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): June 11, 2019
FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware | 1-14204 | 06-0853042 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
||
3 Great Pasture Road Danbury, Connecticut |
06810 | |||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 825-6000
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | 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, $0.0001 par value per share | FCEL |
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq Global 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. |
License Agreement with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
Effective as of June 11, 2019, FuelCell Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a License Agreement (“License Agreement”) with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (“EMRE”), pursuant to which the Company has agreed, subject to the terms of the License Agreement, to grant EMRE and its affiliates a non-exclusive, worldwide, fully paid, perpetual, irrevocable, non-transferrable license and right to use the Company’s patents, data, know-how, improvements, equipment designs, methods, processes and the like to the extent it is useful to research, develop, and commercially exploit carbonate fuel cells in applications in which the fuel cells concentrate carbon dioxide from industrial and power sources and for any other purpose attendant thereto or associated therewith. Such right and license is sublicensable to third parties performing work for or with EMRE or its affiliates, but shall not otherwise be sublicensable. Upon the payment by EMRE to the Company of $10.0 million, which is expected to occur within 15 days, EMRE and its affiliates will be fully vested in the rights and licenses granted in the License Agreement.
The foregoing summary of the terms of the License Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the License Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment to Hercules Loan and Security Agreement
As previously disclosed, in April 2016, the Company entered into a loan and security agreement with Hercules Capital, Inc. (“Hercules”). The loan and security agreement was subsequently amended on September 5, 2017, October 27, 2017, March 28, 2018, August 29, 2018, December 19, 2018, February 28, 2019, March 29, 2019, and May 8, 2019 (as amended from time to time, the “Loan and Security Agreement”).
On June 11, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), the Company and each of its qualified subsidiaries, as borrower, certain banks and other financial institutions, as lender, and Hercules, as administrative agent for itself and lender, entered into the ninth amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement (such amendment, the “Hercules Amendment”). Under the Hercules Amendment, borrower has agreed, among other things, to: (a) no later than June 11, 2019, pay lender $1.4 million to be applied towards the outstanding balance of the loan; (b) no later than June 26, 2019, direct EMRE to pay lender $6.0 million of the $10.0 million payable under the License Agreement to be applied towards the outstanding balance of the loan; and (c) on each of July 1, 2019 and August 1, 2019, pay lender interest-only payments on the outstanding principal balance of the loan. Borrower has further agreed that interest at the default rate will accrue from June 3, 2019; provided, however, that, in the event that all of the secured obligations are paid in full on or prior to the last day of the Amendment Period (as defined below), lender will fully and unconditionally waive its right to payment of accrued and unpaid default interest. In such circumstances, lender will also fully and unconditionally waive payment of the prepayment charge. In the Hercules Amendment, the term “Amendment Period” is defined as the period from and after the Effective Date through the earlier of (i) August 9, 2019 and (ii) the occurrence of any event of default under the Hercules Amendment.
In addition, Hercules has waived borrower’s compliance with certain financial reporting covenants and the minimum unrestricted cash balance covenant set forth in the Loan and Security Agreement, in each case from the Effective Date through the end of the Amendment Period. Hercules and lender further agreed that borrower is permitted to use and maintain one or more deposit accounts that are not subject to any account control agreements for the purpose of borrower’s receipt and use of $4.0 million of the $10.0 million to be received from EMRE under the License Agreement.
Any failure by borrower to timely perform any of the obligations under the Hercules Amendment will constitute an event of default under the Loan and Security Agreement. Upon any failure by borrower to timely perform any of the obligations under the Hercules Amendment, Hercules will be permitted to issue a notice of default with respect to such an event of default and any other defaults that may exist, whether arising prior to the Effective Date or otherwise.
As of June 11, 2019, prior to the application of the payments made and to be made to Hercules as described above, the outstanding principal balance under the Loan and Security Agreement was approximately $20.9 million.
The foregoing summary of the terms of the Hercules Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Hercules Amendment, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(1) | Certain attachments have been omitted from this exhibit pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted attachments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request. |
(2) | Certain information in this exhibit has been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K because (i) it is not material and (ii) it would likely cause competitive harm if publicly disclosed. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
FUELCELL ENERGY, INC. | |||
Date: June 12, 2019 | By: | /s/ Michael S. Bishop | |
Michael S. Bishop | |||
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Exhibit 10.1
LICENSE AGREEMENT
This License Agreement (“ Agreement ”), effective upon on the Effective Date, is made between:
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company (“ EMRE ”), a Delaware corporation, having offices at 1545 Route 22 East, Annandale, New Jersey 08801, and
FuelCell Energy, Inc., (“ FCE ”), a Delaware corporation, having offices at 3 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, Connecticut 06810.
wherein EMRE and FCE are each a “ Party ” and collectively the “ Parties .”
