and extend the time for acceptance by stating that any holder of Notes may yet accept the offer, whether theretofore rejected or not, by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the Company at least 5 Business Days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.8 shall be deemed to constitute a rejection of such offer by such holder.

 

(d)            Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.8 shall be at 100% of the principal amount of such Notes at par (without any make-whole, premium, penalty, or Make-Whole Amount whatsoever or howsoever described) together with interest accrued thereon to the prepayment date selected by the Company plus any applicable Swap Breakage Loss with respect to any Swapped Note (and, subject to Section 8.7, less any applicable Swap Breakage Gain with respect to any Swapped Note). On the Business Day preceding the date of prepayment, the Company shall deliver to each holder of Notes being prepaid a statement showing the amount due in connection with such prepayment and setting forth the details of the computation of such amount. The prepayment shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date.

 

(e)            Officer’s Certificate. Each offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.8 shall be accompanied by a certificate, executed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Company and dated the date of such offer, specifying: (i) the Proposed Prepayment Date; (ii) that such offer is made pursuant to this Section 8.8; (iii) the principal amount of each Note offered to be prepaid; (iv) the interest that would be due on each Note offered to be prepaid, accrued to the Proposed Prepayment Date; (v) that the conditions of this Section 8.8 have been fulfilled; and (vi) in reasonable detail, the nature and date of the Change in Control.

 

(g)            “Change in Control” Definition. “Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) other than any Laukien Family Member, of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group; (d) the occurrence of a change in control, or other similar provision, as defined in any agreement or instrument evidencing any Material Indebtedness (triggering a default or mandatory prepayment, which default or mandatory prepayment has not been waived in writing); or (e) the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, and Control 100% (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of the ordinary voting and economic power of any Subsidiary Guarantor. As used herein, “Laukien Family Member” shall mean any one or more of the following individuals: Frank Laukien, Dirk Laukien, Isolde Laukien and Joerg Laukien.

 

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(h)            “Control Event” Definition. “Control Event” means:

 

(i)            the execution by any Note Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliates thereof of any binding definitive contract or agreement with respect to any proposed transaction or event or series of transactions or events which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Change in Control,

 

(ii)            the execution of any written agreement which, when fully performed by the parties thereto, would result in a Change in Control, or

 

(iii)            the making of any written offer by any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d) and Section 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date of the Closing) or related persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date of the Closing) to the holders of the common stock of the Company, which offer, if accepted by the requisite number of holders, would result in a Change in Control.

 

Section 8.9.         Payments Due on Non-Business Days. Anything in the Note Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, (x) except as set forth in clause (y), any payment of interest on any Note that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; and (y) any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss on any Note (including principal due on the Maturity Date of such Note) that is due on a date that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.

 

Section 9.              Affirmative Covenants.

 

The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

 

Section 9.1.         Compliance with Laws. Without limiting Section 10.9 and subject to Schedule 5.16(c), the Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations to which each of them is subject (including ERISA, Environmental Laws, the USA PATRIOT Act and the other laws and regulations that are referred to in Section 5.16), and will obtain and maintain in effect all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations necessary to the ownership of their respective properties or to the conduct of their respective businesses, in each case to the extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance with such laws, ordinances or governmental rules or regulations or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 9.2.         Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers, insurance with respect to their respective properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies, of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated except for any non-maintenance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 9.3.         Maintenance of Properties. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, their respective properties in good repair, working order and condition (other than ordinary wear and tear), so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times, provided that this Section 9.3 shall not prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from discontinuing the operation and the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of its business and the Company has concluded that such discontinuance would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 9.4.         Payment of Taxes and Claims. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, file all Material tax returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction and to pay and discharge all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes, assessments, governmental charges, or levies imposed on them or any of their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent the same have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent and all claims for which sums have become due and payable that have or might become a Lien on properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary not permitted by Section 10.4, provided that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary need pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim if (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Company or such Subsidiary on a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and the Company or such Subsidiary has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP on the books of the Company or such Subsidiary or (ii) the nonpayment of all such taxes, assessments, charges, levies and claims would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 9.5.         Corporate Existence, Etc. Subject to Section 10.6, the Company will at all times preserve and keep its corporate existence in full force and effect. Subject to Sections 10.5 and 10.6, the Company will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect the corporate existence of each of its Subsidiaries (unless merged, liquidated or integrated into the Company or a Subsidiary) and all rights and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries unless, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the termination of or failure to preserve and keep in full force and effect such corporate existence, right or franchise would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section  9.6.        Books and Records. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries (other than Immaterial Subsidiaries) to, keep proper books of record and account from which financial statements may be prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in any event, consistent with the Company’s (or such Subsidiary’s, as the case may be) past practice or changes in such practice necessary to meet the requirements of GAAP. The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep books, records and accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately reflect all Material transactions and Material dispositions of assets. The Company and its Subsidiaries have devised a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that their respective books, records, and accounts accurately reflect all Material transactions and Material dispositions of assets and the Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, continue to maintain such system.

 

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Section 9.7.         Subsidiary Guarantors. (a) The Company will cause each of their Subsidiaries that guarantees or otherwise becomes liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of any Indebtedness under any Material Credit Facility to concurrently therewith:

 

(i)            enter into an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 or in form and substance satisfactory to the Required Holders providing for the guaranty by such Subsidiary, on a joint and several basis with all other such Subsidiaries, of (x) the prompt payment in full when due of all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to the Notes (whether for principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss or otherwise) and this Agreement, including all indemnities, fees and expenses payable by the Company thereunder and (y) the prompt, full and faithful performance, observance and discharge by the Company of each and every covenant, agreement, undertaking and provision required pursuant to the Notes or this Agreement to be performed, observed or discharged by it (a “Subsidiary Guaranty”); and

 

(ii)            deliver the following to each holder of a Note:

 

(A)            an executed counterpart of such Subsidiary Guaranty;

 

(B)            a certificate signed by an authorized responsible officer of such Subsidiary containing representations and warranties on behalf of such Subsidiary to the same effect, mutatis mutandis, as those contained in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17 and 5.18 of this Agreement (but with respect to such Subsidiary and such Subsidiary Guaranty rather than the Company);

 

(C)            all documents as may be reasonably requested by the Required Holders to evidence the due organization, continuing existence and, where applicable, good standing of such Subsidiary and the due authorization by all requisite action on the part of such Subsidiary of the execution and delivery of such Subsidiary Guaranty and the performance by such Subsidiary of its obligations thereunder; and

 

(D)            an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, to the effect that the Subsidiary Guaranty executed by such Person has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary Guarantor and that such Subsidiary Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding agreement of such person enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

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provided, that notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 9.7(a) to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to (but may in its sole discretion) require any Foreign Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of this Agreement and the Notes to the extent (x) such Foreign Subsidiary’s obligations under all Material Credit Facilities consist solely of direct borrowings solely to such Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Borrowing”) or guaranties of a Foreign Borrowing by another Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Guarantee”) and (y) such Foreign Subsidiary does not guarantee or otherwise become liable at any time, whether as a borrower or an additional or co-borrower or otherwise, for or in respect of Indebtedness of the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary under any Material Credit Facility. For all purposes of this Agreement, all Foreign Borrowings and Foreign Guarantees of any Foreign Subsidiary shall constitute Priority Debt so long as such Foreign Subsidiary is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of this Agreement and Notes.

 

(b)            At the election of the Company and by written notice to each holder of Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantor that has provided a Subsidiary Guaranty under subparagraph (a) of this Section 9.7 may be discharged from all of its obligations and liabilities under its Subsidiary Guaranty and shall be automatically released from its obligations thereunder without the need for the execution or delivery of any other document by the holders, provided that (i) if such Subsidiary Guarantor is a guarantor or is otherwise liable for or in respect of any Material Credit Facility, then such Subsidiary Guarantor has been released and discharged (or will be released and discharged concurrently with the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guaranty) under such Material Credit Facility, (ii) at the time of, and after giving effect to, such release and discharge, no Default or Event of Default shall be existing, (iii) no amount is then due and payable under such Subsidiary Guaranty, (iv) if in connection with such Subsidiary Guarantor being released and discharged under any Material Credit Facility, any fee or other form of consideration is given to any holder of Indebtedness under such Material Credit Facility for such release, the holders of the Notes shall receive equivalent consideration substantially concurrently therewith and (v) each holder shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying as to the matters set forth in clauses (i) through (iv). In the event of any such release, for purposes of Section 10.3, all Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been incurred concurrently with such release.

 

Section 9.8.         Priority of Obligations. Each Note Party will ensure that its payment obligations under each Note Document, will at all times rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of each Note Party, as applicable.

 

Section 9.9.         Restriction on Use of Proceeds of the Notes in Switzerland. The Company shall (and shall ensure that each Subsidiary will) ensure that no proceeds of any Note (x) be on-lent or made available, directly or indirectly, to any member of the Company's group incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to article 9 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act or (y) will otherwise be used or made available, directly or indirectly, in each case in a manner which would constitute a detrimental 'use of proceeds in Switzerland' (Mittelverwendung in der Schweiz) as interpreted by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration for purposes of Swiss Withholding Tax, unless and until such time as a written confirmation or countersigned tax ruling application from the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been obtained confirming, based on correct and up to date facts and circumstances, that such use of proceeds of any Notes is permitted without interest payments under the Notes becoming subject to Swiss Withholding Tax.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 10.        Negative Covenants.

 

The Company covenants that so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:

 

Section 10.1.         Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Company will not permit the ratio (the “Leverage Ratio”), determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after the date of this Agreement, of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (the “Stated Ratio”); provided, however, at the Company’s election upon written notice given promptly to each holder of Notes, as of the last day of each of the four consecutive fiscal quarters immediately following a Material Acquisition, the Company may increase the Leverage Ratio by 0.50x above the Stated Ratio (the “Adjusted Leverage Ratio”), provided, further, that the Adjusted Leverage Ratio (i) shall step down by 0.25x after two (2) full fiscal quarters following the date of such Material Acquisition and (ii) shall return to the otherwise Stated Ratio after four (4) full fiscal quarters following the date of such Material Acquisition; provided further that in no event may the Leverage Ratio be greater than 3.50 to 1.00 following a Material Acquisition on more than three separate occasions during the term of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.2.         Interest Coverage Ratio. The Company will not permit the ratio of Consolidated EBIT to Consolidated Interest Expense for each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (calculated as at the end of each fiscal quarter for the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended) to be less than 2.50 to 1.00.

 

Section 10.3.         Priority Debt. The Company will not at any time permit the aggregate amount of all Priority Debt to exceed 15% of Consolidated Total Assets (Consolidated Total Assets to be determined as of the end of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company).

 

Section 10.4.         Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or permit to exist (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of the Company or any such Subsidiary, whether now owned or held or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income or profits, except:

 

(a)      Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that are not yet due and payable or the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 9.4;

 

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(b)      any attachment or judgment Lien, unless the judgment it secures shall not, within 60 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall not have been discharged within 60 days after the expiration of any such stay;

 

(c)      Liens incidental to the conduct of business or the ownership of properties and assets (including landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s and other similar Liens for sums not yet due and payable) and Liens to secure the performance of bids, tenders, leases, or trade contracts, or to secure statutory obligations (including obligations under workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation), surety or appeal bonds or other Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

 

(d)      leases or subleases granted to others, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances, in each case incidental to the ownership of property or assets or the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or Liens incidental to minor survey exceptions and the like, provided that such Liens do not, in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of such property;

 

(e)      Liens securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary to the Company or to any Note Party;

 

(f)       Liens existing as of the date of this Agreement and reflected in Schedule 10.4;

 

(g)      Liens incurred after the date of this Agreement given to secure the payment of the purchase price incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction or improvement of property (other than accounts receivable or inventory) useful and intended to be used in carrying on the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, including Liens existing on such property at the time of acquisition or construction thereof or Liens incurred within 365 days of such acquisition or completion of such construction or improvement, provided that (i) the Lien shall attach solely to the property acquired, purchased, constructed or improved; (ii) at the time of acquisition, construction or improvement of such property (or, in the case of any Lien incurred within three hundred sixty-five (365) days of such acquisition or completion of such construction or improvement, at the time of the incurrence of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien), the aggregate amount remaining unpaid on all Indebtedness secured by Liens on such property, whether or not assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary, shall not exceed the lesser of (y) the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement or (z) the Fair Market Value of such property (as determined in good faith by one or more officers of the Company to whom authority to enter into the transaction has been delegated by the board of directors of the Company); and (iii) at the time of such incurrence and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default would exist;

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

(h)      any Lien existing on property of a Person immediately prior to its being consolidated with or merged into the Company or a Subsidiary or its becoming a Subsidiary, or any Lien existing on any property acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary at the time such property is so acquired (whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed), provided that (i) no such Lien shall have been created or assumed in contemplation of such consolidation or merger or such Person’s becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition of property, (ii) each such Lien shall extend solely to the item or items of property so acquired and, if required by the terms of the instrument originally creating such Lien, other property which is an improvement to or is acquired for specific use in connection with such acquired property, and (iii) at the time of such incurrence and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default would exist;

 

(i)      Liens incurred after the date of this Agreement given to secure Indebtedness on property or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries which Liens were given after the date of this Agreement, provided the Company makes, or causes to be made, effective provision whereby the Notes will be equally and ratably secured with any and all other obligations thereby secured, such security to be pursuant to an agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders and, in any such case, the Notes shall have the benefit, to the fullest extent that, and with such priority as, the holders of the Notes may be entitled under applicable law, of an equitable Lien on such property;

