UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

________________

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):

 

November 9, 2018 (November 8, 2018)

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   0-31051   98-0197680
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

7050 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 300

Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 4G8

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (905) 479-1810

 

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 ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

☐  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))

 

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 standard provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Stock Purchase Agreement

 

On November 8, 2018, SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), entered into that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), by and among the Company, MC Assembly Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Target ”), each of the stockholders of the Target (the “ Sellers ”), and Cyprium Investment Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as a representative of the Sellers, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Target from the Sellers (such transaction, the “ MC Acquisition ”). The MC Acquisition includes an initial purchase price of approximately $65,000,000 in cash plus a potential earnout of up to $5,000,000 in cash payable by the Company upon the achievement of certain performance milestones determined after the completion of the Company’s first fiscal quarter of 2019. The Purchase Agreement and the MC Acquisition were unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, and the MC Acquisition closed on November 8, 2018. The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is not complete and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 .

 

Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility

 

On November 8, 2018, the Company, Target, SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of California, a California corporation (“ SMTC California ”), SMTC Mex Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ SMTC Mex ”), HTM Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HTM ”), M C Test Service, Inc., a Florida corporation (“ MC Test ”), MC Assembly International LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ MC Assembly International ”), MC Assembly LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ MC Assembly ” and, together with SMTC, Target, SMTC California, SMTC Mex, HTM, MC Assembly Holdings, MC Test, and MC Assembly International, and each other person joined thereto as a borrower from time to time, each a “ Borrower ” and, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), and the financial institutions which are now or which hereafter become party to the PNC Amendment (as defined below) (“ PNC Lenders "), and PNC Bank, National Association (“ PNC ”), as agent for the PNC Lenders, entered into that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “ PNC Amendment ”), pursuant to which the Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated September 14, 2011, which governs the credit facilities among the Borrowers, PNC Lenders and PNC (the “ PNC Facilities ”), was amended and restated to increase the total amount available for borrowings under the PNC Facilities to $45,000,000. On November 8, 2018, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $21,924,797 pursuant to the PNC Facilities. Following the PNC Amendment, advances made under the PNC Facilities bear interest at the U.S. base rate plus a grid ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% or 1, 2 or 3-month fully-absorbed PNC LIBOR plus a grid ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%. The base commercial lending rate should approximate prime rate. The PNC Facilities are a joint and several obligation of the Borrowers and are jointly and severally guaranteed by Borrowers and other subsidiaries of the Company. Repayment under the PNC Facilities is collateralized by the assets of the Company and each of its subsidiaries. The foregoing description of the PNC Amendment is not complete and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to the full text of the PNC Amendment, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 .

 

Financing Agreement

 

In connection with the MC Acquisition, on November 8, 2018 (the “ Closing Date ”), the Company entered into that certain Financing Agreement (the “ TCW Agreement ”), by and among the Borrowers, lenders from time to time party thereto (“ TCW Lenders ”), and TCW Asset Management Company LLC, as collateral agent for the TCW Lenders (“ TCW ”), whereby the TCW Lenders provided the Borrowers with a senior secured credit facility in an aggregate amount of up to $67,000,000, consisting of (i) a term loan A facility (the “ Term Loan A Facility ”) in an amount of $50,000,000, and (ii) a term loan B facility (the “ Term Loan B Facility ” and, together with the Term Loan A Facility, the “ TCW Facilities ”) in an amount of $17,000,000. On November 8, 2018, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $50,000,000 pursuant to the Term Loan A Facility, and $12,000,000 pursuant to the Term Loan B Facility. The TCW Facilities mature on the earlier of November 8, 2023 or the maturity of the PNC Facilities (the “ Maturity Date ”). The Term Loan A Facility bears interest, as selected by the Company at the time of borrowing, at the base rate plus 5.00% or LIBOR plus 7.00%. Term Loan B Facility bears interest, as selected by the Company at the time of borrowing, at the base rate plus 8.50% or LIBOR plus 10.50%. The base rate should approximate U.S. prime rate. Payment of loans made under the Term Loan A Facility at any time prior to the Maturity Date (other than scheduled amortization payments and mandatory prepayments) are subject to an applicable premium equal to (a) the amount of such payment multiplied by (b)(i) 3.00% in the event that such payment occurs before the first anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) 2.00% in the event that such payment occurs after the first anniversary of the Closing Date and on or before the second anniversary of the Closing Date and (iii) 1.00% in the event that such payment occurs after the second anniversary of the Closing Date and on or before the third anniversary of the Closing Date. No such applicable premium is payable for any payment of loans made under the Term Loan A Facility occurring after the third anniversary of the Closing Date. The TCW Facilities are a joint and several obligation of the Borrowers and are jointly and severally guaranteed by Borrowers and other subsidiaries of the Company. Repayment under the TCW Facilities are collateralized by the assets of the Company and each of its subsidiaries. The foregoing description of the TCW Agreement is not complete and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to the full text of the TCW Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 .

 

 

Subscription Agreement

 

In connection with and as part of the consideration paid by the Company for the TCW Agreement, on November 8, 2018, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (a “ Subscription Agreement ”) with certain of the TCW Lenders, relating to the sale and issuance by the Company of warrants to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 (“ Common Stock ”) equal to an aggregate of 2% of the shares of Common Stock on the Closing Date on a fully diluted basis at the Closing Date (collectively, the “ Warrants ”). The Warrants have a nominal exercise price, not to exceed $0.01 per share, and may be exercised by cashless exercise or by payment of cash, subject to adjustment therein. Subject to the TCW Lenders, collectively, not owning more than 4.99% of the aggregate outstanding shares of Common Stock following the TCW Lenders’ exercise of the Warrants, the Warrants shall be exercisable on or after the Closing Date and have a term of exercise equal to 7 years from the Closing Date. The Warrants also provide for an adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock underling the Warrants if the Company, subject to certain exceptions, issues, or is deemed to have issued, Common Stock at a price that is less than the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of such issuance or deemed issuance.

 

The Warrants were sold to the TCW Lenders in a transaction pursuant to a private placement (“ Private Placement ”). The Warrants are being issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) contained in Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D thereunder. The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreement and the Warrants is not complete and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to the full text of the Subscription Agreement and Warrants, the forms of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and Exhibit 4.1 , respectively.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In connection with the TCW Agreement and the issuance of the Warrants, the Company and certain of the TCW Lenders entered into a registration rights agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), dated November 8, 2018. Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) (i) a registration statement (the “ Registration Statement ”) covering the resale of 125% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants within 60 days of the Closing Date, (ii) a registration statement to replace the initially-filed Registration Statement to cover the resale of 150% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants within 90 days of the Company’s next annual meeting, which shall take place no later than August 31, 2019, and (iii) to the extent the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants increases on the second anniversary of the Closing Date, another Registration Statement covering 150% of the maximum number of such additional shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants within 60 days of the second anniversary of the Closing Date. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have any such Registration Statements declared effective within 90 days after the earlier of (i) the date such Registration Statement is filed with the SEC and (ii) the date such Registration Statement is required to be filed with the SEC. The Company granted the TCW Lenders customary indemnification rights in connection with each Registration Statement. The TCW Lenders also granted the Company customary indemnification rights in connection with the Registration Statement. The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is not complete and is subject to and entirely qualified by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 .

 

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 regarding the MC Acquisition pursuant to the Purchase Agreement is incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities.

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 regarding the issuance of the Warrants and the Private Placement is incorporated into this Item 3.02 by reference.

 

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On November 9, 2018, the Company issued a press release providing management’s financial guidance with regard to the Company’s performance as well as announcing the closing of the MC Acquisition.  A copy of the Company’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)       Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

 

The Company intends to file the financial statements of Target required by Item 9.01(a) as part of an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K no later than 71 calendar days after the required filing date for this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

(b)       Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The Company intends to file the pro forma financial information required by Item 9.01(b) as an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K no later than 71 days after the required filing date for this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

(d)       Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

   
2.1   Purchase Agreement
4.1   Form of Warrant
10.1   PNC Amendment
10.2   TCW Agreement
10.3   Form of Subscription Agreement
10.4   Form of Registration Rights Agreement
99.1   Press Release of SMTC Corporation dated November 9, 2018
       

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Date: November 9, 2018  

SMTC CORPORATION

 

By: /s/ Edward Smith

Name: Edward Smith

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

BY AND AMONG

 

MC ASSEMBLY HOLDINGS, INC.,

 

EACH OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

 

OF MC ASSEMBLY HOLDINGS, INC.

 

AS SELLERS,

 

CYPRIUM INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLC,

 

AS THE SELLER REPRESENTATIVE

 

AND

 

SMTC CORPORATION,

 

AS PURCHASER

 

 

 

 

November 8, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

ARTICLE I. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE; CONSIDERATION FOR THE SHARES; CLOSING 1
1.1   Purchase and Sale of the Shares 1
1.2   Company Options 1
1.3   Purchase Price 1
1.4   Payments at Closing 2
1.5   The Closing 2
1.6   Purchase Price Adjustment 2
1.7   Holdback Amount 4
1.8   Earnout 4
1.9   Withholding 8
1.10   Payments to Option Holders 8
ARTICLE II. CLOSING DELIVERIES 8
2.1   Closing Deliveries of the Target Companies and the Sellers 8
2.2   Closing Deliveries of the Purchaser 9
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE TARGET COMPANIES 10
3.1   Organization, Power, and Authority 10
3.2   Capitalization. 10
3.3   Binding Obligation; No Conflict. 10
3.4   Governing Documents 11
3.5   Financial Statements 11
3.6   Indebtedness; Liabilities; Guarantees. 12
3.7   Absence of Certain Developments 12
3.8   Title to Assets 14
3.9   Tax Matters 14
3.10   Contracts and Commitments. 16
3.11   Intellectual Property. 19
3.12   IT Systems 20
3.13   Privacy and Data Security 20
3.14   Litigation 21
3.15   Brokerage 21
3.16   Insurance 21
3.17   Labor Matters 21
3.18   Employee Benefit Plans. 22
3.19   Compliance with Laws; Permits 25
3.20   Environmental, Health, and Safety Matters 26
3.21   Affiliate Transactions 27
3.22   Real Property. 28
3.23   Key Customers; Key Suppliers 28
3.24   Product Warranties 29
3.25   Product Liability 29
3.26   Bribery and Fraud 29
3.27   Tariffs and Duties 29
3.28   Inventory 30

 

 

 

3.29   Accounts Receivable 30
3.30   Books and Records 30
3.31   No Other Representations 30
ARTICLE IV. INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS 30
4.1   Organization, Power, and Authority 30
4.2   Binding Obligation; No Conflict 31
4.3   Ownership of Shares 31
4.4   No Acquisitions 31
4.5   Legal Proceedings 32
4.6   Brokerage 32
4.7   No Other Representations 32
ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER 32
5.1   Organization, Power, and Authority 32
5.2   Binding Obligation; No Conflict 32
5.3   Brokerage 33
5.4   Purchase for Investment 33
5.5   Legal Proceedings 33
5.6   Sufficient Funds; Bankruptcy 33
5.7   No Other Representations 33
5.8   Independent Investigation 34
ARTICLE VI. INDEMNIFICATION 34
6.1   Survival of Representations; Warranties; and Covenants 34
6.2   General Indemnification. 35
6.3   Exclusive Remedy 39
ARTICLE VII. COVENANTS 39
7.1   General 39
7.2   Inspection of Records 39
7.3   Tail Insurance 40
7.4   Tax Matters. 40
7.5   R&W Insurance Policy 41
7.6   Litigation Support 41
7.7   Restrictive Covenants 41
7.8   Release 43
7.9   2018 Incentive Plan 44
7.10   Seller Representative 44
ARTICLE VIII. DEFINITIONS 45
8.1   Definitions 45
8.2   Other Definitional Provisions. 55
ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS 55
9.1   Fees and Expenses 55
9.2   Remedies 55
9.3   Consent to Amendments; Waivers 56
9.4   Successors and Assigns 56
9.5   Press Releases and Communications 56
9.6   Severability 56

 

  ii  

 

9.7   Counterparts 56
9.8   Descriptive Headings; Interpretation 56
9.9   Entire Agreement 57
9.10   No Third-Party Beneficiaries 57
9.11   Schedules and Exhibits 57
9.12   Governing Law; Forum 57
9.13   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 57
9.14   Notices 58
9.15   No Strict Construction 59
9.16   Electronic Delivery 59
9.17   Deliveries to Purchaser 59

 

  iii  

 

STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of November 8, 2018, is by and among SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Purchaser ”), MC Assembly Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), each of the stockholders of the Company (each, a “ Seller ” and collectively, the “ Sellers ”), and Cyprium Investment Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, solely in its capacity as the Seller Representative pursuant to Section 7.10 (the “ Seller Representative ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in ARTICLE VIII below.

 

RECITALS :

 

WHEREAS, Sellers collectively own 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (the “ Shares ”); and

 

WHEREAS, Sellers desire to sell, transfer, and deliver, and the Purchaser desires to acquire, all of the Shares, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENTS :

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements and understandings herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE;
CONSIDERATION FOR THE SHARES; CLOSING

 

1.1               Purchase and Sale of the Shares . At the Closing, each Seller will sell, transfer, and deliver to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser will purchase from each Seller, all of the Shares owned by such Seller, which are set forth on Schedule 3.2(a) , for the consideration set forth in Section 1.3 .

 

1.2               Company Options . Prior to the Closing, the Company has taken such actions as are necessary or appropriate to cancel each Company Option effective as of immediately prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, each Qualifying Option Holder has delivered to the Company and the Purchaser an agreement evidencing and acknowledging the cancellation and forfeiture of all Company Options held by such Qualifying Option Holder (each, an “ Option Cancellation Agreement ”). Effective as of the Closing, each Qualifying Option Holder, each of whom is identified on Schedule 3.2(a) and has delivered an Option Cancellation Agreement, shall be entitled to receive a portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 , in each case, at the respective times, in the respective amount and subject to the contingencies specified herein and in such Qualifying Option Holder’s Option Cancellation Agreement. The aggregate amount of all such payments to all Qualifying Option Holders shall be equal to the Option Holder Share of the amount of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 .

 

1.3               Purchase Price . The aggregate purchase price (the “ Purchase Price ”) for the Shares will be an amount equal to (a) $65,000,000 (the “ Base Purchase Price ”), plus (b) the lesser of (i) the amount, if any, by which Closing Net Working Capital exceeds Target Net Working Capital (which amount shall not be less than zero), and (ii) $2,000,000, minus (c) the amount, if any, by which Target Net Working Capital exceeds Closing Net Working Capital, plus (d) the amount of Closing Cash on Hand, minus (e) the amount of Closing Indebtedness, minus (f) the amount of Closing Transaction Expenses, plus (g)   any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 .

 

 

 

1.4               Payments at Closing . At the Closing on the Closing Date, and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser will make the following payments:

 

(a)                 Holdback . $650,000 shall be retained by the Purchaser at the Closing as the initial Holdback Amount to be paid as set forth in Section 1.7 .

 

(b)                Expense Reserve Holdback . Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid an amount equal to the Expense Reserve Holdback to the Seller Representative or its designee on behalf of the Sellers.

 

(c)                 Indebtedness . Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid to the holders of the Closing Indebtedness, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by such holders of such Closing Indebtedness, the applicable amounts taken into account at the Closing under Section 1.3(e) in accordance with payoff letters or other instructions provided by the holders thereof.

 

(d)                Transaction Expenses . Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid to the Target Companies’ advisors or other applicable Persons, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated in writing by such Target Companies advisors or other applicable Persons prior to the Closing Date, the amounts taken in account under Section 1.3(f) .

 

(e)                 Closing Payment Amount . Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid to Sellers, in accordance with each Seller’s Pro Rata Share, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such accounts as designated in writing by each Seller at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, an aggregate amount equal to the Estimated Purchase Price minus an aggregate amount equal to the initial Holdback Amount and the Expense Reserve Holdback and excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 (the “ Closing Payment Amount ”).

 

1.5               The Closing . The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) will take place remotely via the electronic exchange of documents and signatures (including by e-mail or facsimile) simultaneous with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “ Closing Date ”). The effective time of Closing (the “ Effective Time ”) will be 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Closing Date.

 

1.6               Purchase Price Adjustment . The Purchase Price will be subject to adjustment as follows:

 

(a)                 Estimated Closing Statement . Prior to the Closing Date, the Target Companies will deliver to Purchaser a reasonably detailed statement (the “ Estimated Closing Statement ”) setting forth the Target Companies’ good faith estimates of (i) the Closing Cash on Hand, (ii) the Closing Indebtedness, (iii) the Closing Transaction Expenses, (iv) the Closing Net Working Capital, and (v) the Estimated Purchase Price, which Estimated Closing Statement will be prepared in a manner consistent with the definitions of the terms Cash on Hand, Indebtedness, Transaction Expenses, and Net Working Capital, Schedule 1.6(b) (the “ Accounting Principles Schedule ”) and the accounting principles and practices referred to therein.

 

(b)                Closing Statement .

 

(i)                  As promptly as possible, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Purchaser will deliver to the Seller Representative (A) a consolidated balance sheet of the Target Companies as of the Measurement Time (the “ Closing Balance Sheet ”), and (B) the Purchaser’s reasonably detailed calculation of the proposed final Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) based on the Base Purchase Price and the amount of the Target Companies’ Closing Indebtedness, Closing Cash on Hand, Closing Net Working Capital, and Transaction Expenses based on the Closing Balance Sheet and the terms and requirements of this Agreement ((A) and (B) together, the “ Closing Statement ”). The Closing Statement will be prepared in a manner consistent with the definitions of the terms Cash on Hand, Indebtedness, Transaction Expenses, and Net Working Capital, the Accounting Principles Schedule and the accounting principles and practices referred to therein.

 

  - 2 -  

 

(ii)                Purchaser will, and will cause the Target Companies to, (A) assist the Seller Representative in the review of the Closing Statement and provide the Seller Representative and its representatives with reasonable access during normal business hours to the books, records (including work papers, schedules, memoranda and other documents), supporting data, facilities, and employees of the Target Companies for purposes of the review of the Closing Statement and the final determination of the Purchase Price in accordance with this Section 1.6 , and (B) cooperate with the Seller Representative and its representatives in connection with such review, including providing on a timely basis all other information reasonably necessary or useful in connection with the review of the Closing Statement and the final determination of the Purchase Price in accordance with this Section 1.6 as may be reasonably requested by the Seller Representative or its representatives during such process.

 

(iii)              If the Seller Representative has any objections to the Closing Statement, the Seller Representative will, within 30 days of Seller Representative’s receipt of the Closing Statement, deliver to Purchaser a statement setting forth its objections thereto (an “ Objections Statement ”), which such statement will identify in reasonable detail those items and amounts to which Seller Representative objects (the “ Disputed Items ”). If an Objections Statement is not delivered to Purchaser within 30 days of Seller Representative’s receipt of the Closing Statement, the Closing Statement as prepared by Purchaser will be final, binding, and non-appealable by the parties. Seller Representative and Purchaser will negotiate in good faith to resolve the Disputed Items, but if the parties do not reach a final resolution within 30 days after the delivery of the Objections Statement to Purchaser, either Seller Representative or Purchaser may submit any unresolved Disputed Items to Grant Thornton LLP (the “ Accounting Firm ”). In the event Seller Representative and Purchaser submit unresolved Disputed Items to the Accounting Firm, each of Seller Representative and Purchaser will submit to the Accounting Firm the Closing Statement and the Objections Statement delivered to Purchaser or Seller Representative, as applicable, together with such supporting documentation as it deems appropriate, in order for the Accounting Firm to resolve the Disputed Items. Seller Representative and Purchaser will each be entitled to meet with the Accounting Firm and will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to resolve such dispute as soon as practicable, but in any event within 30 days after the date on which the Accounting Firm receives the Closing Statement and Objection Statement prepared by Seller Representative and Purchaser. The Accounting Firm will resolve such dispute by rendering its decision on each unresolved Disputed Item in writing to Seller Representative and Purchaser, together with a revised Closing Statement reflecting its decision. In resolving the dispute, the Accounting Firm will be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and may not revise any element of the Closing Statement that is not disputed pursuant to the Objections Statement or assign a value to any disputed element of the Closing Statement greater than the greatest value for such item claimed by either party or less than the smallest value for such item claimed by either party. Seller Representative and Purchaser will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Accounting Firm to notify them in writing of its resolution of such dispute as soon as practicable. Each of the Accounting Firm’s decision and the revised Closing Statement delivered by the Accounting Firm to Seller Representative and Purchaser will be final, binding, and non-appealable by the parties. Each party will bear its own costs and expenses in connection with the resolution of such dispute by the Accounting Firm. The costs of any fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the parties in inverse proportion as they may prevail on the matters resolved by the Accounting Firm, which proportionate allocation shall be calculated on an aggregate basis based on the relative dollar values of the amounts in dispute and shall be determined by the Accounting Firm at the time the determination of such firm is rendered on the merits of the matters submitted.

 

  - 3 -  

 

(c)                 If, following the final determination of the Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) pursuant to Section 1.6(b) , the Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) is greater than the Estimated Purchase Price, then within ten (10) Business Days of the Closing Statement being declared final: (i) the Purchase Price Adjustment Holdback Amount will be released to Seller Representative from the Holdback Amount and (ii) Purchaser will pay to Seller Representative, within ten Business Days of the Closing Statement being declared final, the difference between the finally determined Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) and the Estimated Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

(d)                If, following the final determination of the Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) pursuant to Section 1.6(b) , the Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) is less than the Estimated Purchase Price, then within ten Business Days of the Closing Statement being declared final: (i) such difference will be paid to Purchaser from the Holdback Amount and (ii) any remaining balance of the Purchase Price Adjustment Holdback Amount (if any) after such payment to Purchaser will be released to Seller Representative. The Holdback Amount shall be Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy for any difference between the finally determined Purchase Price (excluding any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8 ) and the Estimated Purchase Price.

 

(e)                 Any amount to be paid pursuant to this Section 1.6 will be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for all purposes.

 

1.7               Holdback Amount . As a partial mechanism to satisfy the obligations of the Company and the Sellers set forth in ARTICLE VI and Sections 1.6(c) and 1.6(d) , at the Closing, Purchaser shall retain $650,000 from the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 1.4(a) . On the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, the Purchaser shall pay to the Seller Representative, the portion of the Holdback Amount remaining after any distribution of the Purchase Price Adjustment Holdback Amount in accordance with Sections 1.6(c) or 1.6(d) less (x) any portion of the Holdback Amount previously credited to the Purchaser in final resolution of Claims for indemnification in accordance with ARTICLE VI and (y) an amount sufficient to satisfy any pending Claims for indemnification properly made in accordance with ARTICLE VI made by any Purchaser Indemnified Party and any disputed adjustment to the Purchase Price in favor of the Purchaser under Section 1.6 . Within fifteen (15) days following final resolution of, and full payment or credit in connection with, any such pending Claims or disputed adjustments, the Purchaser shall pay to Seller Representative, any remaining portion of the Holdback Amount. The Holdback Amount shall not accrue interest.

 

1.8               Earnout .

 

(a)                 On or prior to May 15, 2019, Purchaser shall deliver to the Seller Representative (x) a statement (the “ Earnout Statement ”) setting forth Purchaser’s good faith calculation of EBITDA for the Earnout Period prepared in accordance with the sample Earnout Statement attached hereto as Schedule 1.8(a) (the “ Model Earnout Statement ”) and (y) Purchaser’s good faith calculation of the Earnout Payment pursuant to the terms of this Section 1.8 . Promptly following the delivery of the Earnout Statement, and in any event no later than fifteen (15) days following such delivery, Purchaser shall pay to (x) the Seller Representative by wire transfer of immediately available funds, an amount equal to the Stockholder Share of Purchaser’s good faith calculation of the Earnout Payment as set forth in the Earnout Statement and (y) the Company (for subsequent distribution to the Qualifying Option Holders pursuant to Section 1.10 ), an amount equal to the Option Holder Share of Purchaser’s good faith calculation of the Earnout Payment as set forth in the Earnout Statement.

 

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(b)                As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Earnout Payment ” shall mean an amount equal to (A) 6.5 multiplied by , (B) the amount, if any, by which EBITDA for the Earnout Period exceeds $10,000,000; provided that in no event shall the Earnout Payment exceed the Maximum Earnout Payment. For the sake of illustration, if EBITDA for the Earnout Period equals $10,400,000, then the Earnout Payment would be $2,600,000 (6.5 x ($10,400,000 - $10,000,000)).

 

Earnout Period ” shall mean the twelve month period ended with the last day of Purchaser’s first fiscal quarter of 2019.

 

EBITDA ” means the consolidated net income of the Target Companies plus, without duplication and to the extent deducted in calculating consolidated net income, the sum of (a) interest expense, (b) federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid or accrued, (c) the amount of depreciation and amortization expenses, (d) any management fees paid or accrued to or expenses reimbursed to Cyprium Investment Partners LLC, ACP-I, L.P., or their respective Affiliates, (e) any severance benefits, retention bonuses, change in control payments, sale bonuses, or other similar payments made to any employee or other Person that are paid or incurred as a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (f) any expense for non-recurring professional services, (g) any costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any amounts payable in connection with the termination or cash out of any Company Options, (h) any bonus or incentive compensation, plans or programs not in existence prior to the Closing that are treated as expenses during the Earnout Period, (i) any costs and expenses incurred by the Target Companies following the Closing that would not have been incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business, including, without limitation, (A) any expenses or other charges that are allocated to the Target Companies by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person controlling the Target Companies after the Closing, that are of the nature of management or overhead charges, or allocations of expenses not directly incurred by the Target Companies, or of a nature that is inconsistent with the expenses and other charges used in calculating the Model Earnout Statement, to the extent such overhead charges or allocation expenses exceed the amount of such charges or expenses historically incurred by the Target Companies prior to the Closing in the Ordinary Course of Business, (B) any adjustments resulting from purchase accounting being applied as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, such as the fair value step-up of finished goods inventory or reductions to deferred revenue, and (C) any adjustments, including any initial adjustments, to conform the Target Companies’ financial statements to any accounting policies, procedures or methodologies other than as set forth on the Accounting Principles Schedule, including Purchaser’s internal accounting policies. EBITDA shall be calculated using the Accounting Principles Schedule and the accounting principles and practices referred to therein and in a manner consistent with the Model Earnout Statement; provided, however, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the Accounting Principles Schedule or the Model Earnout Statement, for purposes of calculating EBITDA no additional reserve will be included, and no reserve existing as of September 30, 2018 will be increased or decreased, with respect to any Xtera inventory held by the Target Companies as of the Closing Date.

 

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Maximum Earnout Payment ” shall mean $5,000,000.

 

(c)                 Purchaser shall provide the Seller Representative (and its advisors and representatives) with reasonable access, during normal business hours, to any books and records (including work papers, schedules, memoranda and other documents), supporting data, facilities, and employees of the Target Companies for purposes of the review of the Earnout Statement to verify the information contained in such Earnout Statement. If the Seller Representative disagrees in whole or in part with the Earnout Statement, then within twenty (20) days after its receipt of the Earnout Statement, it shall notify Purchaser of such disagreement in writing (the “ Earnout Objection ”), setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of any such disagreement. Any such Earnout Objection shall include a copy of the Earnout Statement marked to indicate those specific line items that are in dispute (the “ Objection Line Items ”) and shall be accompanied by the Seller Representative’s calculation of each of the Objection Line Items and its calculation of the Earnout Payment, it being understood that all items that are not Objection Line Items shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes hereunder. In the event that the Seller Representative does not provide an Earnout Objection within such 20-day period, Seller Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, shall be deemed to have accepted in full the Earnout Statement as prepared by Purchaser, which shall be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes hereunder.

 

(d)                In the event any Earnout Objection is timely provided, Purchaser and the Seller Representative shall use commercially reasonable efforts for a period of thirty (30) days (or such longer period as they may mutually agree in writing) to resolve any Objection Line Items. During such 30-day period, Purchaser and the Seller Representative shall have reasonable and prompt access to the working papers, schedules and calculations of the other used in the preparation of the Earnout Statement and the Earnout Objection and the determination of the Earnout Payment and Objection Line Items. If, at the end of such period, Purchaser and the Seller Representative are unable to resolve such Objection Line Items, then the Accounting Firm shall resolve any remaining Objection Line Items. The Accounting Firm shall determine as promptly as practicable, whether the Earnout Statement was prepared in accordance with the standards set forth in this Section 1.8 and whether and to what extent (if any) the Earnout Payment requires adjustment, limiting its review, however, only to the Objection Line Items so submitted. Purchaser and the Seller Representative shall instruct the Accounting Firm not to assign a value to any Objection Line Item greater than the greatest value for such item assigned to it by Purchaser, on the one hand, or the Seller Representative, on the other hand, or less than the smallest value for such item assigned to it by Purchaser, on the one hand, or the Seller Representative, on the other hand. Purchaser and the Seller Representative shall each furnish to the Accounting Firm such documents and information relating to the Objection Line Items as such Accounting Firm may reasonably request. The determination of the Accounting Firm shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties. The date on which the Earnout Payment is finally determined in accordance with this Section 1.8 is hereinafter referred to as the “ Earnout Determination Date ”. Each party shall pay its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Section 1.8 ; provided , however , that the costs of any fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by the parties in inverse proportion as they may prevail on the matters resolved by the Accounting Firm, which proportionate allocation shall be calculated on an aggregate basis based on the relative dollar values of the amounts in dispute and shall be determined by the Accounting Firm at the time the determination of such firm is rendered on the merits of the matters submitted.

 

(e)                 Within five (5) Business Days following the Earnout Determination Date, Purchaser shall pay or cause to be paid to (i) the Seller Representative by wire transfer of immediately available funds, an amount equal to the Stockholder Share of the Earnout Payment as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.8(c) and 1.8(d) minus the amount actually paid to the Seller Representative pursuant to Section 1.8(a) and (ii) the Company for subsequent distribution to the Qualifying Option Holders pursuant to Section 1.10 , an amount equal to the Option Holder Share of the Earnout Payment as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.8(c) and 1.8(d) minus the amount actually paid to the Company pursuant to Section 1.8(a) . Any payment to be made pursuant to this Section 1.8(e) that is attributable to the Qualifying Company Options shall be treated for Tax purposes as a payment of compensation for services at the time of the payment and, accordingly, Purchaser shall, or shall cause the Target Companies to, deduct and withhold from each such payment (x) the amount of any required federal, foreign, provincial, state, or local withholding Taxes required to be deducted and withheld by the Target Companies with respect to such payment, in each case, in accordance with Section 1.10 and (y) the employer portion of any payroll, FICA, unemployment or similar Tax imposed on such payment. Purchaser shall cause the Target Companies to pay all such amounts withheld to the applicable Government Entity as required by Law.

 

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(f)                 Purchaser shall cause each contract or agreement to which it or any of its Affiliates is a party, excluding all documents relating to the borrowing of money, to permit the payment of the Earnout Payment without any restriction, prohibition or condition precedent.

 

(g)                 During the Earnout Period, Purchaser shall (and where applicable, shall cause the Target Companies and their Affiliates to):

 

(i)                  subject to termination for cause as reasonably determined by Purchaser, retain the management employees of the Target Companies as of immediately prior to the Closing as employees of the Target Companies with responsibilities relative to the Target Companies consistent with pre-Closing levels; provided, that without limiting the foregoing obligations, such management employees of the Target Companies shall otherwise be subject to the authority of the Board of Directors and senior management of Purchaser;

 

(ii)                maintain the Target Companies as separate entities to operate the Business and only the Business; provided, that Purchaser shall provide commercially reasonable corporate, general and administrative support;

 

(iii)              maintain separate books and records for the Target Companies and use the same accounting systems, policies and practices as were used by the Sellers in the Sellers’ historical operations of the Business, sufficient to support, compute and document the information required to be presented in the Earnout Statement;

 

(iv)              operate the Business in the Ordinary Course of Business consistent with Sellers’ historical operation of the Business;

 

(v)                maintain and provide for the employees of the Target Companies compensation and benefits comparable in the aggregate to the compensation and benefits provided to such employees immediately prior to the Closing and not make any material change in the compensation and/or benefits provided to such employees, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business or in connection with the termination of employment for cause as reasonably determined by Purchaser;

 

(vi)              not permit either Target Company to sell any material asset outside of the Ordinary Course of Business or be sold, merged, combined or otherwise transferred (in whole or in part) to or with another Person; and

 

(vii)            refrain from acting in an arbitrary or commercially unreasonable manner in the conduct or operations of the Business if such action would be reasonably likely to interfere with the achievement of the Maximum Earnout Payment.

 

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1.9               Withholding . The Purchaser and any other applicable withholding agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Document any withholding Taxes or other amounts required under the Code or any applicable Laws to be deducted and withheld and will remit such amounts to the appropriate Government Entity. To the extent that any such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid over to the applicable Government Entity, such amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Ancillary Document, any compensatory amounts subject to payroll reporting and withholding payable pursuant to or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be payable in accordance with the applicable payroll procedures of the Target Companies.

 

1.10           Payments to Option Holders . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any payments to be made under this Agreement to a Qualifying Option Holder (solely with respect to such Qualifying Option Holder’s Company Options) that are subject to employment tax, income tax or other withholding, shall be made through the payroll systems of the Target Companies, Purchaser or an Affiliate thereof, provided that Purchaser or such Affiliate shall make such payments through its payroll, or shall provide the funds for such payments to the Target Companies or an Affiliate of Purchaser, as applicable, and cause such payments to be made through such payroll systems, and provided further that any amounts that may become payable to a Qualifying Option Holder in respect of any portion of the Earnout Payment that becomes payable in accordance with Section 1.8, shall be made on the first regularly scheduled payroll date following the date such amounts becoming payable.

 

ARTICLE II.
CLOSING DELIVERIES

 

2.1               Closing Deliveries of the Target Companies and the Sellers . The Target Companies, Sellers, or such other Person as may be identified below are taking the following actions and delivering the following documents in connection with the Closing:

 

(a)                 Consents and Approvals . The Target Companies will have made the filings and will have obtained the permits, authorizations, consents, and approvals set forth on Schedule 2.1(a) (the “ Material Required Consents ”).

 

(b)                Release of Liens . The Target Companies will have obtained releases pursuant to UCC 3’s, as applicable, or otherwise, of all Liens (other than any Permitted Liens and any Liens that will be released on the Closing Date upon payment by Purchaser, at the direction of the Target Companies or the Sellers, of a portion of the Purchase Price to such Lien holder pursuant to a payoff letter provided to Purchaser, in such form reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser).

 

(c)                 Closing Documents . At the Closing, the Target Companies, Sellers, or such other Person as may be identified below will have delivered to the Purchaser all of the following documents:

 

(i)                  certificates of good standing for each Target Company issued by the applicable Government Entity of each state in which the Target Company is incorporated, formed or otherwise organized and each other state or jurisdiction in which the Target Company is qualified to do business;

 

(ii)                a certificate from a duly authorized officer of each Target Company, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that attached thereto is (A) a true, correct and complete copy of the Governing Documents of each Target Company, (B) a true, correct and complete copy of the resolutions of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Company, authorizing (1) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (2) the other documents to which any Target Company will be a party, and (3) the taking of any and all actions reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and therein, and (C) as to the incumbency and signatures of the officers or other authorized persons of the Company who have signed or will sign this Agreement or any other documents to which any Target Company will be a party;

 

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(iii)              assignments separate from certificate with respect to the Shares of the Company assigning the Shares to the Purchaser, executed by each Seller;

 

(iv)              copies of all Material Required Consents;

 

(v)                written resignations of the officers and directors of the Target Companies as requested by the Purchaser;

 

(vi)              invoices or payoff letters, as reasonably requested by Purchaser, together with wire transfer instructions from each Person with which any Transaction Expenses have been incurred and remain unpaid as of the Closing;

 

(vii)            the minute books, stock ledgers and registers, and corporate books, if any, of the Target Companies;

 

(viii)          evidence of the termination of each of the Contracts set forth on Schedule 2.1(c)(viii) ;

 

(ix)              payoff letters, issued by the holders of Indebtedness not earlier than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, setting forth the amounts required to repay in full all Indebtedness on the Closing Date, together with wire transfer instructions;

 

(x)                an affidavit of the Company, under penalties of perjury, stating that none of the Target Companies are or have been a United States real property holding corporation, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance required under Treasury Regulation §1.897-2(h);

 

(xi)              a properly completed IRS Form W-9, duly executed by each Seller;

 

(xii)            a two year non-compete agreement, duly executed by Cyprium Investment Partners LLC;

 

(xiii)          an amendment to employment agreement, duly executed by George Moore;

 

(xiv)          an employment letter, duly executed by Mark McReynolds; and

 

(xv)            an Option Cancellation Agreement, duly executed by each Qualifying Option Holder.

 

2.2               Closing Deliveries of the Purchaser .

 

(a)                 Payment of Closing Payment Amount . In connection with the Closing, the Purchaser will make the payments required to be made by Purchaser in accordance with Section 1.4 .

 

(b)                R&W Insurance . Purchaser will have delivered to Seller evidence that the R&W Insurance Policy has been bound as of the Closing Date.

 

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ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE TARGET COMPANIES

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules, as a material inducement to the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and the Sellers, severally and not jointly, hereby represent and warrant to Purchaser as follows:

 

3.1               Organization, Power, and Authority . Schedule 3.1 lists each of the Target Companies, together with its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and the nature of its organization (corporation, partnership, limited liability company, etc.). Each of the Target Companies possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to own and operate its properties, to carry on its Business, to enter into and perform this Agreement, and to enter into and perform all other agreements and instruments contemplated hereby (collectively the “ Ancillary Documents ”) to which any Target Company is a party, or by which any Target Company is bound, and to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.2               Capitalization.

 

(a)                 Schedule 3.2(a) lists each of the Target Companies, together with the amount of its authorized, issued and outstanding Equity Interests and the names of each holder of Equity Interest of the Target Companies and the amount of such Equity Interests held by such holders. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2(a) , there are no Equity Interests of any Target Company of any class authorized, issued or outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding Shares have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned of record by Sellers in the amounts set forth on Schedule 3.2(a) . All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of the other Target Companies have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (where applicable) and are owned beneficially and of record by the Company and/or one or more of the Target Companies in the amounts set forth on Schedule 3.2(a) , free and clear of all Liens. There are (i) no outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, commitments, understandings, restrictions, arrangements, rights (including preemptive rights) or warrants, including any rights plan, and any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or other agreement, obligating any Target Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional Equity Interests or securities of any kind of any Target Company, or obligating any Target Company to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment, or otherwise relating to securities of any Target Company, (ii) no voting trusts, proxies, stockholders’, equity holder or other agreements or understandings to which any Target Company is a party or is bound with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Equity Interests of any Target Company, and (iii) no Equity Interest appreciation rights, participations, phantom equity, or similar rights to which any Target Company is a party or is bound, or which any Target Company has granted.

 

(b)                Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.1 and 3.2(a) , the Target Companies do not have any Subsidiaries, and no Target Company holds or beneficially owns any direct or indirect Equity Interest in any Person, or has any contracts, commitments, understandings, arrangements, or rights (including preemptive rights) to acquire any Equity Interest in any Person.

 

3.3               Binding Obligation; No Conflict.

 

(a)                 Binding Obligation . The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and all Ancillary Documents to which any Target Company is a party, or by which any Target Company is bound, have been duly authorized by such Target Company. This Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which any Target Company is a party, or by which any Target Company is bound, when executed and delivered by such Target Company will each constitute a valid and binding obligation of such Target Company enforceable against such Target Company in accordance with their terms, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratoriums, or similar Laws at the time in effect affecting the enforceability or right of creditors generally and by general equitable principles which may limit the right to obtain equitable remedies.

 

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(b)                No Conflict . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) , the execution, delivery, and performance by any Target Company of this Agreement and any Ancillary Documents to which any Target Company is a party, or by which any Target Company is bound, and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and thereof by any Target Company, does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under (whether with or without the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both), (iii) result in the creation of any Lien upon the equity or assets of any Target Company, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, or accelerate any material agreement or obligation under, (v) create a loss of rights under, (vi) result in a violation of, or (vii) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice or declaration to, or filing with, any third party or any Government Entity pursuant to (A) the Governing Documents of any Target Company, (B) any material Law or material Order to which any Target Company or any of its assets or Business is subject or otherwise bound, or (C) any material Contract or material permit to which any Target Company is a party, subject, or otherwise bound. No consent, approval, or authorization of any Government Entity, or any other Person, is required to be obtained by any Target Company in connection with its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) those described on Schedule 3.3(b) and (ii) those that may be required solely by reason of Purchaser’s (as opposed to any other third party’s) participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.4               Governing Documents . True, correct and complete copies of the Governing Documents of each Target Company and all amendments thereto and as are currently in force, and all Equity Interest records (including Equity Interest ledgers) of each of the Target Companies have been provided to Purchaser. Such Equity Interest records (including Equity Interest ledgers) accurately reflect all Equity Interests, transactions and the current ownership of each Subsidiary of the Company.

 

3.5               Financial Statements . Attached hereto as part of Schedule 3.5(1) are true, correct, and complete copies of (a) the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Target Companies as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the related audited consolidated statements of income, statements of stockholders’ equity, and statements of cash flow for the fiscal years then ended, together with the notes thereto and the report thereon (the “ Annual Financial Statements ”), and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Target Companies as of June 30, 2018 (the “ Most Recent Balance Sheet ”), and the related consolidated statement of income, and statement of cash flow of the Target Companies for the six-month period then ended (collectively the “ Interim Financial Statements ”). All of the foregoing financial statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Financial Statements .” Each of the Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects the assets, liabilities and consolidated financial condition of the Target Companies and accurately reflect the consolidated operating results and cash flows of the Target Companies for the periods reflected therein. The Annual Financial Statements (x) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout such Annual Financial Statements and the periods covered thereby and (y) are materially consistent with the books and records of the Target Companies. The Interim Financial Statements (x) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied through the periods covered thereby, subject to the lack of footnote disclosures required by GAAP and changes resulting from normal and customary year-end adjustments, none of which have customarily been (or will be) material, individually or in the aggregate, individually or in the aggregate and (y) are materially consistent with the books and records of the Target Companies. Since December 31, 2013, the Target Companies have maintained internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances (w) that the Target Companies’ transactions are executed in accordance with the general or specific authorizations of the Target Companies’ management, (x) that the Target Companies’ transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in material conformity with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and (y) regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements,.

 

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3.6               Indebtedness; Liabilities; Guarantees.

 

(a)                 Except for Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 3.6(a) , no Target Company has any Indebtedness outstanding. No Target Company is in material default with respect to any Indebtedness, or any instrument or agreement relating thereto. True, correct, and complete copies of all Contracts (including all amendments, supplements, waivers and consents) relating to any Indebtedness of any Target Company have been made available to Purchaser.

 

(b)                Except for Liabilities set forth on Schedule 3.6(a) , no Target Company has any Liabilities required by GAAP to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet of the Target Companies or in the notes thereto, except for (a) Liabilities specifically identified and reserved against in the Interim Financial Statements and not discharged subsequent to the date of the Interim Financial Statements, (b) Liabilities incurred subsequent to the date of the Interim Financial Statements in the Ordinary Course of Business and not discharged since the date of the Interim Financial Statements (none of which is a Liability resulting from non-compliance with any applicable Law, Contract, or permit or any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or Proceeding), (c) Liabilities under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Documents, and (d) Liabilities arising under any Contract to which any of the Target Companies are a party or by any of the Target Companies are bound (excluding any Liability for a breach of any such Contract). No Target Company has any Liability that relates to or has arisen out of a violation of Laws, breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort or infringement by or against any Target Company or any Proceeding involving any Target Company, or any indemnification obligations. No Target Company has unsatisfied community or charitable pledges, contributions or commitments.

 

3.7               Absence of Certain Developments . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 , since December 31, 2017, and through the date of this Agreement, no event, change, fact, condition, or circumstance has occurred or arisen that has had a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 , since December 31, 2017, no Target Company has:

 

(a)                 except in the Ordinary Course of Business, materially increased the salary or other compensation of any employee of any Target Company, or provided any material increase in or added any other benefits to which any such employee may be entitled;

 

(b)                mortgaged, pledged, or subjected to any Lien any of the material assets of any Target Company, except Permitted Liens;

 

(c)                 except in the Ordinary Course of Business, sold, assigned, or transferred any material portion of the tangible assets related to the Business;

 

(d)                sold, assigned, or transferred any patents, registered trademarks, trade names, registered copyrights, trade secrets, or other material intangible assets related to the Business;

 

(e)                 except in the Ordinary Course of Business, made or changed any Tax election, filed any amended Tax Return, consented to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment, adopted or changed any accounting method in respect of Taxes, entered into any closing agreement or settled or consented to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or taken any other similar action with respect to Taxes or Tax Returns;

 

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(f)                 issued, sold, or transferred any of its Equity Interests, securities convertible into its Equity Interests, or other warrants, options, or other rights (including preemptive rights) to acquire its Equity Interests or any bonds or debt securities;

 

(g)                 except in the Ordinary Course of Business, made any material changes to any Employee Benefit Plan or made any material changes in wages, salary or other compensation with respect to its managers, officers or employees other than changes as required by applicable Laws or pursuant to existing agreements or arrangements;

 

(h)                paid, loaned, or advanced (other than the payment of salary and benefits in the Ordinary Course of Business or the payment, advance, or reimbursement of expenses in the Ordinary Course of Business) any amounts to, or sold, transferred, or leased any of its assets related to the Business to, or entered into any other transaction with, any of its managers, officers or Affiliates;

 

(i)                  commenced or settled any litigation involving an amount in excess of $20,000 for any one case;

 

(j)                  made any material amendments to its Governing Documents;

 

(k)                paid or declared any dividend or made any distribution on its Equity Interests, or purchased or redeemed any of its Equity Interests;

 

(l)                  suffered any material loss, or any material interruption in use, of any assets or property material to the operation of the Business (whether or not covered by insurance), whether on account of fire, flood, riot, strike, act of God, or otherwise;

 

(m)              except in the Ordinary Course of Business or as would not affect the Business in any material respect, (i) paid or delayed payment of accounts payable, (ii) collected or accelerated collection of Accounts Receivable, (iii) sold, distributed, or accelerated the sale or distribution of, inventory, or (iv) offered customers terms of sale (including discounts or delayed payments);

 

(n)                waived any material right or canceled or compromised any material debt or claim;

 

(o)                made any individual capital expenditure in an amount that exceeds $50,000, or capital expenditures in an aggregate amount that exceeds $100,000;

 

(p)                established any new banking, borrowing, or depository relationship;

 

(q)                hired or terminated any employee, independent contractor or consultant, or entered into or modified any employment, consulting or other services agreement with any Person with base compensation in excess of $75,000;

 

(r)                  paid or incurred any management, investment advisor or consulting fees, except pursuant to existing agreements or arrangements disclosed on Schedule 3.10(a);

 

(s)                 entered into any contract for borrowed money or issued any bonds, debentures, notes or other corporate securities evidencing money borrowed;

 

(t)                  made any loans, advances, or capital contributions to or investments in any Person;

 

(u)                made any material change to its accounting methods, principles or practices;

 

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(v)                prepaid, discharged, settled, or satisfied any of its material Liabilities or Indebtedness outside the Ordinary Course of Business; or

 

(w)               agreed to do any of the foregoing.

 

3.8               Title to Assets . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 , each of the Target Companies has good and valid title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the material properties and assets, tangible or intangible, used by each such Target Company in the Business (the “ Target Companies’ Assets ”). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 , all of the Target Companies’ Assets are free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 , neither Sellers nor any of their Affiliates owns, directly or indirectly, any properties or assets that are used in the conduct of the Business. The assets of the Target Companies (a) include all the property and assets that are used in and necessary for the operation of the Business as conducted during the preceding twelve (12) month period and (b) are sufficient, in all material respects, to conduct the Business as presently conducted. Each of the Target Companies’ Assets that is tangible personal property is in good operating condition and repair, subject to normal wear and tear, and is useable in the Ordinary Course of Business. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, there are no facts or conditions affecting any assets of the Target Companies that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to materially interfere with the current use or operation of such properties and assets.

 

3.9               Tax Matters . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9 :

 

(a)                 Each of the Target Companies has timely filed all income and other material Tax Returns that are required to be filed by it and has timely paid all material Taxes due and owing by it (whether or not reflected on any Tax Return). All such Tax Returns are true, correct, and complete in all material respects and were prepared in accordance with applicable Laws.

 

(b)                Each of the Target Companies has timely and properly withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, or other third party, as well as with respect to any allocations or distributions to any stockholder.

 

(c)                 There are no Liens for Taxes (other than Liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any assets of any Target Company. The amount of any Target Company’s liability for unpaid Taxes for all periods ending on or before the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet does not exceed the accrual for such Taxes (excluding reserves for deferred Taxes) as reflected on the Most Recent Balance Sheet. The amount of any Target Company’s liability for unpaid Taxes for all periods following the end of the period covered by the Most Recent Balance Sheet will not exceed the accrual for such Taxes (excluding reserves for deferred Taxes) reflected on the Most Recent Balance Sheet, as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of the applicable Target Company. Since the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet, no Target Company has incurred any material liability for Taxes outside the Ordinary Course of Business or otherwise inconsistent with past custom and practice, other than with respect to employment Taxes arising in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)                There is no dispute or claim concerning any material Tax Liability of any Target Company either (i) claimed or raised by any Taxing authority in writing, or (ii) as to which the Target Companies have Knowledge. Each Target Company has delivered to Purchaser correct and complete copies of all Tax Returns filed by or with respect to, and all Tax examination reports and related statements of deficiencies assessed against, or agreed to by, the Target Company, since December 31, 2013. Within the past five (5) years, neither Sellers nor any Target Company has received a written claim from any Government Entity in a jurisdiction where any Target Company does not file a Tax Return that the Target Company is or may be subject to taxation by such jurisdiction.

 

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(e)                 No Target Company has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes nor has agreed to, nor is subject to any extension of time with respect to, a Tax assessment or deficiency.

 

(f)                 No federal, state, local, or non-U.S. Tax audits or administrative or judicial Tax proceedings are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, have been threatened with respect to the Target Companies and there are no outstanding assessments or deficiencies for material Taxes of any Target Company that have not been paid in full.

 

(g)                 In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no payment or benefit has been, will be, or may be made or provided pursuant to this Agreement, any arrangement contemplated by this Agreement, or any Employee Benefit Plan that, either alone or together with any other payments or benefits, constitutes or could reasonably be expected to constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law). None of Target Companies, Purchaser, or any affiliate of Purchaser will be obligated to pay or reimburse any Person for any Taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law) as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either alone or in connection with any other event.

 

(h)                Each Employee Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Code Section 409A(d)(1)) satisfies in form and operation the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), 409A(a)(3) and 409A(a)(4) of the Code and the guidance thereunder (and has satisfied such requirements for the entire period during which Section 409A of the Code has applied to such Employee Benefit Plan), and no additional Tax under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code has been or reasonably could be expected to be incurred by a participant in any such Employee Benefit Plan. No stock option or equity unit option granted under any Employee Benefit Plan has an exercise price that has been or may be less than the fair market value of the underlying stock or equity units (as the case may be) as of the date such option was granted or has any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the later of exercise or disposition of such option. No Target Company and no ERISA Affiliate has any obligation to “gross-up”, indemnify, reimburse or otherwise compensate any individual for any additional Taxes or interest imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.

 

(i)                  No Target Company is a party to or bound by any tax indemnity agreement, tax sharing agreement, tax allocation agreement or any similar arrangement, in each case, a principal purpose of which is the indemnification, sharing or allocation of liabilities for Taxes.

 

(j)                  Each Target Company has properly collected and remitted all applicable sales and similar Taxes with respect to sales made to its customers. With respect to any sales that were exempt from sales and similar Taxes and that were made without charging or remitting sales or similar Taxes, each Target Company has received and retained any appropriate Tax exemption certificates and other documentation qualifying such sales as exempt.

 

(k)                No Target Company has been a member of any affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code, or any similar affiliated or consolidated group for Tax purposes under applicable Laws. No Target Company has any liability for the Taxes of any Person under any provision of applicable Law (including Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

 

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(l)                  No Target Company will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any period (or any portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) any accounting method change or agreement with any Taxing authority filed or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) any prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date, (iv) closing agreement described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law), (v) intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law), or (vi) any election under Section 108(i) of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law) or Section 965(n) of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law) made on or prior to the Closing Date. Each of Sellers and the Target Companies uses the accrual method of accounting for Tax purposes.

 

(m)              No Target Company has participated in or been a party to a “reportable transaction,” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code and United States Treasury Regulation §1.6011-4(b)(1)) (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law).

 

(n)                No Target Company is, directly or indirectly, the beneficiary of any federal, state, local or foreign Tax holiday or Tax incentive or other similar Tax benefit.

 

(o)                No Target Company has distributed the capital stock of any corporation in a transaction purportedly satisfying the requirements of Section 355 of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law) within the last two years, and none of the capital stock of any Target Company has been distributed in a transaction purportedly satisfying the requirements of Section 355 of the Code (or any comparable provision of other applicable Law) within the last two years.

 

(p)                No Target Company has been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

 

(q)                Any and all material transactions between or among the Target Companies and any of their respective Affiliates have occurred on arm’s length terms, and each Target Company has complied in all material respects with all transfer pricing laws and regulations, including the execution of contemporaneous documentation substantiating the transfer pricing practices and methodology of the Target Companies.

 

(r)                  No Target Company has, or has ever been, engaged in a trade or business, or has, or has ever had, a “permanent establishment” (as defined in any applicable income Tax treaty or under any applicable Law), in any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction where such entity is organized.

 

(s)                 The Company does not directly or indirectly own an interest in any (i) “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297(a) of the Code or (ii) “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code. Schedule 3.9(s) sets forth the U.S. federal income tax classification of the Company and each of its domestic Subsidiaries and each of its Subsidiaries that has filed Form 8832 (or similar state or local form) with the IRS affirmatively electing a particular income tax classification. None of the Target Companies has been or will be required to include any amount in income by reason of Section 965 of the Code.

 

3.10           Contracts and Commitments.

 

(a)                 Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on Schedule 3.10(a) , no Target Company is a party to or bound by any, whether written or oral:

 

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(i)                  collective bargaining agreement, or any other Contract with any labor union;

 

(ii)                management agreement, or Contract for the employment of any officer, individual employee, or other Person on a full-time, part-time, consulting, or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of $100,000;

 

(iii)              Contracts for the payment of severance benefits, retention bonuses, change in control payments, sale bonuses, or other similar payments to any employee or other Person not otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.18(a) ;

 

(iv)              other Contracts with respect to Employee Benefit Plans not otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.18(a) ;

 

(v)                Contract involving any Government Entity granted or entered into based on, or conditioned on, certain characteristics of any Target Company such as revenues, income or number of employees;

 

(vi)              stockholder agreement, limited liability company agreements, partnership agreements or joint venture agreements or other contracts (however named) involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or Liabilities by any Target Company and another Person;

 

(vii)            Contract or indenture relating to borrowed money or other Indebtedness or the mortgaging, pledging, or otherwise placing a Lien on any material asset or material group of assets of any Target Company relating to the Business, any letter of credit arrangements, or any guarantee therefore;

 

(viii)          Contract under which any Target Company is a (i) lessee of, or holds or operates, any personal property, owned by any other party, or (ii) lessor of, or permits any third party to hold or operate, any property, real or personal, owned or controlled by any Target Company (excluding in each case any lease or agreement entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business with annual payments of less than $25,000);

 

(ix)              Contract or group of related Contracts with the same party continuing over a period of more than 12 months from the date or dates thereof that (A) are not terminable by any Target Company on 60 days’ or less notice, (B) involve more than $100,000 in goods or services to be provided by any Target Company on an annual basis, or (C) involve payments for goods and services by any Target Company in excess of $100,000 on an annual basis;

 

(x)                other Contract or group of related Contracts with a Key Customer or Key Supplier (excluding purchase orders made and non-disclosure agreements entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business pursuant to forms substantially similar to the forms made available to Purchaser);

 

(xi)              Contract for the advertisement or promotion of any products of services not terminable by any Target Company on 60 days’ or less notice without payment or penalty;

 

(xii)            license (including covenants not to sue or enforce), assignment, transfer, royalty, or other agreement with respect to any Intellectual Property, other than: (a) license agreements to any third party non-customized object code software that are obtained on standard terms that do not call for aggregate payments by any Target Company in excess of $25,000 annually, and (b) non-exclusive license agreements that are entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business pursuant to which the amount payable by any Target Company on an annual basis is less than $25,000;

 

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(xiii)          Licenses, other than any Inbound License to commercially available object code software, software as a service or cloud service, in each case, that involves aggregate annual payments in excess of $25,000 for all licenses or users, and other Contracts relating to the acquisition, transfer, development, license, use or commercialization of Intellectual Property or any waiver or release of rights in, to or under Intellectual Property;

 

(xiv)          Contract with respect to the acquisition or disposition of any assets or securities outside the Ordinary Course of Business, or any equity or debt investment in or any loan to any Person;

 

(xv)            Any single Contract providing for an expenditure of any Target Company in excess of $50,000 in connection with the purchase of equipment or for the purchase of services;

 

(xvi)          Contract between any Target Company, on the one hand, and any Seller (or any Affiliate or Family Member thereof), on the other hand;

 

(xvii)        power of attorney or other similar agreement or grant of agency;

 

(xviii)      Contract prohibiting in any matter any Target Company from freely engaging in any business or competing anywhere in the world, or soliciting for employment or hire any Person;

 

(xix)          indemnity agreement, suretyship contract performance bond, working capital maintenance or other form of guaranty agreement;

 

(xx)            settlement agreement regarding the settlement, adjustment or compromise of any Proceeding;

 

(xxi)          confidentiality agreements (other than standard confidentiality agreements with any Target Company employees and non-disclosure agreements entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business pursuant to forms substantially similar to the forms made available to Purchaser); or

 

(xxii)        other Contract not described in subsections (i) through (xxi) above or Section 3.18(a) that involves consideration in excess of $100,000 on an annual basis and was not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

(b)                All of the contracts, agreements, and instruments set forth or required to be set forth on Schedule 3.10(a) (the “ Material Contracts ”) are in full force and effect and are valid, binding, and enforceable as to any Target Company, and, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, as to the other parties thereto, in accordance with their respective terms, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratoriums, or similar Laws at the time in effect affecting the enforceability or right of creditors generally and by general equitable principles that may limit the right to obtain equitable remedies. As of the date hereof, (i) no Target Company is in default or violation in any material respect of, and has not released, waived, or repudiated, any material provision of, any Material Contract, and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, the other party to each of the Material Contracts is not in default or material violation of, and has not repudiated any material provision of, any such Material Contract. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation, default or breach of, or give any Target Company or any other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify any Material Contract. Each Target Company has made available to Purchaser a copy of each written Material Contract.

 

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(c)                 Except as would not have, and would not be reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect, with respect to any Government Contract, there is no (i) civil fraud or criminal investigation by any Governmental Entity, or (ii) any suspension or debarment proceeding (or equivalent proceeding) against any Target Company, or (iii) request by a Governmental Entity for a contract price adjustment based on the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. 3729 et seq.), the Truth in Negotiations Act (10 U.S.C. 2306a), or a claimed disallowance by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (or other applicable Governmental Entity) or claim of defective pricing, or (iv) any pending claim or request for equitable adjustment by a Target Company against a Governmental Entity in excess of $100,000.

 

(d)                Other than in the ordinary course of business, no cost incurred by any Target Company pertaining to any Government Contract has been challenged, is the subject of any audit, or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, is the subject of any investigation or has been disallowed by any Governmental Entity, except where any challenge, audit, investigation or disallowance would not have, and would not be reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect. No payments due to the Target Companies pertaining to any Government Contracts have been withheld or set off, nor has any claim been made to withhold or set off money, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are entitled to all progress or other payments received with respect thereto, except where any withholding would not have, and would not be reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.11           Intellectual Property.

 

(a)                 Schedule 3.11(a) contains a complete and accurate list of all Registered Intellectual Property (and the jurisdiction in which such item has been issued, registered or filed and the applicable issuance, grant, registration or serial number(s) (or other applicable number(s), as applicable)) that is owned by or filed in the name of any of the Target Companies. All Registered Intellectual Property: (i) is in full force and effect; (ii) is valid, subsisting and enforceable; and (iii) has been obtained and maintained in material compliance with all applicable rules, policies and procedures of the applicable Government Entity.

 

(b)                The Target Companies solely and exclusively own and possess, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, all right, title, and interest in and to all Owned Intellectual Property. The Target Companies lawfully own, or have the right to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for, or otherwise used or held for use in, the operation of the Business. All Company Intellectual Property is fully transferable, alienable and licensable by each Target Company without restriction and without payment of any kind to any third party and without approval of any third party. The execution of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in the loss or impairment of any of the Company Intellectual Property, or give rise to any right of any Person to terminate any rights under any License or exercise any new or additional rights under any Company Intellectual Property. No funding, facilities or personnel of any educational institution or Government Entity were used, directly or indirectly, to develop or create, in whole or in part, any Owned Intellectual Property.

 

(c)                 No Target Company, the provision of Company Services, Owned Intellectual Property or the conduct of the Business violates, infringes or misappropriates any Intellectual Property of any Person. There is no past, pending or threatened (in writing) Proceeding involving any Owned Intellectual Property, Company Service or the conduct of the Business or alleging that any of the foregoing infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates the rights of any Person or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, any facts or circumstances that might reasonably serve as the basis for any such Proceeding; and, no Target Company has received: any written notice that it must license or refrain from using any Intellectual Property; or, any offer by any other Person to license any Intellectual Property to Company. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no Person is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating or conflicting with any Owned Intellectual Property, or has previously done so.

 

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(d)                Schedule 3.11(d) sets forth a complete and correct list of all: (i) Outbound Licenses; and, (ii) Inbound Licenses. All Licenses are valid, binding, and enforceable as to any Target Company, and, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, as to the other parties thereto, in accordance with their respective terms, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratoriums, or similar Laws at the time in effect affecting the enforceability or right of creditors generally and by general equitable principles that may limit the right to obtain equitable remedies.

 

(e)                 No source code for any software owned by any Target Company has been delivered, or licensed, to any Person, or is subject to any source code escrow obligation. No software that is subject to any Open Source License has been incorporated or was used in the development, testing or delivery of any software included owned by the Target Companies.

 

(f)                 Each Target Company has (i) taken all commercially reasonable measures to protect and preserve its rights in the Company Intellectual Property and the confidentiality of all of its trade secrets, and any other proprietary or confidential information (and any information intended to be a trade secret, or other proprietary or confidential information) owned or held by any Target Company; and (ii) only disclosed any such trade secrets to third parties pursuant to the terms of a written agreement that requires the Person receiving such trade secrets to reasonably protect and not disclose such trade secrets.

 

3.12           IT Systems . The computer, information technology and data processing systems, facilities and services used by each Target Company, including all software, hardware, networks, communications facilities, platforms and related systems and services used or planned to be used by any Target Company (collectively, the “ Systems ”), are sufficient, in all material respects, to conduct the Business as presently conducted. The hardware included in such Systems are in good working condition (subject to ordinary wear and tear) to effectively perform all computing, information technology and data processing operations necessary for the operation of the Business in the manner it is currently being conducted. During the twelve (12) month period ending on the date hereof, there has been no material failure, breakdown or any substandard performance of any Systems that has caused a material disruption or interruption in or to any customer’s use of the Systems or the operation of the Business. Each Target Company makes back-up copies of data and information that is maintained by the Target Companies and is critical to the conduct of its Business at least once every day and conducts periodic tests to ensure the effectiveness of such back-up systems. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, the software used by each Target Company is substantially free from any material defects, bugs and errors, and does not contain or make available any disabling software, code or instructions, spyware, Trojan horses, worms, viruses or other software routines that permit or cause unauthorized access to, or disruption, impairment, disablement, or destruction of, software, data or other materials (“ Contaminants ”). Each Target Company has taken all commercially reasonable steps and implemented commercially reasonable safeguards to ensure that the Systems are substantially free from Contaminants.

 

3.13           Privacy and Data Security . The Target Companies do not receive, process, transmit or store any financial account numbers or any other information on its Systems, including PII, that would require them to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards or any other applicable privacy Laws (“ Information ”). No Target Company collects, uses, stores, processes, shares or discloses any Information that would (i) violate any applicable Laws or any Contracts related to such Information or (ii) require notice to or consent from the provider of such Information. No claims have been asserted or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, threatened, or are reasonably expected to be asserted, with respect to any Information.

 

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3.14           Litigation . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 , there are no, and during the past three (3) years there have not been any, Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, threatened against any Target Company at law or in equity, or before or by any Government Entity. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 , no Target Company is subject to any Order of any Government Entity. During the three (3) year period preceding the date hereof, no Target Company has received any written notice of an allegation against or involving, or any Liability of, any Target Company or any of its directors, officers, stockholders or employees with respect to its marketing or advertising practices.

 

3.15           Brokerage . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 , there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement to which any Target Company is a party or to which any Target Company is subject.

 

3.16           Insurance . Schedule 3.16 contains a list and description (including insurer, coverage, deductibles, limitations, and expiration dates) of each insurance policy currently maintained by any of the Target Companies or that name any of the Target Companies as an insured, including those insurance policies with respect to its properties, assets, and the Business. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect, all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to and including the Closing have been paid, and no Target Company is in material default thereunder. All applicable and current historical limits under such insurance policies have not been materially impaired by claims activity of any Target Company. Each Target Company has been covered during the past five (5) years by insurance in scope and amount customary and reasonable for the business in which it has engaged during such period. There are no pending claims or other Proceedings against or involving any Target Company, and there have been no claims or other Proceedings against or involving any Target Company during the five (5) year period prior to the date hereof, with respect to which insurance coverage has been denied. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, there are no claims or other Proceedings pending or threatened against or involving any Target Company which are not covered by insurance (or may not be fully covered by insurance) or which are being handled by an insurer under a reservation of rights. No Target Company has failed to give any notice or present any claim under any insurance policy in due and timely fashion or as required by any insurance policy. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies: (a) no party to any insurance policy is in default or otherwise in breach thereof (including regarding the payment of premiums or giving of notices) and (b) no event has occurred that (with or without the passage of time or giving of notices) would constitute a material default or breach, or permit termination, modification, cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation under any such insurance policies.

 

3.17           Labor Matters .

 

(a)                 Schedule 3.17 contains a true and complete list of (i) all employees employed by each Target Company as of November 7, 2018 and all independent contractors of each Target Company as of December 31, 2017, (ii) the job title, employee or independent contractor status, date of hire or engagement, Fair Labor Standards Act classification (exempt/non-exempt), full-time or part-time status, leave status (including type, length and expected return date), accrued and unused vacation time and rate of all compensation paid or payable by each Target Company to each such employee or independent contractor in each of such Target Company’s 2016 and 2017 fiscal years, including any bonus, contingent, or deferred compensation, and (iii) the managers and officers of each Target Company as of November 7, 2018. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 , all employees of each Target Company are “at will”, and except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 , no employee is entitled to severance pay or other benefits following termination or resignation, except as provided by Law. No former or current independent contractor of any Target Company is (or has been) a misclassified employee.

 

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(b)                Each Target Company has been, during the past three (3) years, and each Target Company currently is, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to employment, including all applicable Laws concerning equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, leaves and absences, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective bargaining, the payment of social security and similar Taxes, occupational safety and health, and plant closing. There are no claims, actions, investigations, audits or lawsuits pending, or to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, threatened or reasonably anticipated asserting employment discrimination, disability discrimination, wage and hour, wrongful discharge, harassment, breach of contract, defamation, invasion of privacy, retaliation, worker’s compensation, employee safety or any other employment-related claim under which any Target Company may have liability, contingent or otherwise, nor, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, has any event occurred that, as of the Closing Date, would provide a basis therefor. Each Target Company has withheld all amounts required by Law or by agreement to be withheld from wages, salaries and other payments to employees; and are not liable for any arrears of wages, compensation, Taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing.

 

(c)                 During the past three (3) years, no Target Company has (i) had any labor relations problems (including any union organization activities, threatened or actual strikes or work stoppages or material grievances), (ii) engaged in any unfair labor practices, (iii) suffered any labor strike, lockout, work stoppage or other material labor dispute, or (iv) had any union organization campaign in progress with respect to any of its employees, or any question concerning union representation with respect to such employees. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, there are no threatened labor disputes or organizational efforts presently being made or threatened by or on behalf of any labor union with respect to employees of any Target Company. No employee, independent contractor or consultant has terminated his, her or its employment or engagement with the Company in the last 90 days, and no employee, independent contractor or consultant has given notice to any Target Company that such employee, independent contractor or consultant intends to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with such Target Company, and, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no employee, independent contractor or consultant intends to terminate his, her or its employment or engagement with any Target Company (either before or shortly after the Closing).

 

(d)                To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, except as set forth on Schedule 3.17(d) , no employee of any Target Company is bound by any confidentiality agreement, noncompetition agreement or other contract with another entity that is reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on the performance by such employee of his/her duties for the Target Companies, or the business or operations of the Target Companies.

 

3.18           Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a)                 Schedule 3.18(a) contains a complete and accurate list of all Employee Benefit Plans. No Target Company and no ERISA Affiliate has any Contract or obligation to create, enter into, participate in or contribute to any additional Employee Benefit Plan or to modify or amend any existing Employee Benefit Plan. There has been no amendment, interpretation or other announcement (written or oral) by any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate or any other Person relating to, or change in participation or coverage under, any Employee Benefit Plan that, either alone or together with other such items or events, could reasonably be expected to materially increase the expense of maintaining such Employee Benefit Plan (or the Employee Benefit Plans taken as a whole) above the level of expense incurred with respect thereto for the most recent fiscal year included in the Financial Statements. Based on the terms of the Employee Benefit Plans as of the Closing Date, each Employee Benefit Plan can be amended or terminated unilaterally by a Target Company (whether before or after the Closing), and without any penalty, Liability or expense to any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate, Purchaser, any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or such Employee Benefit Plan (including any surrender charge, market rate adjustment or other early termination charge or penalty), other than reasonable administrative expenses of the type typically incurred in terminations of similar employee benefit plans and benefits accrued through the date of amendment or termination. No Target Company or ERISA Affiliate has represented, promised, committed or contracted (whether in written or oral form) to any Person that any Employee Benefit Plan (or any particular benefit under any Employee Benefit Plan) will be provided for any particular period of time or that any Employee Benefit Plan will not be amended or terminated.

 

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(b)                The Company has delivered to Purchaser, with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan (to the extent applicable thereto), true, correct and complete copies of: (i) all documents embodying such Employee Benefit Plan (including all amendments thereto) or, if such Employee Benefit Plan is not in writing, a written description of such Employee Benefit Plan; (ii) the last three annual reports (e.g., Form 5500 series and all schedules and financial statements attached thereto) filed with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan; (iii) the most recent summary plan description and all summaries of material modifications related thereto, distributed with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan; (iv) all Contracts, as currently in effect, relating to such Employee Benefit Plan, including all trust agreements, investment management agreements, investment advisory agreements, annuity contracts, insurance contracts, bonds, indemnification agreements and service provider agreements; (v) the most recent determination, opinion or advisory letter, as applicable, issued by the IRS with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan; (vi) the most recent annual actuarial valuation prepared for such Employee Benefit Plan; (vii) the most recent financial statement prepared for such Employee Benefit Plan; (viii) all non-routine correspondence to or from a Government Entity relating to such Employee Benefit Plan; and (x) all coverage, nondiscrimination, top heavy and Code Section 415 tests performed with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan for the three most recently completed plan years.

 

(c)                 With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan: (i) such Employee Benefit Plan was properly and legally established; (ii) such Employee Benefit Plan is, and at all times since inception has been, maintained, administered, operated and funded in all material respects in accordance with its terms and in compliance with all applicable requirements of all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code (and the regulations and rulings issued thereunder); (iii) each Target Company, each ERISA Affiliate and each other Person (including each fiduciary of such Employee Benefit Plan) has properly performed all of its duties and obligations (whether arising by operation of Law, by Contract or otherwise) under or with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan, including all fiduciary, reporting, disclosure, and notification duties and obligations; (iv) all returns, reports (including all Form 5500 series annual reports, together with all schedules and audit reports required with respect thereto), notices, statements and other disclosures relating to such Employee Benefit Plan required to be filed with any Government Entity or provided to any participant in such Employee Benefit Plan (or the beneficiary of any such participant) have been properly filed or provided on or before their respective due dates and were complete and accurate in all material respects when filed or provided; (v) no Target Company, no ERISA Affiliate and no other Person has breached any fiduciary duty imposed upon it by ERISA or any other Law; (vi) no transaction or event has occurred or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, is threatened or about to occur that constitutes or could constitute (and none of the transactions described in or covered by this Agreement constitutes) a prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 or 407 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which an exemption is not available; (vii) all contributions, premiums and other payments due or required to have been paid to (or with respect to) such Employee Benefit Plan on or before the Closing Date have been paid on or before their respective due dates and within the applicable time period prescribed by ERISA, if any, or, if not yet due, have been accrued as a liability on the Most Recent Balance Sheet; and (viii) no Target Company and no ERISA Affiliate has incurred, and there exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with which any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate, Purchaser or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates could reasonably be expected to incur, directly or indirectly, any penalty, excise Tax, fine, Lien or Liability under ERISA, the Code or any other Law, or pursuant to any indemnification, contribution or similar agreement.

 

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(d)                Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and its related trust and/or group annuity contract is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code. Each such Employee Benefit Plan (i) is the subject of a current, unrevoked favorable determination letter from the IRS with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan’s qualified status under the Code, or (ii) utilizes a prototype or volume submitter plan document that is the subject of a current, unrevoked favorable opinion or advisory letter issued by the IRS to the sponsor of such prototype or volume submitter plan and upon which the Target Companies and such Employee Benefit Plan are entitled, under applicable IRS guidance, to rely. Nothing has occurred, or could reasonably be expected to occur, that could adversely affect the qualification or exemption of any such Employee Benefit Plan or its related trust or group annuity contract or require the filing of a submission under the IRS’s Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (“ EPCRS ”) or the taking of any corrective action pursuant to EPCRS in order to maintain the qualified status of such Employee Benefit Plan.

 

(e)                 Each Target Company, each ERISA Affiliate and each Employee Benefit Plan that is a “group health plan” as defined in Section 733(a)(1) of ERISA (each, a “ Health Plan ”) (i) is currently in compliance in all material respects with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148 (“ ACA ”), the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No.111-152 (“ HCERA ”), and all regulations and guidance issued thereunder (collectively, with ACA and HCERA, the “ Health Care Reform Laws ”) and (ii) has been in compliance in all material respects with all Health Care Reform Laws since March 23, 2010, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent the Health Care Reform Laws are applicable thereto. No Target Company, no ERISA Affiliate and no Health Plan has incurred (and nothing has occurred, and no condition or circumstance exists, that could reasonably be expected to subject any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate or any Health Plan to) any penalty or excise Tax under Code Section 4980D, 4980H or 4980I or any other provision of the Health Care Reform Laws.

 

(f)                 No Target Company or ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, participates in or contributes to or has ever sponsored, maintained, participated in or contributed to (or been obligated to sponsor, maintain, participate in or contribute to), or has (or could have) any Liability with respect to, (i) any employee benefit plan that is (or was) subject to Section 302 of ERISA, Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) any “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or 414(f) of the Code, (iii) any multiple employer plan within the meaning of Section 210(a), 4063 or 4064 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code, (iv) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement,” as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA, (v) any self-funded (or self-insured) health plan, or (vi) any compensation or employee benefit plan, fund, policy, program, practice, Contract, agreement or arrangement covering employees outside of the United States or subject to the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States.

 

(g)                 No Employee Benefit Plan provides life insurance, medical or other welfare benefits (within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA) to any current or former employee of any Target Company or any ERISA Affiliate, or to any other Person, after his or her retirement or other termination of employment or service, and no Target Company or ERISA Affiliate has ever represented, promised or contracted (whether in written or oral form) to any such employee or former employee, or to any other Person, that such benefits would be provided, except to the extent required by Section 4980B(f) of the Code (at the sole expense of the electing individual).

 

(h)                No claim or Proceeding (other than routine claims for benefits) are pending or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, threatened with respect to (or against the assets of) any Employee Benefit Plan, nor is there any basis for any such claim or Proceeding. No Employee Benefit Plan is (or within the last six years has been) the subject of an investigation, examination or audit by any Government Entity or the subject of an application or filing under or a participant in, any amnesty, voluntary compliance, self-correction or similar program sponsored by any Government Entity, and, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no such investigation, examination or audit is contemplated or under consideration by any Government Entity.

 

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(i)                  Each Target Company and each ERISA Affiliate has, for purposes of each Employee Benefit Plan, correctly classified those individuals performing services for such Target Company or ERISA Affiliate as common law employees, leased employees or independent contractors of the Target Company or such ERISA Affiliate, as applicable.

 

(j)                  Except with respect to the vesting and payment of benefits pursuant to Section 7.10 or as otherwise specifically required in this Agreement, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated in or by this Agreement (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event(s), including a subsequent termination of employment or service) will or may: (i) entitle any individual to severance, retention or change of control benefits or to any other similar payment from any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate, Purchaser, any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any Employee Benefit Plan; (ii) otherwise increase the amount of compensation due to any individual or forgive indebtedness owed by any individual; (iii) result in any benefit or right becoming established or increased, or accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any benefit under any Employee Benefit Plan; (iv) require any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate, Purchaser or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates to transfer or set aside any assets to fund or otherwise provide for any benefits for any individual; (v) result in the renewal or extension of the term of any Contract regarding the compensation of any current or former employee, director or other service provider of or to any Target Company or any ERISA Affiliate, or (vi) impair any of the rights of any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate, Purchaser or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan (including the right, based on the terms of the Employee Benefit Plans as of the Closing Date, to unilaterally amend or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan at any time and without any penalty, Liability or expense to any Target Company, any ERISA Affiliate, Purchaser, any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or such Employee Benefit Plan (including any surrender charge, market rate adjustment or other early termination charge or penalty), other than reasonable administrative expenses of the type typically incurred in terminations of similar employee benefit plans and benefits accrued through the date of amendment or termination).

 

(k)                Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18(k) , none of the Employee Benefit Plans is subject to Title IV of ERISA nor provide for medical or life insurance benefits to retired or former employees of any Target Company (other than as required under Code Section 4980B, or similar state Laws). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18(k) , no Target Company is a participating or contributing employer in any “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA) with respect to employees of any Target Company nor has any Target Company incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect to any multiemployer plan or any Liability in connection with the termination or reorganization of any multiemployer plan.

 

3.19           Compliance with Laws; Permits .

 

(a)                 Each Target Company has been at all times during the past three (3) years and is currently in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, Orders, and agreements with, and all Permits from, any Government Entity, including Laws relating to the operation of the Business or to which the property, assets, personnel, or business activities of each Target Company are subject. Each Target Company has made available to Purchaser true, correct, and complete copies of all material written communications between each Target Company and any Government Entity regarding such Target Company’s compliance with applicable Laws and Orders. No Target Company has received from any individual or Government Entity any written or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, oral notification with respect to any possible noncompliance of any Law or Order. At no time during the past three (3) years has any validation, review, survey, inspection, audit investigation or program integrity review related to the Target Companies been conducted by any Government Entity, other than in the normal course and to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no such reviews are scheduled, pending or threatened, against or affecting any of them or their respective facilities or locations. Each Target Company has timely filed all material reports, data and other information required by any Government Entity pursuant to applicable Law.

 

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(b)                Except with respect to Environmental Permits that are addressed in Section 3.20 below, each Target Company holds all material permits, approvals, registrations, franchises, licenses, certificates, accreditations, and other authorizations of all Government Entities that are required for the conduct of the Business (the “ Permits ”). Set forth on Schedule 3.19(b) is a true, correct, and complete list of all Permits that each Target Company owns, possesses, operates under or pursuant to or uses. All Permits are in full force and effect as of the Closing Date. During the past three (3) years, no Target Company has received any written notice from a Government Entity alleging the Target Company’s failure to hold any Permit. No Target Company is (and during the past three (3) years has not been) in material breach or violation of, or in material default under, any such Permits. Except as otherwise governed by Law or the terms of a Permit, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, each Permit is renewable by its terms or in the Ordinary Course of Business without the need to comply with any special qualification procedures or to pay any amounts other than routine filing fees. No Target Company has been notified in writing by any Person during the 24-month period immediately preceding the Closing Date that such Person has rescinded, restricted, limited, suspended or not renewed, or intends to rescind, restrict, limit, suspend or not renew, any Permit or that penalties or other disciplinary action has been issued to, threatened to, or will be assessed or taken against any Target Company by any such Person.

 

3.20           Environmental, Health, and Safety Matters .

 

(a)                 Each Target Company is in material compliance with and has for the past five (5) years operated its business and maintained its assets in material compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits. Since October 31, 2013, no Target Company has received any written notification, from any Government Entity or other Person alleging any violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) could reasonably be expected to cause any Target Company to be in violation of any applicable Environmental Law or Environmental Permit. There is no Environmental Claim pending or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, threatened against any Target Company.

 

(b)                Schedule 3.20(b) contains a complete list of all material Environmental Permits that are required in order for the Target Companies to conduct the Business as presently conducted. Sellers have made available true, correct and complete copies of each Environmental Permit to Purchaser. All of the Environmental Permits are in full force and effect and are valid and enforceable in accordance with their terms. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may give any Person the right to cancel, terminate, revoke or modify any Environmental Permit. There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, threatened against any Target Company to cancel, terminate, revoke or modify any Environmental Permit.

 

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(c)                 No Hazardous Substances are currently or have in the past five (5) years been used, generated, treated, stored, transported, or handled on or at any of the Leased Real Properties and to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no Hazardous Substances have at any time been disposed of or otherwise exist on, under or about any of the Leased Real Properties or any other real property formerly owned or leased by any Target Company, in each case in material violation of Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits. There have been no Releases of Hazardous Substances by any Target Company or to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, any other Party at, on, under, in, to or from any of the Leased Real Property and, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, there have been no Releases of Hazardous Substances at any other real property formerly owned or leased by any Target Company, in each case in amounts that may give rise to a material Environmental Claim. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, there has been no Release of Hazardous Substances at, on, under, in or from any other real property that has migrated or is migrating to, on or under the Leased Real Property.

 

(d)                There are no underground or above-ground storage tanks located on any of the Leased Real Properties or to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, any other real property formerly owned or leased by any Target Company. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, all underground and above-ground tanks previously located on any such properties and no longer present thereat were removed in accordance with all Environmental Laws. None of the following exists at any of the Leased Real Property or, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, at any other property or facility owned, occupied or operated by any Target Company: (i) asbestos containing materials in any form or condition; (ii) materials or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls; or (iii) landfills, surface impoundments or Hazardous Substance disposal areas.

 

(e)                 None of the Leased Real Property is currently listed on the National Priorities List, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) or the Superfund Enterprise Management System (SEMS), promulgated under the CERCLA or any comparable list in any jurisdiction. No Target Company has received notice from any Person with respect to any of the Leased Real Properties of potential or actual liability or a request for information from any Person under or relating to CERCLA or any comparable Environmental Law in any jurisdiction. To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) could reasonably be expected to cause any of the Leased Real Property to be listed on the National Priorities List, the CERCLIS or the SEMS, or any comparable list in any jurisdiction.

 

(f)                 No Target Company has assumed, undertaken or otherwise become subject to any Liability of any other Person by contract, or to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, by operation of law, relating to any applicable Environmental Law, including any obligation for corrective, investigatory or remedial action. Neither this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in any obligations for site investigation or cleanup, or notification to or consent of any Government Entity or other Person, pursuant to any of the so called “transaction triggered” or “responsible property transfer” Environmental Laws.

 

(g)                 True, correct and complete copies of all material environmental assessments, environmental audit reports and similar studies or analyses relating to any real property currently or formerly owned or leased by any of the Target Companies that are in the possession, custody or control of Sellers or their Affiliates, the Target Companies or any of their respective consultants or representatives have been provided to Purchaser.

 

3.21           Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21 , other than directly or indirectly owning Equity Interests in any Target Company, neither Sellers nor any Affiliate or Family Member of Sellers, and no director, manager, officer, or Affiliate of any Target Company: (a) has any material direct or indirect interest in any material asset or property owned or leased by the Target Company or used in connection with the Business; or (b) is currently engaging in any material transaction, arrangement, or understanding with any Target Company, other than payments made to, and other compensation provided to, officers, and managers of any Target Company in the Ordinary Course of Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.21 , no Target Company is owed or owes any material amount from or to Sellers, or any Affiliate or Family Member of Sellers (excluding employee compensation and other ordinary incidents of employment). None of Sellers, or any Affiliate or Family Member of Sellers has any material interest, directly or indirectly, in any business, corporate or otherwise, that is in competition with the Business.

 

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3.22           Real Property.

 

(a)                 Owned Real Property . No Target Company owns any real property.

 

(b)                Leased Real Property . Schedule 3.22(b) sets forth a true and complete list of all Leases (including all amendments, extensions, renewals, guaranties and other agreements with respect thereto) for each such Leased Real Property (including the date and name of the parties to such Lease document), true, correct, and complete copies of which have been previously delivered to Purchaser. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.22(b) , with respect to each of the Leases: (i) such Lease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratoriums, or similar Laws at the time in effect affecting the enforceability or right of creditors generally and by general equitable principles that may limit the right to obtain equitable remedies; (ii) no Target Company’s possession and quiet enjoyment of the Leased Real Property under such Lease, is being disturbed as of the Closing Date, and there are no present and continuing disputes with respect to such Lease; (iii) no Target Company, and, to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, such other party to the Lease, are in breach or default under such Lease beyond any applicable notice and cure period thereunder; and (iv) no Target Company has subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy such Leased Real Property or any portion thereof, except for Permitted Liens.

 

3.23           Key Customers; Key Suppliers .

 

(a)                 Schedule 3.23(a) sets forth a true and complete list of the top ten (10) customers of the Target Companies, as determined by annual sales to such customers for each of their fiscal years ending December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 (each, a “ Key Customer ”). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23(a) , since December 31, 2017, no Target Company has received written notice from any Key Customer requesting any material change in the terms and conditions (including credit terms, bonding requirements or indemnity requirements) of sales to such Key Customer or purchases by such Key Customer, which change is materially adverse to the operation of the Business. Since January 1, 2018, no Target Company has received any written complaint from any Key Customer concerning the products and services of any Target Company, other than complaints made in the Ordinary Course of Business, none of which are material, individually. To the Target Companies’ Knowledge, none of the Key Customers has stated in writing that it intends to materially decrease or limit its volume of purchases from any Target Company or otherwise terminate or materially and adversely modify its relationship with any Target Company.

 

(b)                Schedule 3.23(b) sets forth a true and complete list of the top ten (10) suppliers of the Target Companies, as determined by annual purchases from such suppliers for each of their fiscal years ending December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 (each, a “ Key Supplier ”). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23(b) , since December 31, 2017, no Target Company has received written notice from any Key Supplier requesting any material change in the terms and conditions (including credit terms, bonding requirements or indemnity requirements) of purchases from such Key Supplier or sales to any Target Company, which change is materially adverse to the operation of the Business. Since January 1, 2018, no Key Supplier has terminated or materially reduced, or has given notice that it intends to terminate or materially reduce, the amount of business done with any Target Company. There are no, and during the last three (3) years there have not been any material disputes or controversies between any Target Company and a Key Supplier regarding the quality, merchantability or safety of, or involving a claim of breach of warranty with respect to, or any material defect in, any product purchased, manufactured or sold by such Key Supplier, other than disputes or controversies which have been fully resolved or have arisen in the Ordinary Course of Business, none of which are material, individually .