BACKGROUND
EMRE and FCE are engaged in collaborative research and development projects to evaluate and develop new and/or improved molten carbonate fuel cells to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as defined in the JDA.
EMRE desires to acquire, and FCE is willing to grant, additional rights and licenses under FCE Information and FCE Patents, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. PAYMENT.
In consideration for the grants herein, EMRE will make a one-time ten-million United States dollars ($10,000,000 USD) payment to FCE payable within fifteen (15) days of receipt of invoice issued on or after the Effective Date of this Agreement. Payment details (i.e., bank wire transfer instructions) shall be provided in the invoice.
2. GRANTS.
2.1 | Grants. FCE agrees to grant and hereby grants to EMRE and its Affiliates a non-exclusive, worldwide, fully paid-up (upon payment of the amount set forth in Section 1 (Payment)), perpetual, irrevocable (subject to Section 2.5 (Vesting)), non-transferable (except pursuant to Section 5.1 (Assignment)) license and right under FCE Information and FCE Patents, in each case, to the extent it is useful to research, develop, and commercially exploit carbonate fuel cells in applications in which the fuel cells concentrate carbon dioxide from industrial and power sources, and for any other purpose attendant thereto or associated therewith. Said right and license shall be sub-licensable to third parties performing work for or with EMRE or its Affiliates (including, but not limited to, sublicensing research and development partners and entities deploying units, for or with EMRE or its Affiliates, at sites owned or operated by entities other than EMRE or its Affiliates), but shall not otherwise be sub-licensable. |
2.2 | Asset Sale. Any transfer, including any sale, lease or grant of lien, of one or more of FCE Patents and FCE Information is subject to the grants herein. |
2.3 | No Ownership Interest. This Agreement does not provide ownership of any FCE Patents or FCE Information, unless provided in a separate agreement (e.g., the JDA). |
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2.4 | Bankruptcy. To the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines that this Agreement is subject to assumption or rejection under Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”): |
(a) All rights and licenses granted to EMRE and its Affiliates under or pursuant to this Agreement are, and will otherwise be deemed to be, for all purposes of Section 365(n) of the Bankruptcy Code, licenses of rights to “intellectual property” as defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code.
(b) If a case is commenced under the Bankruptcy Code by or against FCE and this Agreement is rejected as provided in the Bankruptcy Code, and EMRE or any of its Affiliates elects to retain its rights hereunder as provided in the Bankruptcy Code, then EMRE and its Affiliates shall retain all rights hereunder in perpetuity without further royalty payments of any kind and FCE (in any capacity, including debtor-in-possession) and its successors and assigns (including, without limitations, a trustee) shall not interfere with such rights.
2.5 | Vesting. Upon payment of the amount set forth in Section 1 (Payment), EMRE and its Affiliates shall be fully vested in the rights and licenses granted in Section 2.1 (Grants), and said rights and license shall be irrevocable. |
3. PUBLICITY and confidentiality.
3.1 | Agreement. The Agreement is confidential. The Parties agree, except as otherwise stated herein, not to make any disclosure concerning the Agreement or the terms and conditions thereof to any third party, without first obtaining the written consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties may disclose this Agreement or the terms and conditions thereof to Affiliates, subject to confidentiality. Further, the Parties may disclose this Agreement or the terms and conditions thereof to third parties in connection with (1) transactions with existing and potential investors or lenders; (2) disputes; (3) compliance requirements of governmental or regulatory authorities, including filings required by security regulations; (4) recording rights and licenses with the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and (5) transactions with actual and potential successors and assignees and actual and potential licensees or sublicensees, provided to the extent possible, in each instance (1)-(5), such Party will use reasonable efforts to limit further dissemination of such information. |
3.2 | FCE Information. Any confidential FCE Information provided by FCE shall be subject to the confidentiality terms of the agreement (if any) under which the information was provided. |
WARRANTIES.