 

(j)      any extensions, renewals or replacements of any Lien permitted by the preceding subparagraphs (f), (g), (h) and (i) of this Section 10.4, provided that (i) no additional property shall be encumbered by such Liens, (ii) the unpaid principal amount of the Indebtedness or other obligations secured thereby shall not be increased on or after the date of any extension, renewal or replacement, and (iii) at such time and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(k)      Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4¬208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York (or, if applicable, the corresponding section of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction), in each case covering only the items being collected upon;

 

(l)       Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)     pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(n)      Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)      Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

(p)      Liens that are customary contractual liens (including rights of set-off and pledges) encumbering deposits and accounts and (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other financial institutions not given in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(q)      Liens solely on cash earnest money deposits or deposits in connection with indemnity obligations made by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement entered into in connection with any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder;

 

(r)      Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings made in connection with operating leases or consignment of goods;

 

(s)      Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof granted in the ordinary course of business to secure the financing of insurance premiums with respect thereto;

 

(t)      customary Liens securing any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository or cash management services or automated clearing house transfers of funds, all in favor of the provider of such services;

 

(u)      any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to the transfer of the Equity Interests of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to the terms thereof;

 

(v)      Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof securing obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(w)     Liens arising by operation of law under §1120 of the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch), under §369 of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch) or under similar provisions of Swiss law;

 

(x)      Liens securing Priority Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that the aggregate principal amount of any such Priority Debt shall not at any time exceed the limitations set forth in Sections 10.1 and 10.3, provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, secure pursuant to this Section 10.4(x), any Indebtedness outstanding under or pursuant to any Material Credit Facility unless and until the Notes (and any guaranty delivered in connection therewith) shall concurrently be secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness pursuant to documentation reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders in substance and in form, including an intercreditor agreement and opinions of counsel to the Company and/or any such Subsidiary, as the case may be, from counsel that is reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders. For purposes of this Section 10.4, Treasury Stock to the extent constituting margin stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 10.5.         Sales of Assets. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any substantial part (as defined below) of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company or any Subsidiary may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of assets constituting a substantial part of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries if such assets are sold in an arm’s length transaction and, at such time and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and an amount equal to the net proceeds received from such sale, lease or other disposition (but only with respect to that portion of such assets that exceeds the definition of “substantial part” set forth below) shall be used within 365 days of such sale, lease or disposition, in any combination:

 

(1)      to acquire productive assets used or useful in carrying on the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and having a value at least equal to the value of such assets sold, leased or otherwise disposed of; provided that, to the extent that the replacement property costs less than the value of the property being replaced and such replacement property performs at least equally to the property being replaced, the difference between the cost of such replacement property and the value of the property being replaced may be retained by the Company; and/or

 

(2)      to prepay or retire Senior Debt of either the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, provided that (i) the Company shall offer to prepay each outstanding Note in a principal amount which equals the Ratable Portion for such Note, and (ii) any such prepayment of the Notes shall be made at par, together with accrued interest thereon to the date of such prepayment, plus any Swap Breakage Loss with respect to any Swapped Note and, subject to Section 8.7, less any applicable Swap Breakage Gain with respect to any Swapped Note, but without the payment of the Make-Whole Amount. Any offer of prepayment of the Notes pursuant to this Section 10.5 shall be given to each holder of the Notes by written notice that shall be delivered not less than fifteen (15) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to the proposed prepayment date. Each such notice shall state that it is given pursuant to this Section and that the offer set forth in such notice must be accepted by such holder in writing and shall also set forth (i) the prepayment date, (ii) a description of the circumstances which give rise to the proposed prepayment and (iii) a calculation of the Ratable Portion for such holder’s Notes. Each holder of the Notes which desires to have its Notes prepaid shall notify the Company in writing delivered not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the proposed prepayment date of its acceptance of such offer of prepayment. If a Holder does not accept an offer to prepay as set forth in this Section 10.5, the Company shall be permitted to retain the Ratable Portion of the net proceeds allocable to the Notes of such holder without any further requirements for reinvestment or prepayment as set forth in this Section 10.5.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

As used in this Section 10.5, a sale, lease or other disposition of assets shall be deemed to be a “substantial part” of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries if the book value of such assets, when added to the book value of all other assets sold, leased or otherwise disposed of by the Company and its Subsidiaries during the period of 12 consecutive months ending on the date of such sale, lease or other disposition, exceeds 10% of the book value of Consolidated Total Assets, determined as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such sale, lease or other disposition provided that there shall be excluded from any determination of a “substantial part” (i) any sale, lease or disposition of assets in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii)  any transfer of assets from the Company to any Subsidiary or from any Subsidiary to the Company or a Subsidiary, and (iii) any sale or transfer of property acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary after the date of this Agreement to any Person within 365 days following the acquisition or construction of such property by the Company or any Subsidiary if the Company or a Subsidiary shall concurrently with such sale or transfer, lease such property, as lessee. For purposes of this Section 10.5, Treasury Stock to the extent constituting margin stock shall be deemed not to be an asset of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 10.6.         Merger, Consolidation, Etc. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, consolidate with or merge with any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its assets in a single transaction or series of transactions to any Person unless:

 

(a)      in the case of any such transaction involving the Company, the successor formed by such consolidation or the survivor of such merger or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety, as the case may be, (i) shall be a solvent corporation or limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof (including the District of Columbia), and (ii) if the Company, as the case may be, is not such corporation or limited liability company, (A) such corporation or limited liability company shall have executed and delivered to each holder of any Notes its assumption of the due and punctual performance and observance of each covenant and condition of this Agreement and the Notes, (B) such corporation or limited liability company shall have caused to be delivered to each holder of any Notes an opinion of nationally recognized independent counsel, or other independent counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders, to the effect that all agreements or instruments effecting such assumption are enforceable in accordance with their terms and comply with the terms hereof and (C) each Subsidiary Guarantor under any Subsidiary Guaranty that is outstanding at the time of such transaction or each transaction in such a series of transactions occurs shall reaffirm its obligations under such Subsidiary Guaranty in writing at such time pursuant to documentation that is reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders;

 

(b)      in the case of any such transaction involving a Subsidiary, the successor formed by such consolidation or the survivor of such merger or the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary as an entirety, as the case may be, shall be (1) the Company, (2) another Subsidiary; or (3) any other Person so long as such other Person becomes a Subsidiary as of the effective time of the transaction or the transaction is treated as a disposition of all of the assets of such Subsidiary for purposes of Section 10.5 and, based on such characterization, would be permitted pursuant to Section 10.5; provided, if such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary Guarantor under any Subsidiary Guaranty that is outstanding at the time such transaction or each transaction in such a series of transactions occurs such Subsidiary Guarantor shall reaffirm its obligations under such Subsidiary Guaranty in writing at such time pursuant to documentation that is reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders; and

 

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(c)      immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or each transaction in any such series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

No such conveyance, transfer or lease of substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall have the effect of releasing the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or any successor corporation or limited liability company that shall theretofore have become such in the manner prescribed in this Section 10.6, from its liability under (x) this Agreement or the Notes (in the case of the Company) or (y) the Subsidiary Guaranty (in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor), unless, in the case of the conveyance, transfer or lease of substantially all of the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from its Subsidiary Guaranty in accordance with Section 9.7(b) in connection with or immediately following such conveyance, transfer or lease.

 

Section 10.7.         Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into directly or indirectly any Material transaction or Material group of related transactions (including the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate (other than a Note Party or another Subsidiary), except in the ordinary course and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of such Note Party’s or such Subsidiary’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms that are not Materially less favorable to such Note Party or such Subsidiary, taken as a whole, than would be obtainable in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

 

Section 10.8.         Line of Business. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any business if, as a result, the general nature of the business in which the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, would then be engaged would be substantially changed from the general nature of the business in which the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are engaged on the date of this Agreement as described in the Memorandum. The Company will not change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.9.         Economic Sanctions, Etc. The Company will not, and will not permit any Controlled Entity to (a) become (including by virtue of being owned or controlled by a Blocked Person), own or control a Blocked Person or (b) directly or indirectly have any investment in or engage in any dealing or transaction (including any investment, dealing or transaction involving the proceeds of the Notes) with any Person if such investment, dealing or transaction (i) would cause any holder or any affiliate of such holder to be in violation of, or the subject of sanctions under, any law or regulation applicable to such holder, or (ii) is prohibited by or the subject of sanctions under any applicable Sanctions Laws except as reflected on Schedule 5.16(c); provided, however, that no covenant shall be made with respect to any German Controlled Entity to the extent it would result in a violation by any German Controlled Entity, any holder or any affiliate of such holder or any Purchasers of section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung), any provision of Council Regulation (EC) 2271/1996 or any similar applicable anti-boycott law or regulation binding on that German Controlled Entity.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 11.         Events of Default.

 

An “Event of Default” shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

 

(a)      the Company defaults in the payment of any principal or Make-Whole Amount, or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or

 

(b)      the Company defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or

 

(c)      the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Section 7.1(d) or Section 10; or

 

(d)      any Note Party defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein (other than those referred to in Sections 11(a), (b) and (c)) or in any Subsidiary Guaranty and such default is not remedied within 30 days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) any Note Party receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a “notice of default” and to refer specifically to this Section 11(d)); or

 

(e)      any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Note Party or by any officer of any Note Party in any Note Document or any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any Material respect on the date as of which made; or

 

(f)       (i) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any Material Indebtedness (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Material Indebtedness (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating thereto or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time or the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such Indebtedness into Equity Interests), (x) the Company or any Subsidiary has become obligated to purchase or repay Material Indebtedness before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require the Company or any Subsidiary so to purchase or repay such Indebtedness provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer or other disposition in accordance with any applicable “due on sale” clause (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; or

 

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(g)      the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or

 

(h)      a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary), a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary), or any such petition shall be filed against the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or

 

(i)      any event occurs with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) which under the laws of any jurisdiction is analogous to any of the events described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h), provided that the applicable grace period, if any, which shall apply shall be the one applicable to the relevant proceeding which most closely corresponds to the proceeding described in Section 11(g) or Section 11(h); or

 

(j)      one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money aggregating in excess of $25,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment), including any such final order enforcing a binding arbitration decision, are rendered against one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary) and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof, bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged or fully paid within 60 days after the expiration of such stay; or

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

(k)      if (i) any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or the PBGC shall have notified the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) there is any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under one or more Plans, determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, (iv) the aggregate present value of accrued benefit liabilities under all funded Non-U.S. Plans exceeds the aggregate current value of the assets of such Non-U.S. Plans allocable to such liabilities, (v) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (vi) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, (vii) the Company or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary thereunder, (viii) the Company or any Subsidiary fails to administer or maintain a Non-U.S. Plan in compliance with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations or court orders or any Non-U.S. Plan is involuntarily terminated or wound up, or (ix) the Company or any Subsidiary becomes subject to the imposition of a financial penalty (which for this purpose shall mean any tax, penalty or other liability, whether by way of indemnity or otherwise) with respect to one or more Non-U.S. Plans; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (ix) above, either individually or together with any other such event or events, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As used in this Section 11(k), the terms “employee benefit plan” and “employee welfare benefit plan” shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in section 3 of ERISA; or

 

(l)       any Subsidiary Guaranty shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with Section 9.7(b)), any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any Subsidiary Guaranty, or the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under any Subsidiary Guaranty are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guaranty (other than in accordance with Section 9.7(b)).

 

Section 12.         Remedies on Default, Etc.

 

Section 12.1.         Acceleration. (a)       If an Event of Default with respect to the Company described in Section 11(g), (h) or (i) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

(b)           If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

 

(c)            If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.

 

Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate) and (y) the Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss determined in respect of such principal amount (and, subject to Section 8.7, less any applicable Swap Breakage Gain with respect to any Swapped Note), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Company acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from repayment by the Company (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss by the Company in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.

 

Section 12.2.         Other Remedies. If any Default has occurred and is continuing pursuant to Sections 11(g), (h) or (i) or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note or Subsidiary Guaranty, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

 

Section 12.3.         Rescission. At any time after any Notes have been declared due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1(b) or (c), the Required Holders, by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid all overdue interest on the Notes, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, on any Notes that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 12.4.         No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, Etc. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holder’s rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by any Note Document upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 15, the Company will pay to the holder of each Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees, expenses and disbursements for one special counsel for the holders and one special local counsel for the holders, as applicable.

 

Section 13.         Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes.

 

Section 13.1.         Registration of Notes. The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. If any holder of one or more Notes is a nominee, then (a) the name and address of the beneficial owner of such Note or Notes shall also be registered in such register as an owner and holder thereof and (b) at any such beneficial owner’s option, either such beneficial owner or its nominee may execute any amendment, waiver or consent pursuant to this Agreement. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.

 

Section 13.2.         Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(a)(iii)), for registration of transfer or exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within 10 Business Days thereafter, the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Company’s expense (except as provided below), one or more new Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of Schedule 1. Each such new Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than CHF2,000,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a denomination of less than CHF2,000,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.2.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 13.3.         Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(a)(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and

 

(a)      in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $100,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Buyer, such Person’s own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or

 

(b)      in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,

 

within 10 Business Days thereafter, the Company at its reasonable expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.

 

Section 14.         Payments on Notes.

 

Section 14.1.         Place of Payment. Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of Bank of America, N.A. in such jurisdiction. The Company may at any time, by notice to each holder of a Note, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.