 

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3.24           Product Warranties . Except for contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business on commercially reasonable terms, no products developed, manufactured, sold or delivered by any Target Company are subject to any Target Company guaranty, warranty or indemnity of any kind beyond the applicable standard terms and conditions of such sale as described in Schedule 3.24 . In the last three (3) years no Target Company has been notified in writing of any claims for (and no Target Company has Knowledge of any threatened claims for) any material product returns, warranty obligations or product services relating to any of its products other than those made in the Ordinary Course of Business. In the last three (3) years there have been no product recalls, withdrawals or to the Knowledge of the Target Companies, any seizures with respect to any products sold or delivered by any Target Company. No Target Company has received written notice from any Government Entity within the past three (3) years that alleged any product designed, manufactured, sold or delivered by any Target Company was defective or unsafe or failed to meet any product warranty or standards promulgated by any such Government Entity.

 

3.25           Product Liability . To the Knowledge of the Target Companies, except as set forth on Schedule 3.25 , no Target Company has any material Liability for actions based on any legal or equitable theory of recovery in connection with, arising out of or resulting from (a) any defect or alleged defect in the design, development, materials or workmanship of any product designed, developed, licensed, sold or delivered by, or on behalf of any Target Company, (b) any failure to warn, (c) any alleged breach of express or implied warranty, or (d) any injury to individuals or property as a result of the ownership, possession or use of any product designed, developed, licensed, sold or delivered by, or on behalf of any Target Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.25 , during the past three (3) years, no Target Company has received written notice of any unresolved claim of personal injury, death, or property or economic damages, or for injunctive relief, in each case as a result of any defect or other deficiency (whether of design, materials, workmanship, labeling, instructions or otherwise) with respect to any product designed, manufactured, sold, leased, licensed or delivered, or any service provided, by any Target Company.

 

3.26           Bribery and Fraud . None of the Target Companies, Sellers, or any of the Target Companies’ current or former officers, directors, managers, partners, employees, independent contractors, agents or representatives has, directly or indirectly used any Target Company or Seller funds for improper or unlawful contributions, payments, gifts or entertainment, or made any improper or unlawful expenditures relating to political activity to domestic or foreign government officials or others. None of the Target Companies, Sellers nor any current shareholder, director, officer or employee, agent or other Person or entity acting on behalf of a Target Company or Seller, has accepted or received any improper or unlawful contributions, payments, gifts or expenditures. The Target Companies and Sellers have at all times complied, and is in compliance with, in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other applicable Laws addressing similar issues, and all applicable foreign Laws relating to prevention of corrupt practices and similar matters. No Target Company currently employs any foreign official, political party or political party official, public international organization official, or political candidate in any country in the world.

 

3.27           Tariffs and Duties . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 , each Target Company is, and has at all times been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws, tariffs and duties applicable to the import and export of products of the Target Companies, including 19 USC 1592. There have not been any prior actions, and there are no pending actions, brought against any Target Company by United States Customs and Border Protection or any similar Government Entity for the payment of tariffs, duties, fines or penalties related to the import and export of products of any Target Company, and no Target Company is subject to any such fines or penalties. No Target Company has made any material misrepresentation of facts to United States Customs and Border Protection or any similar Government Entity regarding the import or export of any products of any Target Company. The imported products for which each Target Company is, or has been during the last three (3) years, the importer of record or otherwise legally responsible, are not subject to, and to the Target Companies’ knowledge there is no reason to believe any such imported products may become subject to: (i) any detention, seizure or forfeiture; (ii) any notice of redelivery or claim for liquidated damages; (iii) any country of origin marking notice; or (iv) any other fine or penalty.

 

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3.28           Inventory . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.28 , the inventory of each Target Company consists of raw materials and supplies, manufactured and purchased parts, goods in process, and finished goods, which inventory is valued in accordance with the historical inventory valuation policies of the Target Companies, consistent with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.28 , the inventory reserves set forth in the Interim Financial Statements are consistent in extent with those previously maintained by the Target Companies in the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

3.29           Accounts Receivable . All of the Accounts Receivable have arisen from bona fide transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business. None of the Accounts Receivable are subject to any material counterclaim or setoff (other than as accounted for in accounts payable).

 

3.30           Books and Records . The true and correct minute books of each Target Company have been made available to Purchaser for inspection. No material actions of the directors, managers, officers, equity holders or stockholders of any Target Company have been taken that have not been recorded therein.

 

3.31           No Other Representations . Except as expressly set forth in this ARTICLE III and in ARTICLE IV , none of any Seller, any Target Company or any other Person acting on behalf of the Sellers and/or the Target Companies have made, nor are any of them making any representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect of the Target Companies or the Business, nor are any of them making any representation or warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Purchaser or its Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this provision or elsewhere in this Agreement restricts or limits in any respect any claims for Fraud.

 

ARTICLE IV.
INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

 

As a material inducement to the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, each Seller hereby severally, and neither jointly or with respect to any other Seller, represents and warrants to the Purchaser solely with respect to such Seller as follows:

 

4.1               Organization, Power, and Authority . If Seller is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, bank, trust company, trust or other entity, Seller is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization (as applicable). Seller possesses all requisite power and authority necessary to enter into and perform this Agreement, to enter into and perform the Ancillary Documents to which Seller is a party, or by which Seller is bound, and to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents by Seller and consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly and validly approved by the governing body of Seller. No other proceedings are necessary on the part of any Seller to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents by Seller and the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

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4.2               Binding Obligation; No Conflict .

 

(a)                 Binding Obligation . The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and all Ancillary Documents to which Seller is a party, or by which Seller is bound, have been duly authorized by Seller. This Agreement and all Ancillary Documents to which Seller is a party, or by which Seller is bound, when executed and delivered by Seller in accordance with the terms hereof, will each constitute a valid and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratoriums, or similar Laws at the time in effect affecting the enforceability or right of creditors generally and by general equitable principles which may limit the right to obtain equitable remedies.

 

(b)                No Conflict . The execution, delivery, and performance by Seller of this Agreement and of the Ancillary Documents to which Seller is a party, or by which Seller is bound, and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and thereof by Seller does not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under (whether with or without the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both), (iii) result in the creation of any Lien upon the Shares or other assets of Seller, (iv) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, accelerate, or cancel any material agreement or obligation under, (v) create a loss of rights under, (vi) result in a violation of, or (vii) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption, or other action by or notice or declaration to, or filing with, any third party or any Government Entity pursuant to, (A) the Governing Documents of Seller, (B) any Law or Order to which Seller is subject or otherwise bound, or (C) any Contract or permit to which Seller is a party, subject or otherwise bound, other than in the case of clauses (B) and (C), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights or Liens that individually or in the aggregate would not materially and adversely affect Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No consent, approval, or authorization of any Government Entity, or any other Person, is required to be obtained by Seller in connection with its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for those that may be required solely by reason of Purchaser’s (as opposed to any other third party’s) participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

4.3               Ownership of Shares . Seller has good and valid title to the number of Shares listed opposite Seller’s name on Schedule 1.1 , free and clear of all Liens. There are (i) no outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, commitments, understandings, restrictions, arrangements, rights (including preemptive rights) or warrants, including any rights plan, and any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security, instrument or other agreement, obligating Seller to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional Equity Interests or securities of any kind of Seller, respectively, or obligating Seller to grant, extend or enter into any such agreement or commitment, or otherwise relating to securities of Seller, (ii) no voting trusts, proxies, stockholder, equity holder or other agreements or understandings to which the Seller is a party or is bound with respect to the voting or transfer of any of the Equity Interests of any Target Company, and (iii) no Equity Interest appreciation rights, participations, phantom equity, or similar rights with respect to the Target Companies to which Seller is a party or is bound, or which Seller has granted.

 

4.4               No Acquisitions . Except for this Agreement, Seller is not a party to or bound by any agreement, undertaking or commitment with respect to any purchase, sale, equity exchange, merger, reorganization, consolidation or similar transaction involving any Target Company or any Equity Interests of any Target Company.

 

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4.5               Legal Proceedings . There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against, relating to, or involving Seller that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect, in any material respect, Seller’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that otherwise relate to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

4.6               Brokerage . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15, there are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement to which Seller is a party or to which Seller is subject.

 

4.7               No Other Representations . Except as expressly set forth in this ARTICLE IV and in ARTICLE III , none of any Seller, any Target Company or any other Person acting on behalf of the Sellers and/or the Target Companies have made, nor are any of them making any representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect of the Target Companies or the Business, nor are any of them making any representation or warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Purchaser or its Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this provision or elsewhere in this Agreement restricts or limits in any respect any claims for Fraud.

 

ARTICLE V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER

 

As a material inducement to Sellers to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, the Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:

 

5.1               Organization, Power, and Authority . Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Purchaser possesses all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own, use, and operate its properties, to enter into and perform this Agreement, to enter into and perform the Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser is a party, or by which the Purchaser is bound, and to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser is party, or by which the Purchaser is bound, and the consummation by the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly validly approved by the Board of Directors of the Purchaser.

 

5.2               Binding Obligation; No Conflict .

 

(a)                 Binding Obligation . The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and all Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser is a party, or by which Purchaser is bound, have been duly authorized by the Purchaser. This Agreement and all Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser is a party, or by which Purchaser is bound, when executed and delivered by the Purchaser in accordance with the terms hereof, will each constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratoriums, or similar Laws at the time in effect affecting the enforceability or right of creditors generally and by general equitable principles which may limit the right to obtain equitable remedies.

 

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(b)                No Conflict . Except as set forth on Schedule 5.2(b) ,the execution, delivery, and performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement and all of the Ancillary Documents to which the Purchaser is a party, or by which Purchaser is bound, and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective terms hereof and thereof by the Purchaser, do not and will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (ii) constitute a default under (whether with or without the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both), (iii) give any third party the right to modify, terminate, accelerate, or cancel any material agreement or obligation under, (iv) create a loss of rights under, (v) result in a violation of, or (vi) require any authorization, consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice or declaration to, or filing with, any Government Entity pursuant to, (A) the Governing Documents of the Purchaser, (B) any Law or Order to which the Purchaser is subject or otherwise bound, or (C) any Contract or permit to which the Purchaser is a party, subject, or otherwise bound, other than in the case of clauses (B) and (C), any such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights or Liens that individually or in the aggregate would not adversely affect, in any material respect, Purchaser’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No consent, approval, or authorization of any Government Entity, or any other Person, is required to be obtained by Purchaser in connection with its execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for those that may be required solely by reason of the Target Companies’ or any Seller’s (as opposed to any other third party’s) participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.3               Brokerage . There are no claims for brokerage commissions, finders’ fees, or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement to which the Purchaser is a party or to which the Purchaser is subject.

 

5.4               Purchase for Investment . The Purchaser is acquiring the Shares solely for the purpose of investment and not with a view to distributing all or any part thereof in any transaction which would constitute a “distribution” within the meaning of applicable Laws, including securities Laws. The Purchaser acknowledges that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and neither the Sellers nor the Company is under any obligation to file a registration statement or similar filing with any Governmental Entity with respect to the Shares. The Purchaser understands that there is no existing public or other market for the Shares and there can be no assurance that the Purchaser will be able to sell or dispose of the Shares.

 

5.5               Legal Proceedings . There are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened against, relating to, or involving the Purchaser that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect, in any material respect, the Purchaser’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or that otherwise relate to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.6               Sufficient Funds; Bankruptcy . The Purchaser (a) has sufficient internal funds available to pay the payments contemplated hereby and any expenses incurred by the Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) has the resources and capabilities (financial or otherwise) to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and (c) has not incurred any obligation, commitment, restriction or liability of any kind, that would materially adversely affect such resources and capabilities. There are no bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement Proceedings pending against, being contemplated by, or to the Knowledge of the Purchaser, threatened against the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates.

 

5.7               No Other Representations . Except as expressly set forth in this ARTICLE V , none of Purchaser or any other Person acting on behalf of Purchaser have made, nor are any of them making any representation or warranty, express or implied, in respect of Purchaser, nor are any of them making any representation or warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to Sellers or its Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this provision or elsewhere in this Agreement restricts or limits in any respect any claims for Fraud.

 

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5.8               Independent Investigation . Purchaser has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, and is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and has evaluated such documents and information as it has deemed necessary in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement. In formulating a decision to enter into this Agreement, the Purchaser has relied solely upon (a) the provisions of this Agreement, (b) an independent investigation of the Target Companies and the Business, and (c) consultations with its legal and financial advisors with respect to this Agreement and the nature of its investment. Except for the specific representations and warranties made by the Company or the Sellers in ARTICLE III and ARTICLE IV of this Agreement, (i) the Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (A) neither any Target Company nor any Seller is making or has made any representation or warranty, express or implied, at Law or in equity, in respect of any Target Company or the Business or the Target Companies’ assets, liabilities operations or condition (financial or otherwise), the nature or extent of any liabilities, the prospects of the Target Companies’ businesses, the effectiveness or success of any operations, or the accuracy or completeness of any confidential information memoranda, projections, forecasts or estimates of earnings, or other information (financial or otherwise) regarding the Target Companies furnished to the Purchaser or its representatives or made available to the Purchaser and its representatives in any “data rooms,” “virtual data rooms,” management presentations or in any other form in expectation of, or in connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or in respect of any other matter or thing whatsoever, and (B) no officer, agent, representative or employee of any Seller or any of the Target Companies has any authority, express or implied, to make any representations, warranties or agreements not specifically set forth in his Agreement and subject to the limited remedies expressly provided in this Agreement, (ii) the Purchaser specifically disclaims that it is relying upon or has relied upon any other statements, representations or warranties that may have been made by any Person, and acknowledges and agrees that the Company and the Sellers have specifically disclaimed and do hereby specifically disclaim any such other representation or warranty made by any Person, and (iii)  the Purchaser is acquiring the Shares subject only to the specific representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE III and ARTICLE IV of this Agreement, as further limited by the specifically bargained-for exclusive remedies set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this provision or elsewhere in this Agreement restricts or limits in any respect any representation or warranty in the Agreement or any claims for Fraud. With respect to any projection or forecast delivered by or on behalf of the Sellers or the Target Companies to Purchaser, Purchaser acknowledges that (1) there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such projections and forecasts, (2) the accuracy and correctness of such projections and forecasts may be affected by information that may become available through discovery or otherwise after the date of such projections and forecasts, (3) such projections and forecasts have not been independently verified, reflect various assumptions and may not prove to be correct, (4) Purchaser is familiar with each of the foregoing and (5) Purchaser is not relying upon any such projection or forecast. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that this provision, together with Sections 3.31 and 4.7 , are intended to constitute an effective non-reliance provision and each Seller is relying on the effectiveness of such provision in entering into this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VI.
INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1               Survival of Representations; Warranties; and Covenants .

 

(a)                 Except in the case of Fraud, criminal actions, or willful misconduct(“ Fraud Claim ”), (i) all of the representations and warranties of the parties (other than the Fundamental Representations) set forth in this Agreement will survive the Closing hereunder and continue in full force and effect until the date that is the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company and Sellers set forth in Section 3.1 (Organization), Section 3.2 (Capitalization), Section 3.3(a) (Binding Obligation), Section 3.15 (Brokerage), Section 4.1 (Organization), Section 4.2(a) (Binding Obligation), and Section 4.3 (Ownership of Shares) and the representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in Section 5.1 (Organization) and Section 5.2(a) (Binding Obligation) (collectively, the “ Fundamental Representations ”), will survive the Closing until the date that is 15 years after the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 6.1(a) , including the expiration of the representations and warranties contained herein, will not in any way inhibit the Purchaser Indemnified Parties from obtaining any remedies the Purchaser Indemnified Parties may have against any insurer under the R&W Insurance Policy providing coverage for any breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made in this Agreement. Neither the period of survival nor the Liability of any party with respect to its representations and warranties hereunder will be reduced by any investigation or lack of investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such party.

 

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(b)                The agreements and covenants of the parties set forth in this Agreement will survive the Closing and remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

 

(c)                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, any claim (whether or not fixed as to Liability or liquidated as to amount) pending on the expiration date of the applicable survival period set forth above or covenants or agreements for which a claim notice has been properly given in accordance with this ARTICLE VI on or before such expiration date (and the related representation, warranty, covenant and/or agreement) may continue to be asserted and will be indemnified against until finally resolved. No new claims will be brought following the applicable expiration date (other than with respect to covenants whose express terms extend for a longer period).

 

(d)                If the applicable survival period for an item as contemplated by Section 6.1(a) is longer than the statute of limitations that would otherwise have been applicable to such item, then, by contract, the applicable statute of limitations with respect to such items will be extended to the date set forth in Section 6.1(a) . The parties acknowledge and agree that the survival periods set forth in Section 6.1(a) are the result of arms’-length negotiation among the parties and that they intend for the same periods to be enforced as agreed by the parties hereto.

 

6.2               General Indemnification.

 

(a)                 Indemnification Obligations of Sellers .

 

(i)                  Subject to the provisions of this ARTICLE VI , each Seller will, up to such Seller’s Pro Rata Share, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Purchaser and its Affiliates (including the Target Companies) and each of their respective directors, managers, officers, members, partners, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and permitted assigns (collectively, the “ Purchaser Indemnified Parties ”), and save and hold each of them harmless against and pay on behalf of or reimburse such Purchaser Indemnified Parties in respect of any Losses that any such Purchaser Indemnified Party actually suffers, sustains, or becomes subject to, to the extent such Losses relate to, arise out of or result from: (A) any breach or inaccuracy of any of any representation or warranty of the Sellers or any Target Company contained in ARTICLE III ; (B) any Indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (d) or (h) of the definition of Indebtedness that is not paid or satisfied in full at the Closing; (C) any Transaction Expense that is not paid or satisfied in full at the Closing; (D) any Liability for Taxes of any Target Company or for which any Target Company is liable, in each case, solely with respect to any Pre-Closing Tax Period or any portion of the Straddle Period that begins on the first day of the Straddle Period and ends on the Closing Date as determined pursuant to Section 7.4(c) ; and (E) any Fraud Claim against the Target Companies.

 

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(ii)                Subject to the provisions of this ARTICLE VI , each Seller will, individually as a Seller and solely for himself, herself or itself, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Purchaser Indemnified Parties and save and hold each of them harmless against and pay on behalf of or reimburse such Purchaser Indemnified Parties in respect of any Losses that any such Purchaser Indemnified Party actually suffers, sustains, or becomes subject to, to the extent such Losses relate to, arise out of or result from: (A) any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of such Seller contained in ARTICLE IV ; (B) any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement of such Seller under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document; or (C) any Fraud Claim against such Seller.

 

(b)                Indemnification Obligations of the Purchaser . Subject to the provisions of this ARTICLE VI , the Purchaser will indemnify Sellers and their Affiliates and each of their respective directors, managers, officers, members, stockholders, partners, employees, agents, representatives, successors and permitted assigns (collectively, the “ Seller Indemnified Parties ”) and save and hold each of them harmless against and pay on behalf of or reimburse such Seller Indemnified Parties in respect of any Losses that any such Seller Indemnified Party actually suffers, sustains, or becomes subject to, to the extent such Losses relate to, arise out of or result from: (i) any breach or inaccuracy of any of any representation or warranty of the Purchaser contained in ARTICLE V , (ii) any nonfulfillment or breach of any covenant or agreement by the Purchaser under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document, or (iii) any Fraud Claim against the Purchaser.

 

(c)                 General Limitations on Indemnification .

 

(i)                  Sellers will not be required to indemnify the Purchaser Indemnified Parties under Section 6.2(a)(i)(A) unless the aggregate amount of all Losses of all Purchaser Indemnified Parties exceeds $325,000 (the “ Threshold ”); provided that (A) the Threshold will not apply to Fraud Claims or Claims that relate to, arise out of or result from any breach or inaccuracy of any Fundamental Representation and (B) if the Losses of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties under such Section exceed the Threshold, then Sellers will be obligated for all such Losses, including those equal to or less than the Threshold (such amount intended to be a threshold and not a deductible), subject to Section 6.2(c)(ii) . Any Losses subject to the Threshold will be disregarded in determining whether the Seller Indemnification Cap has been met.

 

(ii)                Except in the case of Fraud Claims or Claims that relate to, arise out of or result from any breach or inaccuracy of any Fundamental Representation, in no case will Sellers’ aggregate indemnity obligations under Section 6.2(a)(i) exceed the Holdback Amount (the “ Seller Indemnification Cap ”). Except in the case of Fraud Claims, in no event will any Seller have (A) aggregate indemnity obligation pursuant to this ARTICLE VI in excess of the Base Purchase Price actually received by such Seller, and (B) with respect to any Losses in excess of the Holdback Amount, in excess of such Seller’s pro rata share thereof (based on such Seller’s Pro Rata Share).

 

(iii)              Notwithstanding the above, any amount included in the determination of Closing Net Working Capital, or otherwise previously taken into account in the final determination of the Purchase Price, will not be further subject to an indemnification claim to the extent actually taken into account in such determination.

 

(iv)              The amount of any Loss payable under Section 6.2 will be net of, amounts actually received by the indemnified party under any applicable unaffiliated, third party insurance policies with respect to such Loss (determined after giving effect to out-of-pocket costs of collecting such insurance proceeds). If an indemnified party receives any amounts under any applicable unaffiliated, third party insurance policies subsequent to its receipt of an indemnification payment by the indemnifying parties, then such indemnified party will, without duplication, promptly reimburse the indemnifying parties for any payment made by such indemnifying parties up to the amount received by the indemnified party (net of expenses), provided, however , that the aggregate amount of reimbursement payments to the indemnifying parties in respect of any such Loss will not in any event exceed the aggregate indemnification payment received by the indemnified party from the indemnifying parties with respect to such Loss.

 

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(v)                For clarity, neither the Threshold nor the Seller Indemnification Cap will apply to, or otherwise affect the ability of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties to make Claims or recover Losses with respect to, Claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.2(a)(i)(B)-(E) or pursuant to Section 6.2(a)(ii) .

 

(vi)              Sellers shall not be liable for (A) any Losses in respect of any breach of a representation or warranty in respect of Taxes of the Target Companies (excluding Sections 3.9(g) , 3.9(h), 3.9(i) , and 3.9(l) ) for the post-Closing portion of the Straddle Period and any taxable period that begins after the Closing Date, and (B) any Taxes arising from transactions or actions not contemplated by this Agreement taken by the Purchaser, or the Target Companies or any of their Affiliates except if specifically directed by any of the Sellers, on the Closing Date after the Closing that are outside of the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

(d)                Notice and Determination of Claims . If any party claiming indemnification (“ Indemnitee ”) believes that it has sustained or incurred any Losses for which it may be entitled to indemnification, such Indemnitee will so notify Seller Representative, if Sellers are the party against whom indemnification is sought (the “ Indemnitor ”), or Purchaser, if Purchaser is the Indemnitor, in writing (each, a “ Claim Notice ”) of any such claim (each, a “ Claim ”) within 30 days of learning of such potential Claim, reasonably describing the Claim, the amount thereof (if known or quantifiable) and specifying the basis thereof. The Seller Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, or the Purchaser, as applicable, will have the right to object to any Claim made pursuant to this Section 6.2(d) by delivering written notice of such objection (each, a “ Claim Objection Notice ”) to the other within thirty (30) days following the Seller Representative’s or the Purchaser’s, as applicable, receipt of a Claim Notice (such period, the “ Claim Objection Period ”). The Claim Objection Notice will specify in reasonable detail the basis for the Indemnitor’s objection to the Claim. If the Seller Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, or the Purchaser, as applicable, does not object to a Claim within the Claim Objection Period or the Seller Representative, on behalf of the Sellers, or the Purchaser, as applicable, notifies the Indemnitee that it does not dispute a Claim, then (a) the Indemnitor will be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the Claim set forth in the Claim Notice and will be precluded from raising any objection thereto after the Claim Objection Period, and (b) the Indemnitee will be entitled to recover from the Indemnitor for any Losses of the Indemnitee with respect to such Claim. After the giving of any Claim Notice pursuant hereto, the amount of indemnification to which a Person will be entitled under this ARTICLE VI will be determined: (i) by a Final Determination; or (ii) by any other means to which the parties agree in writing.

 

(e)                 Manner of Payment . Any indemnification of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties payable by any Seller in accordance with the terms of this ARTICLE VI will be satisfied: (a) first, by making a claim in the amount of any such indemnification obligation upon the Holdback Amount; (b) second, by making a claim against the R&W Insurance Policy, (c) third, to the extent that the Holdback Amount is insufficient to satisfy such indemnification obligations and such claim is not covered by the R&W Insurance Policy, by making a claim for payment in the remaining amount of such indemnification obligation directly against the applicable Seller or Sellers responsible for such indemnity pursuant to this Section 6.2 ; and (d) finally, to the extent such indemnification obligations have not been satisfied under clause (a), (b) or (c) within ten (10) Business Days after the Final Determination thereof, at Purchaser’s election, by setting off such indemnification obligations against any amounts owed to Sellers under this Agreement. Subject to the other limitations set forth in this ARTICLE VI , any such claim against the Holdback Amount will not be deemed to modify Sellers’ obligations with respect to indemnification or the survival of representations and warranties, nor will such claim against the Holdback Amount or offset serve as a cap on or the sole source of funds to satisfy Sellers’ indemnification obligations or otherwise limit the Purchaser Indemnified Parties’ remedies hereunder. Nothing contained in this Section 6.2 will limit the Purchaser’s rights to specific performance and other equitable remedies as set forth in Section 9.2 . Any indemnification of the Seller Indemnified Parties pursuant to Section 6.2 will be satisfied, by wire transfer of immediately available funds from Purchaser to an account(s) designated in writing by the Seller Indemnified Parties within ten (10) Business Days after the final determination thereof.

 

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(f)                 Other Factors Not Limiting . No representation or warranty contained herein will limit the generality or applicability of any other representation or warranty. If and to the extent any provision of this ARTICLE VI is unenforceable for any reason, each indemnifying party hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution that is permissible under applicable Law to the payment and satisfaction of any Losses for which indemnification is provided for in this ARTICLE VI (but subject to all limitations set forth in this ARTICLE VI applicable thereto).

 

(g)                 Third Party Claims .

 

(i)                  The Purchaser, on behalf of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties, or the Seller Representative, on behalf of the Seller Indemnified Parties, as applicable, will notify the other of any notice of any Proceeding that is asserted or overtly threatened by a Person (other than the parties, their successors, or their permitted assigns) against an Indemnitee or to which any Indemnitee is subject that would reasonably give rise to a Claim (a “ Third-Party Claim ”), within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of any such Proceeding, reasonably describing the claim, the amount thereof (if known and quantifiable) and the basis thereof; provided , however , that the failure to so notify an Indemnitor will not relieve the Indemnitor of its obligations hereunder unless and only to the extent the Indemnitor will be actually and materially prejudiced by such failure to so notify.

 

(ii)                The Purchaser, if the Purchaser Indemnified Parties are Indemnitee, or the Seller Representative, if the Seller Indemnified Parties are Indemnitee (the “ Defending Party ”), will have the right in its sole discretion to conduct and control, through counsel of its own choosing, the defense of any Third-Party Claim and will keep other (the “ Non-Defending Party ”) reasonably informed of the status thereof. In connection with such defense or handling of any Third-Party Claim, Non-Defending Party shall cooperate with the Defending Party and shall, solely at the request of the Defending Party, participate in the defense or handling of such Third-Party Claim. The Defending Party may settle, adjust or compromise any Third-Party Claim with or without the consent of the Non-Defending Party; provided , however , that without the prior written consent of the Non-Defending Party (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned and which shall be deemed to have been given unless the Non-Defending Party shall have objected within thirty (30) days after delivery of a written request for such consent by the Defending Party), no settlement, adjustment or compromise of any Third-Party Claim shall be determinative of the existence of a claim for indemnification under this ARTICLE VI or the amount of Losses relating to such claim. In the event that the Non-Defending Party has consented to any such settlement, adjustment or compromise, such settlement, adjustment or compromise shall be determinative of the existence and amount of Losses contained therein and neither the Non-Defending Party nor any Indemnitor with respect to such a claim shall have any power or authority to object under any provision of this ARTICLE VI to the amount of any claim for Losses by a Defending Party with respect to such settlement, adjustment or compromise.

 

(h)                Purchase Price Adjustment Treatment . All indemnification payments made pursuant to this ARTICLE VI will be treated as adjustments to the Purchase Price for all purposes and the parties agree to file their Tax Returns accordingly.

 

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(i)                  Materiality Qualifiers . The parties agree and acknowledge that certain representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are qualified by Materiality Qualifiers, and for purposes of determining whether a representation and warranty contained in this Agreement is inaccurate or has been breached or the amount of Losses arising out of, relating to or resulting from a breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty in this Agreement, all Materiality Qualifiers will be ignored and each such representation and warranty will be read and interpreted without regard to any Materiality Qualifiers.

 

(j)                  Limitation on Contribution, Indemnification or Subrogation from Purchaser Indemnitees . If, following the Closing, any Claim for Losses is made by any Purchaser Indemnified Party or otherwise becomes due from Sellers under this ARTICLE VI in respect of any Losses, then Sellers will not have any rights against any Target Company or that Person who is or was a director, manager, general partner, officer, or employee thereof, whether through contribution, indemnification, subrogation or otherwise, with respect thereto, and Sellers will not take any action against any Purchaser Indemnified Party (including any Target Company or any such director, manager, general partner, officer or employee with respect thereto).

 

6.3               Exclusive Remedy . The remedies provided by this ARTICLE VI, by Section 9.2 , and under the R&W Insurance Policy, subject to the limitations set forth herein, will be the sole and exclusive remedies of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties and the Seller Indemnified Parties for the recovery of Losses that any Purchaser Indemnified Party or Seller Indemnified Party may at any time suffer or incur, or become subject to, as a result of or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any breach of any representation or warranty in this Agreement by any Party, or any failure by any Party to perform or comply with any covenant or agreement that, by its terms, was to have been performed, or complied with, under this Agreement and any other documents entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than Fraud Claims. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties hereby irrevocably waive any right of rescission they may otherwise have or to which they may become entitled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.3 do not apply to (i) injunctive relief or specific performance, or (ii) provisions set forth in this Agreement relating to Purchase Price adjustments.

 

ARTICLE VII.
COVENANTS

 

7.1               General . In case at any time after the Closing any further action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, each of the parties will take such further action (including the execution and delivery of such further instruments and documents) as any other party reasonably may request, all at the sole cost and expense of the requesting party (unless the requesting party is entitled to indemnification therefore under ARTICLE VI ). Sellers acknowledge and agree that from and after the Closing, Purchaser will be entitled to possession of all documents, minute books, ownership ledgers, books, record, agreements, and financial data of any sort owned or held by the Target Companies.

 

 

7.2               Inspection of Records . Sellers and Purchaser will each make their respective books and records (including work papers in the possession of their respective accountants) with respect to the Target Companies available for inspection by the other party, or by its duly authorized representatives, for reasonable business purposes at all reasonable times during normal business hours, for a seven-year period after the Closing Date, with respect to all transactions of the Target Companies occurring before and relating to the Closing, and the historical financial condition, assets, Liabilities, operations and cash flows of the Target Companies. As used in this Section 7.2 , the right of inspection includes the right to make extracts or copies. The representatives of a party inspecting the records of the other party must be reasonably satisfactory to the other party.

 

 

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7.3               Tail Insurance . At or prior to the Closing, the Target Companies will obtain, maintain, and fully pay for an irrevocable “tail” insurance policy naming the D&O Indemnified Persons with respect to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Purchaser will not, and will not cause the Target Companies to, cancel or change such insurance policies in any respect. If subsequent to the Closing, Purchaser or the Target Companies, or any of their respective successors or assigns, (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and will not be the continuing or surviving Person in such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers all or substantially all its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each case, proper provision will be made so that the successors and assigs of Purchaser and the applicable Target Company, as the case may be, honor the obligations set forth in this Section 7.3.

 

7.4               Tax Matters.

 

(a)                 Purchaser shall cause the Target Companies to join Purchaser’s “consolidated group” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-1(h)) effective on the Closing Date. Purchaser will prepare, or cause to be prepared, and file, or cause to be filed, any Tax Returns of the Target Companies due to be filed after the Closing Date for periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date (the “ Pre-Closing Tax Period ”) and for all Straddle Periods. At least ten (10) Business Days prior to filing, Purchaser will provide such Tax Returns that are income Tax Returns to Seller Representative for review, and Purchaser will consider and reflect in good faith any reasonable comments of Seller Representative to such Tax Returns.

 

(b)                Sellers will have the right to control any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to any Taxes for which Sellers may be liable under this Agreement, provided that Seller Representative will keep Purchaser reasonably informed with respect to the status of any such audit, litigation or other proceeding.

 

(c)                 With respect to any Straddle Period, the Taxes attributable to the portion of such Straddle Period that begins on the first day of the Straddle Period and ends on the Closing Date will (i) in the case of any property or similar ad valorem Taxes be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire taxable period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in the taxable period ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire taxable period; and (ii) in the case of any other Taxes be deemed equal to the amount that would be payable if the relevant taxable period ended on the Closing Date.

 

(d)                Sellers, Seller Representative and Purchaser will cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by any other party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation will include the retention and (upon the other party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such filing, audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder.

 

(e)                 Purchaser and Sellers each will pay 50% of any real property transfer or gains tax, stamp tax, stock transfer tax, or other similar Tax imposed on the Target Companies or Sellers as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, “ Transfer Taxes ”), and any penalties or interest with respect to the Transfer Taxes. The party required by law to file any Tax Returns related to such Transfer Taxes will cause to be filed in a timely manner such Tax Returns. The parties agree to cooperate in the filing of any returns with respect to the Transfer Taxes, including promptly supplying any information in their possession that is reasonably necessary to complete such returns.

 

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(f)                 Any refunds of Taxes (including amounts payable or refundable to the Target Companies in connection with any payments or deposits made with respect to Mexican VAT prior to the Closing and any interest paid or credited with respect thereto) relating to any Pre-Closing Tax Period received by Purchaser or the Target Companies shall be for the account of Sellers, and Purchaser shall pay over to Sellers any such refund (less any Taxes, costs or expenses incurred by Purchaser or the Target Companies in connection therewith) within fifteen (15) Business Days of receipt of such refund. Purchaser shall, if the Seller Representative so requests and at Sellers’ expense, file (or cause to be filed) a claim for any Tax refunds to which Sellers are entitled hereunder to the extent “more likely than not” allowable under applicable Law. Purchaser shall permit Sellers to control (at Seller’s expense) the prosecution of any such Tax refund claimed. The Sellers, upon request of Purchaser, shall repay to Purchaser the amount of such Tax refunds or equivalent amounts that are paid over to the Sellers pursuant to this subsection (plus penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Government Entity) in the event Purchaser is required to repay such Tax refunds or equivalent amounts to such Government Entity.

 

7.5               R&W Insurance Policy . Purchaser will, at Purchaser’s sole cost and expense, obtain and bind for coverage the R&W Insurance Policy to be delivered at the Closing, which such R&W Insurance Policy will insure Purchaser for Losses due to breaches of representations and warranties of the Company and of Seller under ARTICLE III and ARTICLE IV . Purchaser shall ensure and cause the R&W Insurance Policy to provide that, except in the case of a Fraud Claim, the Insurer may not seek or enforce, and the Insurer shall forego, any and all subrogation rights against any Seller Indemnified Party. Further, after the Closing, and for the term of the R&W Insurance Policy, Purchaser and its Affiliates will not amend, waive, or otherwise modify the R&W Insurance Policy or any coverage thereunder in any manner that would allow the Insurer thereunder, or any other Person, to subrogate, or otherwise make or bring any Proceedings against any of the Sellers or any of their Affiliates, or any past, present, or future manager, officer, employee, or advisor of any of the foregoing based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution, or performance of this Agreement.

 

7.6               Litigation Support . In the event and for so long as Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including the Target Companies) is actively contesting or defending against any Proceeding in connection with (a) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (b) any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act or transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving any Target Company, both Sellers and the Seller Representative on behalf of the Sellers will, as reasonably requested, cooperate with such party and such party’s counsel in the contest or defense, make available Sellers’ representatives, and provide access to such Sellers’ books and records as will be necessary in connection with the contest or defense, all at the sole cost and expense of the contesting or defending party (unless the contesting or defending party is entitled to indemnification therefor under ARTICLE VI ).

 

 

7.7               Restrictive Covenants . In consideration of the benefits of this Agreement to Sellers, in order to protect the trade secrets, proprietary information and goodwill of the Business and the Target Companies after the Closing, and as a condition precedent to Purchaser entering into and performing its obligations under this Agreement, each Seller and the Seller Representative agree as follows:

 

(a)                 From and after the Closing and until the second anniversary of the Closing Date (the “ Non-Solicitation Period ”), each Seller will not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or attempt to solicit, hire or endeavor to entice away (including participating in the hiring or recruitment of) any management-level employee of any of the Target Companies or (ii) induce or attempt to induce any such individual to terminate his or her employment, or otherwise cease, diminish or adversely modify his or her relationship with any member of the Purchaser Group; provided , however , that the foregoing will not prohibit such Seller from using solicitations (such as general newspaper or internet advertisements) not targeted at any such employees or hiring any such employees who respond to such permitted solicitations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Non-Solicitation Period, each Seller will not, directly or indirectly, hire the employees listed on Schedule 7.7(a) .

 

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(b)                Each Seller and its Affiliates and the Seller Representative will treat and hold as such all of the Confidential Information which is in its or its Affiliates’ possession and refrain from using any of the Confidential Information except in connection with or as permitted by this Agreement. In the event that a Seller or the Seller Representative is requested or required (by oral question or request for information or documents in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil investigative demand, or similar process) to disclose any Confidential Information, such Seller or the Seller Representative, as the case may be, will notify the Purchaser promptly of the request or requirement so that the Purchaser may seek an appropriate protective Order or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section 7.7(b) . If, in the absence of a protective Order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, such Seller or the Seller Representative, as the case may be, on the advice of counsel, is required to disclose any Confidential Information to any Government Entity, such Seller or the Seller Representative, as the case may be, may disclose the Confidential Information to the Government Entity; provided, however , that such Seller or the Seller Representative, as the case may be, will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, at the reasonable request of the Purchaser (and at the Purchaser’s sole cost and expense), an Order or other assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the Confidential Information required to be disclosed as the Purchaser will designate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.7(b) , (i) the Sellers and their Affiliates and the Seller Representative and their respective agents and representatives shall not be prohibited from disclosing or using the Confidential Information in connection with consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise performing their respective rights or obligations under this Agreement (including defending or disputing any indemnification claim made by a Seller pursuant to this Agreement) and (ii) each Seller and the Seller Representative may (and may permit its equityholders and any investment fund managed by its equityholders to) disclose Confidential Information to current or prospective limited partners or equivalent equityholder of the Seller or the Seller Representative, as the case may be, and to any current or prospective investors in the Seller or the Seller Representative, as the case may be, or investment fund managed by its equityholders (each of the foregoing Persons, a “ Permitted Recipient ”); provided, however, that any such Permitted Recipient to whom Confidential Information is disclosed shall be subject to customary confidentiality restrictions in favor of the Seller or the Seller Representative or their respective equityholders, as the case may be.

 

(c)                 (i) The making of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Section 7.7 are a material inducement to Purchaser entering into this Agreement and a condition to Purchaser’s consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) the covenants and agreements contained in this Section 7.7 are essential to the continued growth and stability of the Purchaser Group’s and the Target Companies’ business, goodwill, customer base and to the continuing viability of the Purchaser Group’s and the Target Companies’ endeavors; and (iii) this Section 7.7 (including the time and scope limitations set forth in Section 7.7(a) ) is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Purchaser Group and the Target Companies. No Seller nor the Seller Representative will challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Section 7.7 . If any term or provision in this Section 7.7 is found to be unreasonable, arbitrary, against public policy or otherwise not enforceable in accordance with its terms, then such term or provision will be considered to be divisible with respect to scope, time and geographic area, and such lesser scope, time or geographic area, or all of them, as a court of competent jurisdiction may determine to be reasonable, not arbitrary or not against public policy, will be effective, binding and enforceable against Sellers and Sellers’ Affiliates.

 

(d)                A breach of this Section 7.7 by any Seller or the Seller Representative cannot be adequately compensated in any Proceeding for damages at Law, and equitable relief may be necessary to protect the Purchaser Group from a violation of this Agreement and from the harm that this Agreement is intended to prevent. Accordingly, each Seller and the Seller Representative agree that if there occurs any actual or threatened breach of those provisions, then each member of the Purchaser Group will (in addition to any other remedies that they may have) be entitled to seek to enforce their rights and Sellers’ and the Seller Representative’s obligations under this Section 7.7 not only by a Proceeding or Proceedings for damages, but also by a Proceeding or Proceedings for specific performance, temporary or permanent injunctive relief or other equitable relief in order to enforce or prevent any violations (whether anticipatory, continuing or future) of this Section 7.7 (including, with respect to the Sellers, the extension of the Non-Solicitation Period by a period equal to (i) the length of the violation of this Section 7.7 plus (ii) the length of any Proceedings necessary to stop that violation) and recover attorneys’ fees and costs for the same, and that relief may be granted without the necessity of proving actual damages or the inadequacy of money damages or posting bond. In the event of a breach or violation by that Seller of this Section 7.7 , the running of the Non-Solicitation Period (but not that Seller’s obligations under this Section 7.7 ) will be tolled with respect to that Seller during the continuance of any actual breach or violation.

 

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7.8               Release . Each Seller, on their own behalf and on behalf of their successors, assigns and heirs (collectively, “ Releasors ”), hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, releases and forever discharges the Target Companies, their Affiliates, each of their respective past, present and future managers, directors, officers, employees, equity holders, partners, lenders, insurers, agents and any predecessors, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing (each, a “ Released Person ”), from any and all Liability of any kind or nature, in each case, whether absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, known or unknown or due or to become due arising out of any matters, causes, conditions, acts, conduct, claims, circumstances or events existing, occurring, or failing to occur at or prior to the Closing (collectively the “ Released Liabilities ”), and Releasors will not seek to recover any amounts in connection therewith or thereunder from any Released Person. The Released Liabilities will include any right to recover against any Released Person for (a) any indemnification claims made against or paid by Releasors pursuant to ARTICLE VI , (b) except with respect to the claims for indemnification made by Sellers pursuant to this Agreement, any rights to indemnification, reimbursement or compensation from Purchaser, the Target Companies or any of their respective Affiliates whether pursuant to any of their respective Governing Documents, any Contracts or otherwise and whether or not relating to claims pending on, or asserted after, the Closing Date, (c) any Liability relating to a claim that the consideration received by a Seller in exchange for their Equity Interests in the Target Companies is inadequate or does not fully reflect the fair market value of such Equity Interest, and (d) any Liability that Releasors may have against any Released Person based upon an alleged breach of any securities Laws or fiduciary or other duty owed by any such Released Person to Releasors in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Seller understands that this Section 7.8 is a full and final release of all Released Liabilities that could have been asserted in any Proceeding against any Released Person. Each Seller represents that Releasors have not asserted any claim against any Released Person for indemnification or otherwise and that Releasors are not aware of any claim by Releasors other than the claims that are waived, released and forever discharged by this Section 7.8 . Each Seller acknowledges that Releasors are aware that Releasors may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different from those that Releasors now know or believe to be true with respect to the matters released herein, but that it is the intention of Releasors to fully and finally release all such claims, demands, causes of action and Liabilities of any nature relative thereto that do exist, may exist or heretofore have existed. Each Seller hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any claim or demand, or commencing, instituting or causing to be commenced, any Proceeding of any kind against any Released Person, based upon any matter released hereby. Each Seller represents and warrants to the Released Persons that Releasors have not assigned or transferred or purported to assign or transfer to any Person all or any part of, or any interest in, any claim, contention, demand, cause of action (at law or in equity) or Liability of any nature, character or description whatsoever, that is or that purports to be released or discharged by this Agreement. Without in any way limiting any of the rights and remedies otherwise available to any Released Person, Sellers will indemnify and hold harmless each Released Person from and against all Liabilities, whether or not involving third-party claims, directly or indirectly caused by, relating to, arising out of, resulting from, attributable to the assertion by or on behalf of any Releasor of any claim or other matter purported to be released pursuant to this Section 7.8 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following matters do not constitute Released Liabilities and are not released or discharged pursuant to this Section 7.8 : (i) accrued but unpaid compensation for employment services, if any, (ii) claims or rights arising under this Agreement or any Ancillary Documents, and (iii) claims or rights to exculpation or indemnification for actions taken or not taken or events occurring prior to the Closing Date in any Seller’s or any Seller’s Affiliate’s capacity as a manager, director, office or employee of the Target Companies or their Affiliates under their respective Governing Documents.

 

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7.9               2018 Incentive Plan . The Purchaser shall, or shall cause its Affiliates (including the Target Companies) to, honor the terms of the MC Assembly Annual Executive Incentive Plans for the year ending December 31, 2018 as in effect on the Closing Date with respect to the participants therein listed on Schedule 7.9 (collectively, the “ 2018 Incentive Plan ”), and the Purchaser agrees that the 2018 Incentive Plan shall not be discontinued or terminated prior to the date that all payments due under the 2018 Incentive Plan for the year ending December 31, 2018 have been fully paid.

 

7.10           Seller Representative .

 

(a)                 By virtue of execution of this Agreement and/or execution of the Option Cancellation Agreement, and without any further act of the Sellers, the Sellers will be deemed to have irrevocably designated Cyprium Investment Partners LLC as the Seller Representative and representative, agent and attorney-in-fact for each Seller for all matters relating to this Agreement, including without limitation, executing any and all instruments or other documents, and performing any and all other acts or things, in the Sellers’ names and on their behalf, that the Seller Representative may deem necessary or advisable, or that may be required pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Seller Representative shall have the full power and authority, in the names of the Sellers and on their behalf, to: (i) agree with the Purchaser with respect to any matter or thing required or deemed necessary by the Seller Representative in connection with the provisions of this Agreement calling for the agreement of the Sellers, give and receive notices on behalf of all Sellers, and act on behalf of the Sellers in connection with any matter as to which the Sellers are or may be obligated to indemnify the Purchaser under this Agreement, all in the absolute discretion of the Seller Representative; (ii) interpret the terms and provisions of this Agreement; (iii) dispute or fail to dispute any Losses claimed hereunder and to negotiate and compromise any dispute which may arise under this Agreement and to sign any releases or other documents with respect to any such dispute, including the interpretation of, disputing or failing to dispute the composition or amount of Closing Cash on Hand, Closing Indebtedness, Closing Net Working Capital, Transaction Expenses or any item on the Closing Statement and negotiating and signing any release in respect of any dispute that may arise under Section 1.6 ; (iv) execute and deliver all ancillary agreements, certificates, statements, notices, approvals, extensions, waivers, undertakings, amendments and other documents required or permitted to be given in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (v) receive funds and give receipt for funds and to distribute to the Sellers their respective Pro Rata Share of any funds to which they are entitled pursuant to this Agreement; and (vi) in general, do all things and perform all acts, including, without limitation, executing and delivering all agreements, certificates, receipts, consents, elections, instructions, and other instruments or documents contemplated by, or deemed by the Seller Representative to be necessary or advisable in connection with, this Agreement.

 

(b)                The power of attorney created under this Agreement is coupled with an interest and shall be binding and enforceable on and against the respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns of the Sellers, and the power of attorney shall not be revoked or terminated by the death, disability, bankruptcy, incompetency, dissolution or termination of any Seller, its heirs, personal representatives or its respective successors or assigns. The Purchaser may rely upon any decision, act, consent or instruction of the Seller Representative as being the decision, act, consent or instruction of each Seller. The Purchaser is hereby relieved from any Liability to any Person for any acts done by the Purchaser in accordance with such decision, act, consent or instruction of the Seller Representative.

 

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(c)                 In the event that the Seller Representative resigns or otherwise becomes unable to serve, the Sellers shall, within 30 days after notice thereof, determine and designate by consent of those Sellers who held a majority of the Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, a successor Seller Representative who shall have all of the rights, powers and authority conferred on the Seller Representative in this Agreement, and if the Sellers fail so to designate such successor within such period, any Seller or the Purchaser may petition a court of appropriate jurisdiction for appointment of such successor Seller Representative. The Sellers agree to promptly notify the Purchaser in writing of any change of the Seller Representative and the Purchaser shall be entitled to rely on any action taken by Seller Representative prior to receipt of notice of such change.

 

(d)                The Seller Representative hereby is authorized to receive and hold the Expense Reserve Holdback and to disburse funds on behalf of the Sellers from and out of the Expense Reserve Holdback from time to time in order to satisfy any obligations of the Sellers arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, filing fees, costs and expenses of attorneys and accountants and other experts engaged by the Seller Representative on behalf of the Sellers, and any other contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Sellers. The Seller Representative will distribute any funds remaining in the Expense Reserve Holdback to the Sellers in accordance with their Pro Rata Share no later than sixty (60) days after the final determination of the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 1.6 .

 

 

ARTICLE VIII.
DEFINITIONS

 

8.1               Definitions . For the purposes hereof, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

Accounts Receivable ” means all accounts receivable of the Target Companies and other rights to payment from customers of the Target Companies and trade receivables, if any.

 

Affiliate ” of any particular Person means any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such particular Person, where “ control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, contract, or otherwise; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything contained herein, no stockholder of Purchaser will be considered or deemed to be an Affiliate of Purchaser.

 

Assumed Capital Leases ” means the amount outstanding as of the Closing of any capital leases of the Target Companies outstanding immediately prior to Closing that remain outstanding immediately following the Closing.

 

Business ” means (a) the Target Companies’ business as a provider of electronics and integrated contract manufacturing services, and (b) the Target Companies’ business as a provider of printed circuit board assembly, systems integration and testing services, prototyping services, new product introduction and sustaining engineering services, configuration to order, build to order and direct order fulfilment, material procurement, and supply chain management, in each case of (a) and (b) with such services being provided over the entire product life cycle from the development and introduction of new products through to end of life management and including the Target Companies operations across the United States and Mexico.

 

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Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of New York.

 

Cash on Hand ” means, with respect to the Target Companies, all cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash on Hand: (a) will not be reduced by any issued but uncleared checks or drafts, (b) will not include cash held by the Target Companies to secure or otherwise provide payment for wires in transit or letters of credit or held by third parties as security deposits, and (c) will include checks, other wire transfers and drafts deposited, or available for deposit, for the account of the Target Companies.

 

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.

 

Closing Cash on Hand ” means the Cash on Hand as of the Measurement Time, as determined pursuant to Section 1.6(b) .

 

Closing Indebtedness ” means the Indebtedness as of the Measurement Time, as determined pursuant to Section 1.6(b) .

 

Closing Net Working Capital ” means the Net Working Capital as of the Measurement Time, as determined pursuant to Section 1.6(b) .

 

Closing Transaction Expenses ” means the Transaction Expenses as of the Measurement Time, as determined pursuant to Section 1.6(b) .

 

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

 

Company Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Company Intellectual Property ” means any and all Intellectual Property exploited by, held for exploitation by, owned (in whole or in part), purported to be owned (in whole or in part) by or licensed to the Target Companies.

 

Company Options ” means all options to purchase shares of capital stock of the Company granted under any stock option plan, program or agreement maintained by the Company or to which the Company is a party.

 

Company Services ” means collectively: (a) all products and service offerings that are currently being marketed, offered, sold, distributed, made commercially available, or otherwise provided directly or indirectly by the Target Companies; and (b) any such products and service offerings that are currently under development by the Target Companies.

 

Contract ” means any contract, agreement, indenture, mortgage, debenture, note, lease, license, or legally binding arrangement or commitment, written or oral, to which any Target Company is a party.

 

Confidential Information ” means any information which any Target Company treats as proprietary and which it does not in the Ordinary Course of Business disclose to any Person outside the Target Companies concerning the businesses and affairs of any Target Company, excluding any information which (a) was in the public domain at the time of disclosure, (b) is published or otherwise comes into the public domain after its disclosure through no violation of this Agreement, (c) is disclosed to the recipient by a third party not under an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information, or (d) is already known by the recipient at the time of its disclosure as evidenced by written documentation of the recipient existing prior to such disclosure.

 

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Employee Benefit Plan ” means any retirement, pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, equity bonus, savings, bonus, incentive, cafeteria, medical, dental, vision, hospitalization, life insurance, workers compensation, accidental death and dismemberment, medical expense reimbursement, dependent care assistance, tuition reimbursement, disability, sick pay, holiday, vacation, severance, change of control, termination pay, equity purchase, equity option, restricted equity, phantom equity, equity appreciation rights, fringe benefit or other compensation or employee benefit plan, fund, policy, program, practice, Contract or arrangement of any kind (including any “employee benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA) or any employment, individual consulting or similar personal services Contract, whether written or oral, qualified or nonqualified, funded or unfunded, or domestic or foreign, (a) sponsored, maintained, participated in or contributed to (or required to be sponsored, maintained, participated in or contributed to) by any Target Company or any ERISA Affiliate (or to which any Target Company or any ERISA Affiliate is a party) and which covers or benefits any current or former employee, officer, director, consultant, independent contractor or other service provider of or to any Target Company (or any spouse, domestic partner, dependent or beneficiary of any such individual), or (b) with respect to which any Target Company has (or could have) any Liability (including indirect Liability on account of an ERISA Affiliate).

 

Environmental Claim ” means any and all Proceedings by any Person alleging potential liability (including potential liability for enforcement, investigation costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, removal costs, remedial costs, natural resource damages, property damages, personal injuries or penalties) arising out of, based on or resulting from: (a) the presence, Release or threatened Release into the environment of any Hazardous Substance at any location, whether or not owned by any Target Company; or (b) circumstances forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law. or (c) any and all claims by any Person seeking damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from the presence, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Substances.

 

Environmental Laws ” means all Laws relating to protection of human health (as it relates to exposure to Hazardous Substances) or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, drinking water, wildlife, plants, land surface or subsurface strata), including Laws relating to (a) the presence of, or Releases or threatened Releases of, Hazardous Substances; (b) the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, handling, distribution, import, export, labeling, recycling, registration, investigation, removal, cleanup or remediation of Hazardous Substances or documentation related to the foregoing; (c) the transfer of interest in or control of real property that may be contaminated; (d) community or worker right-to-know disclosures with respect to Hazardous Substances; (e) the protection of wildlife, marine life and wetlands, and endangered or threatened species; (f) storage tanks, vessels, containers, abandoned or discarded barrels or other closed receptacles containing Hazardous Substances; (g) otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Substances or (h) worker health and safety.

 

Environmental Permits ” means all Permits issued under or pursuant to Environmental Laws.

 

Equity Interest ” means (a) any capital stock, limited liability company interest, partnership interest or any other ‎equity security, (b) any security directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any capital ‎stock, limited liability company interest, partnership interest, other equity security, or security containing any profit participation features or otherwise linked to the value of any equity security, (c) any warrant, ‎option, or other right, directly or indirectly, to subscribe for, acquire, receive or purchase any capital stock, limited liability company interest, partnership interest or other ‎equity security or security containing any profit participation features or otherwise linked to the value of any equity security, or (d) any ‎equity appreciation rights, phantom equity rights (including any profits interest), derivative of an equity security or other similar rights.‎

 

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ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, trade, business or other Person that, together with any Target Company, is or, at any time, was treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA.

 

Estimated Purchase Price ” means an amount equal to (a) the Base Purchase Price, plus (b) the lesser of (i) the amount, if any, by which Closing Net Working Capital exceeds Target Net Working Capital (which amount shall not be less than zero) and (ii) $2,000,000, minus (c) the amount, if any, by which Target Net Working Capital exceeds Closing Net Working Capital, plus (d) the amount of Closing Cash on Hand, minus (e) the amount of Closing Indebtedness, minus (f) the amount of Closing Transaction Expenses, in each case, calculated using the amounts of Closing Cash on Hand, Closing Indebtedness, Closing Transaction Expenses and  Closing Net Working Capital set forth on the Estimated Closing Statement.

 

Expense Reserve Holdback ” means an amount equal to $1,000,000.

 

Family Member ” means, with respect to any natural Person, (a) such Person’s spouse, (b) each parent, brother, sister, or child of such Person or such Person’s spouse, (c) the spouse of any Person described in clause (b) above, (d) each child of any Person described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above, (e) each irrevocable trust created for the benefit of one or more of the Persons described in clauses (a) through (d) above and (f) each custodian or guardian of any property of one or more of the Persons described in clauses (a) through (e) above in his or her capacity as such custodian or guardian.

 

Final Determination ” means: (a) a final, non-appealable Order by a court of competent jurisdiction; (b) a final, binding and non-appealable ruling by an arbitrator or other Person with such authority; or (c) a negotiated settlement Contract between the Indemnitor (or the Seller Representative on behalf of the Sellers as Indemnitors) and Indemnitee (or the Seller Representative on behalf of the Sellers as Indemnitees). The Order of a court will be deemed a Final Determination when the time for appeal, if any, has expired and no appeal has been taken or when all appeals taken have been finally determined.

 

Fraud ” means, with respect to any party, a misrepresentation with respect to the making of any of the representations and warranties (in each case, as modified by the disclosure schedules) pursuant to this Agreement or an omission in any disclosure schedule, in each case made with the Knowledge of such party that the representations and warranties made by such party were actually breached when made, with the intention to deceive any other party and upon which such other party actually relied.

 

GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

Governing Documents ” means the agreements and instruments by which any Person (other than an individual) establishes its legal existence and/or governs its internal affairs. For example, (a) the Governing Documents of a corporation include its certificate or articles of incorporation (or other instrument of formation) and all amendments thereto, its by-laws (or equivalent) and all amendments thereto, (b) the Governing Documents of a limited partnership include its certificate of limited partnership (or other instrument of formation) and all amendments thereto, its limited partnership agreement and all amendments thereto, and (c) the Governing Documents of a limited liability company include its certificate of formation (or other instrument of formation) and all amendments thereto, its limited liability company agreement or operating agreement and all amendments thereto.

 

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Government Contract ” any Contract between a Target Company and (a) a Governmental Entity, (b) any prime contractor to any Governmental Entity, or (c) any subcontractor with respect to any contract described in clause (a) or (b).

 

Government Entity ” means individually, and “ Government Entities ” means collectively, the United States of America or any other nation, any state, province, municipality or other political subdivision thereof, or any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of government, including any court, in each case having jurisdiction over the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this definition will specifically exclude any governmental or quasi-governmental agency or department concerned with the registration and recordation of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and mask works, anywhere in the world.

 

Hazardous Substances ” means: (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form, mold, mildew, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls and radon gas; and (b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous wastes,” “restricted hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “hazardous chemicals,” or other words of similar import, under any Environmental Law.

 

Holdback Amount ” means an amount equal to the funds retained by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.4(a) , less any portion thereof paid to Sellers and/or Seller Representative pursuant to Sections 1.6(c) , 1.6(d) or 1.7 or credited to Purchaser pursuant to Section 1.6(d) or Article VI , which amount shall initially be equal to $650,000 immediately following the Closing.

 

Inbound Licenses ” means, collectively, any Contract pursuant to which any Target Company is authorized or otherwise permitted to access or exploit any other Person’s Intellectual Property, or any Contract pursuant to which any Target Company obtains a right to access or exploit a Person’s Intellectual Property in the form of services, such as a software as a services Contract or a cloud services Contract, other than (a) off-the-shelf mass market software and (b) any Contract from any customer of the Business granted to any Target Company in connection with such Target Company’s provision of goods or services to such customer in the Ordinary Course of Business.

 

Indebtedness ” means at a particular time, without duplication, with respect to the Target Companies, (a) any obligations under any indebtedness for borrowed money (including all principal, premiums, accrued and unpaid interest, penalties, fees, expenses, commitment and other fees, sale or liquidity participation amounts, reimbursements, indemnities and brokerage costs), (b) any indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other debt security, (c) all Liabilities of Target Companies in respect of deferred purchase price for property or services, including earnout payments and seller notes, but specifically excluding operating leases and any trade payables and accrued expenses of the Target Companies, (d) all Liabilities of Target Companies in respect of letters of credit, acceptances or similar Liabilities and any reimbursement agreements with respect thereto, (e) all Liabilities of Target Companies under interest rate cap agreements, interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency exchange contracts, or other hedging contracts (including breakage costs with respect thereto), (f) all Liabilities of Target Companies arising from cash or book overdrafts, (g) all dividends or other distributions in respect of all Target Companies Equity Interests accrued but unpaid (whether or not declared) or otherwise declared but unpaid, (h) all Liabilities owed by Target Companies to any Seller or any of such Seller’s Affiliates other than employment, compensation, benefit and indemnification obligations owed to employees, directors and officers of the Target Companies, (i) any guarantees of indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a)-(h) or (j) of this definition, (j) any obligations under capitalized leases determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding any Assumed Capital Leases, and (k) any indebtedness secured by a Lien on such entity’s assets. For purposes of calculating Indebtedness, all interest, prepayment penalties, premiums, breakage costs, fees and expenses (if any) and other amounts that would be payable if Indebtedness were paid in full at the Closing will be treated as Indebtedness. Indebtedness will not include, or be deemed to include, those Liabilities of Target Companies that are treated as (1) current liabilities to the extent included in the calculation of Closing Net Working Capital, (2) Transaction Expenses to the extent included in the calculation of the Purchase Price, (3) any issued but uncleared checks or drafts, (4) any Liabilities arising under or related to any Lease or Leased Real Property, (5) intercompany indebtedness among the Target Companies or (6) any Assumed Capital Leases.

 

  - 49 -  

 

Insurer ” means PartnerRe Ireland Insurance DAC.

 

Intellectual Property ” means all rights in or affecting intellectual or industrial property or other proprietary rights existing now or in the future in any jurisdiction, including with respect of the following: (a) all patents and applications therefor, including continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, or reissues of patent applications and patents issuing thereon, including the right to file other or further applications and claim priority thereto, (b) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, service names, brand names and trade dress rights, and all applications, registrations and renewals thereof, (c) copyrights and registrations and applications therefor, works of authorship, “moral” rights and mask work rights, (d) domain names, uniform resource locators and other names and locators associated with the internet, including applications and registrations thereof, (e) trademarks, trade dress, trade names, logos and service marks, together with the goodwill symbolized by or associated with any of the foregoing and any applications and registrations therefore, (f) all proprietary information and materials, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, and whether or not reduced to practice, including all technology, ideas, research and development, inventions, designs, manufacturing and operating specifications and processes, schematics, know-how, formulae, customer and supplier lists, shop rights, designs, drawings, patterns, trade secrets, confidential information, technical data, databases, data compilations and collections, web addresses and sites, software, architecture, and documentation, (g) all other intangible assets, properties and rights, and (h) all claims, causes of action and rights to sue for past, present and future infringement of any of the foregoing, the right to file applications and obtain registrations, all copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing (in whatever form or medium), and all proceeds, rights of recovery and revenues arising from or pertaining to any and all of the foregoing.

 

Knowledge ” means, (i) with respect to the Target Companies or Sellers, the actual knowledge of the Knowledge Parties after reasonable inquiry, including inquiry of the individuals reporting directly to the Knowledge Parties, and (ii) with respect to the Purchaser, the actual knowledge of Steve Waszak or Eddie Smith after reasonable inquiry, including inquiry of the individuals reporting directly to such executive officer.

 

Knowledge Parties ” means George Moore and Mark McReynolds.

 

Laws ” means all statutes, laws (including common law and civil law), codes, treaty, ordinances, regulations, rules, guidelines, injunctions, acts or Orders of any Government Entity.

 

Leased Real Property ” means all leasehold or subleasehold estates and other rights to use or occupy any land, buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures or other interest in real property which is used or intended to be used in, or otherwise related to the Business.

 

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Leases ” means all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions, and other Contracts (written or oral) pursuant to which any Target Company holds any Leased Real Property, including the right to all security deposits and other amounts and instruments deposited by or on behalf of the Target Company thereunder.

 

Liability ” means, with respect to any Person, any liability or obligation of such Person, whether known or unknown, whether asserted or unasserted, whether determined, determinable or otherwise, whether absolute or contingent, whether accrued or unaccrued, whether liquidated or unliquidated, whether incurred or consequential, whether due or to become due, and whether or not required under GAAP to be accrued on the financial statements of such Person.

 

Licenses ” means collectively all Inbound Licenses and the Outbound Licenses.

 

Lien ” or “ Liens ” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, right of first refusal, option, proxy, voting trust, voting agreement, judgement, pledge, charge, escrow, preemptive right, transfer restriction, mortgage, hypothecation, indenture, restrictive and other covenant, right of way, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof), any sale of receivables with recourse against the Target Companies, any filing or agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial Code or any similar statute (other than to reflect ownership by a third party of property leased to the Target Companies under a lease which is not in the nature of a conditional sale or title retention agreement), or any subordination arrangement in favor of another Person.

 

Loss ” or “ Losses ” means any loss, Liability, cost, damage, Proceeding, Order, judgment, deficiency, Tax, penalty, fine, or expense, whether or not arising out of third party claims (including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, court costs, and amounts paid by an Indemnitee in the investigation, defense, and settlement of any of the foregoing), but expressly excluding all punitive damages other than those awarded and paid to a third party.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means an event, occurrence, fact, change, condition, circumstance, effect, factor, or development that has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect (without regard to duration) upon financial condition or operating results of any of the Target Companies taken as a whole.

 

Materiality Qualifiers ” means a qualification to a representation or warranty by use of the word “material,” “materially” or “materiality” or by a reference regarding the occurrence or non-occurrence or possible occurrence or non-occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect or a “materially adverse effect.”

 

Measurement Time ” means immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

Net Working Capital ” means (a) all current assets comprising the line items of current assets set forth on the Accounting Principles Schedule (excluding Cash On Hand to the extent separately included in the calculation of the Purchase Price and Tax assets) of the Target Companies as of the Measurement Time (but before taking into account the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), minus (b) all current Liabilities comprising the line items of current liabilities set forth on the Accounting Principles Schedule (excluding any items constituting Indebtedness or Transaction Expenses to the extent separately included in the calculation of the Purchase Price and Taxes) of the Target Companies as of the Measurement Time (but before taking into account the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), minus (c) the amount of the Assumed Capital Leases, and all subject to the adjustments set forth in, and as calculated in accordance with, the Accounting Principles Schedule; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement, the Accounting Principles Schedule or the Model Earnout Statement, for purposes of calculating Net Working Capital for any purpose under this Agreement, no additional reserve will be included, and no reserve existing as of September 30, 2018 will be increased or decreased, with respect to any inventory held by the Target Companies.

 

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Open Source License ” means a Contract that licenses software or other material: (a) as “free software” or “open source software” (including the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), Mozilla Public License (MPL), BSD licenses, the Artistic License, the Netscape Public License, the Sun Community Source License (SCSL) the Sun Industry Standards License (SISL) and the Apache License); (b) under a Contract that is, or is substantially similar to, a license that meets the Open Source Definition (www.opensource.org/osd.html) or Free Software Definition (www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html); or, (c) under a Contract that obligates the recipient or user of the software or other material: (i) to disclose, distribute or provide any software or other material; (ii) to permit another Person to access, modify, make derivative works of, or reverse-engineer any software or other material; or (iii) to grant any Person any Intellectual Property rights or imposes a non-assertion obligation on the recipient or users of the software or other material.

 

Option Holder Share ” means 10%.

 

Ordinary Course of Business ” means the ordinary course of business of any Target Company in a manner and scope consistent with its past custom and practice (including with respect to quantity and frequency), but that does not involve any material breach of a Material Contract or material violation of or material non-compliance with any material Law or material Permit.

 

Order ” means any order, writ, injunction, judgment, determination, requirement, notice, directive, award, ruling or decree entered into in any Proceeding with any Government Entity and any stipulation, settlement Contract, conciliation Contract, or compliance Contract made or entered into in connection with any Proceeding.

 

Outbound Licenses ” means, collectively, any Contract pursuant to which a Target Company authorizes or otherwise permits any other Person to access or exploit any Company Intellectual Property, or any Contract pursuant to which a Person obtains a right to access or exploit any Company Intellectual Property in the form of services, such as a software as a services Contract or a cloud services Contract.

 

Owned Intellectual Property ” means all Company Intellectual Property other than Intellectual Property licensed to a Target Company pursuant to an Inbound License (for purposes of this definition, without regard to the exceptions in clauses (a) or (b) in the definition of “Inbound License).

 

Permitted Liens ” means (a) statutory Liens for current Taxes or other governmental charges that are (i) not yet due and payable or (ii) the amount and validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings by any Target Company and for which adequate reserves have been established on the books and records of the Target Companies in accordance with GAAP, (b) mechanic’s, carriers’, landlord’s, warehousemen’s, workers’, repairers’ and similar statutory Liens arising or incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business for amounts which are not delinquent and which are not, individually or in the aggregate, significant, (c) Liens arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar legislation, (d) Liens consisting of restrictions, easements, encroachments, permits, encumbrances, zoning and building codes and regulations or other restrictions, conditions or limitations relating to the use of real property or any irregularities in title thereto that do not materially detract from the value of, or impair the use of, such property as used by the Target Companies on the Closing Date, and (e) rights of any landlords or lessors with respect to real property reserved under any Lease.

 

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Person ” means any natural individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a bank, a trust company, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

PII ” means any information that specifically identifies, or is capable of identifying, any individual Person, whether a living or dead, including any information that could be associated with such individual, such as an address, e-mail address, telephone number, health information, financial information, drivers’ license number, location information, or government issued identification number.

 

Purchase Price Adjustment Holdback Amount ” means a portion of the Holdback Amount equaling $162,500.

 

Purchaser Group ” means SMTC Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries, and, after the Closing, the Target Companies.

 

Proceeding ” means action, lawsuit, proceeding (including any arbitration proceedings), investigation, Order, or other claim.

 

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to a particular Seller, the percentage set forth opposite such Seller’s name in the allocation schedule attached hereto as Schedule 1.1 .

 

Qualifying Company Options ” means all Company Options that were issued pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Option Plan and are outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the Closing.

 

Qualifying Option Holder ” means each holder of a Qualifying Company Option immediately prior to the Closing.

 

R&W Insurance Policy ” means that certain “buyer’s” representations and warranties insurance policy (Policy No. 18BC1-0924-0073) issued by Insurer that has been obtained and bound by Purchaser or its Affiliates at or prior to the Closing in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Registered Intellectual Property ” means any Owned Intellectual Property that is the subject of an application or registration with any Government Entity, including any domain name registration and any application or registration for any patent, copyright or trademark.

 

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, emptying, leaking, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching, pumping, pouring or migration into the environment, including to the ambient air, soil, surface water, groundwater, land, or subsurface strata.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933.

 

Stockholder Share ” means 90%.

 

Straddle Period ” means any Tax period of Sellers or the Target Companies that begins on or before and ends after the Closing Date.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity of which (a) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (b) if a limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof and for this purpose, a Person or Persons hold a majority equity interest in such a business entity (other than a corporation) if such Person or Persons will be allocated a majority of such business entity’s gains or losses or will be or control any board of directors, managing director or general partner of such business entity (other than a corporation) or, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), has the power to elect or direct the election of more than a majority of the members of the governing body of such entity.

 

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Target Company ” means the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and “ Target Companies ” means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries.

 

Target Net Working Capital ” means an amount equal to $24,148,703.

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means federal, state, county, local, foreign or other income, gross receipts, ad valorem , franchise, profits, sales or use, transfer, registration, excise, utility, environmental, communications, real or personal property, escheat, unclaimed property, capital stock, license, payroll, wage or other withholding, employment, social security, severance, stamp, occupation, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, and other taxes of any kind whatsoever (including deficiencies, penalties, additions to tax, and interest attributable thereto), whether disputed or not, and including any liability for the payment of any such amount as a result of being or having been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, successor, or party to any agreement or any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other Person.

 

Tax Return ” means any return, information report or filing with respect to Taxes, including any schedules attached thereto and including any amendment thereof.

 

Third Party Claim ” means any Proceeding that is asserted or overtly threatened by a Person (other than the parties, their successors, or their permitted assigns), against any Indemnitee or to which any Indemnitee is subject.

 

Transaction Expenses ” means the fees, costs, expenses, bonuses, and charges incurred by the Target Companies (but only at or prior to the Closing) or Sellers (whether before on or after the Effective Time) arising from or incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (a) the cost of obtaining the tail insurance policy contemplated by Section 7.3 , (b) all attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’, professionals’, investment bankers’ and other advisors’ fees and expenses payable by the Target Companies or Sellers, (c) all Liabilities for transaction bonuses, success fees, change of control and other management bonuses (excluding the contingent payment obligations set forth in the Change in Control Agreement, dated March 22, 2012, between MC Test Service, Inc. and Tom Rossi), severance rights, deferred compensation payments, withdrawal Liabilities under multiemployer plans, and similar amounts payable in connection with consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any Taxes payable in connection therewith, excluding payments pursuant to the 2018 Incentive Plan, and (d) the employer portion of any payroll, FICA, unemployment or similar Tax imposed on any amounts described in clause (c) of this definition, in each case, that have not been paid in full as of the Measurement Time. Transaction Expenses will not include or be deemed to include (1) those Liabilities of the Target Companies that are treated as current liabilities to the extent included in the calculation of Closing Net Working Capital or (2) those Liabilities of the Target Companies that are treated as Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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8.2               Other Definitional Provisions.

 

(a)                 All references in this Agreement to Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to the corresponding Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of or to this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. Titles appearing at the beginning of any Articles, Sections, subsections or other subdivisions of this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this Agreement, and will be disregarded in construing the language hereof. All references in this Agreement to “days” refers to “calendar days” unless otherwise specified.

 

(b)                The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and “hereof,” and words of similar import, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The words “this Article,” “this Section” and “this subsection,” and words of similar import, refer only to the Article, Section or subsection hereof in which such words occur. The use of the word “including” (in its various forms) herein will mean “including without limitation.” The word “or” will not be exclusive.

 

(c)                 Any accounting term used in this Agreement will have, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, the meaning customarily given such term in accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations hereunder will be computed, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, in accordance with GAAP. Any reference in this Agreement to a Law refers to the Law, any amendments or successor legislation, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect at the relevant time.

 

(d)                All references to “$” and dollars will be deemed to refer to United States currency unless otherwise specifically provided.

 

(e)                 Pronouns in masculine, feminine or neuter genders will be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms and titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. All references herein to a “party” or “parties” are to a party or parties to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(f)                 References to the Target Companies in ARTICLE III are deemed to include, with respect to any representation or warranty as to historical matters, all predecessors of the Target Companies, regardless of the corporate or limited liability form.

 

ARTICLE IX.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1               Fees and Expenses . The Purchaser will be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by the Purchaser and its Affiliates in connection with, relating to, or arising out of the negotiation, preparation, execution, and performance into this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including financial advisors’, attorneys’, accountants’, and other professional fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents. Sellers will be responsible for costs and expenses incurred by the Target Companies and Sellers in connection with, relating to, or arising out of the negotiation, preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including financial advisors’, attorneys’, accountants’, and other professional fees and expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents.

 

9.2               Remedies . Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security) and to exercise all other equitable remedies available to such Person. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, all such rights and remedies will be cumulative and non-exclusive, and may be exercised singularly or concurrently. The parties acknowledge that any breach of this Agreement may cause substantial irreparable harm to the other party. Therefore, this Agreement may be enforced in equity by specific performance, temporary restraining Order or injunction. The rights to such equitable remedies will be in addition to all other rights or remedies which a party may have under this Agreement.

 

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9.3               Consent to Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement may be amended, or any provision of this Agreement may be waived upon the approval, in a writing, executed by the Purchaser and Seller. No course of dealing between or among the parties hereto will be deemed effective to modify, amend, or discharge any part of this Agreement or any rights or obligations of any such party or such holder under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

9.4               Successors and Assigns . This Agreement and the rights hereunder will not be assignable or transferable by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto; provided that Purchaser may assign its rights under this Agreement to (a) any Affiliate of Purchaser, (b) any purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets or Equity Interests of Purchaser or any of its Subsidiaries, or (c) to lenders of Purchaser or its Affiliates as collateral security for borrowing, at any time following the Closing; provided further that in each such case, Purchaser will nonetheless remain liable for all of its obligations hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

9.5               Press Releases and Communications . No press release, public announcement, or communication related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein will be issued or made by any party without the joint approval of Purchaser and Sellers (which such approval will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed) unless required by Law or applicable securities exchange rules (in the reasonable opinion of counsel), in which case Purchaser and Sellers will have the right to review such press release, announcement, or communication prior to its issuance, distribution or publication. Except as otherwise required by Law or applicable securities exchange rules, no press release, public announcement or communication will state the amount of the Purchase Price. Notwithstanding the above, each Seller and its respective Affiliates and Purchaser and its Affiliates may disclose such information (including the amount of the Purchase Price) to their investors and potential investors in the ordinary course of business of such Person, so long as such recipients are subject to commercially reasonable confidentiality restrictions.

 

9.6               Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision to any Person or circumstance will be held to be prohibited by, illegal, or unenforceable under applicable Law or rule in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition, illegality, or unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced so as to best give effect to the intent of the parties under this Agreement in accordance with applicable Law.

 

9.7               Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by means of facsimile or pdf signature pages), any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same agreement.

 

9.8               Descriptive Headings; Interpretation . The headings and captions used in this Agreement and the table of contents to this Agreement are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit attached hereto and not otherwise defined therein will have the meanings set forth in this Agreement.

 

  - 56 -  

 

9.9               Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Ancillary Documents, and the agreements and documents referred to herein contain the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter in any way, including the Letter of Intent, executed on June 18, 2018, as amended, by and between the Company and Purchaser.

 

9.10           No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns (other than with respect to the Purchaser Indemnified Parties and the Seller Indemnified Parties who will be third party beneficiaries of ARTICLE VI ) and nothing herein expressed or implied will give or be construed to give any Person, other than the parties hereto and such permitted successors and assigns, any legal or equitable rights hereunder.

 

9.11           Schedules and Exhibits . All Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. The disclosure schedules attached to this Agreement have been arranged for purposes of convenience in separately titled sections corresponding to sections of this Agreement. No disclosure in any particular section of the disclosure schedules (including the listing of a document in any section of the disclosure schedules or the inclusion of a copy thereof in such section of the disclosure schedules) will be adequate to disclose an exception to a representation or warranty in any other section of this Agreement or in any other sections of the disclosure schedules unless the applicability of such disclosure to the other representations and warranties is reasonably apparent on its face. Capitalized terms used in the Schedules and not otherwise defined therein have the meanings given to them in this Agreement. The inclusion of any item in the Schedules is not evidence of the materiality of such item for purposes of this Agreement. The information contained in this Agreement and in the Schedules and Exhibits is disclosed solely for purposes of this Agreement, and no information contained herein or therein will be deemed to be an admission by any party to any third party of any matter whatsoever (including any violation of Law or breach of contract).

 

9.12           Governing Law; Forum . All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits hereto will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. In furtherance of the foregoing, the internal Law of the State of Delaware will control the interpretation and construction of this Agreement (and all Schedules and Exhibits hereto), even though under that jurisdiction’s choice of law or conflict of law analysis, the substantive Law of some other jurisdiction would ordinarily apply. Any judicial proceeding brought with respect to this Agreement must be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party (i) accepts, generally and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and any related appellate court, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement and (ii) irrevocably waives any objection it may now or hereafter have as to the venue of any such Proceeding brought in such a court or that such court is an inconvenient forum.

 

9.13           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.13.

 

  - 57 -  

 

9.14           Notices . All notices, demands, or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing, and will be deemed to have been duly given: (a) on the date of service if served personally on the party to whom notice is to be given; (b) on the day of transmission if sent via e-mail, or to the e-mail address, given below (provided no delivery failure message is received by the sender); (c) on the Business Day after delivery to Federal Express or similar overnight courier or the Express Mail service maintained by the United States Postal Service; or (d) on the fifth day after mailing, if mailed to the party to whom notice is to be given, by first class mail, registered or certified, postage prepaid, and properly addressed, to the party as at the addresses indicated below or to such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

 

To Sellers or the Seller Representative:

Cyprium Investment Partners LLC

461 Fifth Avenue – 26 th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn:

Email:

 

and

 

Cyprium Investment Partners LLC

200 Public Square, Suite 2020

Cleveland, OH 44114

Attn:

Email:

 

with a copy to (which will not constitute notice to the Sellers or the Seller Representative):

 

Baker Hostetler LLP
127 Public Square, Suite 2000
Cleveland, OH 44114

Attn:

Email:

 

To the Purchaser:

 

SMTC Corporation

7050 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 300

Markham, Ontario Canada L3R 4G8

Attn:

E-Mail:

 

  - 58 -  

 

with a copy to (which will not constitute notice to the Purchaser):

 

Perkins Coie LLP
1888 Century Park East, Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90067-1721

Attn:

Email:

9.15           No Strict Construction . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party hereto by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.16           Electronic Delivery . This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent delivered by means of a facsimile machine or electronic mail (any such delivery, an “ Electronic Delivery ”), will be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto will re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument will raise the use of Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of Electronic Delivery as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense related to lack of authenticity.

 

9.17           Deliveries to Purchaser . Any document or item will be deemed “delivered”, “provided” or “made available” within the meaning of this Agreement if such document or item is included in the electronic data room maintained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the Closing.

 

*****Signature Pages to Stock Purchase Agreement Follow*****

 

 

 

  - 59 -  

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Stock Purchase Agreement on the date first written above.

 

 

 

  PURCHASER
     
  SMTC CORPORATION
   
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Stock Purchase Agreement on the date first written above.

 

 

 

  COMPANY
     
  MC ASSEMBLY HOLDINGS, INC.
   
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Stock Purchase Agreement on the date first written above.

 

 

 

  SELLER REPRESENTATIVE
     
  CYPRIUM INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLC, solely in its capacity as the Seller Representative pursuant to Section 7.10
   
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

  SELLERS:
   
  CYPRIUM INVESTORS III LP
   
  By: Cyprium III Management LLC
Its: General Partner
         
    By: Cyprium Investment Partners LLC
    Its: Manager
         
      By:  
      Name:  
      Its:  

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

  CYPRIUM INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS III LP
         
  By: Cyprium III Management LLC
Its: General Partner
         
    By: Cyprium Investment Partners LLC
    Its: Manager
         
      By:  
      Name:  
      Its:  

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

  KPP MANAGEMENT GROUP IIIA LLC
       
  By: Cyprium Investment Partners LLC
  Its: Manager
       
    By:  
    Name:  
    Its:  

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

  KEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
   
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

  ACP-I, L.P.  
     
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

  EMS INVESTORS, LLC
       
  By: RDV Corporation
  Its: Manager
       
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

 

  1863090 ONTARIO, INC.
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Stock Purchase Agreement]


Exhibit 4.1

 

[FORM OF WARRANT]

 

NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SELECTED BY THE HOLDER, REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

Warrant To Purchase Common Stock

 

Warrant No.: __________

Number of Shares of Common Stock: _____________

Date of Issuance: [__________], 2018 (" Issuance Date ")

 

SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), hereby certifies that, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged , [_______________] , the registered holder hereof or its permitted assigns (the " Holder "), is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at the Exercise Price (as defined below) then in effect, at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date, but not after 11:59 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date, (as defined below), [_______________] (_______________)fully paid nonassessable shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided herein (the " Warrant Shares "). Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (including any Warrants to Purchase Common Stock issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this " Warrant "), shall have the meanings set forth in Section 18. This Warrant is one of the Warrants to purchase Common Stock (the " Lender Warrants ") issued pursuant to Section 1 of that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of November [•], 2018 (the " Subscription Date "), by and among the Company and the investors (the " Subscribers ") referred to therein (the " Subscription Agreement "). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the definitions ascribed to such terms in the Subscription Agreement.

 

 

1.                   EXERCISE OF WARRANT.

 

(a)     Mechanics of Exercise . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, the limitations set forth in Section 1(f)), this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date, in whole or in part, by (i) delivery of a written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the " Exercise Notice "), of the Holder's election to exercise this Warrant and (ii) (A) payment to the Company of an amount equal to the applicable Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares as to which this Warrant is being exercised (the " Aggregate Exercise Price ") in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds or (B) by notifying the Company that this Warrant is being exercised pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined in Section 1(d)). No ink-original Exercise Notice shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Exercise Notice be required. Execution and delivery of the Exercise Notice with respect to less than all of the Warrant Shares shall have the same effect as cancellation of the original Warrant and issuance of a new Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining number of Warrant Shares. On or before the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Holder has delivered an Exercise Notice to the Company, the Company shall transmit by facsimile or electronic mail an acknowledgment of confirmation of receipt of the Exercise Notice to the Holder and the Company's transfer agent (the " Transfer Agent "). On or before the earlier of (i) the second (2 nd ) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period, in each case, following the date on which the Holder has delivered the Exercise Notice to the Company, so long as the Holder delivers the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) on or prior to the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Holder has delivered the Exercise Notice to the Company (a " Share Delivery Date ") (provided that if the Aggregate Exercise Price has not been delivered by such date, the applicable Share Delivery Date shall be one (1) Trading Day after the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) is delivered), the Company shall (X) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company (" DTC ") Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program and (A) the Warrant Shares are subject to an effective resale registration statement in favor of the Holder or (B) if exercised via Cashless Exercise, at a time when Rule 144 would be available for immediate resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder , credit such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder's or its designee's balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system, or (Y) if (A) the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program or (B) the Warrant Shares are not subject to an effective resale registration statement in favor of the Holder and, if exercised via Cashless Exercise, at a time when Rule 144 would not be available for immediate resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder , issue and dispatch by overnight courier to the address as specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the Company's share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise. The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent and all fees and expenses with respect to the issuance of Warrant Shares via DTC, if any, including without limitation for same day processing. Upon delivery of the Exercise Notice, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date such Warrant Shares are credited to the Holder's DTC account or the date of delivery of the certificates evidencing such Warrant Shares, as the case may be. If this Warrant is submitted in connection with any exercise pursuant to this Section 1(a) and the number of Warrant Shares represented by this Warrant submitted for exercise is greater than the number of Warrant Shares being acquired upon an exercise, then the Company shall as soon as practicable and in no event later than four (4) Trading Days after any exercise and at its own expense, issue a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares issuable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant, less the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is exercised. No fractional Warrant Shares are to be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, but rather the number of Warrant Shares to be issued shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. The Company shall pay any and all taxes which may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant. The Company's obligations to issue and deliver Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination.

 

- 2 -

 

(b)    Exercise Price . For purposes of this Warrant, " Exercise Price " means $0.01, subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

(c)     Company's Failure to Timely Deliver Securities . If the Company shall fail for any reason or for no reason to issue to the Holder on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company's share register or if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to credit the Holder's balance account with DTC, for such number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder's exercise of this Warrant or (II) if the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) covering the resale of the Warrant Shares that are the subject of the Exercise Notice (the " Unavailable Warrant Shares ") is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Warrant Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as is required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (x) so notify the Holder and (y) deliver the Warrant Shares electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder's or its designee's balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred as a " Notice Failure " and together with the event described in clause (I) above, an " Exercise Failure "), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Exercise Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the voiding of an Exercise Notice shall not affect the Company's obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, if on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to the Holder and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company's share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit the Holder's balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder's exercise hereunder or pursuant to the Company's obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below or (II) a Notice Failure occurs, and if on or after such Trading Day the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock relating to the applicable Exercise Failure (a " Buy-In "), then the Company shall, within three (3) Trading Days after the Holder's request and in the Holder's discretion, either (i) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder's total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock with respect to the Buy-In (the " Buy-In Price "), at which point the Company's obligation to deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) or credit the Holder's balance account with DTC for such shares of Common Stock shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the Holder's balance account with DTC, as applicable, and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock, times (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the date of delivery of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Date. Nothing herein shall limit the Holder's right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company's failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) upon the exercise of this Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

- 3 -

 

(d)    Cashless Exercise . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Holder may, in its sole discretion, exercise this Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the "Net Number" of shares of Common Stock determined according to the following formula (a " Cashless Exercise "):

 

Net Number = (A x B) - (A x C)

D

 

For purposes of the foregoing formula:

 

A= the total number of shares with respect to which this Warrant is then being exercised.