4.1 | Maintenance. The Parties agree that FCE is under no obligation to maintain any FCE Patent or portion thereof or pursue issuance of any pending claims or applications included in any FCE Patent. |
4.2 | Warranties. FCE warrants that it has the authority to grant the license in Section 2.1 (Grants) and that there are no liens, conveyances, mortgages, assignments, encumbrances, or other agreements that would prevent or impair the full and complete exercise of the terms of this Agreement. |
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5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
5.1 | Assignment . This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their successors, including without limitation any successor owners of any FCE Patents or FCE Information. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Agreement is assignable by a Party to any of its Affiliates, but will not otherwise be assignable, including any assignment by operation of law, by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party. Any and all assignments of this Agreement or of any part thereof not made in accordance with this Article will be void. |
5.2 | Integration. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Parties solely with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements, understandings, or negotiations, whether written or oral solely with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement can only be amended through a written document formally executed by all Parties. |
5.3 | Notices. All notices given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered to the other Party at its address set forth below or to such other address designated by said Party in writing: |
If to EMRE:
For notices related to invoices:
Attn: | Brian C. McClaine, | |
R&D Planning Manager | ||
brian.c.mcclaine@exxonmobil.com |
For notices other than invoices:
Attn: | Vice President, Research & Development | |
cc to Managing Counsel, Law | ||
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company | ||
1545 Route 22 East, | ||
Annandale, New Jersey 08801 |
If to FCE:
Attn: | President/CEO | |
FuelCell Energy, Inc. | ||
3 Great Pasture Road, | ||
Danbury, Connecticut 06810 |
Such notice shall be deemed to be sufficiently given by the earliest of: (a) delivering the same to a reputable courier service which requires a signature upon delivery; (b) mailing the same by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested; (c) sending the same by facsimile transmission upon receipt confirmation (followed by mailing of same); (d) sending the same by electronic mail upon receipt confirmation; or (e) actual receipt by the addressee.
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5.4 | Governing Law. The validity and interpretation of this Agreement, and the legal relations of the Parties to it, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, U.S.A., without recourse to its conflicts of law rules. |
5.5 | Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. To evidence its execution of an original counterpart of this Agreement, a Party may send a copy of its original signature on the execution page hereof to the other Party by electronic transmission and such transmission shall constitute delivery of an executed copy of this Agreement to the receiving Party as of the date of receipt thereof by the receiving Party. |
6. DEFINITIONS.
6.1 | “Affiliate(s)” means any legal entity which, directly or indirectly, at the time in question, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the designated Party. For the purposes of this definition, control is defined as direct or indirect ownership of fifty (50%) or more of the voting interest or economic interest in the controlled entity or such other relationship whereby the controlling entity determines or has the right to determine the majority of the Board of Directors or an equivalent governing body of the controlled entity. With respect to ExxonMobil, “Affiliate(s)” shall additionally include (i) any joint venture in which Exxon Mobil Corporation or any ExxonMobil “Affiliate” as defined above (“the ExxonMobil Group”) is the operator and (ii) joint ventures operated by others in which any entity in the ExxonMobil Group has an ownership or equity interest or a production sharing arrangement. |
6.2 | “Effective Date” means the date this Agreement is signed by the later Party to sign. |
6.3 | “JDA” means the Joint Development Agreement between the Parties, effective April 30, 2016, bearing EMRE reference number EM09080 (“JDA”). |
6.4 | “FCE Patents” means all patents and patent applications (including continuations, continuations-in-part, or divisions thereof, including any patent resulting therefrom, and reissues, re-exams or extensions thereof, and revisions thereof arising from oppositions, inter partes proceedings, or other patent office or judicial proceedings) of all countries, filed on or before April 30, 2021, that is owned or controlled by FCE or its Affiliates (in the sense of having the right to license without accounting to others). |
6.5 | “FCE Information” means all technical information, data, know-how, expertise, and materials (including hardware, samples, models, algorithms, and software), calculations, innovations, inventions, discoveries, improvements, formulations, manufacturing techniques, equipment designs, methods, processes, and the like, that are owned or controlled by FCE or its Affiliates (in the sense of having the right to license without accounting to others) and provided directly by FCE or its Affiliates to EMRE or its Affiliates under any agreement or otherwise, on or before April 30, 2021. |
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INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, EMRE and FCE have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives.
EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY | FUELCELL ENERGY, INC. | |||||
By: | /s/ Vijay Swarup | By: | /s/ Michael S. Bishop | |||
Name: | Vijay Swarup | Name: | Michael S. Bishop | |||
Title: | VP, Research & Development | Title: | EVP & Chief | |||
Financial Officer | ||||||
Date: | June 8, 2019 | |||||
Date: | June 11, 2019 |
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** Certain information in this exhibit (as indicated by “[ ]”) has been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K because (i) it is not material and (ii) it would likely cause competitive harm if publicly disclosed. **
Exhibit 10.2
NINTH AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS NINTH AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is dated this 11 th day of June, 2019 (the “ Ninth Amendment Effective Date ”), by and among FUELCELL ENERGY, INC. (“ FuelCell ”) and each of its Qualified Subsidiaries, including VERSA POWER SYSTEMS, INC. and VERSA POWER SYSTEMS LTD. (collectively, the “ Borrower ”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities a party to this Amendment (collectively, “ Lender ”) and HERCULES CAPITAL, INC., a Maryland corporation, in its capacity as administrative agent for itself and Lender (in such capacity “ Agent ”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement (as defined below).
BACKGROUND
A. Borrower, Agent and Lender are parties to that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 14, 2016, (as amended as of September 5, 2017, October 27, 2017, March 28, 2018, August 29, 2018, December 19, 2018, February 28, 2019, March 29, 2019 and May 8, 2019, and as may be further amended, restated or modified from time to time, the “ Loan Agreement ”).
B. Borrower has requested that Agent and Lender agree to certain amendments to the Loan Agreement, and Agent and Lender have agreed to such request, subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of foregoing premises and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
TERMS
1. CONFIRMATION OF BACKGROUND . Borrower hereby ratifies, confirms and acknowledges that the statements contained in the foregoing Background are true and complete in all respects and that the Loan Agreement (as amended by this Amendment) and all of the other Loan Documents are valid, binding and in full force and effect as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date and fully enforceable against Borrower and its assets in accordance with the terms thereof.
2. GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees as follows:
(a) As of June 11, 2019, the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, the Term Loan in the outstanding principal amount no less than $20,903,331.10, plus accrued interest, fees, costs and charges are each owing to the Lender in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents;
(b) Neither this Amendment nor any other agreement entered in connection herewith or pursuant to the terms hereof shall be deemed or construed to be a compromise, satisfaction, reinstatement, accord and satisfaction, novation or release of any of the Loan Documents or any rights or obligations thereunder, or a waiver by Lender or Agent of any of its rights under the Loan Documents or at law or in equity;
(c) Except as specifically provided herein, neither this Amendment nor any other agreement executed in connection herewith or pursuant to the terms hereof, nor any actions taken pursuant to this Amendment or such other agreement shall be deemed to cure or waive any events of default which may exist, or hereafter exist, under the Loan Documents, or of any rights or remedies in connection therewith or with respect thereto, it being the intention of the parties hereto that, except as otherwise set forth herein, the obligations of Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect;
(d) Except as specifically provided herein, all liens, security interests, rights and remedies granted to the Agent in the Loan Documents are hereby renewed, confirmed and continued, and shall also secure the performance by Borrower of its obligations hereunder; and
(e) Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it does not have any defense, set-off, counterclaim or challenge against the payment of any sums owing under the Loan Documents, or the enforcement of any of the terms or conditions thereof.
3. AMENDMENTS TO THE LOAN AGREEMENT . The Loan Agreement shall be amended as follows, effective as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date:
(a) New Definitions . The following definitions are added to Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement in their proper alphabetical order:
“Ninth Amendment” means that certain Ninth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement dated as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, among Borrowers, Agent and Lender.
“Ninth Amendment Effective Date” means June 11, 2019.
4. AMENDMENT PERIOD . The period from and after the Ninth Amendment Effective Date through the earlier of (i) August 9, 2019 and (ii) the occurrence of any Event of Default under this Amendment shall be known as the “ Amendment Period .”
5. COVENANTS .
(a) Borrower shall, by no later than June 11, 2019, pay Lender One Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,400,000) (the “ June 11 Payment ”) via wire transfer of immediately available funds, which amount shall be applied towards the outstanding balance of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement.
(b) Borrower shall, by no later than June 26, 2019, cause Lender to receive Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000) (the “ $6 Million Payment ”) via wire transfer of immediately available funds, which amount shall be applied towards the outstanding balance of the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement. Subject to Subsection 5(g) below, Borrower shall direct Exxon (as hereinafter defined) to pay the $6 Million Payment directly to Lender from the Exxon Payment (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to an invoice in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Exxon Invoice ”). Borrower hereby covenants and agrees not to provide Exxon with any payment instructions with respect to the $6 Million Payment which differ from those set forth in the Exxon Invoice.