 

Section 14.2.         Payment by Wire Transfer. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, if any, interest and all other amounts becoming due hereunder by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchaser’s name in the Purchaser Schedule, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or Notes pursuant to Section 13.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by a Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchasers have made in this Section 14.2. Except to the extent required by applicable law, all payments by or on account of the Company under the Note Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any taxes. The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware that a Note Party must make a deduction or withholding for any Taxes (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a deduction or withholding for any Taxes) notify the holders of a Note accordingly. If any deduction or withholding is required, such deduction or withholding shall be made and shall be timely paid to the relevant Government Authority in accordance with applicable law. If a deduction or withholding for any Taxes is required by law to be made by a Note Party, other than (1) a deduction under FATCA or (2) a deduction because of the failure of the holder to supply any information required by U.S. tax law, the amount of the payment due from that Note Party to a holder of a Note shall be increased to an amount which (after making any tax deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no deduction or withholding for any Taxes had been required. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company agrees that it will not withhold from any applicable payment to be made to a holder of a Note that is not a United States Person any tax levied by the United States so long as such holder shall have delivered to the Company (in such number of copies as shall be requested) on or about the date on which such holder becomes a holder under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Company), executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, as well as the applicable “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 14.2, in both cases correctly completed and executed.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 14.3.         FATCA Information. By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees that such holder will with reasonable promptness duly complete and deliver to the Company, or to such other Person as may be reasonably requested by the Company, from time to time (a) in the case of any such holder that is a United States Person, such holder’s United States tax identification number or other Forms reasonably requested by the Company necessary to establish such holder’s status as a United States Person under FATCA and as may otherwise be necessary for the Company to comply with its obligations under FATCA and (b) in the case of any such holder that is not a United States Person, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation as may be necessary for the Company to comply with its obligations under FATCA and to determine that such holder has complied with such holder’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount (if any) to deduct and withhold from any such payment made to such holder. Nothing in this Section 14.3 shall require any holder to provide information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder unless the Company is required to obtain such information under FATCA and, in such event, the Company shall treat any such information it receives as confidential.

 

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Section 15.         Expenses, Etc.

 

Section 15.1.         Transaction Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company will pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees of a special counsel and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, local or other counsel) incurred by the Purchasers and each other holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of any Note Document (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), including: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under any Note Document or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with any Note Document, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors’ fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by any Note Document, and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO, provided that such costs and expenses under this clause (c) shall not exceed $5,000. If required by the NAIC, the Company shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI).

 

The Company will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, (i) all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders (other than those, if any, retained by a Purchaser or other holder in connection with its purchase of the Notes), (ii) any and all wire transfer fees that any bank or other financial institution deducts from any payment under such Note to such holder or otherwise charges to a holder of a Note with respect to a payment under such Note and (iii) any judgment, liability, claim, order, decree, fine, penalty, cost, fee, expense (including reasonable and documented out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and expenses) or obligation resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the use of the proceeds of the Notes by the Company.

 

Section 15.2.         Certain Taxes. The Company agrees to pay all stamp, documentary or similar taxes or fees which may be payable in respect of the execution and delivery or the enforcement of this Agreement or any Subsidiary Guaranty or the execution and delivery (but not the transfer) or the enforcement of any of the Notes in the United States or any other jurisdiction of organization of any Note Party or any other jurisdiction where any Note Party has assets or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement or any other Note Document, and to pay any value added tax due and payable in respect of reimbursement of costs and expenses by the Note Party pursuant to this Section 15, and will save each holder of a Note to the extent permitted by applicable law harmless against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax or fee required to be paid by the Note Parties hereunder.

 

Section 15.3.         Survival. The obligations of the Company under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of any Note Document, and the termination of this Agreement.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 16.         Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.

 

All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of Note Documents, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Note Party pursuant to any Note Document shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Note Party under the Note Documents. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Note Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between each Purchaser and the Note Parties and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 17.         Amendment and Waiver.

 

Section 17.1.         Requirements. This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders, except that:

 

(a)      no amendment or waiver of any of Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 21 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing; and

 

(b)      no amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of each Purchaser and the holder of each Note at the time outstanding, (i) subject to Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment or method of computation of (x) interest on the Notes or (y) the Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8 (except as set forth in the second sentence of Section 8.2), 11(a), 11(b), 12, 17, 20 or 22.8.

 

Section 17.2.         Solicitation of Holders of Notes.

 

(a)           Solicitation. The Company will provide each holder of a Note with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guaranty. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to this Section 17 or any Subsidiary Guaranty to each holder of a Note promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

 

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(b)           Payment. The Company will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of a Note as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by such holder of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof or of any Subsidiary Guaranty or any Note unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of a Note even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

 

(c)           Consent in Contemplation of Transfer. Any consent given pursuant to this Section 17 or any Subsidiary Guaranty by a holder of a Note that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Note to (i) the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary or any other Affiliate or (iii) any other Person in connection with, or in anticipation of, such other Person acquiring, making a tender offer for or merging with the Company and/or any of its Affiliates, in each case in connection with such consent, shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.

 

Section 17.3.         Binding Effect, Etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 or any Subsidiary Guaranty applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Company and any holder of a Note and no delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any other Note Document shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note.

 

Section 17.4.         Notes Held by Company, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under any Note Document, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in any Subsidiary Guaranty or the Notes to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

Section 18.         Notices; English Language.

 

Except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 7.4, all notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid) or (c) by an internationally recognized commercial delivery service (charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

 

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(i)       if to any Purchaser or its nominee, to such Purchaser or nominee at the address specified for such communications in the Purchaser Schedule, or at such other address as such Purchaser or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,

 

(ii)      if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or

 

(iii)     if to the Company, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to the General Counsel, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing;

 

Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed given only when actually received.

 

Section 19.         Reproduction of Documents.

 

This Agreement and all documents relating thereto, including (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Company or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.

 

Section 20.         Confidential Information.

 

For the purposes of this Section 20, “Confidential Information” means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company or such Subsidiary, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any Person acting on such Purchaser’s behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, trustees and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its auditors, financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 20), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchaser’s investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchaser’s Notes or any other Note Document. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company embodying this Section 20.

 

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In the event that as a condition to receiving access to information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, any Purchaser or holder of a Note is required to agree to a confidentiality undertaking (whether through IntraLinks, another secure website, a secure virtual workspace or otherwise) which is different from this Section 20, this Section 20 shall not be amended thereby and, as between such Purchaser or such holder and the Company, this Section 20 shall supersede any such other confidentiality undertaking.

 

Section 21.         Substitution of Purchaser.

 

Each Purchaser shall have the right to substitute any one of its Affiliates or another Purchaser or any one of such other Purchaser’s Affiliates (a “Substitute Purchaser”) as the purchaser of the Notes that it has agreed to purchase hereunder, by written notice to the Company, which notice shall be signed by both such Purchaser and such Substitute Purchaser, shall contain such Substitute Purchaser’s agreement to be bound by this Agreement and shall contain a confirmation by such Substitute Purchaser of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 6. Upon receipt of such written notice, any reference to such Purchaser in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser in lieu of such original Purchaser. In the event that such Substitute Purchaser is so substituted as a Purchaser hereunder and such Substitute Purchaser thereafter transfers to such original Purchaser all of the Notes then held by such Substitute Purchaser, upon receipt by the Company of written notice of such transfer, any reference to such Substitute Purchaser as a “Purchaser” in this Agreement (other than in this Section 21), shall no longer be deemed to refer to such Substitute Purchaser, but shall refer to such original Purchaser, and such original Purchaser shall again have all the rights of an original holder of such Notes under this Agreement.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 22.         Miscellaneous.

 

Section 22.1.         Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not, except that, subject to Section 10.6, the Company may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under the Notes without the prior written consent of each holder. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

Section 22.2.         Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement (including Section 9, Section 10 and the definition of “Indebtedness”), any election by the Company to measure any financial liability using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 825-10-25 – Fair Value Option, International Accounting Standard 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or any similar accounting standard) shall be disregarded and such determination shall be made as if such election had not been made.

 

In the event of any change in GAAP from time to time after the date of this Agreement which could reasonably be expected to impact certain covenant levels or other components of financial computations required to be made under this Agreement, the Company shall promptly provide notice of such change to each of the holders of the Notes then outstanding and, at the request of the Company or the holders, the Company and such holders shall promptly thereafter enter into good faith negotiations to amend or modify such covenant levels or other components of financial computations in order to take into account and negate the effects of such change.  If the Company and the Required Holders are unable to reach a mutually acceptable amendment or modification of such covenants and defined terms within a period of 60 days following the date (the “Expiry Date”) of such notice by Company, for purposes of determining compliance with the covenants which are the subject of such discussion, then and thereafter compliance with any covenant(s) affected by such change(s) shall be determined by reference to GAAP as in effect immediately prior to any such change(s) (“Frozen GAAP”) and any determination as to whether or not a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred shall be made on that basis.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Promptly and in any event within ten Business Days after the earlier of the effective date of such amendment or modification agreed to by the Company and the Required Holders and the Expiry Date, the Company will furnish each holder of the Notes with certificates or written statements of a Responsible Officer describing in reasonable detail the adjustments to covenant levels or other components of financial computations so approved or the application of Frozen GAAP, as applicable, and certifying that any such adjustment or application, as the case may be, has been made in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph of this Section.

 

In the event of the application of Frozen GAAP, each set of financial statements delivered to holders of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b) shall include detailed reconciliations reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders as to the effect of such change in GAAP and the application of Frozen GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding the effectiveness of any changes in GAAP from time to time (including changes described in Accounting Standard Codification 842 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect), any lease that would be characterized as an operating lease under GAAP in effect immediately prior to December 15, 2018 (whether such lease is entered into before or after the date of Closing) shall not constitute a Capital Lease under this Agreement or any other Note Document as a result of such changes in GAAP unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and the Required Holders.

 

Section 22.3.         Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 22.4.         Construction, Etc. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

Defined terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein) and, for purposes of the Notes, shall also include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13, (b) subject to Section 22.1, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement, and (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Section 22.5.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 22.6.         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

Section 22.7.         Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a)       The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Note Document. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(b)         The Company agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, that a final judgment in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 22.7(a) brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon it subject to rights of appeal, as the case may be, and may be enforced in the courts of the United States of America or the State of New York (or any other courts to the jurisdiction of which it or any of its assets is or may be subject) by a suit upon such judgment.

 

(c)         The Company consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 22.7(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered, certified, priority or express mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt or delivery confirmation requested, to it at its address specified in Section 18 or at such other address of which such holder shall then have been notified pursuant to such Section. The Company agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

(d)          Nothing in this Section 22.7 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Company in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

 

(e)          The parties hereto hereby waive trial by jury in any action brought on or with respect to this Agreement, the Notes or any other document executed in connection herewith or therewith.

 

Section 22.8.         Obligation to Make Payment in Swiss Francs or Dollars. Any payment on account of an amount that is payable hereunder or under the Notes in Swiss Francs or Dollars, as applicable, which is made to or for the account of any holder in any currency other than such currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the realization of any security or the liquidation of the Company, shall constitute a discharge of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or the Notes only to the extent of the amount of Swiss Francs or Dollars, as applicable, which such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of Swiss Francs or Dollars, as applicable, that could be so purchased is less than the amount of Swiss Francs or Dollars, as applicable, originally due to such holder, the Company agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against such deficiency; provided, however, that such holder shall provide written notice to the Company of any such deficiency and a calculation thereof in reasonable detail. This indemnity shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Agreement and the Notes, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under the Notes or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term “London Banking Day” shall mean any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.

 

*     *     *     *     *

 

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Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  Bruker Corporation
   
   
  By /s/ Gerald N. Herman
    Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    Name: Gerald N. Herman

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation
     
  By: NYL Investors LLC, its Investment Manager
   
  By /s/ Clara Fagan
    Name: Clara Fagan
    Title: Senior Director

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
   
  By: MetLife Investment Management, LLC, Its Investment Manager
   
  MetLife Insurance K.K.
   
  By: MetLife Investment Management, LLC, its investment manager
   
  By /s/ John Tanyeri
    Name: John Tanyeri
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
   
  By: Northwestern Mutual Investment Management Company, LLC, its investment advisor
   
  By: /s/ Daniel J. Julka
    Name: Daniel J. Julka
    Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  The Prudential Insurance Company of America
   
   
  By /s/ Eric Seward
  Vice President
   
  Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation
   
  By: PGIM, Inc., as investment manager
   
  By /s/ Eric Seward
  Vice President
   
  Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
   
  By: PGIM, Inc., as investment manager
   
  By /s/ Eric Seward
  Vice President

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  American General Life Insurance Company
   
  By: AIG Asset Management (U.S.), LLC, as Investment Adviser
   
  By /s/ Craig Moody
    Name: Craig Moody
    Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
   
  By: Barings LLC as Investment Adviser
   
  By /s/ James Moore
    Name: James Moore
    Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Unum Life Insurance Company of America
  By: Provident Investment Management, LLC
  Its: Agent
   
   
  By /s/ Ben Vance
    Name: Ben Vance
    Title: Vice President, Senior Managing Director

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
  Hartford Fire Insurance Company
   
  By: Hartford Investment Management Company, their investment manager
   
  By /s/ John Knox
    Name: John Knox
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  Pacific Life Insurance Company
   
   
  By /s/ Cathy L. Schwartz
    Name: Cathy L. Schwartz
    Title: Assistant Vice President
   
  By /s/ Matthew A. Levene
    Name: Matthew A. Levene
    Title: Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

Bruker Corporation   Note Purchase Agreement

 

Accepted as of the date first written above.