 

B= the arithmetic average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the date immediately preceding the date of the Exercise Notice.

 

C= the Exercise Price then in effect for the applicable Warrant Shares at the time of such exercise.

 

D = the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date of the Exercise Notice

 

For purposes of Rule 144(d) promulgated under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date hereof, the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Warrant Shares issued in a Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have been acquired by the Holder, and the holding period for the Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have commenced, on the date this Warrant was originally issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 1(d).

 

- 4 -

 

(e)     Disputes . In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall promptly issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Shares that are not disputed and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 12.

 

(f)     Limitations on Exercises .

 

(i)      Beneficial Ownership . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not effect the exercise of any portion of this Warrant, and the Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant and any such exercise shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the " Maximum Percentage ") of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants, including the other Lender Warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 1(f)(i). For purposes of this Section 1(f)(i), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the " 1934 Act "). For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the exercise of this Warrant without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "), as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the " Reported Outstanding Share Number "). If the Company receives an Exercise Notice from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall (i) notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Exercise Notice would otherwise cause the Holder's beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 1(f)(i), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of Warrant Shares to be purchased pursuant to such Exercise Notice (the number of shares by which such purchase is reduced, the " Reduction Shares ") and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable, the Company shall return to the Holder any exercise price paid by the Holder for the Reduction Shares. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall within two (2) Trading Days confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon exercise of this Warrant results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder's and the other Attribution Parties' aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the " Excess Shares ") shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. As soon as reasonably practicable after the issuance of the Excess Shares has been deemed null and void, the Company shall return to the Holder the exercise price paid by the Holder for the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61 st ) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of Lender Warrants that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of this Warrant in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to exercise this Warrant pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of exercisability. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 1(f)(i) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph or any portion of this paragraph which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 1(f)(i) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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(ii)    Principal Market Regulation . The Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant and the Holder shall not have the right to receive upon exercise of this Warrant any shares of Common Stock, to the extent the issuance of such shares of Common Stock would exceed the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon exercise of the Lender Warrants without breaching the Company's obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market (the " Exchange Cap "), except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company obtains the approval of its shareholders as required by the applicable rules of the Principal Market for issuances of Common Stock in excess of such amount. Until such approval is obtained, no Subscriber shall be issued in the aggregate, upon exercise of any Lender Warrants, shares of Common Stock in an amount greater than the product of the Exchange Cap multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrant issued to such Subscriber pursuant to the Subscription Agreement on the Issuance Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrants issued to the Subscribers pursuant to the Subscription Agreement on the Issuance Date (with respect to each Subscriber, the " Exchange Cap Allocation "). In the event that any Subscriber or transferee of Warrants shall sell or otherwise transfer any of the Holder's Lender Warrants such transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Subscriber's Exchange Cap Allocation, and the restrictions of the prior sentence shall apply to such transferee with respect to the portion of the Exchange Cap Allocation allocated to such transferee. In the event that any holder of Lender Warrants shall exercise all of such holder's Lender Warrants into a number of shares of Common Stock which, in the aggregate, is less than such holder's Exchange Cap Allocation, then the difference between such holder's Exchange Cap Allocation and the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued to such holder shall be allocated to the respective Exchange Cap Allocations of the remaining holders of Lender Warrants on a pro rata basis in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrants then held by each such holder. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing any Warrant Shares for which an Exercise Notice has been received as a result of the operation of this Section 1(f)(ii) after the Company failed to obtain the Nasdaq Stockholder Approval (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) on or prior to the Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Deadline (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) pursuant to Section 4.5(b) of the Subscription Agreement, then, unless the Holder elects to void such exercise , in exchange for cancellation of the applicable number of Warrant Shares that is subject to such Exercise Notice, the Holder may require the Company to pay to the Holder within three (3) Trading Days of the applicable exercise, cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds, which cash amount for each share of Common Stock that the Company is unable to deliver pursuant to this Section 1(f)(ii) shall be equal to the highest trading price of the Common Stock in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable date of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the date the Company makes the payment provided for in this sentence.

 

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(g)    Insufficient Authorized Shares . If at any time while this Warrant remains outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon exercise of this Warrant at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to: (x) prior to the earlier to occur of the Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline (as defined in the Subscription Agreement), 125% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the exercise of all of this Warrant then outstanding, including after giving effect to Section 2(a) and/or Section 2(c) of this Warrant and (y) on or after the earlier to occur of the Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline, 150% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the exercise of all of this Warrant then outstanding, including after giving effect to Section 2(a) and/or Section 2(c) of this Warrant (the number of shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants set forth in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, the " Required Reserve Amount " and the failure to have such sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock, an " Authorized Share Failure "), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company's authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for this Warrant then outstanding, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company's obligations under this Section 1(g), in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain shareholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Company in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use reasonable best efforts to solicit its stockholders' approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. In the event that upon any exercise of this Warrant, the Company does not have sufficient authorized shares to deliver in satisfaction of such exercise, then unless the Holder elects to void such attempted exercise, in exchange for cancellation of the applicable number of Warrant Shares that is subject to such Exercise Notice the Holder may require the Company to pay to the Holder within three (3) Trading Days of the applicable exercise, cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds, which cash amount for each share of Common Stock that the Company is unable to deliver pursuant to this Section 1(g) shall be equal to the highest trading price of the Common Stock in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable date of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the date the Company makes the payment provided for in this sentence.

 

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2.       ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF WARRANT SHARES . The Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

 

(a)     Adjustment Upon Issuance of Shares of Common Stock . If and whenever on or after the Subscription Date, the Company issues or sells, or in accordance with this Section 2 is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock (including the issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding shares of Common Stock issued or sold (or deemed to have been issued or sold) by the Company in connection with any Excluded Securities for a consideration per share (the " New Issuance Price ") less than a price (the " Applicable Price ") equal to the Market Price per share of the Common Stock immediately prior to such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) (the foregoing a " Dilutive Issuance "), then immediately upon such Dilutive Issuance, the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to any such Dilutive Issuance shall be increased (but in no event decreased) to a number of Warrant Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance by a fraction (which shall in no event be less than one):

 

(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such Dilutive Issuance; and

 

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance plus (B) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate amount of consideration, if any, received by the Company upon such Dilutive Issuance would purchase at the Market Price per share of the Common Stock immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance.

 

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For purposes of determining the adjusted number of Warrant Shares under this Section 2(a), the following shall be applicable:

 

(i)      Issuance of Options . If the Company in any manner grants or sells any Options after the Subscription Date, whether or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options are immediately exercisable, and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options is less than the Applicable Price, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum amount of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of granting or sale of such Options, at a price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the sum (which sum shall constitute the applicable consideration received for purposes of Section 2(a)) of (w) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of all such Options, plus (x) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of all such Options, plus (y), in the case of such Options for the purchase of Convertible Securities, the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the issuance or sale of all such Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities, less (z) any consideration paid or payable by the Company with respect to such one share of Common Stock upon the granting or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option by (B) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of all Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of all such Options (without giving effect to any limitation on the exercise, conversion or exchange of such Options). Except as set forth in Section 2(a)(iii), no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Shares shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of such Options or upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

(ii)    Issuance of Convertible Securities . If the Company in any manner issues or sells any Convertible Securities after the Subscription Date, whether or not the right to convert or exchange any such Convertible Securities is immediately exercisable, and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities is less than the Applicable Price, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum amount of such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of granting or sale of such Convertible Securities, at a price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the sum (which sum shall constitute the applicable consideration received for purposes of Section 2(a)) of (x) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of such Convertible Securities, plus (y) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities, less (z) any consideration paid or payable by the Company with respect to such one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale of such Convertible Security and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Security, by (B) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities (without giving effect to any limitation on the exercise, conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities). Except as set forth in Section 2(a)(iii), no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Shares shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities, and if any such issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of this Warrant has been or is to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 2(a), no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Shares shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

 

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(iii) Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock increases or decreases at any time, the number of Warrant Shares in effect at the time of such increase or decrease shall be adjusted to the number of Warrant Shares, which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities provided for such increased or decreased purchase price, additional consideration or increased or decreased conversion rate, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold. For purposes of this Section 2(a)(iii), if the terms of any Options or Convertible Securities that were outstanding as of the Subscription Date are increased or decreased in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Options or Convertible Securities and the shares of Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such increase or decrease. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 2(a) shall be made if such adjustment would result in a decrease in the number of Warrant Shares.

 

(iv) Calculation of Consideration Received . In case any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued in connection with the issue or sale of other securities of the Company, together comprising one integrated transaction, the amount of consideration therefore shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as applicable, attributable to such portion of the aggregate consideration received by the Company in such transaction. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration other than cash received therefor will be deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefor. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of publicly traded securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company will be the Closing Sale Price of such publicly traded securities on the date of receipt. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as the case may be. The fair value of any consideration other than cash or publicly traded securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the Required Holders. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten (10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the " Valuation Event "), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Business Days after the tenth (10 th ) day following the Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the Required Holders. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne by the Company.

 

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(v)    Record Date . If the Company takes a record of the holders of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock, Options or in Convertible Securities or (B) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase, as the case may be.

 

(vi) Expired or Terminated Options or Convertible Securities . Upon the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option (or portion thereof) or any unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Securities (or portion thereof) (including without limitation upon the redemption or purchase for consideration of all or any portion of such Options or Convertible Securities by the Company) for which any adjustment was made pursuant to this Section 2(a), the number of Warrant Shares then issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall forthwith be changed pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2(a) to the number of Warrant Shares which would have been in effect at the time of such expiration or termination had such unexercised Option (or portion thereof) or unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Securities (or portion thereof), to the extent outstanding immediately prior to such expiration or termination, never been issued; provided , however , that any such decrease to the number of Warrant Shares shall not be greater than the number of Warrant Shares then remaining under this Warrant.

 

(b)    Adjustment Upon Subdivision or Combination of Shares of Common Stock . If the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced and the number of Warrant Shares will be proportionately increased. If the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares will be proportionately decreased. Any adjustment under this Section 2(b) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

 

(c)     Reset . If the Term Loan B remains outstanding on the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Issuance Date (the " Reset Date ") and the Designee has not elected to increase the interest rate in respect of the Term Loan B pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Financing Agreement, then, on the Reset Date the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall increase by a number of Warrant Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) 3.0% of the shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding on the Reset Date, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the Term Loan B that remains outstanding as of the Reset Date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the Term Loan B drawn under the Term Loan B Commitments (as defined in the Financing Agreement) (without giving effect to any repayments in respect thereof) as of the applicable date of determination.

 

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(d)    Other Events . If any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 2 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Company's Board of Directors will make an appropriate adjustment in the Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares, as mutually determined by the Company's Board of Directors and the Required Holders, so as to protect the rights of the Holder; provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 2(d) will increase the Exercise Price or decrease the number of Warrant Shares as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 2.

 

3.                   RIGHTS UPON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS . If the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to any or all holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property, options, evidence of indebtedness or any other assets by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a " Distribution "), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution ( provided , however , that to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution to be held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

4.       PURCHASE RIGHTS; PUT RIGHTS; FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTIONS .

 

(a)     Purchase Rights . In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 2 above, if at any time on or after the Subscription Date the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the " Purchase Rights "), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights ( provided , however , that to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right to be held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

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(b)    Put Rights . Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a " Put Triggering Event "), (i) a Fundamental Transaction other than one in which holders of Common Stock receive solely cash (a " Put Fundamental Transaction "), (ii) the Final Maturity Date (as defined in the Financing Agreement), (iii) a refinancing in full of all the Loans (as defined in the Financing Agreement) under the Financing Agreement, (iv) any Event of Default under Section 9.01(a), Section 9.01(f) or Section 9.01(g) of the Financing Agreement or (v) the acceleration of the Company's obligations under the Financing Facility, at the request of the Holder delivered before the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the occurrence or consummation of any Put Triggering Event, the Company (or the Successor Entity) shall purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder, within five (5) Business Days after such request (or in case of a Put Fundamental Transaction, on the effective date of such Put Fundamental Transaction if such date is earlier than the date that is five (5) Business Days following the request of the Holder), cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the Trading Day immediately preceding the initial day of the applicable Put Triggering Event.

 

(c)     Fundamental Transaction . Upon: (i) the occurrence or consummation of a Fundamental Transaction in which holders of Common Stock receive solely cash or (ii) if the Holder indicates in writing it shall not exercise its put right pursuant to Section 4(b) in connection with a Put Fundamental Transaction, on the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after such notice, or, if the Holder does not notify the Company in writing prior to the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the occurrence or consummation of a Put Fundamental Transaction, on the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the occurrence or consummation of such Put Fundamental Transaction , the Company (or the Successor Entity) shall deliver to the Holder, in case of the foregoing clause (i), such cash, or, in case of the foregoing clause (ii), such cash and/or such other consideration, in each case, which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such applicable Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to such applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder's right to receive any such shares of publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity would result in the Holder and its other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, if applicable, then the Holder shall not be entitled to receive such shares to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity as a result of such consideration to such extent) and the portion of such shares shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time or times, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and its other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be delivered such shares to the extent as if there had been no such limitation) . For the avoidance of doubt, if a Fundamental Transaction does not result in holders of Common Stock receiving any consideration and the Holder does not elect to exercise its put right pursuant to Section 4(b), then, this Warrant shall remain outstanding and the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, shall succeed to, and the Company shall cause any Successor Entity or Successor Entities to jointly and severally succeed to, and be added to the term "Company" under this Warrant (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant referring to the "Company" shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company in this Warrant and, at the election of the Holder, the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity and/or Successor Entities evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant and exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of the Successor Entity and/or Successor Entities equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction.

 

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5.       NONCIRCUMVENTION . The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all times in good faith carry out all of the provisions of this Warrant and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect, (ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (iii) shall, so long as any of the Lender Warrants are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the exercise of the Lender Warrants, the Required Reserve Amount.

 

6.       WARRANT HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Holder, solely in such Person's capacity as a holder of this Warrant, shall not be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of capital stock of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, solely in such Person's capacity as the Holder of this Warrant, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, prior to the issuance to the Holder of the Warrant Shares which such Person is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. Notwithstanding this Section 6, the Company shall provide the Holder with copies of the same notices and other information given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the giving thereof to the stockholders.

 

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7.       REISSUANCE OF WARRANTS .

 

(a)     Transfer of Warrant . If this Warrant is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company, whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the total number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant is being transferred, a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) to the Holder representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares not being transferred.

 

(b)    Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Warrant . Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in customary form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant.

 

(c)     Exchangeable for Multiple Warrants . This Warrant is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Warrant or Warrants (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant, and each such new Warrant will represent the right to purchase such portion of such Warrant Shares as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender; provided , however , that no Lender Warrants for fractional Warrant Shares shall be given.

 

(d)    Issuance of New Warrants . Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Warrant, such new Warrant (i) shall be of like tenor with this Warrant, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant, the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant (or in the case of a new Warrant being issued pursuant to Section 7(a) or Section 7(c), the Warrant Shares designated by the Holder which, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the other new Warrants issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant which is the same as the Issuance Date, and (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Warrant.

 

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8.       NOTICES . Whenever notice is required to be given under this Warrant, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with Section 6.3 of the Subscription Agreement. The Company shall provide the Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Warrant, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will give written notice to the Holder (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the shares of Common Stock, (B) with respect to any grants, issuances or sales of any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property to holders of shares of Common Stock or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation; provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to the Holder. It is expressly understood and agreed that the time of exercise specified by the Holder in each Exercise Notice shall be definitive and may not be disputed or challenged by the Company.

 

9.                   AMENDMENT AND WAIVER . Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Warrant may be amended or waived and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Required Holders. Any amendment or waiver by the Company and the Required Holders shall be binding on the Holder of this Warrant and all holders of the Lender Warrants.

 

10.   GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; PROCESS AGENT; JURY TRIAL . This Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Warrant shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. The Company hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to the Company at the address set forth in Section 6.3 of the Subscription Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company's obligations to the Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of the Holder. The Company hereby appoints CT Corporation (the " Process Agent "), with an office on the Subscription Date at 111 8 th Avenue, 13 th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding described above.  Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Company, in care of the Process Agent at the address specified above for the Process Agent, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. The Company covenants and agrees that, for so long as it shall be bound under this Warrant or any other Transaction Document, it shall maintain a duly appointed agent for the service of summons and other legal process in New York, New York, United States of America, for the purposes of any legal action, suit or proceeding brought by any party in respect of this Warrant or such other Transaction Document and shall keep the Holder advised of the identity and location of such agent.  If for any reason there is no authorized agent for service of process in New York, the Company irrevocably consents to the service of process out of the said courts by mailing copies thereof by registered United States air mail postage prepaid to it at its address specified in Section 6.3 of the Subscription Agreement.  Nothing in this Section 10 shall affect the right of the Holder to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue the Company in the country in which it is domiciled or in any other court having jurisdiction over the Company or (ii) serve process upon the Company in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS WARRANT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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11.   CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS . This Warrant shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and all of the Subscribers and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Warrant are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Warrant.

 

12.   DISPUTE RESOLUTION . In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price, the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares or the Fair Market Value of the Warrant, the Company shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations via facsimile or electronic mail within three (3) Business Days of receipt of the Exercise Notice giving rise to such dispute, as the case may be, to the Holder. If the Holder and the Company are unable to agree upon such determination or calculation of the Exercise Price, the Warrant Shares or the Fair Market Value of the Warrant within three (3) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the Holder, then the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days submit via facsimile or electronic mail (a) the disputed determination of the Exercise Price or the Fair Market Value of the Warrant, as the case may be, to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Holder and approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed or (b) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares to an independent, outside accountant, selected by the Holder and approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company shall cause at its expense the investment bank or the accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Company and the Holder of the results no later than five (5) Business Days from the time it receives the disputed determinations or calculations. Such investment bank's or accountant's determination or calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error.

 

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13.   REMEDIES, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF . The remedies provided in this Warrant shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the right of the Holder to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Warrant. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

14.   TRANSFER . This Warrant and the Warrant Shares may be offered for sale, sold, transferred, pledged or assigned without the consent of the Company, except as may otherwise be required by Section 3.2(h) of the Subscription Agreement. Notwithstanding foregoing, this Warrant shall not be permitted to be offered for sale, sold, transferred, pledged or assigned to a Competitor (as defined in the Financing Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Company; provided , that no such consent shall be required if as of the applicable date of determination there shall have occurred and be continuing any Event of Default under Section 9.01(a), Section 9.01(c) (solely as a result of any breach of any financial covenant set forth in Section 7.03), Section 9.01(f) or Section 9.01(g) of the Financing Agreement.

 

15.   SEVERABILITY . If any provision of this Warrant is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Warrant so long as this Warrant as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

16.   DISCLOSURE . At any time after the Holder or an of its Affiliates ceases to be a Lender under the Financing Agreement, upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Warrant, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company shall contemporaneously with any such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, nonpublic information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, the Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

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17.   CURRENCY; JUDGMENT CURRENCY; PAYMENTS .

 

(a)     Currency . All amounts set forth in this Warrant that refer to dollars or $ shall refer to U.S. dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies shall be converted in the U.S. dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation.

 

(b)    Judgment Currency .

 

(i)       If for purposes of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency, a " Judgment Currency ") an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Warrant, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding:

 

(1)       the date of actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or

 

(2)       the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 17(c) being hereinafter referred to as the " Judgment Conversion Date ").

 

(ii)       If, in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 17(c)(i)(2) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of U.S. Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the applicable judgment order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

 

(iii)       Any amount due from the Company under this section shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Warrant.

 

(c)     Payments . Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to this Warrant, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States via wire transfer of immediately available funds by providing the Company with prior written notice setting out such request and the Holder's wire transfer instructions; provided that the Holder may elect to receive a payment of cash by a check drawn on the account of the Company and sent via overnight courier service to such Person at such address as previously provided to the Company in writing (which address, in the case of each of the Buyers, shall initially be as set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers attached to the Subscription Agreement). Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Warrant is due on any day which is not a Trading Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Trading Day.

 

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18.   CERTAIN DEFINITIONS . For purposes of this Warrant, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)     " Affiliate " shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

(b)    " Approved Stock Plan " means any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to which the Company's securities may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services provided to the Company.

 

(c)     " Attribution Parties " means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder's investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder's and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

 

(d)    " Bloomberg " means Bloomberg Financial Markets.

 

(e)     " Business Day " means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

(f)     " Closing Bid Price " and " Closing Sale Price " means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price, as the case may be, then the last bid price or the last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in the OTC Link or "pink sheets" by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink OTC Markets Inc.). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price, as the case may be, of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 12. All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

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(g)    " Common Stock " means (i) the Company's shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such Common Stock shall have been changed or any capital stock resulting from a reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of such Common Stock.

 

(h)    " Common Stock Deemed Outstanding " means, at any given time, the number of shares of Common Stock actually outstanding at such time, plus the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding pursuant to Sections 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii) hereof regardless of whether the Options or Convertible Securities are actually exercisable at such time, but excluding (i) any shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company or issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrants, (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in connection with any Approved Stock Plan and (iii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the extent all the proceeds of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Common Stock, net solely of any reasonable underwriting and legal fees and expenses directly related to such issuance or deemed issuance (such fees and expenses, the " Direct Costs "), is used to pay down or pay off the Term Loan B; provided , that if the Company raises proceeds in an issuance or deemed issuance that exceed the amounts outstanding under the Term Loan B (such excess proceeds, the " Excess Proceeds "), such Common Stock issued or deemed issued shall only be considered "Excluded Securities" hereunder if the applicable Direct Costs shall first be deducted from such Excess Proceeds.

 

(i)      " Convertible Securities " means any stock or securities (other than Options) directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, restricted stock units.

 

(j)      " Designee " means TCW Asset Management Company LLC.

 

(k)    " Eligible Market " means the Principal Market, the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Capital Market or The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

(l)      " Event of Default " shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Financing Agreement.

 

(m) " Exchange Rate " means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. dollars pursuant to this Warrant, the U.S. dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).

 

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(n)    " Excluded Securities " means any Common Stock issued or issuable: (i) in connection with any Approved Stock Plan, (ii) upon the exercise of the Lender Warrants; provided , that the Lender Warrants are not amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date, provided , further , that any Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of any Lender Warrants amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date may nevertheless be deemed "Excluded Securities" with respect to this Warrant (but not with respect to the other Lender Warrants) with the prior written consent of the Holder, (iii) upon exercise of any Options or Convertible Securities which are outstanding on the day immediately preceding the Subscription Date; provided , that the terms of such Options or Convertible Securities are not amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date; provided , further , that any Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of any Options or Convertible Securities which are outstanding on the day immediately preceding the Subscription Date, but which are amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date may nevertheless be deemed "Excluded Securities" with respect to this Warrant (but not with respect to the other Lender Warrants) with the prior written consent of the Holder (iv) to the extent all the proceeds of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Common Stock, net solely of any Direct Costs directly related to such issuance or deemed issuance, is used to pay down or pay off the Term Loan B; provided , that if the Company raises proceeds in an issuance or deemed issuance Excess Proceeds, such Common Stock issued or deemed issued shall only be considered "Excluded Securities" hereunder if the applicable Direct Costs shall first be deducted from such Excess Proceeds.

 

(o)    " Expiration Date " means the date eighty-four (84) months after the Issuance Date or, if such date falls on a day other than a Business Day or on which trading does not take place on the Principal Market (a " Holiday "), the next day that is not a Holiday.

 

(p)    " Fair Market Value " of a security shall be the fair market value of such security as determined jointly by the Company and the Holder; provided , that if the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 12.

 

(q)    " Financing Agreement " means that certain Financing Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company, certain other loan parties thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Designee, as administrative agent for lenders thereunder, and as the collateral agent for the lenders thereunder, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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(r)      " Fundamental Transaction " means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through Subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its "significant subsidiaries" (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through Subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the Subscription Date calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company, or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.

 

(s)     " Group " means a "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

 

(t)      " Market Price " means the arithmetic average of the Weighted Average Prices of the Common Stock during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately prior to the applicable date of determination.

 

(u)    " Options " means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase (i) shares of Common Stock or (ii) Convertible Securities.

 

(v)    " Parent Entity " of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person, including such entity whose common capital or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, any other market, exchange or quotation system), or, if there is more than one such Person or such entity, the Person or such entity designated by the Required Holders or in the absence of such designation, such Person or entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.

 

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(w) " Person " means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(x)    " Principal Market " means The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

(y)    " Registration Rights Agreement " means that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the Subscription Date by and among the Company and the Subscriber .

 

(z)     " Required Holders " means the holders of the Lender Warrants representing at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrants then outstanding and shall include the Designee as long as the Designee or any of its Affiliates holds any Lender Warrants.

 

(aa)" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(bb)            " Standard Settlement Period " means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded as in effect on the date of delivery of the applicable Exercise Notice.

 

(cc)" Subject Entity " means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.

 

(dd)           " Subsidiary " has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Financing Agreement.

 

(ee)" Successor Entity " means one or more Person or Persons (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Company or Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction, or one or more Person or Persons (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Company or the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.

 

(ff) " Term Loan B " has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Financing Agreement.

 

(gg)            " Trading Day " means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock on such day, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that "Trading Day" shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).

 

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(hh)            " Weighted Average Price " means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg through its "Volume at Price" function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest Closing Bid Price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the OTC Link or "pink sheets" by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink OTC Markets Inc.). If the Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Weighted Average Price of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 12 with the term "Weighted Average Price" being substituted for the term "Exercise Price." All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.

 

 

    SMTC CORPORATION
     
    By:   
    Name:       
    Title:       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

The undersigned holder hereby exercises the right to purchase _________________ of the shares of Common Stock (" Warrant Shares ") of SMTC Corporation., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), evidenced by the attached Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (the " Warrant "). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.

 

1. Form of Exercise Price. The Holder intends that payment of the Exercise Price shall be made as:

 

____________  a " Cash Exercise" with respect to _________________ Warrant Shares; and/or
   
____________  a "Cashless Exercise" with respect to _______________ Warrant Shares , resulting in a delivery obligation of the Company to the Holder of __________ shares of Common Stock representing the applicable Net Number .
     

 

2. Payment of Exercise Price. In the event that the holder has elected a Cash Exercise with respect to some or all of the Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant hereto, the holder shall pay the Aggregate Exercise Price in the sum of $___________________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

3. Delivery of Warrant Shares. The Company shall deliver to the holder __________ Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

Date: _______________ __, ______

 

 

     
Name of Registered Holder    
     
     
By:       
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Exercise Notice and hereby directs Computershare Inc. to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

    SMTC CORPORATION
     
    By:   
    Name:       
    Title:       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT

 

AND

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

(AS A LENDER AND AS AGENT)

 

WITH

 

SMTC CORPORATION

SMTC MANUFACTURING CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA

SMTC MEX HOLDINGS, INC.

HTM HOLDINGS, INC.

MC TEST SERVICE, INC.

MC ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL LLC

MC ASSEMBLY LLC

(AS BORROWERS)

 

 

 

 

 

November 8, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

I.   DEFINITIONS. 1
1.1.   Accounting Terms 1
1.2.   General Terms 1
1.3.   Uniform Commercial Code Terms 43
1.4.   Certain Matters of Construction. 44
1.5.   Fiscal Year End 44
II.   ADVANCES, PAYMENTS. 45
2.1.   Revolving Advances. 45
2.2.   Procedure for Revolving Advances Borrowing. 46
2.3.   Disbursement of Advance Proceeds 48
2.4.   Reserved. 48
2.5.   Maximum Advances 48
2.6.   Repayment of Advances. 48
2.7.   Repayment of Excess Advances 49
2.8.   Statement of Account 49
2.9.   Letters of Credit 50
2.10.   Issuance of Letters of Credit. 50
2.11.   Requirements For Issuance of Letters of Credit. 51
2.12.   Disbursements, Reimbursement. 51
2.13.   Repayment of Participation Advances. 52
2.14.   Documentation 53
2.15.   Determination to Honor Drawing Request 53
2.16.   Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations 53
2.17.   Indemnity 55
2.18.   Liability for Acts and Omissions 55
2.19.   Additional Payments 56
2.20.   Manner of Borrowing and Payment. 56
2.21.   Mandatory Prepayments 58
2.22.   Use of Proceeds. 58
2.23.   Defaulting Lender 59
2.24   Increase in Maximum Revolving Advance Amount. 60
III.   INTEREST AND FEES. 62
3.1.   Interest. 62
3.2.   Letter of Credit Fees. 62
3.3.   Facility Fee. 63
3.4.   Fees. 64
3.5.   Computation of Interest and Fees 64
3.6.   Maximum Charges 64
3.7.   Increased Costs 64

 

 

i

 

3.8.   Basis For Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair 65
3.9.   Capital Adequacy. 67
3.10.   Gross Up for Taxes 67
3.11.   Withholding Tax Exemption. 68
IV.   COLLATERAL:   GENERAL TERMS 70
4.1.   Security Interest in the Collateral. 70
4.2.   Perfection of Security Interest 71
4.3.   Disposition of Collateral 71
4.4.   Preservation of Collateral 71
4.5.   Ownership of Collateral. 72
4.6.   Defense of Agent’s and Lenders’ Interests 72
4.7.   Books and Records 73
4.8.   Financial Disclosure 73
4.9.   Compliance with Laws 73
4.10.   Inspection of Premises 73
4.11.   Insurance 74
4.12.   Failure to Pay Insurance 75
4.13.   Payment of Taxes 75
4.14.   Payment of Leasehold Obligations 75
4.15.   Receivables. 75
4.16.   Inventory 78
4.17.   Maintenance of Equipment 78
4.18.   Exculpation of Liability 78
4.19.   Environmental Matters. 78
4.20.   Financing Statements 80
4.21.   Appraisals 81
V.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. 81
5.1.   Authority 81
5.2.   Formation and Qualification. 82
5.3.   Survival of Representations and Warranties 82
5.4.   Tax Returns 82
5.5.   Financial Statements. 82
5.6.   Entity Names 83
5.7.   O.S.H.A 83
5.8.   Solvency; No Litigation, Violation, Indebtedness or Default; ERISA Compliance. 84
5.9.   Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses 85
5.10.   Licenses and Permits 86
5.11.   Default of Indebtedness 86
5.12.   No Default 86
5.13.   No Burdensome Restrictions 86
5.14.   No Labor Disputes 86
5.15.   Margin Regulations 86
5.16.   Investment Company Act 86
5.17.   Disclosure 87

 

 

ii

 

5.18.   Delivery of Acquisition Agreement 87
5.19.   Swaps 87
5.20.   Conflicting Agreements 87
5.21.   Application of Certain Laws and Regulations 87
5.22.   Business and Property of Borrowers 87
5.23.   Section 20 Subsidiaries 88
5.24.   [Reserved]. 88
5.25.   [Reserved] 88
5.26.   Federal Securities Laws 88
5.27.   Equity Interests 88
5.28.   [Reserved] 88
5.29.   Material Contracts 88
5.30.   Commercial Tort Claims 88
5.31.   Letter of Credit Rights 88
5.32   Certificate of Beneficial Ownership 88
VI.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. 89
6.1.   Payment of Fees 89
6.2.   Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence and Assets 89
6.3.   Violations 89
6.4.   Government Receivables 89
6.5.   Financial Covenants. 90
6.6.   Execution of Supplemental Instruments 92
6.7.   Payment of Indebtedness 92
6.8.   Standards of Financial Statements 92
6.9.   Federal Securities Laws 93
6.10.   Exercise of Rights 93
6.11.   [Reserved] 93
6.12.   Certificate of Beneficial Ownership and Other Additional Information 93
6.13   Keepwell    93
6.14   Post Closing Conditions. 94
VII.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS. 94
7.1.   Merger, Consolidation, Acquisition and Sale of Assets. 95
7.2.   Creation of Liens 95
7.3.   Guarantees 95
7.4.   Investments 95
7.5.   Loans 96
7.6.   Unfunded Capital Expenditures 96
7.7.   Dividends 96
7.8.   Indebtedness 96
7.9.   Nature of Business 96
7.10.   Transactions with Affiliates 96
7.11.   Leases 97
7.12.   Subsidiaries. 97
7.13.   Fiscal Year and Accounting Changes 97

 

 

iii

 

7.14.   Pledge of Credit 97
7.15.   Amendment of Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws 97
7.16.   Compliance with ERISA. 98
7.17.   Prepayment of Indebtedness 98
7.18.   Anti-Terrorism Laws 99
7.19.   Trading with the Enemy Act 99
7.20.   Reserved. 99
7.21.   Other Agreements 99
7.22.   Inactive Entities 99
7.23.   [Reserved] 100
7.24.   Other Agreements 100
VIII.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. 100
8.1.   Conditions to Initial Advances 100
8.2.   Conditions to Each Advance 104
IX.   INFORMATION AS TO BORROWERS. 104
9.1.   Disclosure of Material Matters 104
9.2.   Schedules 105
9.3.   Environmental Reports 105
9.4.   Litigation 105
9.5.   Material Occurrences 105
9.6.   Government Receivables 106
9.7.   Annual Financial Statements 106
9.8.   Quarterly Financial Statements 106
9.9.   Monthly Financial Statements 106
9.10.   Other Reports 107
9.11.   Additional Information 107
9.12.   Projected Operating Budget 107
9.13.   Variances From Operating Budget 107
9.14.   Notice of Suits, Adverse Events 107
9.15.   ERISA Notices and Requests 108
9.16.   Additional Documents 108
9.17   Updates to Certain Schedules 109
X.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT. 109
10.1.   Nonpayment 109
10.2.   Breach of Representation 109
10.3.   Financial Information 109
10.4.   Judicial Actions 109
10.5.   Noncompliance 109
10.6.   Judgments 110
10.7.   Bankruptcy 110
10.8.   Inability to Pay 110
10.9.   Reserved. 110
10.10.   Lien Priority 111

 

 

iv

 

10.11.   Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance. 111
10.12.   Cross Default 111
10.13.   Breach of Guaranty 111
10.14.   Change of Control 111
10.15.   Invalidity 111
10.16.   Licenses 111
10.17.   Seizures 112
10.18.   Pension Plans 112
10.19.   Operations 112
10.20.   Intercreditor Default 112
10.21.   [Reserved] 112
10.22.   Subordinated Loan Default 112
10.23   Term Loan Agreement Default 112
XI.   LENDERS’ RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AFTER DEFAULT. 113
11.1.   Rights and Remedies. 113
11.2.   Agent’s Discretion 114
11.3.   Setoff 115
11.4.   Rights and Remedies not Exclusive 115
11.5.   Allocation of Payments After Event of Default 115
XII.   WAIVERS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. 116
12.1.   Waiver of Notice 116
12.2.   Delay 116
12.3.   Jury Waiver 116
XIII.   EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION. 117
13.1.   Term 117
13.2.   Termination 117
XIV.   REGARDING AGENT. 117
14.1.   Appointment 117
14.2.   Nature of Duties 118
14.3.   Lack of Reliance on Agent and Resignation. 118
14.4.   Certain Rights of Agent 119
14.5.   Reliance 119
14.6.   Notice of Default 119
14.7.   Indemnification 120
14.8.   Agent in its Individual Capacity 120
14.9.   Delivery of Documents 120
14.10.   Borrowers’ Undertaking to Agent 120
14.11.   No Reliance on Agent’s Customer Identification Program 120
14.12.   Other Agreements 121
XV.   BORROWING AGENCY. 121
15.1.   Borrowing Agency Provisions 121

 

 

v

 

15.2.   Waiver of Subrogation 122
XVI.   MISCELLANEOUS. 122
16.1.   Governing Law 122
16.2.   Entire Understanding. 122
16.3.   Successors and Assigns; Participations; New Lenders. 125
16.4.   Application of Payments 127
16.5.   Indemnity 127
16.6.   [Reserved] 128
16.7.   Notice 128
16.8.   Survival 130
16.9.   Severability 130
16.10.   Expenses 130
16.11.   Injunctive Relief 131
16.12.   Consequential Damages 131
16.13.   Captions 131
16.14.   Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures 131
16.15.   Construction 131
16.16.   Confidentiality; Sharing Information 131
16.17.   Publicity 132
16.18.   Certifications From Banks and Participants; USA PATRIOT Act 132
16.19   Anti-Terrorism Laws 132
16.20    Intercreditor Agreement 133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

vi

 

LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibits

 

Exhibit 1.2   Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit 1.2(a)   Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 2.1   Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit 2.24   Form of Lender Joinder and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit 5.5(b)   Projections
Exhibit 8.1(i)   Financial Condition Certificate
Exhibit 16.3   Commitment Transfer Supplement

 

 

Schedules

 

Schedule 1.2   Permitted Liens
Schedule 4.5   Locations
Schedule 4.15(h)   Deposit and Investment Accounts
Schedule 4.19   Real Property
Schedule 4.19A   Leased Interests
Schedule 5.1   Consents
Schedule 5.2(a)   States of Qualification and Good Standing
Schedule 5.2(b)   Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.4   Federal Tax Identification Number
Schedule 5.6   Prior Names
Schedule 5.8(b)   Litigation; Indebtedness
Schedule 5.8(d)   Plans
Schedule 5.9   Intellectual Property, Source Code Escrow Agreements
Schedule 5.10   Licenses and Permits
Schedule 5.14   Labor Disputes
Schedule 5.27   Equity Interests
Schedule 5.29   Material Contracts
Schedule 7.8   Indebtedness

 

 

 

 

 

 

vii

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT

AND

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of November 8, 2018 among SMTC Corporation , a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“SMTC”), SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of California , a corporation organized under the laws of the State of California (“SMTC California”), SMTC Mex Holdings, Inc. , a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“SMTC Mex”), HTM Holdings, Inc. , a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“HTM”), MC TEST SERVICE, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida (“MC Test”), MC ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL LLC, a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware (“MC Assembly International”), MC ASSEMBLY LLC, a limited liability company organized under the State of Delaware (“MC Assembly” and together with SMTC, SMTC California, SMTC Mex, HTM, MC Test, and MC Assembly International, and each other Person joined hereto as a borrower from time to time, each a “Borrower” and collectively the “Borrowers”), the other financial institutions which are now or which hereafter become a party hereto (each individually a “Lender” and collectively the “Lenders”) and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“PNC”), as agent for Lenders (PNC, in such capacity, the “Agent”).

 

IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants and undertakings herein contained, Borrowers, Lenders and Agent hereby agree as follows:

 

I.                     DEFINITIONS.

 

1.1.                Accounting Terms . As used in this Agreement, the Other Documents or any certificate, report or other document made or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, accounting terms not defined in Section 1.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.2 to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP; provided, however, whenever such accounting terms are used for the purposes of determining compliance with financial covenants in this Agreement, such accounting terms shall be defined in accordance with GAAP as applied in preparation of the audited financial statements of Borrowers for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2011. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, each accounting term used herein shall have the meaning given it under GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to the accounting for leases as either operating leases or capital leases and the impact of such accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 840 on the definitions and covenants herein, GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date shall be applied and (ii) for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of SMTC and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

 

1.2.                General Terms . For purposes of this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

 

Accountants ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.7 hereof.

 

" Acquisition " shall mean the acquisition of all of the Equity Interests of MC Assembly and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.

 

Acquisition Agreement ” shall mean the Stock Purchase Agreement, including all exhibits and schedules thereto, dated as of November 8, 2018, by and between SMTC, MC Assembly, the sellers party thereto and the seller representative, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

" Acquisition Documents " means the Acquisition Agreement and all other agreements, instruments and other documents related thereto or executed in connection therewith.

 

Acquired EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business (determined in accordance with the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

 

Acquired Entity or Business ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

 

Advance Rates ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(y)(ii).

 

Advances ” shall mean and include the Revolving Advances and Letters of Credit.

 

Affiliate ” of any Person shall mean (a) any Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, or (b) any Person who is a director, managing member, general partner or officer (i) of such Person, (ii) of any Subsidiary of such Person or (iii) of any Person described in clause (a) above. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall mean the power, direct or indirect, (x) to vote 5% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or other Persons performing similar functions for any such Person, or (y) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by ownership of Equity Interests, contract or otherwise.

 

Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include its successors and assigns.

 

Agreement ” shall mean this Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Alternate Base Rate ” shall mean, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the Base Rate in effect on such day, (ii) the Federal Funds Open Rate in effect on such day plus one half of one-percent (1/2 of 1%), and (iii) the sum of the Daily LIBOR Rate in effect on such day plus one percent (1.0%), so long as a Daily LIBOR Rate is offered, ascertainable and not unlawful.

 

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” shall mean any Laws relating to terrorism, trade sanctions programs and embargoes, import/export licensing, money laundering or bribery, and any regulation, order, or directive promulgated, issued or enforced pursuant to such Laws, all as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

 

2

 

Applicable Law ” shall mean all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Person, conduct, transaction, covenant, Other Document or contract in question, including all applicable common law and equitable principles; all provisions of all applicable state, federal and foreign constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Body, and all orders, judgments and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

 

Applicable Margin ” shall mean, (a) an amount equal to one percent (1.00%) for Revolving Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans and (b) an amount equal to two percent (2.00%) for Revolving Advances consisting of Eurodollar Rate Loans.

 

Effective as of the first day of the month following receipt by Agent of the quarterly financial statements of the Borrowers on a consolidated and consolidating basis and related Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019 required under Section 9.8 hereof, and thereafter on the first day of the month following receipt of the quarterly financial statements of the Borrowers on a consolidated and consolidating basis and related Compliance Certificate required under Section 9.8 hereof for the most recently completed fiscal quarter (each day of such delivery, an “ Adjustment Date ”), the Applicable Margin for each type of Advance shall be adjusted, if necessary, to the applicable percent per annum set forth in the pricing table below corresponding to the Leverage Ratio for the trailing four quarter period ending on the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter prior to the applicable Adjustment Date:

 

Leverage Ratio

Applicable Margins for Domestic Rate Loans

 

Applicable Margins for Eurodollar Rate Loans
Less than 2.00 to 1.00 0.50% 1.50%
Greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 but less than 2.75 to 1.00 0.75% 1.75%
Greater than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00 1.00% 2.00%

 

 

If the Borrowers shall fail to deliver the financial statements, certificates and/or other information required under Section 9.8 hereof by the dates required pursuant to such sections, each Applicable Margin shall be conclusively presumed to equal the highest Applicable Margin specified in the pricing table set forth above until the date of delivery of such financial statements, certificates and/or other information, at which time the rate will be adjusted based upon the Leverage Ratio reflected in such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, immediately and automatically upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each Applicable Margin shall increase to and equal the highest Applicable Margin specified in the pricing table set forth above and shall continue at such highest Applicable Margin until the date (if any) on which such Event of Default shall be waived in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, at which time the rate will be adjusted based upon the Leverage Ratio reflected on the most recently delivered financial statements and Compliance Certificate delivered by the Borrowers to Agent pursuant to Section 9.8 hereof (as applicable). Any increase in interest rates and/or other fees payable by the Borrowers under this Agreement and the Other Documents pursuant to the provisions of the foregoing sentence shall be in addition to and independent of any increase in such interest rates and/or other fees resulting from the occurrence of any Event of Default (including, if applicable, any Event of Default arising from a breach of Section 9.8 hereof) and/or the effectiveness of the Default Rate provisions of Section 3.1 hereof or the default fee rate provisions of Section 3.2 hereof.

 

3

 

If, as a result of any restatement of, or other adjustment to, the financial statements of Borrowers on a consolidated and consolidating basis or for any other reason, Agent reasonably determines that (a) the Leverage Ratio as previously calculated as of any applicable date for any applicable period was inaccurate, and (b) a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio for any such period would have resulted in different pricing for such period, then (i) if the proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would have resulted in a higher interest rate for such period, automatically and immediately without the necessity of any demand or notice by Agent or any other affirmative act of any party, the interest accrued on the applicable outstanding Advances for such period under the provisions of this Agreement and the Other Documents shall be deemed to be retroactively increased by, and Borrowers shall be obligated to immediately pay to Agent for the ratable benefit of Lenders an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest actually paid for such period; and (ii) if the proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio for a period of no more than the preceding six (6) months would have resulted in a lower interest rate and/or fees (as applicable) for such six (6) month period, then the interest accrued on the applicable outstanding Advances and the amount of the fees accruing for such six (6) month period under the provisions of this Agreement and the Other Documents shall be deemed to be retroactively decreased by, and each Lender shall be obligated to pay to the Borrowers, an amount equal to such Lender’s ratable share of the excess of the amount of interest and fees that was actually paid for such six (6) month period over the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such six (6) month period (which obligation shall be satisfied by offset against the amounts thereafter payable from time to time by the Borrowers to such Lender until paid in full, unless there are no Obligations then outstanding in which case such Lender shall immediately pay any remaining unpaid amount to the Borrowers); provided, that, if as a result of any restatement or other event or other determination by Agent a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would have resulted in a higher interest rate and/or fees (as applicable) for one or more periods and a lower interest rate and/or fees (as applicable) for one or more other periods (due to the shifting of income or expenses from one period to another period or any other reason), then (A) the amount payable by Borrowers pursuant to clause (i) above shall be based upon the excess, if any, of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for all applicable periods over the amounts of interest and fees actually paid for such periods, and (B) the amount payable by the Lenders pursuant to clause (ii) above shall be based upon the excess, if any of the amount of interest and fees that was actual paid for all applicable periods over the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such periods.

 

Authority ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(d) hereof.

 

4

 

Base Rate ” shall mean the base commercial lending rate of PNC as publicly announced to be in effect from time to time, such rate to be adjusted automatically, without notice, on the effective date of any change in such rate. This rate of interest is determined from time to time by PNC as a means of pricing some loans to its customers and is neither tied to any external rate of interest or index nor does it necessarily reflect the lowest rate of interest actually charged by PNC to any particular class or category of customers of PNC.

 

Beneficial Owner ” shall mean, for each Borrower, each of the following: (a) each individual, if any, who, directly or indirectly, owns 25% or more of such Borrower’s Equity Interests; and (b) a single individual with significant responsibility to control, manage, or direct such Borrower.

 

Blocked Accounts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.15(h) hereof.

 

Blocked Account Bank ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.15(h) hereof.

 

Borrower ” or “ Borrowers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all permitted successors and assigns of such Persons.

 

Borrowers on a Consolidated Basis ” shall mean the consolidation in accordance with GAAP of the accounts or other items of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries.

 

Borrowers’ Account ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.

 

Borrowing Agent ” shall mean SMTC.

 

Borrowing Base Certificate ” shall mean a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.2 duly executed by the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Controller of the Borrowing Agent and delivered to the Agent, appropriately completed, by which such officer shall certify to Agent the Formula Amount and calculation thereof as of the date of such certificate.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or required by law to be closed for business in East Brunswick, New Jersey and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, such day must also be a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.

 

Capital Expenditures ” shall mean expenditures made or liabilities incurred for the acquisition of any fixed assets or improvements, replacements, substitutions or additions thereto which have a useful life of more than one (1) year, including the total principal portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations, which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as capital expenditures.

 

Capitalized Lease Obligation ” shall mean any Indebtedness of any Borrower represented by obligations under a lease which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

5

 

Carryover Amount ” shall have the meaning given in Section 7.6.

 

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

 

CFC ” means a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code, with respect to which any Loan Party is a “United States shareholder” within the meaning of Section 951(b) of the Code.

 

CFTC ” shall mean the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

CERCLA ” shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§9601 et seq.

 

Certificate of Beneficial Ownership ” shall mean, for each Borrower, a certificate in form and substance acceptable to Agent (as amended or modified by Agent from time to time in its sole discretion), certifying, among other things, the Beneficial Owner of such Borrower.

 

Change in Law ” shall mean the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Applicable Law (including any Applicable Laws that were enacted before the Closing Date but are taking effect after the Closing Date), (b) any change in any Applicable Law or in the administration, implementation, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Body or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Body; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of Applicable Law) and (y) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or 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 (whether or not having the force of law) , 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, promulgated or implemented.

 

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Change of Control ” shall mean (a) 100% of the Equity Interests of HTM and MC Assembly Holdings are no longer owned directly (on a fully diluted basis) by SMTC; (b) 100% of the Equity Interests of SMTC California and SMTC Mex are no longer owned directly (on a fully diluted basis) by HTM; (c) [reserved]; (d) 100% of the Equity Interests of MC Test are no longer owned directly (on a fully diluted basis) by MC Assembly Holdings, (e) 100% of the Equity Interests of MC Assembly International and MC Assembly are no longer owned directly (on a fully diluted basis) by MC Test, (f) 100% of the Equity Interests of MC Assembly Mexico are no longer owned directly (on a fully diluted basis) by MC Assembly and MC Test, collectively, (g) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(a) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired beneficial ownership of (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) 35% (or, in the case of Red Oak Partners, LLC and its Affiliates, 40%) or more of the voting Equity Interests of SMTC, (h) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors of SMTC cease to be composed of individuals: (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board, or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board, (i) any merger or consolidation by, or sale of substantially all of the property or assets of, any Borrower or Guarantor, (j) any merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of the property or assets of any Borrower unless any Borrower is merged or consolidated with and into another Borrower or such sale of property or assets is to another Borrower, (k) Edward Smith shall cease to be involved in the day to day operations and management of the business of SMTC, and a successor reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Required Lenders is not appointed on market terms or on other terms reasonably acceptable to the Agent and the Required Lenders within 120 days of such cessation of involvement; or (l) a "Change of Control" (or any comparable term or provision) under or with respect to any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any Term Loan Obligations) of SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000, if the effect thereof is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of or otherwise require such Indebtedness to be prepaid or repaid (or an offer to prepay or repay shall be required to be made) prior to, the stated maturity of such Indebtedness.

 

Charges ” shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all net income, gross income, gross receipts, goods and services, sales, use, ad valorem, employer health, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, worker’s compensation premiums, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation and property taxes, custom duties, fees, assessments, liens, claims and charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts, imposed by any taxing or other authority, domestic or foreign (including the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any environmental agency or superfund), upon the Collateral or any Borrower.

 

Closing Date ” shall mean November 8, 2018, or such other date as may be agreed to by the parties hereto.

 

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

 

Collateral ” shall mean and include:

 

(a)                 all Receivables;

 

(b)                all Equipment;

 

(c)                 all General Intangibles;

 

(d)                all Inventory;

 

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(e)                 all Investment Property;

 

(f)                 all Domestic Subsidiary Stock and 65% of the Equity Interests of Mexican Subsidiary Stock (collectively, the “Pledged Equity”);

 

(g)                all of each Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to, whether now owned or hereafter acquired and wherever located; (i) its respective goods and other property including, but not limited to, all merchandise returned or rejected by Customers, relating to or securing any of the Receivables; (ii) all of each Borrower’s rights as a consignor, a consignee, an unpaid vendor, mechanic, artisan, or other lienor, including stoppage in transit, setoff, detinue, replevin, reclamation and repurchase; (iii) all additional amounts due to any Borrower from any Customer relating to the Receivables; (iv) other property, including warranty claims, relating to any goods securing the Obligations; (v) all of each Borrower’s contract rights, rights of payment which have been earned under a contract right, instruments (including promissory notes), documents, chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper), warehouse receipts, deposit accounts, letters of credit and money; (vi) all commercial tort claims (whether now existing or hereafter arising); (vii) if and when obtained by any Borrower, all real and personal property of third parties in which such Borrower has been granted a lien or security interest as security for the payment or enforcement of Receivables; (viii) all letter of credit rights (whether or not the respective letter of credit is evidenced by a writing); (ix) all supporting obligations; and (x) any other goods, personal property or real property now owned or hereafter acquired in which any Borrower has expressly granted a security interest or may in the future grant a security interest to Agent hereunder, or in any amendment or supplement hereto or thereto, or under any other agreement between Agent and any Borrower;

 

(h)                all of each Borrower’s ledger sheets, ledger cards, files, correspondence, records, books of account, business papers, computers, computer software (owned by any Borrower or in which it has an interest), computer programs, tapes, disks and documents relating to (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of this paragraph; and

 

(i)                  all proceeds and products of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h) in whatever form, including, but not limited to: cash, deposit accounts (whether or not comprised solely of proceeds), certificates of deposit, insurance proceeds (including hazard, flood and credit insurance), negotiable instruments and other instruments for the payment of money, chattel paper, security agreements, documents, eminent domain proceeds, condemnation proceeds and tort claim proceeds; and

 

(j)                  provided, notwithstanding the foregoing. “Collateral” shall not include any Excluded Property.

 

Commitment Transfer Supplement ” shall mean a document in the form of Exhibit 16.3 hereto, properly completed and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Agent by which the Purchasing Lender purchases and assumes a portion of the obligation of Lenders to make Advances under this Agreement.

 

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Compliance Certificate ” shall mean a compliance certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.2(a) to be signed by the Chief Financial Officer or Controller of Borrowing Agent, which shall state that, based on an examination sufficient to permit such officer to make an informed statement, (a) no Default or Event of Default exists, or if such is not the case, specifying such Default or Event of Default, its nature, when it occurred, whether it is continuing and the steps being taken by Borrowers with respect to such default and, such certificate shall have appended thereto calculations which set forth Borrowers’ compliance with the requirements or restrictions imposed by Sections 6.5, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.10 and 7.11; and (b) that to the best of such officer’s knowledge, each Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all federal, state, provincial, municipal and local Environmental Laws, or if such is not the case, specifying all areas of non-compliance and the proposed action such Borrower will implement in order to achieve full compliance.

 

Consents ” shall mean all filings and all licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and orders of Governmental Bodies and other third parties, domestic or foreign, necessary to carry on any Borrower’s business or necessary (including to avoid a conflict or breach under any agreement, instrument, other document, license, permit or other authorization) for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement, the Other Documents, Term Loan Documents or the Acquisition Agreement, including any Consents required under all applicable federal, state, provincial or other Applicable Law.

 

Consigned Inventory ” shall mean Inventory of any Borrower that is in the possession of another Person on a consignment, sale or return, or other basis that does not constitute a final sale and acceptance of such Inventory.

 

" Consolidated EBITDA " means, with respect to any Person for any period:

 

(a)       the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period,

 

plus

 

(b)       without duplication, the sum of the following amounts for such period to the extent deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(i)       any provision for United States federal income taxes or other taxes measured by net income,

 

(ii)       Consolidated Net Interest Expense,

 

(iii)       any loss from Extraordinary Items,

 

(iv)       any depreciation and amortization expense,

 

(v)       any aggregate net loss on the Disposition of property (other than accounts and Inventory) outside the ordinary course of business,

 

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(vi)       any transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred prior to, on or within 180 days after the Effective Date in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,800,000,

 

(vii)       any integration costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition and paid within 365 days following the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000,

 

(viii)       one-time costs and synergies described in Schedule 1.01(H) to the extent that such costs are incurred and such synergies are realized in the periods set forth in Schedule 1.01(H) and do not exceed the amounts for such periods set forth in Schedule 1.01(H),

 

(ix)       any other non-cash expenditure, charge or loss for such period (other than any non-cash expenditure, charge or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts and Inventory),

 

(x)       cash restructuring and severance charges, accruals or reserves (including such costs related to acquisitions after the Effective Date and adjustments to existing reserves) that are approved in writing by the Agent and the Required Lenders,

 

(xi)       transition and integration costs incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition that are approved in writing by the Agent and the Required Lenders,

 

(xii)       any expenses or amortization arising out of the accrual or payment of any earnouts and other amounts payable under the Acquisition Agreement,

 

(xiii)       amounts received consisting of proceeds of business interruption insurance,

 

(xiv)       fees, costs and expenses paid or payable in respect of amendments, restatements or other modifications of the Loan Documents and the Term Loan Documents,

 

(xv)       transaction fees, costs and expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, paid or payable in connection with issuances of Equity Interests (A) outside of the ordinary course of business, (B) to the extent consummated and (C) to the extent not paid with the proceeds of such Equity Issuance,

 

(xvi)       transaction fees, costs and expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 in any Fiscal Year, paid or payable in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, Permitted Dispositions, issuances or incurrences of Permitted Indebtedness, and Permitted Investments, in each case, (A) outside of the ordinary course of business, (B) regardless of whether consummated and (C) to the extent not paid with the proceeds of any Equity Issuance, and

 

(xvii)       without duplication, the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies arising in respect of any transactional or restructuring or business optimization actions taken and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to be realized no later than 12 months after the consummation thereof (as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings, operating reductions and synergies are factually supportable and approved in writing by the Agent and the Required Lenders and (B) no such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (xvii) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges or other amounts otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA (it being understood and agreed that “run rate” shall mean the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken),

 

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minus

 

(c)       without duplication, the sum of the following amounts for such period to the extent included in the calculation of such Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(i)       any credit for United States federal income taxes or other taxes measured by net income,

 

(ii)       any gain from Extraordinary Items,

 

(iii)       any aggregate net gain from the Disposition of property (other than accounts and Inventory) outside the ordinary course of business, and

 

(iv)       any other non-cash gain, including any reversal of a charge referred to in clause (b)(ix) above by reason of a decrease in the value of any Equity Interest;

 

in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA as of any date of measurement ending on or before September 30, 2019, Consolidated EBITDA for any of the following periods included in the 4 Fiscal Quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $3,004,364 for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $3,949,268 for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $5,812,853 for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2018.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of SMTC and its Subsidiaries:

 

(A) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset acquired by SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries during such period to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired and not subsequently so disposed of, an "Acquired Entity or Business") based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition) determined on a historical pro forma basis; and

 

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(B) there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a "Sold Entity or Business") based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical pro forma basis.

 

" Consolidated Net Income " means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period; provided, however, that the following shall be excluded: (a) the net income of any other Person in which such Person or one of its Subsidiaries has a joint interest with a third-party (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated into the net income of such Person), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid to such Person or Subsidiary, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary of such Person that is, on the last day of such period, subject to any restriction or limitation on the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions, to the extent of such restriction or limitation, and (c) the net income of any other Person arising prior to such other Person becoming a Subsidiary of such Person or merging or consolidating into such Person or its Subsidiaries.

 

" Consolidated Net Interest Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, (a) gross interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation, interest expense paid to Affiliates of such Person), less (b) the sum of (i) interest income for such period and (ii) gains for such period on Hedging Agreements (to the extent not included in interest income above and to the extent not deducted in the calculation of gross interest expense), plus (c) the sum of (i) losses for such period on Hedging Agreements (to the extent not included in gross interest expense) and (ii) the upfront costs or fees for such period associated with Hedging Agreements (to the extent not included in gross interest expense), in each case, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

 

Controlled Group ” shall mean, at any time, each Borrower and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control and all other entities which, together with any Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Covered Entity ” shall mean (a) each Borrower, each of Borrower’s Subsidiaries, all Guarantors and all pledgors of Collateral and (b) each Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of a Person described in clause (a) above. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person shall mean the direct or indirect (x) ownership of, or power to vote, 25% or more of the issued and outstanding equity interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or other Persons performing similar functions for such Person, or (y) power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by ownership of equity interests, contract or otherwise.

 

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Custome r” shall mean and include the account debtor with respect to any Receivable and/or the prospective purchaser of goods, services or both with respect to any contract or contract right, and/or any party who enters into or proposes to enter into any contract or other arrangement with any Borrower, pursuant to which such Borrower is to deliver any personal property or perform any services.

 

Customs ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(b) hereof.

 

Daily LIBOR Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum determined by the Agent by dividing (x) the Published Rate by (y) a number equal to 1.00, minus the Reserve Percentage.

 

 

 

Default ” shall mean an event, circumstance or condition which, with the giving of notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.

 

Defaulting Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(a) hereof.

 

Depository Accounts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.15(h) hereof.

 

Designated Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.2(b) hereof.

 

" Disposed EBITDA " means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business (determined in accordance with the definition of "Consolidated EBITDA").

 

" Disqualified Equity Interests " means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interest into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations and the termination of the Loan Documents), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends or distributions in cash, or (d) is convertible into or exchangeable for (i) Indebtedness or (ii) any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case of clauses (a) through (d), prior to the date that is 6 months after the stated maturity date of the Loans.

 

Documents ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(c) hereof.

 

Dollar ” and the sign “ $ ” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Domestic Foreign Holdco ” means any Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of the equity interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries that is a CFC (excluding for purposes of this determination, any intercompany indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiaries).

 

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" Domestic Loan Party " means any Loan Party that is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state or commonwealth thereof or under the laws of the District of Columbia.

 

Domestic Rate Loan ” shall mean any Advance that bears interest based upon the Alternate Base Rate.

 

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States (but excluding any territory or possession thereof).

 

Domestic Subsidiary Stock ” shall mean all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Equity Interests of HTM, SMTC Mex, SMTC California, MC Assembly Holdings, MC Test, MC Assembly, MC Assembly International and any other Borrowers.

 

Drawing Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b) hereof.

 

Early Termination Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

 

Earnout Payments ” means the Earnout Payments (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement) as described in Section 1.8 of the Acquisition Agreement.

 

Effective Date ” means the date indicated in a document or agreement to be the date on which such document or agreement becomes effective, or, if there is no such indication, the date of execution of such document or agreement.

 

Eligibility Date ” shall mean, with respect to each Borrower and Guarantor and each Swap, the date on which this Agreement or any Other Document becomes effective with respect to such Swap (for the avoidance of doubt, the Eligibility Date shall be the Effective Date of such Swap if this Agreement or any Other Document is then in effect with respect to such Borrower or Guarantor, and otherwise it shall be the Effective Date of this Agreement and/or such Other Document(s) to which such Borrower or Guarantor is a party).

 

Eligible Contract Participant ” shall mean an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the CEA and regulations thereunder.

 

Eligible Inventory ” shall mean and include Inventory, excluding work in process, with respect to each Borrower, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis, which is not, in Agent’s Permitted Discretion, obsolete, slow moving or unmerchantable and which Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, shall not deem ineligible Inventory, based on such considerations as Agent may from time to time deem appropriate including whether the Inventory is subject to a perfected, first priority security interest in favor of Agent and no other Lien (other than a Permitted Encumbrance). In addition, Inventory shall not be Eligible Inventory if it (i) does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Body which has regulatory authority over such goods or the use or sale thereof, (ii) is in transit, (iii) is located outside of the continental United States of America or Mexico or at a location that is not otherwise in compliance with this Agreement, (iv) constitutes Consigned Inventory, (v) is the subject of an Intellectual Property Claim; (vi) is subject to a License Agreement or other agreement that limits, conditions or restricts any Borrower’s or Agent’s right to sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory, unless Agent is a party to a Licensor/Agent Agreement with the Licensor under such License Agreement; (vii) is situated at a location not owned by a Borrower unless the owner or occupier of such location has executed in favor of Agent a Lien Waiver Agreement; or (viii) or if the sale of such Inventory would result in an ineligible Receivable.

 

14

 

Eligible Receivables ” shall mean and include with respect to each Borrower, each Receivable of such Borrower arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and which Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, shall deem to be an Eligible Receivable, based on such considerations as Agent may from time to time deem appropriate. A Receivable shall not be deemed eligible unless such Receivable is subject to Agent’s first priority perfected security interest and no other Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances), and is evidenced by an invoice or other documentary evidence satisfactory to Agent. In addition, no Receivable shall be an Eligible Receivable if:

 

(a)                 it arises out of a sale made by any Borrower to an Affiliate of any Borrower or to a Person controlled by an Affiliate of any Borrower;

 

(b)                it is due or unpaid more than (i) sixty (60) days after the original due date or (ii) (1) ninety (90) days after the original invoice date for all Customers other than Specified Customers and (2) one hundred twenty (120) days after the original invoice date for all Specified Customers;

 

(c)                 fifty percent (50%) or more of the Receivables from such Customer are not deemed Eligible Receivables hereunder. Such percentage may, in Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be increased or decreased from time to time;

 

(d)                any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement with respect to such Receivable has been breached;

 

(e)                 the Customer shall (i) apply for, suffer, or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property or call a meeting of its creditors, (ii) admit in writing its inability, or be generally unable, to pay its debts as they become due or cease operations of its present business, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case or proceeding under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (v) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (vi) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors, (vii) acquiesce to, or fail to have dismissed, any petition which is filed against it in any involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws, or (viii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

(f)                 the sale is to a Customer outside the United States of America or Canada, unless the sale is on letter of credit, guaranty or acceptance terms, in each case acceptable to Agent in its Permitted Discretion, or such Receivable is subject to credit insurance acceptable to Agent;

 

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(g)                the sale to the Customer is on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment or any other repurchase or return basis or is evidenced by chattel paper;

 

(h)                Reserved.

 

(i)                  the Customer is the United States of America, any state, or any department, agency or instrumentality of any of them, unless the applicable Borrower assigns its right to payment of such Receivable to Agent pursuant to the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. Sub-Section 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. Sub-Section 15 et seq.) or has otherwise complied with other applicable statutes or ordinances (if any);

 

(j)                  the goods giving rise to such Receivable have not been delivered to and accepted by the Customer or the services giving rise to such Receivable have not been performed by the applicable Borrower and accepted by the Customer or the Receivable otherwise does not represent a final sale;

 

(k)                Reserved.

 

(l)                  the Receivable is subject to any offset, deduction, defense, dispute, or counterclaim, the Customer is also a creditor or supplier of a Borrower or the Receivable is contingent in any respect or for any reason (but only to the extent of such offset, deduction, defense, dispute, counterclaim or contingency);

 

(m)              the applicable Borrower has made any agreement with any Customer for any deduction therefrom, except for discounts or allowances made in the Ordinary Course of Business for prompt payment, all of which discounts or allowances are reflected in the calculation of the face value of each respective invoice related thereto;

 

(n)                any return, rejection or repossession of the merchandise has occurred or the rendition of services has been disputed in writing or if such Borrower has knowledge of such dispute;

 

(o)                such Receivable is not payable to a Borrower; or

 

(p)                such Receivable is not otherwise satisfactory to Agent as determined in its Permitted Discretion.

 

Environmental Complaint ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(d) hereof.

 

Environmental Laws ” shall mean all federal, state and local environmental, land use, zoning, health, chemical use, safety and sanitation laws, statutes, ordinances and codes relating to the protection of the environment and/or governing the use, storage, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, production or disposal of Hazardous Substances and the rules, regulations, policies, guidelines, interpretations, decisions, orders and directives of federal, state and local governmental agencies and authorities with respect thereto.

 

16

 

Equipment ” shall mean and include as to each Borrower all of such Borrower’s goods (other than Inventory) whether now owned or hereafter acquired and wherever located including all equipment, machinery, apparatus, motor vehicles, fittings, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, parts, accessories and all replacements and substitutions therefor or accessions thereto.

 

" Equity Documents " means each of the following:

 

(a)                 the Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by SMTC;

 

(b)                the Warrants, duly executed by SMTC; and

 

(c)                 each Subscription Agreement, duly executed by SMTC.

 

Equity Interests ” of any Person shall mean any and all shares, rights to purchase, options, warrants, general, limited or limited liability partnership interests, member interests, unlimited liability member interests, participation or other equivalents of or interest in (regardless of how designated) equity of such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities or any other “equity security” (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act).

 

ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Eurodollar Rate ” shall mean for any Eurodollar Rate Loan for the then current Interest Period relating thereto, the interest rate per annum determined by Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (a) the rate which appears on the Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or on such other substitute Bloomberg page that displays rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market), or the rate which is quoted by another source selected by Agent as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying rates at which U.S. dollar deposits are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market (a “Eurodollar Alternate Source”), at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period as the London interbank offered rate for U.S. Dollars for an amount comparable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan and having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such Interest Period (or (x) if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Page BBAM1 (or any substitute page) or any Eurodollar Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by Agent at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), (y) if the LIBOR Rate is unascertainable as set forth in Section 3.8.2(i), a comparable replacement rate determined in accordance with Section 3.8.2), by (b) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Reserve Percentage; provided , however , that if the Eurodollar Rate determined as provided above would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan that is outstanding on the effective date of any change in the Reserve Percentage as of such effective date. Agent shall give reasonably prompt notice to the Borrowing Agent of the Eurodollar Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” shall mean an Advance at any time that bears interest based on the Eurodollar Rate.

 

Eurodollar Termination Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.8.2(a) hereof.

 

Event of Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in Article X hereof.

 

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

 

Excluded Assets ” (a) all assets or property, other than Inventory and Accounts, of a Loan Party that would otherwise be included as Collateral but for the express terms of (i) any permit, lease, license, contract or other agreement or instrument constituting or applicable to such asset or (ii) applicable Law (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity) that, in each case, prohibits the grant of a security interest in and to such asset or property or under which the grant of a security interest in and to such asset or property would impair the validity or enforceability of such asset or property (including any United States intent-to-use trademark applications); provided, however, that such assets or property shall constitute “Excluded Assets” only to the extent and for so long as such permit, lease, license, contract or other agreement or applicable Law validly prohibits the creation of a Lien on such property in favor of Agent and, upon the termination of such prohibition (by written consent or in any other manner), such property shall cease to constitute “Excluded Assets”; (b) voting Equity Interests of any first-tier Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC or any first-tier Subsidiary that is a Domestic Foreign Holdco in excess of 65% of the aggregate voting Equity Interests of such first-tier Foreign Subsidiary or Domestic Foreign Holdco, (c) to the extent that applicable Law requires that a Subsidiary of any Loan Party issue nominee or directors’ qualifying shares, such nominee or qualifying shares, (d) property subject to a purchase money security interest or Capital Lease Obligations permitted to be incurred or provided under any Loan Document to the extent and for so long as the contract, agreement or other document in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such purchase money security interest or capital lease) prohibits the creation of a Lien of the type that would be provided under this Agreement on such property or would require the consent of any Person which has not been obtained and (e) other assets to the extent Agent determines in its reasonable judgment that the cost of obtaining such pledge or security interest is excess in relation to the benefit thereof; provided, however, that Excluded Assets shall not include any proceeds of property described in clauses (a) through (e) above (unless such proceeds are also described in such clauses).

 

18

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in effect on the date hereof or any successor provision that is substantively the equivalent thereof (and, in each case, any regulations promulgated thereunder or official interpretations thereof).

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions arranged by federal funds brokers on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” as of the date of this Agreement; provided, if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the “Federal Funds Effective Rate” for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the last day on which such rate was announced.

 

Federal Funds Open Rate ” for any day shall mean the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) which is the daily federal funds open rate as quoted by ICAP North America, Inc. (or any successor) as set forth on the Bloomberg Screen BTMM for that day opposite the caption “OPEN” (or on such other substitute Bloomberg Screen that displays such rate), or as set forth on such other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying such rate as selected by PNC (an “Alternate Source”) (or if such rate for such day does not appear on the Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen) or on any Alternate Source, or if there shall at any time, for any reason, no longer exist a Bloomberg Screen BTMM (or any substitute screen) or any Alternate Source, a comparable replacement rate determined by PNC at such time (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error); provided, however; that if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Open Rate for such day shall be the “open” rate on the immediately preceding Business Day. If and when the Federal Funds Open Rate changes, the rate of interest with respect to any advance to which the Federal Funds Open Rate applies will change automatically without notice to the Borrowers, effective on the date of any such change.

 

Fee Letter ” shall mean the fee letter dated the Closing Date among Borrowers and PNC.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” shall mean and include, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, minus Unfunded Capital Expenditures made by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period, minus income taxes paid or payable by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period, to (b) the sum of (i) all principal payments of Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries scheduled to be paid during such period (excluding prepayments under the Term Loan Agreement permitted under Section 7.17 hereunder) to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in the commitments thereunder, plus (ii) Consolidated Net Interest Expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, plus (iii) cash dividends or distributions paid, or the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation), by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, in respect of the Equity Interests of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (other than dividends or distributions paid by a Loan Party to any other Loan Party) during such period.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of any date of measurement ending on or before September 30, 2019, (a) Unfunded Capital Expenditures described in clause (a) of the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any of the following periods included in the four fiscal quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $569,005 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $3,477,868 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $2,620,380 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, (b) income taxes described in clause (a) of the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any of the following periods included in the four fiscal quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $27,036 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $336,778 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $253,250 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, and (c) the sum described in clause (b) of the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any of the following periods included in the four fiscal quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $2,369,574 for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $2,369,574 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $2,369,574 for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018.

 

" Foreign Loan Party " means any Loan Party that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than any state of the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” of any Person, shall mean any Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or incorporated in the United States or any State or territory thereof.

 

Formula Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) hereof.

 

GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time, subject to Section 1.1 hereof.

 

General Intangibles ” shall mean and include as to each Borrower all of such Borrower’s general intangibles, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including all payment intangibles, all choses in action, causes of action, corporate or other business records, inventions, designs, industrial designs, patents, patent applications, equipment formulations, manufacturing procedures, quality control procedures, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade secrets, goodwill, copyrights, design rights, software, computer information, source codes, codes, records and updates, registrations, licenses, franchises, customer lists, tax refunds, tax refund claims, computer programs, all claims under guaranties, security interests or other security held by or granted to such Borrower to secure payment of any of the Receivables by a Customer (other than to the extent covered by Receivables) all rights of indemnification and all other intangible property of every kind and nature (other than Receivables).

 

Governmental Acts ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17 hereof.

 

Governmental Body ” shall mean any nation or government, any state, provincial or other political subdivision thereof or any entity, authority, agency, division or department exercising the legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to a government.

 

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Gross-Up Payments ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.10 hereof.

 

Guarantor ” shall mean each of SMTC de Chihuahua, Radio Componentes, MC Assembly Holdings, MC Assembly Mexico and any other Person who may hereafter guarantee payment or performance of the whole or any part of the Obligations and “Guarantors” means collectively all such Persons.

 

Guarantor Security Agreement ” shall mean any security agreement executed by any Guarantor in favor of Agent securing the Obligations or the Guaranty of such Guarantor.

 

Guaranty ” shall mean any guaranty of any Borrower, as applicable, executed by a Guarantor in favor of Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of Lenders.

 

Hazardous Discharge ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.19(d) hereof.

 

Hazardous Substance ” shall mean, without limitation, any flammable explosives, radon, radioactive materials, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum and petroleum products, methane, hazardous materials, Hazardous Wastes, hazardous or Toxic Substances or related materials as defined in CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Sections 1801, et seq.), RCRA, Articles 15 and 27 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law or any other applicable Environmental Law and in the regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

 

Hazardous Wastes ” shall mean all waste materials subject to regulation under CERCLA, RCRA or applicable state law, and any other applicable Federal and state laws now in force or hereafter enacted relating to hazardous waste disposal.

 

Hedge Liabilities ” shall mean the liabilities of Borrower to the provider of any Lender-Provided Interest Rate Hedge or Lender-Provided Other Hedge.

 

" Holding Company " means the Loan Parties listed on Schedule 1.01(C).

 

" Inactive Subsidiary " means each Subsidiary of SMTC listed on Schedule 1.01(E). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary that is required to become a Borrower or Guarantor shall constitute an Inactive Subsidiary.

 

Increasing Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) hereof.

 

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Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money; (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (including any earn-out (other than any earn-out payable in connection with the Acquisition), purchase price adjustment (other than in respect of a working capital adjustment) or similar obligation, but excluding any trade payables or other accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of such Person's business and not outstanding for more than 90 days after the date such payable was created); (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments or upon which interest payments are customarily made; (d) all reimbursement, payment or other obligations and liabilities of such Person created or arising under any conditional sales or other title retention agreement with respect to property used and/or acquired by such Person, even though the rights and remedies of the lessor, seller and/or lender thereunder may be limited to repossession or sale of such property; (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (f) all obligations and liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person, in respect of letters of credit, acceptances and similar facilities; (g) all obligations and liabilities, calculated on a basis satisfactory to the Agent and in accordance with accepted practice, of such Person under Hedging Agreements; (h) all monetary obligations under any receivables factoring, receivable sales or similar transactions and all monetary obligations under any synthetic lease, tax ownership/operating lease, off-balance sheet financing or similar financing; (i) all Contingent Obligations; (j) all Disqualified Equity Interests; and (k) all obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (j) of this definition of another Person secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien upon property owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (valued at the lesser of the principal amount of such obligation and the value of the property subject to any such Lien). The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership of or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venture.

 

Ineligible Security ” shall mean any security which may not be underwritten or dealt in by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the Banking Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C. Section 24, Seventh), as amended.

 

Intellectual Property ” shall mean property constituting under any Applicable Law a patent, patent application, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade name, mask work, industrial design, trade secret or license or other right to use any of the foregoing.

 

Intellectual Property Claim ” shall mean the assertion by any Person of a claim (whether asserted in writing, by action, suit or proceeding or otherwise) that any Borrower’s ownership, use, marketing, sale or distribution of any Inventory, Equipment, Intellectual Property or other property or asset is violative of any ownership of or right to use any Intellectual Property of such Person.

 

" Intercompany Subordination Agreement " shall mean an Intercompany Subordination Agreement made by SMTC and its Subsidiaries in favor of Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders,

 

Intercreditor Agreements ” shall mean that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between Agent and Term Loan Agent, and acknowledged by Borrowers and Guarantors, as amended from time to time in accordance with the express terms thereof.

 

Interest Period ” shall mean the period provided for any Eurodollar Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof.

 

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Interest Rate ” shall mean (a) with respect to Domestic Rate Loans to Borrowers, an interest per annum equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and (b) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

Interest Rate Hedge ” shall mean an interest rate exchange, collar, cap, swap, adjustable strike cap, adjustable strike corridor or similar agreements entered into by any Borrower or its Subsidiaries in order to provide protection to, or minimize the impact upon, such Borrower, any Guarantor and/or their respective Subsidiaries of increasing floating rates of interest applicable to Indebtedness.

 

Inventory ” shall mean and include as to each Borrower all of such Borrower’s now owned or hereafter acquired goods, merchandise and other personal property, wherever located, to be furnished under any consignment arrangement, contract of service or held for sale or lease, all raw materials, work in process, finished goods and materials and supplies of any kind, nature or description which are or might be used or consumed in such Borrower’s business or used in selling or furnishing such goods, merchandise and other personal property, and all documents of title or other documents representing them.

 

Investment Property ” shall mean and include as to each Borrower, all of such Borrower’s now owned or hereafter acquired securities (whether certificated or uncertificated), securities entitlements, securities accounts, commodities contracts, futures contracts, commodities accounts and futures accounts.

 

ISP99 Rules ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(b) hereof.

 

Issuer ” shall mean any Person who issues a Letter of Credit and/or accepts a draft pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Leasehold Interests ” shall mean all of each Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to, and as lessee, of the premises identified on Schedule 4.19(A) hereto.

 

Lender ” and “ Lenders ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble to this Agreement and shall include each Person which becomes a transferee, successor or assign of any Lender.

 

Lender Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(a) hereof.

 

Lender-Provided Interest Rate Hedge ” shall mean an Interest Rate Hedge which is provided by any Lender and with respect to which Agent confirms meets the following requirements: such Interest Rate Hedge (i) provides for the method of calculating the reimbursable amount of the provider’s credit exposure in a reasonable and customary manner and (ii) is entered into for hedging (rather than speculative) purposes. The liabilities of any Borrower to the provider of any Lender-Provided Interest Rate Hedge shall be “Obligations” hereunder, guaranteed obligations under any Guaranty and secured obligations under any Guarantor Security Agreement and otherwise treated as Obligations for purposes of each of the Other Documents. The Liens securing the Hedge Liabilities shall be pari passu with the Liens securing all other Obligations under this Agreement and the Other Documents.

 

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Lender-Provided Other Hedge ” shall mean an Other Hedge which is provided by any Lender and with respect to which Agent confirms meets the following requirements: such Other Hedge (i) provides for the method of calculating the reimbursable amount of the provider’s credit exposure in a reasonable and customary manner, and (ii) is entered into for hedging (rather than speculative) purposes. The liabilities of any Borrower to the provider of any Lender-Provided Other Hedge shall be “Obligations” hereunder, guaranteed obligations under any Guaranty and secured obligations under any Guarantor Security Agreement and otherwise treated as Obligations for purposes of each of the Other Documents. The Liens securing the Hedge Liabilities shall be pari passu with the Liens securing all other Obligations under this Agreement and the Other Documents.

 

Letter of Credit Application ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a) hereof.

 

Letter of Credit Borrowing ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(d) hereof.

 

Letter of Credit Fees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a) hereof.

 

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” shall mean an amount equal to $5,000,000.

 

Letters of Credit ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.9 hereof.

 

License Agreement ” shall mean any agreement between any Borrower and a Licensor pursuant to which such Borrower is authorized to use any Intellectual Property in connection with the manufacturing, marketing, sale or other distribution of any Inventory of such Borrower or otherwise in connection with such Borrower’s business operations.

 

Licensor ” shall mean any Person from whom any Borrower obtains the right to use (whether on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis) any Intellectual Property in connection with such Borrower’s manufacture, marketing, sale or other distribution of any Inventory or otherwise in connection with such Borrower’s business operations.

 

Licensor/Agent Agreement ” shall mean an agreement between Agent and a Licensor, in form and content satisfactory to Agent, by which Agent is given the unqualified right, vis-a-vis such Licensor, to enforce Agent’s Liens with respect to and to dispose of any Borrower’s Inventory with the benefit of any Intellectual Property applicable thereto, irrespective of such Borrower’s default under any License Agreement with such Licensor.

 

Lien ” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien (whether statutory or otherwise), Charge, title retention right, claim or encumbrance, or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement held or asserted in respect of any asset of any kind or nature whatsoever including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction.

 

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Lien Waiver Agreement ” shall mean an agreement which is executed in favor of Agent and Term Loan Agent by a Person who owns or occupies premises at which any Collateral may be located from time to time and by which such Person shall waive or subordinate any Lien that such Person may ever have with respect to any of the Collateral and shall authorize Agent from time to time to enter upon the premises to inspect or remove the Collateral from such premises or to use such premises to store or dispose of such Inventory.

 

" Liquidity " means, at any time, the sum of (a) Undrawn Availability plus (b) Qualified Cash, in each case, at such time.

 

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement together with each Other Document.

 

Loan Party ” means any Borrower and any Guarantor.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean a material adverse effect on any of (a) the operations, assets, liabilities or financial condition of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to perform any of their obligations under any Loan Document, (c) the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (d) the rights and remedies of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or (e) the validity, perfection or priority of a Lien in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders on Collateral having a fair market value in excess of $500,000.

 

Material Contract ” shall mean any contract, agreement, instrument, permit, lease or license, written or oral, of Borrowers, which are material to any Borrower’s business or which, the failure to comply with, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Maximum Face Amount ” shall mean, with respect to any outstanding Letter of Credit, the face amount of such Letter of Credit including all automatic increases provided for in such Letter of Credit, whether or not any such automatic increase has become effective.

 

Maximum Revolving Advance Amount ” shall mean $45,000,000, as such amount may be increased in accordance with Section 2.24 hereof.

 

Maximum Undrawn Amount ” shall mean with respect to any outstanding Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit that is or may become available to be drawn, including all automatic increases provided for in such Letter of Credit, whether or not any such automatic increase has become effective.

 

MC Assembly Holdings ” shall mean MC Assembly Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

MC Assembly ” shall mean MC Assembly LLC, a Delaware LLC.

 

MC Assembly International ” shall mean MC Assembly International LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

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MC Assembly Mexico ” shall mean MC Assembly Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., a corporation organized under the laws of Mexico.

 

MC Test Service ” shall mean MC Test Service, Inc., a Florida corporation.

 

Mexican Security Agreements ” shall mean and include any security documents executed and or delivered by SMTC Mex, SMTC de Chihuahua, Radio Componentes or MC Assembly Mexico to Agent.

 

Mexican Subsidiary Stock ” shall mean all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Equity Interests of SMTC de Chihuahua, Radio Componentes and MC Assembly Mexico.

 

Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.3(d).

 

Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which contributions are required or, within the preceding five (5) years, were required, by any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group.

 

Multiple Employer Plan ” shall mean a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA.

 

New Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a) hereof.

 

Net Invoice Cost ” shall mean, with respect to Equipment, the net invoice cost of such Equipment (excluding taxes, shipping, delivery, handling, installation, overhead and other so called “soft” costs).

 

Non-Defaulting Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(b) hereof.

 

Non-Qualifying Party ” shall mean any Borrower or any Guarantor that on the Eligibility Date fails for any reason to qualify as an Eligible Contract Participant.

 

Notes ” shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes; each a “Note”.

 

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Obligations ” shall mean and include any and all loans (including without limitation, all Advances) debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by any Borrower to Lenders or Agent or to any other direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of Agent or any Lender of any kind or nature, present or future (including any interest or other amounts accruing thereon, and any costs and expenses of any Person payable by any Borrower and any indemnification obligations payable by any Borrower arising or payable after maturity, or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to any Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest or other amounts is allowable or allowed in such proceeding), whether or not evidenced by any note, guaranty or other instrument, whether arising under any agreement, instrument or document, (including this Agreement and the Other Documents) whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, opening of a letter of credit, loan, equipment lease or guarantee, under any interest or currency swap, future, option or other similar agreement, or in any other manner, whether arising out of overdrafts or deposit or other accounts or electronic funds transfers (whether through automated clearing houses or otherwise) or out of Agent’s or any Lenders non-receipt of or inability to collect funds or otherwise not being made whole in connection with depository transfer check or other similar arrangements, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment or participation), absolute or contingent, joint or several, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, regardless of how such indebtedness or liabilities arise or by what agreement or instrument they may be evidenced or whether evidenced by any agreement or instrument, including, but not limited to, any and all of any Borrower’s Indebtedness and/or liabilities under this Agreement, the Other Documents or under any other agreement between Agent or Lenders and any Borrower and any amendments, extensions, renewals or increases and all costs and expenses of Agent and any Lender incurred in the documentation, negotiation, modification, enforcement, collection or otherwise in connection with any of the foregoing, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and all obligations of any Borrower to Agent or Lenders to perform acts or refrain from taking any action.

 

Order ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.18 hereof.

 

Ordinary Course of Business ” shall mean with respect to any Borrower, the ordinary course of such Borrower’s business as conducted on the Closing Date.

 

Other Documents ” shall mean the Note, the Perfection Certificates, the Pledge Agreements, any Guaranty, any Guarantor Security Agreement, any Lender-Provided Interest Rate Hedge, any Lender-Provided Other Hedge, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Mexican Security Agreements, the Subordination Agreements, any other foreign security agreement and any and all other agreements, instruments and documents, including intercreditor agreements, guaranties, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, interest or currency swap agreements or other similar agreements and all other writings heretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Borrower or any Guarantor and/or delivered to Agent or any Lender in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Other Hedge ” shall mean any foreign exchange, currency swap or other similar arrangements designed to protect against fluctuations in currency values.

 

Out-of-Formula Loans ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.2(b) hereof.

 

Overadvance Threshold Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.2(b) hereof.

 

Parent ” of any Person shall mean a corporation or other entity owning, directly or indirectly at least 50% of the shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of the Person, or other Persons performing similar functions for any such Person.

 

27

 

Participant ” shall mean each Person who shall be granted the right by any Lender to participate in any of the Advances and who shall have entered into a participation agreement in form and substance satisfactory to such Lender.

 

Participation Advance ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(d) hereof.

 

Participation Commitment ” shall mean each Lender’s obligation to buy a participation of the Letters of Credit issued hereunder.

 

Payee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.10 hereof.

 

Payment Office ” shall mean initially Two Tower Center Boulevard, East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816; thereafter, such other office of Agent, if any, which it may designate by notice to Borrowing Agent and to each Lender to be the Payment Office.

 

PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any successor.

 

Pension Benefit Plan ” shall mean at any time any “employee pension benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (including a Multiple Employer Plan, but not a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Sections 412, 430 or 436 of the Code and either (i) is maintained or to which contributions are required by Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group; or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained or to which contributions have been required by Borrower or any entity which was at such time a member of the Controlled Group.