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(c) On each of July 1, 2019 and August 1, 2019, Borrower shall pay to Lender, via wire transfer of immediately available funds, interest-only payments on the outstanding principal balance of the Secured Obligations at the Term Loan Interest Rate.
(d) Borrower hereby agrees that interest at the default rate (as set forth in Section 2.4 of the Loan Agreement) (the “ Default Interest ”) shall accrue from June 3, 2019 and be due and payable, subject to the terms hereof; provided , however , that in the event that all of the Secured Obligations are paid in full on or prior to the last day of the Amendment Period, Lender hereby agrees to fully and unconditionally waive its right to payment of accrued and unpaid Default Interest. The amounts of the interest-only payments due as described in this Subsection (d) shall be calculated at the Term Loan Interest Rate, not at the rate of Default Interest.
(e) In the event that all of the Secured Obligations are paid in full on or prior to the last date of the Amendment Period, Lender hereby agrees to fully and unconditionally waive payment of the Prepayment Charge.
(f) Effective immediately after the execution of this Amendment by Borrower, Agent and Lender, FuelCell will execute that certain License Agreement of even date herewith (the “ Exxon Agreement ”) between FuelCell and ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company (“ Exxon ”). Pursuant to the Exxon Agreement, FuelCell will grant a license to Exxon with respect to certain intellectual property and Exxon will make a payment of $10,000,000 (the “ Exxon Payment ”), all as more particularly described in the Exxon Agreement. Each of Borrower, Agent and Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that in accordance with the Loan Agreement the liens, security interests, rights and remedies granted to the Agent in the Loan Documents shall extend to, and include, a security interest in and lien on the Exxon Payment. Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the Loan Agreement to the contrary, FuelCell hereby absolutely and irrevocably transfers, outright and not as security, all legal and equitable interests and rights of any nature in and to $6,000,000 of the Exxon Payment (the “ $6 Million Portion ”), without any reservation of rights or property interests of any nature being retained by FuelCell in such portion. It is understood and agreed that (i) the $6 Million Portion shall not constitute “property of the estate” within the meaning of and under Section 541 of Title 11 of the U.S. Code, 11 USC 101 et seq., as may be amended, (ii) the remaining $4,000,000 of the Exxon Payment (the “ Remaining Portion ”) may be used by Borrower for the satisfaction of Borrower’s obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Loan Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 7.12 thereof), or in any other Loan Document, the Remaining Portion shall not be subject to any Account Control Agreements.
(g) Immediately after the execution of this Amendment, Borrower shall deliver a fully executed copy of the Exxon Agreement to Exxon and to Lender and submit the Exxon Invoice to Exxon and provide to Lender written confirmation of the transmission of the Exxon Invoice.
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(h) Solely for informational purposes and not as a covenant of performance, beginning within five (5) business days of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, Borrower shall provide to Agent a weekly cash flow forecast throughout the Amendment Period (the “ Forecast ”). Borrower shall also provide weekly updates of actual results compared to the Forecast, which updates will, among other things, reflect any material changes in the operation of the Borrower’s business.
(i) From and after the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, Borrower shall manage its assets in the ordinary course of business. In the event Borrower enters into any transactions outside of the ordinary course of business which involves, includes, or relates to the Collateral, including without limitation, with respect to the sale, lease, license, pledge, assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Collateral, which does not result in the satisfaction of the Secured Obligations in full, Borrower shall not enter into same without the prior written consent of Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower shall be permitted to settle, compromise, or resolve any claims or disputes between Borrower and POSCO Energy Co., Ltd. without obtaining the prior written consent of Agent; provided , further , that, in the event of such settlement, compromise, or resolution, Borrower shall inform Agent of the same.
(j) Solely for informational purposes and not as a covenant of performance, Borrower shall provide to Agent, on a daily basis, a report of Borrower’s cash usage, which shall include a daily balance of all of Borrower’s bank and investment accounts and a reconciliation of all cash received and debts paid.