 

  The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
   
   
  By /s/ Adam Gossett
    Name: Adam Gossett
    Title: Director

 

 

 

 

 

Defined Terms

 

As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:

 

“Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that constitutes (i) assets comprising all or substantially all or any significant portion of a business or operating unit of a business, or (ii) all or substantially all of the common stock or other Equity Interests of a Person.

 

“Adjusted Ratio” is defined in Section 10.1.

 

“Affiliate” means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person, and, with respect to the Company, shall include any Person beneficially owning or holding, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class of voting or Equity Interests of the Company or any Subsidiary or any Person of which the Company and its Subsidiaries beneficially own or hold, in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class of voting or Equity Interests. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to an “Affiliate” is a reference to an Affiliate of the Company.

 

“Agreement” means this Note Purchase Agreement, including all Schedules attached to this Agreement.

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding bribery or any other corrupt activity, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010.

 

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any law or regulation in a U.S. or any non-U.S. jurisdiction regarding money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970 (otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act) and the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

“Applicable Percentage” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Blocked Person” means (i) a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by OFAC, (ii) a Person, entity, organization, country or regime that is blocked or a target of sanctions that have been imposed under Sanctions Laws or (iii) a Person that is an agent, department or instrumentality of, or is otherwise beneficially owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any Person, entity, organization, country or regime described in clause (i) or (ii).

 

“Business Day” means (a) for the purposes of Section 8.6 only, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City are required or authorized to be closed, and (b) for the purposes of any other provision of this Agreement, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Zurich, Switzerland are required or authorized to be closed.

 

Schedule A
(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

 

“Called Principal” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Capital Lease” means, at any time, a lease with respect to which the lessee is required concurrently to recognize the acquisition of an asset and the incurrence of a liability in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Change in Control” is defined in Section 8.8(g).

 

“Closing” is defined in Section 3.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

 

“Company” is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Confidential Information” is defined in Section 20.

 

“Consolidated EBIT” means Consolidated EBITDA minus any amounts added to Consolidated EBITDA with respect to (i) depreciation (including depreciation of demonstration equipment) and (ii) amortization.

 

A-2 

 

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with reference to any period, Consolidated Net Income plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation (including write down to net realizable value of demonstration equipment), (iv) amortization, (v) extraordinary non-cash losses incurred other than in the ordinary course of business, (vi) non-cash expenses resulting from the grant of stock options or other equity-related incentives to any director, officer or employee of, or consultant to, the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to a written plan or agreement approved by the board of directors of the Company, (vii) (A) unrealized non-cash losses relating to any foreign currency hedging or currency fluctuations and (B) unrealized non-cash losses related to interest rate hedging, (viii) all other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses and non-cash losses of the Company or any Subsidiary that are not otherwise expressly excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant hereto (and excluding (A) any non-cash charge, non-cash expense and non-cash loss that represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure to be made in a subsequent period and (B) minority interest expense), (ix) integration charges, severance charges, and restructuring charges resulting from Acquisitions, provided that (A) such charges shall be incurred within twelve (12) months of the related Acquisition and (B) the aggregate amount added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this clause (ix) and clause (x) below in any period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to this clause (ix) and such clause (x)), (x) other restructuring charges, other than those arising from an Acquisition, provided that such restructuring charges are incurred under a restructuring program approved by the Company’s senior management, provided that the aggregate amount added to Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (ix) above and this clause (x) in any period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to such clause (ix) and this clause (x)), minus, (xi) to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (A) interest income, (B) extraordinary gains realized other than in the ordinary course of business and (C) unrealized non-cash gains relating to any foreign currency hedging or currency fluctuations, and unrealized non-cash gains related to interest rate hedging, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis. For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each, a “Reference Period”), (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including without limitation interest expense under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and net costs under interest rate swap agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP).

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period.

 

“Consolidated Tangible Assets means, at any time, (i) the aggregate amount of all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP minus (ii) to the extent included in a determination pursuant to the foregoing clause (1), the aggregate amount of all assets which constitute “intangible assets” of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation any “goodwill”.

 

“Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

 

A-3 

 

 

“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means at any time the sum, without duplication, the result (a) of the sum of (i) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis as of such time in accordance with GAAP (excluding the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries relating to the undrawn and unreimbursed amount of all letters of credit outstanding) and (ii) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clause (i) hereof of another Person guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries minus (b) the Unrestricted Cash Amount.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Control Event” is defined in Section 8.8(h).

 

“Controlled Entity” means (a) any of the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of their or the Company’s respective Controlled Affiliates and (b) if the Company has a parent company, such parent company and its Controlled Affiliates.

 

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 by and between the Company, Bruker Invest AG, incorporated in Switzerland as a corporation limited by shares, Bruker Finance B.V., a besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands having its corporate seat (statutaire zetel) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions party thereto.

 

“Default” means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” means that rate of interest per annum that is 2.00% above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the Notes.

 

Disclosure Documents” is defined in Section 5.3.

 

“Discounted Value” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Dollars” or “$” means lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America.

 

“Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to Hazardous Materials.

 

A-4 

 

 

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with any Note Party under section 414 of the Code.

 

“Event of Default” is defined in Section 11.

 

“FATCA” means (a) sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not Materially more onerous to comply with), together with any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, (b) any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States of America and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the foregoing clause (a), and (c) any agreements entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Form 10-K” is defined in Section 7.1(b).

 

“Form 10-Q” is defined in Section 7.1(a).

 

“GAAP” means (a) generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America and (b) for purposes of Section 9.6, with respect to any Subsidiary, generally accepted accounting principles (including International Financial Reporting Standards, as applicable) as in effect from time to time in the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary.

 

“Governmental Authority” means

 

(a)          the government of

 

(i)         the United States of America or any state or other political subdivision thereof, or

 

(ii)        any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, or

 

(b)          any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

 

A-5 

 

 

“Governmental Official” means any governmental official or employee, employee of any government-owned or government-controlled entity, political party, any official of a political party, candidate for political office, official of any public international organization or anyone else acting in an official capacity.

 

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations (other than obligations with respect to Indebtedness). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee, or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous wastes or other substances that might pose a hazard to health and safety, the removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining, production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer, use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage or filtration of which is or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law, including asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum, petroleum products, lead based paint, radon gas or similar restricted, prohibited or penalized substances.

 

“holder” means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 13.1, provided, however, that if such Person is a nominee, then for the purposes of Sections 7, 12, 17.2 and 18 and any related definitions in this Schedule A, “holder” shall mean the beneficial owner of such Note whose name and address appears in such register.

 

A-6 

 

 

“Immaterial Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that (together with its Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Company, for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 and for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended (a) (i) contributed less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (ii) the consolidated total assets of which constituted less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date, and (b) (i) taken together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, contributed less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period and (ii) the consolidated total assets of which, taken together with the consolidated total assets of all other Immaterial Subsidiaries as of such date, constituted less than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date.

 

“Incremental Leverage Fee” is defined in Section 1.2(a).

 

“Incremental Leverage Fee Payment” is defined in Section 1.2(b).

 

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding accounts payable and intercompany charges of expenses (including expenses related to research and development and intellectual technology) and other accrued obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and (k) obligations of such Person under Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, in connection with any Acquisition of any Person (or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person) not prohibited hereunder (or any sale, transfer or other disposition by the Company or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder), the term “Indebtedness” shall not include contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments or earn-outs to which the seller in such Acquisition (or the buyer in such sale, transfer or other disposition, as the case may be) may become entitled or contingent indemnity obligations that may be owed to such seller (or buyer, if applicable) in respect thereof. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (f) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (ii) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

“INHAM Exemption” is defined in Section 6.2(e).

 

A-7 

 

 

“Initial Swap Agreement” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Institutional Investor” means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its affiliates) more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

“Make-Whole Amount” is defined in Section 8.6.

 

“margin stock” is defined in Section 5.14(a).

 

“Material” means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

“Material Acquisition” means any Acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary that involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000,000.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Note Party to perform its obligations under any Note Document or (c) the validity or enforceability of any Note Document.

 

“Material Credit Facility” means, as to the Company and its Subsidiaries,

 

(a)           the Credit Agreement, including any renewals, extensions, amendments, supplements, restatements, replacements or refinancing thereof;

 

(b)           the 2012 Note Purchase Agreement; and

 

(c)          any other agreement(s) creating or evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary, or in respect of which the Company or any Subsidiary is an obligor or otherwise provides a guarantee or other credit support (each a “Credit Facility”), in a principal amount outstanding or available for borrowing equal to or greater than $100,000,000 (or the equivalent of such amount in the relevant currency of payment, determined as of the date of the closing of such facility based on the exchange rate of such other currency); and if no Credit Facility, and no Credit Facility or Credit Facilities equal or exceed such amounts, then the largest Credit Facility shall be deemed to be a Material Credit Facility.

 

A-8 

 

 

“Material Disposition” means any sale, transfer or disposition of property or series of related sales, transfers, or dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000,000.

 

“Material Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness (other than the Notes), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Contract, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $25,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Contract at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Contract were terminated at such time.

 

“Maturity Date” is defined in the first paragraph of each Note.

 

“Memorandum” is defined in Section 5.3.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

 

“NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

 

“New Swap Agreement” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Non-Swapped Note” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Non-U.S. Plan” means any plan, fund or other similar program that (a) is established or maintained outside the United States of America by any Note Party or any Subsidiary primarily for the benefit of employees of a Note Party or one or more Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund or other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and (b) is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

 

“Note Document” shall mean and include each of (i) this Agreement, (ii) any Notes, (iii) the Subsidiary Guaranty, and (iv) any other agreement, document or instrument evidencing any obligation by any Note Party for the benefit of the holders, in each case, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Note Party and Note Parties mean, individually, any of the Company or Subsidiary Guarantors and, collectively, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Notes” is defined in Section 1.

 

A-9 

 

 

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

“OFAC Sanctions Program” means any economic or trade sanction that OFAC is responsible for administering and enforcing. A list of OFAC Sanctions Programs may be found at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer or of any other officer of the Company whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.

 

“Original Swap Agreement” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

 

“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.

 

“Plan” means an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.

 

“Priority Debt means (without duplication), as of the date of any determination thereof, the sum of (i) all unsecured Indebtedness of Subsidiaries (including all Guarantees of Indebtedness but excluding (x) Indebtedness owing to the Company or any other Subsidiary, (y) Indebtedness outstanding at the time such Person became a Subsidiary, provided that such Indebtedness shall have not been incurred in contemplation of such person becoming a Subsidiary, and (z) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor, and (ii) all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens other than Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by subparagraphs (a) through (w), inclusive, of Section 10.4. For the avoidance of doubt, all Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary that does not become a Subsidiary Guarantor under the terms of this Agreement will constitute Priority Debt for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

“property” or “properties” means, unless otherwise specifically limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate or inchoate.

 

“Proposed Prepayment Date” is defined in Section 8.8(b).

 

“PTE” is defined in Section 6.2(a).

 

“Purchaser” or “Purchasers” means each of the purchasers that has executed and delivered this Agreement to the Company and such Purchaser’s successors and assigns (so long as any such assignment complies with Section 13.2), provided, however, that any Purchaser of a Note that ceases to be the registered holder or a beneficial owner (through a nominee) of such Note as the result of a transfer thereof pursuant to Section 13.2 shall cease to be included within the meaning of “Purchaser” of such Note for the purposes of this Agreement upon such transfer.

 

A-10 

 

 

“Purchaser Schedule” means the Purchaser Schedule to this Agreement listing the Purchasers of the Notes and including their notice and payment information.

 

“Qualified Institutional Buyer” means any Person who is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.

 

“QPAM Exemption” is defined in Section 6.2(d).

 

“Ratable Portion” means, with respect to any Note, an amount equal to the product of (x) the amount equal to the net proceeds being so applied to the prepayment of Senior Debt in accordance with Section 10.5(2), multiplied by (y) a fraction the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of such Note and the denominator of which is the aggregate principal amount of Senior Debt of the Note Parties and their Subsidiaries being prepaid pursuant to Section 10.5(2).

 

“Reinvestment Yield” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Related Fund” means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (i) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (ii) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.

 

“Remaining Average Life” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Remaining Scheduled Payments” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Replacement Swap Agreement” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

Required Holders” means, at any time on or after the Closing, the holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by any Note Party or any of their Affiliates).

 

“Responsible Officer” means any Senior Financial Officer and any other officer of the Company with responsibility for the administration of the relevant portion of this Agreement.

 

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any sale or other transfer of any property or asset by any Person with the intent to lease such property or asset as lessee.

 

“Sanctions Laws” means the U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws and any trade, economic or financial sanctions laws, regulations, or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by Switzerland or the respective governmental institutions and agencies of Switzerland.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States.

 

A-11 

 

 

“Securities” or “Security” shall have the meaning specified in section 2(1) of the Securities Act.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“Senior Debt” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, all Consolidated Total Indebtedness, other than Subordinated Debt.

 

“Senior Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Company.

 

“Settlement Date” is defined in Section 8.6(a).

 

“Solvent” means, in reference to any Note Party or any of their Subsidiaries, (i) the fair value of the assets of such Note Party or such Subsidiary, at a fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Note Party or such Subsidiary will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) such Note Party or such Subsidiary will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) such Note Party or such Subsidiary will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date.