 

Perfection Certificates ” shall mean collectively, the Perfection Certificates and the responses thereto provided by Borrowers and Guarantors and delivered to Agent.

 

" Permitted Acquisition " means any acquisition by a Loan Party or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(d)                no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the proposed Acquisition;

 

(e)                 to the extent the acquisition will be financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of any Loan, the conditions set forth in Section 8.2 shall have been satisfied;

 

(f)                 the Borrowers shall have furnished to the Agent at least 15 Business Days prior to the consummation of such acquisition (i) an executed term sheet and/or commitment letter (setting forth in reasonable detail the terms and conditions of such acquisition) and, at the request of Agent, such other information and documents that Agent may request, including, without limitation, executed counterparts of the respective agreements, instruments or other documents pursuant to which such acquisition is to be consummated (including, without limitation, any related management, non-compete, employment, option or other material agreements), any schedules to such agreements, instruments or other documents and all other material ancillary agreements, instruments or other documents to be executed or delivered in connection therewith, (ii) pro forma financial statements of the SMTC and its Subsidiaries after the consummation of such acquisition, (iii) a certificate of the chief financial officer of the SMTC, demonstrating on a pro forma basis compliance, as at the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internally prepared financial statements are available, with all covenants set forth in Section 6.5 hereof after the consummation of such acquisition, and (iv) copies of such other agreements, instruments or other documents as Agent shall reasonably request;

 

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(g)                the agreements, instruments and other documents referred to in paragraph (c) above shall provide that (i) neither the Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall, in connection with such acquisition, assume or remain liable in respect of any Indebtedness other obligation of the serller(s) (except for obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in operating the property so acquired and necessary or desirable to the continued operation of such property and except for Permitted Indebtedness), and (ii) all property to be so acquired in connection with such acquisition shall be free and clear of any and all Liens, except for Permitted Liens (and if any such property is subject to any Lien not permitted by this clause (ii) then concurrently with such acquisition such Lien shall be released);

 

(h)                such acquisition shall be effected in such a manner so that the acquired assets or Equity Interests are owned either by a Loan Party or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party and, if effected by merger or consolidation involving a Loan Party, such Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

 

(i)                  the Borrowers shall have Liquidity in an amount equal to or greater than $15,000,000 immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the proposed Acquisition;

 

(j)                  the assets being acquired or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired did not have negative Consolidated EBITDA during the 12 consecutive month period most recently concluded prior to the date of the proposed Acquisition;

 

(k)                the assets being acquired (other than assets which are not material in value in relation to the Loan Parties' and their Subsidiaries' total assets on a pro forma basis), or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired, are useful in or engaged in, as applicable, the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries or a business reasonably related thereto;

 

(l)                  the assets being acquired (other than a de minimis amount of assets in relation to the assets being acquired) are located within the United States or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired is organized in a jurisdiction located within the United States;

 

(m)              such Acquisition shall be consensual and shall have been approved by the board of directors of the Person whose Equity Interests or assets are proposed to be acquired and shall not have been preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest initiated by, SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries or an Affiliate thereof;

 

(n)                any such Subsidiary (and its equityholders) shall execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 7.12(a) on or prior to the date of the consummation of such Acquisition and Agent shall have received a first-priority security interest in all acquired assets or Equity Interests, subject to documentation satisfactory to Agent;

 

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(o)                the Purchase Price payable in respect of (i) any single Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that the Purchase Price payable in respect of any Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions in excess of $3,500,000 shall be funded solely with the proceeds of any issuance or contribution to Qualified Equity Interest, and (ii) all Acquisitions (including the proposed Acquisition) shall not exceed $25,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; provided that the aggregate Purchase Price payable in respect of all Acquisitions (including the proposed Acquisition) during the term of this Agreement in excess of $5,000,000 shall be funded solely with the proceeds or any issuance of or contribution to Qualified Equity Interest in connection therewith; and

 

(p)                no assets acquired in any such transaction(s) shall be included in the Formula Amount until Agent has received a field examination and/or appraisal of such assets, in form and substance acceptable to Agent.

 

Permitted Discretion ” shall mean, with respect to Agent, the exercise in good faith of its reasonable business judgment from the perspective of an asset based lender.

 

" Permitted Disposition " means:

 

(a)                 sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                licensing, on a non-exclusive basis, Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                 leasing or subleasing assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                (i) the lapse of registered Intellectual Property of the SMTC and its Subsidiaries to the extent not economically desirable in the conduct of their business or (ii) the abandonment of Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business so long as (in each case under clauses (i) and (ii)), (A) with respect to copyrights, such copyrights are not material revenue generating copyrights, and (B) such lapse is not materially adverse to the interests of the Agent and Lenders;

 

(e)                 any involuntary loss, damage or destruction of property;

 

(f)                 any involuntary condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, or confiscation or requisition of use of property;

 

(g)                so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, transfers of assets (i) from SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrowers) to a Loan Party (other than SMTC), and (ii) from any Subsidiary of SMTC that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary of SMTC;

 

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(h)                Disposition of surplus, obsolete or worn-out equipment or equipment which is otherwise not used or useful in the business of SMTC and its Subsidiaries or the disposition of equipment in connection with the exchange or replacement thereof;

 

(i)                  Disposition of non-core assets acquired pursuant to any Permitted Acquisition that are (i) surplus or otherwise not used in the business of SMTC and its Subsidiaries and (ii) Disposed of within twelve months of the date of such Permitted Acquisition; and

 

(j)                  Disposition of property or assets not otherwise permitted in clauses (a) through (i) above for cash in an aggregate amount not less than the fair market value of such property or assets;

 

provided that the Net Cash Proceeds of such Dispositions (including the proposed Disposition) (1) in the case of clause (j) above, do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year and (2) in all cases, are, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, paid to the Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders and application to the Obligations (and any such excess applied as required pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

" Permitted Indebtedness " means:

 

(a)                 any Indebtedness owing to any Agent or any Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)                any other Indebtedness listed on Schedule 5.8(b), and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness;

 

(c)                 Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness;

 

(d)                Permitted Intercompany Investments;

 

(e)                 Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business under performance, surety, statutory, and appeal bonds;

 

(f)                 Indebtedness owed to any Person providing property, casualty, liability, or other insurance to the Loan Parties, so long as the amount of such Indebtedness is not in excess of the amount of the unpaid cost of, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of, such insurance for the period in which such Indebtedness is incurred and such Indebtedness is outstanding only during such period;

 

(g)                the incurrence by any Loan Party of Indebtedness under Interest Rate Hedge that are incurred for the bona fide purpose of hedging the interest rate, commodity, or foreign currency risks associated with such Loan Party's operations and not for speculative purposes;

 

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(h)                Indebtedness incurred in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, purchase cards (including so-called "procurement cards" or "P-cards") or other similar cash management services, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)                  contingent liabilities in respect of any indemnification obligation, working capital adjustment, tax gross-up, make-whole, non-compete, or similar obligation of any Loan Party incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions;

 

(j)                  Indebtedness of a Person whose assets or Equity Interests are acquired by SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries in a Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided , that such Indebtedness (i) is either Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness or a Capitalized Lease with respect to equipment or mortgage financing with respect to a Facility, (ii) was in existence prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and (iii) was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition;

 

(k)                [reserved];

 

(l)                  Indebtedness not otherwise permitted hereby which is unsecured in an aggregate amount not exceeding $500,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(m)              Term Loan Obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Maximum Term Loan Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), so long as such Term Loan Obligations are subject to the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(n)                Subordinated Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

" Permitted Intercompany Investments " means Investments made by (a) a Domestic Loan Party to or in another Domestic Loan Party (other than a Holding Company), (b) a Foreign Loan Party to or in another Foreign Loan Party (other than a Holding Company), (c) a Domestic Loan Party to or in a Foreign Loan Party (other than a Holding Company) or other Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate amount for all such Investments not to exceed, during any fiscal month of SMTC and its Subsidiaries, amounts (i) that are reasonably expected by SMTC to be used to fund operations of such Persons for such fiscal month substantially consistent with past practices and (ii) that do not result in any failure by the Loan Parties to be in compliance with the provisions of Section 7.18, (d) a Foreign Loan Party to or in a Domestic Loan Party (other than a Holding Company), (e) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to or in another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (f) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to or in a Loan Party, so long as, in the case of a loan or advance, the parties thereto are party to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (g) a Loan Party to or in a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, so long as (i) the aggregate amount of all such Investments made by the Loan Parties to or in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties does not exceed $750,000 at any time outstanding, (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either before or after giving effect to such Investment, and (iii) the Borrowers have Liquidity of not less than $15,000,000 after giving effect to such Investment.

 

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" Permitted Investments " means:

 

(a)                 Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)                Investments in negotiable instruments deposited or to be deposited for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                 advances made in connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                Investments received in settlement of amounts due to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of insolvency proceedings involving an account debtor or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries;

 

(e)                 Investments existing on the date hereof, as set forth on Schedule 1.01(f) hereto, but not any increase in the amount thereof as set forth in such Schedule or any other modification of the terms thereof;

 

(f)                 Permitted Intercompany Investments; and

 

(g)                Permitted Acquisitions.

 

" Permitted Liens " means:

 

(a)                 Liens securing the Obligations;

 

(b)                Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges the payment of which is not required under Section 4.13;

 

(c)                 Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly initiated and diligently conducted, and a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(d)                Liens described on Schedule 1.2, provided that any such Lien shall only secure the Indebtedness that it secures on the Closing Date and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(e)                 purchase money Liens on equipment acquired or held by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business to secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness so long as such Lien only (i) attaches to such property and (ii) secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire such property or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

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(f)                 deposits and pledges of cash securing (i) obligations incurred in respect of workers' compensation, unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits, (ii) the performance of bids, tenders, leases, contracts (other than for the payment of money) and statutory obligations or (iii) obligations on surety or appeal bonds, but only to the extent such deposits or pledges are made or otherwise arise in the ordinary course of business and secure obligations not past due;

 

(g)                with respect to any real property, easements, zoning restrictions and similar encumbrances on real property and minor irregularities in the title thereto that do not (i) secure obligations for the payment of money or (ii) materially impair the value of such property or its use by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the normal conduct of such Person's business;

 

(h)                Liens of landlords and mortgagees of landlords (i) arising by statute or under any lease or contractual obligation entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ii) on fixtures and movable tangible property located on the real property leased or subleased from such landlord, or (iii) for amounts not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(i)                  the title and interest of a lessor or sublessor in and to personal property leased or subleased (other than through a capitalized lease), in each case extending only to such personal property;

 

(j)                  non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                judgment liens (other than for the payment of taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) securing judgments and other proceedings not constituting an Event of Default;

 

(l)                  rights of set-off or bankers' liens upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)              Liens granted in the ordinary course of business on the unearned portion of insurance premiums securing the financing of insurance premiums to the extent the financing is permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

 

(n)                Liens assumed by SMTC and its Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (j) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

 

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(o)                Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by any Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition;

 

(p)                Liens securing the Indebtedness permitted under clause (m) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, so long as such Liens are subject to the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(q)                Liens which do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money or letters of credit and as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $250,000.

 

" Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness " means, as of any date of determination, Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred to finance the acquisition of any fixed or tangible assets secured by a Lien permitted under clause (e) of the definition of "Permitted Liens"; provided that (a) such Indebtedness is incurred within 20 days after such acquisition, (b) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset financed and (c) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $2,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

" Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness " means the extension of maturity, refinancing or modification of the terms of Indebtedness so long as:

 

(a)                 upon giving effect to such extension, refinancing or modification, the amount of such Indebtedness is not greater than the amount of Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to such extension, refinancing or modification (other than by the amount of premiums paid thereon and the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and by the amount of unfunded commitments with respect thereto);

 

(b)                such extension, refinancing or modification does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity (measured as of the extension, refinancing or modification) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced or modified;

 

(c)                 such extension, refinancing or modification is pursuant to terms that are not less favorable to the Loan Parties and the Lenders than the terms of the Indebtedness (including, without limitation, terms relating to the collateral (if any) and subordination (if any)) being extended, refinanced or modified; and

 

(d)                the Indebtedness that is extended, refinanced or modified is not recourse to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is liable on account of the obligations other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, renewed, or extended.

 

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" Permitted Restricted Payments " means any of the following Restricted Payments made by:

 

(a)                 any Loan Party to SMTC in amounts necessary to pay taxes and other customary expenses as and when due and owing by SMTC in the ordinary course of its business (including salaries and related reasonable and customary expenses incurred by employees of SMTC),

 

(b)                any Loan Party to SMTC in amounts necessary to pay any amounts as and when due and owing by SMTC under any Equity Document,

 

(c)                 any Subsidiary of SMTC to its direct parent, and

 

(d)                SMTC to pay dividends in the form of Qualified Equity Interests.

 

Person ” shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, limited liability partnership, institution, public benefit corporation, joint venture, entity or Governmental Body (whether federal, state, county, city, municipal or otherwise, including any instrumentality, division, agency, body or department thereof).

 

Plan ” shall mean any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA that is a Pension Benefit Plan, a Multiemployer Plan, or a welfare plan which provides self insured benefits and that is maintained by any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group or any such Plan to which any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group is required to contribute on behalf of any member of the Controlled Group.

 

Pledge Agreements ” shall mean, collectively, that certain Amended and Restated Collateral Pledge Agreement executed by (i) SMTC pledging the Equity Interests of HTM, SMTC Nova Scotia Company and MC Assembly Holdings; (ii) HTM pledging the Equity Interests of SMTC California; (iii) SMTC Mex pledging the Equity Interests of SMTC de Chihuahua; (iv) SMTC de Chihuahua pledging the Equity Interests of Radio Componentes; (v) [reserved]; (vi) [reserved]; (vii) MC Assembly Holdings pledging the Equity Interests of MC Test; (viii) MC Test pledging the Equity Interests of MC Assembly International, MC Assembly and MC Assembly Mexico; and (ix) MC Assembly International pledging the Equity Interests of MC Assembly Mexico, in each case dated as of the Closing Date, and any other pledge agreements executed subsequent to the Closing Date by any other Person to secure the Obligations.

 

PNC ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and shall extend to all of its successors and assigns.

 

Pro Forma Balance Sheet ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a) hereof.

 

Pro Forma Financial Statements ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(b) hereof.

 

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Properly Contested ” shall mean, in the case of any Indebtedness or Lien, as applicable, of any Person (including any taxes) that is not paid as and when due or payable by reason of such Person’s bona fide dispute concerning its liability to pay same or concerning the amount thereof, (i) such Indebtedness or Lien, as applicable, is being properly contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted; (ii) such Person has established appropriate reserves as shall be required in conformity with GAAP; (iii) the non-payment of such Indebtedness could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and will not result in the forfeiture of any assets of such Person; (iv) no Lien is imposed upon any of such Person’s assets with respect to such Indebtedness unless such Lien is at all times junior and subordinate in priority to the Liens in favor of Agent (except only with respect to property taxes that have priority as a matter of applicable state law) and enforcement of such Lien is stayed during the period prior to the final resolution or disposition of such dispute; (v) if such Indebtedness or Lien, as applicable, results from, or is determined by the entry, rendition or issuance against a Person or any of its assets of a judgment, writ, order or decree, enforcement of such judgment, writ, order or decree is stayed pending a timely appeal or other judicial review; and (vi) if such contest is abandoned, settled or determined adversely (in whole or in part) to such Person, such Person forthwith pays such Indebtedness and all penalties, interest and other amounts due in connection therewith.

 

Projections ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(b) hereof.

 

Published Rate ” shall mean the rate of interest published each Business Day in the Wall Street Journal “Money Rates” listing under the caption “London Interbank Offered Rates” for a one month period (or, if no such rate is published therein for any reason, then the Published Rate shall be the Eurodollar Rate for a one month period as published in another publication selected by the Agent in its reasonable discretion).

 

" Purchase Price " means, with respect to any Acquisition, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate consideration, whether cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, the fair market value of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries issued in connection with such Acquisition), paid or delivered by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (whether as initial consideration or through the payment or disposition of deferred consideration, including, without limitation, in the form of seller financing, royalty payments, payments allocated towards non-compete covenants, payments to principals for consulting services or other similar payments) in connection with such Acquisition, plus (b) the aggregate amount of liabilities of the acquired business (net of current assets of the acquired business) that would be reflected on a balance sheet (if such were to be prepared) of SMTC and its Subsidiaries upon giving effect to such Acquisition, plus (c) the aggregate amount of all transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred by SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition.

 

Purchasing CLO ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.3(d) hereof.

 

Purchasing Lender ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.3(c) hereof.

 

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" Qualified Cash " means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash on-hand of the Loan Parties maintained in Depository Accounts or Blocked Accounts in the name of a Loan Party in the United States as of such date, which in any case are subject to perfected security interests in favor of the Obligations.

 

" Qualified Equity Interests " means, with respect to any Person, all Equity Interests of such Person that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

Qualified ECP Loan Party ” shall mean each Borrower or Guarantor that on the Eligibility Date is (a) a corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust, or other entity other than a “commodity pool” as defined in Section 1a(10) of the CEA and CFTC regulations thereunder that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or (b) an Eligible Contract Participant that can cause another person to qualify as an Eligible Contract Participant on the Eligibility Date under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the CEA by entering into or otherwise providing a “letter of credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement” for purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the CEA.

 

Radio Componentes ” shall mean Radio Componentes de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a corporation organized under the laws of Mexico.

 

RCRA ” shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq., as same may be amended from time to time.

 

Real Property ” shall mean all of each Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to the owned and leased premises identified on Schedule 4.19 hereto or which is hereafter owned or leased by any Borrower.

 

Receivables ” shall mean and include, as to each Borrower, all of such Borrower’s accounts, contract rights, instruments (including those evidencing indebtedness owed to such Borrower by its Affiliates), documents, chattel paper (including electronic chattel paper), general intangibles relating to accounts, drafts and acceptances, credit card receivables and all other forms of obligations owing to such Borrower arising out of or in connection with the sale or lease of Inventory or the rendition of services, all supporting obligations, guarantees and other security therefor, whether secured or unsecured, now existing or hereafter created, and whether or not specifically sold or assigned to Agent hereunder.

 

Receiver ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1(c) hereof.

 

Receivables Advance Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(y)(i) hereof.

 

Register ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.3(e) hereof.

 

Reimbursement Obligation ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b)hereof.

 

Release ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(c)(i) hereof.

 

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Reportable Event ” shall mean a reportable event described in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations promulgated thereunder, other than those events as to which the thirty (30) day notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA have been waived.

 

Reportable Compliance Event ” shall mean that any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is charged by indictment, criminal complaint or similar charging instrument , arraigned, or custodially detained in connection with any Anti-Terrorism Law or any predicate crime to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or has knowledge of facts or circumstances to the effect that it is reasonably likely that any aspect of its operations is in actual or probable violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

Required Lenders ” shall mean Lenders holding at least sixty six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Advances and, if no Advances are outstanding, shall mean Lenders holding sixty six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Revolving Commitment Percentage; provided, however, if there are fewer than three (3) Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean all Lenders.

 

Reserve Percentage ” shall mean as of any day the maximum percentage in effect on such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the reserve requirements (including supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”.

 

Revolving Advances ” shall mean all Advances other than Letters of Credit.

 

“Revolving Commitment” shall mean, as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender (if applicable), to make Revolving Advances and participate in Letters of Credit, in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the Revolving Commitment Amount (if any) of such Lender.

 

Revolving Commitment Amount ” shall mean, (a) as to any Lender other than a New Lender, the Revolving Commitment amount (if any) set forth below such Lender’s name on the signature page hereto (or, in the case of any Lender that became party to this Agreement after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 16.3(c) or (d) hereof, the Revolving Commitment amount (if any) of such Lender as set forth in the applicable Commitment Transfer Supplement), and (b) as to any Lender that is a New Lender, the Revolving Commitment amount provided for in the joinder signed by such New Lender under Section 2.24(a)(x) hereof, in each case as the same may be adjusted upon any increase by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.24 hereof, or any assignment by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 16.3(c) or (d) hereof.

 

Revolving Commitment Percentage ” shall mean, (a) as to any Lender other than a New Lender, the Revolving Commitment Percentage (if any) set forth below such Lender’s name on the signature page hereto (or, in the case of any Lender that became party to this Agreement after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 16.3(c) or (d) hereof, the Revolving Commitment Percentage (if any) of such Lender as set forth in the applicable Commitment Transfer Supplement), and (b) as to any Lender that is a New Lender, the Revolving Commitment Percentage provided for in the joinder signed by such New Lender under Section 2.24(a)(ix) hereof, in each case as the same may be adjusted upon any increase in the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount pursuant to Section 2.24 hereof, or any assignment by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 16.3(c) or (d) hereof.

 

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Revolving Credit Note ” shall mean, collectively, the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.1(a) hereof.

 

Revolving Interest Rate ” shall mean (a) with respect to Domestic Rate Loans to Borrowers, an interest rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and (b) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

Sanctioned Country ” shall mean a country subject to a sanctions program maintained under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

Sanctioned Person ” shall mean any individual person, group, regime, entity or thing listed or otherwise recognized as a specially designated, prohibited, sanctioned or debarred person, group, regime, entity or thing, or subject to any limitations or prohibitions (including but not limited to the blocking of property or rejection of transactions), under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

Section 20 Subsidiary ” shall mean the Subsidiary of the bank holding company controlling PNC, which Subsidiary has been granted authority by the Federal Reserve Board to underwrite and deal in certain Ineligible Securities.

 

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

 

Senior Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, for any Person and its Subsidiaries for any period of determination, the ratio of (a) the result of (i) Indebtedness described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the definition thereof of such Person and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) outstanding as at the end of such period (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period.

 

Settlement Date ” shall mean the Closing Date and thereafter Wednesday or Thursday of each week or more frequently if Agent deems appropriate unless such day is not a Business Day in which case it shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

 

SMTC de Chihuahua ” shall mean SMTC de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., a corporation organized under the laws of Mexico.

 

SMTC Massachusetts ” shall mean SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Massachusetts, a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

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" Sold Entity or Business " has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of the term "Consolidated EBITDA."

 

Specified Customers ” shall mean certain Customers as the Borrowing Agent may request from time to time and which shall be approved in writing by the Agent in its sole discretion.

 

Subordination Agreements ” shall mean, collectively or individually as the context may require, any subordination agreement entered into among any Person, Agent and Lenders.

 

" Subordinated Indebtedness " means Indebtedness of any Loan Party the terms of which (including, without limitation, payment terms, interest rates, covenants, remedies, defaults and other material terms) are satisfactory to the Agent and the Required Lenders and which has been expressly subordinated in right of payment to all Indebtedness of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents by the execution and delivery of a subordination agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and the Lenders.

 

Subsidiary ” of any Person shall mean a corporation or other entity of whose Equity Interests having ordinary voting power (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation, or other Persons performing similar functions for such entity, are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person.

 

Swap ” shall mean any “swap” as defined in Section 1a(47) of the CEA and regulations thereunder other than (a) a swap entered into on, or subject to the rules of, a board of trade designated as a contract market under Section 5 of the CEA, or (b) a commodity option entered into pursuant to CFTC Regulation 32.3(a).

 

Swap Obligation ” means any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a Swap which is also a Lender-Provided Interest Rate Hedge, or a Lender-Provided Other Hedge.

 

Term ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.

 

Termination Event ” shall mean: (i) a Reportable Event with respect to any Plan; (ii) the withdrawal of any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group from a Plan during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (iii) the providing of notice of intent to terminate a Plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Plan; (v) any event or condition (a) which is reasonably expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or (b) that is reasonably expected to result in termination of a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 4041A of ERISA; (vi) the partial or complete withdrawal within the meaning of Section 4203 or 4205 of ERISA, of any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan; (vii) notice that a Multiemployer Plan is subject to Section 4245 of ERISA; or (viii) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent, upon any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group.

 

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Term Loan Agent ” shall mean TCW Asset Management Company, LLC.

 

Term Loan Agreement ” shall mean that certain Financing Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the lenders from time to time party thereto, Term Loan Agent and Borrowers, as the same may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Term Loan Documents ” shall mean, collectively, the Term Loan Agreement and each other “Other Document” as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions ” shall mean, on any applicable date of determination: (a) Liquidity shall be equal to or greater than $10,000,000 on such date, and (b) no Event of Default shall exist or shall have occurred and be continuing on such date.

 

" Term Loan Lenders " means the lenders from time to time party to the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Term Loan Obligations ” shall mean the “Obligations” under and as defined in the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Term Loan Voluntary Prepayment Conditions ” shall mean, on any applicable date of determination: (a) Liquidity shall be equal to or greater than $10,000,000 on such date, (b) no Event of Default shall exist or shall have occurred and be continuing on such date and (c) Loan Parties shall be in pro forma compliance with Section 6.5 and for the purposes of such calculation, clause (b)(i) of the Fixed Charge Coverage definition shall include the voluntary prepayment.

 

Total Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, for any Person and its Subsidiaries for any period of determination, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the definition thereof of such Person and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period.

 

Toxic Substance ” shall mean and include any material present on the Real Property or the Leasehold Interests which has been shown to have significant adverse effect on human health or which is subject to regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq., applicable state law, or any other applicable Federal or state laws now in force or hereafter enacted relating to toxic substances. “Toxic Substance” includes but is not limited to asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead-based paints.

 

Transactions ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a) hereof.

 

Transferee ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.3(d) hereof.

 

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UCP ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(b) hereof.

 

Undrawn Availability ” shall mean, on a particular date, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the Formula Amount or (ii) the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount less the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, minus (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding amount of Advances, plus (ii) all amounts due and owing to any Borrower’s trade creditors which are outstanding sixty (60) days beyond their original due date, plus (iii) fees and expenses for which Borrowers are liable but which have not been paid or charged to Borrowers’ Account.

 

Unfunded Capital Expenditures ” shall mean Capital Expenditures made through Revolving Advances or out of Borrowers’ own funds other than through equity contributed subsequent to the Closing Date or purchase money or other financing or lease transactions permitted hereunder.

 

Uniform Commercial Code ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3 hereof.

 

Formula Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

 

Inventory Advance Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(y)(iii) hereof.

 

US Receivables Advance Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(y)(i) hereof.

 

USA PATRIOT Act ” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

 

Week ” shall mean the time period commencing with the opening of business on a Wednesday and ending on the end of business the following Tuesday.

 

1.3.                Uniform Commercial Code Terms . All terms used herein and defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in the State of New York from time to time (the “Uniform Commercial Code”) shall have the meaning given therein unless otherwise defined herein. Without limiting the foregoing, the terms “accounts,” “chattel paper,” “commercial tort claims,” “instruments,” “general intangibles,” “goods,” “payment intangibles,” “proceeds,” “supporting obligations,” “securities,” “investment property,” “documents,” “deposit accounts,” “software,” “letter of credit rights,” “inventory,” “equipment” and “fixtures,” as and when used in the description of Collateral shall have the meanings given to such terms in Articles 8 or 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. To the extent the definition of any category or type of collateral is expanded by any amendment, modification or revision to the Uniform Commercial Code, such expanded definition will apply automatically as of the date of such amendment, modification or revision.

 

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1.4.                Certain Matters of Construction .

 

(a)                 General . The terms “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section, paragraph or subdivision. 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. Any pronoun used shall be deemed to cover all genders. Wherever appropriate in the context, terms used herein in the singular also include the plural and vice versa. All references to statutes and related regulations shall include any amendments of same and any successor statutes and regulations. Unless otherwise provided, all references to any instruments or agreements to which Agent is a party, including references to any of the Other Documents, shall include any and all modifications, supplements or amendments thereto, any and all restatements or replacements thereof and any and all extensions or renewals thereof. All references herein to the time of day shall mean the time in New York, New York. Unless otherwise provided, all financial calculations shall be performed with Inventory valued on a first-in, first-out basis. Whenever the words “including” or “include” shall be used, such words shall be understood to mean “including, without limitation” or “include, without limitation”. A Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to exist at all times during the period commencing on the date that such Default or Event of Default occurs to the date on which such Default or Event of Default is waived in writing pursuant to this Agreement or, in the case of a Default, is cured within any period of cure expressly provided for in this Agreement; and an Event of Default shall “continue” or be “continuing” until such Event of Default has been waived in writing by the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as applicable. Any Lien referred to in this Agreement or any of the Other Documents as having been created in favor of Agent, any agreement entered into by Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Other Documents, any payment made by or to or funds received by Agent pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Other Documents, or any act taken or omitted to be taken by Agent, shall, unless otherwise expressly provided, be created, entered into, made or received, or taken or omitted, for the benefit or account of Agent and Lenders. Wherever the phrase “to the best of Borrowers’ knowledge” or words of similar import relating to the knowledge or the awareness of any Borrower are used in this Agreement or Other Documents, such phrase shall mean and refer to (i) the actual knowledge of a senior officer of any Borrower or (ii) the knowledge that a senior officer would have obtained after due inquiry, as may be necessary of the employees or agents of such Borrower reasonably expected to have actual knowledge of the fact or matter in question. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a default if such action is taken or condition exists. In addition, all representations and warranties hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular representation or warranty proves to be incorrect or is breached, the fact that another representation or warranty concerning the same or similar subject matter is correct or is not breached will not affect the incorrectness of a breach of a representation or warranty hereunder.

 

1.5.                Fiscal Year End . For purposes hereunder, whenever a provision of this Agreement refers to a quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31 or a fiscal year ending December 31, such references shall mean the actual date closest to such date which corresponds with the end of Borrowers’ quarter end or fiscal year based on Borrowers’ accounting cycle, which is a 4-4-5 accounting cycle.

 

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II.                   ADVANCES, PAYMENTS.

 

2.1.                Revolving Advances .

 

(a)                 Revolving Advances . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement including, without limitation, Sections 2.1(b), (c) and (d), each Lender, severally and not jointly, will make Revolving Advances to Borrowers in aggregate amounts outstanding at any time equal to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the lesser of (x) the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount minus the aggregate Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit and (y) the Formula Amount. The “Formula Amount” shall at all times be an amount equal to the sum of the following:

 

(i)                 up to 90%, subject to adjustment pursuant to the provisions of Sections 2.1(b) hereof (“ Receivables Advance Rate ”), of Eligible Receivables, plus

 

(ii)               up to the lesser of (A) 70%, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.1(b), (c) and (d) hereof, of the cost of Eligible Inventory or (B) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of Eligible Inventory (as evidenced by an Inventory appraisal satisfactory to Agent in its sole discretion exercised in good faith) (as applicable, the “ Inventory Advance Rate ”, and, together with the Receivables Advance Rate, collectively the “ Advance Rates ”), minus

 

(iii)             the aggregate Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, minus

 

(iv)             such reserves as Agent may deem proper and necessary from time to time in its Permitted Discretion.

 

The Revolving Advances shall be evidenced by secured promissory notes (which may be amended and restated promissory notes), issued by the Borrowers with respect to their Revolving Advances (collectively, the “ Revolving Credit Notes ”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibits 2.1.

 

(b)                Discretionary Rights . The Advance Rates may be increased or decreased by Agent at any time and from time to time in the exercise of its reasonable discretion in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion based on Agent’s review of updated Inventory appraisals, field examinations or other Collateral evaluations. Each Borrower consents to any such increases or decreases and acknowledges that decreasing the Advance Rates or increasing or imposing reserves may limit or restrict Advances requested by Borrowing Agent. The rights of Agent under this subsection are subject to the provisions of Section 16.2(b).

 

(c)                 Sublimit for Revolving Advances made against Inventory . The aggregate amount of Revolving Advances made to Borrowers against (i) Eligible Inventory shall not exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding; and (ii) Eligible Inventory located in Mexico in the aggregate shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

 

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(d)                Inventory Reserve . If at any time inventory located in Mexico is included as Eligible Inventory in the Borrowing Base, Agent shall implement a reserve equal to the lesser of (i) the availability generated by the Eligible Inventory in Mexico and (ii) the amount of severance liability as required under Mexican law.

 

2.2.                Procedure for Revolving Advances Borrowing .

 

(a)                 Borrowing Agent on behalf of any Borrower may notify Agent prior to 12:00 p.m. on a Business Day of a Borrower’s request to incur, on that day, a Revolving Advance hereunder. Should any amount required to be paid as interest hereunder, or as fees or other charges under this Agreement or any other agreement with Agent or Lenders, or with respect to any other Obligation, become due, same shall be deemed a request for a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan as of the date such payment is due, in the amount required to pay in full such interest, fee, charge or Obligation under this Agreement or any other agreement with Agent or Lenders, and such request shall be irrevocable.

 

(b)                Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.2(a), in the event any Borrower desires to obtain a Eurodollar Rate Loan, Borrowing Agent shall give Agent written notice by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day which is three (3) Business Days prior to the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is to be borrowed, specifying (i) the date of the proposed borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the type of borrowing (including as to the applicable rate of interest) and the amount on the date of such Advance to be borrowed, which amount shall be in a minimum amount of $250,000 and integral multiples of $100,000, and (iii) the duration of the first Interest Period therefor. Interest Periods for Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be for one, two or three months; provided, if an Interest Period would end on a day that is not a Business Day, it shall end on the next succeeding Business Day unless such day falls in the next succeeding calendar month in which case the Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day. No Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be made available to a Borrower upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default. After giving effect to each requested Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable, including those which are converted from a Domestic Rate Loan under Section 2.2(e), there shall not be outstanding more than five (5) Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable, in the aggregate.

 

(c)                 Each Interest Period of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall commence on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable is made and shall end on such date as Borrowing Agent may elect as set forth in subsection (b)(iii) above provided that the exact length of each Interest Period shall be determined in accordance with the practice of the interbank market for offshore Dollar deposits and no Interest Period shall end after the last day of the Term.

 

(d)                Borrowing Agent shall elect the initial Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Loan by its notice of borrowing given to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(b) or by its notice of conversion given to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.2(e), as the case may be. Borrowing Agent shall elect the duration of each succeeding Interest Period by giving irrevocable written notice to Agent of such duration not later than 10:00 a.m. on the day which is three (3) Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable. If the Agent does not receive timely notice of the Interest Period elected by Borrowing Agent, Borrowing Agent shall be deemed to have elected to convert to Domestic Rate Loan as applicable, subject to Section 2.2(e) herein below.

 

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(e)                 Provided that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrowing Agent may, on the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period applicable to any outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable, or on any Business Day with respect to a Domestic Rate Loan convert any such loan into a loan of another type in the same currency in the same aggregate principal amount provided that any conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be made only on the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable. If Borrowing Agent desires to convert a loan, Borrowing Agent shall give the Lender written notice by no later than 12:00 p.m. (i) on the day which is three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which such conversion is to occur with respect to a conversion from a Domestic Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan as applicable, or (ii) on the day which is one (1) Business Day prior to the date on which such conversion is to occur with respect to a conversion from a Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Domestic Rate Loan, specifying, in each case, the date of such conversion, the loans to be converted and if the conversion is from a Domestic Rate Loan to any other type of loan in the same currency, the duration of the first Interest Period therefor. For greater certainty, the conversion of a loan into a loan of another type shall not be considered to result in a new borrowing, rather the original Indebtedness shall continue with full force and effect in the form of such other type.

 

(f)                 At its option and upon written notice given prior to 12:00 p.m. at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment, a Borrower may prepay the Eurodollar Rate Loans in whole at any time or in part from time to time with accrued interest on the principal being prepaid to the date of such repayment. Borrower shall specify the date of prepayment of Advances which are Eurodollar Rate Loan and the amount of such prepayment. In the event that any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan is required or permitted on a date other than the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and Lenders therefor in accordance with Section 2.2(g) hereof.

 

(g)                Borrowing Agent shall indemnify the Agent and Lenders and hold the Agent and Lenders harmless from and against any and all losses or expenses that the Agent and Lenders may sustain or incur as a consequence of any prepayment, conversion of or any default by a Borrower in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Eurodollar Rate Loan or failure by a Borrower to complete a borrowing of, a prepayment of or conversion of or to a or Eurodollar Rate Loan after notice thereof has been given, including, but not limited to, any interest payable by the Agent or Lenders to Lenders of funds obtained by it in order to make or maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder. A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence submitted by the Lender to Borrowing Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(h)                Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if any Applicable Laws, treaty, regulation or directive, or any change therein or in the interpretation or application thereof, shall make it unlawful for the Lender (for purposes of this subsection (h), the term “ Lender ” shall include the Lender and the office or branch where the Lender or any corporation or bank controlling the Lender makes or maintains any Eurodollar Rate Loans) to make or maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans, the obligation of the Lender to make Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder shall forthwith be cancelled and such Borrower shall, if any affected Eurodollar Rate Loans are then outstanding, promptly upon request from the Lender, either pay all such affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or convert such affected Eurodollar Rate Loans into loans of another type. If any such payment or conversion of any Eurodollar Rate Loan is made on a day that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan, Borrower shall pay the Lender, upon the Lender’s request, such amount or amounts as may be necessary to compensate the Lender for any loss or expense sustained or incurred by the Lender in respect of such Eurodollar Rate Loan as a result of such payment or conversion, including (but not limited to) any interest or other amounts payable by the Lender to lenders of funds obtained by the Lender in order to make or maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loan. A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to the foregoing sentence submitted by the Lender to the applicable Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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2.3.                Disbursement of Advance Proceeds . All Advances shall be disbursed from whichever office or other place Agent may designate from time to time and, together with any and all other Obligations of Borrowers to Agent or Lenders, shall be charged to Borrowers’ Account on Agent’s books. During the Term, Borrowers may use the Revolving Advances by borrowing, prepaying and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The proceeds of each Revolving Advance requested by Borrowing Agent on behalf of any Borrower or deemed to have been requested by any Borrower under Section 2.2(a) hereof shall, with respect to requested Revolving Advances to the extent Lenders make such Revolving Advances, be made available to the applicable Borrower on the day so requested by way of credit to such Borrower’s operating account at PNC, or such other bank as Borrowing Agent may designate following notification to Agent, in immediately available federal funds or other immediately available funds or, with respect to Revolving Advances deemed to have been requested by any Borrower, be disbursed to Agent to be applied to the outstanding Obligations giving rise to such deemed request.

 

2.4.                [Reserved] .

 

2.5.                Maximum Advances . The aggregate balance of Revolving Advances outstanding at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (a) the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount less the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit or (b) the Formula Amount.

 

2.6.                Repayment of Advances .

 

(a)                 The Revolving Advances shall be due and payable in full on the last day of the Term subject to earlier prepayment as herein provided. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Advances shall be subject to earlier repayment upon (x) acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under this Agreement or (y) termination of this Agreement.

 

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(b)                Each Borrower recognizes that the amounts evidenced by checks, notes, drafts or any other items of payment relating to and/or proceeds of Collateral may not be collectible by Agent on the date received. In consideration of Agent’s agreement to conditionally credit Borrowers’ Account as of the next Business Day following Agent’s receipt of those items of payment, each Borrower agrees that, in computing the charges under this Agreement, all items of payment shall be deemed applied by Agent on account of the Obligations one (1) Business Day after (i) the Business Day following Agent’s receipt of such payments via wire transfer or electronic depository check or (ii) in the case of payments received by Agent in any other form, the Business Day such payment constitutes good funds in Agent’s account. Agent is not, however, required to credit Borrowers’ Account for the amount of any item of payment which is unsatisfactory to Agent and Agent may charge Borrowers’ Account for the amount of any item of payment which is returned to Agent unpaid.

 

(c)                 All payments of principal, interest and other amounts payable hereunder, or under any of the Other Documents shall be made to Agent at the Payment Office not later than 12:00 p.m. on the due date therefor in Dollars in federal funds or other funds immediately available to Agent. Agent shall have the right to effectuate payment on any and all Obligations due and owing hereunder by charging the applicable sub-account within the Borrowers’ Account or by making Advances as provided in Section 2.2 hereof.

 

(d)                Borrowers shall pay principal, interest, and all other amounts payable hereunder, or under any related agreement, without any deduction whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any deduction for any setoff or counterclaim.

 

2.7.                Repayment of Excess Advances . The aggregate balance of Advances outstanding at any time in excess of the maximum amount of Advances permitted hereunder shall be immediately due and payable without the necessity of any demand, at the Payment Office, whether or not a Default or Event of Default has occurred.

 

2.8.                Statement of Account . Agent shall maintain, in accordance with its customary procedures, a loan account for the Borrowers (“ Borrowers’ Account ”), in the name of Borrowing Agent, in which shall be recorded the date and amount of each Advance made by Agent and the date and amount of each payment in respect thereof; provided , however , the failure by Agent to record the date and amount of any Advance shall not adversely affect Agent or any Lender. Each month, Agent shall send Borrowing Agent a statement showing the accounting for the Advances made, payments made or credited in respect thereof, and other transactions between Agent, Lenders and Borrowers, during such month. The monthly statements shall be deemed correct and binding upon Borrowers in the absence of manifest error and shall constitute an account stated between Lenders and Borrowers unless Agent receives a written statement of Borrowers’ specific exceptions thereto within thirty (30) days after such statement is received by Borrowing Agent. The records of Agent with respect to the loan account shall be conclusive evidence absent manifest error of the amounts of Advances and other charges thereto and of payments applicable thereto.

 

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2.9.                Letters of Credit . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, Agent shall issue or cause the issuance of standby and/or trade Letters of Credit (“Letters of Credit”) for the account of any Borrower; provided, however, that Agent will not be required to issue or cause to be issued any Letters of Credit to the extent that the issuance thereof would then cause the sum of: (i) the outstanding Revolving Advances to all Borrowers plus (ii) the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit to exceed the lower of (x) the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount or (z) the Formula Amount.

 

The Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit shall not exceed in the aggregate at any time the Letter of Credit Sublimit. All disbursements or payments related to Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Domestic Rate Loans consisting of Revolving Advances and shall bear interest at the Interest Rate for Domestic Rate Loans. Letters of Credit that have not been drawn upon shall not bear interest.

 

2.10.            Issuance of Letters of Credit .

 

(a)                 Borrowing Agent, on behalf of Borrowers, may request Agent to issue or cause the issuance of a Letter of Credit by delivering to Agent at the Payment Office, prior to 12:00 p.m., at least two (2) Business Days’ prior to the proposed date of issuance, Agent’s form of Letter of Credit Application (the “Letter of Credit Application”) completed to the satisfaction of Agent; and, such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as Agent may reasonably request. Borrowing Agent, on behalf of Borrowers, also has the right to give instructions and make agreements with respect to any application, any applicable letter of credit and security agreement, any applicable letter of credit reimbursement agreement and/or any other applicable agreement, any letter of credit and the disposition of documents, disposition of any unutilized funds, and to agree with Agent upon any amendment, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit.

 

(b)                Each Letter of Credit shall, among other things, (i) provide for the payment of sight drafts, other written demands for payment, or acceptances of usance drafts when presented for honor thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof and when accompanied by the documents described therein and (ii) have an expiry date not later than twelve (12) months after such Letter of Credit’s date of issuance and in no event later than the last day of the Term. Each standby Letter of Credit shall be subject either to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time the Letter of Credit is issued (“UCP”) or the International Standby Practices (ISP98-International Chamber of Commerce Publication Number 590) (“ISP98 Rules”), and any subsequent revision thereof at the time a standby Letter of Credit is issued, as determined by Agent, and each trade Letter of Credit shall be subject to the UCP.

 

(c)                 Agent shall use its reasonable efforts to notify Lenders of the request by Borrowing Agent for a Letter of Credit hereunder.

 

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2.11.            Requirements For Issuance of Letters of Credit .

 

(a)                 Borrowing Agent shall authorize and direct any Issuer to name the applicable Borrower as the “Applicant” or “Account Party” of each Letter of Credit. If Agent is not the Issuer of any Letter of Credit, Borrowing Agent shall authorize and direct the Issuer to deliver to Agent all instruments, documents, and other writings and property received by the Issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit and to accept and rely upon Agent’s instructions and agreements with respect to all matters arising in connection with the Letter of Credit or the application therefor.

 

(b)                In connection with all Letters of Credit issued or caused to be issued by Agent under this Agreement, each Borrower hereby appoints Agent, or its designee, as its attorney, with full power and authority if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) to sign and/or endorse such Borrower’s name upon any warehouse or other receipts, letter of credit applications and acceptances, (ii) to sign such Borrower’s name on bills of lading; (iii) to clear Inventory through the United States of America Customs Department (“Customs”) in the name of such Borrower or Agent or Agent’s designee, and to sign and deliver to Customs officials powers of attorney in the name of such Borrower for such purpose; and (iv) to complete in such Borrower’s name or Agent’s, or in the name of Agent’s designee, any order, sale or transaction, obtain the necessary documents in connection therewith, and collect the proceeds thereof. Neither Agent nor its attorneys will be liable for any acts or omissions nor for any error of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, except for Agent’s or its attorney’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. This power, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable as long as any Letters of Credit remain outstanding.

 

2.12.            Disbursements, Reimbursement .

 

(a)                 Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from Agent a participation in such Letter of Credit and each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Maximum Face Amount of such Letter of Credit and the amount of such drawing, respectively.

 

(b)                In the event of any request for a drawing under a Letter of Credit by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, Agent will promptly notify Borrowing Agent. Provided that Borrowing Agent shall have received such notice, the Borrowers shall reimburse (such obligation to reimburse Agent shall sometimes be referred to as a “Reimbursement Obligation”) Agent prior to 12:00 p.m. on each date that an amount is paid by Agent under any Letter of Credit (each such date, a “Drawing Date”) in an amount equal to the amount so paid by Agent. In the event Borrowers fail to reimburse Agent for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by 12:00 p.m., on the Drawing Date, Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof, and Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested that a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan, be made by the Lenders to be disbursed on the Drawing Date under such Letter of Credit, subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the lesser of the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount less the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, or the Formula Amount and subject to Section 8.2 hereof. Any notice given by Agent pursuant to this Section 2.12(b) may be oral 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.

 

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(c)                 Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.12(b) make available to Agent an amount in immediately available funds equal to its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the amount of the drawing, whereupon the participating Lenders shall (subject to Section 2.12(d)) each be deemed to have made a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan in that amount. If any Lender so notified fails to make available to Agent the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of such amount by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Drawing Date, then interest shall accrue on such Lender’s obligation to make such payment, from the Drawing Date to the date on which such Lender makes such payment for Borrowers (i) at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate during the first three days following the Drawing Date and (ii) at a rate per annum equal to the rate applicable to a Revolving Advance maintained as Domestic Rate Loans on and after the fourth day following the Drawing Date. Agent will promptly give notice of the occurrence of the Drawing Date, but failure of Agent to give any such notice on the Drawing Date or in sufficient time to enable any Lender to effect such payment on such date shall not relieve such Lender from its obligation under this Section 2.12(c), provided that such Lender shall not be obligated to pay interest as provided in Section 2.12(c) (i) and (ii) until and commencing from the date of receipt of notice from Agent of a drawing.

 

(d)                With respect to any unreimbursed drawing that is not converted into a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan, in whole or in part as contemplated by Section 2.12(b), because of Borrowers’ failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 8.2 (other than any notice requirements) or for any other reason, Borrowers shall be deemed to have incurred from Agent a borrowing (each a “Letter of Credit Borrowing”) in the amount of such drawing. Such Letter of Credit Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the rate per annum applicable to a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan. Each Lender’s payment to Agent pursuant to Section 2.12(c) shall be deemed to be a payment in respect of its participation in such Letter of Credit Borrowing and shall constitute a “Participation Advance” from such Lender in satisfaction of its Participation Commitment under this Section 2.12.

 

(e)                 Each Lender’s Participation Commitment shall continue until the last to occur of any of the following events: (x) Agent ceases to be obligated to issue or cause to be issued Letters of Credit hereunder; (y) no Letter of Credit issued or created hereunder remains outstanding and uncancelled; and (z) all Persons (other than the applicable Borrower) have been fully reimbursed for all payments made under or relating to Letters of Credit.

 

2.13.            Repayment of Participation Advances .

 

(a)                 Upon (and only upon) receipt by Agent for its account of immediately available funds from Borrowers (i) in reimbursement of any payment made by the Agent under the Letter of Credit with respect to which any Lender has made a Participation Advance to Agent, or (ii) in payment of interest on such a payment made by Agent under such a Letter of Credit, Agent will pay to each Lender, in the same funds as those received by Agent, the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage of such funds, except Agent shall retain the amount of the Revolving Commitment Percentage of such funds of any Lender that did not make a Participation Advance in respect of such payment by Agent.

 

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(b)                If Agent is required at any time to return to any Borrower, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or any official in any insolvency proceeding, any portion of the payments made by Borrowers to Agent pursuant to Section 2.13(a) in reimbursement of a payment made under the Letter of Credit or interest or fee thereon, each Lender shall, on demand of Agent, forthwith return to Agent the amount of its Revolving Commitment Percentage of any amounts so returned by Agent plus interest at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

 

2.14.            Documentation . Each Borrower agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Credit Application and by Agent’s interpretations of any Letter of Credit issued on behalf of such Borrower and by Agent’s written regulations and customary practices relating to letters of credit, though Agent’s interpretations may be different from such Borrower’s own. In the event of a conflict between the Letter of Credit Application and this Agreement, this Agreement shall govern. It is understood and agreed that, except in the case of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), Agent shall not be liable for any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission or commission, in following the Borrowing Agent’s or any Borrower’s instructions or those contained in the Letters of Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto.

 

2.15.            Determination to Honor Drawing Request . In determining whether to honor any request for drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, Agent shall be responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit and that any other drawing condition appearing on the face of such Letter of Credit has been satisfied in the manner so set forth.

 

2.16.            Nature of Participation and Reimbursement Obligations . Each Lender’s obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make the Revolving Advances or Participation Advances as a result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit, and the obligations of Borrowers to reimburse Agent upon a draw under a Letter of Credit, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.16 under all circumstances, including the following circumstances:

 

(a)                 any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against Agent, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever;

 

(b)                the failure of any Borrower or any other Person to comply, in connection with a Letter of Credit Borrowing, with the conditions set forth in this Agreement for the making of a Revolving Advance, it being acknowledged that such conditions are not required for the making of a Letter of Credit Borrowing and the obligation of the Lenders to make Participation Advances under Section 2.12;

 

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(c)                 any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;

 

(d)                any claim of breach of warranty that might be made by Borrower or any Lender against the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit, or the existence of any claim, set-off, recoupment, counterclaim, crossclaim, defense or other right which any Borrower or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary, any successor beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), Agent or any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between any Borrower or any Subsidiaries of such Borrower and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured);

 

(e)                 the lack of power or authority of any signer of (or any defect in or forgery of any signature or endorsement on) or the form of or lack of validity, sufficiency, accuracy, enforceability or genuineness of any draft, demand, instrument, certificate or other document presented under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, or any fraud or alleged fraud in connection with any Letter of Credit, or the transport of any property or provisions of services relating to a Letter of Credit, in each case even if Agent or any of Agent’s Affiliates has been notified thereof;

 

(f)                 payment by Agent under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

 

(g)                the solvency of, or any acts or omissions by, any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or any other Person having a role in any transaction or obligation relating to a Letter of Credit, or the existence, nature, quality, quantity, condition, value or other characteristic of any property or services relating to a Letter of Credit;

 

(h)                any failure by the Agent or any of Agent’s Affiliates to issue any Letter of Credit in the form requested by Borrowing Agent, unless the Agent has received written notice from Borrowing Agent of such failure within three (3) Business Days after the Agent shall have furnished Borrowing Agent a copy of such Letter of Credit and such error is material and no drawing has been made thereon prior to receipt of such notice;

 

(i)                  any Material Adverse Effect;

 

(j)                  any breach of this Agreement or any Other Document by any party thereto;

 

(k)                the occurrence or continuance of an insolvency proceeding with respect to any Borrower or any Guarantor;

 

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(l)                  the fact that a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(m)              the fact that the Term shall have expired or this Agreement or the Obligations hereunder shall have been terminated; and

 

(n)                any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

2.17.            Indemnity . In addition to amounts payable as provided in Section 16.5, each Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless Agent and any of Agent’s Affiliates that have issued a Letter of Credit from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, taxes, penalties, interest, judgments, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which the Agent or any of Agent’s Affiliates may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of the issuance of any Letter of Credit, other than as a result of (a) the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (b) the wrongful dishonor by the Agent or any of Agent’s Affiliates of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit, except if such dishonor resulted from any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto Governmental Body (all such acts or omissions herein called “Governmental Acts”).

 

2.18.            Liability for Acts and Omissions . As between Borrowers and Agent and Lenders, each Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the respective foregoing, Agent shall not be responsible for: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for an issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged (even if Agent shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such 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; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of any Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute between or among any Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, facsimile, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of Agent, including any governmental acts, and none of the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of Agent’s rights or powers hereunder. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall relieve Agent from liability for Agent’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment) in connection with actions or omissions described in such clauses (i) through (viii) of such sentence. In no event shall Agent or Agent’s Affiliates be liable to any Borrower for any indirect, consequential, incidental, punitive, exemplary or special damages or expenses (including without limitation attorneys’ fees), or for any damages resulting from any change in the value of any property relating to a Letter of Credit.

 

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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent and each of its Affiliates: (i) may rely on any oral or other communication believed in good faith by Agent or such Affiliate to have been authorized or given by or on behalf of the applicant for a Letter of Credit; (ii) may honor any presentation if the documents presented appear on their face substantially to comply with the terms and conditions of the relevant Letter of Credit; (iii) may honor a previously dishonored presentation under a Letter of Credit, whether such dishonor was pursuant to a court order, to settle or compromise any claim of wrongful dishonor, or otherwise, and shall be entitled to reimbursement to the same extent as if such presentation had initially been honored, together with any interest paid by Agent or its Affiliates; (iv) may honor any drawing that is payable upon presentation of a statement advising negotiation or payment, upon receipt of such statement (even if such statement indicates that a draft or other document is being delivered separately), and shall not be liable for any failure of any such draft or other document to arrive, or to conform in any way with the relevant Letter of Credit; (v) may pay any paying or negotiating bank claiming that it rightfully honored under the laws or practices of the place where such bank is located; and (vi) may settle or adjust any claim or demand made on Agent or its Affiliate in any way related to any order issued at the applicant’s request to an air carrier, a letter of guarantee or of indemnity issued to a carrier or any similar document (each an “Order”) and honor any drawing in connection with any Letter of Credit that is the subject of such Order, notwithstanding that any drafts or other documents presented in connection with such Letter of Credit fail to conform in any way with such Letter of Credit.

 

In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions set forth above, any action taken or omitted by Agent under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), shall not put Agent under any resulting liability to any Borrower or any Lender.

 

2.19.            Additional Payments . Any sums expended by Agent or any Lender due to any Borrower’s failure to perform or comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Other Document including any Borrower’s obligations under Sections 4.2, 4.4, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14 and 6.1 hereof, may be charged to Borrowers’ Account as a Revolving Advance and added to the Obligations.

 

2.20.            Manner of Borrowing and Payment .

 

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(a)                 Each borrowing of Revolving Advances shall be advanced according to the applicable Revolving Commitment Percentages of Lenders.

 

(b)                Each payment (including each prepayment) by any Borrower on account of the principal of and interest on the Revolving Advances, shall be applied to the Revolving Advances of the Borrowers pro rata according to the applicable Revolving Commitment Percentages of Lenders. Except as expressly provided herein, all payments (including prepayments) to be made by any Borrower on account of principal, interest and fees shall be made without set off or counterclaim and shall be made to Agent on behalf of the Lenders to the Payment Office, in each case on or prior to 12:00 p.m. in Dollars and in immediately available funds.

 

(c)                 (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Sections 2.20(a) and (b) hereof, commencing with the first Business Day following the Closing Date, each borrowing of Revolving Advances shall be advanced by Agent and each payment by any Borrower on account of Revolving Advances shall be applied first to those Revolving Advances advanced by Agent. On or before 12:00 p.m. on each Settlement Date commencing with the first Settlement Date following the Closing Date, Agent and Lenders shall make certain payments as follows: (I) if the aggregate amount of new Revolving Advances made by Agent during the preceding Week (if any) exceeds the aggregate amount of repayments applied to outstanding Revolving Advances during such preceding Week, then each Lender shall provide Agent with funds in an amount equal to its applicable Revolving Commitment Percentage of the difference between (w) such Revolving Advances and (x) such repayments and (II) if the aggregate amount of repayments applied to outstanding Revolving Advances during such Week exceeds the aggregate amount of new Revolving Advances made during such Week, then Agent shall provide each Lender with funds in an amount equal to its applicable Revolving Commitment Percentage of the difference between (y) such repayments and (z) such Revolving Advances.

 

(ii)               Each Lender shall be entitled to earn interest at the applicable Interest Rate on outstanding Advances which it has funded.

 

(iii)             Promptly following each Settlement Date, Agent shall submit to each Lender a certificate with respect to payments received and Advances made during the Week immediately preceding such Settlement Date. Such certificate of Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

 

(d)                If any Lender or Participant (a “benefited Lender”) shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Advances, or interest thereon, or receive any Collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by set-off) in a greater proportion than any such payment to and Collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender’s Advances, or interest thereon, and such greater proportionate payment or receipt of Collateral is not expressly permitted hereunder, such benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participation in such portion of each such other Lender’s Advances, or shall provide such other Lender with the benefits of any such Collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause such benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such Collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the other Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each Lender so purchasing a portion of another Lender’s Advances may exercise all rights of payment (including rights of set-off) with respect to such portion as fully as if such Lender were the direct holder of such portion.

 

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(e)                 Unless Agent shall have been notified by telephone, confirmed in writing, by any Lender that such Lender will not make the amount which would constitute its applicable Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Advances available to Agent, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) assume that such Lender shall make such amount available to Agent on the next Settlement Date and, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrowers a corresponding amount. Agent will promptly notify Borrowing Agent of its receipt of any such notice from a Lender. If such amount is made available to Agent on a date after such next Settlement Date, such Lender shall pay to Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days) during such period as quoted by Agent, times (ii) such amount, times (iii) the number of days from and including such Settlement Date to the date on which such amount becomes immediately available to Agent. A certificate of Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph (e) shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error. If such amount is not in fact made available to Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days after such Settlement Date, Agent shall be entitled to recover such an amount, with interest thereon at the rate per annum then applicable to such Revolving Advances hereunder, on demand from Borrowers; provided, however, that Agent’s right to such recovery shall not prejudice or otherwise adversely affect Borrowers’ rights (if any) against such Lender.

 

2.21.            Mandatory Prepayments . Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and Section 4.3 hereof, when any Borrower sells or otherwise disposes of any Collateral, Borrowers shall repay the Advances in an amount equal to the net proceeds of such sale (i.e., gross proceeds less the reasonable costs of such sales or other dispositions), such repayments to be made promptly but in no event more than one (1) Business Day following receipt of such net proceeds, and until the date of payment, such proceeds shall be held in trust for Agent. The foregoing shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such sale otherwise prohibited by the terms and conditions hereof. Such repayments shall be applied in such order as Agent may determine, subject to Borrowers’ ability to reborrow Revolving Advances in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

2.22.            Use of Proceeds . Borrowers shall use the proceeds of Advances to (i) pay fees and expenses relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) provide for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to working capital needs, capital expenditures and reimbursement of drawings under Letters of Credit. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Borrowers, the Guarantors, nor any other Person which may in the future become party to this Agreement or the Other Documents as a Borrower or Guarantor, intends to use nor shall they use any portion of the proceeds of the Advances, directly or indirectly, for any purpose in violation of Applicable Law.

 

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2.23.            Defaulting Lender .

 

(a)                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event any Lender (x) has refused (which refusal constitutes a breach by such Lender of its obligations under this Agreement) to make available its portion of any Advance or (y) notifies either Agent or Borrowing Agent that it does not intend to make available its portion of any Advance (if the actual refusal would constitute a breach by such Lender of its obligations under this Agreement) (each, a “Lender Default”), all rights and obligations hereunder of such Lender (a “Defaulting Lender”) as to which a Lender Default is in effect and of the other parties hereto shall be modified to the extent of the express provisions of this Section 2.23 while such Lender Default remains in effect.

 

(b)                Advances shall be incurred pro rata from Lenders (the “Non-Defaulting Lenders”) which are not Defaulting Lenders based on their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages, and no Revolving Commitment Percentage of any Lender or any pro rata share of any Advances required to be advanced by any Lender shall be increased as a result of such Lender Default. Amounts received in respect of principal of any type of Advances shall be applied to reduce the applicable Advances of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) pro rata based on the aggregate of the outstanding Advances of that type of all Lenders at the time of such application; provided, that, Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to a Defaulting Lender any payments received by Agent for the Defaulting Lender’s benefit, nor shall a Defaulting Lender be entitled to the sharing of any payments hereunder (including any principal, interest or fees). Amounts payable to a Defaulting Lender shall instead be paid to or retained by Agent. Agent may hold and, in its discretion, re-lend to a Borrower the amount of such payments received or retained by it for the account of such Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                 A Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to give instructions to Agent or to approve, disapprove, consent to or vote on any matters relating to this Agreement and the Other Documents. All amendments, waivers and other modifications of this Agreement and the Other Documents may be made without regard to a Defaulting Lender and, for purposes of the definition of “Required Lenders”, a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender and not to have either Advances outstanding or a Revolving Commitment Percentage.

 

(d)                Other than as expressly set forth in this Section 2.23, the rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender (including the obligation to indemnify Agent) and the other parties hereto shall remain unchanged. Nothing in this Section 2.23 shall be deemed to release any Defaulting Lender from its obligations under this Agreement and the Other Documents, shall alter such obligations, shall operate as a waiver of any default by such Defaulting Lender hereunder, or shall prejudice any rights which any Borrower, Agent or any Lender may have against any Defaulting Lender as a result of any default by such Defaulting Lender hereunder.

 

(e)                 In the event a Defaulting Lender retroactively cures to the satisfaction of Agent the breach which caused a Lender to become a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender shall no longer be a Defaulting Lender and shall be treated as a Lender under this Agreement.

 

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2.24.            Increase in Maximum Revolving Advance Amount .

 

(a)                 Subject to the terms of the Term Loan Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, Borrowers may, at any time prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, request that the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount be increased by (1) one or more of the current Lenders increasing their Revolving Commitment Amount (any current Lender which elects to increase its Revolving Commitment Amount shall be referred to as an “Increasing Lender”) or (2) one or more new lenders (each a “New Lender”) joining this Agreement and providing a Revolving Commitment Amount hereunder, subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                 no current Lender shall be obligated to increase its Revolving Commitment Amount and any increase in the Revolving Commitment Amount by any current Lender shall be in the sole discretion of such current Lender;

 

(ii)               Borrowers may not request the addition of a New Lender unless (and then only to the extent that) there is insufficient participation on behalf of the existing Lenders in the increased Revolving Commitments being requested by Borrowers;

 

(iii)             no Event of Default shall exist or shall have occurred and be continuing on the effective date of such increase after giving effect to such increase;

 

(iv)             after giving effect to such increase, the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount shall not exceed $20,000,000;

 

(v)               Borrowers may not request an increase in the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount under this Section 2.24 more than two (2) times during the Term, and no single such increase in the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount shall be for an amount less than $10,000,000;

 

(vi)             Borrowers shall deliver to Agent on or before the effective date of such increase the following documents in form and substance satisfactory to Agent: (A) a certificate dated as of the effective date of such increase certifying that (i) the increase in the Revolving Commitment Amounts has been approved by the board of directors of each Borrower, (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such increase, and (iii) all of the representations and warranties made by each Borrower herein and in the Other Documents are true and complete in all respects with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty expressly relates only to any earlier and/or specified date), and (B) such other agreements, instruments and information (including supplements or modifications to this Agreement and/or the Other Documents executed by Borrowers) as Agent reasonably deems necessary in order to document the increase to the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount and to protect, preserve and continue the perfection and priority of the liens, security interests, rights and remedies of Agent and Lenders hereunder and under the Other Documents in light of such increase, and (iv) an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to Agent which shall cover such matters related to such increase as Agent may reasonably require and each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs such counsel to deliver such opinions to Agent and Lenders;

 

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(vii)           Borrowers shall execute and deliver (A) to each Increasing Lender a replacement Revolving Credit Note reflecting the new amount of such Increasing Lender’s Revolving Commitment Amount after giving effect to the increase (and the prior Revolving Credit Note issued to such Increasing Lender shall be deemed to be canceled) and (B) to each New Lender a Revolving Credit Note reflecting the amount of such New Lender’s Revolving Commitment Amount;

 

(viii)         any New Lender shall be subject to the approval of Agent and Issuer;

 

(ix)             each Increasing Lender shall confirm its agreement to increase its Revolving Commitment Amount pursuant to an acknowledgement in a form acceptable to Agent, signed by it and each Borrower and delivered to Agent at least five (5) days before the effective date of such increase; and

 

(x)               each New Lender shall execute a lender joinder and assumption agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.24 hereto pursuant to which such New Lender shall join and become a party to this Agreement and the Other Documents with a Revolving Commitment Amount as set forth in such lender agreement.

 

(b)                On the effective date of such increase: (i) the Revolving Commitment Percentages of Lenders holding a Revolving Commitment (including each Increasing Lender and/or New Lender) shall be recalculated such that each such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage is equal to (x) the Revolving Commitment Amount of such Lender divided by (y) the aggregate of the Revolving Commitment Amounts of all Lenders; (ii) each Lender shall participate in any new Revolving Advances made on or after such date in accordance with its Revolving Commitment Percentage after giving effect to the increase in the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount and recalculation of the Revolving Commitment Percentages contemplated by this Section 2.24; (iii) each reference to the term “Maximum Revolving Advance Amount” herein and in any of the Other Documents shall be deemed amended to mean the amount of the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount as so increased pursuant to this Section 2.24; and (iv) each reference to a dollar threshold for Undrawn Availability and Average Undrawn Availability set forth in this Agreement shall be automatically increased to an amount such that the ratios of Undrawn Availability and Average Undrawn Availability to the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount as so increased remains the same as prior to such increase.

 

(c)                 On the effective date of such increase, each Increasing Lender shall be deemed to have purchased an additional/increased participation in, and each New Lender will be deemed to have purchased a new participation in, each then outstanding Letter of Credit and each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment Percentage (as calculated pursuant to Section 2.24(b) above) of the Maximum Undrawn Amount of each such Letter of Credit (as in effect from time to time) and the amount of each drawing, respectively. As necessary to effectuate the foregoing, each existing Lender holding a Revolving Commitment that is not an Increasing Lender shall be deemed to have sold to each applicable Increasing Lender and/or New Lender, as necessary, a portion of such existing Lender’s participations in such outstanding Letters of Credit and drawings such that, after giving effect to all such purchases and sales, each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment (including each Increasing Lender and/or New Lender) shall hold a participation in all Letters of Credit (and drawings thereunder) in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages (as calculated pursuant to Section 2.24(b) above).

 

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(d)                On the effective date of such increase, Borrowers shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by Agent and each Increasing Lender or New Lender in connection with the negotiations regarding, and the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of all agreements and instruments executed and delivered by any of Agent, Borrowers, such Increasing Lender and/or such New Lender in connection with, such increase (including all fees for any supplemental or additional public filings of any Other Documents necessary to protect, preserve and continue the perfection and priority of the liens, security interests, rights and remedies of Agent and Lenders hereunder and under the Other Documents in light of such increase and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to Agent).

 

III.                INTEREST AND FEES.

 

3.1.                Interest . Interest on Advances shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each month with respect to Domestic Rate Loans and, with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, at the end of each Interest Period. Interest charges shall be computed on the actual principal amount of Advances outstanding during the month at a rate per annum equal to, with respect to the Revolving Advances, the applicable Interest Rate. Whenever, subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Alternate Base Rate is increased or decreased, the applicable Interest Rate for Domestic Rate Loans shall be similarly changed without notice or demand of any kind by an amount equal to the amount of such change in the Alternate Base Rate during the time such change or changes remain in effect. The Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans without notice or demand of any kind on the effective date of any change in the Reserve Percentage as of such effective dates. Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, and during the continuation thereof, (i) at the option of Agent or at the direction of Required Lenders, the Obligations other than Eurodollar Rate Loans shall bear interest at the applicable Interest Rate for Domestic Rate Loans, plus two (2%) percent per annum and (ii) Eurodollar Rate Loans shall bear interest at the Interest Rate for Eurodollar Rate Loans plus two (2%) percent per annum (as applicable, the “Default Rate”).

 

3.2.                Letter of Credit Fees .

 

(a)                 Borrowers shall pay (x) to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders, fees for each Letter of Credit for the period from and excluding the date of issuance of same to and including the date of expiration or termination, equal to the average daily face amount of each outstanding Letter of Credit multiplied by two and one half of one percent (2.50%), or the then applicable interest rate margin over the Eurodollar Rate for Revolving Advances per annum such fees to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each quarter and on the last day of the Term, and (y) to the Issuer, a fronting fee of one quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum, together with any and all administrative, issuance, amendment, payment and negotiation charges with respect to Letters of Credit and all fees and expenses as agreed upon by the Issuer and the Borrowing Agent in connection with any Letter of Credit, including in connection with the opening, amendment or renewal of any such Letter of Credit created thereunder and shall reimburse Agent for any and all fees and expenses, if any, paid by Agent to the Issuer (all of the foregoing fees, the “Letter of Credit Fees”). All such charges shall be deemed earned in full on the date when the same are due and payable hereunder and shall not be subject to rebate or pro-ration upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason. Any such charge in effect at the time of a particular transaction shall be the charge for that transaction, notwithstanding any subsequent change in the Issuer’s prevailing charges for that type of transaction. All Letter of Credit Fees payable hereunder shall be deemed earned in full on the date when the same are due and payable hereunder and shall not be subject to rebate or pro-ration upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason. Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of Default, and during the continuation thereof, at the option of Agent or at the direction of Required Lenders, the Letter of Credit Fees described in clause (x) of this Section 3.2(a) shall be increased by an additional two percent (2%) per annum.

 

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(b)                At the option of the Agent or at the direction of the Required Lenders, at any time upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default or the expiration of the Term, Borrowers will cause cash to be deposited and maintained in an account with Agent, as cash collateral, in an amount equal to one hundred and five percent (105%) of the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, and each Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent, in its discretion, on such Borrower’s behalf and in such Borrower’s name, to open such an account and to make and maintain deposits therein, or in an account opened by such Borrower, in the amounts required to be made by such Borrower, out of the proceeds of Receivables or other Collateral or out of any other funds of such Borrower coming into any Lender’s possession at any time. Agent will invest such cash collateral (less applicable reserves) in such short-term money-market items as to which Agent and such Borrower mutually agree and the net return on such investments shall be credited to such account and constitute additional cash collateral. No Borrower may withdraw amounts credited to any such account except upon waiver by Agent in writing of all existing Events of Default or upon the occurrence of all of the following: (x) payment and performance in full of all Obligations; (y) expiration of all Letters of Credit; and (z) termination of this Agreement.

 

3.3.                Facility Fee . If, for any day in each calendar quarter during the Term, the daily unpaid balance of the sum of Revolving Advances plus the Maximum Undrawn Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit (the “ Usage Amount ”) for each day of such calendar quarter does not equal the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount, then Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the ratable benefit of Lenders holding the Revolving Commitments based on their Revolving Commitment Percentages, a fee at a rate equal to one-quarter of one percent (.25%) per annum on the amount by which the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount on such day exceeds such Usage Amount (the “Facility Fee”). The Facility Fee shall be payable to Agent in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter with respect to each day in the previous calendar quarter and on the last day of the Term with respect to the period ending on the last day of the Term.

 

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3.4.                Fee Letter.

 

(a)                 Borrowers shall pay the amounts required to be paid in the Fee Letter in the manner and at the times required by the Fee Letter.

 

(b)                All of the fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses of any appraisals conducted pursuant to Section 4.21 hereof shall be paid for when due, in full and without deduction, off-set or counterclaim by Borrowers.

 

3.5.                Computation of Interest and Fees . Interest and fees hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and for the actual number of days elapsed. If any payment to be made hereunder becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest thereon shall be payable at the Interest Rate for Domestic Rate Loans during such extension.

 

3.6.                Maximum Charges . In no event whatsoever shall interest and other charges charged hereunder exceed the highest rate permissible under law. Subject to Section 3.1(d) hereof in the event interest and other charges as computed hereunder would otherwise exceed the highest rate permitted under law, such excess amount shall be first applied to any unpaid principal balance owed by Borrowers, and if the then remaining excess amount is greater than the previously unpaid principal balance, Lenders shall promptly refund such excess amount to Borrowers and the provisions hereof shall be deemed amended to provide for such permissible rate.

 

3.7.                Increased Costs . In the event of any Change in Law or compliance by any Lender (for purposes of this Section 3.7, the term “Lender” shall include Agent, Lender, any assignee of a Lender or Participant, and any corporation or bank controlling Agent, Lender, assignee of a Lender or Participant) and the office or branch where Agent or any Lender (as so defined) makes or maintains any Eurodollar Rate Loans with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other financial, monetary or other authority, shall:

 

(a)                 subject Agent or any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Other Document or change the basis of taxation of payments to Agent or any Lender of principal, fees, interest or any other amount payable hereunder or under any Other Documents (except for (x) changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of Agent or any Lender by the jurisdiction in which it is organized, managed, controlled or maintains its principal office and (y) any taxes and other amounts described in Sections 3.10 and 3.12 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any taxes and other amounts described in clauses (i) through (iii) of the second sentence of Section 3.10 that are imposed with respect to payments for or on account of any Payee under this Agreement or any of the Other Documents);

 

(b)                impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, assessment or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits in or for the account of, advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, any office of Agent or any Lender, including pursuant to Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

 

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(c)                 impose on Agent or any Lender, the bankers’ acceptance market or the London interbank Eurodollar market any other condition with respect to this Agreement or any Other Document;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to Agent or any Lender of making, renewing or maintaining its Advances hereunder by an amount that Agent or such Lender deems to be material or to reduce the amount of any payment (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) in respect of any of the Advances by an amount that Agent or such Lender deems to be material, then, in any case Borrowers shall promptly pay Agent or such Lender, upon its demand, such additional amount as will compensate Agent or such Lender for such additional cost or such reduction, as the case may be, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to increased costs which are reflected in the Eurodollar Rate, as the case may be. Agent or such Lender shall certify the amount of such additional cost or reduced amount to Borrowing Agent, and such certification shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

3.8.                Alternate Rate of Interest .

 

3.8.1.       Basis For Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair . In the event that Agent or any Lender shall have determined that reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate applicable pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof for any Interest Period, Dollar deposits in the relevant amount and for the relevant maturity are not available in the London interbank Eurodollar market, with respect to an outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan, a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or a proposed conversion of a Domestic Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Rate Loan, or the Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of the establishment or maintenance of any Eurodollar Rate Loan, then the Agent shall give Borrowers prompt written, telephonic or telegraphic notice of such determination. If such notice is given, any such requested Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be made as a Domestic Rate Loan, as the case may be, unless a Borrower shall notify the Lender no later than 12:00 p.m. two (2) Business Days prior to the date of such proposed borrowing, that its request for such borrowing shall be cancelled or made as an unaffected type of Eurodollar Rate Loan as the case may be, (ii) any outstanding affected Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be converted into a Domestic Rate Loan, or, if a Borrower shall notify the Lender, no later than 12:00 p.m. two (2) Business Days prior to the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such affected Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall be converted into an unaffected type of Eurodollar Rate Loan, on the last Business Day of the then current Interest Period for such affected Eurodollar Rate Loans as the case may be. Until such notice has been withdrawn, the Lender shall have no obligation to make an affected type of Eurodollar Rate Loan or maintain outstanding affected Eurodollar Rate Loans as the case may be and a Borrower shall not have the right to convert a Domestic Rate Loan or an unaffected type of Eurodollar Rate Loan into an affected type of Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

3.8.2.       Successor Eurodollar Rate Index .

 

(a)                 If the Agent determines (which determination shall be final and conclusive, absent manifest error) that either (i) (A) the circumstances set forth in Section 3.8.1(a) have arisen and are unlikely to be temporary, or (B) the circumstances set forth in Section 3.8.1(a) have not arisen but the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of the Eurodollar Rate or a Governmental Body having jurisdiction over the Agent has made a public statement identifying the specific date after which the Eurodollar Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans (either such date, a “Eurodollar Termination Date”), or (ii) a rate other than the Eurodollar Rate has become a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in Dollars in the U.S. market, then the Agent may (in consultation with the Borrower) choose a replacement index for the Eurodollar Rate and make adjustments to applicable margins and related amendments to this Agreement as referred to below such that, to the extent practicable, the all-in interest rate based on the replacement index will be substantially equivalent to the all-in Eurodollar Rate-based interest rate in effect prior to its replacement.

 

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(b)                If the Agent determines (which determination shall be final and conclusive, absent manifest error) that either (i) (A) the circumstances set forth in Section 3.8.1(a) have arisen and are unlikely to be temporary, or (B) the circumstances set forth in Section 3.8.1(a) have not arisen but the applicable supervisor or administrator (if any) of the Eurodollar Rate or a Governmental Body having jurisdiction over the Agent has made a public statement identifying the specific date after which the Eurodollar Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans (either such date, a “Eurodollar Termination Date”), or (ii) a rate other than the Eurodollar Rate has become a widely recognized benchmark rate for newly originated loans in Dollars in the U.S. market, then the Agent may (in consultation with the Borrower) choose a replacement index for the Eurodollar Rate and make adjustments to applicable margins and related amendments to this Agreement as referred to below such that, to the extent practicable, the all-in interest rate based on the replacement index will be substantially equivalent to the all-in Eurodollar Rate-based interest rate in effect prior to its replacement.

 

(c)                 Selection of the replacement index, adjustments to the applicable margins, and amendments to this Agreement (i) will be determined with due consideration to the then-current market practices for determining and implementing a rate of interest for newly originated loans in the United States and loans converted from a Eurodollar Rate-based rate to a replacement index-based rate, and (ii) may also reflect adjustments to account for (x) the effects of the transition from the Eurodollar Rate to the replacement index and (y) yield- or risk-based differences between the Eurodollar Rate and the replacement index.

 

(d)                Until an amendment reflecting a new replacement index in accordance with this Section 3.8.2 is effective, each advance, conversion and renewal of a Eurodollar Rate Loan will continue to bear interest with reference to the Eurodollar Rate; provided however, that if the Agent determines (which determination shall be final and conclusive, absent manifest error) that a Eurodollar Termination Date has occurred, then following the Eurodollar Termination Date, all Eurodollar Rate Loans shall automatically be converted to Domestic Rate Loans until such time as an amendment reflecting a replacement index and related matters as described above is implemented.

 

(e)                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time the replacement index is less than zero, at such times, such index shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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3.9.                Capital Adequacy .

 

(a)                 In the event that Agent or any Lender shall have determined that any Applicable Law or guideline regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Body, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by Agent or any Lender (for purposes of this Section 3.9, the term “Lender” shall include Agent or any Lender and any corporation or bank controlling Agent or any Lender) and the office or branch where Agent or any Lender (as so defined) makes or maintains any Eurodollar Rate Loans with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on Agent or any Lender’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which Agent or such Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration Agent’s and each Lender’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by Agent or any Lender to be material, then, from time to time, Borrowers shall pay upon demand to Agent or such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Agent or such Lender for such reduction. In determining such amount or amounts, Agent or such Lender may use any reasonable averaging or attribution methods. The protection of this Section 3.9 shall be available to Agent and each Lender regardless of any possible contention of invalidity or inapplicability with respect to the Applicable Law or condition.

 

(b)                A certificate of Agent or such Lender setting forth such amount or amounts as shall be necessary to compensate Agent or such Lender with respect to Section 3.9(a) hereof when delivered to Borrowing Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

3.10.            Gross Up for Taxes . If any Borrower shall be required by Applicable Law to withhold or deduct any taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under this Agreement or any of the Other Documents to Agent, or any Lender, assignee of any Lender, or Participant (each, individually, a “Payee” and collectively, the “Payees”), (a) the sum payable to such Payee or Payees, as the case may be, shall be increased as may be necessary so that, after making all required withholding or deductions (including any withholdings or deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.10), the applicable Payee or Payees receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deductions been made (the “Gross-Up Payment”), (b) such Borrower shall make such withholding or deductions, and (c) such Borrower shall pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Borrower shall be obligated to make a Gross-Up Payment in respect of taxes (x) which are imposed upon or measured by the Payee’s net income or capital (including minimum taxes and similar taxes imposed in lieu thereof), branch profits taxes or franchise taxes, in each case imposed by a jurisdiction (or political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which the Payee is organized, managed or controlled or in which its applicable lending office is located, or (y) which are imposed by a jurisdiction as a result of the Payee otherwise having a present or former connection (other than a connection arising solely as a result of this Agreement) with such jurisdiction; (ii) [reserved]; and (iii) no Borrower shall be obligated to make any portion of the Gross-Up Payment that is attributable to (w) any tax that would not have been payable or applicable had the applicable Payee or Payees been eligible for, and properly and timely claimed, a complete exemption with respect thereto pursuant to Section 3.11 hereof, (x) any taxes imposed on any amount payable to or for the account of any Payee under FATCA, (y) any taxes that are (or would be) required under Applicable law then in effect to be withheld with respect to amounts payable hereunder in respect of a Payee on the date it becomes a Payee or otherwise acquired an interest in an Obligation, except a person who becomes a Lender by assignment or purchases a participation of the whole or any part of an Obligation shall, subject to Section 3.14, be entitled to Gross-up Payments under Section 3.10 and indemnification payments under Section 3.12 to the extent that the assignor or seller of such participation is entitled to such amounts as of the date of such assignment or sale of participation; and (z) penalties and interest on the amounts described as not eligible for a Gross-up Payment in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) hereof. As soon as practicable after making such withholding or deduction, the Borrowers shall deliver to Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by the relevant taxation authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

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3.11.            Withholding Tax Exemption .

 

(a)                 Each Payee agrees that it will deliver to Borrowing Agent and Agent two (2) duly completed appropriate valid Withholding Certificates (as defined under §1.1441-1(c)(16) of the Income Tax Regulations (“Regulations”)) certifying its status (i.e., U.S. or foreign person) and, if eligible, making a claim of reduced, or exemption from, U.S. withholding tax on the basis of an income tax treaty or an exemption provided by the Code. The term “Withholding Certificate” means a Form W-9; a Form W-8BEN; a Form W-8ECI; a Form W-8IMY and the related statements and certifications as required under §1.1441-1(e)(2) and/or (3) of the Regulations; a statement described in §1.871-14(c)(2)(v) of the Regulations; or any other certificates under the Code or Regulations that certify or establish the status of a payee or beneficial owner as a U.S. or foreign person.

 

(b)                Each Payee required to deliver to Borrowing Agent and Agent a valid Withholding Certificate pursuant to Section 3.11(a) hereof shall deliver such valid Withholding Certificate as follows: (i) each Payee which is a party hereto on the Closing Date shall deliver such valid Withholding Certificate on or prior to the Closing Date for the account of such Payee; (ii) each Payee shall deliver such valid Withholding Certificate at least five (5) Business Days before the effective date of any applicable assignment or participation (unless Agent in its sole discretion shall permit such Payee to deliver such Withholding Certificate less than five (5) Business Days before such date in which case it shall be due on the date specified by Agent). Each Payee which so delivers a valid Withholding Certificate further undertakes to deliver to Borrowing Agent and Agent two (2) additional copies of such Withholding Certificate (or a successor form) on or before the date that such Withholding Certificate expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent Withholding Certificate so delivered by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or renewals thereof as may be reasonably requested by Borrowing Agent or Agent.

 

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(c)                 Notwithstanding the submission of a Withholding Certificate claiming a reduced rate of or exemption from U.S. withholding tax required under Section 3.11(b) hereof, Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal income taxes at the applicable withholding rate if in its reasonable judgment it is required to do so under the due diligence requirements imposed upon a withholding agent under §1.1441-7(b) of the Regulations. Further, Agent is indemnified under §1.1461-1(e) of the Regulations against any claims and demands of any Payee for the amount of any tax it deducts and withholds in accordance with regulations under §1441 of the Code.

 

3.12           Indemnification for Taxes Without duplication of any amounts payable under Section 3.10 hereof, a Borrower shall indemnify a Payee, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any taxes paid by such Payee on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of a Borrower which payment shall have given rise to an obligation to pay additional amounts under Section 3.10 hereunder and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant taxation authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a payee shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

3.13           Refund . If any Payee determines, in its sole discretion, that is has received a refund of taxes paid or indemnified by a Borrower pursuant to Sections 3.10 or 3.12 hereof, such Payee shall promptly pay such refund (but only to the extent of the amounts paid or indemnified by such Borrower) to the relevant Borrower, net of all out-of pocket expenses incurred in obtaining such refund, without interest (other than interest paid by the relevant taxing authority with respect to such refund), as will leave the Payee in no worse position than it would have been had no such taxes been initially imposed; provided, that such Borrower, upon the request of such Payee, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant taxing authority) to such Payee if the Payee is required to repay such refund to such relevant taxing authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Payee will be required to make available its tax returns or other confidential information to any Borrower, and nothing contained herein shall interfere with the right of the Payees to arrange their affairs as they see fit.

 

3.14           Assignment If, as a result of any assignment or participation of the whole or any part of an Obligation, amounts are required to be paid pursuant to Section 3.10 or 3.12 hereof in excess of such amounts which the relevant Borrower would have been required to pay to the assigning or participating Payee pursuant to Section 3.10 or 3.12 hereof had such assignment or participation not taken place, the provisions of Section 3.10 or 3.12 hereof (as the case may be) shall not apply to the extent of such excess, so long as no Event of Default or Default has occurred; provided, however, that Sections 3.10 and 3.12 shall apply to the extent that amounts payable under one or both of such Sections are payable as a result of a change in law enacted after such assignment or participation.

 

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3.15           Additional Actions If any Borrower determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for contesting any taxes or other amounts for which additional amounts under Section 3.10 or indemnification under Section 3.12 or has been demanded, the relevant Payee shall cooperate with such Borrower in a reasonable challenge of such taxes if so requested by such Borrower, provided that (a) such Payee determines in its reasonable discretion that it would not be prejudiced by cooperating in such challenge, (b) such Borrower pays all related expenses of such Payee and (c) such Borrower indemnifies such Payee for any liabilities or other costs incurred by such party in connection with such challenge. Each Payee agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 3.10 or 3.12 hereof with respect to such Payee, it will, if requested by a Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts (subject to legal and regulatory restrictions) to mitigate the effect of any such event, including by designating another lending office (if applicable) for any Obligation affected by such event and by completing and delivering or filing any tax-related forms which such Payee is legally able to deliver and which would, in the reasonable judgment of the Payee, reduce or eliminate any amount of taxes or other amounts required to be deducted or withheld or paid by such Borrower; provided that such efforts are made at such Borrower’s expense and on terms that, in the reasonable judgment of such Payee, cause such Payee and its lending office(s) (if applicable) to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided further that nothing in this Section 3.15 shall affect or postpone any of the Obligations of the Borrower or the rights of such Payee pursuant to Sections 3.10 or 3.12 hereof.

 

IV.                COLLATERAL: GENERAL TERMS

 

4.1.                Security Interest in the Collateral .

 

(a)                 To secure the prompt payment and performance to Agent and each Lender of the Obligations, each Borrower hereby assigns, pledges and grants to Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of each Lender a continuing security interest in and to and Lien on all of its Collateral, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wheresoever located; provided , however , that the grant of the security interest in Collateral consisting of 65% of the Equity Interest of SMTC de Chihuahua and Radio Componentes shall have been granted pursuant to the respective foreign security agreements and shall not be deemed granted hereunder.