(k) From the Ninth Amendment Effective Date through the end of the Amendment Period, Agent hereby waives Borrower’s compliance with the financial reporting covenants set forth in Section 7.1(b) and (d) of the Loan Agreement and the Minimum Unrestricted Cash Balance covenant set forth in Section 8.2 of the Loan Agreement. Notwithstanding Section 7.12 of the Loan Agreement, Agent and Lender each agree that Borrower shall be permitted to use and maintain one or more Deposit Accounts that are not subject to any Account Control Agreements solely for the purpose of Borrower’s receipt and use of the Remaining Portion.
(l) From the Ninth Amendment Effective Date through the end of the Amendment Period, Agent hereby acknowledges that Borrower shall not be required to make, nor be deemed to have made or continue to make any prior, representations or warranties set forth in Sections 5.4 and 5.6 of the Loan Agreement.
(m) Agent shall provide JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“ JP Morgan ”) with written notice terminating the Shifting Control Notices dated May 6, 2019 that were sent with respect to account numbers [ ], [ ], [ ] (each held in the name of Versa Power Systems Ltd.) and account numbers [ ] and [ ] (each held in the name of FuelCell) (collectively, the “ JPMC Accounts ”). Within one (1) business day of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, Borrower and, if applicable, Agent, shall execute and deliver to JPMorgan new Account Control Agreements regarding the JPMC Accounts and shall execute and deliver to JPMorgan such documents as may be required by JPMorgan to terminate the existing Account Control Agreements covering the JPMC Accounts.
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(n) Immediately after the execution and delivery of the new Account Control Agreements regarding the JPMC Accounts described in Section 5(m) above, Borrower shall transfer all unrestricted Cash (other than the Remaining Portion) to one or more accounts subject to such Account Control Agreements in favor of Agent.
(o) Borrower shall keep Agent informed of the status of all discussions and/or negotiations regarding any direct or indirect third-party loans, other than in the ordinary course of business, or equity contributions (each a “ Capital Transaction ”) and shall provide Agent with copies of any and all term sheets, documents, or agreements evidencing or related to such Capital Transaction(s), as Agent shall request from time to time. Borrower hereby confirms, acknowledges, and agrees that the net proceeds received from any Capital Transaction shall be paid to Lender and applied towards the outstanding balance of the Secured Obligations in accordance with terms of the Loan Agreement.
6. LENDER’S FEES AND EXPENSES . All of Agent’s and Lender’s reasonable fees and expenses incurred through the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of Agent’s and Lender’s counsel incurred in the preparation, negotiation and closing of the transactions contemplated under this Amendment, disbursements, expenses, appraisal costs, field audit fees and all fees related to filings, recording of documents and searches, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated shall be due and payable by Borrower at the end of the Amendment Period; provided , however , that, immediately after the payment of the $6 Million Portion of the Exxon Payment to Lender, Borrower shall pay up to $100,000 on account of Agent’s and Lender’s reasonable fees and expenses incurred through the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, with the amount of such fees and expenses in excess of $100,000 to be paid at the end of the Amendment Period.
7. CONDITIONS. Without in any manner limiting the other requirements contained herein, Lender’s agreement to enter into this Amendment is expressly contingent upon satisfaction, as determined by Lender, of each of the following:
(a) This Amendment shall have been executed and delivered by each of Borrower, Agent and Lender;
(b) Borrower and Agent shall have delivered to each other such other documents and completed such other matters as they mutually may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to implement the terms of this Amendment; and
(c) Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a true, accurate and complete list of all bank, brokerage, or other investment or operating accounts owned, managed, or maintained by the Borrower and the balances of such accounts as of the date hereof.
8. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AND FUTURE ACTIONS . Borrower will, at its sole cost, take such actions and provide Agent from time to time with such agreements, financing statements and additional instruments, documents or information as Agent may in its discretion deem reasonably necessary or advisable to perfect, protect, maintain or enforce the security interests in the Collateral, to permit Agent to protect or enforce its interest in the Collateral, or to carry out the terms of this Agreement.
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9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES . Except as otherwise noted or stated in this Amendment, in consideration of the agreements of the Agent and Lender set forth herein, Borrower does hereby represent and warrant as follows, which representations and warranties shall survive until all Secured Obligations and all other obligations of the Borrower to Agent and Lender are paid and satisfied in full:
(a) The Borrower has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Amendment, and the performance by the Borrower of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action by Borrower;
(b) The execution and delivery by Borrower of this Amendment and the performance by Borrower of its obligations under this Amendment are the binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
(c) As of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date, Borrower has no defenses against the payment of the Secured Obligations. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that Agent and Lender have acted in good faith and have conducted in a commercially reasonable manner its relationship with Borrower in connection with this Amendment and the Loan Documents; and
(d) There exist no outstanding liens, judgments, pending suits or other pending legal proceedings that would adversely affect the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents (as amended hereby).