 

“Source” is defined in Section 6.2.

 

“State Sanctions List” means a list that is adopted by any state Governmental Authority within the United States of America or Switzerland pertaining to Persons that engage in investment or other commercial activities in Iran or any other country that is a target of economic sanctions imposed under Sanctions Laws.

 

“Stated Ratio” is defined in Section 10.1.

 

“Subordinated Debt” means all unsecured Indebtedness of the Note Parties which shall contain or have applicable thereto subordination provisions providing for the subordination thereof to other Indebtedness of the Note Parties (including, without limitation, the obligations of the Company under the Note Documents).

 

“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, any other Person in which such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries owns sufficient equity or voting interests to enable it or them (as a group) ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, to elect a majority of the directors (or Persons performing similar functions) of such second Person, and any partnership or joint venture if more than a 50% interest in the profits or capital thereof is owned by such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries (unless such partnership or joint venture can and does ordinarily take major business actions without the prior approval of such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries). Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to a “Subsidiary” is a reference to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

A-12 

 

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary that has executed and delivered a Subsidiary Guaranty, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Subsidiary which becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.7 or otherwise.

 

“Subsidiary Guaranty” is defined in Section 9.7(a).

 

“Substitute Purchaser” is defined in Section 21.

 

“SVO” means the Securities Valuation Office of the NAIC.

 

“Swap Agreement” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swap Breakage Amount” is defined in Section 8.8(b).

 

“Swap Breakage Amount Notice” is defined in Section 8.8(a).

 

“Swap Breakage Gain” is defined in Section 8.8(b).

 

“Swap Breakage Loss” is defined in Section 8.8(b).

 

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all interest rate swap transactions, basis swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, currency options, spot contracts or any other similar transactions or any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement.

 

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amounts(s) determined as the mark-to-market values(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts.

 

“Swap Unwind Event” is defined in Section 8.7(a).

 

A-13 

 

 

“Swapped Note” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Applicable Percentage” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Called Notional Amount” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Called Principal” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Discounted Value” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Reinvestment Yield” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Remaining Average Life” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Remaining Scheduled Swap Payments” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swapped Note Settlement Date” is defined in Section 8.6(b).

 

“Swiss Francs” or “CHF” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

 

“Swiss Withholding Tax” means taxes imposed under the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

 

“Swiss Withholding Tax Act” means the Swiss Federal Act on the Withholding Tax of 13 October 1965 (Bundesgesetz über die Verrechnungssteuer), together with the related ordinances, regulations and guidelines, all as amended and applicable from time to time.

 

“Tax” means any tax (whether income, documentary, sales, stamp, registration, issue, capital, property, excise or otherwise), duty, assessment, levy, impost, fee, compulsory loan, charge or withholding.

 

“Treasury Stock” means capital stock of the Company that is owned by the Company and held in treasury.

 

“2012 Note Purchase Agreement” means the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 18, 2012, between the Company and the purchaser party thereto, pursuant to which the Company issued its Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $240,000,000, as such agreement is amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“United States Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

“Unrestricted Cash” means cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries that (i) does not appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) is not otherwise subject to any Lien.

 

A-14 

 

 

“Unrestricted Cash Amount” shall mean, on any date of determination, the lesser of (a) Unrestricted Cash in an amount equal to $100,000,000 and (b) the aggregate sum of Unrestricted Cash, in each case, of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“USA PATRIOT Act” means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

“U.S. Economic Sanctions Laws” means those laws, executive orders, enabling legislation or regulations administered and enforced by the United States pursuant to which economic sanctions have been imposed on any Person, entity, organization, country or regime, including the Trading with the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Iran Sanctions Act, the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act and any other OFAC Sanctions Program.

 

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means, at any time, any Subsidiary all of the equity interests (except directors’ qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of the Company and the Company’s other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at such time.

 

A-15 

 

 

[Form of Note]

 

Bruker Corporation

 

1.01% Senior Note Due December 11, 2029

 

No. R-[_____] [Date]
$[_______] PPN 116794 B@6

 

For Value Received, the undersigned, Bruker Corporation (herein called the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [____________], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [_____________________] SWISS FRANCS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on December 11, 2029 (the “Maturity Date”), with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 1.01% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually, on the 11th day of June and December in each year, commencing with the June 11 or December 11 next succeeding the date hereof, and on the Maturity Date, until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law, (x) on any overdue payment of interest and (y) during the continuance of an Event of Default, on such unpaid balance and on any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss, at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the Default Rate payable semiannually as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).

 

Payments of principal of and interest (other than the Incremental Leverage Fee if this Note is a Swapped Note (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below)) on this Note are to be made in the lawful currency of Switzerland. At any time this Note is a Swapped Note (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below), payments of any Make-Whole Amount, any Swap Breakage Loss and any Incremental Leverage Fee with respect to this Note are to be made in Dollars. At any time this Note is a Non-Swapped Note (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below), payments of any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in Swiss Francs. In each case, payments on this Note are to be made in accordance with Section 14.1 or Section 14.2, as applicable, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below or at such other place as the Company shall have designated by written notice to the holder of this Note as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

 

This Note is one of a series of Senior Notes (herein called the “Notes”) issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated December 11, 2019 (as from time to time amended, the “Note Purchase Agreement”), between the Company and the respective Purchasers named therein and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

Schedule 1

(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Note Purchase Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, a new Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

This Note is subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement, but not otherwise.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount or Swap Breakage Loss) and with the effect provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the Company and the holder of this Note shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

  Bruker Corporation
   
   
  By              
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

-2-

 

 

 

Schedule 5.4

 

Subsidiaries of the Company and
Ownership of Subsidiary Stock

 

(i)            Subsidiaries:

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage Ownership Subsidiary
Guarantor
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Corporation No
Bruker AXS LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Corporation Yes
Bruker BioSpin Corporation Massachusetts, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Corporation Yes
Bruker Scientific LLC (formerly known as Bruker Optics Inc.) Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Corporation Yes
Bruker HTS GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon  Technologies, Inc. No
Hydrostatic Extrusions Ltd. United Kingdom 100% owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon  Technologies, Inc. No
Bruker OST LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon  Technologies, Inc. No
Bruker Advanced Supercon GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker HTS GmbH No
Bruker EAS GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker HTS GmbH No
RI Research Instruments GmbH Germany 51% owned by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. No
Bruker AXS GmbH Germany 90% owned by Bruker AXS LLC and 10% by Bruker Corporation No
Bruker AXS Handheld Inc. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker AXS LLC No
Bruker Nano, Inc. Arizona, United States 100% owned by Bruker AXS LLC Yes
Vutara LLC Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Nano, Inc. No

 

Schedule 5.4
(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

  

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage Ownership Subsidiary
Guarantor

Anasys Instruments Corp. Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Nano, Inc. No
Bruker Austria GmbH Austria 100% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
Bruker Singapore Pte Ltd Singapore 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker do Brasil Ltda. Brazil 100% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
Bruker Mexicana S.A. de C.V. Mexico 99.99% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH and 0.01% owned by Bruker AXS LLC No
Bruker Polska Sp. Z o.o. Poland 100% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
Bruker South Africa (Pty) Ltd. South Africa 100% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
InCoaTec GmbH Germany 66% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
Bruker Nano GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
JPK Instruments USA, Inc. California, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Nano GmbH No
JPK Instruments Limited United Kingdom 100% owned by Bruker Nano GmbH No
Bruker Invest AG Switzerland 90% owned by Bruker BioSpin Corp. and 10% owned by Bruker Corporation No
Bruker Switzerland AG Switzerland 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Mestrelab Research S.L. Spain 50.998% owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No
PMOD Technologies LLC Switzerland 100% owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No
Agapetus GmbH Austria 100% owned by Bruker Switzerland AG No
Alicona Imaging GmbH Austria 100% owned by Agapetus GmbH No
Alicona Corporation Delaware, U.S.A. 100% owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No
Alicona GmbH Germany 100% owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No

 

  5.4-2  

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage Ownership Subsidiary
Guarantor

Alicona UK Limited United Kingdom 100% owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No
Alicona s.r.l. Italy 100% owned by Alicona Imaging GmbH No
Bruker Espanola S.A. Spain 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Biospin K.K.

Japan

100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Korea Co. Ltd. Korea 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker MicroCT N.V. (38) Belgium 99.99% owned by Bruker Invest AG and .01% by Bruker Switzerland AG No
Luxendo GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Nederland B.V. Netherlands 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Ltd. Canada 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker AXS Ltd. United Kingdom 50% owned by Bruker UK Ltd. and 50% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker JV UK Ltd. United Kingdom 100% owned by Bruker UK Ltd. No
Bruker France S.A.S. France 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Belgium S.A./N.V. Belgium 99.99% owned by Bruker Invest AG and .01% owned by Bruker BioSpin AG No
Bruker Turkey Teknolojik Sistemler Ticaret Ltd. Sirketi Turkey 99.74% owned by Bruker Invest AG and .26% by Bruker Switzerland AG No
Bruker Italia S.r.l. Italy 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
XGLabs S.r.l. Italy 100% owned by Bruker Italia S.r.l. No

  

  5.4-3  

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage Ownership Subsidiary
Guarantor

Bruker Portugal Unipessoal Lda. 

Portugal 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Scientific Israel Ltd. Israel 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Technologies Ltd. Israel 100% owned by Bruker Scientific Israel Ltd. No
Bruker (Beijing) Scientific Technology Co., Ltd. China 100% owned by Bruker Singapore Pte. Ltd. No
Bruker (Malaysia) SDN BHD Malaysia 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Ltd. Russia 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker India Scientific PVT, Ltd. India 73.59% owned by Bruker Invest AG, 6.53% owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH and 19.88% owned by Bruker AXS GmbH No
Bruker PTY Ltd. Australia 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No
Bruker Physik GmbH Germany 50.5% owned by Bruker BioSpin Corporation, 24.75% owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH and 24.75% owned by Bruker Optik GmbH No
Bruker BioSpin GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Physik GmbH No
Bruker Daltonik GmbH Germany 90% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC and 10% by Bruker Corporation No
Bruker Taiwan Co. Ltd. Taiwan 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Bruker Daltonics Pty Ltd. South Africa 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Bruker Finance B.V. Netherlands 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Bruker Daltonics Ltd. United Kingdom 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Bruker Daltonics s.r.l. Italy 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Bruker Detection Corporation Massachusetts, U.S.A. 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No

 

  5.4-4  

 

 

Name of Subsidiary Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage Ownership Subsidiary
Guarantor

Bruker  Nordic AB Sweden 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Hain LifeScience GmbH Germany 80% owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No
Hain LifeScience E.A. Ltd. Kenya 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
Hain LifeScience Spain S.L. Spain 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
Hain Lifescience Solutions (pty) Ltd. South Africa 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
Biocentra AS Norway 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
Hain LifeScience UK Ltd. United Kingsom 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
SAS Biocentric France 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
Hain LifeScience S.A. Pty. Ltd. South Africa 100% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH No
Advanced Diagnostic Solutions Pty Ltd. South Africa 50% owned by Hain LifeScience GmbH and 50% owned by Hain LifeScience S.A. Pty. Ltd. No
Bruker Business Support Center sp. Z.o.o. Poland 100% owned by Bruker Finance B.V. No
Bruker s.r.o. Czech Republic 100% owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No
Merlin Diagnostika GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No
InVivo Biotech Svs GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Daltonik GmbH No
Bruker Optik GmbH Germany 100% owned by Bruker Scientific LLC No
Bruker Scientific Instruments Hong Kong Co. Ltd. China 100% owned by Bruker Invest AG No

  

(ii)            Company’s Officers and Directors:

 

Officers

Frank H. Laukien, Ph.D. – President & Chief Executive Officer

Gerald N. Herman – Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Kristin Caplice – Secretary

Larry Smith – Treasurer

 

  5.4-5  

 

 

Falko Busse – President, Bruker BioSpin Group

Juergen Srega – President, Bruker CALID Group

Mark R. Munch – Executive Vice President & President, Bruker Nano Group

Burkhard Prause, Ph.D. – President and Chief Executive Officer, Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc.

 

Directors

Frank H. Laukien, Ph.D.