 

(b)                Each Borrower shall mark its books and records as may be necessary or appropriate to evidence, protect and perfect Agent’s security interest and shall cause its financial statements to reflect such security interest. Each Borrower shall promptly provide Agent with written notice of all commercial tort claims, such notice to contain the case title together with the applicable court and a brief description of the claim(s). Upon delivery of each such notice, such Borrower shall be deemed to hereby grant to Agent a security interest and lien in and to such commercial tort claims and all proceeds thereof.

 

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4.2.                Perfection of Security Interest . Each Borrower shall take all action that may be necessary or desirable, or that Agent may reasonably request, so as at all times to maintain the validity, perfection, enforceability and priority of Agent’s security interest in and Lien on the Collateral or to enable Agent to protect, exercise or enforce its rights hereunder and in the Collateral, including, but not limited to, (i) immediately discharging all Liens other than Permitted Liens, (ii) obtaining Lien Waiver Agreements, with respect to the chief executive office of each of the Borrowers, (iii) delivering to Agent, endorsed or accompanied by such instruments of assignment as Agent may specify, and stamping or marking, in such manner as Agent may specify, any and all chattel paper, instruments, letters of credits and advices thereof and documents evidencing or forming a part of the Collateral, (iv) entering into warehousing, lockbox and other custodial arrangements satisfactory to Agent, and (v) executing and delivering financing statements, control agreements, instruments of pledge, mortgages, notices and assignments, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, relating to the creation, validity, perfection, maintenance or continuation of Agent’s security interest and Lien under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Applicable Law (subject to any limitations expressly stated herein or in any Other Document). By its signature hereto, each Borrower hereby authorizes Agent to file against such Borrower, one or more financing, continuation or amendment statements pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code, as applicable, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent (which statements shall have a description of collateral as “all assets”). All reasonable out-of-pocket charges, expenses and fees Agent may incur in doing any of the foregoing, and any local taxes relating thereto, shall be charged to the applicable sub-account of the Borrowers’ Account as a Revolving Advance of a Domestic Rate Loan, and added to the Obligations, or, at Agent’s option, shall be paid to Agent for its benefit and for the ratable benefit of Lenders immediately upon demand.

 

4.3.                Disposition of Collateral . Each Borrower will safeguard and protect all Collateral for Agent’s general account and make no disposition thereof whether by sale, lease or otherwise except Permitted Dispositions.

 

4.4.                Preservation of Collateral . Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default in addition to the rights and remedies set forth in Section 11.1 hereof, Agent: (a) may at any time take such steps as Agent deems necessary to protect Agent’s interest in and to preserve the Collateral, including the hiring of such security guards or the placing of other security protection measures as Agent may deem appropriate; (b) may employ and maintain at any of any Borrower’s premises a custodian who shall have full authority to do all acts necessary to protect Agent’s interests in the Collateral; (c) may lease warehouse facilities to which Agent may move all or part of the Collateral; (d) may use any Borrower’s owned or leased lifts, hoists, trucks and other facilities or equipment for handling or removing the Collateral; and (e) shall have, and is hereby granted, a right of ingress and egress to the places where the Collateral is located, and may proceed over and through any of Borrowers’ owned or leased property. Each Borrower shall cooperate fully with all of Agent’s efforts to preserve the Collateral and will take such actions to preserve the Collateral as Agent may direct. All of Agent’s expenses of preserving the Collateral, including any expenses relating to the bonding of a custodian, shall be charged to the applicable sub-account of the Borrowers’ Account as a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan and added to the Obligations.

 

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4.5.                Ownership of Collateral .

 

(a)                 With respect to the Collateral, at the time the Collateral becomes subject to Agent’s security interest: (i) each Borrower shall be the sole owner of and fully authorized and able to sell, transfer, pledge and/or grant a first priority security interest, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, in each and every item of the its respective Collateral to Agent; and, except for Permitted Liens, the Collateral shall be free and clear of all Liens and encumbrances whatsoever; (ii) each document and agreement executed by each Borrower or delivered to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects; (iii) all signatures and endorsements of each Borrower that appear on such documents and agreements shall be genuine and each Borrower shall have full capacity to execute same; and (iv) each Borrower’s Equipment and Inventory shall be located as set forth on Schedule 4.5 and shall not be removed from such location(s) (it being understood that Borrowers may move such Equipment and Inventory among such locations) without the prior written consent of Agent except with respect to the sale of Inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business and Equipment to the extent permitted in Section 4.3 hereof. Borrowers, Agent and Lenders acknowledge and agree that Schedule 4.5 shall be deemed to be updated to include any additional locations that Agent is notified of in accordance with Section 9.11.

 

(b)                (i) There is no location at which any Borrower has any Inventory (except for Inventory in transit) as of the Closing Date other than those locations listed on Schedule 4.5; (ii) Schedule 4.5 hereto contains a correct and complete list, as of the Closing Date, of the legal names and addresses of each warehouse at which Inventory of any Borrower is stored; (iii) Schedule 4.5 hereto sets forth a correct and complete list as of the Closing Date of (A) each place of business of each Borrower and (B) the chief executive office of each Borrower; and (iv) Schedule 4.5 hereto sets forth a correct and complete list as of the Closing Date of the location, by state, province or territory, as applicable, and street address, of all Real Property owned or leased by each Borrower, together with the names and addresses of any landlords.

 

4.6.                Defense of Agent’s and Lenders’ Interests . Until (a) payment and performance in full of all of the Obligations and (b) termination of this Agreement, Agent’s interests in the Collateral shall continue in full force and effect. During such period no Borrower shall, without Agent’s prior written consent, pledge, sell (except Inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business and Equipment to the extent permitted in Section 4.3 hereof), assign, transfer, create or suffer to exist a Lien upon or encumber or allow or suffer to be encumbered in any way except for Permitted Liens, any part of the Collateral. Each Borrower shall defend Agent’s interests in the Collateral against any and all Persons whatsoever. At any time following demand by Agent for payment of all Obligations, Agent shall have the right to take possession of the indicia of the Collateral and the Collateral in whatever physical form contained, including: labels, stationery, documents, instruments and advertising materials. If Agent exercises this right to take possession of the Collateral, Borrowers shall, upon demand, assemble it and make it available to Agent at a place reasonably convenient to Agent. In addition, with respect to all Collateral, Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies set forth herein and further provided by the Uniform Commercial Code or other Applicable Law. Each Borrower shall, and Agent may, at its option, instruct all suppliers, carriers, forwarders, warehousers or others receiving or holding cash, checks, Inventory, documents or instruments in which Agent holds a security interest to deliver same to Agent and/or subject to Agent’s order and if they shall come into any Borrower’s possession, they, and each of them, shall be held by such Borrower in trust as Agent’s trustee, and such Borrower will immediately deliver them to Agent in their original form together with any necessary endorsement.

 

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4.7.                Books and Records . Each Borrower shall (a) keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all dealings or transactions of or in relation to its business and affairs; (b) set up on its books accruals with respect to all taxes, assessments, charges, levies and claims; and (c) on a reasonably current basis set up on its books, from its earnings, allowances against doubtful Receivables, advances and investments and all other proper accruals (including by reason of enumeration, accruals for premiums, if any, due on required payments and accruals for depreciation, obsolescence, or amortization of properties), which should be set aside from such earnings in connection with its business. All determinations pursuant to this subsection shall be made in accordance with, or as required by, GAAP consistently applied in the opinion of such independent public accountant as shall then be regularly engaged by Borrowers.

 

4.8.                Financial Disclosure . Each Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs all accountants and auditors employed by such Borrower at any time during the Term to exhibit and deliver to Agent and each Lender copies of any of such Borrower’s financial statements, trial balances or other accounting records of any sort in the accountant’s or auditor’s possession, and to disclose to Agent and each Lender any information such accountants may have concerning such Borrower’s financial status and business operations. Each Borrower hereby authorizes all Governmental Bodies to furnish to Agent and each Lender copies of reports or examinations relating to such Borrower, whether made by such Borrower or otherwise; however, Agent and each Lender will attempt to obtain such information or materials directly from such Borrower prior to obtaining such information or materials from such accountants or Governmental Bodies.

 

4.9.                Compliance with Laws . Each Borrower shall comply with all Applicable Laws with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or to the operation of such Borrower’s business the non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.10.            Inspection of Premises . At all reasonable times Agent and each Lender shall have full access to and the right to audit, check, inspect and make abstracts and copies from each Borrower’s books, records, audits, correspondence and all other papers relating to the Collateral and the operation of each Borrower’s business; provided, that other than during the continuance of an Event of Default, such access shall occur no more frequently than four (4) times per fiscal year. Agent, any Lender and their agents may enter upon any premises of any Borrower at any time during business hours and at any other reasonable time, and from time to time, for the purpose of inspecting the Collateral and any and all records pertaining thereto and the operation of such Borrower’s business; provided, that other than during the continuance of an Event of Default, such access shall occur no more frequently than four (4) times per fiscal year.

 

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4.11.            Insurance . The assets and properties of each Borrower and Guarantor at all times shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of all insurance carriers which provide insurance with respect to the assets and properties of such Borrower or Guarantor so that such insurance shall remain in full force and effect. Each Borrower and Guarantor shall bear the full risk of any loss of any nature whatsoever with respect to the Collateral. At each Borrower’s and Guarantor’s own cost and expense in amounts and with carriers acceptable to Agent, each Borrower and Guarantor shall (a) keep all its insurable properties and properties in which such Borrower or Guarantor has an interest insured against the hazards of fire, flood, sprinkler leakage, those hazards covered by extended coverage insurance and such other hazards, and for such amounts, as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to such Borrowers and Guarantors; (b) maintain a bond in such amounts as is customary in the case of companies engaged in businesses similar to such Borrower or Guarantor insuring against larceny, embezzlement or other criminal misappropriation of insured’s officers and employees who may either singly or jointly with others at any time have access to the assets or funds of such Borrower or Guarantor either directly or through authority to draw upon such funds or to direct generally the disposition of such assets; (c) maintain public and product liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage suffered by others; (d) maintain all such worker’s compensation or similar insurance as may be required under the laws of any state or jurisdiction in which such Borrower or Guarantor is engaged in business; (e) reserved; (f) furnish Agent with (i) copies of all policies and evidence of the maintenance of such policies by the renewal thereof no more than thirty (30) days following any expiration date, provided that such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s failure to provide such policies and evidence shall not constitute an Event of Default unless such Borrower or Guarantor continues to fail to provide the same within ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from Agent, and (ii) appropriate loss payable endorsements in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, naming Agent as a co-insured and lender loss payee as its interests may appear with respect to all insurance coverage referred to in clauses (a) and (c) above, and providing (A) that all proceeds thereunder shall be payable to Agent, (B) no such insurance shall be affected by any act or neglect of the insured or owner of the property described in such policy, and (C) that such policy and loss payable clauses may not be cancelled, amended or terminated unless at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice is given to Agent. In the event of any loss thereunder, the carriers named therein hereby are directed by Agent and the applicable Borrower or Guarantor to make payment for such loss to Agent and not to such Borrower or Guarantor and Agent jointly. If any insurance losses are paid by check, draft or other instrument payable to any Borrower or Guarantor and Agent jointly, Agent may endorse such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s name thereon and do such other things as Agent may deem advisable to reduce the same to cash. Agent is hereby authorized to adjust and compromise claims under insurance coverage referred to in clauses (a), and (b) above. All loss recoveries received by Agent upon any such insurance may be applied to the Obligations, in such order as Agent in its reasonable discretion shall determine. Any surplus shall be paid by Agent to Borrowers or Guarantors or applied as may be otherwise required by law. Any deficiency thereon shall be paid by Borrowers or Guarantors to Agent, on demand.

 

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4.12.            Failure to Pay Insurance . If any Borrower fails to obtain insurance as hereinabove provided, or to keep the same in force, Agent, if Agent so elects, may obtain such insurance and pay the premium therefor on behalf of such Borrower, and charge Borrowers’ Account therefor as a Revolving Advance of a Domestic Rate Loan and such expenses so paid shall be part of the Obligations.

 

4.13.            Payment of Taxes . Each Borrower will pay, when due, all taxes, assessments and other Charges lawfully levied or assessed upon such Borrower or any of the Collateral including real and personal property taxes, assessments and charges and all franchise, income, employment, social security benefits, withholding, and sales taxes, provided that no such tax, assessment or charge need be paid if (i) it is being Properly Contested or (ii) the aggregate amounts thereof are not in excess of $250,000. If any such taxes, assessments, or other Charges remain unpaid after the date fixed for their payment, or if any claim shall be made which, in Agent’s or any Lender’s opinion, may possibly create a valid Lien on the Collateral, Agent may without notice to Borrowers pay the taxes, assessments or other Charges and the Borrowers hereby indemnify and hold Agent and each Lender harmless in respect thereof. Agent will not pay any taxes, assessments or Charges to the extent that such taxes, assessments or Charges are being Properly Contested. The amount of any payment by Agent under this Section 4.13 shall be charged to the applicable sub-account of the Borrowers’ Account as a Revolving Advance maintained as a Domestic Rate Loan and added to the Obligations.

 

4.14.            Payment of Leasehold Obligations . Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Borrower shall at all times pay, when and as due, its rental obligations under all leases under which it is a tenant, and shall otherwise comply, in all material respects, with all other terms of such leases and keep them in full force and effect subject to the terms thereof and, at Agent’s request will provide evidence of having done so.

 

4.15.            Receivables .

 

(a)                 Nature of Receivables . Each of the Receivables shall be a bona fide and valid account representing a bona fide indebtedness incurred by the Customer therein named, for a fixed sum as set forth in the invoice relating thereto (provided immaterial or unintentional invoice errors shall not be deemed to be a breach hereof) with respect to an absolute sale or lease and delivery of goods upon stated terms of a Borrower, or work, labor or services theretofore rendered by a Borrower as of the date each Receivable is created. Same shall be due and owing in accordance with the applicable Borrower’s standard terms of sale without dispute, setoff or counterclaim except as may be stated on the accounts receivable schedules delivered by Borrowers to Agent.

 

(b)                Solvency of Customers . Each Customer, to the Borrowers’ knowledge, as of the date each Receivable is created, is solvent and able to pay all Receivables on which the Customer is obligated in full when due or with respect to such Customers of any Borrower who are known to such Borrower not to be solvent such Borrower has set up on its books and in its financial records bad debt reserves adequate to cover such Receivables.

 

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(c)                 Location of Borrowers . Each Borrower’s chief executive office is located at the location set forth in Schedule 4.15, as such schedule may be updated from time to time. Until written notice is given to Agent by Borrowing Agent of any other office at which each Borrower keeps its records pertaining to Receivables, all such records shall be kept at such Borrower’s respective executive office listed above.

 

(d)                Collection of Receivables . Each Borrower shall instruct its Customers to deliver all remittances upon Receivables to such lockbox account or Blocked Account as Agent shall designate from time to time as contemplated by Section 4.15(h) or as otherwise agreed to from time to time by Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any Borrower directly receives any remittances upon Receivables, such Borrower will, at its sole cost and expense, but on Agent’s behalf and for Agent’s account, collect as Agent’s property and in trust for Agent such amounts received on Receivables, and shall not commingle such collections with any Borrower’s or use the same except to pay Obligations. Each Borrower shall, upon request, deliver to Agent, or deposit in a Blocked Account, in original form and on the date of receipt thereof, all checks, drafts, notes, money orders, acceptances, cash and other evidences of Indebtedness.

 

(e)                 Notification of Assignment of Receivables . At any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, or in the event Agent reasonably believes the Collateral is being diverted or impaired, Agent shall have the right to send notice of Agent’s security interest in, and Lien on, the Receivables to any and all Customers and directing such Customer to pay such Receivable to Borrowers’ Blocked Account for the benefit of Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the sole right to collect the Receivables, take possession of the Collateral, or both. Agent’s actual collection expenses, including, but not limited to, stationery and postage, telephone and telegraph, secretarial and clerical expenses and the salaries of any collection personnel used for collection, may be charged to Borrowers’ Account and added to the Obligations.

 

(f)                 Power of Agent to Act on Borrowers’ Behalf . Agent shall have the right to receive, endorse, assign and/or deliver in the name of Agent or any Borrower any and all checks, drafts and other instruments for the payment of money relating to the Receivables, and each Borrower hereby waives notice of presentment, protest and non-payment of any instrument so endorsed. Each Borrower hereby constitutes Agent or Agent’s designee as such Borrower’s attorney with power (i) at any time: (A) to endorse such Borrower’s name upon any notes, acceptances, checks, drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment or Collateral; (B) to sign such Borrower’s name on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any of the Receivables, drafts against Customers, assignments and verifications of Receivables; (C) to send verifications of Receivables to any Customer as provided in Section 9.2 hereof; (D) to sign such Borrower’s name on all financing statements or any other documents or instruments deemed necessary or appropriate by Agent to preserve, protect, or perfect Agent’s interest in the Collateral and to file same; and (ii) at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default: (A) to demand payment of the Receivables; (B) to enforce payment of the Receivables by legal proceedings or otherwise; (C) to exercise all of such Borrower’s rights and remedies with respect to the collection of the Receivables and any other Collateral; (D) to settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew the Receivables; (E) to settle, adjust or compromise any legal proceedings brought to collect Receivables; (F) to prepare, file and sign such Borrower’s name on a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Customer; (G) to prepare, file and sign such Borrower’s name on any notice of Lien, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document in connection with the Receivables; and (H) to do all other acts and things necessary to carry out this Agreement. All acts of said attorney or designee are hereby ratified and approved, and said attorney or designee shall not be liable for any acts of omission or commission nor for any error of judgment or mistake of fact or of law, unless done maliciously or with gross (not mere) negligence (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment); this power being coupled with an interest is irrevocable while any of the Obligations remain unpaid. Agent shall have the right at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to change the address for delivery of mail addressed to any Borrower to such address as Agent may designate and to receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to any Borrower.

 

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(g)                No Liability . Neither Agent nor any Lender shall, other than for Agent’s or such Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a non-appealable final order) under any circumstances or in any event whatsoever, have any liability for any error or omission or delay of any kind occurring in the settlement, collection or payment of any of the Receivables or any instrument received in payment thereof, or for any damage resulting therefrom. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent may, without notice or consent from any Borrower, sue upon or otherwise collect, extend the time of payment of, compromise or settle for cash, credit or upon any terms any of the Receivables or any other securities, instruments or insurance applicable thereto and/or release any obligor thereof. Agent is authorized and empowered to accept following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default the return of the goods represented by any of the Receivables, without notice to or consent by any Borrower, all without discharging or in any way affecting any Borrower’s liability hereunder.

 

(h)                Establishment of a Lockbox Account, Dominion Account . All proceeds of Collateral shall be deposited by Borrowers into either (i) a lockbox account, dominion account or such other “blocked account” (“ Blocked Accounts ”) established at a bank or banks (each such bank, a “ Blocked Account Bank ”) pursuant to an arrangement with such Blocked Account Bank as may be selected by Borrowing Agent and be acceptable to Agent or (ii) depository accounts (“ Depository Accounts ”) established at the Agent for the deposit of such proceeds. Each applicable Borrower, Agent, Term Loan Agent and each Blocked Account Bank shall enter into a deposit account control agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Agent directing such Blocked Account Bank to transfer such funds so deposited to Agent, (i) to any account maintained by Agent at said Blocked Account Bank or (ii) by wire transfer to appropriate account(s) of Agent. All funds deposited in such Blocked Accounts shall immediately become the property of Agent and Borrowing Agent shall obtain the agreement by such Blocked Account Bank to waive any offset rights against the funds so deposited. Neither Agent nor any Lender assumes any responsibility for such blocked account arrangement, including any claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect to deposits accepted by any Blocked Account Bank thereunder. All deposit accounts and investment accounts of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries are set forth on Schedule 4.15(h).

 

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(i)                  Adjustments . No Borrower will, without Agent’s consent, compromise or adjust any material amount of the Receivables (or materially extend the time for payment thereof) or accept any material returns of merchandise or grant any additional discounts, allowances or credits thereon except for those compromises, adjustments, returns, discounts, credits and allowances as have been heretofore customary in the business of such Borrower.

 

4.16.            Inventory . To the extent Inventory held for sale or lease has been produced by any Borrower, it has been and will be produced by such Borrower in accordance in all material respects with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, and all rules, regulations and orders thereunder.

 

4.17.            Maintenance of Equipment . The Equipment shall be maintained in good operating condition and repair (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and all necessary replacements of and repairs thereto shall be made so that the value and operating efficiency of the Equipment shall be maintained and preserved in all material respects. Each Borrower shall have the right to sell Equipment to the extent permitted in Section 4.3 hereof.

 

4.18.            Exculpation of Liability . Nothing herein contained shall be construed to constitute Agent or any Lender as any Borrower’s agent for any purpose whatsoever, nor shall Agent or any Lender be responsible or liable for any shortage, discrepancy, damage, loss or destruction of any part of the Collateral wherever the same may be located and regardless of the cause thereof, except for Agent or Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither Agent nor any Lender, whether by anything herein or in any assignment or otherwise, assume any of any Borrower’s obligations under any contract or agreement assigned to Agent or such Lender, and neither Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible in any way for the performance by any Borrower of any of the terms and conditions thereof.

 

4.19.            Environmental Matters .

 

(a)                 Borrowers shall ensure that the Real Property and all operations and businesses conducted thereon remains in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and they shall not place or permit to be placed any Hazardous Substances on any Real Property except as permitted by Applicable Law or appropriate governmental authorities and except otherwise would not be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect..

 

(b)                Borrowers shall establish and maintain a system to assure and monitor continued compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

(c)                 Borrowers shall (i) employ in connection with the use of the Real Property appropriate technology necessary to maintain material compliance by the Borrowers with any applicable Environmental Laws and (ii) dispose of any and all Hazardous Waste generated by the Borrowers at the Real Property only at facilities and with carriers that, to the Borrower’s knowledge, maintain valid permits under RCRA and any other applicable Environmental Laws. Borrowers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain certificates of disposal, such as hazardous waste manifest receipts, from all treatment, transport, storage or disposal facilities or operators employed by Borrowers in connection with the transport or disposal of any Hazardous Waste generated at the Real Property.

 

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(d)                In the event any Borrower obtains, gives or receives notice of any unpermitted Release or threat of Release of a reportable quantity of any Hazardous Substances at the Real Property (any such event being hereinafter referred to as a “Hazardous Discharge”) or receives any notice of violation, request for information or notification that it is potentially responsible for investigation or cleanup of environmental conditions at the Real Property, demand letter or complaint, order, citation, or other written notice with regard to any Hazardous Discharge or violation of Environmental Laws affecting the Real Property or any Borrower’s interest therein (any of the foregoing is referred to herein as an “Environmental Complaint”) from any Person, including any state agency responsible in whole or in part for environmental matters in the state in which the Real Property is located or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (any such person or entity hereinafter the “Authority”), then Borrowing Agent shall, within five (5) Business Days, give written notice of same to Agent reasonably detailing facts and circumstances of which any Borrower is aware giving rise to the Hazardous Discharge or Environmental Complaint. Such information is to be provided to allow Agent to protect its security interest in and Lien on the Real Property and the Collateral and is not intended to create nor shall it create any obligation upon Agent or any Lender with respect thereto.

 

(e)                 Borrowing Agent shall promptly forward to Agent copies of any request for information, notification of potential liability, or demand letter relating to potential responsibility with respect to the investigation or cleanup of Hazardous Substances at any other site owned, operated or used by any Borrower to dispose of Hazardous Substances and shall continue to forward copies of correspondence between any Borrower and the Authority regarding such claims to Agent until the claim is settled. Borrowing Agent shall promptly forward to Agent copies of all material documents and reports concerning a Hazardous Discharge at the Real Property that any Borrower is required to file under any Environmental Laws. Such information is to be provided solely to allow Agent to protect Agent’s security interest in and Lien on the Real Property and the Collateral.

 

(f)                 Borrowers shall respond promptly to any Hazardous Discharge or Environmental Complaint and take all necessary action as required under applicable Environmental Law in order to safeguard the health of any Person and to avoid subjecting the Collateral or Real Property to any Lien. If any Borrower shall fail to respond promptly to any material Hazardous Discharge or Environmental Complaint or any Borrower shall fail to comply in all material respects with any of the requirements of any Environmental Laws, Agent on behalf of Lenders may, but without the obligation to do so, for the sole purpose of protecting Agent’s interest in the Collateral: (i) give such notices or (ii) enter onto the Real Property (or authorize third parties to enter onto the Real Property) and take such actions as Agent (or such third parties as directed by Agent) reasonably deem necessary or advisable, to clean up, remove, mitigate or otherwise address to the extent required under applicable Environmental Law any such Hazardous Discharge or Environmental Complaint. All reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agent and Lenders (or such third parties) in the exercise of any such rights, including any sums paid in connection with any judicial or administrative investigation or proceedings, fines and penalties, together with interest thereon from the date expended at the Default Rate for Domestic Rate Loans constituting Revolving Advances shall be paid upon demand by Borrowers, and until paid shall be added to and become a part of the Obligations secured by the Liens created by the terms of this Agreement or any other agreement between Agent, any Lender and any Borrower.

 

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(g)                Promptly upon the reasonable written request of Agent from time to time, Borrowers shall provide Agent, at Borrowers’ expense, with an environmental site assessment or environmental audit report prepared by an environmental engineering firm acceptable in the reasonable opinion of Agent, to assess with a reasonable degree of certainty the existence of a Hazardous Discharge and the potential costs in connection with abatement, cleanup and removal of any Hazardous Substances found on, under, at or within any Real Property owned by the Borrowers as a result of such Hazardous Discharge. Any report or investigation of such Hazardous Discharge proposed and acceptable to an appropriate Authority that is charged to oversee the clean-up of such Hazardous Discharge shall be acceptable to Agent. If such estimates, individually or in the aggregate, exceed $100,000, Agent shall have the right to require Borrowers to post a bond, letter of credit or other security reasonably satisfactory to Agent to secure payment of these costs and expenses.

 

(h)                Borrowers shall defend and indemnify Agent and Lenders and hold Agent, Lenders and their respective employees, agents, directors and officers harmless from and against all loss, liability, damage and expense, claims, costs, fines and penalties, including attorney’s fees, suffered or incurred by Agent or Lenders under or on account of any Environmental Laws, including the assertion of any Lien thereunder, with respect to any Hazardous Discharge, the presence of any Hazardous Substances affecting the Real Property, whether or not the same originates or emerges from the Real Property or any contiguous real estate, except to the extent such loss, liability, damage and expense is attributable to any Hazardous Discharge resulting from or exacerbated by actions on the part of Agent or any Lender. Borrowers’ obligations under this Section 4.19 shall arise upon the discovery of the presence of any Hazardous Substances at the Real Property, whether or not any federal, state, or local environmental agency has taken or threatened any action in connection with the presence of any Hazardous Substances. Borrowers’ obligation and the indemnifications hereunder shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

(i)                  For purposes of Section 4.19 and 5.7, except as otherwise expressly indicated, all references to Real Property shall be deemed to include all of each Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to its owned and leased premises.

 

(j)                  For purposes of Section 4.19 and 5.7, all references to Borrower shall be deemed to refer to the Borrowers.

 

4.20.            Financing Statements . Except as respects the financing statements filed by Agent, financing statements in respect of Permitted Liens, and the financing statements described on Schedule 1.2, no valid and enforceable financing statement covering any of the Collateral or any proceeds thereof is on file in any public office.

 

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4.21.            Appraisals . Agent may, in its sole discretion, exercised in a commercially reasonable manner, at any time after the Closing Date, engage the services of an independent appraisal firm or firms of reputable standing, satisfactory to Agent, for the purpose of appraising the then current values of Borrowers’ Inventory; provided that, other than during the continuance of any Event of Default, such appraisal shall be conducted no more frequently than four times per fiscal year. Absent the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default at such time, Agent shall consult with Borrowers as to the identity of any such firm. In the event the value of Borrowers’ Inventory, as so determined pursuant to such appraisal, is less than anticipated by Agent or Lenders, such that the Revolving Advances against Eligible Inventory are in fact in excess of such Advances permitted hereunder, then, promptly upon Agent’s demand for same, Borrowers shall make mandatory prepayments of the then outstanding Revolving Advances made against such Eligible Inventory so as to eliminate the excess Advances.

 

V.                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

Each Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

 

5.1.                Authority . Each Borrower has full power, authority and legal right to enter into this Agreement and the Other Documents to which such Borrower is party and to perform all its respective Obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement and the Other Documents have been duly executed and delivered by each Borrower to the extent a party thereto and this Agreement and such Other Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Borrower enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and of such Other Documents (a) are within such Borrower’s corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, are not in contravention of law or the terms of such Borrower’s by-laws, certificate or articles of incorporation or other applicable documents relating to such Borrower’s formation or to the conduct of such Borrower’s business or of any material agreement or undertaking to which such Borrower is a party or by which such Borrower is bound, including the Acquisition Agreement and the Term Loan Documents or, (b) will not conflict with or violate any law or regulation, or any judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Body except where such violation or conflict would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) will not require the Consent of any Governmental Body or any party to a Material Contract, except those Consents set forth on Schedule 5.1 hereto, all of which will have been duly obtained, made or compiled prior to the Closing Date and which are in full force and effect and (d) will not conflict with, nor result in any breach in any of the provisions of or constitute a default under or result in the creation of any Lien except Permitted Liens upon any asset of such Borrower under the provisions of any agreement, charter document, instrument, by-law, operating agreement or other instrument to which such Borrower is a party or by which it or its property is a party or by which it may be bound, including under the provisions of the Acquisition Agreement and the Term Loan Documents.

 

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5.2.                Formation and Qualification .

 

(a)                 Each Borrower is duly incorporated or formed and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction listed on Schedule 5.2(a) and is qualified to do business and is in good standing in the jurisdictions listed on Schedule 5.2(a) which constitute all jurisdictions in which qualification and good standing are necessary for such Borrower to conduct its business and own its property and where the failure to so qualify could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on such Borrower. Each Borrower has delivered to Agent true and complete copies of its certificate of incorporation and by-laws or certificate of formation and operating agreement, as applicable, and will promptly notify Agent of any material amendment or material changes thereto.

 

(b)                The only Subsidiaries of each Borrower are listed on Schedule 5.2(b).

 

5.3.                Survival of Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties of Borrowers contained in this Agreement and the Other Documents shall be true at the time of such Borrower’s execution of this Agreement and the Other Documents, and shall survive the execution, delivery and acceptance thereof by the parties thereto and the closing of the transactions described therein or related thereto.

 

5.4.                Tax Returns . Each Borrower’s federal tax identification number is set forth on Schedule 5.4. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, each Borrower has filed all federal and material state, local and foreign tax returns and other reports each is required by law to file and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges that are due and payable, except for those not in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate and those being Properly Contested. The provision for taxes on the books of Borrowers on a Consolidated Basis is adequate for all years not closed by applicable statutes, and for their current fiscal year, and except as set forth on Schedule 5.4, no Borrower has any knowledge of any material deficiency or additional assessment in connection therewith not provided for on its books.

 

5.5.                Financial Statements .

 

(a)                 The pro forma balance sheet of Borrowers on a Consolidated Basis (the “Pro Forma Balance Sheet”) furnished to Agent on the Closing Date reflects the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement and under this Agreement (collectively, the “Transactions”) and is accurate, complete and correct and fairly reflects the financial condition of Borrowers on a Consolidated Basis as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions, and has been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet has been certified as accurate, complete and correct in all material respects by the President and Chief Financial Officer of Borrowing Agent. All financial statements referred to in this subsection 5.5(a), including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared, in accordance with GAAP, except as may be disclosed in such financial statements.

 

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(b)                The twelve-month cash flow projections of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a Consolidated and Consolidating basis and their projected balance sheets as of the Closing Date, copies of which are annexed hereto as Exhibit 5.5(b) (the “Projections”) were prepared by the Chief Financial Officer of SMTC, are based on underlying assumptions which provide a reasonable basis for the projections contained therein and reflect Borrowers’ judgment based on present circumstances of the most likely set of conditions and course of action for the projected period. The cash flow Projections together with the Pro Forma Balance Sheet, are referred to as the “Pro Forma Financial Statements”.

 

(c)                 The consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and such other Persons described therein (including the accounts of all Subsidiaries for the respective periods during which a subsidiary relationship existed) as of December 31, 2017, and the related statements of income, changes in stockholder’s equity, and changes in cash flow for the period ended on such date, all accompanied by reports thereon containing opinions without qualification by independent certified public accountants, copies of which have been delivered to Agent, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied (except for changes in application in which such accountants concur and present fairly the financial position of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries at such date and the results of their operations for such period. Since December 31, 2017, there has been no change in the condition, financial or otherwise, of Borrowers or their Subsidiaries as shown on the consolidated balance sheet as of such date and no change in the aggregate value of machinery, equipment and Real Property owned by Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.6.                Entity Names . No Borrower sells Inventory under any other name.

 

5.7.                O.S.H.A. and Environmental Compliance .

 

(a)                 Each Borrower has materially complied with, and its facilities, business, assets, property, leaseholds, Real Property and Equipment are in compliance in all material respects with, the provisions of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, RCRA and all other Environmental Laws; there are no material outstanding citations, notices or orders of non-compliance issued to any Borrower or relating to its business, assets, property, leaseholds or Equipment under any such laws, rules or regulations.

 

(b)                To the best of each Borrower’s knowledge, each Borrower has been issued all required material federal, state and local licenses, certificates or permits relating to all applicable Environmental Laws.

 

(c)                 (i) There are no visible signs of material releases, spills, discharges, leaks or disposal (collectively referred to as “Releases”) of Hazardous Substances at, upon, under or within any Real Property including any premises leased by any Borrower; (ii) to such Borrowers’ knowledge, and except for conditions that comply with applicable Environmental Law, there are no underground storage tanks or polychlorinated biphenyls on the Real Property including any premises leased by any Borrower; (iii) to such Borrowers’ knowledge, the Real Property including any premises leased by any Borrower has never been used as a treatment, storage or disposal facility of Hazardous Waste; and (iv) to such Borrowers’ knowledge, no Hazardous Substances are present on the Real Property including any premises leased by any Borrower, excepting such quantities as are handled in accordance with all applicable manufacturer’s instructions and governmental regulations and in proper storage containers and as are necessary for the operation of the commercial business of any Borrower or of its tenants.

 

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5.8.                Solvency; No Litigation, Violation, Indebtedness or Default; ERISA Compliance .

 

(a)                 After giving effect to the Transactions, Borrowers, taken as a whole, will be solvent, able to pay their debts as they mature, will have capital sufficient to carry on their business and all businesses in which they are about to engage, and (i) as of the Closing Date, the fair present saleable value of their assets, calculated on a going concern basis, are in excess of the amount of their liabilities and (ii) subsequent to the Closing Date, the fair saleable value of their assets (calculated on a going concern basis) will be in excess of the amount of their liabilities.

 

(b)                Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8(b), no Borrower has any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration, actions or proceedings which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) any liabilities or indebtedness for borrowed money other than the Obligations and Permitted Indebtedness.

 

(c)                 No Borrower is in violation of any applicable statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance in any respect which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor is any Borrower in violation of any order of any court, Governmental Body or arbitration board or tribunal.

 

(d)                No Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group maintains or is required to contribute to any Plan other than those listed on Schedule 5.8(d) hereto. (i) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state laws. Each Borrower and each member of the Controlled Group has met all applicable minimum funding requirements under Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code in respect of each Plan, and each Plan is in compliance with Sections 412, 430 and 436 of the Code and Sections 206(g), 302 and 303 of ERISA, without regard to waivers and variances; (ii) each Plan which is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code as currently in effect has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code or an application for such a determination is currently being processed by the IRS; (iii) neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due which are unpaid; (iv) no Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and there is no occurrence which would cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Plan; (v) the current value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of the accrued benefits and other liabilities of such Plan and neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group knows of any facts or circumstances which would materially change the value of such assets and accrued benefits and other liabilities; (vi) neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has breached in any material respect any of the responsibilities, obligations or duties imposed on it by ERISA with respect to any Plan; (vii) neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred any liability for any excise tax arising under Section 4971, 4972 or 4980B of the Code, and no fact exists which could give rise to any such liability; (viii) neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group nor any fiduciary of, nor any trustee to, any Plan, has engaged in a “prohibited transaction” described in Section 406 of the ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code nor taken any action nor omitted to take any action which would constitute or result in a Termination Event with respect to any such Plan which is subject to ERISA; (ix) no Termination Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (x) there exists no event described in Section 4043 of ERISA, for which the thirty (30) day notice period has not been waived; (xi) neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; (xii) except as listed on Schedule 5.8(d) hereto, neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group maintains or is required to contribute to any Plan which provides health, accident or life insurance benefits to former employees, their spouses or dependents, other than in accordance with Section 4980B of the Code; (xiii) neither any Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn, completely or partially, within the meaning of Section 4203 or 4205 of ERISA, from any Multiemployer Plan so as to incur liability under the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980 and there exists no fact which would reasonably be expected to result in any such liability; and (xiv) no Plan fiduciary (as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA) has any liability for breach of fiduciary duty or for any failure in connection with the administration or investment of the assets of a Plan; in each case (i) – (xiv) with respect to any member of the Controlled Group other than the Borrowers or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect .

 

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5.9.                Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses . All registered patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, service mark applications, copyrights, copyright applications, design rights, industrial designs, tradenames, assumed names, trade secrets and licenses owned or utilized by any Borrower are set forth on Schedule 5.9. Borrowers have ownership or rights to use all of the intellectual property which are necessary for the operation of its business. There is no objection to or pending challenge to the validity of any such patent, trademark, copyright, design rights, tradename, trade secret or license which would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to Borrowers and no Borrower is aware of any grounds for any challenge, except as set forth in Schedule 5.9 hereto, as such schedule may be updated from time to time. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.9 hereto, each patent, patent application, patent license, trademark, trademark application, trademark license, service mark, service mark application, service mark license, design rights, copyright, copyright application and copyright license owned or held by any Borrower and all trade secrets used by any Borrower consist of original material or property developed by such Borrower or was lawfully acquired by such Borrower from the proper and lawful owner thereof.

 

 

 

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5.10.            Licenses and Permits . Except as set forth in Schedule 5.10, each Borrower (a) is in compliance in all material respects with and (b) has procured and is now in possession of, all material licenses or permits required by any applicable federal, state, provincial or local law, rule or regulation for the operation of its business in each jurisdiction wherein it is now conducting or proposes to conduct business and where the failure to procure such licenses or permits could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.11.            Default of Indebtedness . Except as would not reasonably be expected to cause an Event of Default hereunder, no Borrower is in default in the payment of a material amount of the principal of or interest on any Indebtedness or under any instrument or agreement under or subject to which any Indebtedness has been issued and no event has occurred under the provisions of any such instrument or agreement which with or without the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, constitutes or would constitute an event of default thereunder.

 

5.12.            No Default . No Default or Event of Default has occurred which is continuing.

 

5.13.            No Burdensome Restrictions . No Borrower is party to any contract or agreement the performance of which could reasonably be expected to be have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Borrower has heretofore delivered to Agent true and complete copies of all Material Contracts to which it is a party or to which it or any of its properties is subject. No Borrower has agreed or consented 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 which is not a Permitted Encumbrance.

 

5.14.            No Labor Disputes . No Borrower is currently subject to any materially adverse labor dispute, strike or walkout and, to the best of each Borrower’s knowledge, none have been threatened in writing; to the best of each Borrower’s knowledge, there is no effort underway to organize a labor union of any of such Borrower’s employees; and no labor contract is scheduled to expire during the Term other than as set forth in Schedule 5.14 hereto.

 

5.15.            Margin Regulations . No Borrower is engaged, nor will it engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of “purchasing” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time hereafter in effect. No part of the proceeds of any Advance will be used for “purchasing” or “carrying” “margin stock” as defined in Regulation U of such Board of Governors.

 

5.16.            Investment Company Act . No Borrower is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor is it controlled by such a company.

 

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5.17.            Disclosure . No representation or warranty made by any Borrower in this Agreement or in the Acquisition Agreement, or in any financial statement, report, certificate or any other document furnished in connection herewith or therewith contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements herein or therein not misleading in any material respect. There is no fact known to any Borrower or which reasonably should be known to such Borrower which such Borrower has not disclosed to Agent in writing with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Agreement or this Agreement which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.18.            Delivery of Acquisition Agreement. Agent has received complete copies of the Acquisition Agreement (including all exhibits, schedules and disclosure letters referred to therein or delivered pursuant thereto, if any) and all amendments thereto, waivers relating thereto and other side letters or agreements affecting the terms thereof. None of such documents and agreements has been amended or supplemented, nor have any of the provisions thereof been waived, except pursuant to a written agreement or instrument which has heretofore been delivered to Agent.

 

5.19.            Swaps . Except as otherwise agreed by Agent, no Borrower is a party to, nor will it be a party to, any swap agreement whereby such Borrower has agreed or will agree to swap interest rates or currencies unless same provides that damages upon termination following an event of default thereunder are payable on an unlimited “two-way basis” without regard to fault on the part of either party.

 

5.20.            Conflicting Agreements . No provision of any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, judgment, decree or order binding on any Borrower or affecting the Collateral conflicts with, or requires any Consent which has not already been obtained to, or would in any way prevent the execution, delivery or performance of, the terms of this Agreement or the Other Documents.

 

5.21.            Application of Certain Laws and Regulations . The Borrowers are not subject to any law, statute, rule or regulation which regulates the incurrence of any Indebtedness (other than applicable fraudulent transfer laws), including laws, statutes, rules or regulations relative to common or interstate carriers or to the sale of electricity, gas, steam, water, telephone, telegraph or other public utility services.

 

5.22.            Business and Property of Borrowers . Upon and after the Closing Date, Borrowers do not propose to engage in any business other than as a provider of end-to-end electronics manufacturing services (EMS) including PCBA production, systems integration and comprehensive testing services, enclosure fabrication, as well as product design, sustaining engineering and supply chain management services to global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and emerging technology companies primarily within industrial, computing and communication market segments, and activities reasonably related thereto. On the Closing Date, each Borrower will own all the property and possess all of the rights necessary for the conduct of the business of such Borrower.

 

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5.23.            Section 20 Subsidiaries . Borrowers do not intend to use and shall not use any portion of the proceeds of the Advances, directly or indirectly, to purchase during the underwriting period, or for thirty (30) days thereafter, Ineligible Securities being underwritten by a Section 20 Subsidiary.

 

5.24.            [Reserved].

 

5.25.            [Reserved].

 

5.26.            Federal Securities Laws . No Subsidiary of SMTC (i) is required to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act, (ii) has any securities registered under the Exchange Act or (iii) has filed a registration statement that has not yet become effective under the Securities Act.

 

5.27.            Equity Interests . The authorized and outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of SMTC is as shown on Schedule 5.27 hereto. All of the Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of SMTC have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable (in each case, to the extent relevant under applicable law) and have been sold and delivered to the holders thereof in compliance with, or under valid exemption from, all federal and state laws and the rules and regulations of each Governmental Body governing the sale and delivery of securities. Except for the rights and obligations shown on Schedule 5.27, there are no subscriptions, warrants, options, calls, commitments, rights or agreements by which any Subsidiary of SMTC is bound relating to the issuance, transfer, voting or redemption of shares of its Equity Interests or any pre-emptive rights held by any Person with respect to the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary of SMTC. Except as shown on Schedule 5.27, no Subsidiary of SMTC has issued any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its Equity Interests or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire such shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares.

 

5.28.            Term Loan Documents . Agent has received true, correct and complete copies of the Term Loan Documents. None of the Term Loan Documents has been amended or supplemented, nor have any of the provisions thereof been waived, except pursuant to a written agreement or instrument which has heretofore been delivered to Agent.

 

5.29.            Material Contracts . Schedule 5.29 sets forth all Material Contracts of the Borrowers. All Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no material defaults currently exist thereunder.

 

5.30.            [Reserved].

 

5.31.            [Reserved].

 

5.32.            Certificate of Beneficial Ownership . The Certificate of Beneficial Ownership executed and delivered to Agent and Lenders for each Borrower on or prior to the date of this Agreement, as updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, is accurate, complete and correct as of the date hereof and as of the date any such update is delivered. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Certificate of Beneficial Ownership is one of the Other Documents.

 

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VI.                AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Each Borrower shall, until payment in full of the Obligations and termination of this Agreement:

 

6.1.                Payment of Fees . Pay to Agent on demand all usual and customary fees and expenses which Agent incurs in connection with (a) the forwarding of Advance proceeds and (b) the establishment and maintenance of any Blocked Accounts or Depository Accounts as provided for in Section 4.15(h). Agent may, without making demand, charge Borrowers’ Account for all such fees and expenses.

 

6.2.                Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence and Assets . (a) Conduct continuously and operate actively its business according to good business practices and maintain all of its properties useful or necessary in its business in good working order and condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted and except as may be disposed of in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), including all licenses, patents, copyrights, design rights, industrial designs, tradenames, trade secrets and trademarks and take all actions necessary to enforce and protect the validity of any intellectual property right or other right included in the Collateral; (b) keep in full force and effect its existence and comply in all material respects with the laws and regulations governing the conduct of its business where the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) make all such reports and pay all such franchise and other taxes and license fees and do all such other acts and things as may be lawfully required to maintain its rights, licenses, leases, powers and franchises under the laws of the United States, Mexico or Canada (as applicable) or any political subdivision thereof where the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.3.                Violations . Promptly after becoming aware thereof, notify Agent in writing of any violation of any law, statute, regulation or ordinance of any Governmental Body, or of any agency thereof, applicable to any Borrower which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.4.                Government Receivables . To the extent that any Receivables from a Governmental Body are included in the Formula Amount, take all reasonable steps necessary to protect Agent’s interest in the Collateral under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act, the Uniform Commercial Code and all other applicable state or local statutes or ordinances and deliver to Agent appropriately endorsed, any instrument or chattel paper connected with any Receivable arising out of contracts between any Borrower and the United States, any state, any province or any department, agency or instrumentality of any of them.

 

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6.5.                Financial Covenants.

 

(a)                 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . Cause to be maintained a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than the ratio set forth below as of the end of each fiscal quarter set forth below during the term of this Agreement, in each case, on a trailing twelve month basis.

 

Fiscal Quarter End Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
December 31, 2018
March 31, 2019
1.35x
1.35x
June 30, 2019
September 30, 2019
1.35x
1.35x
December 31, 2019
March 31, 2020
1.35x
1.50x
June 30, 2020
September 30, 2020
1.50x
1.75x
December 31, 2020
March 31, 2021
1.75x
2.00x
June 30, 2021
September 30, 2021
2.00x
2.00x
December 31, 2021
March 31, 2022
2.00x
2.00x
June 30, 2022
September 30, 2022
2.00x
2.00x
December 31, 2022
March 31, 2023
2.00x
2.00x
June 30, 2023
September 30, 2023
2.00x
2.00x
December 31, 2023 2.00x

 

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(b)                Total Leverage Ratio . Cause to be maintained a Total Leverage Ratio of not greater than the ratio set forth below as of the end of each fiscal quarter set forth below during the term of this Agreement, in each case, on a trailing twelve month basis:

 

Fiscal Quarter End Total Leverage Ratio
December 31, 2018
March 31, 2019
4.50x
4.25x
June 30, 2019
September 30, 2019
4.25x
3.85x
December 31, 2019
March 31, 2020
3.45x
3.30x
June 30, 2020
September 30, 2020
3.10x
2.90x
December 31, 2020
March 31, 2021
2.70x
2.60x
June 30, 2021
September 30, 2021
2.45x
2.35x
December 31, 2021
March 31, 2022
2.35x
2.35x
June 30, 2022
September 30, 2022
2.20x
2.00x
December 31, 2022
March 31, 2023
2.00x
2.00x
June 30, 2023
September 30, 2023
2.00x
2.00x
December 31, 2023 2.00x

 

 

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(c)                 Senior Leverage Ratio . Cause to be maintained a Senior Leverage Ratio of not greater than the ratio set forth below as of the end of each fiscal quarter set forth below during the term of this Agreement, in each case, on a trailing twelve month basis:

 

Fiscal Quarter End Senior Leverage Ratio
December 31, 2018
March 31, 2019
4.00x
3.50x
June 30, 2019
September 30, 2019
3.25x
2.90x
December 31, 2019
March 31, 2020
2.55x
2.40x
June 30, 2020
September 30, 2020
2.40x
2.20x
December 31, 2020
March 31, 2021
2.00x
1.90x
June 30, 2021
September 30, 2021
1.90x
1.75x
December 31, 2021
March 31, 2022
1.75x
1.75x
June 30, 2022
September 30, 2022
1.75x
1.50x
December 31, 2022
March 31, 2023
1.50x
1.50x
June 30, 2023
September 30, 2023
1.50x
1.50x
December 31, 2023 1.50x

 

 

6.6.                Execution of Supplemental Instruments . Execute and deliver to Agent from time to time, upon demand, such supplemental agreements, statements, assignments and transfers, or instructions or documents relating to the Collateral, and such other instruments as Agent may reasonably request, in order that the full intent of this Agreement may be carried into effect.

 

6.7.                Payment of Indebtedness . Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity (subject, where applicable, to specified grace periods and, in the case of the trade payables, to normal payment practices) all its obligations and liabilities of whatever nature, except when the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or when the amount or validity thereof is being Properly Contested subject at all times to any applicable subordination arrangement in favor of Lenders.

 

6.8.                Standards of Financial Statements . Cause all financial statements referred to in Sections 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11, 9.12, and 9.13 as to which GAAP is applicable to be complete and correct in all material respects (subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments) and to be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein (except as concurred in by such reporting accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein).

 

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6.9.                Federal Securities Laws . Promptly notify Agent in writing if any Subsidiary of SMTC (i) is required to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act, (ii) registers any securities under the Exchange Act or (iii) files a registration statement under the Securities Act, and shall promptly provide copies of any material reports, filings and registrations to Agent.

 

6.10.            Exercise of Rights . Enforce all of its rights under the Acquisition Agreement including, but not limited to, all indemnification rights and pursue all remedies available to it with diligence and in good faith in connection with the enforcement of any such rights, in each case, in accordance with its reasonable business judgment.

 

6.11.            Additional Information . Concurrently with the execution, receipt or delivery thereof, provide (a) copies of all material notices (including, without limitation, default notices), reports, statements or other material information that any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries executes, receives or delivers in connection with any Term Loan Document and (b) copies of any amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications, waivers, consents or forbearances that any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries executes, receives or delivers with respect to any Term Loan Document.

 

6.12.            Certificate of Beneficial Ownership and Other Additional Information . Provide to Agent and the Lenders: (i) confirmation of the accuracy of the information set forth in the most recent Certificate of Beneficial Ownership provided to the Agent and Lenders; (ii) a new Certificate of Beneficial Ownership, in form and substance acceptable to Agent and each Lenders, when the individual(s) to be identified as a Beneficial Owner have changed; and (iii) such other information and documentation as may reasonably be requested by Agent or any Lender from time to time for purposes of compliance by Agent or such Lender with applicable laws (including without limitation the USA Patriot Act and other “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations), and any policy or procedure implemented by Agent or such Lender to comply therewith.

 

6.13.            Keepwell . If it is a Qualified ECP Loan Party, then jointly and severally, together with each other Qualified ECP Loan Party, hereby absolutely unconditionally and irrevocably (a) guarantees the prompt payment and performance of all Swap Obligations owing by each Non-Qualifying Party (it being understood and agreed that this guarantee is a guaranty of payment and not of collection), and (b) undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by any Non-Qualifying Party to honor all of such Non-Qualifying Party’s obligations under this Agreement or any Other Document in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Loan Party shall only be liable under this Section 6.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 6.13, or otherwise under this Agreement or any Other Document, voidable under applicable law, including applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Loan Party under this Section 6.13 shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of the Obligations and termination of this Agreement and the Other Documents. Each Qualified ECP Loan Party intends that this Section 6.13 constitute, and this Section 6.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Borrower and Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18(A)(v)(II) of the CEA.

 

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6.14.            Post Closing Conditions .

 

(a)                 Within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date (or such later date acceptable to Agent), Borrowers shall provide Agent (i) the Mexican Security Documents, each duly executed by the applicable Loan Parties and (ii) evidence that all documents required to grant Agent a valid and enforceable Lien on Borrowers assets located in Mexico have been admitted for record in the corresponding public registry;

 

(b)                Within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date (or such later date acceptable to Agent), Borrowers shall provide Agent with Lien Waiver Agreements, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent, with respect to all locations or places at which Inventory, Equipment and books and records are located;

 

(c)                 Within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date (or such later date acceptable to Agent), ensure that all proceeds of Collateral are deposited by Loan Parties into either (i) a Blocked Account established at Blocked Account Bank pursuant to an arrangement with such Blocked Account Bank as may be acceptable to Agent and from which all proceeds are transmitted to Agent via wire transfer on a daily basis or (ii) Depository Accounts established at Agent for the deposit of such proceeds;

 

(d)                Within thirty (30) days after the Closing Date (or such later date acceptable to Agent), the Loan Parties shall have delivered to Agent appropriate endorsements (including loss payable endorsements), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, naming the Agent as an additional insured and as mortgagee and/or lender loss payee (as applicable) as its interests may appear with respect to all insurance policies required by this Agreement; and

 

(e)                 Within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date (or such later date acceptable to Agent), Agent shall have received counterpart signatures to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, or a duly executed joinder agreement thereto, from each Subsidiary of the Parent, to the extent not delivered on the Closing Date.

 

VII.              NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

 

No Borrower shall, until satisfaction in full of the Obligations and termination of this Agreement:

 

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7.1.                Merger, Consolidation, Acquisition and Sale of Assets .

 

(a)                 Enter into any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other reorganization with or into any other Person or acquire all or a substantial portion of the assets or Equity Interests of any Person or permit any other Person to consolidate with, amalgamate with or merge with it (other than in respect of any Permitted Acquisition); provided, however, that (A) any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of any Domestic Loan Party may be merged into such Domestic Loan Party or another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of such Domestic Loan Party, or may consolidate with another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of such Domestic Loan Party, or (B) any wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of any Foreign Loan Party may be merged into such Foreign Loan Party or another wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of such Foreign Loan Party, or may consolidate with another wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of such Foreign Loan Party, so long as, in the case of any transaction described in clause (A) or (B): (1) no other provision of this Agreement would be violated thereby, (2) such Loan Party gives the Agent at least 30 days' prior written notice of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation accompanied by true, correct and complete copies of all material agreements, documents and instruments relating to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, including, without limitation, the certificate or certificates of merger or amalgamation to be filed with each appropriate Secretary of State (with a copy as filed promptly after such filing), (3) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either before or immediately after giving effect to such transaction, (4) the Lenders' rights in any Collateral, including, without limitation, the existence, perfection and priority of any Lien thereon, are not adversely affected by such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, (5) no Holding Company may be a party to any such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, (6) in the case of any merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving a Borrower, a Borrower must be the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or amalgamation and (7) in the case of any merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving a Loan Party, the surviving Subsidiary, if any, if not already a Loan Party, is joined as a Loan Party hereunder pursuant to a joinder agreement and is a party to a security document and the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary are the subject of a Security Document, in each case, which is in full force and effect on the date of and immediately after giving effect to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation; provided, further, that any Inactive Subsidiary may be dissolved so long as its assets (if any) are distributed to its direct parent or to a Loan Party.

 

(b)                Sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets, except (i) dispositions of Inventory and Equipment to the extent expressly permitted by Section 4.3 and (ii) any other sales or dispositions expressly permitted by this Agreement.

 

7.2.                Creation of Liens . Create or suffer to exist any Lien or transfer upon or against any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.

 

7.3.                Guarantees . Become liable upon the obligations or liabilities of any Person by assumption, endorsement or guaranty thereof or otherwise (other than to Lenders) except (a) the endorsement of checks in the Ordinary Course of Business, (b) guarantees in the Ordinary Course of Business up to an aggregate amount for all such guarantees of $100,000 and (c) guarantees of the obligations of another Borrower permitted to be incurred hereunder.

 

7.4.                Investments . Purchase or acquire obligations or Equity Interests of, or any other interest in, any Person, except Permitted Investments.

 

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7.5.                Loans . Make advances, loans or extensions of credit to any Person, including any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate except Permitted Loans.

 

7.6.                Capital Expenditures . Contract for, purchase or make any expenditure or commitments for Capital Expenditures (other than in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or Capitalized Lease) in an aggregate amount for all Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries not to exceed the amounts set forth in the table below for such fiscal period:

 

Period Capital Expenditure
Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2018 $1,000,000
2019 Fiscal Year $5,000,000
2020 Fiscal Year $5,500,000
2021 Fiscal Year $6,000,000
2022 Fiscal Year $6,500,000
2023 Fiscal Year $7,000,000

 

provided, however, in the event Capital Expenditures during any fiscal year are less than the amount permitted for such fiscal year, then 50% of the unused amount (the “ Carryover Amount ”) may be carried over and used in the immediately succeeding fiscal year; provided, further, that any Carryover Amount shall be deemed to be the last amount spent in such succeeding fiscal year.

 

7.7.                Dividends . Declare, pay or make any dividend or distribution on any Equity Interests of any Borrower (other than dividends or distributions payable in its stock, or split-ups or reclassifications of its stock) or apply any of its funds, property or assets to the purchase, redemption or other retirement of any Equity Interest, or of any options to purchase or acquire any Equity Interest of any Borrower except Permitted Restricted Payments.

 

7.8.                Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (exclusive of trade debt) except in respect of Permitted Indebtedness.

 

7.9.                Nature of Business . Substantially change the nature of the business in which it is presently engaged or reasonable extensions thereof, nor except as specifically permitted hereby purchase or invest, directly or indirectly, in any assets or property other than in the Ordinary Course of Business for assets or property which are useful in, necessary for and are to be used in its business as presently conducted.

 

7.10.            Transactions with Affiliates . Enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, transfer or exchange of property or assets of any kind or the rendering of services of any kind) with any Affiliate, except (i)(A) transactions with Asure Software, Inc. not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year that are consummated in the ordinary course of business for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate thereof and (B) transactions consummated in the ordinary course of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past practice and necessary or desirable for the prudent operation of its business, for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate thereof, and, in the case of this clause (B), that are fully disclosed to the Agent prior to the consummation thereof, if they involve one or more payments by SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions, (ii) transactions with another Loan Party, (iii) transactions permitted under Section 7.1, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7 or 7.8 hereof, (iv) sales of Qualified Equity Interests of SMTC to Affiliates of SMTC not otherwise prohibited by the Loan Documents and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith, (v) reasonable and customary director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses and stock option programs), benefits and indemnification arrangements, in each case approved by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, (vi) transactions among or between Loan Parties otherwise permitted by this Agreement, and (vii) transactions among or between Subsidiaries of SMTC that are not Loan Parties otherwise permitted by this Agreement.

 

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7.11.            Reserved .

 

7.12.            Subsidiaries .

 

(a)                 Form or acquire any Subsidiary unless (i) such Subsidiary expressly joins in this Agreement as a borrower and becomes jointly and severally liable for the obligations of Borrowers hereunder, unless otherwise agreed to by Agent, under the Notes, and under any other agreement between any Borrower and Lenders and (ii) Agent shall have received all documents, including legal opinions, it may reasonably require to establish compliance therewith.

 

(b)                Enter into any partnership, joint venture or similar arrangement.

 

7.13.            Fiscal Year and Accounting Changes . Change its accounting cycle from a 4-4-5 without the consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or make any material change (i) in accounting treatment and reporting practices except as required by GAAP or (ii) in tax reporting treatment except as required by law.

 

7.14.            Pledge of Credit . Now or hereafter pledge Agent’s or any Lender’s credit on any purchases or for any purpose whatsoever or use any portion of any Advance in or for any business other than such Borrower’s business as conducted on the date of this Agreement.

 

7.15.            Amendment of Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws . Amend, modify or waive any material term or provision of its Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws unless required by law or not adverse to the interest of Agent or Lenders.

 

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7.16.            Compliance with ERISA . Maintain, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to maintain, or (y) become obligated to contribute, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to become obligated to contribute, to any Plan, other than those Plans disclosed on Schedule 5.8(d), (ii) engage, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to engage, in any non-exempt “prohibited transaction”, as that term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, (iii) terminate, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to terminate, any Plan where such event could result in any liability of any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group or the imposition of a lien on the property of any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group pursuant to Section 4068 of ERISA, (iv) incur, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to incur, any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan; (v) fail promptly to notify Agent of the occurrence of any Termination Event, (vi) fail to comply, or permit a member of the Controlled Group to fail to comply, with the requirements of ERISA or the Code or other Applicable Laws in respect of any Plan, (vii) fail to meet, permit any member of the Controlled Group to fail to meet, or permit any Plan to fail to meet, all minimum funding requirements under ERISA and the Code, without regard to any waivers or variances, or postpone or delay or allow any member of the Controlled Group to postpone or delay any funding requirement with respect to any Plan, or (vii) cause, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to cause, a representation or warranty in Section 5.8(d) to cease to be true and correct.

 

7.17.            Prepayment of Indebtedness . At any time, directly or indirectly, voluntarily prepay any Indebtedness, or repurchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness of any Loan Party, except:

 

(a)                 Permitted Intercompany Investments, Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness (to the extent in respect of assets no longer used in the business of any Loan Party) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing;

 

(b)                Borrowers may prepay the Obligations to the extent permitted hereunder;

 

(c)                 Borrowers may make mandatory prepayments in respect of the Term Loan Obligations pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(i) of the Term Loan Agreement (as in effect on the Closing Date hereof and as the same may be amended in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) in an amount not to exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) of SMTC and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, for each fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending on or about December 31, 2019, payable no earlier than the date on which the audited financial statements of SMTC and its Subsidiaries referred to in Section 9.7 hereof for such fiscal year are delivered to Agent (the “ Excess Cash Flow Due Date ”); provided that (i) in the event that such financial statements are not so delivered, then a calculation of Excess Cash Flow based upon estimated amounts shall be made by Agent and Term Loan Agent upon which calculation Borrowers may make the prepayment permitted by this Section 7.17(b), subject to adjustment when such financial statements are delivered to Agent as required hereby; and (ii) on the date of any such prepayment and after giving effect thereto, each of the Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions shall have been satisfied; provided further that, in the event Borrowers are unable to make any mandatory prepayment described in this Section 7.17(b) on any Excess Cash Flow Due Date due the failure to satisfy the Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions on such date, then Borrowers may make such prepayment in accordance with Section 2.05(c)(i) of the Term Loan Agreement at any time thereafter to the extent the Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions can be satisfied with respect to any such payment; and

 

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(d)                Borrowers may make mandatory prepayments in respect of the Term Loan Indebtedness pursuant to Sections 2.05(c)(ii), 2.05(c)(iii) and 2.05(c)(iv) of the Term Loan Agreement (as in effect on the Closing Date hereof and as the same may be amended in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

(e)                 Borrowers may make voluntary prepayments in respect of the Term Loan Obligations pursuant to Section 2.05(b) of the Term Loan Agreement (as in effect on the Closing Date hereof and as the same may be amended in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement); provided that on the date any such prepayment is made and after giving effect thereto, each of the Term Loan Voluntary Prepayment Conditions shall have been satisfied.

 

7.18.            No Excess Cash . Permit the maintenance of cash and Cash Equivalents in the accounts of all Foreign Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries in excess of (i) with respect to Foreign Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries organized in Mexico, $500,000 at any time outstanding, and (ii) with respect to all other Foreign Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries, $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

7.19.            Reserved .

 

7.20.            Earn-Out. At any time, directly or indirectly, make any payment on account of any earn-out payable in respect of the Acquisition unless both before and after giving effect thereto, (i) Borrowers have Liquidity and Average Liquidity of not less than $10,000,000 and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur; provided, further, that the Loan Parties shall not use the proceeds of any Revolving Advances to make such payments. For purposes of this agreement, “Average Liquidity” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of Borrowers’ Liquidity for each of the previous thirty (30) days, divided by thirty (30).

 

7.21.            Other Agreements . Enter into any amendment, waiver or modification of the Acquisition Agreement, or any of its related agreements in any manner materially adverse to the Agent or any Lender.

 

7.22.            Inactive Entities . Permit any of the following inactive entities to engage in business operations at any time: Qualtron Inc.; SMTC Ireland ULC; SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Ireland Limited; SMTC Teoranta; SMTC R&D Teoranta; SMTC Mexico S.A. de C.V.; SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Texas; SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of North Carolina; SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Colorado; SMTC Manufacturing Corporation of Wisconsin; SMTC Massachusetts; ZF Array Technology, Incorporated; SMTC Holdings LLC.

 

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7.23.            Other Agreements . Enter into any amendment, waiver or modification of the Term Loan Agreement or any related agreements except as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 

VIII.           CONDITIONS PRECEDENT .

 

8.1.                Conditions to Initial Advances . The agreement of Lenders to make the initial Advances requested to be made on the Closing Date is subject to the reasonable satisfaction, or waiver by Agent, immediately prior to or concurrently with the making of such Advances, of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                 Notes and Other Documents . Agent shall have received the Notes and Other Documents duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of each Borrower;

 

(b)                Filings, Registrations and Recordings . Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by this Agreement, any related agreement or under law or reasonably requested by the Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create, in favor of Agent, a perfected security interest in or lien upon the Collateral shall have been properly filed, registered or recorded in each jurisdiction in which the filing, registration or recordation thereof is so required or requested, and Agent shall have received an acknowledgment copy, or other evidence satisfactory to it, of each such filing, registration or recordation and satisfactory evidence of the payment of any necessary fee, tax or expense relating thereto;

 

(c)                 Company Proceedings of Borrowers . Agent shall have received a copy of the resolutions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, of the Board of Directors, Management Committee, Managing Member or Manager of each Borrower, as applicable, authorizing (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Notes, and any related agreements (collectively the “Documents”) and (ii) the granting by each Borrower of the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral in each case certified by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, or Manager, as applicable, of each Borrower as of the Closing Date; and, such certificate shall state that the resolutions thereby certified have not been amended, modified, revoked or rescinded as of the date of such certificate;

 

(d)                Incumbency Certificates of Borrowers . Agent shall have received a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or the Manager, as applicable, of each Borrower, dated the Closing Date, as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of each Borrower executing this Agreement, the Other Documents, any certificate or other documents to be delivered by it pursuant hereto, together with evidence of the incumbency of such Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary;

 

(e)                 Certificates . Agent shall have received a copy of the Articles or Certificate of Incorporation of each Borrower and all amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of its jurisdiction of incorporation, if applicable, together with copies of the By-Laws (or similar foreign document) of each Borrower and all agreements of each Borrower’s shareholders certified as accurate and complete by the respective Secretary of each Borrower;

 

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(f)                 Good Standing Certificates . Agent shall have received good standing certificates (or similar foreign document, where applicable) for each Borrower and each Guarantor dated not more than twenty (20) days prior to the Closing Date, issued by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of each Borrower’s and each Guarantor’s jurisdiction of incorporation and each jurisdiction where the conduct of each Borrower’s and each Guarantor’s business activities or the ownership of its properties necessitates qualification (except such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect);

 

(g)                Legal Opinions . Agent shall have received the executed legal opinion of Perkins Coie LLP in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent which shall cover such matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Note, the Other Documents, and related agreements as Agent may reasonably require and each Borrower hereby authorizes and directs such counsel to deliver such opinions to Agent and Lenders;

 

(h)                No Litigation . (i) No litigation, investigation or proceeding before or by any arbitrator or Governmental Body shall be continuing or threatened against any Borrower or against the officers or directors of any Borrower (A) in connection with this Agreement, the Other Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby and which, in the reasonable opinion of Agent, is deemed material or (B) which could, in the reasonable opinion of Agent, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) no injunction, writ, restraining order or other order of any nature materially adverse to any Borrower or the conduct of its business or inconsistent with the due consummation of the Transactions shall have been issued by any Governmental Body;

 

(i)                  Financial Condition Certificates . Agent shall have received an executed Financial Condition Certificate in the form of Exhibit 8.1(i);

 

(j)                  Collateral Examination . Agent shall have completed Collateral examinations, the results of which shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Lenders, of the Receivables of each Borrower and all books and records in connection therewith;

 

(k)                Fees . Agent shall have received all fees payable to Agent and Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date hereunder, including pursuant to Article III hereof;

 

(l)                  Financial Statements . Agent shall have received a copy of the Borrowers’ Financial Statements, including monthly and annual projections and pro forma financial statements to the extent requested by Agent, which shall be reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Lenders;

 

(m)              Acquisition Documents . Agent shall have received final executed copies of the Acquisition Documents as in effect on the Closing Date, all of which shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Agent and the transactions contemplated by such documentation shall be consummated prior to the making of the initial Advance;

 

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(n)                Intercreditor Agreement . Agent shall have received the fully executed Intercreditor Agreement, which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its sole discretion;

 

(o)                [Reserved];

 

(p)                Term Loan Documents . Agent shall have received the fully executed Term Loan Documents;

 

(q)                [Reserved];

 

(r)                  [reserved ;

 

(s)                 Insurance . Agent shall have received in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, certified copies of Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ casualty insurance policies, together with lender loss payable endorsements on Agent’s standard form of loss payee endorsement naming Agent as loss payee, and certified copies of Borrowers’ and Guarantors’ liability insurance policies, together with endorsements naming Agent as an additional insured;

 

(t)                  Payment Instructions . Agent shall have received written instructions from Borrowing Agent directing the application of proceeds of the initial Advances made pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(u)                Blocked Accounts . Agent shall have received duly executed agreements establishing the Blocked Accounts or Depository Accounts with financial institutions reasonably acceptable to Agent for the collection or servicing of the Receivables and proceeds of the Collateral, except for any zero-balance accounts or accounts which are used solely for the payment of salaries and wages, employee benefits, workers’ compensation and similar expenses;

 

(v)                Consents . Agent shall have received any and all Consents necessary to permit the effectuation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Other Documents; and, Agent shall have received such Consents and waivers of such third parties as might assert claims with respect to the Collateral, as Agent and its counsel shall reasonably deem necessary;

 

(w)              No Adverse Material Change . (i) since December 31, 2017, there shall not have occurred any event, condition or state of facts which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) no representations made or information supplied to Agent or Lenders shall have been proven to be inaccurate or misleading in any material respect;

 

(x)                Leasehold Agreements . Agent shall have received Lien Waiver Agreements reasonably satisfactory to Agent with respect to the chief executive offices leased by Borrowers;

 

(y)                Contract Review . Agent shall have reviewed all material contracts of Borrowers set forth on Schedule 5.13 and any other contracts requested by Agent, and such contracts and agreements shall be reasonably satisfactory in all respects to Agent;

 

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(z)                 Closing Certificate . Agent shall have received a closing certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of each Borrower dated as of the date hereof, stating that (i) all representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the Other Documents are true and correct on and as of such date, (ii) Borrowers are on such date in compliance with all the terms and provisions set forth in this Agreement and the Other Documents and (iii) on such date no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing;

 

(aa)             Borrowing Base . Agent shall have received evidence from Borrowers that the aggregate amount of Eligible Receivables, is sufficient in value and amount to support Advances in the amount requested by Borrowers on the Closing Date;

 

(bb)            Undrawn Availability . After giving effect to the initial Advances hereunder, Borrowers shall have Undrawn Availability of at least $10,000,000;

 

(cc)             Compliance with Laws . Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that each Borrower is in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, local or territorial regulations, including those with respect to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Environmental Protection Act, ERISA and the Trading with the Enemy Act, except where any noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(dd)           Process Agent . Agent shall have received a duly notarized power of attorney from each of SMTC de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., Radio Componentes de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., MC Assembly Mexico, SMTC Mex and MC Test appointing CT Corporation System, with an office as of the Closing Date at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, 10011 (the “Process Agent”) as its agent for service of process (with respect to this Agreement and the Other Documents), and that such Process Agent has accepted the appointment and has agreed promptly to forward to each of them all legal process addressed to them received by the Process Agent;

 

(ee)             [Reserved].

 

(ff)              Capital and Legal Structure . The final legal and capital structure of Borrowers and Guarantors shall be reasonably acceptable to Agent, including, but not limited to, a contribution by SMTC in an amount equal to $12,587,279.77 from its investment account held at PNC.

 

(gg)            Quality of Earnings Report . Agent shall have received a quality of earnings report conducted and any other third party diligence prepared with respect to the MC Assembly entities acquired under the Acquisition Agreement, which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Agent;

 

(hh)            Certificate of Beneficial Ownership; USA Patriot Act Diligence. Agent and each Lender shall have received, in form and substance acceptable to Agent and each Lender an executed Certificate of Beneficial Ownership and such other documentation and other information requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act;

 

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(ii)                Intercompany Subordination Agreement . Agent shall have received the fully executed Intercompany Subordination Agreement; and

 

(jj)                Other . All corporate and other proceedings, and all documents, instruments and other legal matters in connection with the Transactions shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Agent and its counsel.

 

8.2.                Conditions to Each Advance . The agreement of Lenders to make any Advance requested to be made on any date (including the initial Advance), is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent as of the date such Advance is made:

 

(a)                 Representations and Warranties . Each of the representations and warranties made by any Guarantor and any Borrower in or pursuant to this Agreement, the Other Documents and any related agreements to which it is a party, and each of the representations and warranties contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any time under or in connection with this Agreement, the Other Documents or any related agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date);

 

(b)                No Default . No Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date, or would exist after giving effect to the Advances requested to be made, on such date; provided, however that Agent, in its sole discretion, may continue to make Advances notwithstanding the existence of an Event of Default or Default and that any Advances so made shall not be deemed a waiver of any such Event of Default or Default;

 

(c)                 Material Adverse Effect . No Material Adverse Effect has occurred; and

 

(d)                Maximum Advances . In the case of any type of Advance requested to be made, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of such type of Advance shall not exceed the maximum amount of such type of Advance permitted under this Agreement.

 

Each request for an Advance by any Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by each Borrower as of the date of such Advance that the conditions contained in this subsection shall have been satisfied.

 

IX.                 INFORMATION AS TO BORROWERS.

 

Each Borrower shall, or shall cause Borrowing Agent on its behalf to, until satisfaction in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement:

 

9.1.                Disclosure of Material Matters . Promptly upon learning thereof, report to Agent all matters materially affecting the value, enforceability or collectability of any portion of the Collateral, including any Borrower’s reclamation or repossession of, or the return to any Borrower of, a material amount of goods or claims or disputes asserted by any Customer or other obligor.

 

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9.2.                Schedules . Deliver to Agent (i) on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each month as and for the prior month (a) accounts receivable ageings inclusive of reconciliations to the general ledger, (b) accounts payable schedules inclusive of reconciliations to the general ledger, and (c) Inventory reports, and (d) a Borrowing Base Certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Agent (which shall not be binding upon Agent or restrictive of Agent’s rights under this Agreement). In addition, each Borrower will deliver to Agent at such intervals as Agent may reasonably require: (i) confirmatory assignment schedules; (ii) copies of Customer’s invoices; (iii) evidence of shipment or delivery; and (iv) such further schedules, documents and/or information regarding the Collateral as Agent may require including trial balances and test verifications. Agent shall have the right to confirm and verify all Receivables by any manner and through any medium it considers advisable and do whatever it may deem reasonably necessary to protect its interests hereunder. The items to be provided under this Section are to be in form reasonably satisfactory to Agent and executed by each Borrower and delivered to Agent from time to time solely for Agent’s convenience in maintaining records of the Collateral, and any Borrower’s failure to deliver any of such items to Agent shall not affect, terminate, modify or otherwise limit Agent’s Lien with respect to the Collateral.

 

9.3.                Environmental Reports . Furnish Agent, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 9.7 and 9.8, with a certificate signed by the President of Borrowing Agent stating, to the best of his knowledge, that each Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all federal, state and local Environmental Laws. To the extent any Borrower is not in material compliance with the foregoing laws, the certificate shall set forth with specificity all areas of non-compliance and the proposed action such Borrower will implement in order to achieve full compliance.

 

9.4.                Litigation . Promptly notify Agent in writing upon becoming aware of any claim, litigation, suit or administrative proceeding affecting any Borrower or any Guarantor, which in any such case materially affects the Collateral or which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.5.                Material Occurrences . Promptly notify Agent in writing upon becoming aware of the occurrence of (a) any Event of Default or Default; (b) any event, development or circumstance whereby any financial statements or other reports furnished to Agent fail in any material respect to present fairly, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, the financial condition or operating results of any Borrower as of the date of such statements; (d) any accumulated retirement plan funding deficiency which, if such deficiency continued for two plan years and was not corrected as provided in Section 4971 of the Code, could subject any Borrower to a tax imposed by Section 4971 of the Code; (e) each and every default by any Borrower which might result in the acceleration of the maturity of any Indebtedness, including the names and addresses of the holders of such Indebtedness with respect to which there is a default existing or with respect to which the maturity has been or could be accelerated, and the amount of such Indebtedness; and (f) any other development in the business or affairs of any Borrower or Guarantor, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; in each case describing the nature thereof and the action Borrowers propose to take with respect thereto.

 

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9.6.                Government Receivables . Notify Agent promptly if any of its Receivables arise out of contracts between any Borrower and the United States, any state, or any department, agency or instrumentality of any of them.

 

9.7.                Annual Financial Statements . Furnish Agent and Lenders within Ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrowers, financial statements of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidating and consolidated basis including, but not limited to, statements of income and stockholders’ equity and cash flow from the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal year and the balance sheet as at the end of such fiscal year, all prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior practices, and in reasonable detail and reported upon without qualification by an independent certified public accounting firm selected by Borrowers and reasonably satisfactory to Agent (the “Accountants”); provided however that if SMTC files its annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC for the applicable fiscal year and such annual report contains the financial statements and reports described above, in a form acceptable to Agent in its reasonable discretion, then Borrowers may satisfy the forgoing requirement by delivering a copy of such annual report to Agent and each Lender. The report of the Accountants shall be accompanied by a statement of the Accountants certifying that (i) they have caused this Agreement to be reviewed, (ii) in making the examination upon which such report was based either no information came to their attention which to their knowledge constituted an Event of Default or a Default under this Agreement or any related agreement or, if such information came to their attention, specifying any such Default or Event of Default, its nature, when it occurred and whether it is continuing, and such report shall contain or have appended thereto calculations which set forth Borrowers’ compliance with the requirements or restrictions imposed by Sections 6.5, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8 and 7.11 hereof. In addition, the reports shall be accompanied by a Compliance Certificate.

 

9.8.                Quarterly Financial Statements . Furnish Agent and Lenders within Forty Five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, an unaudited balance sheet of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidating and consolidated basis and unaudited statements of income and stockholders’ equity and cash flow of Borrowers on a consolidated and consolidating basis reflecting results of operations from the beginning of the fiscal year to the end of such quarter and for such quarter, prepared on a basis consistent with prior practices and complete and correct in all material respects, subject to normal and recurring year end adjustments that individually and in the aggregate are not material to Borrowers’ business; provided however that if SMTC files its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC for the applicable fiscal quarter and such quarterly report contains the financial statements and reports described above, in a form acceptable to Agent in its reasonable discretion, then Borrowers may satisfy the forgoing requirement by delivering a copy of such quarterly report to Agent and each Lender. The reports shall be accompanied by a Compliance Certificate.

 

9.9.                Monthly Financial Statements . Furnish Agent and Lenders within thirty (30) days after the end of each month thereafter (other than for the months of January, April, July and October which shall be delivered in accordance with Section 9.8 as applicable), an unaudited balance sheet of Borrowers and their Subsidiaries on a consolidating and consolidated basis and unaudited statements of income and stockholders’ equity and cash flow of Borrowers on a consolidated and consolidating basis reflecting results of operations from the beginning of the fiscal year to the end of such month and for such month, prepared on a basis consistent with prior practices and complete and correct in all material respects, subject to normal and recurring year end adjustments that individually and in the aggregate are not material to Borrowers’ business. The reports shall be accompanied by a Compliance Certificate.

 

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9.10.            Other Reports . Furnish Agent as soon as available, but in any event within ten (10) days after the issuance thereof, with copies of such financial statements, reports and returns as each Borrower shall send to its stockholders.

 

9.11.            Additional Information . Furnish Agent with such additional information as Agent shall reasonably request in order to enable Agent to determine whether the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and the Notes have been complied with by Borrowers including, without the necessity of any request by Agent, (a) copies of all environmental audits and reviews, (b) at least thirty (30) days prior thereto, notice of the closing or relocation of any Borrower’s chief executive office, (c) promptly upon the request of Agent, an updated list of Real Property, and (d) promptly upon any Borrower’s learning thereof, notice of any labor dispute to which any Borrower may become a party, any strikes or walkouts relating to any of its plants or other facilities, and the expiration of any labor contract to which any Borrower is a party or by which any Borrower is bound.

 

9.12.            Projected Operating Budget . Furnish Agent and Lenders, no later than one (1) day prior to the beginning of each Borrower’s fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, a month by month projected operating budget, cash flow and availability projection of Borrowers on a consolidated and consolidating basis for such fiscal year (including an income statement for each month and a balance sheet as at the end of the last month in each fiscal quarter), such projections to be accompanied by a certificate signed by the President or Chief Financial Officer of each Borrower to the effect that such projections have been prepared on the basis of sound financial planning practice consistent with past budgets and financial statements and that such officer has no reason to question the reasonableness of any material assumptions on which such projections were prepared.

 

9.13.            Variances From Operating Budget . Furnish Agent, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 9.7 and each quarterly and monthly report, a written report summarizing all material variances from budgets submitted by Borrowers pursuant to Section 9.12 and a discussion and analysis by management with respect to such variances.

 

9.14.            Notice of Suits, Adverse Events . Furnish Agent with prompt written notice of (i) any lapse or other termination of any Consent issued to any Borrower by any Governmental Body or any other Person that is material to the operation of any Borrower’s business, (ii) any refusal by any Governmental Body or any other Person to renew or extend any such Consent; and (iii) copies of any periodic or special reports filed by any Borrower with any Governmental Body or Person, if such reports indicate any material change in the business, operations, affairs or condition of any Borrower, or if copies thereof are requested by Lender, and (iv) copies of any material notices and other communications from any Governmental Body or Person which specifically relate to any Borrower.

 

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9.15.            ERISA Notices and Requests . Furnish Agent with prompt written notice in the event that (i) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that a Termination Event has occurred, together with a written statement describing such Termination Event and the action, if any, which such Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, PBGC, or other applicable governmental authority with respect thereto, (ii) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that a prohibited transaction (as defined in Sections 406 of ERISA and 4975 of the Code) has occurred together with a written statement describing such transaction and the action which such Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, (iii) a funding waiver request has been filed with respect to any Plan together with all communications received by any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group with respect to such request, (iv) any material increase in the benefits of any existing Plan or the establishment of any new Plan, or the commencement of contributions to any Plan to which any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group was not previously contributing shall occur, (v) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall receive from the PBGC or other applicable Governmental Body a notice of intention to terminate or wind-up a Plan or to have a trustee or replacement administrator appointed to administer a Plan, together with copies of each such notice, (vi) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall receive any favorable or unfavorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the qualification of a Plan under Section 401(a) of the Code, together with copies of each such letter; (vii) [reserved]; (viii) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall receive a notice regarding the imposition of withdrawal liability, together with copies of each such notice; (ix) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall fail to make a required installment or any other required payment under the Code or ERISA on or before the due date for such installment or payment; (x) [reserved], (xi) any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group knows that (a) a Multiemployer Plan has been terminated, (b) the administrator or plan sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate a Multiemployer Plan, (c) the PBGC or other applicable governmental authority has instituted or will institute proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA or (d) a Multiemployer Plan is subject to Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA.

 

9.16.            Additional Documents . Execute and deliver to Agent, upon request, such documents and agreements as Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the purposes, terms or conditions of this Agreement.

 

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9.17.            Updates to Certain Schedules . Deliver to Agent promptly as shall be required to maintain the related representations and warranties as true and correct, updates to Schedules 4.5 (Locations of equipment and Inventory), 5.9 (Intellectual Property, Source Code Escrow Agreements), 5.27 (Equity Interests); provided, that absent the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default, Borrower shall only be required to provide such updates on a monthly basis in connection with delivery of a Compliance Certificate with respect to the applicable month. Any such updated Schedules delivered by Borrowers to Agent in accordance with this Section 9.17 shall automatically and immediately be deemed to amend and restate the prior version of such Schedule previously delivered to Agent and attached to and made part of this Agreement.

 

X.                   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

10.1.            Nonpayment . Failure by any Borrower to pay any principal or interest on the Obligations when due, whether at maturity or by reason of acceleration pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or by notice of intention to prepay, or by required prepayment or failure to pay any other liabilities or make any other payment, fee or charge provided for herein when due or in any Other Document;

 

10.2.            Breach of Representation . Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Borrower or any Guarantor in this Agreement, any Other Document or any related agreement or in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished at any time in connection herewith or therewith shall prove to have been misleading in any material respect on the date when made or deemed to have been made;

 

10.3.            Financial Information . Failure by any Borrower to (i) furnish financial information when due or promptly following any request for additional information for which a specified delivery time is not set forth in this Agreement or (ii) permit the inspection of its books or records as required in accordance with Section 4.10;

 

10.4.            Judicial Actions . Issuance of a notice of a Lien (other than a Permitted Encumbrance), levy, assessment, injunction or attachment against any Borrower’s Receivables or against a material portion of any Borrower’s other property;

 

10.5.         Noncompliance . Except as otherwise provided for in Sections 10.1, 10.3 and 10.5(ii), (i) failure or neglect of any Borrower to perform, keep or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant contained in Sections 2.22, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.10, 4.15(d), 4.15(h), 6.2, 6.5, 6.6, 6.13, 9.5 or Article 7 of this Agreement; (ii) failure or neglect of any Borrower to perform, keep or observe any term, provision, condition or covenant, contained in Sections 4.6, 4.7, 4.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 9.4 or 9.6 hereof which is not cured within ten (10) days from the occurrence of such failure or neglect, or (iii) failure or neglect of any Loan Party to perform, keep or observe any term, provision, condition, covenant herein contained, or contained in this Agreement or in any Other Document (beyond any applicable grace or cure), now or hereafter entered into between any Loan Party, and Agent or any Lender and such failure or neglect shall remain unremedied for twenty (20) days after the earlier of the date a senior officer of any Loan Party has knowledge of such failure and the date written notice of such default shall have been given by Agent to such Loan Party;

 

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10.6.            Judgments . Any judgment or judgments are rendered against any Borrower or any Guarantor for an aggregate amount in excess of $500,000 or against all Borrowers or Guarantors for an aggregate amount in excess of $500,000 and (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by a creditor upon such judgment, (ii) there shall be any period of twenty (20) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect, or (iii) any such judgment results in the creation of a Lien upon any of the Collateral (other than a Permitted Encumbrance);

 

10.7.            Bankruptcy . Any Borrower or any Guarantor shall (i) apply for, consent to or suffer the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, receiver and manager, custodian, trustee, liquidator or similar fiduciary of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property, (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (iv) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (v) file a petition, seeking to take advantage of any other law providing for the relief of debtors, (vi) acquiesce to, or fail to have dismissed, within thirty (30) days, any petition filed against it in any involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws, or (vii) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

10.8.            Inability to Pay . Any Borrower or any Guarantor shall admit in writing its inability, or be generally unable, to pay its debts as they become due or cease operations of its present business;

 

10.9.            Indebtedness . SMTC or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) any principal, interest or other amount payable in respect of Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement, any Loan Document or any Term Loan Document) having an aggregate amount outstanding in excess of $500,000, and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness, or any other default under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event, shall occur and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such default or event is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), redeemed, purchased or defeased or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case, prior to the stated maturity thereof;

 

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10.10.       Lien Priority . Any Lien created hereunder or provided for hereby or under any related agreement for any reason ceases to be or is not a valid and perfected Lien having a first priority interest, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

10.11.       Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance . Any representation or warranty contained in Section 16.19 is or becomes false or misleading at any time.