10. EVENT OF DEFAULT UNDER LOAN AGREEMENT . Any failure by Borrower to timely perform any obligation under this Amendment shall constitute an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement. Upon any failure by Borrower to timely perform any obligation under this Amendment, Agent shall be permitted to issue a notice of default with respect to such an Event of Default and any other defaults that may exist, whether arising prior to the Ninth Amendment Effective Date or otherwise.
11. RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION . In order to induce Agent and Lender to enter into this Amendment, Borrower does hereby agree as follows:
(a) Release . Borrower hereby fully, finally and forever acquit, quitclaim, release and discharge Agent and Lender and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, professionals, successors and assigns of and from any and all obligations, claims, liabilities, damages, demands, debts, liens, deficiencies or cause or causes of action to, of or for the benefit (whether directly or indirectly) of Borrower, at law or in equity, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, whether asserted or unasserted, whether now known or hereafter discovered, whether statutory, in contract or in tort, as well as any other kind or character of action now held, owned or possessed (whether directly or indirectly) by Borrower on account of, arising out of, related to or concerning, whether directly or indirectly, proximately or remotely (i) the negotiation, review, preparation or documentation of the Loan Documents or any other documents or agreements executed in connection therewith, (ii) the administration of the Loan Documents, (iii) the enforcement, protection or preservation of Agent’s and Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents, or any other documents or agreements executed in connection therewith, (iv) the negotiation, review, preparation and documentation of this Amendment or any other documents or agreements executed in connection herewith, and/or (iv) any action or inaction by Agent or Lender in connection with any such documents, instruments and agreements (the “ Released Claims ”).
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Borrower acknowledges having read and understood and hereby waives the benefits of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as follows (and hereby waives the benefits of any similar law of the state that may be applicable):
“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”
(b) Covenant Not to Litigate . In addition to the release contained in Subsection 11(a) above, and not in limitation thereof, Borrower does hereby agree that it will never prosecute, nor voluntarily aid in the prosecution of, any action or proceeding relating to the Released Claims, whether by claim, counterclaim or otherwise.
(c) Transfer of Claims . If, and to the extent that, any of the Released Claims are, for any reason whatsoever, not fully, finally and forever released and discharged pursuant to the terms of Subsection 11(a) above, Borrower does hereby absolutely and unconditionally grant, sell, bargain, transfer, assign and convey to Agent all of the Released Claims and any proceeds, settlements and distributions relating thereto.
(d) Indemnification . Borrower expressly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Agent and Lender and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns, of and from any and all obligations, losses, claims, damages, liabilities, demands, debts, liens, costs and expenses of Agent and Lender and/or its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns that may be asserted by, or may arise out of, whether directly or indirectly, proximately or remotely, any investigation, litigation, or other proceedings initiated, undertaken or joined in by Borrower or any other third party (including, without limitation, any employee, agent, personal representative, heir, executor, successor or assign of any Borrower) in connection with (i) the negotiation, review, preparation or documentation of the Loan Documents or any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the Secured Obligations, or any of them, (ii) the administration of the Loan Documents, (iii) the enforcement, protection or preservation of Agent’s or Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents or any other documents or agreements executed in connection with the Lender Indebtedness, or any of them, (iv) the validity, perfection or enforceability of the Loan Documents, (v) the negotiation, review, preparation and documentation of this Amendment or any other documents or agreements executed in connection herewith, and/or (vi) any action or inaction by Lender or Agent in connection with any of the foregoing.
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Borrower acknowledges that the foregoing provisions of Section 11(a) are intended to be a general release with respect to the matters described therein. Borrower does hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that the waivers and releases contained in this Amendment shall not be construed as an admission of and/or the existence of any claims of Borrower against Agent or Lender. Borrower does hereby acknowledge and agree that the value to Borrower of this Agreement and of the covenants and agreements on the part of Lender contained in this Agreement substantially and materially exceeds any and all value of any kind or nature whatsoever of any known claims or liabilities waived or released by Borrower hereunder.