Cynthia M. Friend

Richard A. Packer

Marc A. Kastner

William A. Linton

Gilles Martin

Hermann Requardt

John Ornell

Robert Rosenthal

Adelene Q. Perkins

 

  5.4-6  

 

 

Exhibit 1

 

Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

 

Exhibit 1
(to Note Purchase Agreement)

 

 

 

 

 

Execution Version

 

 

Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement

 

 

Dated as of December 11, 2019

 

 

of

 

Bruker Scientific LLC

Bruker AXS LLC

Bruker BioSpin Corporation

Bruker Nano, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Section   Heading   Page
         
Section 1.   Guaranty   2
         
Section 2.   Obligations Absolute   3
         
Section 3.   Waiver   3
         
Section 4.   Obligations Unimpaired   4
         
Section 5.   Subrogation and Subordination   5
         
Section 6.   Reinstatement of Guaranty   6
         
Section 7.   Rank of Guaranty   6
         
Section 8.   Representations and Warranties of Each Guarantor   6
         
Section 8.1.   Organization; Power and Authority   6
Section 8.2.   Authorization, Etc.   6
Section 8.3.   Compliance with Laws, Other instruments, Etc.   7
Section 8.4.   Governmental Authorizations, Etc.   7
Section 8.5.   Information regarding the Company   7
Section 8.6.   Solvency   7
         
Section 9.   Tax indemnification   8
         
Section 10.   Swiss Guarantee Limitations   11
         
Section 11.   Restriction on Use of Proceeds of the Notes in Switzerland   13
         
Section 12.   German Guarantee Limitations   13
         
Section 13.   French Guarantor Limitations   14
         
Section 14.   Term of Guaranty Agreement   14

 

-i-  

 

 

Section 15.   Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement   14
         
Section 16.   Amendment and  Waiver   14
         
Section 16.1.   Requirements   14
Section 16.2.   Solicitation of Holders of Notes   15
Section 16.3.   Binding Effect   15
Section 16.4.   Notes Held by Company, Etc.   15
         
Section 17.   Notices   16
         
Section 18.   Miscellaneous   16
         
Section 18.1.   Successors and Assigns; Joinder   16
Section 18.2.   Severability   16
Section 18.3.   Construction   17
Section 18.4.   Further Assurances   17
Section 18.5.   Governing Law   17
Section 18.6.   Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial   17
Section 18.7.   Obligation to Make Payment in Swiss Francs or Dollars   18
Section 18.8.   Reproduction of Documents; execution   18

 

-ii-  

 

 

Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement

 

THIS SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AGREEMENT, dated as of December 11, 2019 (this “Guaranty Agreement”), is made by each of the undersigned (each a “Guarantor” and, together with each of the other signatories hereto and any other entities from time to time parties hereto pursuant to Section 18.1 hereof, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Purchasers (as defined below) and the other holders from time to time of the Notes (as defined below). The Purchasers and such other holders are herein collectively called the “holders” and individually a “holder.”

 

Preliminary Statements:

 

I.               Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is entering into a Note Purchase Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Note Agreement”) with the Persons listed on the signature pages thereto (the “Purchasers”) simultaneously with the delivery of this Guaranty Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings specified in the Note Agreement unless otherwise defined herein.

 

II.              The Company has authorized the issuance, pursuant to the Note Agreement, of Senior Notes due 2029 in the aggregate principal amount of CHF 297,000,000. Pursuant to the Note Agreement, the Company proposes to issue and sell CHF 297,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.01% Senior Notes, due December 11, 2029 (the “Initial Notes”). The Initial Notes and any other Notes that may from time to time be issued pursuant to the Note Agreement (including any notes issued in substitution for any of the Notes) are herein collectively called the “Notes” and individually a “Note”.

 

III.            It is a condition to the Agreement of the Purchasers to purchase the Notes that this Guaranty Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by each Guarantor and shall be in full force and effect.

 

IV.            Each Guarantor will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Note Agreement. The Board of Directors or other governing body, as applicable, of each Guarantor has determined that the incurrence of such obligations is in the best interests of such Guarantor.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in order to induce, and in consideration of, the execution and delivery of the Note Agreement and the purchase of the Notes by each of the Purchasers, each Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees with, and represents and warrants to each of the holders as follows:

 

 

 

 

Section 1.                 Guaranty.

 

Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably, unconditionally and jointly and severally with the other Guarantors guarantees to each holder, the due and punctual payment in full of (a) the principal of, Make-Whole Amount, if any, Swap Breakage Loss, if any, and interest on (including, without limitation, interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), and any other amounts due under, the Notes when and as the same shall become due and payable (whether at stated maturity or by required or optional prepayment or by acceleration or otherwise), (b) any other sums which may become due under the terms and provisions of the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein and (c) the performance of all other obligations of the Company under the Note Agreement (all such obligations described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) above are herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The guaranty in the preceding sentence is an absolute, present and continuing guaranty of payment and not of collectability and is in no way conditional or contingent upon any attempt to collect from the Company or any other guarantor of the Notes (including, without limitation, any other Guarantor hereunder) or upon any other action, occurrence or circumstance whatsoever. In the event that the Company shall fail to so pay any of such Guaranteed Obligations, each Guarantor agrees to pay the same when due to the holders entitled thereto, without demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind, in lawful money of Switzerland or Dollars, as applicable, pursuant to the requirements for payment specified in the Notes and the Note Agreement. Each default in payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall give rise to a separate cause of action hereunder and separate suits may be brought hereunder as each cause of action arises. Each Guarantor agrees that the Notes issued in connection with the Note Agreement may (but need not) make reference to this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Each Guarantor agrees to pay and to indemnify and save each holder harmless from and against any damage, loss, cost or reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) which such holder may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (x) any breach by such Guarantor, by any other Guarantor or by the Company of any warranty, covenant, term or condition in, or the occurrence of any default under, this Guaranty Agreement, the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein, together with all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the compromise or defense of any claims or liabilities arising as a result of any such breach or default, (y) any legal action commenced to challenge the validity or enforceability of this Guaranty Agreement, the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein and (z) enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) the provisions of this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Each Guarantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that such Guarantor’s liability hereunder is joint and several with the other Guarantors and any other Person(s) who may join this Guaranty Agreement and guarantee the obligations and Indebtedness under and in respect of the Notes and the Note Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions or any other provision of this Guaranty Agreement, the Purchasers (on behalf of themselves and their successors and assigns) and each Guarantor hereby agree that if at any time the Guaranteed Obligations exceed the Maximum Guaranteed Amount determined as of such time with regard to such Guarantor, then this Guaranty Agreement shall be automatically amended to reduce the Guaranteed Obligations to the Maximum Guaranteed Amount. Such amendment shall not require the written consent of any Guarantor or any holder and shall be deemed to have been automatically consented to by each Guarantor and each holder. Each Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time exceed the Maximum Guaranteed Amount without affecting or impairing the obligation of such Guarantor. “Maximum Guaranteed Amount” means as of the date of determination with respect to a Guarantor, the lesser of (a) the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations outstanding on such date and (b) the maximum amount that would not render such Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty Agreement subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (or any successor provision) or any comparable provision of applicable state law.

 

  -2-  

 

 

Section 2.                 Obligations Absolute.

 

The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall be primary, absolute, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein, shall not be subject to any counterclaim, setoff, deduction or defense based upon any claim such Guarantor may have against the Company or any holder or otherwise, and shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released, discharged or in any way affected by, any circumstance or condition whatsoever (whether or not such Guarantor shall have any knowledge or notice thereof), including, without limitation: (a) any amendment to, modification of, supplement to or restatement of the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein (it being agreed that the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall apply to the Notes, the Note Agreement or any such other instrument as so amended, modified, supplemented or restated) or any assignment or transfer of any thereof or of any interest therein, or any furnishing, acceptance or release of any security for the Notes or the addition, substitution or release of any other Guarantor or any other entity or other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other action or inaction under or in respect of the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein; (c) any bankruptcy, insolvency, arrangement, reorganization, readjustment, composition, liquidation or similar proceeding with respect to the Company or its property; (d) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Guarantor or of the Company into or with any other Person or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of any Guarantor or of the Company to any Person; (e) any failure on the part of the Company for any reason to comply with or perform any of the terms of any other agreement with any Guarantor; (f) any failure on the part of any holder to obtain, maintain, register or otherwise perfect any security; or (g) any other event or circumstance (other than the indefeasible payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (whether or not similar to the foregoing), and in any event however material or prejudicial it may be to any Guarantor or to any subrogation, contribution or reimbursement rights any Guarantor may otherwise have. Each Guarantor covenants that its obligations hereunder will not be discharged except by indefeasible payment in full in cash of all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other obligations hereunder.

 

Section 3.                 Waiver.

 

Each Guarantor unconditionally waives to the fullest extent permitted by law, (a) notice of acceptance hereof, of any action taken or omitted in reliance hereon and of any default by the Company in the payment of any amounts due under the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein, and of any of the matters referred to in Section 2 hereof, (b) all notices which may be required by statute, rule of law or otherwise to preserve any of the rights of any holder against such Guarantor, including, without limitation, presentment to or demand for payment from the Company or any Guarantor with respect to any Note, notice to the Company or to any Guarantor of default or protest for nonpayment or dishonor and the filing of claims with a court in the event of the bankruptcy of the Company, (c) any right to require any holder to enforce, assert or exercise any right, power or remedy including, without limitation, any right, power or remedy conferred in the Note Agreement or the Notes, (d) any requirement for diligence on the part of any holder and (e) any other act or omission or thing or delay in doing any other act or thing which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of such Guarantor or in any manner lessen the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder.

 

  -3-  

 

 

Section 4.                 Obligations Unimpaired.

 

Each Guarantor authorizes the holders, without notice or demand to such Guarantor or any other Guarantor and without affecting its obligations hereunder, from time to time: (a) to renew, compromise, extend, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment of, all or any part of the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein; (b) to change any of the representations, covenants, events of default or any other terms or conditions of or pertaining to the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein, including, without limitation, decreases or increases in amounts of principal, rates of interest, the Make-Whole Amount, Swap Breakage Loss or any other obligation; (c) to take and hold security for the payment of the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other instrument referred to therein, for the performance of this Guaranty Agreement or otherwise for the Indebtedness guaranteed hereby and to exchange, enforce, waive, subordinate and release any such security; (d) to apply any such security and to direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the holders in their sole discretion may determine; (e) to obtain additional or substitute endorsers or guarantors or release any other Guarantor or any other Person or entity primarily or secondarily liable in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations; (f) to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, any Guarantor or any other Person; and (g) to apply any sums, by whomsoever paid or however realized, to the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other obligations owed hereunder. The holders shall have no obligation to proceed against any additional or substitute endorsers or guarantors or to pursue or exhaust any security provided by the Company, such Guarantor or any other Guarantor or any other Person or to pursue any other remedy available to the holders.

 

If an event permitting the acceleration of the maturity of the principal amount of any Notes shall exist and such acceleration shall at such time be prevented or the right of any holder to receive any payment on account of the Guaranteed Obligations shall at such time be delayed or otherwise affected by reason of the pendency against the Company, any Guarantor or any other guarantors of a case or proceeding under a bankruptcy or insolvency law, such Guarantor agrees that, for purposes of this Guaranty Agreement and its obligations hereunder, the maturity of such principal amount shall be deemed to have been accelerated with the same effect as if the holder thereof had accelerated the same in accordance with the terms of the Note Agreement, and such Guarantor shall forthwith pay such accelerated Guaranteed Obligations.

 

  -4-  

 

 

Section 5.                 Subrogation and Subordination.

 

(a)            Each Guarantor will not exercise any rights which it may have acquired by way of subrogation under this Guaranty Agreement, by any payment made hereunder or otherwise, or accept any payment on account of such subrogation rights, or any rights of reimbursement, contribution or indemnity or any rights or recourse to any security for the Notes or this Guaranty Agreement unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash.

 

(b)            Each Guarantor hereby subordinates the payment of all Indebtedness and other obligations of the Company or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations owing to such Guarantor, whether now existing or hereafter arising, including, without limitation, all rights and claims described in clause (a) of this Section 5, to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all of the Guaranteed Obligations. If the Required Holders so request at any time following the occurrence of an Event of Default, and so long as such Event of Default is continuing, any such Indebtedness or other obligations shall be enforced and performance received by such Guarantor as trustee for the holders and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the holders promptly, in the form received (together with any necessary endorsements) to be applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, as may be directed by the Required Holders, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of any Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement; provided, that, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Guarantor may receive payments of principal and interest from the Company or such other guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness.

 

(c)            If any amount or other payment is made to or accepted by any Guarantor in violation of any of the preceding clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 5, such amount shall be deemed to have been paid to such Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the holders and shall be paid over to the holders promptly, in the form received (together with any necessary endorsements) to be applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, as may be directed by the Required Holders, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of such Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement.

 

(d)            Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Note Agreement and that its agreements set forth in this Guaranty Agreement (including this Section 5) are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

(e)            Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid an amount hereunder to any holder that is greater than the net value of the benefits received, directly or indirectly, by such paying Guarantor as a result of the issuance and sale of the Notes (such net value, its “Proportionate Share”), such paying Guarantor shall, subject to Section 5(a) and 5(b), be entitled to contribution from any Guarantor that has not paid its Proportionate Share of the Guaranteed Obligations. Any amount payable as a contribution under this Section 5(e) shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment is made by such Guarantor seeking contribution and each Guarantor acknowledges that the right to contribution hereunder shall constitute an asset of such Guarantor to which such contribution is owed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 5(e) shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the holders of the Notes hereunder or under the Notes, the Note Agreement or any other document, instrument or agreement executed in connection therewith, and each Guarantor shall remain jointly and severally liable for the full payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

  -5-  

 

 

Section 6.                 Reinstatement of Guaranty.

 

This Guaranty Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if and to the extent at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any of the sums due to any holder on account of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by a holder upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or any other guarantors, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to the Company or any other guarantors or any part of its or their property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

Section 7.                 Rank of Guaranty.

 

Each Guarantor will ensure that its payment obligations under this Guaranty Agreement will at all times rank at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing.

 

Section 8.                 Representations and Warranties of Each Guarantor.

 

Each Guarantor represents and warrants to each holder as follows:

 

Section 8.1.                 Organization; Power and Authority. Such Guarantor is a corporation or other entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required by law, in each case, other than those jurisdictions as to which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Such Guarantor has the corporate or entity power and authority to own or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease, to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute and deliver this Guaranty Agreement and to perform the provisions hereof.