 

10.12.       Cross Default . A default of the obligations of any Borrower under any other agreement to which it is a party shall occur which causes a Material Adverse Effect which default is not cured within any applicable grace period;

 

10.13.       Breach of Guaranty . Termination or breach of any Guaranty or Guaranty Security Agreement or any provision or term contained therein or similar agreement executed and delivered to Agent in connection with the Obligations of any Borrower, or if any Guarantor attempts to terminate, challenges the validity of, or its liability under, any such Guaranty or Guaranty Security Agreement or similar agreement;

 

10.14.       Change of Control . Any Change of Control shall occur;

 

10.15.       Invalidity . Any material provision of this Agreement or any Other Document shall, for any reason, cease to be valid and binding on any Borrower or any Guarantor, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any party thereto, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Borrower or any Guarantor or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any of them, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof or any Borrower or any Guarantor shall so claim in writing to Agent or any Lender;

 

10.16.       Licenses . (i) Any Governmental Body shall (A) revoke, terminate, suspend or adversely modify any license, permit, patent trademark or tradename of any Borrower or any Guarantor which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (B) commence proceedings to suspend, revoke, terminate or adversely modify any such license, permit, trademark, tradename or patent which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) schedule or conduct a hearing on the renewal of any license, permit, trademark, tradename or patent necessary for the continuation of any Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s business and the staff of such Governmental Body issues a report recommending the termination, revocation, suspension or material, adverse modification of such license, permit, trademark, tradename or patent which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any agreement which is necessary or material to the operation of any Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s business shall be revoked or terminated and not replaced by a substitute reasonably acceptable to Agent within thirty (30) days after the date of such revocation or termination, and such revocation or termination and non-replacement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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10.17.       Seizures . Any portion of the Collateral having a value in excess of $500,000 shall be seized or taken by a Governmental Body, or any material portion of the Collateral shall have become the subject matter of claim, litigation, suit or other proceeding which results in impairment or loss of the security provided by this Agreement or the Other Documents;

 

10.18.       Pension Plans . An event or condition specified in Sections 7.16 or 9.15 hereof shall occur or exist with respect to any Plan, and, as a result of such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, any Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group shall incur, or in the reasonable good faith opinion of Agent be reasonably likely to incur, a liability to a Plan or the PBGC (or both), in excess of $500,000;

 

10.19.       Operations . The operations of any Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s material manufacturing facilities (as of the Closing Date, it is agreed that the manufacturing facility located in Washington #3701 Building 20, Chihuahua, Mexico C.P. 31200 Mexico is material) are interrupted at any time for any period of ten (10) consecutive days (other than scheduled shut downs), unless such Borrower or Guarantor shall (i) maintain a backup plan reasonably acceptable to Agent or present a plan reasonably acceptable to Agent evidencing that such interruption won’t materially affect such Borrower’s or Guarantor’s manufacturing or sales of its products; or (ii) (a) be entitled to receive for such period of interruption, proceeds of business interruption insurance sufficient to assure that its per diem cash needs during such period is at least equal to its average per diem cash needs for the consecutive three month period immediately preceding the initial date of interruption and (b) receive such proceeds in the amount described in clause (ii)(a) preceding not later than thirty (30) days following the initial date of any such interruption; provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii)(a) and (ii)(b) of this section, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such Borrower or Guarantor shall be receiving the proceeds of business interruption insurance for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days;

 

10.20.       Intercreditor Default . An event of default has occurred under the Intercreditor Agreement due to the violation or breach of the terms of such agreement by the Term Loan Lender, any Borrower or any Guarantor, or due to an attempt by the Term Loan Lender, any Borrower or any Guarantor to terminate or challenge the validity of such agreement, or any of the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall, in whole or in part, terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against the Term Loan Lender;

 

10.21.       [Reserved].

 

10.22.       [Reserved] .

 

10.23.       Term Loan Agreement Default . An event of default has occurred under the Term Loan Agreement, which default or event of default has not been cured within any applicable grace period, or which has not been waived or cured with any applicable grace period; provided that an event of default under the Term Loan Documents that is based on a breach of a financial covenant under the Term Loan Agreement shall not become a Default or an Event of Default under this Agreement unless such event of default under the Term Loan Documents shall continue after the applicable grace period therefor and shall not have been cured or waived within forty-five (45) days after the date on which the Borrowers are required to have delivered financial statements to the Term Loan Agent or Term Loan Lenders evidencing the occurrence of such event of default under the Term Loan Documents.

 

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XI.                 LENDERS’ RIGHTS AND REMEDIES AFTER DEFAULT.

 

11.1.            Rights and Remedies .

 

(a)                 Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of (i) an Event of Default pursuant to Section 10.7 all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable and this Agreement and the obligation of Lenders to make Advances shall be deemed terminated (ii) any of the other Events of Default and at any time thereafter during the continuance thereof, at the option of Required Lenders all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable and Lenders shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and to terminate the obligation of Lenders to make Advances and (iii) a filing of a petition against any Borrower in any involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws, all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable and the obligation of Lenders to make Advances hereunder shall be terminated other than as may be required by an appropriate order of the bankruptcy court having jurisdiction over such Borrower. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, Agent shall have the right to exercise any and all rights and remedies provided for herein, under the Other Documents (including the foreign security agreements), under the Uniform Commercial Code and at law or equity generally, including the right to foreclose the security interests granted herein and to realize upon any Collateral by any available judicial procedure and/or to take possession of and sell any or all of the Collateral with or without judicial process. Agent may enter any of any Borrower’s premises or other premises without legal process and without incurring liability to any Borrower therefor, and Agent may thereupon, or at any time thereafter, in its discretion without notice or demand, take the Collateral and remove the same to such place as Agent may deem advisable and Agent may require Borrowers to make the Collateral available to Agent at a convenient place. With or without having the Collateral at the time or place of sale, Agent may sell the Collateral, or any part thereof, at public or private sale, at any time or place, in one or more sales, at such price or prices, and upon such terms, either for cash, credit or future delivery, as Agent may elect. Except as to that part of the Collateral which is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market, Agent shall give Borrowers reasonable notification of such sale or sales, it being agreed that in all events written notice mailed to Borrowing Agent at least ten (10) days prior to such sale or sales is reasonable notification. At any public sale Agent or any Lender may bid for and become the purchaser, and Agent, any Lender or any other purchaser at any such sale thereafter shall hold the Collateral sold absolutely free from any claim or right of whatsoever kind, including any equity of redemption and all such claims, rights and equities are hereby expressly waived and released by each Borrower. In connection with the exercise of the foregoing remedies, including the sale of Inventory, Agent is granted a perpetual nonrevocable, royalty free, nonexclusive license and Agent is granted permission to use all of each Borrower’s (a) trademarks, trade styles, trade names, patents, patent applications, copyrights, service marks, licenses, franchises and other proprietary rights which are used or useful in connection with Inventory for the purpose of marketing, advertising for sale and selling or otherwise disposing of such Inventory and (b) Equipment for the purpose of completing the manufacture of unfinished goods. The cash proceeds realized from the sale of any Collateral shall be applied to the Obligations in the order set forth in Section 11.5 hereof. Noncash proceeds will only be applied to the Obligations as they are converted into cash. If any deficiency shall arise, Borrowers shall remain liable to Agent and Lenders therefor.

 

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(b)                To the extent that Applicable Law imposes duties on the Agent to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it is not commercially unreasonable for the Agent (i) to fail to incur expenses reasonably deemed significant by the Agent to prepare Collateral for disposition or otherwise to complete raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished products for disposition, (ii) to fail to obtain third party consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of, or to obtain or, if not required by other law, to fail to obtain governmental or third party consents for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed of, (iii) to fail to exercise collection remedies against Customers or other Persons obligated on Collateral or to remove Liens on or any adverse claims against Collateral, (iv) to exercise collection remedies against Customers and other Persons obligated on Collateral directly or through the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (v) to advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (vi) to contact other Persons, whether or not in the same business as any Borrower, for expressions of interest in acquiring all or any portion of such Collateral, (vii) to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of Collateral, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (viii) to dispose of Collateral by utilizing internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capacity of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (ix) to dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (x) to disclaim disposition warranties, such as title, possession or quiet enjoyment, (xi) to purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure the Agent against risks of loss, collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to the Agent a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of Collateral, or (xii) to the extent deemed appropriate by the Agent, to obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist the Agent in the collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. Each Borrower acknowledges that the purpose of this Section 11.1(b) is to provide non-exhaustive indications of what actions or omissions by the Agent would not be commercially unreasonable in the Agent’s exercise of remedies against the Collateral and that other actions or omissions by the Agent shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this Section 11.1(b). Without limitation upon the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 11.1(b) shall be construed to grant any rights to any Borrower or to impose any duties on Agent that would not have been granted or imposed by this Agreement or by Applicable Law in the absence of this Section 11.1(b).

 

11.2.            Agent’s Discretion . Agent shall have the right in its sole discretion to determine which rights, Liens, security interests or remedies Agent may at any time pursue, relinquish, subordinate, or modify or to take any other action with respect thereto and such determination will not in any way modify or affect any of Agent’s or Lenders’ rights hereunder.

 

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11.3.            Setoff . Subject to Section 14.12, in addition to any other rights which Agent or any Lender may have under Applicable Law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default hereunder, Agent and such Lender shall have a right, immediately and without notice of any kind, to apply any Borrower’s property held by Agent and such Lender (excluding IRA, Keogh and trust accounts) to reduce the Obligations.

 

11.4.            Rights and Remedies not Exclusive . The enumeration of the foregoing rights and remedies is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise of any rights or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other right or remedies provided for herein or otherwise provided by law, all of which shall be cumulative and not alternative.

 

11.5.            Allocation of Payments After Event of Default . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Agent on account of the Obligations or any other amounts outstanding under any of the Other Documents or in respect of the Collateral may, at Agent’s discretion, be paid over or delivered as follows:

 

FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Agent in connection with enforcing its rights and the rights of the Lenders under this Agreement and the Other Documents and any protective advances made by the Agent with respect to the Collateral under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

 

SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Agent;

 

THIRD, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of each of the Lenders to the extent owing to such Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

 

FOURTH, to the payment of all of the Obligations consisting of accrued fees and interest;

 

FIFTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Obligations (including the payment or cash collateralization of any outstanding Letters of Credit);

 

SIXTH, to all other Obligations and other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Other Documents or otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses “FIRST” through “FIFTH” above; and

 

SEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

 

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In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category; (ii) each of the Lenders shall receive (so long as it is not a Defaulting Lender) an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Advances held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Advances) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses “FOURTH”, “FIFTH” and “SIXTH” above; and (iii) to the extent that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause “FIFTH” above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be held by the Agent in a cash collateral account and applied (A) first, to reimburse the Issuer from time to time for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (B) then, following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in clauses “FIFTH” and “SIXTH” above in the manner provided in this Section 11.5.

 

XII.              WAIVERS AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

12.1.            Waiver of Notice . Each Borrower hereby waives notice of non-payment of any of the Receivables, demand, presentment, protest and notice thereof with respect to any and all instruments, notice of acceptance hereof, notice of loans or advances made, credit extended, Collateral received or delivered, or any other action taken in reliance hereon, and all other demands and notices of any description, except such as are expressly provided for herein.

 

12.2.            Delay . No delay or omission on Agent’s or any Lender’s part in exercising any right, remedy or option shall operate as a waiver of such or any other right, remedy or option or of any Default or Event of Default.

 

12.3.            Jury Waiver . EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (A) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR (B) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT EXECUTED OR DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE AND EACH PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

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XIII.            EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION.

 

13.1.            Term . This Agreement, which shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the respective successors and permitted assigns of each Borrower, Agent and each Lender, shall become effective on the date hereof and shall continue in full force and effect until November 8, 2023 (the “Term”) unless sooner terminated as herein provided. Borrowers may terminate this Agreement at any time upon 10 Business Days’ prior written notice upon payment in full of the Obligations.

 

13.2.            Termination . The termination of the Agreement shall not affect any Borrower’s, Agent’s or any Lender’s rights, or any of the Obligations having their inception prior to the effective date of such termination, and the provisions hereof shall continue to be fully operative until all transactions entered into, rights or interests created or Obligations have been fully and indefeasibly paid, disposed of, concluded or liquidated. The security interests, Liens and rights granted to Agent and Lenders hereunder or under the Other Documents and the financing statements filed hereunder or in connection therewith shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement or the fact that Borrowers’ Account may from time to time be temporarily in a zero or credit position, until all of the Obligations of each Borrower have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full after the termination of this Agreement or each Borrower has furnished Agent and Lenders with an indemnification satisfactory to Agent and Lenders with respect thereto. Accordingly, each Borrower waives any rights which it may have under the Uniform Commercial Code to demand the filing of termination statements with respect to the Collateral, and Agent shall not be required to send such termination statements to each Borrower, or to file them with any filing office, unless and until this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms and all Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in immediately available funds. All representations, warranties, covenants, waivers and agreements contained herein shall survive termination hereof until all Obligations are indefeasibly paid and performed in full.

 

XIV.            REGARDING AGENT.

 

14.1.            Appointment . Each Lender hereby designates PNC to act as Agent for such Lender under this Agreement and the Other Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the Other Documents and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and Agent shall hold all Collateral, payments of principal and interest, fees (except the fees set forth in Sections 3.3(a) and 3.4), charges and collections (without giving effect to any collection days) received pursuant to this Agreement, for the ratable benefit of Lenders. Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement (including collection of the Note) Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding; provided, however, that Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes Agent to liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or the Other Documents or Applicable Law unless Agent is furnished with an indemnification reasonably satisfactory to Agent with respect thereto.

 

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14.2.            Nature of Duties . Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Other Documents. Neither Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted by them as such hereunder or in connection herewith, unless caused by their gross (not mere) negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), or (ii) responsible in any manner for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Borrower or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement, or in any of the Other Documents or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any of the Other Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, due execution, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, or any of the Other Documents or for any failure of any Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder. Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any of the Other Documents, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Borrower. The duties of Agent as respects the Advances to Borrowers shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein.

 

14.3.            Lack of Reliance on Agent and Resignation .

 

(a)                 Independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender, each Lender has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of each Borrower and each Guarantor in connection with the making and the continuance of the Advances hereunder and the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Borrower and each Guarantor. Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before making of the Advances or at any time or times thereafter except as shall be provided by any Borrower pursuant to the terms hereof. Agent shall not be responsible to any Lender for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any agreement, document, certificate or a statement delivered in connection with or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any Other Document, or of the financial condition of any Borrower or any Guarantor, or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement, the Note, the Other Documents or the financial condition of any Borrower, or the existence of any Event of Default or any Default.

 

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(b)                Agent may resign on sixty (60) days’ written notice to each of Lenders and Borrowing Agent and upon such resignation, the Required Lenders will promptly designate a successor Agent after receiving consent from Borrowers, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

(c)                 Any such successor Agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of Agent, and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon its appointment, and the former Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Agent. After any Agent’s resignation as Agent, the provisions of this Article XIV shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

 

14.4.            Certain Rights of Agent . If Agent shall request instructions from Lenders with respect to any act or action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any Other Document, Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless and until Agent shall have received instructions from the Required Lenders; and Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, Lenders shall not have any right of action whatsoever against Agent as a result of its acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders.

 

14.5.            Reliance . Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier message, cablegram, order or other document or telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper person or entity, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to this Agreement and the Other Documents and its duties hereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it. Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be liable for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by Agent with reasonable care.

 

14.6.            Notice of Default . Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder or under the Other Documents, unless Agent has received notice from a Lender or Borrowing Agent referring to this Agreement or the Other Documents, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that Agent receives such a notice, Agent shall give notice thereof to Lenders. Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders; provided, that, unless and until Agent shall have received such directions, Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of Lenders.

 

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14.7.            Indemnification . To the extent Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by Borrowers, each Lender will reimburse and indemnify Agent in proportion to its respective portion of the Advances (or, if no Advances are outstanding, according to its Revolving Commitment Percentage), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent in performing its duties hereunder, or in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any Other Document; provided that, Lenders shall not be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from Agent’s gross (not mere) negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment).

 

14.8.            Agent in its Individual Capacity . With respect to the obligation of Agent to lend under this Agreement, the Advances made by it shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and as if it were not performing the duties as Agent specified herein; and the term “Lender” or any similar term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender. Agent may engage in business with any Borrower as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from any Borrower for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.

 

14.9.            Delivery of Documents . To the extent Agent receives financial statements required under Sections 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.12 and 9.13 or Borrowing Base Certificates from any Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement which any Borrower is not obligated to deliver to each Lender, Agent will promptly furnish such documents and information to Lenders.

 

14.10.       Borrowers’ Undertaking to Agent . Without prejudice to their respective obligations to Lenders under the other provisions of this Agreement, each Borrower hereby undertakes with Agent to pay to Agent from time to time on demand all amounts from time to time due and payable by it for the account of Agent or Lenders or any of them pursuant to this Agreement to the extent not already paid. Any payment made pursuant to any such demand shall pro tanto satisfy the relevant Borrower’s obligations to make payments for the account of Lenders or the relevant one or more of them pursuant to this Agreement.

 

14.11.       No Reliance on Agent’s Customer Identification Program . Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the Agent to carry out such Lender’s, Affiliate’s, participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the USA PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any Borrower, its Affiliates or its agents, this Agreement, the Other Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (1) any identity verification procedures; (2) any record-keeping; (3) comparisons with government lists; (4) customer notices; or (5) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other laws.

 

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14.12.       Other Agreements . Each of the Lenders agrees that it shall not, without the express consent of Agent, and that it shall, to the extent it is lawfully entitled to do so, upon the request of Agent, set off against the Obligations, any amounts owing by such Lender to any Borrower or any deposit accounts of any Borrower now or hereafter maintained with such Lender. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, each of the Lenders further agrees that it shall not, unless specifically requested to do so by Agent, take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or the Other Documents, it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and the Other Documents shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Agent or Required Lenders.

 

XV.              BORROWING AGENCY.

 

15.1.            Borrowing Agency Provisions .

 

(a)                 Each Borrower hereby irrevocably designates Borrowing Agent to be its attorney and agent and in such capacity to borrow, sign and endorse notes, and execute and deliver all instruments, documents, writings and further assurances now or hereafter required hereunder, on behalf of such Borrower or Borrowers, and hereby authorizes Agent to pay over or credit all loan proceeds hereunder in accordance with the request of Borrowing Agent.

 

(b)                The handling of this credit facility as a co-borrowing facility with a borrowing agent in the manner set forth in this Agreement is solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at their request. Neither Agent nor any Lender shall incur liability to Borrowers as a result thereof. To induce Agent and Lenders to do so and in consideration thereof, each Borrower hereby indemnifies Agent and each Lender and holds Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities, expenses, losses, damages and claims of damage or injury asserted against Agent or any Lender by any Person arising from or incurred by reason of the handling of the financing arrangements of Borrowers as provided herein, reliance by Agent or any Lender on any request or instruction from Borrowing Agent or any other action taken by Agent or any Lender with respect to this Section 15.1 except due to willful misconduct or gross (not mere) negligence by the indemnified party (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment).

 

(c)                 All Obligations shall be joint and several, and each Borrower shall make payment upon the maturity of the Obligations by acceleration or otherwise, and such obligation and liability on the part of each Borrower shall in no way be affected by any extensions, renewals and forbearance granted to Agent or any Lender to any Borrower, failure of Agent or any Lender to give any Borrower notice of borrowing or any other notice, any failure of Agent or any Lender to pursue or preserve its rights against any Borrower, the release by Agent or any Lender of any Collateral now or thereafter acquired from any Borrower, and such agreement by each Borrower to pay upon any notice issued pursuant thereto is unconditional and unaffected by prior recourse by Agent or any Lender to the other Borrowers or any Collateral for such Borrower’s Obligations or the lack thereof. Each Borrower waives all suretyship defenses.

 

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15.2.            Waiver of Subrogation . Each Borrower expressly waives any and all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity, exoneration, contribution of any other claim which such Borrower may now or hereafter have against the other Borrowers or other Person directly or contingently liable for the Obligations hereunder, or against or with respect to the other Borrowers’ property (including, without limitation, any property which is Collateral for the Obligations), arising from the existence or performance of this Agreement, until termination of this Agreement and repayment in full of the Obligations.

 

XVI.            MISCELLANEOUS.

 

16.1.            Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applied to contracts to be performed wholly within the State of New York. Any judicial proceeding brought by or against any Borrower with respect to any of the Obligations, this Agreement, the Other Documents or any related agreement may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of New York, United States of America, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Borrower accepts for itself and in connection with its properties, generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement. Each Borrower hereby waives personal service of any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of process may be made by registered mail (return receipt requested) directed to Borrowing Agent at its address set forth in Section 16.7 and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the same shall have been so deposited in the mails of the United States of America, or, at the Agent’s option, by service upon Borrowing Agent which each Borrower irrevocably appoints as such Borrower’s Agent for the purpose of accepting service within the State of New York. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Agent or any Lender to bring proceedings against any Borrower in the courts of any other jurisdiction. Each Borrower waives any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action instituted hereunder and shall not assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue or based upon forum non conveniens. Each Borrower waives the right to remove any judicial proceeding brought against such Borrower in any state court to any federal court. Any judicial proceeding by any Borrower against Agent or any Lender involving, directly or indirectly, any matter or claim in any way arising out of, related to or connected with this Agreement or any related agreement, shall be brought only in a federal or state court located in the County of New York, State of New York.

 

16.2.            Entire Understanding .

 

(a)                 This Agreement and the documents executed concurrently herewith contain the entire understanding between each Borrower, Agent and each Lender and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof. Any promises, representations, warranties or guarantees not herein contained and hereinafter made shall have no force and effect unless in writing, signed by each Borrower’s, Agent’s and each Lender’s respective officers. Neither this Agreement nor any portion or provisions hereof may be changed, modified, amended, waived, supplemented, discharged, cancelled or terminated orally or by any course of dealing, or in any manner other than by an agreement in writing, signed by the party to be charged. Each Borrower acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel in connection with the execution of this Agreement and Other Documents and is not relying upon oral representations or statements inconsistent with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

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(b)                The Required Lenders, Agent with the consent in writing of the Required Lenders, and Borrowers may, subject to the provisions of this Section 16.2(b), from time to time enter into written supplemental agreements to this Agreement or the Other Documents executed by Borrowers, for the purpose of adding or deleting any provisions or otherwise changing, varying or waiving in any manner the rights of Lenders, Agent or Borrowers thereunder or the conditions, provisions or terms thereof or waiving any Event of Default thereunder, but only to the extent specified in such written agreements; provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall, without the consent of all Lenders:

 

(i)                 except in connection with an increase pursuant to Section 2.24, increase the Revolving Commitment Percentage, the maximum dollar commitment of any Lender or the Maximum Revolving Loan Amount;

 

(ii)               extend the maturity of any Note or the due date for any amount payable hereunder, or decrease the rate of interest or reduce any fee payable by Borrowers to Lenders pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(iii)             alter the definition of the term Required Lenders or alter, amend or modify this Section 16.2(b);

 

(iv)             release any Collateral during any calendar year (other than in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement) having an aggregate value in excess of $1,000,000;

 

(v)               change the rights and duties of Agent;

 

(vi)             permit any Revolving Advance to be made if after giving effect thereto the total of Revolving Advances outstanding hereunder would exceed the Formula Amount for more than sixty (60) consecutive Business Days or exceed one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Formula Amount;

 

(vii)           increase the Advance Rates above the Advance Rates in effect on the Closing Date; or

 

(viii)         release any Guarantor.

 

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Any such supplemental agreement shall apply equally to each Lender and shall be binding upon Borrowers, Lenders and Agent and all future holders of the Obligations. In the case of any waiver, Borrowers, Agent and Lenders shall be restored to their former positions and rights, and any Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing, but no waiver of a specific Event of Default shall extend to any subsequent Event of Default (whether or not the subsequent Event of Default is the same as the Event of Default which was waived), or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

In the event that Agent requests the consent of a Lender pursuant to this Section 16.2 and such consent is denied, then PNC may, at its option, require such Lender to assign its interest in the Advances to PNC or to another Lender or to any other Person designated by the Agent (the “Designated Lender”), for a price equal to (i) the then outstanding principal amount thereof plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest and fees due such Lender, which interest and fees shall be paid when collected from Borrowers. In the event PNC elects to require any Lender to assign its interest to PNC or to the Designated Lender, PNC will so notify such Lender in writing within forty five (45) days following such Lender’s denial, and such Lender will assign its interest to PNC or the Designated Lender no later than five (5) days following receipt of such notice pursuant to a Commitment Transfer Supplement executed by such Lender, PNC or the Designated Lender, as appropriate, and Agent.

 

Notwithstanding (a) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, (b) that any of the other applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 8.2 hereof have not been satisfied or (c) any other provision of this Agreement, Agent may at its discretion and without the consent of the Required Lenders, voluntarily permit the outstanding Revolving Advances at any time to exceed an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Formula Amount minus (ii) the amount of minimum Undrawn Availability required by Section 6.5(c) hereof at such time (such sum, the “Overadvance Threshold Amount”) by up to ten percent (10%) of the Overadvance Threshold Amount for up to sixty (60) consecutive Business Days (the “Out-of-Formula Loans”) whether with respect to Revolving Advances made to Borrowers. If Agent is willing in its sole and absolute discretion to make such Out-of-Formula Loans, such Out-of-Formula Loans shall be payable on demand and shall bear interest at the Default Rate for Revolving Advances consisting of Domestic Rate Loans; provided that, if Lenders do make Out-of-Formula Loans, neither Agent nor Lenders shall be deemed thereby to have changed the limits of Section 2.1(a). For purposes of this paragraph, the discretion granted to Agent hereunder shall not preclude involuntary overadvances that may result from time to time due to the fact that the Overadvance Threshold Amount was unintentionally exceeded for any reason, including, but not limited to, Collateral previously deemed to be “Eligible Inventory,” “Eligible Receivables,” as applicable, becomes ineligible, collections of Receivables applied to reduce outstanding Revolving Advances are thereafter returned for insufficient funds or overadvances are made to protect or preserve the Collateral. In the event Agent involuntarily permits the outstanding Revolving Advances to exceed the Overadvance Threshold Amount by more than ten percent (10%), Agent shall use its efforts to have the Borrowers decrease such excess in as expeditious a manner as is practicable under the circumstances and not inconsistent with the reason for such excess. Revolving Advances made after Agent has determined the existence of involuntary overadvances shall be deemed to be involuntary overadvances and shall be decreased in accordance with the preceding sentence.

 

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In addition to (and not in substitution of) the discretionary Revolving Advances permitted above in this Section 16.2, the Agent is hereby authorized by Borrowers and the Lenders, from time to time in the Agent’s sole discretion, (A) after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or an Event of Default, or (B) at any time that any of the other applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 8.2 hereof have not been satisfied, to make Revolving Advances to Borrowers on behalf of the Lenders which the Agent, in its reasonable business judgment, deems necessary or desirable (a) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (b) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Advances and other Obligations, or (c) to pay any other amount chargeable to the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided, that at any time after giving effect to any such Revolving Advances the outstanding Revolving Advances do not exceed one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Formula Amount with respect to Borrowers.

 

16.3.            Successors and Assigns; Participations; New Lenders .

 

(a)                 This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Borrowers, Agent, each Lender, all future holders of the Obligations and their respective successors and assigns, except that no Borrower may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Agent and each Lender.

 

(b)                Each Borrower acknowledges that in the regular course of commercial banking business one or more Lenders may at any time and from time to time sell participating interests in the Advances to other financial institutions (each such transferee or purchaser of a participating interest, a “Participant” for purposes of this Section 16.3 only). Each Participant may exercise all rights of payment (including rights of set-off) with respect to the portion of such Advances held by it or other Obligations payable hereunder as fully as if such Participant were the direct holder thereof provided that Borrowers shall not be required to pay to any Participant more than the amount which it would have been required to pay to Lender which granted an interest in its Advances or other Obligations payable hereunder to such Participant had such Lender retained such interest in the Advances hereunder or other Obligations payable hereunder and in no event shall Borrowers be required to pay any such amount arising from the same circumstances and with respect to the same Advances or other Obligations payable hereunder to both such Lender and such Participant. Each Borrower hereby grants to any Participant a continuing security interest in any deposits, moneys or other property actually or constructively held by such Participant as security for the Participant’s interest in the Advances.

 

(c)                 Any Lender, with the consent of Agent which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, may sell, assign or transfer all or any part of its rights and obligations under or relating to Revolving Advances under this Agreement and the Other Documents to one or more additional banks or financial institutions and one or more additional banks or financial institutions may commit to make Advances hereunder (each a “Purchasing Lender”), in minimum amounts of not less than $2,000,000, pursuant to a Commitment Transfer Supplement, executed by a Purchasing Lender, the transferor Lender, and Agent and delivered to Agent for recording. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the transfer effective date determined pursuant to such Commitment Transfer Supplement, (i) Purchasing Lender thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such Commitment Transfer Supplement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder with a Revolving Commitment Percentage as set forth therein, and (ii) the transferor Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such Commitment Transfer Supplement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement, the Commitment Transfer Supplement creating a novation for that purpose. Such Commitment Transfer Supplement shall be deemed to amend this Agreement to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Purchasing Lender and the resulting adjustment of the Revolving Commitment Percentages arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Lender of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this Agreement and the Other Documents. Any and all such sales, assignments and transfers shall be pro rata as to the Revolving Commitment Percentages of the transferor Lender in all Advances; in no event shall any Lender hold, sell or acquire differing percentages of Advances or commitments to fund Advances. Each Borrower hereby consents to the addition of such Purchasing Lender and the resulting adjustment of the Revolving Commitment Percentages arising from the purchase by such Purchasing Lender of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such transferor Lender under this Agreement and the Other Documents. Borrowers shall execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things in order to effectuate the foregoing.

 

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(d)                Any Lender, with the consent of Agent which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and, except during the continuation of any Event of Default, with the consent of SMTC which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, may directly or indirectly sell, assign or transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under or relating to Revolving Advances under this Agreement and the Other Documents to an entity, whether a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other entity that (i) is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and (ii) is administered, serviced or managed by the assigning Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender (a “Purchasing CLO” and together with each Participant and Purchasing Lender, each a “Transferee” and collectively the “Transferees”), pursuant to a Commitment Transfer Supplement modified as appropriate to reflect the interest being assigned (“Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement”), executed by any intermediate purchaser, the Purchasing CLO, the transferor Lender, and Agent as appropriate and delivered to Agent for recording. Upon such execution and delivery, from and after the transfer effective date determined pursuant to such Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement, (i) Purchasing CLO thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the transferor Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided in such Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement, be released from its obligations under this Agreement, the Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement creating a novation for that purpose. Such Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement shall be deemed to amend this Agreement to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of such Purchasing CLO. Each Borrower hereby consents to the addition of such Purchase CLO. Borrowers shall execute and deliver such further documents and do such further acts and things in order to effectuate the foregoing.

 

(e)                 Agent shall maintain at its address a copy of each Commitment Transfer Supplement and Modified Commitment Transfer Supplement delivered to it and a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of each Lender and the outstanding principal, accrued and unpaid interest and other fees due hereunder. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and each Borrower, Agent and Lenders shall, in the absence of manifest error, treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as the owner of the Obligations recorded therein for the purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrowing Agent or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Agent shall receive a fee in the amount of $3,500 payable by the applicable Purchasing Lender and/or Purchasing CLO upon the effective date of each transfer or assignment (other than to an intermediate purchaser) to such Purchasing Lender and/or Purchasing CLO.

 

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(f)                 Any assignment or sale of all or part of an Obligation may be effected only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register. Prior to the registration of assignment or sale of any Obligations, all parties shall treat the Person in whose name such Obligation is registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving all payments thereon and for all other purposes, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In the event that any Lender sells participations in an Obligation, the selling Lender shall maintain a register on which it enters the name of all participations in the Obligations (the “Participation Register”) and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of the Obligations which is the subject of the participation. An Obligation may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register. Any participation of such Obligation may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register. The Participant Register shall be available for review to the extent necessary to establish that any Obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury regulations.

 

(g)                Each Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Transferee and any prospective Transferee any and all financial information in such Lender’s possession concerning such Borrower which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of such Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of such Borrower, so long as such Transferee is bound by a confidentiality agreement in form and substance similar to the confidentiality agreement between Borrowers and Agent.

 

16.4.            Application of Payments . Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply or reverse and re-apply any payment and any and all proceeds of Collateral to any portion of the Obligations. To the extent that any Borrower makes a payment or Agent or any Lender receives any payment or proceeds of the Collateral for any Borrower’s benefit, which are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver, custodian or any other party under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then, to such extent, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by Agent or such Lender.

 

16.5.            Indemnity . Each Borrower shall indemnify Agent, each Lender and each of their respective officers, directors, Affiliates, attorneys, employees and agents from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against Agent or any Lender in any claim, litigation, proceeding or investigation instituted or conducted by any Governmental Body or instrumentality or any other Person with respect to any aspect of, or any transaction contemplated by, or referred to in, or any matter related to, this Agreement or the Other Documents, whether or not Agent or any Lender is a party thereto, except to the extent that any of the foregoing arises out of bad faith gross negligence or the willful misconduct of the party being indemnified (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment) or a material breach of any obligations hereunder or under any Other Document by such Indemnified Party (as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this indemnity shall extend to any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) asserted against or incurred by any of the indemnitees described above in this Section 16.5 by any Person under any Environmental Laws or similar laws by reason of any Borrower’s or any other Person’s failure to comply with laws applicable to solid or hazardous waste materials, including Hazardous Substances and Hazardous Waste, or other Toxic Substances. Additionally, if any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes or other exercise, property, intangible, recording or franchise taxes (excluding taxes described in Sections 3.10 and 3.12 hereof (whether or not the imposition of such taxes may give rise to a Gross-Up Payment)) shall be payable by Agent, Lenders or Borrowers arising from the execution or delivery of this Agreement, or the execution, delivery, issuance or recording of any of the Other Documents, or the creation or repayment of any of the Obligations hereunder, by reason of any Applicable Law now or hereafter in effect, Borrowers will pay (or will promptly reimburse Agent and Lenders for payment of) all such taxes, including interest and penalties thereon, and will indemnify and hold the indemnitees described above in this Section 16.5 harmless from and against all liability in connection therewith.

 

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16.6.            [Reserved].

 

16.7.            Notice . Any notice or request hereunder may be given to Borrowing Agent or any Borrower or to Agent or any Lender at their respective addresses set forth below or at such other address as may hereafter be specified in a notice designated as a notice of change of address under this Section. Any notice, request, demand, direction or other communication (for purposes of this Section 16.7 only, a “Notice”) to be given to or made upon any party hereto under any provision of this Loan Agreement shall be given or made by telephone or in writing (which includes by means of electronic transmission (i.e., “e-mail”) or facsimile transmission or by setting forth such Notice on a site on the World Wide Web (a “Website Posting”) if Notice of such Website Posting (including the information necessary to access such site) has previously been delivered to the applicable parties hereto by another means set forth in this Section 16.7) in accordance with this Section 16.7. Any such Notice must be delivered to the applicable parties hereto at the addresses and numbers set forth under their respective names on Section 16.7 hereof or in accordance with any subsequent unrevoked Notice from any such party that is given in accordance with this Section 16.7. Any Notice shall be effective:

 

128

 

(a)                 In the case of hand-delivery, when delivered;

 

(b)                If given by mail, four (4) days after such Notice is deposited with the United States Postal Service, with first-class postage prepaid, return receipt requested;

 

(c)                 In the case of a telephonic Notice, when a party is contacted by telephone, if delivery of such telephonic Notice is confirmed no later than the next Business Day by hand delivery, a facsimile or electronic transmission, a Website Posting or an overnight courier delivery of a confirmatory Notice (received at or before noon on such next Business Day);

 

(d)                In the case of a facsimile transmission, when sent to the applicable party’s facsimile machine’s telephone number, if the party sending such Notice receives confirmation of the delivery thereof from its own facsimile machine;

 

(e)                 In the case of electronic transmission, when actually received;

 

(f)                 In the case of a Website Posting, upon delivery of a Notice of such posting (including the information necessary to access such site) by another means set forth in this Section 16.7; and

 

(g)                If given by any other means (including by overnight courier), when actually received.

 

Any Lender giving a Notice to Borrowing Agent or any Borrower shall concurrently send a copy thereof to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify the other Lenders of its receipt of such Notice.

 

(A)          If to Agent or PNC at:

 

PNC Bank, National Association
1600 Market Street, 31 st Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Attention:
Telephone:

Facsimile:

 

with a copy to:

 

Blank Rome LLP

One Logan Square

130 N. 18th Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Attention: Lawrence F. Flick II, Esquire

Telephone: 215-569-5556

Facsimile: 215-832-5556

 

129

 

(B)          If to a Lender other than Agent, as specified on the signature pages hereof

 

(C)          If to Borrowing Agent or any Borrower:

 

SMTC Corporation

635 Hood Road

Markham, Ontario, L3R 4N6

Attention:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

 

 

with a copy to:

 

Perkins Coie LLP

505 Howard Street, Suite 1000

San Francisco, California 94105

Attn:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

 

16.8.            Survival . The obligations of Borrowers under Sections 2.2(f), 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.19(h), and 16.5 and the obligations of Lenders under Section 14.7, shall survive termination of this Agreement and the Other Documents and payment in full of the Obligations.

 

16.9.            Severability . If any part of this Agreement is contrary to, prohibited by, or deemed invalid under Applicable Laws, such provision shall be inapplicable and deemed omitted to the extent so contrary, prohibited or invalid, but the remainder hereof shall not be invalidated thereby and shall be given effect so far as possible.

 

16.10.       Expenses . All costs and expenses including attorneys’ fees (which in the case of clauses (b) and (e) below shall be reasonable) and disbursements incurred by Agent on its behalf or on behalf of Lenders (a) in all efforts made to enforce payment of any Obligation or effect collection of any Collateral, or (b) in connection with the entering into, modification, amendment, administration and enforcement of this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement or any consents or waivers hereunder or thereunder and all related agreements, documents and instruments, or (c) in instituting, maintaining, preserving, enforcing and foreclosing on Agent’s security interest in or Lien on any of the Collateral, or maintaining, preserving or enforcing any of Agent’s or any Lender’s rights hereunder, the Intercreditor Agreement, and under all related agreements, documents and instruments, whether through judicial proceedings or otherwise, or (d) in defending or prosecuting any actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to Agent’s or any Lender’s transactions with any Borrower, any Guarantor, or any Person party to the or Intercreditor Agreement or (e) in connection with any advice given to Agent or any Lender with respect to its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and all related agreements, documents and instruments, may be charged to Borrowers’ Account and shall be part of the Obligations.

 

130

 

16.11.       Injunctive Relief . Each Borrower recognizes that, in the event any Borrower fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, or threatens to fail to perform, observe or discharge such obligations or liabilities, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to Lenders; therefore, Agent, if Agent so requests, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving that actual damages are not an adequate remedy.

 

16.12.       Consequential Damages . Neither Agent nor any Lender, nor any agent or attorney for any of them, shall be liable to any Borrower or any Guarantor (or any Affiliate of any such Person) for indirect, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages arising from any breach of contract, tort or other wrong relating to the establishment, administration or collection of the Obligations or as a result of any transaction contemplated under this Agreement or any Other Document.

 

16.13.       Captions . The captions at various places in this Agreement are intended for convenience only and do not constitute and shall not be interpreted as part of this Agreement.

 

16.14.       Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in any number of and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, all of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature delivered by a party by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to be an original signature hereto.

 

16.15.       Construction . The parties acknowledge that each party and its counsel have reviewed this Agreement and that the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of this Agreement or any amendments, schedules or exhibits thereto.

 

16.16.       Confidentiality; Sharing Information . Agent, each Lender and each Transferee shall hold all non-public information obtained by Agent, such Lender or such Transferee pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement in accordance with Agent’s, such Lender’s and such Transferee’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of this nature; provided, however, Agent, each Lender and each Transferee may disclose such confidential information (a) to its examiners, Affiliates, outside auditors, counsel and other professional advisors, (b) to Agent, any Lender or to any prospective permitted Transferees, and (c) as required or requested by any Governmental Body or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process; provided, further that (i) unless specifically prohibited by Applicable Law, Agent, each Lender and each Transferee shall use its reasonable best efforts prior to disclosure thereof, to notify the applicable Borrower of the applicable request for disclosure of such non-public information (A) by a Governmental Body or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial condition of a Lender or a Transferee by such Governmental Body) or (B) pursuant to legal process and (ii) in no event shall Agent, any Lender or any Transferee be obligated to return any materials furnished by any Borrower other than those documents and instruments in possession of Agent or any Lender in order to perfect its Lien on the Collateral once the Obligations have been paid in full and this Agreement has been terminated. Each Borrower acknowledges that from time to time financial advisory, investment banking and other services may be offered or provided to such Borrower or one or more of its Affiliates (in connection with this Agreement or otherwise) by any Lender or by one or more Subsidiaries or Affiliates of such Lender and each Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender to share any information delivered to such Lender by such Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement, or in connection with the decision of such Lender to enter into this Agreement, to any such Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Lender, it being understood that any such Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Lender receiving such information shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 16.16 as if it were a Lender hereunder. Such authorization shall survive the repayment of the other Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

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16.17.       Publicity . Each Borrower and each Lender hereby authorizes Agent to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangement entered into among Borrowers, Agent and Lenders, including announcements which are commonly known as tombstones, in such publications and to such selected parties as Agent shall in its sole and absolute discretion deem appropriate.

 

16.18.       Certifications From Banks and Participants; USA PATRIOT Act .

 

(a)                 Each Lender or assignee or participant of a Lender that is not incorporated under the Laws of the United States of America or a state thereof (and is not excepted from the certification requirement contained in Section 313 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the applicable regulations because it is both (i) an affiliate of a depository institution or foreign bank that maintains a physical presence in the United States or foreign country, and (ii) subject to supervision by a banking authority regulating such affiliated depository institution or foreign bank) shall deliver to the Agent the certification, or, if applicable, recertification, certifying that such Lender is not a “shell” and certifying to other matters as required by Section 313 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the applicable regulations: (1) within ten (10) days after the Closing Date, and (2) as such other times as are required under the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

(b)                The USA PATRIOT Act requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record certain information that identifies individuals or business entities which open an "account" with such financial institution. Consequently, any Lender may from time to time request, and each Borrower shall provide to such Lender, such Borrower's name, address, tax identification number and/or such other identifying information as shall be necessary for such Lender to comply with the USA PATRIOT Act and any other Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

16.19.       Anti-Terrorism Laws .

 

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(a)                 Each Borrower represents and warrants that (i) n o Covered Entity is a Sanctioned Person and (ii) no Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, (A) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (B) does business in or with, or derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; or (C) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

(b)                Each Borrower covenants and agrees that (i) n o Covered Entity will become a Sanctioned Person, (ii) no Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, will (A) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (B) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (C) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Anti-Terrorism Law or (D) use the Advances to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law, (iii) the funds used to repay the Obligations will not be derived from any unlawful activity, (iv) each Covered Entity shall comply with all Anti-Terrorism Laws and (v) the Borrowers shall promptly notify the Agent in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

 

16.20.       Intercreditor Agreement . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the right of the Agent to exercise any remedy with respect to the liens and security interests granted to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement and each other Loan Document is subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder and under each other Loan Document with respect to the delivery or control of any Collateral that constitutes Term Loan Priority Collateral (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) shall be deemed to be satisfied if such Loan Party delivers or provides control of such Term Loan Priority Collateral to the Term Loan Agent in accordance with the requirements of the corresponding provision of the applicable Term Loan Document.  Any representation, warranty, covenant or other obligation of any Loan Party hereunder to create a “first priority” security interest in any Collateral that constitutes Term Loan Priority Collateral shall be first priority other than any Lien in favor of the Term Loan Agent.

 

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Each of the parties has signed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

    SMTC CORPORATION
     
    By:   
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
    SMTC MANUFACTURING CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
    SMTC MEX HOLDINGS INC.
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
    HTM HOLDINGS, INC.
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
    MC TEST SERVICE, INC.
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
    MC ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL LLC
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 

S- 1

 

    MC ASSEMBLY LLC
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 

2

 

    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,
    as Lender and as Agent
     
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  
     
     
    Revolving Commitment Amount: $45,000,000
    Revolving Commitment Percentage: 100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

Execution version

 

FINANCING AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of November 8, 2018

 

by and among

 

SMTC CORPORATION,
as the Parent

 

EACH SUBSIDIARY OF THE PARENT
LISTED AS A BORROWER ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO,
as Borrowers,

 

THE PARENT AND EACH SUBSIDIARY OF THE PARENT
LISTED AS A GUARANTOR ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO,
as Guarantors,

 

THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,
as Lenders,

 

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC,
as Collateral Agent,

 

and

 

TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC,
as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN TERMS 1
Section 1.01   Definitions 1
Section 1.02   Terms Generally 47
Section 1.03   Certain Matters of Construction 48
Section 1.04   Accounting and Other Terms 48
Section 1.05   Time References 49
Section 1.06   Obligation to Make Payments in Dollars 50
ARTICLE II THE LOANS 50
Section 2.01   Commitments 50
Section 2.02   Making the Loans 50
Section 2.03   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt 51
Section 2.04   Interest 52
Section 2.05   Reduction of Commitment; Prepayment of Loans 53
Section 2.06   Fees 57
Section 2.07   LIBOR Option 59
Section 2.08   Funding Losses 61
Section 2.09   Taxes 61
Section 2.10   Increased Costs and Reduced Return 65
Section 2.11   Changes in Law; Impracticability or Illegality 66
Section 2.12   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders 67
Section 2.13   Tax Matters Regarding Warrants 68
ARTICLE III [Reserved] 68
ARTICLE IV APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS; DEFAULTING LENDERS; JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY OF BORROWERS 68
Section 4.01   Payments; Computations and Statements 68
Section 4.02   Sharing of Payments 69
Section 4.03   Apportionment of Payments 70
Section 4.04   Defaulting Lenders 71
Section 4.05   Administrative Borrower; Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers 72
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS TO LOANS 73
Section 5.01   Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness 73
Section 5.02   Conditions Precedent to All Loans 77
Section 5.03   Conditions Subsequent to Effectiveness 78
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 79
Section 6.01   Representations and Warranties 79

 

  i  

 

ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF THE LOAN PARTIES AND OTHER COLLATERAL MATTERS 88
Section 7.01   Affirmative Covenants 88
Section 7.02   Negative Covenants 98
Section 7.03   Financial Covenants 105
ARTICLE VIII CASH MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS  AND OTHER COLLATERAL MATTERS 108
Section 8.01   Cash Management Arrangements 108
ARTICLE IX EVENTS OF DEFAULT 109
Section 9.01   Events of Default 109
ARTICLE X AGENTS 113
Section 10.01   Appointment 113
Section 10.02   Nature of Duties; Delegation 114
Section 10.03   Rights, Exculpation, Etc. 114
Section 10.04   Reliance 115
Section 10.05   Indemnification 116
Section 10.06   Agents Individually 116
Section 10.07   Successor Agent 116
Section 10.08   Collateral Matters 117
Section 10.09   Agency for Perfection 119
Section 10.10   No Reliance on any Agent's Customer Identification Program 119
Section 10.11   No Third Party Beneficiaries 119
Section 10.12   No Fiduciary Relationship 119
Section 10.13   Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers 120
Section 10.14   Collateral Custodian 120
Section 10.15   Intercreditor Agreement 121
Section 10.16   [Reserved]. 121
Section 10.17   Collateral Agent May File Proofs of Claim 121
ARTICLE XI GUARANTY 121
Section 11.01   Guaranty 121
Section 11.02   Guaranty Absolute 122
Section 11.03   Waiver 123
Section 11.04   Continuing Guaranty; Assignments 123
Section 11.05   Subrogation 123
Section 11.06   Contribution 124
ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS 125
Section 12.01   Notices, Etc. 125
Section 12.02   Amendments, Etc. 127
Section 12.03   No Waiver; Remedies, Etc. 129
Section 12.04   Expenses; Taxes; Attorneys' Fees 129
Section 12.05   Right of Set-off 130
Section 12.06   Severability 130
Section 12.07   Assignments and Participations 130
Section 12.08   Counterparts 134

 

  ii  

 

Section 12.09   Governing Law 134
Section 12.10   Consent to Jurisdiction; Service of Process and Venue 134
Section 12.11   Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc. 136
Section 12.12   Consent by the Agents and Lenders 136
Section 12.13   No Party Deemed Drafter 136
Section 12.14   Reinstatement; Certain Payments 136
Section 12.15   Indemnification; Limitation of Liability for Certain Damages 137
Section 12.16   Records 138
Section 12.17   Binding Effect 138
Section 12.18   Highest Lawful Rate 138
Section 12.19   Confidentiality 139
Section 12.20   Public Disclosure 140
Section 12.21   Integration 140
Section 12.22   USA PATRIOT Act 140
Section 12.23   Judgment Currency 140
Section 12.24   Waiver of Immunity 141
Section 12.25   English Language 141
Section 12.26   Exercise of Remedies; Revolving Loan Priority Collateral 141

 

 

  iii  

 

SCHEDULE AND EXHIBITS

 

Schedule 1.01(A) Lenders and Lenders' Commitments

Schedule 1.01(B) Facilities

Schedule 1.01(C) Holding Companies

Schedule 1.01(D) Immaterial Subsidiaries

Schedule 1.01(E) Inactive Subsidiaries

Schedule 1.01(F) [Reserved]

Schedule 1.01(G) Target Indebtedness

Schedule 1.01(H) Costs and Synergies

Schedule 6.01(e) Capitalization; Subsidiaries

Schedule 6.01(f) Litigation

Schedule 6.01(i) ERISA

Schedule 6.01(l) Nature of Business

Schedule 6.01(q) Environmental Matters

Schedule 6.01(r) Insurance

Schedule 6.01(u) Intellectual Property

Schedule 6.01(v) Material Contracts

Schedule 7.02(a) Existing Liens

Schedule 7.02(b) Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 7.02(e) Existing Investments

Schedule 7.02(k) Limitations on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions

Schedule 8.01 Cash Management Accounts

 

Exhibit A Form of Joinder Agreement

Exhibit B Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit C Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit D Form of LIBOR Notice

Exhibit E Form of Warrant

Exhibit F Form of Note

  iv  

 

FINANCING AGREEMENT

 

Financing Agreement, dated as of November __, 2018, by and among SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the " Parent "), each subsidiary of the Parent listed as a "Borrower" on the signature pages hereto (together with each other Person that executes a joinder agreement and becomes a "Borrower" hereunder, each a " Borrower " and collectively, the " Borrowers "), each subsidiary of the Parent listed as a " Guarantor " on the signature pages hereto (together with the Parent and each other Person that executes a joinder agreement and becomes a "Guarantor" hereunder, each a " Guarantor " and collectively, the " Guarantors "), the lenders from time to time party hereto (each a " Lender " and collectively, the " Lenders "), TCW Asset Management Company LLC ("TCW"), as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the " Collateral Agent "), and TCW Asset Management Company LLC, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the " Administrative Agent " and together with the Collateral Agent, each an " Agent " and collectively, the " Agents ").

 

RECITALS

 

The Borrowers have asked the Lenders to extend credit to the Borrowers consisting of (a) a Term Loan A (as hereinafter defined) in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 and (b) a multi-draw Term Loan B (as hereinafter defined) in the aggregate principal amount of $17,000,000. The proceeds of the Term Loans funded on the Effective Date shall be used to (a) fund a portion of the cash consideration payable in connection with the MC Assembly Acquisition (as hereinafter defined), (b) refinance existing indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined), (c) pay the costs, fees and expenses relating to the MC Assembly Acquisition and the Term Loans (as hereinafter defined) and (d) fund working capital and general corporate purposes. The proceeds of the Term Loan B funded after the Effective Date shall be used solely to fund any earn-outs payable in respect of the MC Assembly Acquisition. The Lenders are severally, and not jointly, willing to extend such credit to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

In consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN TERMS

 

Section 1.01         Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings indicated below:

 

" Account Debtor " means, with respect to any Person, each debtor, customer or obligor in any way obligated on or in connection with any Account of such Person.

 

" Acquired EBITDA " means, with respect to any Acquired Entity or Business for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business (determined in accordance with the definition of "Consolidated EBITDA").

 

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" Acquired Entity or Business " has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of "Consolidated EBITDA."

 

" Acquisition " means the acquisition (whether by means of a merger, consolidation or otherwise) of all of the Equity Interests of any Person or all or substantially all of the assets of (or any division or business line of) any Person.

 

" Acquisition Agreement " means the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 8, 2018, by and between the Parent, MC Assembly, the sellers party thereto and the seller representative, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

" Acquisition Collateral Assignment " means the Collateral Assignment of Acquisition Documents, dated as of the date hereof, and in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, made by the Parent in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

" Acquisition Documents " means the Acquisition Agreement and all other agreements, instruments and other documents related thereto or executed in connection therewith.

 

" Action " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.12.

 

" Additional Amount " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.09(a).

 

" Administrative Agent " has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble hereto.

 

" Administrative Agent's Account " means an account at a bank designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time as the account into which the Loan Parties shall make all payments to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

" Administrative Borrower " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 4.05.

 

" Affiliate " means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any Agent or any Lender be considered an "Affiliate" of any Loan Party.

 

" Agent " has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble hereto.

 

" Agreement " means this Financing Agreement, including all amendments, modifications and supplements and any exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing, and shall refer to the Agreement as the same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes operative.

 

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" Anniversary Fees " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(e).

 

" Anti-Corruption Laws " means all Requirements of Law concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

" Anti-Money Laundering Laws " means all Requirements of Law concerning or relating to terrorism or money laundering, including the USA PATRIOT Act and the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the "Bank Secrecy Act," 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and §§ 1951-1959), and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

" Applicable Margin " means, as of any date of determination, with respect to the interest rate of (a) any Reference Rate Loan or any portion thereof, (i) in the case of the Term Loan A, 5.00% per annum, and (ii) in the case of the Term Loan B, 8.50% per annum; provided that (A) such rate in respect of the Term Loan B shall increase to 10.50% per annum on the first anniversary of the Effective Date in the event that the Term Loan B is not paid in full on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and (B) such rate in respect of the Term Loan B shall increase to 12.50% per annum on the second anniversary of the Effective Date in the event that the Term Loan B is not paid in full on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date (and the Lenders have not elected to increase the number of warrant shares issuable under the Warrants pursuant to the terms thereof), and (b) any LIBOR Rate Loan or any portion thereof, (i) in the case of the Term Loan A, 7.00% per annum, and (ii) in the case of the Term Loan B, 10.50% per annum; provided that (A) such rate in respect of the Term Loan B shall increase to 12.50% per annum on the first anniversary of the Effective Date in the event that the Term Loan B is not paid in full on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date and (B) such rate in respect of the Term Loan B shall increase to 14.50% per annum on the second anniversary of the Effective Date in the event that the Term Loan B is not paid in full on or prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date (and the Lenders have not elected to increase the number of warrant shares issuable under the Warrants pursuant to the terms thereof).

 

" Applicable Premium " means

 

(a)                 as of the date of the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event specified in clause (b), (c) or (d) of the definition thereof:

 

(i)                  during the period from and after the Effective Date up to and including the date that is the first anniversary of the Effective Date (the " First Period "), an amount equal to (A) with respect to the Term Loan A, 3.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan A Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event and (B) with respect to the Term Loan B, 1.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event;

 

(ii)                during the period after the First Period up to and including the date that is the second anniversary of the Effective Date (the " Second Period "), an amount equal to (A) with respect to the Term Loan A, 2.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan A Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event and (B) with respect to the Term Loan B, 2.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event;

 

  3  

 

(iii)              during the period after the Second Period up to and including the date that is the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the " Third Period "), (A) with respect to the Term Loan A, an amount equal to 1.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan A Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event and (B) with respect to the Term Loan B, 3.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event;

 

(iv)              during the period after the Third Period up to and including the date that is the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date (the " Fourth Period "), with respect to the Term Loan B only, an amount equal to 4.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event; and

 

(v)                during the period after the Fourth Period (the " Fifth Period "), with respect to the Term Loan B only, an amount equal to 5.00% times the aggregate amount of all Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) outstanding on the date of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event; and

 

(b)                as of the date of the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event specified in clause (a) of the definition thereof:

 

(i)                  during the First Period, an amount equal to (A) with respect to the Term Loan A, 3.00% times the amount of the Term Loan A Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date, and (B) with respect to the Term Loan B, 1.00% times the amount of the Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date;

 

(ii)                during the Second Period, an amount equal to (A) with respect to the Term Loan A, 2.00% times the amount of the Term Loan A Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date, and (B) with respect to the Term Loan B, 2.00% times the amount of the Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date;

 

(iii)              during the Third Period, an amount equal to (A) with respect to the Term Loan A, 1.00% times the amount of the Term Loan A Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date, and (B) with respect to the Term Loan B, 3.00% times the amount of the Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date;

 

(iv)              during the Fourth Period, with respect to the Term Loan B only, an amount equal to 4.00% times the amount of the Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date; and

 

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(v)                during the Fifth Period, with respect to the Term Loan B only, an amount equal to 5.00% times the amount of the Term Loan B Obligations (other than the Applicable Premium) being paid on such date.

 

" Applicable Premium Trigger Event " means

 

(a)                 any payment by any Loan Party of all, or any part, of the principal balance of any Term Loan for any reason (including, without limitation, any optional prepayment or mandatory prepayment (other than (i) with respect to the Term Loan A only, prepayments pursuant to Section 2.03(a), Section 2.05(c)(i) and Section 2.05(c)(iv) and (ii) with respect to the Term Loan B only, any prepayment of the Term Loan B in full prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date with the proceeds of an Equity Issuance pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(iii))) whether before or after (i) the occurrence of an Event of Default, or (ii) the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding, and notwithstanding any acceleration (for any reason) of the Obligations;

 

(b)                the acceleration of the Obligations for any reason, including, without limitation, acceleration in accordance with Section 9.01, including as a result of the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding;

 

(c)                 the satisfaction, release, payment, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Obligations in any Insolvency Proceeding, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise) or deed in lieu of foreclosure or the making of a distribution of any kind in any Insolvency Proceeding to any Agent, for the account of the Lenders, in full or partial satisfaction of the Obligations; or

 

(d)                the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

" Assignment and Acceptance " means an assignment and acceptance entered into by an assigning Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in accordance with Section 12.07 hereof and substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto or such other form acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

" Authorized Officer " means, with respect to any Person, the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or other financial officer performing similar functions, president or executive vice president of such Person.

 

" Bankruptcy Code " means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time and any successor statute or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

" Beneficial Owner " means, for each Loan Party, each of the following: (a) each individual, if any, who, directly or indirectly, owns 25% or more of such Loan Party's Equity Interests, and (b) a single individual with significant responsibility to control, manage, or direct such Loan Party.

 

" Board " means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

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" Board of Directors " means with respect to (a) any corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board, (b) a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership, (c) a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee or board of directors of such company or the sole member or the managing member thereof, and (d) any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

" Borrower " has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble hereto.

 

" Business Day " means (a) for all purposes other than as described in clause (b) below, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required to close, and (b) with respect to the borrowing, payment or continuation of, or determination of interest rate on, LIBOR Rate Loans, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (a) above and on which dealings in Dollars may be carried on in the interbank eurodollar markets in New York City and London.

 

" Capital Expenditures " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of (a) the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period that in accordance with GAAP are or should be included in "property, plant and equipment" or in a similar fixed asset account on its balance sheet, whether such expenditures are paid in cash or financed, including all Capitalized Lease Obligations, obligations under synthetic leases and capitalized software costs that are paid or due and payable during such period and (b) to the extent not covered by clause (a) above, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period to acquire by purchase or otherwise the business or fixed assets of, or the Equity Interests of, any other Person.

 

" Capitalized Lease " means, with respect to any Person, any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property by such Person as lessee that is required under GAAP to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

" Capitalized Lease Obligations " means, with respect to any Person, obligations of such Person and its Subsidiaries under Capitalized Leases, and, for purposes hereof, the amount of any such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

" Cash Equivalents " means (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case, maturing within six months from the date of acquisition thereof; (b) commercial paper, maturing not more than 270 days after the date of issue rated P 1 by Moody's or A 1 by Standard & Poor's; (c) certificates of deposit maturing not more than 270 days after the date of issue, issued by commercial banking institutions and money market or demand deposit accounts maintained at commercial banking institutions, each of which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (d) repurchase agreements having maturities of not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition which are entered into with major money center banks included in the commercial banking institutions described in clause (c) above and which are secured by readily marketable direct obligations of the United States Government or any agency thereof; (e) money market accounts maintained with mutual funds having assets in excess of $2,500,000,000, which assets are primarily comprised of Cash Equivalents described in another clause of this definition; (f) marketable tax exempt securities rated A or higher by Moody's or A+ or higher by Standard & Poor's, in each case, maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and (g) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, cash and cash equivalents that are substantially equivalent in such jurisdiction to those described in clauses (a) through (f) above in respect of each country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

 

  6  

 

" Cash Management Accounts " means the bank accounts of each Loan Party maintained at one or more Cash Management Banks listed on Schedule 8.01.

 

" Cash Management Bank " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 8.01(a).

 

" CERCLIS " means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

 

" Certificate of Beneficial Ownership " means, for each Loan Party, a certificate in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent (as amended or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its sole discretion), certifying, among other things, the Beneficial Owner of such Loan Party.

 

" Change in Law " means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment 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, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy 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 shall, in each case, be deemed to be a "Change in Law", regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

" Change of Control " means each occurrence of any of the following:

 

(a)                 [reserved];

 

(b)                the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of beneficial ownership of more than 35% (or, in the case of Red Oak Partners, LLC and its Affiliates, 40%) of the aggregate outstanding voting or economic power of the Equity Interests of the Parent;

 

(c)                 during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Parent cease to be composed of individuals: (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board, or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board;

 

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(d)                the Parent shall cease to have beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 100% of the aggregate voting or economic power of the Equity Interests of each other Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (other than in connection with any transaction permitted pursuant to Section 7.02(c)(i)), free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Specified Liens);

 

(e)                 Edward Smith shall cease to be involved in the day to day operations and management of the business of the Parent, and a successor reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders is not appointed on market terms or on other terms reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders within 120 days of such cessation of involvement; or

 

(f)                 a " Change of Control " (or any comparable term or provision) under or with respect to any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any Revolving Loan Obligations) of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000, if the effect thereof is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of or otherwise require such Indebtedness to be prepaid or repaid (or an offer to prepay or repay shall be required to be made) prior to, the stated maturity of such Indebtedness.

 

" Closing Fee " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(a).

 

" Collateral " means all of the property and assets and all interests therein and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person upon which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted by such Person as security for all or any part of the Obligations.

 

" Collateral Agent " has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble hereto.

 

" Collateral Agent Advances " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.08(a).

 

" Collections " means all cash, checks, notes, instruments, and other items of payment (including insurance proceeds, proceeds of cash sales, rental proceeds, and tax refunds).

 

" Commitment Fee " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(c).

 

" Commitments " means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender's Term Loan Commitments.

 

" 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.

 

" Competitor " means (a) any operating company that is designated by the Administrative Borrower by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Effective Date or, subject to the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent, after the Effective Date, as a competitor of the Loan Parties or their respective Subsidiaries and (b) any Person that is clearly identifiable, solely on the basis of such Person's name, as an affiliate of any Person referred to in clause (a) above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) the Administrative Agent shall not 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 Competitors and (ii) the Borrowers (on behalf of themselves and the other Loan Parties) and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or potential Lender is a Competitor, and that the Administrative Agent shall have no liability with respect to any assignment or participation made to a Competitor.

 

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" Compliance Certificate " has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(a)(iv).

 

" Consolidated EBITDA " means, with respect to any Person for any period:

 

(a)                 the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period,

 

plus

 

(b)                without duplication, the sum of the following amounts for such period to the extent deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(i)                  any provision for United States federal income taxes or other taxes measured by net income,

 

(ii)                Consolidated Net Interest Expense,

 

(iii)              any loss from Extraordinary Items,

 

(iv)              any depreciation and amortization expense,

 

(v)                any aggregate net loss on the Disposition of property (other than accounts and Inventory) outside the ordinary course of business,

 

(vi)              any transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred prior to, on or within 180 days after the Effective Date in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4,800,000,

 

(vii)            any transition and integration costs and expenses incurred in connection with the MC Assembly Acquisition and paid within 365 days following the Effective Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,000,000,

 

(viii)          one-time costs and synergies described in Schedule 1.01(H) to the extent that such costs are incurred and such synergies are realized in the periods set forth in Schedule 1.01(H) and do not exceed the amounts for such periods set forth in Schedule 1.01(H),

 

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(ix)              any other non-cash expenditure, charge or loss for such period (other than any non-cash expenditure, charge or loss relating to write-offs, write-downs or reserves with respect to accounts and Inventory),

 

(x)                cash restructuring and severance charges, accruals or reserves (including such costs related to acquisitions after the Effective Date and adjustments to existing reserves) that are approved in writing by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders,

 

(xi)              transition and integration costs incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition that are approved in writing by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders,

 

(xii)            any expenses arising out of the accrual or payment of any earnouts and other amounts payable under the Acquisition Agreement,

 

(xiii)          amounts received consisting of proceeds of business interruption insurance,

 

(xiv)          fees, costs and expenses paid or payable in respect of amendments, restatements or other modifications of the Loan Documents and the Revolving Loan Documents,

 

(xv)            transaction fees, costs and expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in any Fiscal Year, paid or payable in connection with issuances of Equity Interests (A) outside of the ordinary course of business, (B) to the extent consummated and (C) to the extent not paid with the proceeds of such Equity Issuance,

 

(xvi)          transaction fees, costs and expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 in any Fiscal Year, paid or payable in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, Permitted Dispositions, issuances or incurrences of Permitted Indebtedness, and Permitted Investments, in each case, (A) outside of the ordinary course of business, (B) regardless of whether consummated and (C) to the extent not paid with the proceeds of any Equity Issuance, and

 

(xvii)        without duplication, the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies arising in respect of any transactional or restructuring or business optimization actions taken and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to be realized no later than 12 months after the consummation thereof (as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings, operating reductions and synergies are factually supportable and approved in writing by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and (B) no such cost savings, operating expense reductions or synergies shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (xvii) to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges or other amounts otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA (it being understood and agreed that “run rate” shall mean the full recurring benefit that is associated with any action taken),

 

minus

 

  10  

 

(c)                 without duplication, the sum of the following amounts for such period to the extent included in the calculation of such Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(i)                  any credit for United States federal income taxes or other taxes measured by net income,

 

(ii)                any gain from Extraordinary Items,

 

(iii)              any aggregate net gain from the Disposition of property (other than accounts and Inventory) outside the ordinary course of business, and

 

(iv)              any other non-cash gain, including any reversal of a charge referred to in clause (b)(ix) above by reason of a decrease in the value of any Equity Interest;

 

in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA as of any date of measurement ending on or before September 30, 2019, Consolidated EBITDA for any of the following periods included in the 4 Fiscal Quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $3,004,364 for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $3,949,268 for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $5,812,853 for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2018.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of the Parent and its Subsidiaries:

 

(A)              there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset acquired by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries during such period to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired and not subsequently so disposed of, an " Acquired Entity or Business ") based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition) determined on a historical pro forma basis; and

 

(B)               there shall be excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a " Sold Entity or Business ") based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical pro forma basis.

 

" Consolidated Net Income " means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period; provided , however , that the following shall be excluded: (a) the net income of any other Person in which such Person or one of its Subsidiaries has a joint interest with a third-party (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated into the net income of such Person), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid to such Person or Subsidiary, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary of such Person that is, on the last day of such period, subject to any restriction or limitation on the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions, to the extent of such restriction or limitation, and (c) the net income of any other Person arising prior to such other Person becoming a Subsidiary of such Person or merging or consolidating into such Person or its Subsidiaries.

 

  11  

 

" Consolidated Net Interest Expense " means, with respect to any Person for any period, (a) gross interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation, interest expense paid to Affiliates of such Person), less (b) the sum of (i) interest income for such period and (ii) gains for such period on Hedging Agreements (to the extent not included in interest income above and to the extent not deducted in the calculation of gross interest expense), plus (c) the sum of (i) losses for such period on Hedging Agreements (to the extent not included in gross interest expense) and (ii) the upfront costs or fees for such period associated with Hedging Agreements (to the extent not included in gross interest expense), in each case, determined on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.

 

" Contingent Indemnity Obligations " means any Obligation constituting a contingent, unliquidated indemnification obligation of any Loan Party, in each case, to the extent (a) such obligation has not accrued and is not yet due and payable and (b) no claim has been made or is reasonably anticipated to be made with respect thereto.

 

" Contingent Obligation " means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intending to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary obligations") of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, (a) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of a primary obligor, (b) the obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments, if required, regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an agreement, (c) any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, assets, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided , however , that the term "Contingent Obligation" shall not include any product warranties extended in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation with respect to which such Contingent Obligation is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation for which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability with respect thereto (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder), as determined by such Person in good faith.

 

  12  

 

" Contractual Obligation " means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

" Control Agreement " means, with respect to any deposit account, any securities account, commodity account, securities entitlement or commodity contract, an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, among the Collateral Agent, the financial institution or other Person at which such account is maintained or with which such entitlement or contract is carried and the Loan Party maintaining such account, effective to grant "control" (as defined under the applicable UCC) over such account to the Collateral Agent.

 

" Current Value " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7.01(m).

 

" Debtor Relief Law " means the Bankruptcy Code and any other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief law of the United States or other applicable jurisdiction from time to time in effect.

 

" Default " means an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

" Defaulting Lender " means any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within 2 Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender's determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within 2 Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Administrative Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender's obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender's determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within 3 Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender 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 permits such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Administrative Borrower and each Lender.

 

  13  

 

" Disbursement Letter " means a disbursement letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, by and among the Loan Parties, the Agents, the Lenders and the other Persons party thereto, and the related funds flow memorandum describing the sources and uses of all cash payments in connection with the transactions contemplated to occur on the Effective Date.

 

" Disposed EBITDA " means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business (determined in accordance with the definition of "Consolidated EBITDA").

 

" Disposition " means any transaction, or series of related transactions, pursuant to which any Person or any of its Subsidiaries sells, assigns, transfers, leases, licenses (as licensor) or otherwise disposes of any property or assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any other Person, in each case, whether or not the consideration therefor consists of cash, securities or other assets owned by the acquiring Person. For purposes of clarification, "Disposition" shall include (a) the sale or other disposition for value of any contracts, (b) any disposition of property through an LLC Division or any comparable transaction under any similar law, (c) the early termination or modification of any contract resulting in the receipt by any Loan Party of a cash payment or other consideration in exchange for such event (other than payments in the ordinary course for accrued and unpaid amounts due through the date of termination or modification) or (d), any sale of merchant accounts (or any rights thereto (including, without limitation, any rights to any residual payment stream with respect thereto)) by any Loan Party.

 

" Disqualified Equity Interests " means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interest into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations and the termination of the Commitments), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends or distributions in cash, or (d) is convertible into or exchangeable for (i) Indebtedness or (ii) any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case of clauses (a) through (d), prior to the date that is 6 months after the Final Maturity Date.

 

  14  

 

" Dollar ," " Dollars " and the symbol " $ " each means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

" Domestic Loan Party " means any Loan Party that is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state or commonwealth thereof or under the laws of the District of Columbia.

 

" Domestic Security Document " means each agreement, instrument or other document executed or delivered by a Loan Party or any other Person that purports to grant a Lien under the laws of the United States of America to secure the Obligations.

 

" Domestic Subsidiary " means any Subsidiary that is organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state or commonwealth thereof or under the laws of the District of Columbia.

 

" Effective Date " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5.01.

 

" Employee Plan " means an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), regardless of whether subject to ERISA, that any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates maintains, sponsors or contributes to or is obligated to contribute to.

 

" Environmental Claim " means any complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, or judgment from any Person or Governmental Authority involving any alleged or actual violation of or liability under any Environmental Law, or violation or liability relating to the manufacture, use, handling, generation, transportation, storage, treatment, Release, threatened Release or disposal or exposure to any Hazardous Materials.

 

" Environmental Law " means any Requirement of Law relating to or concerning (i) the protection of the environment, natural resources, or, to the extent related to the use or handling of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, human health or safety, or (ii) the manufacture, use, handling, generation, transportation, storage, treatment, Release, threatened Release or disposal of or exposure to any Hazardous Material.

 

" Environmental Liability " means all liabilities (contingent or otherwise, known or unknown), monetary obligations, losses (including monies paid in settlement), damages, natural resource damages, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, costs, client charges and expenses of counsel, experts and consultants), fines, penalties, sanctions and interest arising directly or indirectly as a result of or based upon (a) any Environmental Claim; (b) any actual, alleged or threatened non-compliance with Environmental Law or Environmental Permit; (c) any actual, alleged or threatened Release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials; (d) any Remedial Action; or (e) any contract, agreement, or other arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

" Environmental Lien " means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liability.

 

  15  

 

" Environmental Permit " means any permit, license, authorization, approval, registration or entitlement required by or issued pursuant to any Environmental Law or by any Governmental Authority pursuant to Environmental Law.

 

" Equity Documents " means each of the following:

 

(a)                 the Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by the Parent;

 

(b)                the Warrants, duly executed by the Parent; and

 

(c)                 each Subscription Agreement, duly executed by the Parent.

 

" Equity Interests " means (a) all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), equity interests, beneficial, partnership or membership interests, joint venture interests, participations or other ownership or profit interests in or equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting and (b) all securities convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

 

" Equity Issuance " means either (a) the sale or issuance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any shares of its Equity Interests or (b) the receipt by the Parent of any cash capital contributions.

 

" ERISA " means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, and regulations thereunder, in each case, as in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

 

" ERISA Affiliate " means, with respect to any Person, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of which such Person is a member and which would be deemed to be a "controlled group" or under "common control" within the meaning of Sections 414(b) or (c) (or, solely for purposes of the funding requirements of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA, Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code or Sections 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA).

 

  16  

 

" ERISA Event " means (a) the occurrence of a Reportable Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (b) the failure to meet the minimum funding standards of Section 412 or 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 or 303 of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA) or the failure to make a contribution or installment required under Section 412 or Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) a determination that any Pension Plan is in "at risk" status (as defined in Section 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (d) a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in "critical" or "endangered" status under Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of an amendment to a Pension Plan as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA; (f) the withdrawal by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (g) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition that could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (h) the imposition of liability on any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069(a) of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (i) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan or the receipt by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (j) the occurrence of an act or omission which could reasonably be expected to give rise to the imposition on any Loan Party of material fines, penalties or excise taxes under Sections 4975 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Plan; (k) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent, upon any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates; (l) the assertion of a claim (other than routine claims for benefits, appeals of such claims and domestic relations order proceedings) against any Employee Plan or the assets thereof, or against any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (m) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Employee Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any such Pension Plan (or such other Employee Plan) to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; (n) the imposition on any Loan Party of any material fine, excise tax or penalty with respect to any Employee Plan or Multiemployer Plan resulting from any noncompliance with any Requirements of Law; (o) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to ERISA on the assets of any Loan Party or its ERISA Affiliates with respect to any Pension Plan; or (p) the occurrence of any Foreign Plan Event.

 

" Event of Default " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 9.01.

 

" Excess Cash Flow " means, with respect to any Person for any period, (a) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, less (b) the sum of, without duplication, (i) all cash principal payments (excluding any principal payments made pursuant to Section 2.05(b) or Section 2.05(c)) on the Loans made during such period, and all cash principal payments on Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred under this Agreement) of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries during such period to the extent such other Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, and such payments are permitted to be made, under this Agreement (but, in the case of revolving loans, only to the extent that the revolving credit commitment in respect thereof is permanently reduced by the amount of such payments), (ii) all Consolidated Net Interest Expense to the extent paid or payable in cash during such period, (iii) the cash portion of Capital Expenditures made, and any Purchase Price in respect of any Permitted Acquisition paid, by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period to the extent permitted to be made under this Agreement (excluding any Capital Expenditures and any Purchase Price in respect of any Permitted Acquisition, in each case, to the extent financed through the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than any revolving credit facility) or through an Equity Issuance), (iv) all scheduled loan servicing fees and other similar fees in respect of Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries paid in cash during such period, to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, and such payments are permitted to be made, under this Agreement, (v) income taxes paid in cash by such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, (vi) the excess, if any, of Working Capital at the end of such period over Working Capital at the beginning of such period (or minus the excess, if any, of Working Capital at the beginning of such period over Working Capital at the end of such period), and (vii) the items set forth in clauses (b)(vii), (b)(viii), (b)(x), (b)(xi), (b)(xii), (b)(xiii) (but only to the extent prepaid pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(iv)), (b)(xiv), (b)(xv), (b)(xvi) and (b)(xvii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA to the extent added back to Consolidated Net Income for the purpose of determining Consolidated EBITDA and paid in cash during such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Acquired EBITDA of any acquired business accrued prior to the date it becomes a consolidated Subsidiary of the Parent or is merged or consolidated with the Parent or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries or the date that such acquired business’s assets are acquired by the Parent or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries shall be excluded from the calculation of Excess Cash Flow.

 

  17  

 

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

 

" Excluded Account " means (a) any deposit account specifically and exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of any Loan Party's employees and (b) any Petty Cash Accounts.

 

" Excluded Equity Issuance " means (a) in the event that the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries forms any Subsidiary in accordance with this Agreement, the issuance by such Subsidiary of Equity Interests to the Parent or such Subsidiary, as applicable, (b) the issuance of Equity Interests in connection with any exercise of the Warrants, (c) the issuance of Equity Interests of the Parent to directors, officers and employees of the Parent and its Subsidiaries pursuant to employee stock option plans (or other employee incentive plans or other compensation arrangements) approved by the Board of Directors of the Parent, (d) the issuance of Equity Interests of the Parent in order to finance the purchase consideration (or a portion thereof) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, and (e) the issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary of the Parent to its parent or member in connection with the contribution by such parent or member to such Subsidiary of the proceeds of an issuance described in clauses (a) – (d) above.

 

" Excluded Subsidiary " means (a) any Immaterial Subsidiary, (b) any Inactive Subsidiary and (c) any other Subsidiary with respect to which the Agents shall have determined in their reasonable business judgment that the cost of joining such Subsidiary as a Borrower or Guarantor under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents outweighs the benefit to the Agents and the Lenders thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary that is required to become a Borrower or Guarantor (as each such term is defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof)) under the Revolving Loan Documents shall constitute an Excluded Subsidiary.

 

  18  

 

" Excluded Swap Obligation " means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such 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 Guarantor's failure for any reason not to constitute an "eligible contract participant" as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor becomes effective with respect to such related Swap Obligation.

 

" Excluded Taxes " means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.12(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.09, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender's assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient's failure to comply with Section 2.09(d) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

" Existing Lenders " means the lenders in respect of any Target Indebtedness.

 

" Extraordinary Items " means, with respect to any Person, any transaction or event that is both (a) unusual in nature (i.e., a transaction or event that possesses a high degree of abnormality of a type clearly unrelated to, or only incidentally related to, the ordinary and typical activities of such Person) and (b) infrequent in occurrence (i.e. a transaction or event that is of a type that would not reasonably be expected to recur in the foreseeable future).

 

" Extraordinary Receipts " means any cash received by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries not in the ordinary course of business (and not consisting of proceeds described in Section 2.05(c)(ii) or Section 2.05(c)(iii) hereof), including, without limitation, (a) foreign, United States, state or local tax refunds, (b) pension plan reversions, (c) proceeds of insurance (other than (i) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the proceeds of business interruption insurance and (ii) the proceeds of other insurance to the extent such insurance proceeds are (A) immediately payable to a Person that is not the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law or with Contractual Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business or (B) received by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as reimbursement for any out-of-pocket costs incurred or made by such Person prior to the receipt thereof directly related to the event resulting from the payment of such proceeds), (d) judgments, proceeds of settlements or other consideration of any kind in connection with any cause of action, (e) condemnation awards (and payments in lieu thereof), (f) indemnity payments (other than to the extent such indemnity payments are (i) immediately payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) received by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as reimbursement for any costs previously incurred or any payment previously made by such Person) and (g) any purchase price adjustment received in connection with any purchase agreement including, without limitation, the Acquisition Agreement.

 

  19  

 

" Facility " means the real property identified on Schedule 1.01(B) and any New Facility hereafter acquired by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the land on which each such facility is located, all buildings and other improvements thereon, and all fixtures located thereat or used in connection therewith.

 

" FASB ASC " means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

 

" FATCA " means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue 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) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and any fiscal, tax or regulatory legislation, rules or official practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

 

" Federal Funds Rate " means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

" Final Maturity Date " means the earlier of (a) November 8, 2023, and (b) the date of the expiration of the Term (as defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof).

 

" Financial Statements " means (a) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017, and the related consolidated statement of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, and (b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and the related consolidated statement of operations, shareholder's equity and cash flows for the nine months then ended.

 

" Fiscal Quarter " means any fiscal quarter of the Parent determined in accordance with Section 1.04(b).

 

" Fiscal Year " means any fiscal year of the Parent determined in accordance with Section 1.04(b).

 

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" Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio " means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, minus Capital Expenditures made by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period (excluding Capital Expenditures to the extent financed through the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than any revolving credit facility) or through an Equity Issuance), minus income taxes paid or payable by such Person and its Subsidiaries during such period, to (b) the sum of (i) all principal of Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries scheduled to be paid during such period (and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any prepayments made pursuant to Section 2.05(c)) to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in the commitments thereunder, plus (ii) Consolidated Net Interest Expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, plus (iii) cash dividends or distributions paid, or the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation), by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, in respect of the Equity Interests of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (other than dividends or distributions paid by a Loan Party to any other Loan Party) during such period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of any date of measurement ending on or before September 30, 2019, (a) Capital Expenditures described in clause (a) of the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any of the following periods included in the 4 Fiscal Quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $569,005 for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $3,477,868 for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $2,620,380 for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2018, (b) income taxes described in clause (a) of the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any of the following periods included in the 4 Fiscal Quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $27,036 for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $336,778 for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $253,250 for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2018, and (c) the sum described in clause (b) of the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any of the following periods included in the 4 Fiscal Quarter period ending on such measurement date shall be deemed to be equal to the following amounts for such period: (1) $2,369,574 for the Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2018, (2) $2,369,574 for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2018, and (3) $2,369,574 for the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2018.

 

" Foreign Loan Party " means any Loan Party that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than any state of the United States of America or the District of Columbia.

 

" Foreign Plan " means any employee benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained, sponsored or contributed to, or for which there is an obligation to contribute to, by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates that is subject to any Requirements of Laws other than, or in addition to, the laws of the United States or any state (or other political subdivision) thereof or the laws of the District of Columbia.

 

" Foreign Plan Event " means, with respect to any Foreign Plan, (a) the existence of unfunded liabilities in excess of the amount permitted under any Requirement of Law, or in excess of the amount that would be permitted absent a waiver from a Governmental Authority, (b) the failure to make any required contribution or payment under any Requirement of Law within the time permitted by any Requirement of Law for such contributions or payments, (c) the receipt of a notice from a Governmental Authority relating to the intention to terminate any such Foreign Plan or to appoint a trustee or similar official to administer any such Foreign Plan, or alleging the insolvency of any such Foreign Plan, (d) the incurrence of any liability by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof under any law on account of the complete or partial termination of such Foreign Plan or the complete or partial withdrawal of any participating employer therein, or (e) the occurrence of any transaction with respect to a Foreign Plan that is prohibited under any Requirement of Law and that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any liability by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or the imposition on any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof of any fine, excise tax or penalty with respect to a Foreign Plan resulting from any noncompliance with any Requirement of Law.

 

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" Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act " means the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (28 U.S.C. Sections 1602-1611), as amended.

 

" Foreign Subsidiary " means any Subsidiary of the Parent that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

" Funding Fee " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(b).

 

" Funding Losses " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.08.

 

" GAAP " means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States, applied on a consistent basis, provided that for the purpose of Section 7.03 hereof and the definitions used therein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the Financial Statements, provided , further , that if there occurs after the date of this Agreement any change in GAAP that affects in any respect the calculation of any covenant contained in Section 7.03 hereof, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Borrower shall negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that relate to the calculation of such covenant with the intent of having the respective positions of the Lenders and the Borrowers after such change in GAAP conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the date of this Agreement and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon, the covenants in Section 7.03 hereof shall be calculated as if no such change in GAAP has occurred.

 

" Governing Documents " means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization, and the operating agreement; (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture, declaration or other applicable agreement or documentation evidencing or otherwise relating to its formation or organization, governance and capitalization; and (d) with respect to any of the entities described above, any other agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization.

 

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" Governmental Authority " means any nation or government, any foreign, Federal, state, territory, provincial, city, town, municipality, county, local or other political subdivision thereof or thereto and any department, commission, board, bureau, instrumentality, agency or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

" Guaranteed Obligations " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 11.01.

 

" Guarantor " means (a) the Parent and each Subsidiary of the Parent listed as a "Guarantor" on the signature pages hereto, and (b) each other Person which guarantees, pursuant to Section 7.01(b) or otherwise, all or any part of the Obligations.

 

" Guaranty " means (a) the guaranty of each Guarantor party hereto contained in ARTICLE XI hereof and (b) each other guaranty, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, made by any other Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders guaranteeing all or part of the Obligations.

 

" Hazardous Material " means any element, compound or chemical that is defined, listed or otherwise classified as a contaminant, pollutant, toxic or hazardous substance, hazardous waste, special waste, or solid waste or words of similar import under any Environmental Law or that is otherwise regulated under or for which liability or standards of care are imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, petroleum, polychlorinated biphenyls; asbestos-containing materials, urea formaldehyde-containing materials radioactive materials and toxic mold.

 

" Hedging Agreement " means any interest rate, foreign currency, commodity or equity swap, collar, cap, floor or forward rate agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or currency, commodity or equity values (including, without limitation, any option with respect to any of the foregoing and any combination of the foregoing agreements or arrangements), and any confirmation executed in connection with any such agreement or arrangement.

 

" Highest Lawful Rate " means, with respect to any Agent or any Lender, the maximum non-usurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Obligations under laws applicable to such Agent or such Lender which are currently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum non-usurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

 

" Holding Company " means the Parent and each Subsidiary of the Parent listed on Schedule 1.01(C).

 

" Holdout Lender " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.02(c).

 

" Immaterial Subsidiary " means, at any time, any Subsidiary that (i) contributed 2.5% or less of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, (ii) contributed 2.5% or less of the revenues of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, and (iii) had assets representing 2.5% or less of the total consolidated assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on the last day of the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered; provided , if at any time and from time to time after the Effective Date, Immaterial Subsidiaries comprise in the aggregate more than 2.5% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, or more than 2.5% of the revenues of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered or more than 2.5% of the consolidated assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered, then the Parent shall, not later than thirty days after the date by which financial statements for such period are required to be delivered (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), designate in writing to the Administrative Agent that one or more of such Subsidiaries is no longer an Immaterial Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement to the extent required such that the foregoing condition ceases to be true. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary that is required to become a Borrower or Guarantor (as each such term is defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof)) under the Revolving Loan Documents shall constitute an Immaterial Subsidiary. As of the Effective Date, the Immaterial Subsidiaries are listed on Schedule 1.01(D).

 

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" Inactive Subsidiary " means each Subsidiary of the Parent listed on Schedule 1.01(E). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Subsidiary that is required to become a Borrower or Guarantor (as each such term is defined in the Revolving Loan Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof)) under the Revolving Loan Documents shall constitute an Inactive Subsidiary.

 

" Incremental Interest " means any increase in the interest rate payable in respect of the Term Loan B pursuant to the proviso to clause (a)(ii) or the proviso to clause (b)(ii) of the definition of "Applicable Margin".