12. NO COURSE OF DEALING . Borrower does hereby acknowledge and agree that effective as of the Ninth Amendment Effective Date any waiver or implied waiver by Agent or Lender of any obligation or covenant of Borrower under the Loan Documents is expressly terminated and rescinded (except as expressly provided herein to the contrary) and that Borrower is obligated to, and are expected by Agent and Lender to, strictly perform and comply with all of such obligations and covenants as provided in the Loan Documents.
13. WAIVERS . In connection with any proceedings hereunder or in connection with any of the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, any action by Agent in replevin, foreclosure, or other court process or in connection with any other action related to the Secured Obligations or the transactions contemplated hereunder, Borrower waives:
(a) all procedural errors, defects and imperfections in such proceedings;
(b) all benefits under any present or future laws exempting any property, real or personal, or any part of any proceeds thereof from attachment, levy or sale under execution, or providing for any stay of execution to be issued on any judgment recovered in connection with the Secured Obligations or in any replevin or foreclosure proceeding, or otherwise providing for any valuation, appraisal or exemption;
(c) all rights to inquisition on any real estate, which real estate may be levied upon pursuant to a judgment obtained in connection with any of the Secured Obligations and sold upon any writ of execution issued thereon in whole or in part, in any order desired by Agent or Lender;
(d) presentment for payment, demand, notice of demand, notice of non-payment, protest and notice of protest of any of the Secured Obligations;
(e) any requirement for bonds, security or sureties required by statute, court rule or otherwise;
(f) any demand for possession of any Collateral prior to commencement of any suit;
(g) any right to require or participate in the marshalling of any Borrower’s assets; and
(h) all rights to claim or recover attorneys’ fees and costs in the event that Borrower is successful in any action to remove, suspend or enforce a judgment entered by confession.
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14. WAIVER OF RIGHTS UNDER THE UCC . Borrower hereby waives and renounces Borrower’s:
(a) rights under Section 9-611 of the UCC to notification of time and place of any public sale;
(b) rights under Section 9-620 of the UCC to notification of Agent’s or Lender’s proposal to retain any Collateral in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations; and
(c) rights under Section 9-623 of the UCC to redeem any Collateral by tendering fulfillment of all obligations secured by such Collateral.
Borrower further agree that disposition of any Collateral by Agent or Lender at any auction performed by a duly licensed auctioneer regularly engaged in the sale by auction is a sale in conformity with reasonably commercial practices and disposition of collateral at such an auction is a commercially reasonable disposition in accordance with Section 9-627 of the UCC.
15. TIME OF ESSENCE . Time is of the essence with respect to the performance of this Amendment.
16. INCONSISTENCIES . To the extent of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Amendment and the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents, the terms and conditions of this Amendment shall prevail. All terms and conditions of the Loan Documents not inconsistent herewith shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed by Borrower. On June 4, 2019, Borrower received a communication from Agent (the “ June 4 Letter ”) asserting positions that are the subject of disagreement between Borrower, on the one hand, and Agent and Lender, on the other hand. To the extent of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Amendment and the matters described in the June 4 Letter, the terms and conditions of this Amendment shall prevail.
17. BINDING EFFECT . This Amendment and all rights and powers granted hereby will bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
18. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE . The provisions of Section 11 of the Loan Agreement shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein, mutatis mutandis .
19. HEADINGS . The headings of the Articles, Sections, paragraphs and clauses of this Amendment are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Amendment.
20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT . This Amendment constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto concerning the subject matter set forth herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral and/or written agreements and representations not contained herein concerning the subject matter of this Amendment.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed the day and year first above written.
BORROWERS: | |||
FuelCell Energy, Inc. | |||
Signature: | /s/ Michael S. Bishop | ||
Print Name: | Michael S. Bishop | ||
Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | ||
Versa Power Systems, Inc. | |||
Signature: | /s/ Michael S. Bishop | ||
Print Name: | Michael S. Bishop | ||
Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | ||
Versa Power Systems Ltd. | |||
Signature: | /s/ Michael S. Bishop | ||
Print Name: | Michael S. Bishop | ||
Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer |
AGENT: | |||
HERCULES CAPITAL INC. | |||
Signature: | /s/ Jennifer Choe | ||
Print Name: | Jennifer Choe | ||
Title: | Assistant General Counsel | ||
LENDER: | |||
HERCULES FUNDING II, LLC | |||
Signature: | /s/ Jennifer Choe | ||
Print Name: | Jennifer Choe | ||
Title: | Assistant General Counsel |
Exhibit A
Form of Exxon Invoice