 

Section 8.2.                 Authorization, Etc. This Guaranty Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or entity action on the part of such Guarantor, and this Guaranty Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

  -6-  

 

 

Section 8.3.                 Compliance with Laws, Other instruments, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by such Guarantor of this Guaranty Agreement will not (a) contravene, result in any breach of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in respect of any property of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement, lease, organizational documents, or any other agreement or instrument to which such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or by which such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, (b) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order, judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Authority applicable to such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) violate any provision of any statute or other rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries. “Governmental Authority” means (x) the government of (i) the United States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof, or (ii) any other jurisdiction in which such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, or (y) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

 

Section 8.4.                 Governmental Authorizations, Etc. No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Guarantor of this Guaranty Agreement which has not been obtained.

 

Section 8.5.                 Information regarding the Company Such Guarantor now has and will continue to have independent means of obtaining information concerning the affairs, financial condition and business of the Company. No holder shall have any duty or responsibility to provide such Guarantor with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Company which may come into possession of the holders. Such Guarantor has executed and delivered this Guaranty Agreement without reliance upon any representation by the holders (other than those set forth in Section 6 of the Note Agreement) including, without limitation, with respect to (a) the due execution, validity, effectiveness or enforceability of any instrument, document or agreement evidencing or relating to any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any loan or other financial accommodation made or granted to the Company, (b) the validity, genuineness, enforceability, existence, value or sufficiency of any property securing any of the Guaranteed Obligations or the creation, perfection or priority of any lien or security interest in such property or (c) the existence, number, financial condition or creditworthiness of other guarantors or sureties, if any, with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

Section 8.6.                 Solvency. Upon the execution and delivery hereof, such Guarantor will be solvent, will be able to pay its debts as they mature, and will have capital sufficient to carry on its business.

 

  -7-  

 

 

Section 9.                 Tax indemnification.

 

All payments whatsoever under this Guaranty Agreement will be made by each Guarantor free and clear of, and without liability for withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future tax (whether income, documentary, sales, stamp, registration, issue, capital, property, excise or otherwise), duty, assessment, levy, impost, fee, compulsory loan, charge or withholding (a “Tax”) of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction other than the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority of or in such jurisdiction) (a “Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless the withholding or deduction of such Tax is compelled by law.

 

If any deduction or withholding for any Tax of a Taxing Jurisdiction shall at any time be required in respect of any amounts to be paid by a Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement, such Guarantor, but in the case of a Swiss Guarantor (as defined below) subject to Section 10 (c), will pay to the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction the full amount required to be withheld, deducted or otherwise paid before penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and pay to each holder such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to such holder pursuant to the terms of this Guaranty Agreement after such deduction, withholding or payment (including, without limitation, any required deduction or withholding of Tax on or with respect to such additional amount), shall be not less than the amounts then due and payable to such holder under the terms of this Guaranty Agreement before the assessment of such Tax, provided that no payment of any additional amounts shall be required to be made for or on account of:

 

(a)            any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the existence of any present or former connection between such holder (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member of, shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder, if such holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation or any Person other than the holder to whom the Notes or any amount payable thereon is attributable for the purposes of such Tax) and the Taxing Jurisdiction, other than the mere holding of the relevant Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or in respect thereof, including, without limitation, such holder (or such other Person described in the above parenthetical) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof, or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had an establishment, office, fixed base or branch therein, provided that this exclusion shall not apply with respect to a Tax that would not have been imposed but for such Guarantor, after the date of the Closing, opening an office in, moving an office to, reincorporating in, or changing the Taxing Jurisdiction from or through which payments on account of this Guaranty Agreement are made to, the Taxing Jurisdiction imposing the relevant Tax;

 

(b)            any Tax that would not have been imposed but for the delay or failure by such holder (following a written request by such Guarantor) in the filing with the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of Forms (as defined below) that are required to be filed by such holder to avoid or reduce such Taxes (including for such purpose any refilings or renewals of filings that may from time to time be required by the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction), provided that the filing of such Forms would not (in such holder’s reasonable judgment) impose any unreasonable burden (in time, resources or otherwise) on such holder or result in any confidential or proprietary income tax return information being revealed, either directly or indirectly, to any Person and such delay or failure could have been lawfully avoided by such holder, and provided further that such holder shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of this clause (b) upon the good faith completion and submission of such Forms (including refilings or renewals of filings) as may be specified in a written request of such Guarantor no later than 60 days after receipt by such holder of such written request (accompanied by copies of such Forms and related instructions, if any, all in the English language or with an English translation thereof); or

 

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(c)            any combination of clauses (a) and (b) above;

 

and provided further that in no event shall such Guarantor be obligated to pay such additional amounts (i) to any holder not resident in the United States of America or any other jurisdiction in which an original Purchaser is resident for tax purposes on the date of the Closing in excess of the amounts that such Guarantor would be obligated to pay if such holder had been a resident of the United States of America or such other jurisdiction, as applicable, for purposes of, and eligible for the benefits of, any double taxation treaty from time to time in effect between the United States of America or such other jurisdiction and the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or (ii) to any holder of a Note registered in the name of a nominee if under the law of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or the current regulatory interpretation of such law) securities held in the name of a nominee do not qualify for an exemption from the relevant Tax and such Guarantor shall have given timely notice of such law or interpretation to such holder.

 

By acceptance of any Note, the holder of such Note agrees, subject to the limitations of clause (b) above, that it will from time to time with reasonable promptness (x) duly complete and deliver to or as reasonably directed by such Guarantor all such forms, certificates, documents and returns provided to such holder by such Guarantor (collectively, together with instructions for completing the same, “Forms”) required to be filed by or on behalf of such holder in order to avoid or reduce any such Tax pursuant to the provisions of an applicable statute, regulation or administrative practice of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or of a tax treaty between the United States and such Taxing Jurisdiction and (y) provide such Guarantor with such information with respect to such holder as such Guarantor may reasonably request in order to complete any such Forms, provided that nothing in this Section 9 shall require any holder to provide information with respect to any such Form or otherwise if in the opinion of such holder such Form or disclosure of information would involve the disclosure of tax return or other information that is confidential or proprietary to such holder, and provided, further, that each such holder shall be deemed to have complied with its obligation under this paragraph with respect to any Form if such Form shall have been duly completed and delivered by such holder to such Guarantor or mailed to the appropriate taxing authority (which in the case of any Form which requires that it be submitted to the United States Internal Revenue Service as a condition to its effectiveness in the Taxing Jurisdiction shall be deemed to occur when such Form is submitted to the United States Internal Revenue Service in accordance with instructions contained in such Form), whichever is applicable, within 60 days following a written request of such Guarantor (which request shall be accompanied by copies of such Form and English translations of any such Form not in the English language) and, in the case of a transfer of any Note, at least 90 days prior to the relevant interest payment date.

 

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On or before the date of the Closing such Guarantor will furnish each Purchaser with copies of the appropriate Form (and English translation if required as aforesaid) currently required to be filed in the United States pursuant to clause (b) of the second paragraph of this Section 9, if any, and in connection with the transfer of any Note such Guarantor will furnish the transferee of such Note with copies of any Form and English translation then required.

 

If any payment is made by such Guarantor to or for the account of the holder of any Note after deduction for or on account of any Taxes, and increased payments are made by such Guarantor pursuant to this Section 9, then, if such holder at its reasonable discretion determines that it has received or been granted a refund of such Taxes, such holder shall, to the extent that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the amount of such refund, reimburse to such Guarantor such amount as such holder shall, in its reasonable discretion, determine to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or withholding (after deduction of costs). Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of the holder of any Note to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no holder of any Note shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such Tax in priority to any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it or (other than as set forth in clause (b) above) oblige any holder of any Note to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof.

 

Such Guarantor will furnish the holders of Notes, promptly and in any event within 60 days after the date of any payment by such Guarantor of any Tax in respect of any amounts paid under this Guaranty Agreement, the original tax receipt issued by the relevant taxation or other authorities involved for all amounts paid as aforesaid (or if such original tax receipt is not available or must legally be kept in the possession of such Guarantor, a duly certified copy of the original tax receipt or any other reasonably satisfactory evidence of payment), together with such other documentary evidence with respect to such payments as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any holder of a Note.

 

If such Guarantor is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of the taxation or other authority of any relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, to make any deduction or withholding of any Tax in respect of which such Guarantor would be required to pay any additional amount under this Section 9, but for any reason does not make such deduction or withholding with the result that a liability in respect of such Tax is assessed directly against the holder of any Note, and such holder pays such liability, then such Guarantor will promptly reimburse such holder for such payment (including any related interest or penalties to the extent such interest or penalties arise by virtue of a default or delay by such Guarantor) upon demand by such holder accompanied by an official receipt (or a duly certified copy thereof) issued by the taxation or other authority of the relevant Taxing Jurisdiction.

 

If such Guarantor makes payment to or for the account of any holder of a Note and such holder is entitled to a refund of the Tax to which such payment is attributable upon the making of a filing (other than a Form described above), then such holder shall, as soon as practicable after receiving written request from such Guarantor (which shall specify in reasonable detail and supply the refund forms to be filed) use reasonable efforts to complete and deliver such refund forms to or as directed by such Guarantor, subject, however, to the same limitations with respect to Forms as are set forth above.

 

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The obligations of such Guarantor under this Section 9 shall survive the payment or transfer of any Note and the provisions of this Section 9 shall also apply to successive transferees of the Notes.

 

Section 10.                 Swiss Guarantee Limitations .

 

(a)            If and to the extent that a Guarantor incorporated under the laws of Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to art. 9 of the Swiss Federal Withholding Tax Act (for the purpose of this Section a “Swiss Guarantor”) under or in connection with this Guaranty Agreement guarantees obligations other than obligations of one of its direct or indirect subsidiaries (i.e. obligations of such Swiss Guarantor’s direct or indirect parent companies (up-stream liabilities) or sister companies (cross-stream liabilities)) (the “Restricted Obligations”) and that the making of a payment in fulfilling the guarantee obligations hereunder with respect to Restricted Obligations would under Swiss corporate law (inter alia, prohibiting capital repayments or restricting distributions), at the time payment is due, not be permitted, then such obligations and payment amount shall from time to time be limited to the amount permitted to be paid under Swiss corporate law; provided that such limited amount shall at no time be less than such Swiss Guarantor’s distributable capital at the time or times payment under or in connection with this Guaranty Agreement is requested from such Swiss Guarantor, and further provided that such limitation (as may apply from time to time or not) shall not (generally or definitively) release such Swiss Guarantor from payment obligations hereunder in excess thereof, but merely postpone the payment date therefore until such times as payment is again permitted notwithstanding such limitation. Any and all indemnities, subordination undertakings and other financial undertakings assumed by a Swiss Guarantor under or in connection with this Guaranty Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Section.

 

(b)            In case a Swiss Guarantor who must make a payment in respect of Restricted Obligations under or in connection with this Guaranty Agreement is obliged to withhold Swiss Withholding Tax in respect of such payment, such Swiss Guarantor shall:

 

i.            use best efforts that such payments can be made without deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax, or with deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability to such tax by notification pursuant to applicable law (including double tax treaties) rather than payment of the tax;

 

ii.           if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above does not apply, deduct Swiss Withholding Tax at the rate of 35% (or such other rate as in force from time to time), or if the notification procedure pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above applies for a part of the Swiss Withholding Tax only, deduct Swiss Withholding Tax at the reduced rate resulting after the discharge of part of such tax by notification under applicable law, from any payment made by it in respect of Restricted Obligations and promptly pay any such taxes to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung);

 

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iii.          notify the holders that such notification, or as the case may be, deduction has been made and provide the holders with evidence that such a notification of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been made or, as the case may be, such Swiss Withholding Tax deducted has been paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

iv.          in the case of a deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax:

 

1.            use its best efforts to ensure that any person other than a holder, which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax deducted from such payment in respect of Restricted Obligations, will, as soon as possible after such deduction (A) request a refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax under applicable law (including tax treaties) and (B) pay to the relevant holder(s) upon receipt any amounts so refunded; and

 

2.            if a holder is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax deducted from such payment, and if requested by such holder, provide such holder those documents that are required by law and applicable tax treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss Withholding Tax.

 

(c)            If a Swiss Guarantor is obliged to withhold Swiss Withholding Tax in accordance with paragraph (b) above, each holder shall be entitled to further enforce this Guaranty Agreement and/or further apply proceeds therefrom against the Restricted Obligations up to an amount which is equal to that amount which would have been obtained if no withholding of Swiss Withholding Tax were required, whereby such further enforcements/applications of proceeds shall always be limited to the maximum amount of the freely distributable capital of such Swiss Guarantor as set out in para-graph (a) above.

 

(d)            If and to the extent requested by a holder or if and to the extent required under Swiss mandatory law (with regards to restricting distributions) applicable at the relevant time, in order to allow the holders to obtain a maximum benefit under or in connection this Guaranty Agreement, the Swiss Guarantor shall, and any parent company of such Swiss Guarantor being a party to this Guaranty Agreement shall procure that such Swiss Guarantor will, promptly implement all such measures and/or promptly procure the fulfilment of all prerequisites allowing it to promptly make the (requested) payment(s) under or in connection with this Guaranty Agreement from time to time, including the following:

 

i.            preparation of an up-to-date audited balance sheet of the Swiss Guarantor;

 

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ii.           obtain a confirmation of the auditors of the Swiss Guarantor confirming the maximum amount of the freely distributable capital;

 

iii.          approval by a shareholders’ meeting of the Swiss Guarantor of the (resulting) distribution;

 

iv.          to the extent permitted by applicable law write up or realize any of the Swiss Guarantor’s assets that are shown in its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets, in case of realization, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Swiss Guarantor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig); and

 

v.            all such other measures necessary or useful to allow the Swiss Guarantor to make the payments and perform the obligations under or in connection with this Guaranty Agreement with a minimum of limitations.