 

" Indebtedness " means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money; (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (including any earn-out (other than any earn-out payable in connection with the MC Assembly Acquisition), purchase price adjustment (other than in respect of a working capital adjustment) or similar obligation, but excluding any trade payables or other accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of such Person's business and not outstanding for more than 90 days after the date such payable was created); (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments or upon which interest payments are customarily made; (d) all reimbursement, payment or other obligations and liabilities of such Person created or arising under any conditional sales or other title retention agreement with respect to property used and/or acquired by such Person, even though the rights and remedies of the lessor, seller and/or lender thereunder may be limited to repossession or sale of such property; (e) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (f) all obligations and liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person, in respect of letters of credit, acceptances and similar facilities; (g) all obligations and liabilities, calculated on a basis satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and in accordance with accepted practice, of such Person under Hedging Agreements; (h) all monetary obligations under any receivables factoring, receivable sales or similar transactions and all monetary obligations under any synthetic lease, tax ownership/operating lease, off-balance sheet financing or similar financing; (i) all Contingent Obligations; (j) all Disqualified Equity Interests; and (k) all obligations referred to in clauses (a) through (j) of this definition of another Person secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien upon property owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness (valued at the lesser of the principal amount of such obligation and the value of the property subject to any such Lien). The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership of or joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer.

 

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" Indemnified Matters " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.15.

 

" Indemnified Taxes " means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

 

" Indemnitees " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.15.

 

" Insolvency Proceeding " means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of any Debtor Relief Law.

 

" Intellectual Property " has the meaning specified therefor in the Security Agreement.

 

" Intellectual Property Contracts " means all agreements concerning Intellectual Property, including without limitation license agreements, technology consulting agreements, confidentiality agreements, co-existence agreements, consent agreements and non-assertion agreements.

 

" Intercompany Subordination Agreement " means an Intercompany Subordination Agreement made by the Parent and its Subsidiaries in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

" Intercreditor Agreement " means the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Loan Parties, the Collateral Agent and the Revolving Loan Agent.

 

" Interest Period " means, with respect to each LIBOR Rate Loan, (a) initially, a period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan (or the continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan or the conversion of a Reference Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan) and ending on the last Business Day of then current Fiscal Quarter, and (b) thereafter, a period commencing on the date of the making of such LIBOR Rate Loan (or the continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan or the conversion of a Reference Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan) and ending 1, 2, or 3 months thereafter; provided , however , that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended (subject to clauses (iii)-(v) below) to the next succeeding Business Day, (ii) interest shall accrue at the applicable rate based upon the LIBOR Rate from and including the first day of each Interest Period to, but excluding, the day on which any Interest Period expires, (iii) any Interest Period that would end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (iv) with respect to an Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period), the Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month that is 1, 2 or 3 months after the date on which the Interest Period began, as applicable, and (v) the Borrowers may not elect an Interest Period which will end after the Final Maturity Date.

 

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

 

" Inventory " means, with respect to any Person, all goods and merchandise of such Person leased or held for sale or lease by such Person, including, without limitation, all raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods, and all packaging, supplies and materials of every nature used or usable in connection with the shipping, storing, advertising or sale of such goods and merchandise, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all such other property the sale or other disposition of which would give rise to an Account or cash.

 

" Investment " means, with respect to any Person, (a) any investment by such Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances or other extensions of credit (excluding Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business), capital contributions or acquisitions of Indebtedness (including, any bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities), Equity Interests, or all or substantially all of the assets of such other Person (or of any division or business line of such other Person), (b) the purchase or ownership of any futures contract or liability for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodities at a future date in the nature of a futures contract, or (c) any investment in any other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

" Joinder Agreement " means a Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, duly executed by a Subsidiary of a Loan Party made a party hereto pursuant to Section 7.01(b).

 

" Lease " means any lease, sublease or license of, or other agreement granting a possessory interest in, real property to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as lessor, lessee, sublessor, sublessee, licensor or licensee.

 

" Lender " has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble hereto.

 

" LIBOR " means, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan for any Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as calculated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) and obtained through a nationally recognized service such as Bloomberg (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; in each case, the " Screen Rate "), or a comparable or successor rate that has been approved by the Administrative Agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided , that, if the Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an " Impacted Interest Period ") with respect to Dollars, then the LIBOR Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate at such time. " Interpolated Rate " means, at any time, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available in Dollars) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available for Dollars) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time. If such Screen Rate or any Interpolated Rate shall no longer exist, at any time and for any reason, the comparable replacement rate shall be equal to the average offered quotation rate from three (3) leading banks in the London interbank deposit market satisfactory to the Administrative Agent at such time for U.S. Dollars for an amount comparable to such LIBOR Rate Loan and having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to such Impacted Interest Period. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if "LIBOR" shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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" LIBOR Deadline " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.07(a).

 

" LIBOR Notice " means a written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

 

" LIBOR Option " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.07(a).

 

" LIBOR Rate " means, for each Interest Period for each LIBOR Rate Loan, the greater of (a) the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (rounded upwards if necessary, to the next 1/100%) by dividing (i) LIBOR for such Interest Period by (ii) 100% minus the Reserve Percentage and (b) 1.75% per annum. The LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted on and as of the effective day of any change in the Reserve Percentage.

 

" LIBOR Rate Loan " means each portion of a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

 

" Lien " means any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise), security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security or preferential arrangement of any nature, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, any Capitalized Lease and any assignment, deposit arrangement or financing lease intended as, or having the effect of, security.

 

" Liquidity " means, at any time, the sum of (a) Undrawn Availability plus (b) Qualified Cash, in each case, at such time.

 

" LLC Division " means the division of a limited liability company into two or more limited liability companies, with the dividing company continuing or terminating its existence as a result, whether pursuant to the laws of any applicable jurisdiction or otherwise.

 

" Loan " means any Term Loan made by a Lender to the Borrowers pursuant to ARTICLE II hereof.

 

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" Loan Account " means an account maintained hereunder by the Administrative Agent on its books of account at the Payment Office, and with respect to the Borrowers, in which the Borrowers will be charged with all Loans made to, and all other Obligations incurred by, the Borrowers.

 

" Loan Document " means this Agreement, the Acquisition Collateral Assignment, any Certificate of Beneficial Ownership, any Control Agreement, the Disbursement Letter, any Equity Document, any Guaranty, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, any Joinder Agreement, the Mexican Security Documents, any Mortgage, any Security Agreement, any other Security Document, any UCC Filing Authorization Letter, any landlord waiver, any collateral access agreement, any Perfection Certificate and any other agreement, instrument, certificate, report and other document executed and delivered by any Loan Party in favor of any Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or thereto or otherwise evidencing or securing any Loan or any other Obligation.

 

" Loan Party " means any Borrower and any Guarantor.

 

" Loan Servicing Fee " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(d).

 

" Material Adverse Effect " means a material adverse effect on any of (a) the operations, assets, liabilities or financial condition of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to perform any of their obligations under any Loan Document, (c) the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (d) the rights and remedies of any Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or (e) the validity, perfection or priority of a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders on Collateral having a fair market value in excess of $500,000.

 

" Material Contract " means, with respect to any Person, any contract or agreement as to which the breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew by any party thereto could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

" MC Assembly " means MC Assembly Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

MC Assembly Acquisition " means the acquisition of all of the Equity Interests of MC Assembly and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the Acquisition Documents.

 

" Mexican Loan Party " means (a) MC Assembly Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., (b) Radio Componentes de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., (c) SMTC de Chihuahua, S.A. de C.V., and (d) each other Foreign Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) of the Parent organized under the laws of Mexico.

 

" Mexican Security Document " means each agreement, Mortgage, instrument or other document executed or delivered by a Loan Party or any other Person that purports to grant a Lien under the laws of Mexico to secure the Obligations.

 

" Moody's " means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

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" Mortgage " means a mortgage (including, without limitation, a leasehold mortgage), deed of trust or deed to secure debt, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, made by a Loan Party in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, securing the Obligations and delivered to the Collateral Agent.

 

" Multiemployer Plan " means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates has contributed, or has been obligated to contribute, to at any time during the current calendar year or any of the preceding five calendar years.

 

" Net Cash Proceeds " means, with respect to, any issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness, any Equity Issuance, any Disposition or the receipt of any Extraordinary Receipts by any Person or any of its Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount of cash received (directly or indirectly) from time to time (whether as initial consideration or through the payment or disposition of deferred consideration) by or on behalf of such Person or such Subsidiary, in connection therewith after deducting therefrom only (a) in the case of any Disposition or the receipt of any Extraordinary Receipts consisting of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards, the amount of any Indebtedness secured by any Permitted Lien on any asset (other than Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset) which is required to be, and is, repaid in connection therewith (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement), (b) reasonable expenses related thereto incurred by such Person or such Subsidiary in connection therewith, (c) amounts paid or required to be paid to third parties or otherwise into escrow or similar arrangements and (d) taxes paid or required to be paid to any taxing authorities by such Person or such Subsidiary in connection therewith (after taking into account any tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), in each case, to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are (i) actually paid to a Person that, except in the case of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, is not an Affiliate of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) properly attributable to such transaction or to the asset that is the subject thereof.

 

" New Facility " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 7.01(m).

 

" Non-U.S. Lender " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.09(d).

 

" Notice of Borrowing " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(a).

 

" NPL " means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.

 

" Obligations " means all present and future indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities (including, without limitation, the Term Loan B PIK Amount) of each Loan Party to the Agents and the Lenders arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not the right of payment in respect of such claim is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, unsecured, and whether or not such claim is discharged, stayed or otherwise affected by any proceeding referred to in Section 9.01. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Obligations of each Loan Party under the Loan Documents include (a) the obligation (irrespective of whether a claim therefor is allowed in an Insolvency Proceeding) to pay principal, interest (including, without limitation, the Term Loan B PIK Amount), charges, expenses, fees, premiums (including the Applicable Premium), attorneys' fees and disbursements, indemnities and other amounts payable by such Person under the Loan Documents, and (b) the obligation of such Person to reimburse any amount in respect of any of the foregoing that any Agent or any Lender (in its sole discretion) may elect to pay or advance on behalf of such Person. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, Obligations shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.

 

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

 

" 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 all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any 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 2.12).

 

" Parent " has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble hereto.

 

" Participant Register " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.07(i).

 

" Payment Office " means such office or offices of the Administrative Agent as may be designated in writing from time to time by the Administrative Agent to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Borrower.

 

" PBGC " means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

 

" Pension Plan " means an Employee Plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 302 of ERISA or Title IV of ERISA maintained, sponsored or contributed to, or for which there is an obligation to contribute to, by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates at any time during the current calendar year or any of the preceding five calendar years.

 

" Perfection Certificate " means a certificate in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent providing information with respect to the property of each Loan Party.

 

" Permitted Acquisition " means any Acquisition by a Loan Party or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

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(a)                 no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the proposed Acquisition;

 

(b)                to the extent the Acquisition will be financed in whole or in part with the proceeds of any Loan, the conditions set forth in Section 5.02 shall have been satisfied;

 

(c)                 the Borrowers shall have furnished to the Agents at least 10 Business Days prior to the consummation of such Acquisition (i) an executed term sheet and/or commitment letter (setting forth in reasonable detail the terms and conditions of such Acquisition) and, at the request of any Agent, such other information and documents that any Agent may request, including, without limitation, executed counterparts of the respective agreements, instruments or other documents pursuant to which such Acquisition is to be consummated (including, without limitation, any related management, non-compete, employment, option or other material agreements), any schedules to such agreements, instruments or other documents and all other material ancillary agreements, instruments or other documents to be executed or delivered in connection therewith, (ii) pro forma financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries after the consummation of such Acquisition, (iii) a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Parent, demonstrating on a pro forma basis compliance, as at the end of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which internally prepared financial statements are available, with all covenants set forth in Section 7.03 hereof after the consummation of such Acquisition, and (iv) copies of such other agreements, instruments or other documents as any Agent shall reasonably request;

 

(d)                the agreements, instruments and other documents referred to in paragraph (c) above shall provide that (i) neither the Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries shall, in connection with such Acquisition, assume or remain liable in respect of any Indebtedness of the Seller or Sellers, or other obligation of the Seller or Sellers (except for obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business in operating the property so acquired and necessary or desirable to the continued operation of such property and except for Permitted Indebtedness), and (ii) all property to be so acquired in connection with such Acquisition shall be free and clear of any and all Liens, except for Permitted Liens (and if any such property is subject to any Lien not permitted by this clause (ii) then concurrently with such Acquisition such Lien shall be released);

 

(e)                 such Acquisition shall be effected in such a manner so that the acquired assets or Equity Interests are owned either by a Loan Party or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party and, if effected by merger or consolidation involving a Loan Party, such Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

 

(f)                 the Borrowers shall have Liquidity in an amount equal to or greater than $15,000,000 immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the proposed Acquisition;

 

(g)                the assets being acquired or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired did not have negative Consolidated EBITDA during the 12 consecutive month period most recently concluded prior to the date of the proposed Acquisition;

 

(h)                the assets being acquired (other than assets which are not material in value in relation to the Loan Parties' and their Subsidiaries' total assets on a pro forma basis), or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired, are useful in or engaged in, as applicable, the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries or a business reasonably related thereto;

 

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(i)                  the assets being acquired (other than a de minimis amount of assets in relation to the assets being acquired) are located within the United States or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired is organized in a jurisdiction located within the United States;

 

(j)                  such Acquisition shall be consensual and shall have been approved by the board of directors of the Person whose Equity Interests or assets are proposed to be acquired and shall not have been preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest initiated by, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or an Affiliate thereof;

 

(k)                any such Subsidiary (and its equityholders) shall execute and deliver the agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section 7.01(b) on or prior to the date of the consummation of such Acquisition; and

 

(l)                  the Purchase Price payable in respect of (i) any single Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that the Purchase Price payable in respect of any Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions in excess of $3,500,000 shall be funded solely with the proceeds of an Excluded Equity Issuance consummated within the six month period immediately prior to such Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions, and (ii) all Acquisitions (including the proposed Acquisition) shall not exceed $25,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; provided that the aggregate Purchase Price payable in respect of all Acquisitions (including the proposed Acquisition) during the term of this Agreement in excess of $5,000,000 shall be funded solely with the proceeds of Excluded Equity Issuances consummated within the six month period immediately prior to each such Acquisition.

 

" Permitted Disposition " means:

 

(a)                 sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                licensing, on a non-exclusive basis, Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                 leasing or subleasing assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                (i) the lapse of Registered Intellectual Property of the Parent and its Subsidiaries to the extent not economically desirable in the conduct of their business or (ii) the abandonment of Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business so long as (in each case under clauses (i) and (ii)), (A) with respect to copyrights, such copyrights are not material revenue generating copyrights, and (B) such lapse is not materially adverse to the interests of the Secured Parties;

 

(e)                 any involuntary loss, damage or destruction of property;

 

(f)                 any involuntary condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, or confiscation or requisition of use of property;

 

  32  

 

(g)                so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, transfers of assets (i) from the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrowers) to a Loan Party (other than the Parent), and (ii) from any Subsidiary of the Parent that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary of the Parent;

 

(h)                Disposition of surplus, obsolete or worn-out equipment or equipment which is otherwise not used or useful in the business of the Parent and its Subsidiaries or the disposition of equipment in connection with the exchange or replacement thereof;

 

(i)                  Disposition of non-core assets acquired pursuant to any Permitted Acquisition that are (i) surplus or otherwise not used in the business of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and (ii) Disposed of within twelve months of the date of such Permitted Acquisition; and

 

(j)                  Disposition of property or assets not otherwise permitted in clauses (a) through (i) above for cash in an aggregate amount not less than the fair market value of such property or assets;

 

provided that the Net Cash Proceeds of such Dispositions (including the proposed Disposition) (1) in the case of clause (j) above, do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year and (2) in all cases, are paid to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders as and to the extent required pursuant to the terms of Section 2.05(c)(ii) or applied as provided in Section 2.05(c)(v).

 

" Permitted Indebtedness " means:

 

(a)                 any Indebtedness owing to any Agent or any Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)                any other Indebtedness listed on Schedule 7.02(b), and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness;

 

(c)                 Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness;

 

(d)                Permitted Intercompany Investments;

 

(e)                 Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business under performance, surety, statutory, and appeal bonds;

 

(f)                 Indebtedness owed to any Person providing property, casualty, liability, or other insurance to the Loan Parties, so long as the amount of such Indebtedness is not in excess of the amount of the unpaid cost of, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of, such insurance for the period in which such Indebtedness is incurred and such Indebtedness is outstanding only during such period;

 

(g)                the incurrence by any Loan Party of Indebtedness under Hedging Agreements that are incurred for the bona fide purpose of hedging the interest rate, commodity, or foreign currency risks associated with such Loan Party's operations and not for speculative purposes;

 

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(h)                Indebtedness incurred in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, purchase cards (including so-called "procurement cards" or "P-cards") or other similar cash management services, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)                  contingent liabilities in respect of any indemnification obligation, working capital adjustment, tax gross-up, make-whole, non-compete, or similar obligation of any Loan Party incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions;

 

(j)                  Indebtedness of a Person whose assets or Equity Interests are acquired by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in a Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided , that such Indebtedness (i) is either Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness or a Capitalized Lease with respect to equipment or mortgage financing with respect to a Facility, (ii) was in existence prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and (iii) was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition;

 

(k)                [reserved];

 

(l)                  Indebtedness not otherwise permitted hereby to the extent that such Indebtedness is (i) unsecured and (ii) in an aggregate amount not exceeding $500,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(m)              Revolving Loan Obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Maximum ABL Principal Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), so long as such Revolving Loan Obligations are subject to the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(n)                Subordinated Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

" Permitted Intercompany Investments " means Investments made by (a) a Domestic Loan Party to or in another Domestic Loan Party (other than a Holding Company), (b) a Foreign Loan Party to or in another Foreign Loan Party (other than a Holding Company), (c) a Domestic Loan Party to or in a Foreign Loan Party (other than a Holding Company) or other Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate amount for all such Investments not to exceed, during any fiscal month of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, amounts (i) that are reasonably expected by the Parent to be used to fund operations of such Persons for such fiscal month substantially consistent with past practices and (ii) that do not result in any failure by the Loan Parties to be in compliance with the provisions of Section 7.02(u), (d) a Foreign Loan Party to or in a Domestic Loan Party (other than a Holding Company), (e) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to or in another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, (f) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to or in a Loan Party, so long as, in the case of a loan or advance, the parties thereto are party to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (g) a Loan Party to or in a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, so long as (i) the aggregate amount of all such Investments made by the Loan Parties to or in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties does not exceed $750,000 at any time outstanding, (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either before or after giving effect to such Investment, and (iii) the Borrowers have Liquidity of not less than $15,000,000 after giving effect to such Investment.

 

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" Permitted Investments " means:

 

(a)                 Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)                Investments in negotiable instruments deposited or to be deposited for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)                 advances made in connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business;

 

(d)                Investments received in settlement of amounts due to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of Insolvency Proceedings involving an Account Debtor or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries;

 

(e)                 Investments existing on the date hereof, as set forth on Schedule 7.02(e) hereto, but not any increase in the amount thereof as set forth in such Schedule or any other modification of the terms thereof;

 

(f)                 Permitted Intercompany Investments; and

 

(g)                Permitted Acquisitions.

 

" Permitted Liens " means:

 

(a)                 Liens securing the Obligations;

 

(b)                Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges the payment of which is not required under Section 7.01(c)(ii);

 

(c)                 Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money) that are not overdue by more than 30 days or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly initiated and diligently conducted, and a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(d)                Liens described on Schedule 7.02(a), provided that any such Lien shall only secure the Indebtedness that it secures on the Effective Date and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(e)                 purchase money Liens on equipment acquired or held by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business to secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness so long as such Lien only (i) attaches to such property and (ii) secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire such property or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

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(f)                 deposits and pledges of cash securing (i) obligations incurred in respect of workers' compensation, unemployment insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits, (ii) the performance of bids, tenders, leases, contracts (other than for the payment of money) and statutory obligations or (iii) obligations on surety or appeal bonds, but only to the extent such deposits or pledges are made or otherwise arise in the ordinary course of business and secure obligations not past due;

 

(g)                with respect to any Facility, easements, zoning restrictions and similar encumbrances on real property and minor irregularities in the title thereto that do not (i) secure obligations for the payment of money or (ii) materially impair the value of such property or its use by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the normal conduct of such Person's business;

 

(h)                Liens of landlords and mortgagees of landlords (i) arising by statute or under any Lease or related Contractual Obligation entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ii) on fixtures and movable tangible property located on the real property leased or subleased from such landlord, or (iii) for amounts not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(i)                  the title and interest of a lessor or sublessor in and to personal property leased or subleased (other than through a Capitalized Lease), in each case extending only to such personal property;

 

(j)                  non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property rights in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                judgment liens (other than for the payment of taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) securing judgments and other proceedings not constituting an Event of Default under Section 9.01(j);

 

(l)                  rights of set-off or bankers' liens upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)              Liens granted in the ordinary course of business on the unearned portion of insurance premiums securing the financing of insurance premiums to the extent the financing is permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

 

(n)                Liens assumed by the Parent and its Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (j) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

 

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(o)                Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by any Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition;

 

(p)                Liens securing the Indebtedness permitted under clause (m) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, so long as such Liens are subject to the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(q)                other Liens which do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money or letters of credit and as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed $250,000.

 

" Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness " means, as of any date of determination, Indebtedness (other than the Obligations, but including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred to finance the acquisition of any fixed or tangible assets secured by a Lien permitted under clause (e) of the definition of "Permitted Liens"; provided that (a) such Indebtedness is incurred within 20 days after such acquisition, (b) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset financed and (c) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $2,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

" Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness " means the extension of maturity, refinancing or modification of the terms of Indebtedness so long as:

 

(a)                 upon giving effect to such extension, refinancing or modification, the amount of such Indebtedness is not greater than the amount of Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to such extension, refinancing or modification (other than by the amount of premiums paid thereon and the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and by the amount of unfunded commitments with respect thereto);

 

(b)                such extension, refinancing or modification does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity (measured as of the extension, refinancing or modification) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced or modified;

 

(c)                 such extension, refinancing or modification is pursuant to terms that are not less favorable to the Loan Parties and the Lenders than the terms of the Indebtedness (including, without limitation, terms relating to the collateral (if any) and subordination (if any)) being extended, refinanced or modified; and

 

(d)                the Indebtedness that is extended, refinanced or modified is not recourse to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is liable on account of the obligations other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, renewed, or extended.

 

" Permitted Restricted Payments " means any of the following Restricted Payments made by:

 

(a)                 any Loan Party to the Parent in amounts necessary to pay taxes and other customary expenses as and when due and owing by the Parent in the ordinary course of its business (including salaries and related reasonable and customary expenses incurred by employees of the Parent),

 

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(b)                any Loan Party to the Parent in amounts necessary to pay any amounts as and when due and owing by the Parent under any Equity Document,

 

(c)                 any Subsidiary of any Loan Party (other than the Parent) to such Loan Party,

 

(d)                the Parent to pay dividends in the form of Qualified Equity Interests, and

 

(e)                 the Parent to pay fees, not to exceed $75,000 per year, in respect of its advisory agreement with Clarke Bailey.

 

" Permitted Specified Liens " means Permitted Liens described in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (q) of the definition of Permitted Liens, and, solely in the case of Section 7.01(b)(i), including clauses (g), (h) and (i) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

 

" Person " means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture or other enterprise or entity or Governmental Authority.

 

" Petty Cash Accounts " means Cash Management Accounts with deposits at any time in an aggregate amount not in excess of $50,000 for any one account and $125,000 in the aggregate for all such accounts.

 

" Post-Default Rate " means a rate of interest per annum equal to the rate of interest otherwise in effect from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement plus 2.00%, or, if a rate of interest is not otherwise in effect, interest at the highest rate specified herein for any Loan then outstanding prior to an Event of Default plus 2.00%.

 

" Pro Rata Share " means, with respect to:

 

(a)                 a Lender's obligation to make the Term Loan A and receive payments of interest, fees, and principal with respect thereto, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender's Term Loan A Commitment, by (ii) the Total Term Loan A Commitment, provided that if the Total Term Loan A Commitment has been reduced to zero, the numerator shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's portion of the Term Loan A and the denominator shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan A,

 

(b)                a Lender's obligation to make the Term Loan B and receive payments of interest, fees, and principal with respect thereto, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender's Term Loan B Commitment, by (ii) the Total Term Loan B Commitment, provided that if the Total Term Loan B Commitment has been reduced to zero, the numerator shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Lender's portion of the Term Loan B and the denominator shall be the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan B,

 

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(c)                 all other matters (including, without limitation, the indemnification obligations arising under Section 10.05) regarding a Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the sum of such Lender's Term Loan B Commitment and the unpaid principal amount of such Lender's portion of the Term Loans and the Collateral Agent Advances, by (ii) the sum of the Total Term Loan B Commitment and the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans and Collateral Agent Advances.

 

" Proceeds " means (a) all "proceeds" (as defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) with respect to the Collateral and (b) whatever is recoverable or recovered when any Collateral is sold, exchanged, collected, or disposed of, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.

 

" Process Agent " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.10(b).

 

" Projections " means financial projections of the Parent and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(g)(ii), as updated from time to time pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(vii).

 

" Purchase Price " means, with respect to any Acquisition, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate consideration, whether cash, property or securities (including, without limitation, the fair market value of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries issued in connection with such Acquisition), paid or delivered by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (whether as initial consideration or through the payment or disposition of deferred consideration, including, without limitation, in the form of seller financing, royalty payments, payments allocated towards non-compete covenants, payments to principals for consulting services or other similar payments) in connection with such Acquisition, plus (b) the aggregate amount of liabilities of the acquired business (net of current assets of the acquired business) that would be reflected on a balance sheet (if such were to be prepared) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries upon giving effect to such Acquisition, plus (c) the aggregate amount of all transaction fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition.

 

" Qualified Cash " means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash on-hand of the Loan Parties maintained in deposit accounts in the name of a Loan Party in the United States as of such date, which deposit accounts are subject to Control Agreements.

 

" Qualified Equity Interests " means, with respect to any Person, all Equity Interests of such Person that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

" Real Property Deliverables " means each of the following agreements, instruments and other documents in respect of each Facility, each to the extent required by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent:

 

(a)                 a Mortgage duly executed by the applicable Loan Party,

 

(b)                evidence of the recording of each Mortgage in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the Lien purported to be created thereby or to otherwise protect the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Lenders thereunder;

 

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(c)                 a Title Insurance Policy with respect to each Mortgage;

 

(d)                a current ALTA survey and a surveyor's certificate, certified to the Collateral Agent and to the issuer of the Title Insurance Policy with respect thereto by a professional surveyor licensed in the state in which such Facility is located and reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(e)                 in the case of a leasehold interest, (i) a certified copy of the Lease between the landlord and such Person with respect to such real property in which such Person has a leasehold interest, and the certificate of occupancy with respect thereto, and (ii) an attornment and nondisturbance agreement between the landlord (and any fee mortgagee) and the applicable Loan Party with respect to such leasehold interest and the Collateral Agent;

 

(f)                 a zoning report issued by a provider reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent or a copy of each letter issued by the applicable Governmental Authority, evidencing each Facility's compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law, together with a copy of all certificates of occupancy issued with respect to each Facility;

 

(g)                an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, in the state where such Facility is located with respect to the enforceability of the Mortgage to be recorded and such other matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request;

 

(h)                an ASTM 1527-13 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (" Phase I ESA ") (and if reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent based upon the results of such Phase I, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment), by an independent firm reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; and

 

(i)                  such other agreements, instruments, appraisals and other documents (including guarantees and opinions of counsel) as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require.

 

" Recipient " means any Agent or any Lender, as applicable.

 

" Reference Rate " means, for any period, the greatest of (a) 4.75% per annum, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% per annum, (c) the LIBOR Rate (which rate shall be calculated based upon an Interest Period of 1 month and shall be determined at approximately 11:00 a.m., London Time, two Business Days prior to the determination date) plus 1.00% per annum, and (d) the rate last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the "Prime Rate" in the United States or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the "bank prime loan" rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Reference Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

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" Reference Rate Loan " means each portion of a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Reference Rate.

 

" Register " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.07(f).

 

" Registered Intellectual Property " means Intellectual Property that is federally, nationally or internationally issued or registered, or the subject of a pending application for such issuance or registration.

 

" Registered Loans " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.07(f).

 

" Registration Rights Agreement " means the Registration Rights Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents, by and between the Parent and each subscriber party thereto.

 

" Regulation T ", " Regulation U " and " Regulation X " mean, respectively, Regulations T, U and X of the Board or any successor, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

" Related Fund " means, with respect to any Person, an Affiliate of such Person, or a fund or account managed by such Person or an Affiliate of such Person.

 

" Release " means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, seeping, migrating, dumping or disposing of any Hazardous Material (including the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers and other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material) into the indoor or outdoor environment, including, without limitation, the movement of Hazardous Materials through or in the ambient air, soil, surface or ground water, or property.

 

" Remedial Action " means any action (a) to correct or address any actual, alleged or threatened non-compliance with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, or (b) to clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, investigate, prevent, minimize or in any other way address the presence, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material (including the performance of pre-remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial operation and maintenance activities).

 

" Replacement Lender " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.02(c).

 

" Reportable Event " means an event described in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than an event not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC under the regulations promulgated under such Section or otherwise).

 

" Required Lenders " means Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares (calculated in accordance with clause (c) of the definition thereof) aggregate at least 50.1%.

 

" Requirements of Law " means, with respect to any Person, collectively, the common law and all federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, multinational or international laws, statutes, codes, treaties, standards, rules and regulations, guidelines, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees (including administrative or judicial precedents or authorities) and the interpretation or administration thereof by, and other determinations, directives, requirements or requests of, any Governmental Authority, in each case that are applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

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" Reserve Percentage " means, on any day, for any Lender, the maximum percentage prescribed by the Board (or any successor Governmental Authority) for determining the reserve requirements (including any basic, supplemental, marginal, or emergency reserves) that are in effect on such date with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as " eurocurrency liabilities ") of that Lender, but so long as such Lender is not required or directed under applicable regulations to maintain such reserves, the Reserve Percentage shall be zero.

 

" Restricted Payment " means (a) the declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding, (b) the making of any repurchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any direct or indirect parent of any Loan Party, now or hereafter outstanding, (c) the making of any payment to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition of shares of any class of Equity Interests of any Loan Party, now or hereafter outstanding, (d) the return of any Equity Interests to any shareholders or other equity holders of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or make any other distribution of property, assets, shares of Equity Interests, warrants, rights, options, obligations or securities thereto as such or (e) the payment of any management, consulting, monitoring or advisory fees or any other fees or expenses (including the reimbursement thereof by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries) pursuant to any management, consulting, monitoring, advisory or other services agreement to any of the shareholders or other equityholders of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, or to any other Subsidiaries or Affiliates of any Loan Party.

 

" Revolving Loans " has the meaning of the term "Revolving Advances" set forth in the Revolving Loan Agreement.

 

" Revolving Loan Agent " means PNC Bank, National Association, in its capacity as agent under the Revolving Loan Agreement, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.

 

" Revolving Loan Agreement " means the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated of even date herewith, among the Borrowers, the lenders party thereto and the Revolving Loan Agent, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or renewed from time to time to the extent permitted under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

" Revolving Loan Documents " means the Revolving Loan Agreement and all other instruments, agreements and documents executed in connection therewith, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, replaced or renewed from time to time to the extent permitted under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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" Revolving Loan Lenders " means the lenders from time to time party to the Revolving Loan Agreement.

 

" Revolving Loan Obligations " means the Indebtedness and all other obligations of the Loan Parties owing to Revolving Loan Agent and Revolving Loan Lenders under the Revolving Loan Documents.

 

" Revolving Loan Priority Collateral " has the meaning of the term "ABL Priority Collateral" set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

" Sale and Leaseback Transaction " means, with respect to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.

 

" Sanctioned Country " means, at any time, a country or territory that is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (which, as of the Effective Date, include Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

" Sanctioned Person " means, at any time, any Person (a) listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) a Person that resides, is organized or located in or has a place of business in a country or territory named on such lists or which is designated as a "Non-Cooperative Jurisdiction" by the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, or whose subscription funds are transferred from or through such a jurisdiction (a " Sanction Target ") or owns 50% or more or otherwise controlled by, or acting on behalf of one or more Sanction Targets or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any Person or Persons described in clauses (a) or (b).

 

" Sanctions " means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the European Union, Her Majesty's Treasury of the United Kingdom, or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

" SEC " means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other similar or successor agency of the Federal government administering the Securities Act.

 

" Secured Party " means any Agent and any Lender.

 

" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

" Securitization " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 12.07(l).

 

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" Security Agreement " means any Pledge and Security Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, made by a Loan Party in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties securing the Obligations.

 

" Security Document " means each Domestic Security Document, each Mexican Security Document, and each other agreement, instrument or other document executed or delivered by a Loan Party or any other Person that purports to grant a Lien to secure the Obligations.

 

" Seller " means any Person that sells Equity Interests or other property or assets to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary of a Loan Party in a Permitted Acquisition.

 

" Senior Leverage Ratio " means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries for any period, the ratio of (a) the result of (i) all Indebtedness described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the definition thereof of such Person and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period minus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B outstanding as at the end of such period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period.

 

" Sold Entity or Business " has the meaning specified therefor in the definition of the term "Consolidated EBITDA."

 

" Solvent " means, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is not less than the total amount of the liabilities of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its existing debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person's property would constitute unreasonably small capital. In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

" Standard & Poor's " means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and any successor thereto.

 

" Subordinated Indebtedness " means Indebtedness of any Loan Party the terms of which (including, without limitation, payment terms, interest rates, covenants, remedies, defaults and other material terms) are satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders and which has been expressly subordinated in right of payment to all Indebtedness of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents by the execution and delivery of a subordination agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Required Lenders.

 

" Subscription Agreement " means that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among the Parent and the subscribers party thereto.

 

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" Subsidiary " means, with respect to any Person at any date, any corporation, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, trust, estate, association, joint venture or other business entity (a) the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of such Person in such Person's consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP or (b) of which more than 50% of (i) the outstanding Equity Interests having (in the absence of contingencies) ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such Person, (ii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, the interest in the capital or profits of such partnership or limited liability company or (iii) in the case of a trust, estate, association, joint venture or other entity, the beneficial interest in such trust, estate, association or other entity business is, at the time of determination, owned or controlled directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, by such Person. References to a Subsidiary shall mean a Subsidiary of the Parent unless the context expressly provides otherwise.

 

" Swap Obligation " means, with respect to any Guarantor, 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.

 

" Target Indebtedness " means the Indebtedness due or owing by MC Assembly or any of its Affiliates set forth on Schedule 1.01(G).

 

" Taxes " means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

" Term Loan " and " Term Loans " means the Term Loan A and the Term Loan B, individually or collectively, as the context requires, made by the Term Loan A Lenders and the Term Loan B Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i) and Section 2.01(a)(ii).

 

" Term Loan A " means, collectively, the loans made by the Term Loan A Lenders to the Borrowers on the Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(i).

 

" Term Loan A Commitment " means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make the Term Loan A to the Borrowers in the amount set forth in Schedule 1.01(A) hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender under this Agreement, as the same may be terminated or reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

" Term Loan A Lender " means a Lender with a Term Loan A Commitment or a Term Loan A.

 

" Term Loan A Obligations " means any Obligations with respect to the Term Loan A (including, without limitation, the principal thereof, the interest thereon, and the fees and expenses specifically related thereto).

 

" Term Loan B " means, collectively, the loans made by the Term Loan B Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a)(ii).

 

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" Term Loan B Commitment " means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make the Term Loan B to the Borrowers in the amount set forth in Schedule 1.01(A) hereto or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender under this Agreement, as the same may be terminated or reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

" Term Loan B Commitment Termination Date " means the earlier of (a) the date of satisfaction, termination, expiration, waiver or other settlement of the requirement to pay any earn-out in respect of the MC Assembly Acquisition and (b) May 31, 2019.

 

" Term Loan B Lender " means a Lender with a Term Loan B Commitment or a Term Loan B.

 

" Term Loan B Obligations " means any Obligations with respect to the Term Loan B (including, without limitation, the principal thereof, the interest thereon, and the fees and expenses specifically related thereto).

 

" Term Loan B PIK Amount " means, as of any date of determination, the amount of all Incremental Interest accrued with respect to the Term Loan B that has been paid in kind by being added to the balance thereof in accordance with Section 2.04(a).

 

" Term Loan Commitment " means the Term Loan A Commitment and the Term Loan B Commitment, individually or collectively, as the context requires.

 

" Term Priority Collateral " has the meaning of the term "Term Priority Collateral" set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

" Termination Date " means the first date on which all of the Obligations are paid in full in cash and the Commitments of the Lenders are terminated.

 

" Title Insurance Policy " means a mortgagee's loan policy, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, together with all endorsements made from time to time thereto, issued to the Collateral Agent by or on behalf of a title insurance company selected by or otherwise satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, insuring the Lien created by a Mortgage in an amount and on terms and with such endorsements satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, delivered to the Collateral Agent.

 

" Total Leverage Ratio " means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries for any period, the ratio of (a) all Indebtedness described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the definition thereof of such Person and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period.

 

" Total Term Loan A Commitment " means the sum of the amounts of the Lenders' Term Loan A Commitments.

 

" Total Term Loan B Commitment " means the sum of the amounts of the Lenders' Term Loan B Commitments.

 

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" Total Term Loan Commitment " means the sum of the amounts of the Lenders' Term Loan A Commitments and Term Loan B Commitments.

 

" U.S. Person " means any Person that is a "United States Person" as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

" UCC Filing Authorization Letter " means a letter duly executed by each Loan Party authorizing the Collateral Agent to file appropriate financing statements on Form UCC-1 without the signature of such Loan Party in such office or offices as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests purported to be created by each Security Document and each Mortgage.

 

" Undrawn Availability " has the meaning set forth in Revolving Loan Agreement (as in effect on the Effective Date).

 

" Uniform Commercial Code " or " UCC " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 1.04.

 

" USA PATRIOT Act " means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (PATRIOT) Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, Oct. 26, 2001)) as amended by the USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-177, March 9, 2006) and as the same may have been or may be further renewed, extended, amended, or replaced.

 

" WARN " has the meaning specified therefor in Section 6.01(p).

 

" Warrants " means the warrant certificate covering the purchase of Equity Interests of the Parent substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, together with the rights to purchase such Equity Interests of the Parent provided thereby and all warrant certificates covering such Equity Interests issued upon transfer, division or combination of, or in substitution for, any thereof.

 

" Withholding Agent " means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

 

" Working Capital " means, at any date of determination thereof, (a) the sum, for any Person and its Subsidiaries, of (i) the unpaid face amount of all Accounts of such Person and its Subsidiaries as at such date of determination, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of prepaid expenses and other current assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries as at such date of determination (other than cash, Cash Equivalents and any Indebtedness owing to such Person or any of its Subsidiaries by Affiliates of such Person), minus (b) the sum, for such Person and its Subsidiaries, of (i) the unpaid amount of all accounts payable of such Person and its Subsidiaries as at such date of determination, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all accrued expenses of such Person and its Subsidiaries as at such date of determination (other than the current portion of long-term debt and all accrued interest and taxes).

 

Section 1.02         Terms Generally . 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". 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), (b) 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 Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words "asset" and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any right or interest in or to assets and properties of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible.

 

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Section 1.03         Certain Matters of Construction . References in this Agreement to "determination" by any Agent include good faith estimates by such Agent (in the case of quantitative determinations) and good faith beliefs by such Agent (in the case of qualitative determinations). A Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to exist at all times during the period commencing on the date that such Default or Event of Default occurs to the date on which such Default or Event of Default is waived in writing pursuant to this Agreement or, in the case of a Default, is cured within any period of cure expressly provided for in this Agreement; and an Event of Default shall "continue" or be "continuing" until such Event of Default has been waived in writing by the Required Lenders. Any Lien referred to in this Agreement or any other Loan Document as having been created in favor of any Agent, any agreement entered into by any Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any payment made by or to or funds received by any Agent pursuant to or as contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any act taken or omitted to be taken by any Agent, shall, unless otherwise expressly provided, be created, entered into, made or received, or taken or omitted, for the benefit or account of the Agents and the Lenders. Wherever the phrase "to the knowledge of any Loan Party" or words of similar import relating to the knowledge or the awareness of any Loan Party are used in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, such phrase shall mean and refer to (i) the actual knowledge of a senior officer of any Loan Party or (ii) the knowledge that a senior officer would have obtained if such officer had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of such officer's duties, including the making of such reasonably specific inquiries as may be necessary of the employees or agents of such Loan Party and a good faith attempt to ascertain the existence or accuracy of the matter to which such phrase relates. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a default if such action is taken or condition exists. In addition, all representations and warranties hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular representation or warranty proves to be incorrect or is breached, the fact that another representation or warranty concerning the same or similar subject matter is correct or is not breached will not affect the incorrectness of a breach of a representation or warranty hereunder.

 

Section 1.04         Accounting and Other Terms .

 

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(a)                 Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, each accounting term used herein shall have the meaning given it under GAAP. For purposes of determining compliance with any incurrence or expenditure tests set forth in Section 7.01, Section 7.02 and Section 7.03, any amounts so incurred or expended (to the extent incurred or expended in a currency other than Dollars) shall be converted into Dollars on the basis of the exchange rates (as shown on the Bloomberg currency page for such currency or, if the same does not provide such exchange rate, by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be reasonably selected by the Agents or, in the event no such service is selected, on such other basis as is reasonably satisfactory to the Agents) as in effect on the date of such incurrence or expenditure under any provision of any such Section that has an aggregate Dollar limitation provided for therein (and to the extent the respective incurrence or expenditure test regulates the aggregate amount outstanding at any time and it is expressed in terms of Dollars, all outstanding amounts originally incurred or spent in currencies other than Dollars shall be converted into Dollars on the basis of the exchange rates (as shown on the Bloomberg currency page for such currency or, if the same does not provide such exchange rate, by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be reasonably selected by the Agents or, in the event no such service is selected, on such other basis as is reasonably satisfactory to the Agents) as in effect on the date of any new incurrence or expenditures made under any provision of any such Section that regulates the Dollar amount outstanding at any time). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) with respect to the accounting for leases as either operating leases or capital leases and the impact of such accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 840 on the definitions and covenants herein, GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date shall be applied and (ii) for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

 

(b)                For purposes hereunder, whenever a provision of this Agreement refers to a quarter ending March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31 or a fiscal year ending December 31, such references shall mean the actual date closest to such date which corresponds with the end of Borrowers’ quarter end or fiscal year based on Borrowers’ accounting cycle, which is a 4-4-5 accounting cycle.

 

(c)                 All terms used in this Agreement which are defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York (the " Uniform Commercial Code " or the " UCC ") and which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as set forth therein, provided that terms used herein which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof shall continue to have the same meaning notwithstanding any replacement or amendment of such statute except as any Agent may otherwise determine.

 

Section 1.05         Time References . Unless otherwise indicated herein, all references to time of day refer to Eastern Standard Time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in New York City on such day. For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each means "to but excluding"; provided , however , that with respect to a computation of fees or interest payable to any Secured Party, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.

 

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Section 1.06         Obligation to Make Payments in Dollars . All payments to be made by any Loan Party of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations under any Loan Document shall be made in Dollars in same day funds, and no obligation of any Loan Party to make any such payment shall be discharged or satisfied by any payment other than payments made in Dollars in same day funds.

 

ARTICLE II
THE LOANS

 

Section 2.01         Commitments (a) . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth:

 

(i)                  each Term Loan A Lender severally agrees to make the Term Loan A to the Borrowers on the Effective Date, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount of such Lender's Term Loan A Commitment; and

 

(ii)                each Term Loan B Lender severally agrees to make the Term Loan B to the Borrowers during the period from the Effective Date until the Term Loan B Commitment Termination Date, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount of such Lender's Term Loan B Commitment.

 

(b)                Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(i)                  The aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan A made on the Effective Date shall not exceed the Total Term Loan A Commitment. Any principal amount of the Term Loan A which is repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

(ii)                The aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B made during the period from the Effective Date until the Term Loan B Commitment Termination Date shall not exceed the Total Term Loan B Commitment. Any principal amount of the Term Loan B which is repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

Section 2.02         Making the Loans . (a) The Administrative Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prior written notice (in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (a " Notice of Borrowing ")), not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date which is 3 Business Days prior to the date of the proposed Loan (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent is willing to accommodate from time to time, but in no event later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the borrowing date of the proposed Loan). Such Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the principal amount of the proposed Loan, which, with respect to the Term Loan A to be made on the Effective Date, shall be in the amount of $50,000,000, and with respect to the Term Loan B to be made on the Effective Date, shall be in the amount of $12,000,000, (ii) whether the Loan is requested to be a Reference Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the initial Interest Period with respect thereto, (iii) the use of the proceeds of such proposed Loan, (iv) the proposed borrowing date, which must be a Business Day, and, with respect to the Term Loans to be funded on the Effective Date, must be the Effective Date, and (v) wire instructions of the Administrative Borrower’s account or any other designated account(s) to which funds are to be disbursed. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may act without liability upon the basis of written notice believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from the Administrative Borrower (or from any Authorized Officer thereof designated in writing purportedly from the Administrative Borrower to the Administrative Agent). The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be entitled to rely conclusively on any Authorized Officer's authority to request a Loan on behalf of the Borrowers until the Administrative Agent receives written notice to the contrary. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have no duty to verify the authenticity of the signature appearing on any written Notice of Borrowing.

 

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(b)       Each Notice of Borrowing pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall be irrevocable and the Borrowers shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith. Each Term Loan B made after the Effective Date shall require not less than 10 Business Days' prior written notice from the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent. No more than two drawings of the Term Loan B may be made after the Effective Date.

 

(c)       All Loans under this Agreement shall be made by the Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their Pro Rata Shares of the Total Term Loan A Commitment or the Total Term Loan B Commitment, as the case may be, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligations to make a Loan requested hereunder, nor shall the Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of the default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder, and each Lender shall be obligated to make the Loans required to be made by it by the terms of this Agreement regardless of the failure by any other Lender. Each Lender shall make its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Loan available to the Administrative Agent, in immediately available funds, in the Administrative Agent's Account no later than 3:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of the proposed Loan. Upon receipt of all funds, the Administrative Agent will promptly make the proceeds of such Loans available to the Borrowers, in immediately available funds, to be deposited in the account designated by the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

 

Section 2.03         Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)                 The outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan A shall be repayable (i) during the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Effective Date, in equal installments of $312,500, and (ii) thereafter, in equal installments of $625,000, with each such installment due and payable on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter of the Parent and its Subsidiaries ending March 31, 2019, and ending on the Final Maturity Date; provided , however , that the last such installment shall be in the amount necessary to repay in full the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan A. The Term Loan B shall not require any amortization. The outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable on the earlier of (i) the Final Maturity Date and (ii) the date on which the Term Loans are declared due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(b)                Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers 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, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrowers 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 Section 2.03(b) or Section 2.03(c) shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that (i) the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) in the event of any conflict between the entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to Section 2.03(b) and the accounts maintained pursuant to Section 2.03(c), the accounts maintained pursuant to Section 2.03(c) shall govern and control.

 

(e)                 Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrowers shall 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 substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 12.07) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

 

Section 2.04         Interest .

 

(a)                 Term Loan . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, at the option of the Administrative Borrower, each Term Loan (including, without limitation, the Term Loan B PIK Amount relating thereto) or any portion thereof shall be either a Reference Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan. Each portion of a Term Loan that is a Reference Rate Loan shall bear interest on the principal amount thereof from time to time outstanding, from the date of the Term Loan until repaid, at a rate per annum equal to the Reference Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and each portion of a Term Loan that is a LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the principal amount thereof from time to time outstanding, from the date of the Term Loan until repaid, at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for the Term Loan (or such portion thereof) plus the Applicable Margin; provided that any Incremental Interest in respect of the Term Loan B may, at the election of the Borrowers (by written notice from the Administrative Borrower to the Administrative Agent not less than 5 Business Days prior to the applicable interest payment date), be paid by capitalizing such interest and adding such capitalized interest to the then outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan B.

 

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(b)                Default Interest . To the extent permitted by law and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, upon the election of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal (including the Term Loan B PIK Amount) of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all Loans, fees, indemnities or any other Obligations of the Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall bear interest, from the date such Event of Default occurred until the date such Event of Default is cured or waived in writing in accordance herewith, at a rate per annum equal at all times to the Post-Default Rate.

 

(c)                 Interest Payment . Interest on each Loan shall be payable (or in the case of any Term Loan B PIK Amount, capitalized) (i) monthly, in arrears, on the last Business Day of each month, commencing on the last Business Day of the month following the month in which such Loan is made, and (ii) at maturity (whether upon demand, by acceleration or otherwise). Interest at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable on demand.

 

(d)                General . All interest and fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days, including the first day but excluding the last day, elapsed.

 

Section 2.05         Reduction of Commitment; Prepayment of Loans .

 

(a)                 Reduction of Commitments .

 

(i)                  Term Loan A Commitments . The Total Term Loan A Commitment shall terminate at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Effective Date.

 

(ii)                Term Loan B Commitments . The Total Term Loan B Commitment shall be permanently reduced immediately and without further action upon the making of each Term Loan B in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate amount of such Term Loan B. Each Term Loan B Lender's Term Loan B Commitment shall be permanently reduced immediately and without further action upon the making of each Term Loan B in an amount equal to the amount of such Term Loan B Lender's Pro Rata Share of such Term Loan B. The Total Term Loan B Commitment and each Term Loan B Lender's Term Loan B Commitment shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Term Loan B Commitment Termination Date.

 

(b)                Optional Prepayment .

 

(i)                  Term Loan A . The Borrowers may, at any time and from time to time, upon at least 5 Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time), prepay the principal of the Term Loan A, in whole or in part. Each prepayment of the Term Loan A made pursuant to this clause (b)(i) shall be accompanied by the payment of (A) accrued interest to the date of such payment on the amount prepaid and (B) the Applicable Premium, if any, payable in connection with such prepayment of the Term Loan A. Each such prepayment of the Term Loan A shall be applied against the remaining installments of principal due on the Term Loan A (including the payment to be made on the Final Maturity Date) on a pro rata basis.

 

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(ii)                Term Loan B . The Borrowers may, at any time and from time to time, upon at least 5 Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time), prepay the principal of the Term Loan B, in whole or in part. Each prepayment of the Term Loan B made pursuant to this clause (b)(ii) shall be accompanied by the payment of (A) accrued interest to the date of such payment on the amount prepaid and (B) the Applicable Premium, if any, payable in connection with such prepayment of the Term Loan B.

 

(iii)              Termination of Agreement . The Borrowers may, upon at least 30 days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate this Agreement by paying to the Administrative Agent, in cash, the Obligations, in full, plus the Applicable Premium, if any, payable in connection with such termination of this Agreement. If the Administrative Borrower has sent a notice of termination pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(iii), then the Lenders' obligations to extend credit hereunder shall terminate and the Borrowers shall be obligated to repay the Obligations, in full, plus the Applicable Premium, if any, payable in connection with such termination of this Agreement on the date set forth as the date of termination of this Agreement in such notice.

 

(c)                 Mandatory Prepayment .

 

(i)                  Within five Business Days after the delivery to the Agents and the Lenders of audited annual financial statements pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(iii), commencing with the delivery to the Agents and the Lenders of the financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2019, or, if such financial statements are not delivered to the Agents and the Lenders on the date such statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(iii), within five Business Days after such statements are required to be delivered to the Agents and the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(iii), the Borrowers shall, if the Total Leverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year is (A) greater than 2.50:1.00, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(d) in an amount equal to the result of (to the extent positive) (1) 75% of the Excess Cash Flow of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year minus (2) the aggregate principal amount of all payments made by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.05(b) (other than payments of the Term Loan B made with proceeds of an Equity Issuance by any Loan Party) for such Fiscal Year, or (B) equal to or less than 2.50:1.00, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(d) in an amount equal to (1) 50% of the Excess Cash Flow of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year minus (2) the aggregate principal amount of all payments made by the Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.05(b) (other than payments of the Term Loan B made with proceeds of an Equity Issuance by any Loan Party) for such Fiscal Year; provided that no mandatory prepayment shall be made under this Section 2.05(c)(i) unless and until the Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) have been satisfied, and if and to the extent the Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions would not be satisfied immediately after giving effect to all or a portion of such prepayment of the Loans otherwise required under this paragraph (but for this proviso) for any Fiscal Year (the prepayment of the Loans not required to be made on account of this proviso, the " ECF Deferred Portion "), then (x) the Borrowers shall not make such prepayment of the Loans up to the amount of the ECF Deferred Portion for such Fiscal Year and (y) not later than the tenth (10th) day after the delivery of the financial statements required under Section 7.01(a)(i) for any fiscal month, the Borrowers shall prepay the Loans up to the cumulative ECF Deferred Portion for all Fiscal Years that has not been previously prepaid pursuant to this clause (y), to the extent the Term Loan ECF Mandatory Prepayment Conditions can be satisfied with respect to any such prepayment.

 

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(ii)                Within five Business Days after any Disposition (excluding Dispositions which qualify as Permitted Dispositions under clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of the definition of Permitted Disposition) by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(d) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Person in connection with such Disposition to the extent that the aggregate amount of Net Cash Proceeds received by all Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (and not paid to the Administrative Agent as a prepayment of the Loans) shall exceed for all such Dispositions $500,000 in any Fiscal Year. Nothing contained in this Section 2.05(c)(ii) shall permit any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries to make a Disposition of any property other than in accordance with Section 7.02(c)(ii).

 

(iii)              Within five Business Days after (A) the issuance or incurrence by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness), or (B) an Equity Issuance (other than any Excluded Equity Issuances), the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding amount of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(d) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Person in connection therewith. The provisions of this Section 2.05(c)(iii) shall not be deemed to be implied consent to any such issuance, incurrence or sale otherwise prohibited by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

(iv)              Within five Business Days after the receipt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Extraordinary Receipts, the Borrowers shall prepay the outstanding principal of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.05(d) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by such Person in connection therewith to the extent that the aggregate amount of Extraordinary Receipts received by all Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (and not paid to the Administrative Agent as a prepayment of the Loans) shall exceed $250,000 in any Fiscal Year.

 

(v)                Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Net Cash Proceeds received by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with a Disposition or the receipt of Extraordinary Receipts consisting of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards that are required to be used to prepay the Obligations pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(ii) or Section 2.05(c)(iv), as the case may be, up to $750,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year of the Net Cash Proceeds from all such Dispositions and Extraordinary Receipts shall not be required to be so used to prepay the Obligations to the extent that such Net Cash Proceeds and Extraordinary Receipts are used to replace, repair or restore properties or assets, or to acquire assets, used or useful in such Loan Party’s business, provided that, (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date such Person receives such Net Cash Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts, (B) such proceeds are used by a Loan Party to replace, repair or restore properties or assets, or acquire assets, used or useful in such Person’s business and constituting (1) Revolving Loan Priority Collateral if the property or assets disposed of or subject to casualty or condemnation constituted Revolving Loan Priority Collateral, (2) Term Priority Collateral if the property or assets disposed of or subject to casualty or condemnation constituted Term Priority Collateral, or (3) Revolving Loan Priority Collateral and Term Priority Collateral (in a percentage determined in good faith by the Agents and the Revolving Loan Agent) if the property or assets sold or disposed of or subject to casualty or condemnation constituted both Revolving Loan Priority Collateral and Term Priority Collateral, (C) the Borrowers deliver a certificate to the Agents within 30 days after such Disposition or loss, destruction or taking, or receipt of Extraordinary Receipts, as the case may be, stating that such Net Cash Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts shall be used to replace, repair or restore properties or assets, or acquire assets, used or useful in such Person's business within a period specified in such certificate not to exceed 180 days after the date of receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts (which certificate shall set forth estimates of the Net Cash Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts to be so expended), (D) such Net Cash Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts are deposited in an account subject to the dominion and control of the Collateral Agent, and (E) upon the earlier of (1) the expiration of the period specified in the relevant certificate furnished to the Agents pursuant to clause (C) above or (2) the instruction by the Administrative Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, such Net Cash Proceeds or Extraordinary Receipts, if not theretofore so used, shall be used to prepay the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.05(c)(ii) or Section 2.05(c)(iv) as applicable;

 

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(vi)              The Administrative Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice of any mandatory prepayment required under this Section 2.05(c) no later than 1:00 p.m. 5 Business Days prior to the date of such mandatory prepayment. Such notice shall specify the applicable provision under Section 2.05(c) pursuant to which such mandatory prepayment is being made.

 

(d)                Application of Payments . The prepayments required under Section 2.05(c) shall be applied as follows:

 

(i)                  the proceeds from any prepayment pursuant to (A) any Disposition of any Revolving Loan Priority Collateral or (B) any Extraordinary Receipts consisting of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards with respect to Revolving Loan Priority Collateral shall be applied (1) first, to the Revolving Loans (to the extent required by the Revolving Loan Agreement), until paid in full, (2) second, to the Term Loan A until paid in full, and (3) third, to the Term Loan B until paid in full;

 

(ii)                the proceeds from any prepayment pursuant to any Disposition of any Term Priority Collateral or any Extraordinary Receipts consisting of insurance proceeds or condemnation awards with respect to Term Priority Collateral shall be applied (A) first, to the Term Loan A until paid in full, and (B) second, to the Term Loan B until paid in full;

 

(iii)              the proceeds from any prepayment pursuant to a Disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or Equity Interests of any Person or any insurance, which Disposition or proceeds of insurance includes both (A) Revolving Loan Priority Collateral and (B) Term Priority Collateral, shall be applied in a manner mutually determined by the Agents and the Revolving Loan Agent acting reasonably and in good faith;

 

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(iv)              the proceeds from any prepayment event set forth in Section 2.05(c)(iii)(A) or Section 2.05(c)(iv) (other than any Extraordinary Receipts described in clause (d)(i) above) shall be applied, (A) first, to the Term Loan A until paid in full, and (B) second, to the Term Loan B until paid in full;

 

(v)                the proceeds from any prepayment event set forth in Section 2.05(c)(i) shall be applied (A) first, 50% of such proceeds to the Term Loan A until paid in full (or, if the Term Loan A has been repaid in full, to the Term Loan B then outstanding), and (B) second, 50% of such proceeds to the Term Loan B until paid in full (or, if the Term Loan B has been repaid in full, to the Term Loan A then outstanding); and

 

(vi)              the proceeds from any prepayment event set forth in Section 2.05(c)(iii)(B) shall be applied as directed by the Borrowers; provided that, in the absence of such direction, such proceeds shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.05(d)(iv) above.

 

Each such prepayment of the Term Loan A shall be applied against the remaining installments of principal due on the Term Loan A (including the payment to be made on the Final Maturity Date) on a pro rata basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, if the Administrative Agent has elected, or has been directed by the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders, to apply payments and other Proceeds of Collateral in accordance with Section 4.03(b), prepayments required under Section 2.05(c) shall be applied in the manner set forth in Section 4.03(b).

 

(e)                 Interest and Fees . Any prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest on the principal amount being prepaid to the date of prepayment, (ii) any Funding Losses payable pursuant to Section 2.08, (iii) the Applicable Premium, if any, payable in connection with such prepayment of the Loans to the extent required under Section 2.06(f) and (iv) if such prepayment would reduce the amount of the outstanding Loans to zero at a time when all Commitments have been terminated, such prepayment shall be accompanied by the payment of all fees accrued to such date pursuant to Section 2.06.

 

(f)                 Cumulative Prepayments . Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.05, payments with respect to any subsection of this Section 2.05 are in addition to payments made or required to be made under any other subsection of this Section 2.05.

 

Section 2.06         Fees .

 

(a)                 Closing Fee . On or prior to the Effective Date, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, a nonrefundable closing fee (the " Closing Fee ") equal to (i) 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Total Term Loan A Commitment plus (ii) 3.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B funded on the Effective Date, which shall be deemed fully earned when paid.

 

(b)                Funding Fee . The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, a non-refundable funding fee (the " Funding Fee ") equal to 3.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B funded after the Effective Date, which shall be due and payable on each such funding date and deemed fully earned when paid.

 

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(c)                 Commitment Fee . From and after the Effective Date and until the Term Loan B Commitment Termination Date, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, monthly in arrears on the last Business Day of each month commencing November 30, 2018, a non-refundable commitment fee (the " Commitment Fee "), which shall accrue at the rate per annum of 0.75% on the daily average principal amount of the Total Term Loan B Commitment outstanding during the preceding month.

 

(d)                Loan Servicing Fee . From and after the Effective Date and until the Termination Date, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Agents, a non-refundable loan servicing fee (the " Loan Servicing Fee ") equal to $7,500 each month, which shall be deemed fully earned when paid and which shall be payable on the Effective Date and monthly in advance thereafter on the last Business Day of each calendar month commencing on November 30, 2018.

 

(e)                 Anniversary Fees . From and after the Effective Date and until the Termination Date, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, (i) a non-refundable anniversary fee (the " 18-Month Anniversary Fee ") equal to 1.00% of the principal amount of the Term Loan B outstanding on the date that is 18 months after the Effective Date and (ii) a non-refundable anniversary fee (the " 30-Month Anniversary Fee ", together with the 18-Month Anniversary Fee, the " Anniversary Fees ") equal to 1.00% of the principal amount of the Term Loan B outstanding on the date that is 30 months after the Effective Date. The 18-Month Anniversary Fee shall be payable on the 18-month anniversary of the Effective Date. The 30-Month Anniversary Fee shall be payable on the 30-month anniversary of the Effective Date. The Anniversary Fees shall be deemed fully earned when paid.

 

(f)                 Applicable Premium .

 

(i)                  Upon the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event, the Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, the Applicable Premium.

 

(ii)                Any Applicable Premium payable in accordance with this Section 2.06(f) shall be presumed to be equal to the liquidated damages sustained by the Lenders as the result of the occurrence of the Applicable Premium Trigger Event and the Loan Parties agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. THE LOAN PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACCELERATION.

 

(iii)              The Loan Parties expressly agree that: (A) the Applicable Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm's length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the Applicable Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between the Lenders and the Loan Parties giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Premium; (D) the Loan Parties shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph; (E) their agreement to pay the Applicable Premium is a material inducement to Lenders to provide the Commitments and make the Loans, and (F) the Applicable Premium represents a good faith, reasonable estimate and calculation of the lost profits or damages of the Agents and the Lenders and that it would be impractical and extremely difficult to ascertain the actual amount of damages to the Agents and the Lenders or profits lost by the Agents and the Lenders as a result of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event.

 

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(iv)              Nothing contained in this Section 2.06(f) shall permit any prepayment of the Loans or reduction of the Commitments not otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(g)                Audit and Collateral Monitoring Fees . The Borrowers acknowledge that pursuant to Section 7.01(f), representatives of the Agents may visit any or all of the Loan Parties and/or conduct inspections, audits, physical counts, valuations, appraisals, environmental site assessments and/or examinations of any or all of the Loan Parties at any time and from time to time. The Borrowers agree to pay (i) $1,500 per day per examiner plus the examiner's out-of-pocket costs and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with all such visits, inspections, audits, physical counts, valuations, appraisals, environmental site assessments and/or examinations and (ii) the cost of all visits, inspections, audits, physical counts, valuations, appraisals, environmental site assessments and/or examinations conducted by a third party on behalf of the Agents; provided , that so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrowers shall not be obligated to reimburse the Agents for more than two such visits, inspections, audits, physical counts, valuations, appraisals, environmental site assessments and/or examinations during any calendar year.

 

Section 2.07         LIBOR Option .

 

(a)                 The Borrowers may, at any time and from time to time, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, elect to have interest on all or a portion of the Loans be charged at a rate of interest based upon the LIBOR Rate (the " LIBOR Option ") by notifying the Administrative Agent in writing prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least 3 Business Days prior to (i) the proposed borrowing date of a Loan (as provided in Section 2.02), (ii) in the case of the conversion of a Reference Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the commencement of the proposed Interest Period or (iii) in the case of the continuation of a LIBOR Rate Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of the then current Interest Period (the " LIBOR Deadline "). Notice of the Borrowers' election of the LIBOR Option for a permitted portion of the Loans and an Interest Period pursuant to this Section 2.07(a) shall be made by delivery to the Administrative Agent of (A) a Notice of Borrowing (in the case of the initial making of a Loan) in accordance with Section 2.02 or (B) a LIBOR Notice prior to the LIBOR Deadline. In the event the Borrowers fail to specify an Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or LIBOR Notice, such Borrowers shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. Promptly upon its receipt of each such LIBOR Notice, the Administrative Agent shall notify each of the Lenders of its receipt thereof. Each LIBOR Notice shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrowers.

 

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(b)                Interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be payable in accordance with Section 2.04(c). On the last day of each applicable Interest Period, unless the Borrowers properly have exercised the LIBOR Option with respect thereto, the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loans automatically shall convert to the rate of interest then applicable to Reference Rate Loans of the same type hereunder. At any time that a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers no longer shall have the option to request that any portion of the Loans bear interest at the LIBOR Rate and the Administrative Agent shall have the right to convert the interest rate on all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans to the rate of interest then applicable to Reference Rate Loans of the same type hereunder on the last day of the then current Interest Period.

 

(c)                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrowers (i) shall have not more than 4 LIBOR Rate Loans in effect at any given time, and (ii) only may exercise the LIBOR Option for LIBOR Rate Loans of at least $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.

 

(d)                The Borrowers may prepay LIBOR Rate Loans at any time; provided , however , that in the event that LIBOR Rate Loans are prepaid on any date that is not the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, including as a result of any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(c) or any application of payments or proceeds of Collateral in accordance with Section 4.03 or Section 4.04 or for any other reason, including early termination of the term of this Agreement or acceleration of all or any portion of the Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof, the Borrowers shall indemnify, defend, and hold the Agents and the Lenders and their participants harmless against any and all Funding Losses in accordance with Section 2.08.

 

(e)                 Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither any Agent nor any Lender, nor any of their participants, is required actually to acquire eurodollar deposits to fund or otherwise match fund any Obligation as to which interest accrues at the LIBOR Rate. The provisions of this ARTICLE II shall apply as if each Lender or its participants had match funded any Obligation as to which interest is accruing at the LIBOR Rate by acquiring eurodollar deposits for each Interest Period in the amount of the LIBOR Rate Loans.

 

(f)                 If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan,

 

(i)                  the Administrative Agent shall have determined that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for such Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the Administrative Agent determines that either inadequate or insufficient quotations of the London interbank offered rate exist or the use of "LIBOR" has been discontinued (any determination of Administrative Agent to be conclusive and binding absent manifest error), or

 

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(ii)                the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that LIBOR does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their LIBOR Rate Loans for such Interest Period,

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give written notice to the Administrative Borrower and to the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Administrative Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (A) the obligations of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans, or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into LIBOR Rate Loans, shall be suspended and (B) all such affected Loans shall be converted into Reference Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

Section 2.08         Funding Losses . In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, the Borrowers shall indemnify, defend, and hold the Agents and the Lenders harmless against any loss, cost, or expense incurred by any Agent or any Lender as a result of (a) the payment of any principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of a Default or an Event of Default or any mandatory prepayment required pursuant to Section 2.05(c)), (b) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of a Default or an Event of Default), or (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on the date specified in any Notice of Borrowing or LIBOR Notice delivered pursuant hereto (such losses, costs, and expenses, collectively, " Funding Losses "). Funding Losses shall, with respect to any Agent or any Lender, be deemed to equal the amount reasonably determined by such Agent or such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan had such event not occurred, at the LIBOR Rate that would have been applicable thereto, 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 therefor), minus (ii) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Agent or such Lender would be offered were it to be offered, at the commencement of such period, Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period in the London interbank market. A certificate of an Agent or a Lender delivered to the Administrative Borrower setting forth any amount or amounts that such Agent or such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.08 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Section 2.09         Taxes . (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any and all Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of any Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Taxes from or in respect of any such payment, (i) the applicable Withholding Agent shall make such deduction or withholding, (ii) the applicable Withholding Agent shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and (iii) if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased by the amount (an " Additional Amount ") necessary such that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.09) the applicable Recipient receives the amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

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(b)                In addition, each Loan Party shall pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law any Other Taxes, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of any Other Taxes by any Secured Party. Each Loan Party shall deliver to each Secured Party official receipts in respect of any Taxes or Other Taxes payable hereunder promptly after payment of such Taxes or Other Taxes.

 

(c)                 The Loan Parties hereby jointly and severally indemnify and agree to hold each Secured Party harmless from and against Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes (including, without limitation, Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes imposed on any amounts payable under this Section 2.09) paid or payable by such Secured Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Secured Party and any expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. Such indemnification shall be paid within 10 days from the date on which any such Person makes written demand therefore specifying in reasonable detail the nature and amount of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Secured Party (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of another Secured Party shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the 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 2.09(d)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) 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,

 

(A)              any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower 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 the 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;

 

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(B)               any Lender that is not a U.S. Person (a " Foreign Lender ") shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably 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 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 W-8BEN-E 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 W-8BEN-E 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;

 

(2)                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 Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.09(d)-1 hereto to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a "10 percent shareholder" of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a "controlled foreign corporation" described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a " U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ") and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E; 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 W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.09(d)-2 or Exhibit 2.09(d)-3, IRS Form W-9, 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 2.09(d)-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C)               any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably 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 Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law 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 prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

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(D)              if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document 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 Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender's obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), "FATCA" shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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 Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(e)                 Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender's failure to comply with the provisions of Section 12.07(i) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, 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. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive 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 (e).

 

(f)                 If any party determines, in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.09 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.09), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.09 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (f) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party 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 paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

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(g)                The obligations of the Loan Parties under this Section 2.09 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

Section 2.10         Increased Costs and Reduced Return . (a) If any Secured Party shall have determined that any Change in Law shall (i) subject such Secured Party, or any Person controlling such Secured Party to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to this Agreement or any Loan made by such Agent or such Lender, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Secured Party or any Person controlling such Secured Party of any amounts payable hereunder (except for taxes on the overall net income of such Secured Party or any Person controlling such Secured Party), (ii) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against any Loan or against assets of or held by, or deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, such Secured Party or any Person controlling such Secured Party or (iii) impose on such Secured Party or any Person controlling such Secured Party any other condition regarding this Agreement or any Loan, and the result of any event referred to in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be to increase the cost to such Secured Party of making any Loan or agreeing to make any Loan, or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Secured Party hereunder, then, upon demand by such Secured Party, the Borrowers shall pay to such Secured Party such additional amounts as will compensate such Secured Party for such increased costs or reductions in amount.

 

(b)                If any Secured Party shall have determined that any Change in Law either (i) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Secured Party or any Person controlling such Secured Party, and such Secured Party determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a direct or indirect consequence of any Loans made or maintained, such Secured Party's or such other controlling Person's other obligations hereunder, or (ii) has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Secured Party's or such other controlling Person's capital to a level below that which such Secured Party or such controlling Person could have achieved but for such circumstances as a consequence of any Loans made or maintained, or any agreement to make Loans, or such Secured Party's or such other controlling Person's other obligations hereunder (in each case, taking into consideration, such Secured Party's or such other controlling Person's policies with respect to capital adequacy), then, upon demand by such Secured Party, the Borrowers shall pay to such Secured Party from time to time such additional amounts as will compensate such Secured Party for such cost of maintaining such increased capital or such reduction in the rate of return on such Secured Party's or such other controlling Person's capital.

 

(c)                 All amounts payable under this Section 2.10 shall bear interest from the date that is 10 days after the date of demand (and receipt by the Administrative Borrower of the certificate described in the next sentence) by any Secured Party until payment in full to such Secured Party at the Reference Rate. A certificate of such Secured Party claiming compensation under this Section 2.10, specifying the event herein above described and the nature of such event shall be submitted by such Secured Party to the Administrative Borrower, setting forth the additional amount due and an explanation of the calculation thereof, and such Secured Party's reasons for invoking the provisions of this Section 2.10, and shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(d)                Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10 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 the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Administrative Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender's intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)                 The obligations of the Loan Parties under this Section 2.10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

Section 2.11         Changes in Law; Impracticability or Illegality .

 

(a)                 The LIBOR Rate may be adjusted by the Administrative Agent with respect to any Lender on a prospective basis to take into account any additional or increased costs to such Lender of maintaining or obtaining any eurodollar deposits or increased costs due to changes in applicable law occurring subsequent to the commencement of the then applicable Interest Period, including changes in tax laws (except changes of general applicability in corporate income tax laws) and changes in the reserve requirements imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), excluding the Reserve Percentage, which additional or increased costs would increase the cost of funding loans bearing interest at the LIBOR Rate. In any such event, the affected Lender shall give the Administrative Borrower and the Administrative Agent notice of such a determination and adjustment and the Administrative Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and, upon its receipt of the notice from the affected Lender, the Administrative Borrower may, by notice to such affected Lender (i) require such Lender to furnish to the Administrative Borrower a statement setting forth the basis for adjusting such LIBOR Rate and the method for determining the amount of such adjustment, or (ii) repay the LIBOR Rate Loans with respect to which such adjustment is made (together with any amounts due under Section 2.09).

 

(b)                In the event that any change in market conditions or any law, regulation, treaty, or directive, or any change therein or in the interpretation of application thereof, shall at any time after the date hereof, in the reasonable opinion of any Lender, make it unlawful or impractical for such Lender to fund or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or to continue such funding or maintaining, or to determine or charge interest rates at the LIBOR Rate, such Lender shall give notice of such changed circumstances to the Administrative Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent promptly shall transmit the notice to each other Lender and (i) in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender that are outstanding, the date specified in such Lender's notice shall be deemed to be the last day of the Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans, and interest upon the LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender thereafter shall accrue interest at the rate then applicable to Reference Rate Loans of the same type hereunder, and (ii) the Borrowers shall not be entitled to elect the LIBOR Option (including in any borrowing, conversion or continuation then being requested) until such Lender determines that it would no longer be unlawful or impractical to do so.

 

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(c)                 The obligations of the Loan Parties under this Section 2.11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

Section 2.12         Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

 

(a)                 If any Lender requires the Borrowers to pay any Additional Amounts under Section 2.09 or requests compensation under Section 2.10, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Administrative Borrower) 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 such Section 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 Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)                If any Lender requires the Borrowers to pay any Additional Amounts under Section 2.09 or requests compensation under Section 2.10 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with clause (a) above, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Administrative Borrower 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, and consents required by, Section 12.07), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other 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 Borrowers shall have paid or caused to be paid to the Agents any assignment fees specified in Section 12.07;

 

(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 2.08 and Section 2.09) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts);

 

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(iii)              in the case of any such assignment resulting from payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.09 or a claim for compensation under Section 2.10, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(iv)              such assignment does not conflict with applicable law.

 

Prior to the effective date of such assignment, the assigning Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the conditions set forth above. If the assigning Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such assignment, the assigning Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance. Any such assignment shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 12.07.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Administrative Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

Section 2.13         Tax Matters Regarding Warrants . The Loan Parties, the Agents and the Lenders agree (b) that the Term Loans are intended to be debt for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, (c) that the Term Loans are not governed by the rules set out in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-4, (d) that the aggregate purchase price of the Warrants acquired by the Lenders (or their designees) is equal to $1,963,419, and that the Borrowers and the Lenders shall make all determinations pursuant to Sections 1272 and 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder consistent with such allocation of purchase price to the Warrants, and (e) not to file any tax return, report or declaration inconsistent with the foregoing. The inclusion of this Section 2.13 is not an admission by any Lender that it is subject to United States taxation.

 

ARTICLE III

 

[Reserved]

 

ARTICLE IV

APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS; DEFAULTING LENDERS;
JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY OF BORROWERS

 

Section 4.01         Payments; Computations and Statements . (a) The Borrowers will make each payment under this Agreement not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the day when due, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent's Account. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 12:00 noon (New York City time) on any Business Day may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be credited to the Loan Account on the next succeeding Business Day. All payments shall be made by the Borrowers without set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, deduction or other defense to the Agents and the Lenders. Except as provided in Section 2.02, after receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal ratably to the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Lenders and the Borrowers hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to, and the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, charge the Loan Account of the Borrowers with any amount due and payable by the Borrowers under any Loan Document. Any amount charged to the Loan Account of the Borrowers shall be deemed an Obligation hereunder. Whenever any payment to be made under any such Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as the case may be. All computations of fees shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fees hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes in the absence of manifest error.

 

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(b)                The Administrative Agent shall provide the Administrative Borrower, on or about the end of each calendar month during which there is activity with respect to the Loan Account, a summary statement (in the form from time to time used by the Administrative Agent) of the opening and closing daily balances in the Loan Account of the Borrowers during such month, the amounts and dates of all Loans made to the Borrowers during such month, the amounts and dates of all payments on account of the Loans to the Borrowers during such month and the Loans to which such payments were applied, the amount of interest accrued on the Loans to the Borrowers during such month, and the amount and nature of any charges to the Loan Account made during such month on account of fees, commissions, expenses and other Obligations. All entries on any such statement shall be presumed to be correct and, 30 days after the same is sent, shall be final and conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Section 4.02         Sharing of Payments . Except as provided in Section 2.02 hereof, if any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of any Obligation in excess of its ratable share of payments on account of similar obligations obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender shall forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in such similar obligations held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of them; provided , however , that (a) if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and each Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered and (b) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (i) any payment made by the Borrowers 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 and any payment of an amendment, consent or waiver fee to consenting Lenders pursuant to an effective amendment, consent or waiver with respect to this Agreement), or (ii) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans, other than to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply). The Borrowers agree that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all of its rights (including the Lender's right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

 

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Section 4.03         Apportionment of Payments . Subject to Section 2.02 hereof:

 

(a)                 All payments of principal and interest in respect of outstanding Loans, all payments of fees (other than the fees set forth in Section 2.06 hereof and all other payments in respect of any other Obligations, shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent among such of the Lenders as are entitled thereto, in proportion to their respective Pro Rata Shares or otherwise as provided herein or, in respect of payments not made on account of Loans, as designated by the Person making payment when the payment is made.

 

(b)                After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and upon the direction of the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders shall, apply all payments in respect of any Obligations and all proceeds of the Collateral, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, (i) first, ratably to pay the Obligations in respect of any fees, expense reimbursements, indemnities and other amounts then due and payable to the Agents until paid in full; (ii) second, to pay interest then due and payable in respect of the Collateral Agent Advances until paid in full; (iii) third, to pay principal of the Collateral Agent Advances until paid in full; (iv) fourth, ratably to pay the Term Loan A Obligations in respect of any fees (other than any Applicable Premium), expense reimbursements, indemnities and other amounts then due and payable to the Term Loan A Lenders until paid in full; (v) fifth, ratably to pay interest then due and payable in respect of the Term Loan A until paid in full; (vi) sixth, ratably to pay principal of the Term Loan A until paid in full; (vii) seventh, ratably to pay the Term Loan B Obligations in respect of any fees (other than any Applicable Premium), expense reimbursements, indemnities and other amounts then due and payable to the Term Loan B Lenders until paid in full; (viii) eighth, ratably to pay interest then due and payable in respect of the Term Loan B until paid in full; (ix) ninth, ratably to pay principal of the Term Loan B until paid in full; (x) tenth, ratably to pay the Obligations in respect of any Applicable Premium then due and payable to the Lenders until paid in full; and (xi) eleventh, to the ratable payment of all other Obligations then due and payable.

 

(c)                 For purposes of Section 4.03(b) (other than clause (xi)), "paid in full" means payment in cash of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest and expense reimbursements, whether or not the same would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding, except to the extent that default or overdue interest (but not any other interest) and loan fees, each arising from or related to a default, are disallowed in any Insolvency Proceeding; provided , however , that for the purposes of clause (xi), "paid in full" means payment in cash of all amounts owing under the Loan Documents according to the terms thereof, including loan fees, service fees, professional fees, interest (and specifically including interest accrued after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding), default interest, interest on interest and expense reimbursements, whether or not the same would be or is allowed or disallowed in whole or in part in any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

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(d)                In the event of a direct conflict between the priority provisions of this Section 4.03 and other provisions contained in any other Loan Document, it is the intention of the parties hereto that both such priority provisions in such documents shall be read together and construed, to the fullest extent possible, to be in concert with each other. In the event of any actual, irreconcilable conflict that cannot be resolved as aforesaid, the terms and provisions of Section 4.03 shall control and govern.

 

Section 4.04         Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

 

(a)                 Such Defaulting Lender's right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 12.02.

 

(b)                The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to such Defaulting Lender any payments made by any Borrower to the Administrative Agent for such Defaulting Lender's benefit, and, in the absence of such transfer to such Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent shall transfer any such payments to each other non-Defaulting Lender ratably in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares (without giving effect to the Pro Rata Shares of such Defaulting Lender) (but only to the extent that such Defaulting Lender's Loans were funded by the other Lenders) or, if so directed by the Administrative Borrower and if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and to the extent such Defaulting Lender's Loans were not funded by the other Lenders), retain the same to be re-advanced to the Borrowers as if such Defaulting Lender had made such Loans to the Borrowers. Subject to the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may hold and, in its discretion, re-lend to the Borrowers for the account of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments received and retained by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                 Any such failure to fund by any Defaulting Lender shall constitute a material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle the Borrowers to replace the Defaulting Lender with one or more substitute Lenders, and the Defaulting Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder. Such notice to replace the Defaulting Lender shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given. Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Defaulting Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the Defaulting Lender being repaid its share of the outstanding Obligations without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever. If the Defaulting Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance. The replacement of any Defaulting Lender shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 12.07.

 

(d)                The operation of this Section shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Commitments of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by any Borrower of its duties and obligations hereunder to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender.

 

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(e)                 This Section shall remain effective with respect to such Lender until either (i) the Obligations under this Agreement shall have been declared or shall have become immediately due and payable or (ii) the non-Defaulting Lenders, the Agents, and the Borrowers shall have waived such Defaulting Lender's default in writing, and the Defaulting Lender makes its Pro Rata Share of the applicable defaulted Loans and pays to the Agents all amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender in respect thereof; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while such Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender's having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

Section 4.05         Administrative Borrower; Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers .

 

(a)                 Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints SMTC Mex Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for the Borrowers (the " Administrative Borrower ") which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until the Agents shall have received prior written notice signed by all of the Borrowers that such appointment has been revoked and that another Borrower has been appointed Administrative Borrower. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Borrower (i) to provide to the Agents and receive from the Agents all notices with respect to Loans obtained for the benefit of any Borrower and all other notices and instructions under this Agreement and (ii) to take such action as the Administrative Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Loans and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood that the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral of the Borrowers in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to the Borrowers in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of the Borrowers in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that neither the Agents nor the Lenders shall incur liability to the Borrowers as a result hereof. Each Borrower expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of the Loan Account and the Collateral in a combined fashion since the successful operation of each Borrower is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group.

 

(b)                Each Borrower hereby accepts joint and several liability hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by the Agents and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of the other Borrowers to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations. Each of the Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with the other Borrowers, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including, without limitation, any Obligations arising under this Section 4.05), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all of the Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them. If and to the extent that any of the Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event, the other Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Obligations of each of the Borrowers under the provisions of this Section 4.05 constitute the absolute and unconditional, full recourse Obligations of each of the Borrowers, enforceable against each such Person to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

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(c)                 The provisions of this Section 4.05 are made for the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders and their successors and assigns, and may be enforced by them from time to time against any or all of the Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the part of the Agents, the Lenders or such successors or assigns first to marshal any of its or their claims or to exercise any of its or their rights against any of the other Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it or them against any of the other Borrowers or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations hereunder or to elect any other remedy. The provisions of this Section 4.05 shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied.

 

(d)                Each of the Borrowers hereby agrees that it will not enforce any of its rights of contribution or subrogation against the other Borrowers with respect to any liability incurred by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, any payments made by it to the Agents or the Lenders with respect to any of the Obligations or any Collateral, until such time as all of the Obligations have been paid in full in cash. Any claim which any Borrower may have against any other Borrower with respect to any payments to the Agents or the Lenders hereunder or under any other Loan Documents are hereby expressly made subordinate and junior in right of payment, without limitation as to any increases in the Obligations arising hereunder or thereunder, to the prior payment in full in cash of the Obligations.

 

ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS TO LOANS

 

Section 5.01         Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness . This Agreement shall become effective as of the Business Day (the " Effective Date ") when each of the following conditions precedent shall have been satisfied in a manner satisfactory to the Agents:

 

(a)                 Payment of Fees, Etc. The Borrowers shall have paid on or before the Effective Date all fees, costs, expenses and taxes then payable pursuant to Section 2.06 and Section 12.04.

 

(b)                Representations and Warranties; No Event of Default . The following statements shall be true and correct: (i) the representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE VI and in each other Loan Document, certificate or other writing delivered to any Secured Party pursuant hereto or thereto on or prior to the Effective Date are true and correct on and as of the Effective Date as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the Effective Date or would result from this Agreement or the other Loan Documents becoming effective in accordance with its or their respective terms.

 

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(c)                 Legality . The making of the initial Loans shall not contravene any law, rule or regulation applicable to any Secured Party.

 

(d)                Delivery of Documents . The Collateral Agent shall have received on or before the Effective Date the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and, unless indicated otherwise, dated the Effective Date and, if applicable, duly executed by the Persons party thereto:

 

(i)                  a Security Agreement, together with the original stock certificates representing all of the Equity Interests and all promissory notes required to be pledged thereunder, accompanied by undated stock powers executed in blank and other proper instruments of transfer;

 

(ii)                a UCC Filing Authorization Letter;

 

(iii)              the results of searches for any effective financing statements, tax Liens or judgment Liens filed against any Loan Party or its property, which results shall not show any such Liens (other than Permitted Liens);

 

(iv)              a Perfection Certificate;

 

(v)                the Acquisition Collateral Assignment;

 

(vi)              the Disbursement Letter;

 

(vii)            the Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

 

(viii)          the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(ix)              each of the Equity Documents;

 

(x)                a certificate of an Authorized Officer of each Loan Party, certifying (A) as to copies of the Governing Documents of such Loan Party, together with all amendments thereto (including, without limitation, a true and complete copy of the charter, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or other publicly filed organizational document of each Loan Party certified as of a recent date not more than 30 days prior to the Effective Date by an appropriate official of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party which shall set forth the same complete name of such Loan Party as is set forth herein and the organizational number of such Loan Party, if an organizational number is issued in such jurisdiction), (B) as to a copy of the resolutions or written consents of such Loan Party authorizing (1) the borrowings hereunder and the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is or will be a party, and (2) the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Loan Party is or will be a party and the execution and delivery of the other documents to be delivered by such Person in connection herewith and therewith, including, without limitation, in the case of the Parent, the Warrants, (C) the names and true signatures of the representatives of such Loan Party authorized to sign each Loan Document (in the case of a Borrower, including, without limitation, Notices of Borrowing, LIBOR Notices and all other notices under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) to which such Loan Party is or will be a party and the other documents to be executed and delivered by such Loan Party in connection herewith and therewith, together with evidence of the incumbency of such authorized officers and (D) as to the matters set forth in Section 5.01(b);

 

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(xi)              a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Parent (A) attaching a copy of the Financial Statements and the Projections described in Section 6.01(g)(ii) hereof and certifying as to the compliance with the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.01(g)(i) and Section 6.01(ii)(ii) and (B) certifying that immediately after giving effect to all Loans to be made on the Effective Date, (1) Liquidity is not less than $15,000,000 and (2) the Total Leverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the 4 Fiscal Quarter period of the Parent and its Subsidiaries ending on September 30, 2018, was not greater than 4.20 to 1.00;

 

(xii)            a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Parent, certifying that the Loan Parties (taken as a whole and after giving effect to the Loans made on the Effective Date) are Solvent;

 

(xiii)          a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Administrative Borrower certifying that (A) the attached copies of (1) the principal Acquisition Documents, (2) the principal Revolving Loan Documents and (3) the other Material Contracts as in effect on the Effective Date are true, complete and correct copies thereof and (B) such agreements remain in full force and effect and that none of the Loan Parties has breached or defaulted in any of its obligations under such agreements;

 

(xiv)          a certificate of the appropriate official(s) of the jurisdiction of organization and, except to the extent such failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each jurisdiction of foreign qualification of each Loan Party certifying as of a recent date not more than 30 days prior to the Effective Date as to the subsistence in good standing of, and the payment of taxes by, such Loan Party in such jurisdictions;

 

(xv)            an opinion of Perkins Coie LLP, special New York and California counsel to the Loan Parties, as to such matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, including, without limitation, the Warrants;

 

(xvi)          evidence of the insurance coverage required by Section 7.01 and the terms of each Security Document and each Mortgage and such other insurance coverage with respect to the business and operations of the Loan Parties as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in each case, where requested by the Collateral Agent, with such endorsements as to the named insureds or loss payees thereunder as the Collateral Agent may request and providing that such policy may be terminated or canceled (by the insurer or the insured thereunder) only upon 30 days' prior written notice to the Collateral Agent and each such named insured or loss payee, together with evidence of the payment of all premiums due in respect thereof for such period as the Collateral Agent may request;

 

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(xvii)        evidence of the payment in full of all Target Indebtedness, together with, as applicable, (A) a termination and release agreement with respect to any Target Indebtedness and all related documents, duly executed by the Loan Parties and the Existing Lenders, (B) a satisfaction of mortgage for each mortgage filed by the Existing Lenders on each Facility, (C) a termination of security interest in Intellectual Property for each assignment for security recorded by the Existing Lenders at the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office and covering any intellectual property of the Loan Parties, and (D) UCC-3 termination statements for all UCC-1 financing statements filed by the Existing Lenders and covering any portion of the Collateral;

 

(xviii)      evidence satisfactory to the Agents that a Process Agent has been properly appointed by each Foreign Loan Party in accordance with Section 12.10(b); and

 

(xix)          such other agreements, instruments, approvals, opinions and other documents, each satisfactory to the Agents in form and substance, as any Agent may reasonably request.