 

Section 11.                 Restriction on use of proceeds of the Notes in Switzerland.

 

Each Guarantor shall (and shall ensure that each of its Subsidiary will) ensure that no proceeds of any Note (x) be on-lent or made available, directly or indirectly, to any member of the Company’s group incorporated in Switzerland and/or having its registered office in Switzerland and/or qualifying as a Swiss resident pursuant to article 9 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act or (y) will otherwise be used or made available, directly or indirectly, in each case in a manner which would constitute a detrimental ‘use of proceeds in Switzerland’ (Mittelverwendung in der Schweiz) as interpreted by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration for purposes of Swiss Withholding Tax, unless and until such time as a written confirmation or countersigned tax ruling application from the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been obtained confirming, based on correct and up to date facts and circumstances, that such use of proceeds of any Notes is permitted without interest payments under the Notes becoming subject to Swiss Withholding Tax.

 

Section 12.                 German Guarantee Limitations. Nothing in this Guaranty shall oblige a Guarantor that is a Guarantor incorporated or established in Germany in the legal form of a limited liability company (GmbH) or a limited partnership with a limited liability company as general partner (GmbH & Co. KG), to make a payment in respect of this Guaranty if and to the extent that this Guaranty shall secure obligations of such Guarantor’s shareholders and/or affiliated companies (verbundene Unternehmen) of such shareholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz) (other than the Subsidiaries of such Guarantor) and such payment would cause such Guarantor not to have sufficient net assets (Reinvermögen) to maintain its stated share capital (Stammkapital) and as a result cause a violation of Sections 30, 31 of the German Limited Liability Companies Act (Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung).

 

If (i) Section 26 of that certain Guaranty (Foreign Subsidiaries ) dated as of December 11, 2019 among each of the Foreign Subsidiaries (as defined therein) (the “Credit Agreement Foreign Guaranty”) or (ii) the last paragraph of Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement, is amended, modified or supplemented after the date hereof in any material respect in the determination of the Required Holders, the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors agree that such change shall be deemed automatically incorporated by reference to Section 12 of this Agreement, mutatis mutandis, as if set forth in full herein, effective as of the date when such change shall have become effective under the Credit Agreement Foreign Guaranty or Credit Agreement.

 

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Section 13.                 French Guarantor Limitations.

 

If and to the extent that a Guarantor incorporated under the laws of France (for the purpose of this Section a “French Guarantor”), the obligations and liabilities of any French Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guaranty executed and delivered by such French Guarantor shall be limited, at any time, to an amount equal to the aggregate of all amounts borrowed under the Note Agreement by the Company to the extent directly or indirectly on-lent to such French Guarantor and outstanding at the date a payment is to be made by such French Guarantor under this Subsidiary Guaranty, it being specified that any payment made by such French Subsidiary Guarantor under the relevant Subsidiary Guaranty shall reduce pro tanto the outstanding amount on-lent by the Company to such French Guarantor.

 

Section 14.                 Term of Guaranty Agreement.

 

This Guaranty Agreement and all guarantees, covenants and agreements of the Guarantors contained herein shall continue in full force and effect and shall not be discharged until such time as all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other obligations hereunder shall be indefeasibly paid in full in cash and shall be subject to reinstatement pursuant to Section 6.

 

Section 15.                 Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement.

 

All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Guaranty Agreement and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of any Purchaser or any other holder. All statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of a Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties of such Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Guaranty Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding between each holder and the Guarantors and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 16.                 Amendment and Waiver.

 

Section 16.1.                 Requirements. Except as otherwise provided in the fourth paragraph of Section 1 of this Guaranty Agreement, this Guaranty Agreement may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of each Guarantor and the Required Holders, except that no amendment or waiver (a) of any of the first three paragraphs of Section 1 or any of the provisions of Section 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14 or 16 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), or (b) which results in the limitation of the liability of any Guarantor hereunder (except to the extent provided in the fourth paragraph of Section 1 of this Guaranty Agreement) will be effective as to any holder unless consented to by such holder in writing.

 

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Section 16.2.                 Solicitation of Holders of Notes.

 

(a)            Solicitation. Each Guarantor will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof. Each Guarantor will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 16.2 to each holder promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.

 

(b)            Payment. The Guarantors will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.

 

(c)            Consent in Contemplation of Transfer. Any consent made pursuant to this Section 16 by a holder that has transferred or has agreed to transfer its Notes to the Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate (including any Guarantor) of the Company and has provided or has agreed to provide such written consent as a condition to such transfer shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder, and any amendments effected or waivers granted or to be effected or granted that would not have been or would not be so effected or granted but for such consent (and the consents of all other holders of Notes that were acquired under the same or similar conditions) shall be void and of no force or effect except solely as to such holder.

 

Section 16.3.                 Binding Effect. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 16 applies equally to all holders and is binding upon them and upon each future holder and upon each Guarantor without regard to whether any Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant or agreement not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between a Guarantor and the holder nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder. As used herein, the term “this Guaranty Agreement” and references thereto shall mean this Guaranty Agreement as it may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Section 16.4.                 Notes Held by Company, Etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Guaranty Agreement, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by any Guarantor, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

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Section 17.                 Notices.

 

All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:

 

(a)            if to any Guarantor, to the address of such Guarantor set forth on the signature pages, or such other address as such Guarantor shall have specified to the holders in writing, or

 

(b)            if to any holder, to such holder at the addresses specified for such communications set forth in Schedule A to the Note Agreement, or such other address as such holder shall have specified to the Guarantors in writing.

 

(c)            Each document, instrument, financial statement, report, notice or other communication delivered in connection with this Guaranty Agreement shall be in English or accompanied by an English translation thereof.

 

This Guaranty Agreement has been prepared and signed in English and each Guarantor agrees that the English version hereof (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law) shall be the only version valid for the purpose of the interpretation and construction hereof and thereof notwithstanding the preparation of any translation into another language hereof or thereof, whether official or otherwise or whether prepared in relation to any proceedings which may be brought in Switzerland or any other jurisdiction in respect hereof or thereof.

 

Section 18.                 Miscellaneous.

 

Section 18.1.                 Successors and Assigns; Joinder. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Guaranty Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not. It is agreed and understood that any Person may become a Guarantor hereunder by executing a Guarantor Supplement substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and delivering the same to the Holders. Any such Person shall thereafter be a “Guarantor” for all purposes under this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Section 18.2.                 Severability. Any provision of this Guaranty Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law), not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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Section 18.3.                 Construction. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Whether any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.

 

The section and subsection headings in this Guaranty Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall neither be deemed to be a part of this Guaranty Agreement nor modify, define, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof. All references herein to numbered sections, unless otherwise indicated, are to sections of this Guaranty Agreement. Words and definitions in the singular shall be read and construed as though in the plural and vice versa, and words in the masculine, neuter or feminine gender shall be read and construed as though in either of the other genders where the context so requires.

 

Section 18.4.                 Further Assurances. Each Guarantor agrees to execute and deliver all such instruments and take all such action as the Required Holders may from time to time reasonably request in order to effectuate fully the purposes of this Guaranty Agreement.

 

Section 18.5.                 Governing Law. This Guaranty Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York, excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

 

Section 18.6.                 Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) Each Guarantor irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

(b)            Each Guarantor consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 18.6(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to it at its address specified in Section 17 or at such other address of which such holder shall then have been notified pursuant to Section 17. Each Guarantor agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.

 

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(c)            Nothing in this Section 18.6 shall affect the right of any holder to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders may have to bring proceedings against any Guarantor in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.

 

(d)            The Guarantors and the holders hereby waive trial by jury in any action brought on or with respect to this Guaranty Agreement or other document executed in connection herewith.

 

Section 18.7.                 Obligation to Make Payment in Swiss Francs or Dollars. Any payment on account of an amount that is payable hereunder in Swiss Francs which is made to or for the account of any holder in any other currency, whether as a result of any judgment or order or the enforcement thereof or the realization of any security or the liquidation of any Guarantor, shall constitute a discharge of the obligation of such Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement only to the extent of the amount of Swiss Francs which such holder could purchase in the foreign exchange markets in London, England, with the amount of such other currency in accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on the London Banking Day following receipt of the payment first referred to above. If the amount of Swiss Francs that could be so purchased is less than the amount of Swiss Francs originally due to such holder, such Guarantor agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law, to indemnify and save harmless such holder from and against such deficiency; provided, however, that such holder shall provide written notice to the Company of any such deficiency and a calculation thereof in reasonable detail. This indemnity shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other obligations contained in this Guaranty Agreement, shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by such holder from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect of an amount due hereunder or under any judgment or order. As used herein the term “London Banking Day” shall mean any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in London, England.

 

Section 18.8.                 Reproduction of Documents; execution. This Guaranty Agreement may be reproduced by any holder by any photographic, photo static, electronic, digital, or other similar process and such holder may destroy any original document so reproduced. Each Guarantor agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such holder in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 18.8 shall not prohibit any Guarantor or any other holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction. A facsimile or electronic transmission of the signature page of a Guarantor shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof and shall be admissible into evidence for all purposes.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first above written.

 

[Guaranty Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Bruker BioSpin Corporation
   
   
  By: /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Assistant Treasurer
   
  Notice Address for such Guarantor:
   
  c/o Bruker Corporation
  40 Manning Road
  Billerca, Massachusetts 01821
  Attn: Gerald Herman, with copy to: Kristin Caplice at the same address
   
   
  Bruker AXS LLC
   
   
  By: /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Manager
   
  Notice Address for such Guarantor:
   
  c/o Bruker Corporation
  40 Manning Road
  Billerca, Massachusetts 01821
  Attn: Gerald Herman, with copy to: Kristin Caplice at the same address
   
   
  Bruker Scientific LLC
   
   
  By: /s/ Kristin Caplice
    Name: Kristin Caplice
    Title: Manager
   
  Notice Address for such Guarantor:
   
  c/o Bruker Corporation
  40 Manning Road
  Billerca, Massachusetts 01821
  Attn: Gerald Herman, with copy to: Kristin Caplice at the same address

 

[Guaranty Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Bruker Nano, Inc.
   
   
  By: /s/ Gerald Herman
    Name: Gerald Herman
    Title: Treasurer
   
  Notice Address for such Guarantor:
   
  c/o Bruker Corporation
  40 Manning Road
  Billerca, Massachusetts 01821
  Attn: Gerald Herman, with copy to: Kristin Caplice at the same address

 

[Guaranty Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Guarantor Supplement

 

This Guarantor Supplement (the “Guarantor Supplement”), dated as of [__________, 20__] is made by [__________], a [____________] (the “Additional Guarantor”), in favor of the holders from time to time of the Notes issued pursuant to the Note Agreement described below:

 

Preliminary Statements:

 

I.               Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Note Agreement”), by and among Bruker Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Persons listed on the signature pages thereto (the “Purchasers”), the Company has issued and sold CHF 297,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1.01% Senior Notes, due December 11, 2029 (the “Initial Notes”). The Initial Notes and any other Notes that may from time to time be issued pursuant to the Note Agreement (including any notes issued in substitution for any of the Notes) are herein collectively called the “Notes” and individually a “Note”.

 

II.              The Company is required pursuant to the Note Agreement to cause the Additional Guarantor to deliver this Guarantor Supplement in order to cause the Additional Guarantor to become a Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement dated as of December 11, 2019 executed by certain Subsidiaries of the Company (together with each entity that from time to time becomes a party thereto by executing a Guarantor Supplement pursuant to Section 18.1 thereof, collectively, the “Guarantors”) in favor of each holder from time to time of any of the Notes (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty Agreement”).

 

III.            The Additional Guarantor has received and will receive substantial direct and indirect benefits from the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the Note Agreement and the Notes issued thereunder.

 

IV.            Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the definitions set forth in the Note Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the funds advanced to the Company by the Purchasers under the Note Agreement and to enable the Company to comply with the terms of the Note Agreement, the Additional Guarantor hereby covenants, represents and warrants to the holders as follows:

 

 

 

 

The Additional Guarantor hereby becomes a Guarantor (as defined in the Guaranty Agreement) for all purposes of the Guaranty Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Additional Guarantor hereby (a) jointly and severally with the other Guarantors under the Guaranty Agreement, guarantees to the holders from time to time of the Notes the prompt payment in full when due (whether at sated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) and the full and prompt performance and observance of all Guaranteed Obligations ( as defined in Section 1 of the Guaranty Agreement) in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided in the Guaranty Agreement, (b) accepts and agrees to perform and observe all of the covenants set forth therein, (c) waives the rights set forth in Section 3 of the Guaranty Agreement, (d) makes the representations and warranties set forth in Section 8 of the Guaranty Agreement and (e) waives the rights, submits to jurisdiction, and waives service of process as described in Section 18.6 of the Guaranty Agreement.

 

Notice of acceptance of this Guarantor Supplement and of the Guaranty Agreement, as supplemented hereby, is hereby waived by the Additional Guarantor.

 

The address for notices and other communications to be delivered to the Additional Guarantor pursuant to Section 17 of the Guaranty Agreement is set forth below.

 

In Witness Whereof, the Additional Guarantor has caused this Guarantor Supplement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first above written.

 

  [Name of Guarantor]
   
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
   
  Notice Address for such Guarantor
   
   
   
   

 

[Guaranty Agreement]