 

(e)                 Material Adverse Effect . The Collateral Agent shall have determined, in its sole judgment, that no event or development shall have occurred since December 31, 2017 which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(f)                 Consummation of Acquisition . (i) The Acquisition Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent and (ii) the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Documents as of the Effective Date shall be consummated in all material respects prior to or substantially simultaneously with the making of the initial Loans.

 

(g)                Approvals . All consents, authorizations and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, any Governmental Authority or other Person required in connection with the making of the Loans, the consummation of the MC Assembly Acquisition, or the conduct of the Loan Parties' business shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.

 

(h)                Proceedings; Receipt of Documents . All proceedings in connection with the making of the initial Loans and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and all documents incidental hereto and thereto, shall be satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and its counsel, and the Collateral Agent and such counsel shall have received all such information and such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as the Collateral Agent or such counsel may reasonably request.

 

(i)                  Management Reference Checks . The Collateral Agent shall have received satisfactory reference checks for, and shall have had an opportunity to meet with, key management of each Loan Party.

 

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(j)                  Due Diligence . The Agents shall have completed their business, legal and collateral due diligence with respect to each Loan Party and the results thereof shall be acceptable to the Agents, in their sole and absolute discretion.

 

(k)                Filings, Registrations and Recordings . Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by this Agreement, any other Loan Document or Requirements of Law or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create, in favor of the Collateral Agent, a perfected security interest in or lien upon the Collateral shall have been or contemporaneously herewith will be properly filed, registered or recorded in each jurisdiction in which the filing, registration or recordation thereof is so required or requested, and the Collateral Agent shall have received an acknowledgment copy, or other evidence satisfactory to it, of each such filing, registration or recordation and satisfactory evidence of the payment of any necessary fee, tax or expense relating thereto.

 

(l)                  Certificate of Beneficial Ownership; PATRIOT Act . The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation, including a Certificate of Beneficial Ownership, and other information about the Loan Parties required by regulatory authorities under applicable "know your customer" and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act and beneficial ownership regulations, including a duly executed IRS Form W-9 tax form (or such other applicable IRS tax form) of each Loan Party, as may be reasonably requested by any Agent or any Lender.

 

(m)              Revolving Loans . The transactions contemplated by the Revolving Loan Documents shall have been consummated (or, simultaneously with the funding of the Loans on the Effective Date, shall be consummated) on terms and conditions reasonable acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, immediately after giving effect to the consummation thereof, no more than $23,400,000 in aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans shall be outstanding.

 

(n)                No Other Debt . Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have any other Indebtedness outstanding on the Effective Date other than (i) Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) Indebtedness pursuant to the Revolving Loan Documents, and (iii) Permitted Indebtedness.

 

Section 5.02         Conditions Precedent to All Loans . The obligation of any Agent or any Lender to make any Loan after the Effective Date is subject to the fulfillment, in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                 Payment of Fees, Etc. The Borrowers shall have paid all fees, costs, expenses and taxes then payable by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, Section 2.06 and Section 12.04 hereof.

 

(b)                Representations and Warranties; No Event of Default . The following statements shall be true and correct, and the submission by the Administrative Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing with respect to each such Loan, and the Borrowers' acceptance of the proceeds of such Loan, shall each be deemed to be a representation and warranty by each Loan Party on the date of such Loan that: (i) the representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE VI and in each other Loan Document, certificate or other writing delivered to any Secured Party pursuant hereto or thereto on or prior to the date of such Loan are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations or warranties that already are qualified or modified as to materiality or "Material Adverse Effect" in the text thereof, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects subject to such qualification) on and as of such date as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date (in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date), (ii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the making of such Loan and the application of the proceeds thereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the making of the Loan to be made, on such date and (iii) the conditions set forth in this Section 5.02 have been satisfied as of the date of such request.

 

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(c)                 Term Loan B Certificate . In the case of the Term Loan B, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrowers (i) certifying that (A) the Borrowers have Liquidity of not less than $15,000,000 both before and immediately after giving effect to such Loan, (B) the Total Leverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (calculated on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the last Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries have been delivered under Section 7.01(a)(ii)) before and immediately after giving effect to such Loan (as if made on the first day of such period) is no greater than 4.20 to 1.00, (C) the Borrowers are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.03 on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the last Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries have been delivered under Section 7.01(a)(ii) before and immediately after giving effect to such Loan (as if made on the first day of such period) and (D) such Loan is to be used solely to fund any earn-outs payable in respect of the MC Assembly Acquisition, and (ii) attaching reasonably detailed calculations evidencing compliance by the Borrowers with the certifications set forth in clauses (i)(A), (i)(B) and (i)(C) above.

 

(d)                Legality . The making of such Loan shall not contravene any law, rule or regulation applicable to any Secured Party.

 

(e)                 Notices . The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof.

 

Section 5.03         Conditions Subsequent to Effectiveness . As an accommodation to the Loan Parties, the Agents and the Lenders have agreed to execute this Agreement and to make the Loans on the Effective Date notwithstanding the failure by the Loan Parties to satisfy the conditions set forth below on or before the Effective Date. In consideration of such accommodation, the Loan Parties agree that, in addition to all other terms, conditions and provisions set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, those conditions set forth in Section 5.01, the Loan Parties shall satisfy each of the conditions subsequent set forth below on or before the date applicable thereto (it being understood that (i) the failure by the Loan Parties to perform or cause to be performed any such condition subsequent on or before the date (as may be extended by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion) applicable thereto shall constitute an Event of Default and (ii) to the extent that the existence of any such condition subsequent would otherwise cause any representation, warranty or covenant in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be breached, the Required Lenders hereby waive such breach for the period from the Effective Date until the date on which such condition subsequent is required to be fulfilled pursuant to this Section 5.03):

 

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(a)                 within 30 days after the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent all Control Agreements that are required under the Loan Documents, each duly executed by the applicable Loan Party and the applicable financial institution;

 

(b)                within 30 days after the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent (i) a Joinder Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and duly executed by each Mexican Loan Party, (ii) the Mexican Security Documents, each duly executed by each Mexican Loan Party, (iii) each other supplement, amendment, addendum or joinder which may be required by any other Loan Document pursuant to the terms thereof, each duly executed by each applicable Mexican Loan Party, (iv) an opinion of Kuri Breña, Sánchez, Ugarte y Aznar, S.C., in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, (v) good standing certificates (to the extent applicable) in the jurisdictions of organization of the Mexican Loan Parties, (vi) resolutions of the Mexican Loan Parties and (vii) as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, any other agreement, instrument or other document in respect of any Mexican Loan Party;

 

(c)                 within 30 days after the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent such landlord waivers and collateral access agreements as may be required by Section 7.01(l), duly executed by the applicable Loan Party and the applicable landlord or bailee;

 

(d)                within 30 days after the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent (to the extent not delivered on the Effective Date) appropriate endorsements (including loss payable endorsements), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, naming the Collateral Agent as an additional insured and as mortgagee and/or lender loss payee (as applicable) as its interests may appear with respect to all insurance policies referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 7.01(h); and

 

(e)                 within 30 days after the Effective Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received counterpart signatures to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, or a duly executed joinder agreement thereto, from each Subsidiary of the Parent, to the extent not delivered on the Effective Date.

 

ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 6.01         Representations and Warranties . Each Loan Party hereby represents and warrants to the Secured Parties as follows:

 

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(a)                 Organization, Good Standing, Etc. Each Loan Party (i) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state or jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business as now conducted and as presently contemplated and, in the case of the Borrowers, to make the borrowings hereunder, and to execute and deliver each Loan Document to which it is a party, and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, and (iii) is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary, except (solely for the purposes of this subclause (iii)) where the failure to be so qualified and in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                Authorization, Etc. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is or will be a party, (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary action, (ii) do not and will not contravene (A) any of its Governing Documents, (B) any applicable Requirement of Law or (C) any material Contractual Obligation binding on or otherwise affecting it or any of its properties, (iii) do not and will not result in or require the creation of any Lien (other than pursuant to any Loan Document) upon or with respect to any of its properties, and (iv) do not and will not result in any default, noncompliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit, license, authorization or approval applicable to its operations or any of its properties, except, in the case of clauses (ii)(B), (ii)(C) and (iv), to the extent where such contravention, default, noncompliance, suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                 Governmental Approvals . No material authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is or will be a party other than filings and recordings with respect to Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing or recordation, on the Effective Date.

 

(d)                Enforceability of Loan Documents . This Agreement is, and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is or will be a party, when delivered hereunder, will be, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person, enforceable against such Person in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

 

(e)                 Capitalization . On the Effective Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Effective Date, the authorized Equity Interests of the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries and the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are as set forth on Schedule 6.01(e). All of the issued and outstanding shares of Equity Interests of the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and the holders thereof are not entitled to any preemptive, first refusal or other similar rights. All Equity Interests of such Subsidiaries of the Parent are owned by the Parent free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Specified Liens). Except as described on Schedule 6.01(e), as of the Effective Date there are no outstanding debt or equity securities of any Subsidiaries of the Parent and no outstanding obligations of any Subsidiaries of the Parent convertible into or exchangeable for, or warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from any such Subsidiaries, or other obligations of any such Subsidiaries to issue, directly or indirectly, any shares of Equity Interests of any such Subsidiaries.

 

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(f)                 Litigation . Except as set forth in Schedule 6.01(f), there is no pending or, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened action, suit or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any of its properties before any court or other Governmental Authority or any arbitrator that (i) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) relates to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

(g)                Financial Statements .

 

(i)                  The Financial Statements, copies of which have been delivered to each Agent and each Lender, fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal periods ended on such respective dates, all in accordance with GAAP in all material respects. All material indebtedness and other liabilities (including, without limitation, Indebtedness, liabilities for taxes, long-term leases and other unusual forward or long-term commitments), direct or contingent, of the Parent and its Subsidiaries are set forth in the Financial Statements as and to the extent required in accordance with GAAP. Since December 31, 2017, no event or development has occurred that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)                The Parent has heretofore furnished to each Agent and each Lender (A) projected quarterly balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the period from the Effective Date through December 31, 2023, and (B) projected annual balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Years ending in 2019 through 2023, which projected financial statements shall be updated from time to time pursuant to Section 7.01(a)(vii).

 

(h)                Compliance with Law, Etc. No Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of (i) any of its Governing Documents, (ii) any Requirement of Law, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) any term of any Contractual Obligation (including, without limitation, any Material Contract) binding on or otherwise affecting it or any of its properties, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(i)                  ERISA . Except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(i), (i) each Loan Party and each Employee Plan is in compliance with all Requirements of Law in all material respects, including ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, (ii) no ERISA Event has occurred nor is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, other than ERISA Events that could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate, (iii) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate, the most recent annual report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each Pension Plan, including any required Schedule B (Actuarial Information) thereto, copies of which have been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, is complete and correct and fairly presents the funding status of such Pension Plan, and since the date of such report, there has been no material adverse change in such funding status, (iv) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate, copies of each agreement entered into with the PBGC, the U.S. Department of Labor or the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Pension Plan have been delivered to the Agents, (v) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party, each Employee Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code is the subject of a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or utilizes a prototype or volume submitter plan document that is the subject of a favorable opinion or advisory letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service to the sponsor of such prototype or volume submitter plan, (vi) no Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred any material liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the payment of premiums, and there are no such premium payments which have become due which are unpaid, (vii) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened claims, actions, proceedings or lawsuits (other than claims for benefits in the normal course, appeals of such claims and domestic relations order proceedings) instituted against (A) any Employee Plan or its assets, (B) to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any fiduciary with respect to any Employee Plan, or (C) any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates with respect to any Employee Plan, (viii) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party, no Loan Party maintains an employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides medical, dental or vision benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of any Loan Party or has any obligation to provide any such benefits for any current employee after such employee's termination of employment, other than (A) as required by Requirements of Law, and (B) coverage through the end of the month of retirement or other termination of employment or service. In addition, (1) no Foreign Plan Event has occurred nor is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Foreign Plan, (2) all employer and employee contributions required by Requirements of Law or by the terms of any Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued in accordance with normal accounting practices, (3) the accrued benefit obligations of each Foreign Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Foreign Plan) with respect to all current and former participants do not exceed the assets of such Foreign Plan, (4) each Foreign Plan that is required to be registered has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities, and (5) each Foreign Plan is in compliance in all material respects (Y) with all Requirements of Law and all regulations and published interpretations thereunder applicable to such Foreign Plan and (Z) with the terms of such plan; except, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses (1) through (5), as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(j)                  Taxes, Etc. (i) All federal and state income and other material Tax returns and other reports required by applicable Requirements of Law to be filed by any Loan Party have been timely filed and (ii) all Taxes imposed upon any Loan Party or any property of any Loan Party which have become due and payable on or prior to the date hereof have been paid, except (A) unpaid Taxes in an aggregate amount at any one time not in excess of $250,000, and (B) Taxes contested in good faith by proper proceedings which stay the imposition of any Lien resulting from the non-payment thereof and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside for the payment thereof on the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP.

 

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(k)                Regulations T, U and X . No Loan Party is or will be engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X), and no proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock or for any purpose that violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U and X.

 

(l)                  Nature of Business .

 

(i)                  The Loan Parties are principally engaged only in the business set forth on Schedule 6.01(l).

 

(ii)                Each Holding Company is a holding company and does not have any material liabilities (other than liabilities arising under the Loan Documents and the Revolving Loan Documents), own any material assets (other than the Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries) or engage in any operations or business (other than the ownership of its Subsidiaries).

 

(iii)              Each Inactive Subsidiary is inactive and does not have any liabilities (other than liabilities arising under the Loan Documents and the Revolving Loan Documents), own any material assets (other than assets having a value of less than $50,000 in the aggregate for all such Inactive Subsidiaries) or engage in any operations or business (other than the maintenance of its existence and activities incidental thereto).

 

(m)              Adverse Agreements, Etc. No Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contractual Obligation or subject to any restriction or limitation in any Governing Document or any judgment, order, regulation, ruling or other requirement of a court or other Governmental Authority, which (either individually or in the aggregate) has, or could reasonably be expected (either individually or in the aggregate) to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)                Permits, Etc. Each Loan Party has, and is in compliance with, all permits, licenses, authorizations, approvals, entitlements and accreditations required for such Person lawfully to own, lease, manage or operate, or to acquire, each business and Facility currently owned, leased, managed or operated, or to be acquired, by such Person, except to the extent the failure to have or be in compliance therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No condition exists or event has occurred which, in itself or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would result in the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or non-renewal of any such permit, license, authorization, approval, entitlement or accreditation, and there is no claim that any thereof is not in full force and effect which (either individually or in the aggregate) has, or could reasonably be expected (either individually or in the aggregate) to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(o)                Properties . Each Loan Party has good and marketable title to, valid leasehold interests in, or valid licenses to use, all property and assets material to its business, free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Liens. All such properties and assets are in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

 

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(p)                Employee and Labor Matters . Except as could not reasonably be expected (either individually or in the aggregate) to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all Requirements of Law pertaining to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours, and occupational safety and health, (ii) no Loan Party or any Subsidiary is party to any collective bargaining agreement, nor has any labor union been recognized as the representative of the employees of any Loan Party of Subsidiary, (iii) there is no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary before any Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding pending or threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary which arises out of or under any collective bargaining agreement, (iv) there has been no strike, work stoppage, slowdown, lockout, or other labor dispute pending or threatened against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and (v) to the best knowledge of each Loan Party, no labor organization or group of employees has made a pending demand for recognition or certification, and there are no representation or certification proceedings or petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or threatened to be brought or filed, with the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority. No Loan Party or Subsidiary has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (" WARN ") or any similar Requirement of Law, which remains unpaid or unsatisfied. All payments due from any Loan Party or Subsidiary on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or Subsidiary, except where the failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(q)                Environmental Matters . Except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(q), (i) no Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any Environmental Law, except where such violation could not reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability, (ii) each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries has, and is in compliance with, all Environmental Permits for its respective operations and businesses, except to the extent any failure to have or be in compliance therewith could not reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability; (iii) there has been no Release of Hazardous Materials at any properties currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party (i) a predecessor in interest, or (ii) at any disposal or treatment facility which received Hazardous Materials generated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, which in any case of the foregoing could reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability; (iv) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened Environmental Claims against, or Environmental Liability of, any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is performing or responsible for any Remedial Action that could reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability; and (vi) the Loan Parties have made available to the Collateral Agent and Lenders true and complete copies of all material environmental reports, audits, and investigations in the possession or control of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the operations and business of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries.

 

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(r)                  Insurance . Each Loan Party maintains all insurance required by Section 7.01(h). Schedule 6.01(r) sets forth a list (or attaches copies of certificates) of all such insurance maintained by or for the benefit of each Loan Party on the Effective Date.

 

(s)                 Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Loans made on the Effective Date shall be used to (xii) fund a portion of the cash consideration payable in connection with the MC Assembly Acquisition, (xiii) refinance the Target Indebtedness, (xiv) pay the costs, fees and expenses relating to the MC Assembly Acquisition and this Agreement and (xv) fund working capital and general corporate purposes of the Borrowers. The proceeds of the Term Loan B made after the Effective Date shall be used solely to fund any earn-outs payable in respect of the MC Assembly Acquisition.

 

(t)                  Solvency . After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and before and after giving effect to each Loan, each Loan Party is, and the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis are, Solvent. No transfer of property is being made by any Loan Party and no obligation is being incurred by any Loan Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of such Loan Party.

 

(u)                Intellectual Property . Except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(u), each Loan Party owns or licenses or otherwise has the right to use all Intellectual Property rights that are necessary for the operation of its business, without infringement upon or conflict with the rights of any other Person with respect thereto, except for such infringements and conflicts which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule 6.01(u) is a complete and accurate list as of the Effective Date of (i) each item of Registered Intellectual Property owned by each Loan Party and (ii) each Intellectual Property Contract that is a Material Contract to which each Loan Party is bound. No trademark or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by any Loan Party infringes upon or conflicts with any rights owned by any other Person, and no claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or threatened, except for such infringements and conflicts which could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Loan Party, no patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code pertaining to Intellectual Property is pending or proposed, which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(v)                Material Contracts . Set forth on Schedule 6.01(v) is a complete and accurate list as of the Effective Date of all Material Contracts of each Loan Party, showing the parties and subject matter thereof and amendments and modifications thereto. Each such Material Contract (i) is in full force and effect and is binding upon and enforceable against each Loan Party that is a party thereto and, to the best knowledge of such Loan Party, all other parties thereto in accordance with its terms, (ii) has not been otherwise amended or modified, except as permitted by Section 7.02(m), and (iii) is not in default due to the action of any Loan Party or, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, any other party thereto which default, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(w)              Investment Company Act . None of the Loan Parties is (i) an "investment company" or an "affiliated person" or "promoter" of, or "principal underwriter" of or for, an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (ii) subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law that limits in any respect its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or a portion of the Obligations unenforceable.

 

(x)                Customers and Suppliers . There exists no actual or threatened termination, cancellation or limitation of, or modification to or change in, the business relationship between (i) any Loan Party, on the one hand, and any customer or any group thereof, on the other hand, or (ii) any Loan Party, on the one hand, and any supplier or any group thereof, on the other hand, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), which termination, cancellation, limitation or modification could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and there exists no present state of facts or circumstances that could give rise to or result in any such termination, cancellation, limitation, modification or change.

 

(y)                [ Reserved ].

 

(z)                 Consummation of MC Assembly Acquisition . The Parent has delivered to the Agents complete and correct copies of all Acquisition Documents to which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, including all schedules and exhibits thereto. The execution, delivery and performance of the Acquisition Documents has been duly authorized by all necessary action (including, without limitation, the obtaining of any consent of stockholders or other holders of Equity Interests required by law or by any applicable corporate or other organizational documents) on the part of the Parent and each Subsidiary of the Parent party thereto. Each Acquisition Document is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Parent and each Subsidiary of the Parent party thereto, enforceable against such parties in accordance with its terms. All conditions precedent to the Acquisition Agreement have been fulfilled or (with the prior written consent of the Agents) waived, no Acquisition Document has been amended or otherwise modified, and there has been no breach of any term or condition of any Acquisition Document that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(aa)             [ Reserved ].

 

(bb)            Sanctions; Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Laws . None of any Loan Party, any Subsidiary thereof, any of their respective directors, officers or employees nor, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any of their respective agents or Affiliates, (i) is a Sanctioned Person or currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) has assets located in a Sanctioned Country, (iii) directly or indirectly derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons, (iv) is a "Foreign Shell Bank" within the meaning of the USA PATRIOT Act, i.e., a foreign bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not affiliated with a bank that has a physical presence and an acceptable level of regulation and supervision; or (v) is a person or entity that resides in or is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction designated by the United States Secretary of the Treasury under Sections 311 or 312 of the USA PATRIOT Act as warranting special measures due to money laundering concerns. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, their respective directors, officers and employees and, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, their respective agents or Affiliates, is in compliance with all Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Each Loan Party and Affiliate, officer, employee or director, acting on behalf of the Loan Party is (and is taking no action which would result in any such Person not being) in compliance with (A) all applicable OFAC rules and regulations, (B) all applicable United States of America, United Kingdom, United Nations, European Union, German, Canadian, Australian and all other reasonable internationally respected national autonomous sanctions, embargos and trade restrictions and (C) all applicable provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. No proceeds from the Term Loans shall be used in violation of any Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

 

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(cc)             Certificate of Beneficial Ownership . The Certificate of Beneficial Ownership executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent for each Loan Party on or prior to the date of this Agreement, as updated from time to time in accordance with this Agreement, is accurate, complete and correct as of the date hereof and as of the date any such update is delivered. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that the Certificate of Beneficial Ownership is one of the Loan Documents.

 

(dd)           [ Reserved ].

 

(ee)             [ Reserved ].

 

(ff)              [ Reserved ].

 

(gg)            Pari Passu . The obligations of each Loan Party under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party rank and will rank at least pari passu in priority of payment and in all other respects with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of such Loan Party.

 

(hh)            Exchange Controls . Each Loan Party has the ability to lawfully pay solely and exclusively in Dollars the total amount which is, or may become, payable by it to the Lender under the Loan Documents.

 

(ii)                Full Disclosure .

 

(i)                  Each Loan Party has disclosed to the Agents all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Agents (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about Borrowers' industry) in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), when taken as a whole, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, when taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, not misleading in any material respect.

 

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(ii)                Projections have been prepared on a reasonable basis and in good faith based on assumptions, estimates, methods and tests that are believed by the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time such Projections were prepared and information believed by the Loan Parties to have been accurate based upon the information available to the Loan Parties at the time such Projections were furnished to the Lenders (it being understood that (A) Projections are by their nature subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Loan Parties' control, (B) actual results may differ materially from the Projections and such variations may be material and (C) the Projections are not a guarantee of performance).

 

ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS OF THE LOAN PARTIES AND OTHER COLLATERAL MATTERS

 

Section 7.01         Affirmative Covenants . So long as any principal of or interest on any Loan or any other Obligation (whether or not due) shall remain unpaid (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, each Loan Party will, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:

 

(a)                 Reporting Requirements. Furnish to each Agent and each Lender :

 

(i)                  within 30 days after the end of each fiscal month of the Parent and its Subsidiaries commencing with the first fiscal month of the Parent and its Subsidiaries ending after the Effective Date, internally prepared consolidated and consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations and retained earnings and statements of cash flows as at the end of such fiscal month, and for the period commencing at the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such fiscal month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding date or period set forth in (A) the financial statements for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year (it being agreed that the requirements of this clause (A) shall not apply so long as there is no corresponding month in the preceding Fiscal Year that occurred after the Effective Date), and (B) the Projections, all in reasonable detail and certified by an Authorized Officer of the Parent as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal month and the results of operations, retained earnings and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal month and for such year-to-date period, in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent with that of the most recent audited financial statements furnished to the Agents and the Lenders, subject to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end adjustments;

 

(ii)                within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of the Parent and its Subsidiaries commencing with the first Fiscal Quarter of the Parent and its Subsidiaries ending after the Effective Date, consolidated and consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations and retained earnings and statements of cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and for the period commencing at the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year and ending with the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding date or period set forth in (A) the financial statements for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year (it being agreed that the requirements of this clause (A) shall not apply so long as there is no corresponding Fiscal Quarter in the preceding Fiscal Year that occurred after the Effective Date), and (B) the Projections, all in reasonable detail and certified by an Authorized Officer of the Parent as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the results of operations and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such quarter and for such year-to-date period, in accordance with GAAP applied in a manner consistent with that of the most recent audited financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries furnished to the Agents and the Lenders, subject to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end adjustments; provided , however , that if the Parent files its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC for the applicable Fiscal Quarter and such quarterly report contains the financial statements and reports described above, in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, then the Loan Parties may satisfy the forgoing requirement by delivering a copy of such quarterly report to the Administrative Agent;

 

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(iii)              within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, consolidated and consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations and retained earnings and statements of cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding date or period set forth in (A) the financial statements for the immediately preceding Fiscal Year (it being agreed that the requirements of this clause (A) shall not apply so long as there is no preceding Fiscal Year that occurred after the Effective Date), and (B) the Projections, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, and accompanied by a report and an opinion, prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, of independent certified public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Parent and satisfactory to the Agents (which opinion shall be without (1) a "going concern" or like qualification or exception, (2) any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, or (3) any qualification which relates to the treatment or classification of any item and which, as a condition to the removal of such qualification, would require an adjustment to such item, the effect of which would be to cause any noncompliance with the provisions of Section 7.03 (it being understood and agreed that any qualification with respect to the maturity of the Obligations shall be permitted)); provided , however , that if the Parent files its annual report on Form 10-K with the SEC for the applicable Fiscal Year and such annual report contains the financial statements and reports described above, in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, then the Loan Parties may satisfy the forgoing requirement by delivering a copy of such annual report to the Administrative Agent, in any case, together with a written statement of such accountants (x) to the effect that, in making the examination necessary for their certification of such financial statements, they have not obtained any knowledge of the existence of an Event of Default or a Default under Section 7.03 and (y) if such accountants shall have obtained any knowledge of the existence of an Event of Default or such Default, describing the nature thereof;

 

(iv)              simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries required by clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 7.01(a), a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Parent (acting in such capacity, and not in any personal capacity) (a " Compliance Certificate "):

 

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(A)              stating that such Authorized Officer has reviewed the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and has made or caused to be made under his or her supervision a review of the condition and operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries during the period covered by such financial statements with a view to determining whether the Parent and its Subsidiaries were in compliance with all of the provisions of this Agreement and such Loan Documents at the times such compliance is required hereby and thereby, and that such review has not disclosed, and such Authorized Officer has no knowledge of, the occurrence during such period of an Event of Default or Default that is continuing or, if an Event of Default or Default had occurred and is continuing, describing the nature and period of existence thereof and the action which the Parent and its Subsidiaries propose to take or have taken with respect thereto,

 

(B)               in the case of the delivery of the financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries required by clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 7.01(a), (1) attaching a schedule showing the calculation of the financial covenants specified in Section 7.03 and (2) including a discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the portion of the Fiscal Year then elapsed and discussing the reasons for any significant variations from the Projections for such period and the figures for the corresponding period in the previous Fiscal Year, and

 

(C)               in the case of the delivery of the financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries required by clause (iii) of this Section 7.01(a), attaching (1) a summary of all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date thereof by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and evidence that such insurance coverage meets the requirements set forth in Section 7.01, each Security Document and each Mortgage, together with such other related documents and information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require, (2) the calculation of the Excess Cash Flow in accordance with the terms of Section 2.05(c)(i), (3) a reasonably detailed summary of any Excluded Equity Issuances during the applicable Fiscal Year, the proceeds of which were used to make Capital Expenditures or to pay the Purchase Price of any Permitted Acquisition, and (4) confirmation that there have been no changes to the information contained in each of the Perfection Certificates delivered on the Effective Date or the date of the most recently updated Perfection Certificate delivered pursuant to this clause (iv) and/or attaching an updated Perfection Certificate identifying any such changes to the information contained therein;

 

(v)                [reserved];

 

(vi)              as soon as available and in any event within 3 Business Days after delivery to the Revolving Loan Agent, all borrowing base certificates or reports and other related information delivered to the Revolving Loan Agent or the Revolving Loan Lenders pursuant to the Revolving Loan Documents;

 

(vii)            as soon as available and in any event not later than the end of each Fiscal Year, a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Parent (A) attaching Projections for the Parent and its Subsidiaries, supplementing and superseding the Projections previously required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, prepared on a monthly basis and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents, for the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year for the Parent and its Subsidiaries and (B) certifying that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.01(ii)(ii) are true and correct with respect to the Projections;

 

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(viii)          promptly after submission to any Governmental Authority, all documents and information furnished to such Governmental Authority in connection with any material and adverse non-routine investigation of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries by such Governmental Authority;

 

(ix)              as soon as possible, and in any event within 3 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default or Default or the occurrence of any event or development that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the written statement of an Authorized Officer of the Administrative Borrower setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default or other event or development having a Material Adverse Effect and the action which the affected Loan Party proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(x)                as soon as possible and in any event: (A) at least 10 days prior to any event or development that could reasonably be expected to result in or constitute an ERISA Event (other than an ERISA Event that could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate), and, to the extent not reasonably expected, within 5 days after the occurrence of any ERISA Event (other than an ERISA Event that could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate), notice of such ERISA Event (in reasonable detail), (B) within three days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC, copies of each notice received by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates of the PBGC's intention to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (C) within 10 days after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each Pension Plan, (D) within 3 days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan or from the PBGC, a copy of each notice received by any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability under Section 4202 of ERISA, (E) within 10 days after any Loan Party sends notice of a plant closing or mass layoff (as defined in WARN) to employees, copies of each such notice sent by such Loan Party, if such closing or mass layoff could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to such Loan Party, and (F) within 3 days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, a copy of any notice from any Governmental Authority related to any Foreign Plan, the subject of which could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to such Loan Party;

 

(xi)              promptly after the commencement thereof but in any event not later than 5 days after service of process with respect thereto on, or the obtaining of knowledge thereof by, any Loan Party, notice of each claim, litigation, action, suit or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority or other regulatory body or any arbitrator which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(xii)            as soon as possible and in any event within 5 days after execution, receipt or delivery thereof, copies of any material and adverse notices that any Loan Party executes or receives in connection with any Material Contract or any Acquisition Document;

 

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(xiii)          concurrently with the execution, receipt or delivery thereof, (A) copies of all material notices (including, without limitation, default notices), reports (other than borrowing base certificates or reports), statements or other material information that any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries executes, receives or delivers in connection with any Revolving Loan Document and (B) copies of any amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications, waivers, consents or forbearances that any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries executes, receives or delivers with respect to any Revolving Loan Document.

 

(xiv)          as soon as possible and in any event within 5 days after execution, receipt or delivery thereof, copies of any material notices that any Loan Party executes or receives in connection with the sale or other Disposition of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of the Parent, or of all or substantially all of the assets of any Loan Party;

 

(xv)            as soon as possible and in any event within 5 days after the delivery thereof to the Parent's or the Borrower's Board of Directors, copies of all “board meeting packages” so delivered in respect of a meeting of the Board of Directors (with such redactions as applicable with respect to confidential information prohibited from being disclosed by Requirements of Law or Contractual Obligations (not entered into in contemplation of such disclosure), privileged information and information subject to conflict-of-interest concerns, in each case, as made on advice of counsel);

 

(xvi)          promptly after (A) the sending or filing thereof, copies of all statements, reports and other information any Loan Party files with the SEC or any national (domestic or foreign) securities exchange;

 

(xvii)        promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all final forms of financial reports (including, without limitation, management letters), if any, submitted to any Loan Party by its auditors in connection with any annual or interim audit of the books thereof;

 

(xviii)      promptly upon request, any certification or other evidence requested from time to time by any Lender in its sole discretion, confirming the Borrowers' compliance with Section 7.02(r);

 

(xix)          simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries required by clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 7.01(a), if, as a result of any change in accounting principles and policies during any such applicable fiscal period from those used in the preparation of the Financial Statements immediately prior to such change that is permitted by Section 7.02(q), the consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this Section 7.01(a) will differ in any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles and policies been made, then, together with the first delivery of such financial statements after such change, one or more statements of reconciliation for all such prior financial statements in form and detail satisfactory to the Agents; and

 

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(xx)            promptly upon request, such other information concerning the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of any Loan Party as any Agent may from time to time may reasonably request.

 

(b)                Additional Borrowers, Guarantors and Collateral Security. Cause :

 

(i)                  each Subsidiary of any Loan Party not in existence on the Effective Date (including any Subsidiary formed as a result of an LLC Division), each Subsidiary of any Loan Party that becomes borrower or a guarantor under the Revolving Loan Documents after the Effective Date, and each Immaterial Subsidiary that no longer satisfies the criteria for Immaterial Subsidiaries set forth in the definition thereof after the Effective Date, to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent promptly and in any event within 3 days (or such later date acceptable to the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion) after the formation, acquisition or change in status thereof, (A) a Joinder Agreement, pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall be made a party to this Agreement as a Borrower or a Guarantor, (B) a supplement to the Security Agreement with respect to any Domestic Subsidiary, or a supplement to the applicable foreign-law governed Security Document with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, together with (1) certificates evidencing all of the Equity Interests of any Person owned by such Subsidiary required to be pledged under the terms of the Security Agreement, (2) undated stock powers for such Equity Interests executed in blank with signature guaranteed, and (3) such opinions of counsel as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (including, without limitation, any foreign law-governed agreements, instruments, approvals, or other documents with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary), (C) to the extent required under the terms of this Agreement, one or more Mortgages creating on the real property of such Subsidiary a perfected, first priority Lien (in terms of priority, subject only to Permitted Specified Liens) on such real property and such other Real Property Deliverables as may be required by the Collateral Agent with respect to each such real property, and (D) such other agreements, instruments, approvals or other documents (including, without limitation, any foreign law-governed agreements, instruments, approvals, or other documents with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary) reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in order to create, perfect, establish the first priority of or otherwise protect any Lien purported to be covered by any such Security Document or Mortgage or otherwise to effect the intent that such Subsidiary shall become bound by all of the terms, covenants and agreements contained in the Loan Documents and that all property and assets of such Subsidiary shall become Collateral for the Obligations; and

 

(ii)                each owner of the Equity Interests of any such Subsidiary to execute and deliver promptly and in any event within 3 days (or such later date acceptable to the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion) after the formation or acquisition of such Subsidiary a Pledge Amendment (as defined in the Security Agreement) (or, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, a supplemental pledge to the applicable foreign Security Document), together with (A) certificates evidencing all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, (B) undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of assignment for such Equity Interests executed in blank with signature guaranteed, (C) such opinions of counsel as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (including, without limitation, opinions of foreign counsel with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary) and (D) such other agreements, instruments, approvals or other documents (including, without limitation, any foreign-law governed agreements, instruments, approvals or other documents with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary) requested by the Collateral Agent.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Excluded Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor hereunder (and, as such, shall not be required to deliver the documents required by clause (i) above); provided , however , that (I) if the Equity Interests of an Excluded Subsidiary are owned by a Loan Party, such Loan Party shall deliver all such documents, instruments, agreements (including, without limitation, at the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, a pledge agreement governed by the laws of the jurisdiction of the organization of such Excluded Subsidiary) and certificates described in clause (ii) above to the Collateral Agent, and take all commercially reasonable actions reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent or otherwise necessary to grant and to perfect a first-priority Lien (subject to Permitted Specified Liens) in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, in the Equity Interests of such Excluded Subsidiary.

 

(c)                 Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes .

 

(i)                  Comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply with all Requirements of Law, judgments and awards (including any settlement of any claim that, if breached, could give rise to any of the foregoing), except to the extent the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)                Pay, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period, all Taxes imposed upon any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except (i) unpaid Taxes in an aggregate amount at any one time not in excess of $250,000, and (ii) Taxes contested in good faith by proper proceedings which stay the imposition of any Lien resulting from the non-payment thereof and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside for the payment thereof in accordance with GAAP.

 

(d)                Preservation of Existence, Etc. Maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, its existence, rights and privileges, and become or remain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to become or remain, duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                 Keeping of Records and Books of Account . Keep, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, adequate records and books of account, with complete entries made to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

 

(f)                 Inspection Rights . Permit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit, the agents and representatives of any Agent at any time and from time to time during normal business hours, at the expense of the Borrowers, to examine and make copies of and abstracts from its records and books of account, to visit and inspect its properties, to verify materials, leases, notes, accounts receivable, deposit accounts and its other assets, to conduct audits, physical counts, valuations, appraisals or examinations and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its directors, officers, managerial employees, independent accountants or any of its other representatives (subject, in any event, to the reimbursement limitations in Section 2.06(g)). In furtherance of the foregoing, each Loan Party hereby authorizes its independent accountants, and the independent accountants of each of its Subsidiaries, to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of such Person (independently or together with representatives of such Person) with the agents and representatives of any Agent in accordance with this Section 7.01(f), which discussion shall, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be arranged with such independent accountants with reasonable prior notice to the Parent and reasonable opportunity of the Parent to participate in such discussions.

 

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(g)                Maintenance of Properties, Etc. Maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all of its properties which are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty excepted, and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, at all times with the provisions of all leases to which it is a party as lessee or under which it occupies property, so as to prevent any loss or forfeiture thereof or thereunder, except to the extent the failure to so maintain and preserve or so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h)                Maintenance of Insurance . Maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible and reputable insurance companies or associations (including, without limitation, comprehensive general liability, hazard, flood, rent, worker's compensation and business interruption insurance) with respect to the Collateral and its other properties (including all real property leased or owned by it) and business, in such amounts and covering such risks as is (i) carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated, (ii) required by any Requirement of Law, (iii) required by any Material Contract and (iv) in any event in amount, adequacy and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. All policies covering the Collateral are to be made payable to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, as their interests may appear, in case of loss, under a standard non-contributory "lender" or "secured party" clause and are to contain such other provisions as the Collateral Agent may require to fully protect the Lenders' interest in the Collateral and to any payments to be made under such policies. All certificates of insurance are to be delivered to the Collateral Agent and the policies are to be premium prepaid, with the loss payable and additional insured endorsement in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, as their respective interests may appear, and such other Persons as the Collateral Agent may designate from time to time, and shall provide for not less than 30 days' (10 days' in the case of non-payment) prior written notice to the Collateral Agent of the exercise of any right of cancellation. If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries fails to maintain such insurance, the Collateral Agent may arrange for such insurance, but at the Borrowers' expense and without any responsibility on the Collateral Agent's part for obtaining the insurance, the solvency of the insurance companies, the adequacy of the coverage, or the collection of claims. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, in the name of the Lenders, any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, to file claims under any insurance policies, to receive, receipt and give acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder, and to execute any and all endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments or other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.

 

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(i)                  Obtaining of Permits, Etc. Obtain, maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to obtain, maintain and preserve, and take all necessary action to timely renew, all permits, licenses, authorizations, approvals, entitlements and accreditations that are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business, in each case, except to the extent the failure to obtain, maintain, preserve or take such action could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(j)                  Environmental .

 

(i)                  Keep the Collateral free of any Environmental Lien;

 

(ii)                Obtain, maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to obtain, maintain and preserve, and take all necessary action to timely renew, all Environmental Permits that are necessary in the proper conduct of its business, and comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, except to the extent the failure to so obtain, maintain, preserve or comply could not reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability;

 

(iii)              Take all commercially reasonable steps to prevent any Release of Hazardous Materials in violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit at, on, under or from any property owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability;

 

(iv)              Provide the Collateral Agent with written notice within ten (10) days of any of the following: (A) discovery of any Release of a Hazardous Material at, on, under or from any property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party, Subsidiary or predecessor in interest or any violation of Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that in any case could reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability; (B) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any Collateral; or (C) a material Environmental Claim against or Environmental Liability of any Loan Party; and provide such reports, documents and information as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

(k)                Fiscal Year . Cause the Fiscal Year of the Parent and its Subsidiaries to end on the same day of the same week of each 52/53 week year as substantially consistent with current practice as of the Effective Date unless the Agents consent to a change in such Fiscal Year (and appropriate related changes to this Agreement).

 

(l)                  Landlord Waivers; Collateral Access Agreements . Obtain written subordinations or waivers or collateral access agreements, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, for (i) each headquarters location of the Loan Parties that is not owned by a Loan Party (whether such property is now existing or acquired after the Effective Date), (ii) each location of the Loan Parties that is not owned by a Loan Party and at which books and records are maintained (whether such property is now existing or acquired after the Effective Date) and (iii) each location of the Loan Parties that is not owned by a Loan Party and at which at any time any Collateral with a fair market value in excess of $250,000 (when aggregated with all other Collateral at the same location) is located (whether such real property is now existing or acquired after the Effective Date).

 

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(m)              After Acquired Real Property . Upon the acquisition by it or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof of any fee interest in any real property (wherever located) (each such interest being a " New Facility ") with a Current Value (as defined below) in excess of $500,000, immediately so notify the Collateral Agent, setting forth with specificity a description of the fee interest acquired, the location of the real property, any structures or improvements thereon and either an appraisal or such Loan Party's good-faith estimate of the current value of such real property (for purposes of this Section, the " Current Value "). The Collateral Agent shall notify such Loan Party whether it intends to require a Mortgage (and any other Real Property Deliverables) with respect to such New Facility. Upon receipt of such notice requesting a Mortgage (and any other Real Property Deliverables), the Person that has acquired such New Facility shall promptly furnish the same to the Collateral Agent. The Borrowers shall pay all fees and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, and all title insurance charges and premiums, in connection with each Loan Party's obligations under this Section 7.01(m).

 

(n)                Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws .

 

(i)                  Maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, policies and procedures designed to promote compliance by each Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

 

(ii)                Comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable Sanctions, Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

 

(iii)              In order to comply with the "know your customer/borrower" requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering Laws, the Borrower is required to provide certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Lender. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees to provide to the Lender, upon their reasonable request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Lender to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

 

(o)                Lender Meetings . Upon the request of any Agent or the Required Lenders (which request, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing, shall not be made more than once in any four-week period), participate in a meeting with the Agents and the attending Lenders by telephone or at the Borrowers' corporate offices (or at such other location as may be agreed to by the Administrative Borrower and such Agent or the Required Lenders) at such time during normal business hours as may be agreed to by the Administrative Borrower and such Agent or the Required Lenders.

 

(p)                [Reserved] .

 

(q)                Certificate of Beneficial Ownership and Other Additional Information . Provide to the Agents and the Lenders (xvi) confirmation of the accuracy of the information set forth in the most recent Certificate of Beneficial Ownership provided to any Agent or any Lender, (xvii) a new Certificate of Beneficial Ownership, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent, when the individual(s) to be identified as a Beneficial Owner have changed and (xviii) such other information and documentation as may reasonably be requested by any Agent or any Lender from time to time for purposes of compliance by such Agent or such Lender with Requirements of Law (including without limitation the USA PATRIOT Act and other "know your customer" and anti-money laundering rules and regulations and further including without limitation all such information and documentation requested in connection with the joinder of a new Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document), and any policy or procedure implemented by such Agent or such Lender to comply therewith.

 

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(r)                  Currency Fluctuation Protection . Enter into and maintain Hedging Agreements on and after January 1, 2019, to the extent necessary to provide that (i) 100% of the foreign currency exposure of the Parent and its Subsidiaries is at all times subject to currency fluctuation protection for a period of not less than the immediately succeeding 90 days and (ii) 50% of the foreign currency exposure of the Parent and its Subsidiaries is at all times subject to currency fluctuation protection for a period of not less than the next succeeding 90 days , which Hedging Agreements shall have terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Agents .

 

(s)                 Further Assurances . Take such action and execute, acknowledge and deliver, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to take such action and execute, acknowledge and deliver, at its sole cost and expense, such agreements, instruments or other documents as any Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order (i) to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) to subject to valid and perfected first priority Liens any of the Collateral or any other property of any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries, (iii) to establish and maintain the validity and effectiveness of any of the Loan Documents and the validity, perfection and priority of the Liens intended to be created thereby, and (iv) to better assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer and confirm unto each Secured Party the rights now or hereafter intended to be granted to it under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. In furtherance of the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Party (i) authorizes each Agent to execute any such agreements, instruments or other documents in such Loan Party's name and to file such agreements, instruments or other documents in any appropriate filing office, (ii) authorizes each Agent to file any financing statement required hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and any continuation statement or amendment with respect thereto, in any appropriate filing office without the signature of such Loan Party, and (iii) ratifies the filing of any financing statement, and any continuation statement or amendment with respect thereto, filed without the signature of such Loan Party prior to the date hereof.

 

Section 7.02         Negative Covenants . So long as any principal of or interest on any Loan or any other Obligation (whether or not due) shall remain unpaid (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, each Loan Party shall not, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:

 

(a)                 Liens, Etc. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien upon or with respect to any of its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; sign or suffer to exist any security agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file such financing statement (or the equivalent thereof) other than, as to all of the above, Permitted Liens.

 

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(b)                Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume, guarantee or suffer to exist, or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume, guarantee or suffer to exist or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness other than Permitted Indebtedness.

 

(c)                 Fundamental Changes; Dispositions .

 

(i)                  Wind-up, liquidate or dissolve, or merge, consolidate or amalgamate with any Person, or enter into any LLC Division or any comparable transaction under any similar law, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do (or agree to do) any of the foregoing; provided , however , that (A) any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of any Domestic Loan Party may be merged into such Domestic Loan Party or another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of such Domestic Loan Party, or may consolidate with another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of such Domestic Loan Party, or (B) any wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of any Foreign Loan Party may be merged into such Foreign Loan Party or another wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of such Foreign Loan Party, or may consolidate with another wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary of such Foreign Loan Party, so long as, in the case of any transaction described in clause (A) or (B): (1) no other provision of this Agreement would be violated thereby, (2) such Loan Party gives the Agents at least 30 days' prior written notice of such merger, consolidation or amalgamation accompanied by true, correct and complete copies of all material agreements, documents and instruments relating to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, including, without limitation, the certificate or certificates of merger or amalgamation to be filed with each appropriate Secretary of State (with a copy as filed promptly after such filing), (3) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing either before or immediately after giving effect to such transaction, (4) the Lenders' rights in any Collateral, including, without limitation, the existence, perfection and priority of any Lien thereon, are not adversely affected by such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, (5) no Holding Company may be a party to any such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, (6) in the case of any merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving a Borrower, a Borrower must be the surviving entity in such merger, consolidation or amalgamation and (7) in the case of any merger, consolidation or amalgamation involving a Loan Party, the surviving Subsidiary, if any, if not already a Loan Party, is joined as a Loan Party hereunder pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and is a party to a Security Document and the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary are the subject of a Security Document, in each case, which is in full force and effect on the date of and immediately after giving effect to such merger, consolidation or amalgamation; provided , further , that any Inactive Subsidiary may be dissolved so long as its assets (if any) are distributed to its direct parent or to a Loan Party; and

 

(ii)                Make any Disposition, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or any part of its business, property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (or agree to do any of the foregoing (unless such agreement is contingent upon the payment in full in cash of the Obligations or the obtaining of the requisite approvals hereunder)), or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the foregoing; provided , however , that any Loan Party and its Subsidiaries may make Permitted Dispositions.

 

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(d)                Change in Nature of Business .

 

(i)                  Make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make, any change in the nature of its principal business as described in Section 6.01(l).

 

(ii)                Permit any Holding Company to have any material liabilities (other than liabilities arising under the Loan Documents and the Revolving Loan Documents), own any material assets (other than the Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries) or engage in any operations or business (other than the ownership of its Subsidiaries).

 

(iii)              Permit any Inactive Subsidiary to have any liabilities (other than liabilities arising under the Loan Documents and the Revolving Loan Documents), own any assets (other than assets having a value of less than $50,000 in the aggregate for all such Inactive Subsidiaries), or engage in any material operations or business (other than the maintenance of its existence and activities incidental thereto).

 

(e)                 Loans, Advances, Investments, Etc. Make or commit or agree to make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries make or commit or agree to make (unless such commitment or agreement is contingent upon the payment in full in cash of the Obligations or the obtaining of the requisite approvals hereunder), any Investment in any other Person (including by operation or as a result of an LLC Division) except for Permitted Investments.

 

(f)                 Sale and Leaseback Transactions . Enter into, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, any Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

(g)                Capital Expenditures . Make or commit or agree to make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make or commit or agree to make, any Capital Expenditure (other than in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or Capitalized Lease) that would cause the aggregate amount of all such Capital Expenditures made by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in any fiscal period set forth in the table below to exceed the amount set forth opposite such fiscal period (plus, in each case, the amount of proceeds of Excluded Equity Issuances received by the Loan Parties in connection with, and within six months of, the making of such Capital Expenditures):

 

Period Capital Expenditure
Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2018 $1,000,000
2019 Fiscal Year $5,000,000
2020 Fiscal Year $5,500,000
2021 Fiscal Year $6,000,000
2022 Fiscal Year $6,500,000
2023 Fiscal Year $7,000,000

 

provided , however , that if the amount of the Capital Expenditures permitted to be made in any fiscal period set forth in the table above is greater than the actual amount of the Capital Expenditures actually made in such fiscal period (the amount by which such permitted Capital Expenditures for such fiscal period exceeds the actual amount of Capital Expenditures for such fiscal period, the " Excess Amount "), then up to 50% of such Excess Amount (such amount, the " Carry-Over Amount ") may be carried forward to the next succeeding fiscal period (the " Succeeding Fiscal Period "); provided that the Carry-Over Amount applicable to a particular Succeeding Fiscal Period may not be carried forward to another fiscal period. Capital Expenditures made by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in any fiscal period shall be deemed to reduce, first, the amount set forth in the table above for such fiscal period and, then, the Carry-Over Amount.

 

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(h)                Restricted Payments . Make or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any Restricted Payment (including by operation or as a result of an LLC Division) other than Permitted Restricted Payments.

 

(i)                  Federal Reserve Regulations . Permit any Loan or the proceeds of any Loan under this Agreement to be used for any purpose that would cause such Loan to be a margin loan under the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board.

 

(j)                  Transactions with Affiliates . Enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, renew, extend or be a party to, any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease, transfer or exchange of property or assets of any kind or the rendering of services of any kind) with any Affiliate, except (i)(A) transactions with Asure Software, Inc. not to exceed $5,000,000 in any Fiscal Year that are consummated in the ordinary course of business for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate thereof and (B) transactions consummated in the ordinary course of business in a manner and to an extent consistent with past practice and necessary or desirable for the prudent operation of its business, for fair consideration and on terms no less favorable to it or its Subsidiaries than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate thereof, and, in the case of this clause (B), that are fully disclosed to the Agents prior to the consummation thereof, if they involve one or more payments by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $100,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions, (ii) transactions with another Loan Party, (iii) transactions permitted by Section 7.02(e) and Section 7.02(h), (iv) sales of Qualified Equity Interests of the Parent to Affiliates of the Parent not otherwise prohibited by the Loan Documents and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith, (v) reasonable and customary director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses and stock option programs), benefits and indemnification arrangements, in each case approved by the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, (vi) transactions among or between Loan Parties otherwise permitted by this Agreement, and (vii) transactions among or between Subsidiaries of the Parent that are not Loan Parties otherwise permitted by this Agreement.

 

(k)                Limitations on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries . Create or otherwise cause, incur, assume, suffer or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of any Loan Party (i) to pay dividends or to make any other distribution on any shares of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary owned by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) to pay or prepay or to subordinate any Indebtedness owed to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) to make loans or advances to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or (iv) to transfer any of its property or assets to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the foregoing; provided , however , that nothing in any of clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 7.02(k) shall prohibit or restrict compliance with:

 

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(A)              the Loan Documents or the Revolving Loan Documents;

 

(B)               any agreement in effect on the date of this Agreement and described on Schedule 7.02(k), or any extension, replacement or continuation of any such agreement; provided , that, any such encumbrance or restriction contained in such extended, replaced or continued agreement is no less favorable to the Agents and the Lenders than the encumbrance or restriction under or pursuant to the agreement so extended, replaced or continued;

 

(C)               any applicable law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, applicable currency control laws and applicable state corporate statutes restricting the payment of dividends in certain circumstances);

 

(D)              in the case of clause (iv), (1) customary restrictions on the subletting, assignment or transfer of any specified property or asset set forth in a lease, license, asset sale agreement or similar contract for the conveyance of such property or asset and (2) instrument or other document evidencing a Permitted Lien (or the Indebtedness secured thereby) from restricting on customary terms the transfer of any property or assets subject thereto;

 

(E)               customary restrictions on dispositions of real property interests in reciprocal easement agreements;

 

(F)                customary restrictions in agreements for the sale of assets on the transfer or encumbrance of such assets during an interim period prior to the closing of the sale of such assets; or

 

(G)              customary restrictions in contracts that prohibit the assignment of such contract.

 

(l)                  Limitations on Negative Pledges . Enter into, incur or permit to exist, or permit any Subsidiary to enter into, incur or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any agreement, instrument, deed, lease or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon the ability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or that requires the grant of any security for an obligation if security is granted for another obligation, except the following: (i) the Loan Documents and the Revolving Loan Documents, (ii) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.02(b) of this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (iii) any customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale or other disposition of assets or of a Subsidiary pending such sale or other disposition; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the assets or Subsidiary to be sold or disposed of and such sale or disposition is permitted hereunder, and (iv) customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment or sublet thereof.

 

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(m)              Modifications of Indebtedness, Organizational Documents and Certain Other Agreements; Etc.

 

(i)                  Amend, modify or otherwise change (or permit the amendment, modification or other change in any manner of) any of the provisions of (A) any of its or its Subsidiaries' Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Loan Obligations) or of any instrument or agreement (including, without limitation, any purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement or security agreement) relating to any such Indebtedness if such amendment, modification or change would shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity of, or require any payment to be made earlier than the date originally scheduled on, such Indebtedness, would increase the interest rate applicable to such Indebtedness, would add any covenant or event of default, would change the subordination provision, if any, of such Indebtedness, or would otherwise be adverse to the Lenders or the issuer of such Indebtedness in any respect or (B) the Revolving Loan Obligations or any Revolving Loan Document if such amendment, modification or change would not be permitted by the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(ii)                except for the Obligations, the Revolving Loan Obligations, Permitted Intercompany Investments (to the extent permitted by the Intercompany Subordination Agreement), Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness (to the extent in respect of assets no longer used in the business of any Loan Party) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing, (A) make any voluntary or optional payment (including, without limitation, any payment of interest in cash that, at the option of the issuer, may be paid in cash or in kind), prepayment, redemption, defeasance, sinking fund payment or other acquisition for value of any of its or its Subsidiaries' Indebtedness (including, without limitation, by way of depositing money or securities with the trustee therefor before the date required for the purpose of paying any portion of such Indebtedness when due), (B) refund, refinance, replace or exchange any other Indebtedness for any such Indebtedness (other than with respect to Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness), (C) make any payment, prepayment, redemption, defeasance, sinking fund payment or repurchase of any Subordinated Indebtedness in violation of the subordination provisions thereof or any subordination agreement with respect thereto, or (D) make any payment, prepayment, redemption, defeasance, sinking fund payment or repurchase of any Indebtedness as a result of any asset sale, change of control, issuance and sale of debt or equity securities or similar event, or give any notice with respect to any of the foregoing;

 

(iii)              amend, modify or otherwise change any of its Governing Documents (including, without limitation, by the filing or modification of any certificate of designation, or any agreement or arrangement entered into by it, but excluding, in any event, amendments, modifications or changes to the Governing Documents of the Parent for increases in issuance of or authorization of issuance of or increases to authorized shares of Qualified Equity Interests of the Parent) with respect to any of its Equity Interests (including any shareholders' agreement), or enter into any new agreement with respect to any of its Equity Interests, except any such amendments, modifications or changes or any such new agreements or arrangements pursuant to this clause (iii) that either individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that no such amendment, modification or change or new agreement or arrangement shall provide for any LLC Division or any comparable transaction under any similar law; or

 

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(iv)              agree to any amendment, modification or other change to or waiver of any of its rights under any Material Contract or any Acquisition Document if such amendment, modification, change or waiver would be materially adverse to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (when taken as a whole with any other amendments, modifications or other changes to such Material Contract or Acquisition Document) or the Agents and the Lenders.

 

(n)                Investment Company Act of 1940 . Engage in any business, enter into any transaction, use any securities or take any other action or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the foregoing, that would cause it or any of its Subsidiaries to become subject to the registration requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by virtue of being an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" not entitled to an exemption within the meaning of such Act.

 

(o)                ERISA . (i) Cause or fail to prevent, or permit any of its ERISA Affiliates to cause or fail to prevent, an ERISA Event that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate, or (ii) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to any Loan Party, adopt, or permit any of its ERISA Affiliates to adopt, any employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA that provides medical, dental or vision benefits to employees after termination of employment, other than (A) as required by Section 4975 of the Code, Section 601 of ERISA or other Requirements of Law, and (B) coverage through the end of the month of termination of employment.

 

(p)                Environmental . Use, handle, generate, store, treat, Release or dispose of Hazardous Materials at any property owned, leased or operated by it or any of its Subsidiaries, except in compliance with Environmental Laws (other than any noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Claim or Environmental Liability).

 

(q)                Accounting Methods . Modify or change, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to modify or change, its method of accounting or accounting principles from those utilized in the preparation of the Financial Statements (other than as may be permitted by or otherwise required to conform to GAAP).

 

(r)                  Sanctioned Persons; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws .

 

(i)                  Conduct, nor permit any of its Subsidiaries to conduct, any business or engage in any transaction or deal with or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person, including the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods or services to, from or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person; or

 

(ii)                Use, nor permit any of its Subsidiaries to use, directly or indirectly, any of the proceeds of any Loan, (A) to fund any activities or business of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any other manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any Person (including by any Person participating in any Loan, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise), or (B) for the purpose 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 or Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

 

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(s)                 Foreign Exchange Availability . Fail to maintain in full force and effect and comply with the terms of all Requirements of Law required to enable it to pay solely and exclusively in Dollars all amounts which a Loan Party is or may be required to pay under the Loan Documents.

 

(t)                  Pari Passu . Fail to take all actions necessary to cause all Obligations to rank at all times at least pari passu in priority in right of payment and in all other respects with all other of unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of any Loan Party.

 

(u)                No Excess Cash . Permit the maintenance of cash and Cash Equivalents in the accounts of all Foreign Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries in excess of (i) with respect to Foreign Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries organized in Mexico, $500,000 at any time outstanding, and (ii) with respect to all other Foreign Loan Parties and Foreign Subsidiaries, $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

 

(v)                Earn-outs . Fund any earn-out payable in respect of the MC Assembly Acquisition with the proceeds of any Indebtedness other than the Term Loan B.

 

Section 7.03         Financial Covenants . So long as any principal of or interest on any Loan or any other Obligation (whether or not due) shall remain unpaid (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, each Loan Party shall not, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:

 

(a)                 Leverage Ratios .

 

(i)                  Permit the Total Leverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of any period of 4 consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for which the last Fiscal Quarter ends on a date set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite such date:

 

Fiscal Quarter End Total Leverage Ratio

December 31, 2018

March 31, 2019

4.50x

4.25x

June 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

4.25x

3.85x

December 31, 2019

March 31, 2020

3.45x

3.30x

June 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

3.10x

2.90x

 

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December 31, 2020

March 31, 2021

2.70x

2.60x

June 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

2.45x

2.35x

December 31, 2021

March 31, 2022

2.35x

2.35x

June 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

2.20x

2.00x

December 31, 2022

March 31, 2023

2.00x

2.00x

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2023

2.00x

2.00x

December 31, 2023

2.00x

 

(ii)                Permit the Senior Leverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of any period of 4 consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for which the last Fiscal Quarter ends on a date set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite such date:

 

Fiscal Quarter End Senior Leverage Ratio

December 31, 2018

March 31, 2019

4.00x

3.50x

June 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

3.25x

2.90x

December 31, 2019

March 31, 2020

2.55x

2.40x

June 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

2.40x

2.20x

December 31, 2020

March 31, 2021

2.00x

1.90x

June 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

1.90x

1.75x

December 31, 2021

March 31, 2022

1.75x

1.75x

 

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June 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

1.75x

1.50x

December 31, 2022

March 31, 2023

1.50x

1.50x

June 30, 2023

September 30, 2023

1.50x

1.50x

December 31, 2023

1.50x

 

(b)                Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of any period of 4 consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for which the last Fiscal Quarter ends on a date set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such date:

 

Fiscal Quarter End Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

December 31, 2018

March 31, 2019

1.35x

1.35x

June 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

1.35x

1.35x

December 31, 2019

March 31, 2020

1.35x

1.50x

June 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

1.50x

1.75x

December 31, 2020

March 31, 2021

1.75x

2.00x

June 30, 2021

September 30, 2021

2.00x

2.00x

December 31, 2021

March 31, 2022

2.00x

2.00x

June 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

2.00x

2.00x

December 31, 2022

March 31, 2023

2.00x

2.00x

June 30, 2023

2.00x

 

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September 30, 2023 2.00x

December 31, 2023

2.00x

 

ARTICLE VIII

CASH MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
AND OTHER COLLATERAL MATTERS

 

Section 8.01         Cash Management Arrangements . (a) The Loan Parties shall (i) establish and maintain cash management services of a type and on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Agents at one or more of the banks set forth on Schedule 8.01 (each a " Cash Management Bank ") and (ii) except as otherwise provided under Section 8.01(b), deposit or cause to be deposited promptly, and in any event no later than the next Business Day after the date of receipt thereof, all proceeds in respect of any Collateral, all Collections (of a nature susceptible to a deposit in a bank account) and all other amounts received by any Loan Party (including payments made by Account Debtors directly to any Loan Party into a Cash Management Account.

 

(b)                On or prior to the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall, with respect to each Cash Management Account (other than Excluded Accounts), deliver to the Collateral Agent a Control Agreement with respect to such Cash Management Account. The Loan Parties shall not maintain, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to maintain, cash, Cash Equivalents or other amounts in any deposit account or securities account, unless the Collateral Agent shall have received a Control Agreement in respect of each such Cash Management Account (other than Excluded Accounts).

 

(c)                 Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a Control Agreement with respect to a Cash Management Account, all amounts received in such Cash Management Account shall at the Administrative Agent's direction be wired each Business Day into the Administrative Agent's Account, except that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent will not direct the Cash Management Bank to transfer funds in such Cash Management Account to the Administrative Agent's Account.

 

(d)                So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrowers may amend Schedule 8.01 to add or replace a Cash Management Bank or Cash Management Account; provided , however , that (i) such prospective Cash Management Bank shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have consented in writing in advance to the opening of such Cash Management Account with the prospective Cash Management Bank, and (ii) prior to the time of the opening of such Cash Management Account, each Loan Party and such prospective Cash Management Bank shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent a Control Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE IX
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Section 9.01         Events of Default . Each of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an " Event of Default "):

 

(a)                 any Borrower shall fail to pay, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), (i) any interest on any Loan, any Collateral Agent Advance, or any fee, indemnity or other amount payable under this Agreement (other than any portion thereof constituting principal of the Loans) or any other Loan Document, and such failure continues for a period of 3 Business Days or (ii) all or any portion of the principal of the Loans;

 

(b)                any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party or by any officer of the foregoing under or in connection with any Loan Document or under or in connection with any certificate or other writing delivered to any Secured Party pursuant to any Loan Document shall have been incorrect in any material respect (or in any respect if such representation or warranty is qualified or modified as to materiality or " Material Adverse Effect " in the text thereof) when made or deemed made;

 

(c)                 (i) any Loan Party shall fail to perform or comply with (A) any covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.01(a) (other than sub-clauses (vii), (viii), (x), (xvi), (xvii), (xviii) and (xx)), Section 7.01(c), Section 7.01(d), Section 7.01(f), Section 7.01(h), Section 7.01(k), Section 7.01(m), Section 7.01(o), Section 7.02 (other than clause (o)) or Section 7.03 or ARTICLE VIII, (B) any negative covenant contained in any Security Document to which it is a party or any Mortgage to which it is a party or (C) any affirmative covenant contained in any Security Document to which it is a party with respect to the delivery of Collateral to the Collateral Agent, (ii) any Loan Party shall fail to perform or comply with any covenant or agreement contained in any Security Document to which it is a party or any Mortgage to which it is a party and not subject to clause (i) of this Section 9.01(c), and such failure, if capable of being remedied, shall remain unremedied for 10 days after the date of such failure, and (iii) any Loan Party shall fail to perform or comply with any covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.01(a)(vii), Section 7.01(a)(viii), Section 7.01(a)(xvi), Section 7.01(a)(xvii), Section 7.01(a)(xviii) or Section 7.01(a)(xx), and such failure, if capable of being remedied, shall remain unremedied for 5 days after the earlier of the date a senior officer of any Loan Party has knowledge of such failure and the date written notice of such default shall have been given by any Agent to such Loan Party;

 

(d)                any Loan Party shall fail to perform or comply with any other term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document to be performed or observed by it and, except as set forth in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 9.01, such failure, if capable of being remedied, shall remain unremedied for 20 days after the earlier of the date a senior officer of any Loan Party has knowledge of such failure and the date written notice of such default shall have been given by any Agent to such Loan Party;

 

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(e)                 the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) any principal, interest or other amount payable in respect of Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement, any Loan Document or any Revolving Loan Document) having an aggregate amount outstanding in excess of $500,000, and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness, or any other default under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness, or any other event, shall occur and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such default or event is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), redeemed, purchased or defeased or an offer to prepay, redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness shall be required to be made, in each case, prior to the stated maturity thereof;

 

(f)                 the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (i) shall institute any proceeding or voluntary case seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking dissolution, liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for any such Person or for any substantial part of its property, (ii) shall be generally not paying its debts as such debts become due or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, (iii) shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (iv) shall take any action to authorize or effect any of the actions set forth above in this subsection (f);

 

(g)                any proceeding shall be instituted against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking dissolution, liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for any such Person or for any substantial part of its property, and either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of 30 days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against any such Person or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its property) shall occur;

 

(h)                any material provision of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason (other than pursuant to the express terms thereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any Loan Party intended to be a party thereto, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by any party thereto, or a proceeding shall be commenced by any Loan Party or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any of them, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or any Loan Party shall deny in writing that it has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document;

 

(i)                  any Security Document, any Mortgage or any other security document, after delivery thereof pursuant hereto, shall for any reason fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, except to the extent permitted by the terms hereof or thereof, first priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders on any Collateral having a fair market value in excess of $500,000 purported to be covered thereby;

 

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(j)                  one or more judgments, orders or awards (or any settlement of any litigation or other proceeding that, if breached, could result in a judgment, order or award) for the payment of money exceeding $500,000 in the aggregate (except to the extent fully covered (other than to the extent of customary deductibles) by insurance pursuant to which the insurer has been notified and has not denied coverage) shall be rendered against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and remain unsatisfied and (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon any such judgment, order, award or settlement or (ii) there shall be a period of 20 consecutive days after entry thereof during which (A) a stay of enforcement thereof is not be in effect or (B) the same is not vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal;

 

(k)                the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by the order of any court or any Governmental Authority from conducting, or otherwise ceases to conduct, for any reason whatsoever, all or any material part of its business, if any such injunction, restraint or order could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(l)                  any material damage to, or loss, theft or destruction of, any Collateral, whether or not insured, or any strike, lockout, labor dispute, embargo, condemnation, act of God or public enemy, or other casualty which causes the cessation or substantial curtailment of revenue producing activities at any facility of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, if any such event or circumstance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(m)              the loss, suspension or revocation of, or failure to renew, any license or permit now held or hereafter acquired by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, if such loss, suspension, revocation or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(n)                the indictment of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under any criminal statute, or the commencement of criminal or civil proceedings against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to proceedings with respect to which the penalties or remedies sought or available include forfeiture to any Governmental Authority of any Collateral having a fair market value in excess of $500,000;

 

(o)                (i) there shall occur one or more ERISA Events that individually or in the aggregate results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, liability of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates in excess of $500,000, or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 4068 of ERISA upon the property or rights to property of any Loan Party or any of its ERISA Affiliates securing a liability in excess of $500,000;

 

(p)                (i) any of the Obligations for any reason shall cease to be "Senior Indebtedness" or "Designated Senior Indebtedness" (or any comparable terms) under, and as defined in, the documents evidencing or governing any Subordinated Indebtedness, (ii) any Indebtedness other than the Obligations and the Revolving Loan Obligations shall constitute "Designated Senior Indebtedness" (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, the documents evidencing or governing any Subordinated Indebtedness, (iii) any holder of Subordinated Indebtedness shall fail to perform or comply with any of the subordination provisions of the documents evidencing or governing such Subordinated Indebtedness, or (iv) any of the subordination provisions of the documents evidencing or governing any Subordinated Indebtedness shall, in whole or in part, terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against any holder of the applicable Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

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(q)                (i) there shall occur and be continuing any "Event of Default" (or any comparable term) under, and as defined in, any Revolving Loan Document or (ii) any of the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall, in whole or in part, terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against the Revolving Loan Agreement or any Revolving Loan Lender; provided that an event of default under the Revolving Loan Documents that is based on a breach of a financial covenant under the Revolving Loan Agreement shall not become a Default or an Event of Default under this Agreement unless such event of default under the Revolving Loan Documents shall continue after the applicable grace period therefor and shall not have been cured or waived within forty-five (45) days after the date on which the Loan Parties are required to have delivered financial statements to the Revolving Loan Agent or any Revolving Loan Lender evidencing the occurrence of such event of default under the Revolving Loan Documents;

 

(r)                  a Change of Control shall have occurred; or

 

(s)                 the operations of any Loan Party’s material manufacturing facilities (as of the Effective Date, it is agreed that the manufacturing facility located at Washington #3701 Building 20, Chihuahua, Mexico C.P. 31200 Mexico is material) are interrupted at any time for any period of 10 consecutive days (other than scheduled shut downs), unless such Loan Party shall (i) maintain a backup plan reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent or present a plan reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent evidencing that such interruption will not materially affect such Loan Party’s manufacturing or sales of its products; or (ii) (A) be entitled to receive for such period of interruption, proceeds of business interruption insurance sufficient to assure that its per diem cash needs during such period is at least equal to its average per diem cash needs for the 3 consecutive-month period immediately preceding the initial date of interruption and (B) receive such proceeds in the amount described in clause (ii)(A) preceding not later than 30 days following the initial date of any such interruption; provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of clause (ii)(A) and (ii)(B) of this Section, an Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred if such Loan Party shall be receiving the proceeds of business interruption insurance for a period of 30 consecutive days or more;

 

then, and in any such event, the Collateral Agent may, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Administrative Borrower, (i) terminate or reduce all Commitments, whereupon all Commitments shall immediately be so terminated or reduced, (ii) declare all or any portion of the Loans then outstanding to be accelerated and due and payable, whereupon all or such portion of the aggregate principal of all Loans, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, all fees and all other amounts payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall become due and payable immediately, together with the payment of the Applicable Premium with respect to the Commitments so terminated and the Loans so repaid, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Loan Party and (iii) exercise any and all of its other rights and remedies under applicable law, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided , however , that upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in subsection (f) or (g) of this Section 9.01 with respect to any Loan Party, without any notice to any Loan Party or any other Person or any act by any Agent or any Lender, all Commitments shall automatically terminate and all Loans then outstanding, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, all fees and all other amounts due under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Applicable Premium, shall be accelerated and become due and payable automatically and immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Loan Party.

 

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ARTICLE X
AGENTS

 

Section 10.01     Appointment . Each Lender (and each subsequent maker of any Loan by its making thereof) hereby irrevocably appoints, authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to perform the duties of each such Agent as set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, including: (i) to receive on behalf of each Lender any payment of principal of or interest on the Loans outstanding hereunder and all other amounts accrued hereunder for the account of the Lenders and paid to such Agent, and, subject to Section 2.02 of this Agreement, to distribute promptly to each Lender its Pro Rata Share of all payments so received; (ii) to distribute to each Lender copies of all material notices and agreements received by such Agent and not required to be delivered to each Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, provided that the Agents shall not have any liability to the Lenders for any Agent's inadvertent failure to distribute any such notices or agreements to the Lenders; (iii) to maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Obligations, the Loans, and related matters and to maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Collateral and related matters; (iv) to execute or file any and all financing or similar statements or notices, amendments, renewals, supplements, documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written agreements with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (v) to make the Loans and Collateral Agent Advances, for such Agent or on behalf of the applicable Lenders as provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (vi) to perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lenders with respect to the Loan Parties, the Obligations, or otherwise related to any of same to the extent reasonably incidental to the exercise by such Agent of the rights and remedies specifically authorized to be exercised by such Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (vii) to incur and pay such fees necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (viii) subject to Section 10.03, to take such action as such Agent deems appropriate on its behalf to administer the Loans and the Loan Documents and to exercise such other powers delegated to such Agent by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the power to give or to refuse to give notices, waivers, consents, approvals and instructions and the power to make or to refuse to make determinations and calculations); and (ix) to act with respect to all Collateral under the Loan Documents, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of the Loans), the Agents shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of 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), and such instructions of 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) shall be binding upon all Lenders and all makers of Loans; provided , however , the Agents shall not be required to take any action which, in the reasonable opinion of any Agent, exposes such Agent to liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable law.

 

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Section 10.02     Nature of Duties; Delegation . (a) The Agents shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents. The duties of the Agents shall be mechanical and administrative in nature. The Agents shall not have by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, express or implied, is intended to or shall be construed to impose upon the Agents any obligations in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document except as expressly set forth herein or therein. Each Lender shall make its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Loan Parties in connection with the making and the continuance of the Loans hereunder and shall make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and the value of the Collateral, and the Agents shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into their possession before the initial Loan hereunder or at any time or times thereafter, provided that, upon the reasonable request of a Lender, each Agent shall provide to such Lender any documents or reports delivered to such Agent by the Loan Parties pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. If any Agent seeks the consent or approval of 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) to the taking or refraining from taking any action hereunder, such Agent shall send notice thereof to each Lender. Each Agent shall promptly notify each Lender any time that 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) have instructed such Agent to act or refrain from acting pursuant hereto.

 

(b)                Each Agent may, upon any term or condition it specifies, delegate or exercise any of its rights, powers and remedies under, and delegate or perform any of its duties or any other action with respect to, any Loan Document by or through any trustee, co-agent, employee, attorney-in-fact and any other Person (including any Lender). Any such Person shall benefit from this ARTICLE X to the extent provided by the applicable Agent.

 

Section 10.03     Rights, Exculpation, Etc. The Agents and their directors, officers, agents or employees shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by them under

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or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agents (i) may treat the payee of any Loan as the owner thereof until the Collateral Agent receives written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof, pursuant to Section 12.07 hereof, signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; (ii) may consult with legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to any Agent or counsel to the Loan Parties), independent public accountants, and other experts selected by any of them and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by any of them in accordance with the advice of such counsel or experts; (iii) make no warranty or representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for any statements, certificates, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; (iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents on the part of any Person, the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default (for the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or a Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default, and stating that such notice is a "notice of default"), or to inspect the Collateral or other property (including, without limitation, the books and records) of any Person; (v) shall not be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; and (vi) shall not be deemed to have made any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectibility of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Collateral Agent's Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Agents be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral. The Agents shall not be liable for any apportionment or distribution of payments made in good faith pursuant to Section 4.03, and if any such apportionment or distribution is subsequently determined to have been made in error, and the sole recourse of any Lender to whom payment was due but not made shall be to recover from other Lenders any payment in excess of the amount which they are determined to be entitled. The Agents may at any time request instructions from the Lenders with respect to any actions or approvals which by the terms of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents the Agents are permitted or required to take or to grant, and if such instructions are promptly requested, the Agents shall be absolutely entitled to refrain from taking any action or to withhold any approval under any of the Loan Documents until they shall have received such instructions from the Required Lenders. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of 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).

 

Section 10.04     Reliance . Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any written notices, statements, certificates, orders or other documents or any telephone message believed by it in good faith to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person, and with respect to all matters pertaining to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and its duties hereunder or thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it.

 

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Section 10.05     Indemnification . To the extent that any Agent is not reimbursed and indemnified by any Loan Party, and whether or not such Agent has made demand on any Loan Party for the same, the Lenders will, within five days of written demand by such Agent, reimburse such Agent for and indemnify such Agent from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, client charges and expenses of counsel or any other advisor to such Agent), advances or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, in proportion to each Lender's Pro Rata Share, including, without limitation, advances and disbursements made pursuant to Section 10.08; provided , however , that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses, advances or disbursements for which there has been a final non-appealable judicial determination that such liability resulted from such Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 10.05 shall survive the payment in full of the Loans and the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.06     Agents Individually . With respect to its Pro Rata Share of the Total Term Loan Commitment hereunder and the Loans made by it, each Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or maker of a Loan. The terms " Lenders " or " Required Lenders " or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender or one of the Required Lenders. Each Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with any Borrower as if it were not acting as an Agent pursuant hereto without any duty to account to the other Lenders.

 

Section 10.07     Successor Agent . (a) Any Agent may at any time give at least 30 days prior written notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Administrative Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent with the written consent of the Administrative Borrower; provided that, the written consent of the Administrative Borrower (i) shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, (ii) shall not be required upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (iii) shall not be required in connection with the appointment of any Lender as successor Agent and (iv) shall be deemed given if not denied by the Administrative Borrower within 5 Business Days of the date of the request therefor and, with respect to any denial, shall be accompanied by a written explanation thereof. If no such successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring 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 Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent. Whether or not a successor Agent has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

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(b)       With effect from the Resignation Effective Date, (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any Collateral held by such Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through such retiring Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as a successor Agent shall have been appointed as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor's Agent's appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. After the retiring Agent's resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article, Section 12.04 and Section 12.15 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while the retiring Agent was acting as Agent.

 

Section 10.08     Collateral Matters .

 

(a)                 The Collateral Agent may from time to time make such disbursements and advances (" Collateral Agent Advances ") which the Collateral Agent, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable to preserve, protect, prepare for sale or lease or dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof, to enhance the likelihood or maximize the amount of repayment by the Borrowers of the Loans and other Obligations or to pay any other amount chargeable to the Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, costs, fees and expenses as described in Section 12.04. The Collateral Agent Advances shall be repayable on demand and be secured by the Collateral and shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to Reference Rate Loans. The Collateral Agent Advances shall constitute Obligations hereunder which may be charged to the Loan Account in accordance with Section 4.01. The Collateral Agent shall notify each Lender and the Administrative Borrower in writing of each such Collateral Agent Advance, which notice shall include a description of the purpose of such Collateral Agent Advance. Without limitation to its obligations pursuant to Section 10.05, each Lender agrees that it shall make available to the Collateral Agent, upon the Collateral Agent's demand, in Dollars in immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of each such Collateral Agent Advance. If such funds are not made available to the Collateral Agent by such Lender, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to recover such funds on demand from such Lender, together with interest thereon for each day from the date such payment was due until the date such amount is paid to the Collateral Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate for three Business Days and thereafter at the Reference Rate.

 

(b)                The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Collateral Agent upon any Collateral upon termination of the Total Term Loan Commitment and payment and satisfaction of all Loans and all other Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) in accordance with the terms hereof; or constituting property being sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of any Loan Party's business or otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; or constituting property in which the Loan Parties owned no interest at the time the Lien was granted or at any time thereafter; or if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Lenders in accordance with Section 12.02. Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent's authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 10.08(b).

 

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(c)                 Without in any manner limiting the Collateral Agent's authority to act without any specific or further authorization or consent by the Lenders (as set forth in Section 10.08(b)), each Lender agrees to confirm in writing, upon request by the Collateral Agent, the authority to release Collateral conferred upon the Collateral Agent under Section 10.08(b). Upon receipt by the Collateral Agent of confirmation from the Lenders of its authority to release any particular item or types of Collateral, and upon prior written request by any Loan Party, the Collateral Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Lenders to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders upon such Collateral; provided , however , that (i) the Collateral Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in the Collateral Agent's opinion, would expose the Collateral Agent to liability or create any obligations or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty, and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Obligations or any Lien upon (or obligations of any Loan Party in respect of) all interests in the Collateral retained by any Loan Party.

 

(d)                Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Loan Parties, each Agent and each Lender hereby agree that (i) no Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral under any Loan Document or to enforce any Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof, (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale and (iii) the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of the Agents and the Lenders (but not any other Agent or any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral to be sold (A) at any public or private sale, (B) at any sale conducted by the Collateral Agent under the provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code), (C) at any sale or foreclosure conducted by the Collateral Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with applicable law or (D) any sale conducted pursuant to the provisions of any Debtor Relief Law (including Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code), to use and apply all or any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale.

 

(e)                 The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Lender to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by the Loan Parties or is cared for, protected or insured or has been encumbered or that the Lien granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document has been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected or enforced or is entitled to any particular priority, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to the Collateral Agent in this Section 10.08 or in any other Loan Document, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission or event related thereto, the Collateral Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion, given the Collateral Agent's own interest in the Collateral as one of the Lenders and that the Collateral Agent shall have no duty or liability whatsoever to any other Lender, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

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Section 10.09     Agency for Perfection . Each Agent and each Lender hereby appoints each other Agent and each other Lender as agent and bailee for the purpose of perfecting the security interests in and liens upon the Collateral in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, can be perfected only by possession or control (or where the security interest of a secured party with possession or control has priority over the security interest of another secured party) and each Agent and each Lender hereby acknowledges that it holds possession of or otherwise controls any such Collateral for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders as secured party. Should the Administrative Agent or any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall notify the Collateral Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Collateral Agent's request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Collateral Agent or in accordance with the Collateral Agent's instructions. In addition, the Collateral Agent shall also have the power and authority hereunder to appoint such other sub-agents as may be necessary or required under applicable state law or otherwise to perform its duties and enforce its rights with respect to the Collateral and under the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party by its execution and delivery of this Agreement hereby consents to the foregoing.

 

Section 10.10     No Reliance on any Agent's Customer Identification Program . Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on any Agent to carry out such Lender's, Affiliate's, participant's or assignee's customer identification program, or other requirements imposed by the USA PATRIOT Act or the regulations issued thereunder, including the regulations set forth in 31 C.F.R. §§ 1010.100(yy), (iii), 1020.100, and 1020.220 (formerly 31 C.F.R. § 103.121), as hereafter amended or replaced (" CIP Regulations "), or any other Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Loan Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (1) any identity verification procedures, (2) any recordkeeping, (3) comparisons with government lists, (4) customer notices or (5) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or other regulations issued under the USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender, Affiliate, participant or assignee subject to Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act will perform the measures necessary to satisfy its own responsibilities under the CIP Regulations.

 

Section 10.11     No Third Party Beneficiaries . The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and no Loan Party shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

Section 10.12     No Fiduciary Relationship . It is understood and agreed that the use of the term "agent" herein or in any other Loan Document (or any other similar term) with reference to any 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.

 

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Section 10.13     Reports; Confidentiality; Disclaimers . By becoming a party to this Agreement, each Lender:

 

(a)                 is deemed to have requested that each Agent furnish such Lender, promptly after it becomes available, a copy of each field audit or examination report with respect to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a " Report ") prepared by or at the request of such Agent, and each Agent shall so furnish each Lender with each such Report,

 

(b)                expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Agents (i) do not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy of any Reports, and (ii) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Reports,

 

(c)                 expressly agrees and acknowledges that the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, that any Agent or other party performing any audit or examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Parent and its Subsidiaries and will rely significantly upon the Parent's and its Subsidiaries' books and records, as well as on representations of their personnel,

 

(d)                agrees to keep all Reports and other material, non-public information regarding the Parent and its Subsidiaries and their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans in a confidential manner in accordance with Section 12.19, and

 

(e)                 without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, agrees: (i) to hold any Agent and any other Lender preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or fail to take or any conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any loans or other credit accommodations that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrowers, or the indemnifying Lender's participation in, or the indemnifying Lender's purchase of, a loan or loans of the Borrowers, and (ii) to pay and protect, and indemnify, defend and hold any Agent and any other Lender preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including, attorneys' fees and costs) incurred by any such Agent and any such other Lender preparing a Report as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

 

Section 10.14     Collateral Custodian . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default, the Collateral Agent or its designee may at any time and from time to time employ and maintain on the premises of any Loan Party a custodian selected by the Collateral Agent or its designee who shall have full authority to do all acts necessary to protect the Agents' and the Lenders' interests. Each Loan Party hereby agrees to, and to cause its Subsidiaries to, cooperate with any such custodian and to do whatever the Collateral Agent or its designee may reasonably request to preserve the Collateral. All costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent or its designee by reason of the employment of the custodian shall be the responsibility of the Borrowers and charged to the Loan Account.

 

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Section 10.15     Intercreditor Agreement . Each Lender hereby grants to the Collateral Agent all requisite authority to enter into or otherwise become bound by, and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights and remedies under and in accordance with the terms of, the Intercreditor Agreement and to bind the Lenders thereto by the Collateral Agent's entering into or otherwise becoming bound thereby, and no further consent or approval on the part of any Lender is or will be required in connection with the performance by the Collateral Agent of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Section 10.16     [ Reserved ].

 

Section 10.17     Collateral Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Collateral 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 any Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) 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 Secured Parties (including any claim for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Secured Parties and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Secured Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents) 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 Secured Party to make such payments to the Collateral Agent and, in the event that the Collateral Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Secured Parties, to pay to the Collateral Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Collateral Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

ARTICLE XI
GUARANTY

 

Section 11.01     Guaranty . Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally and unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the punctual payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all Obligations of the Borrowers now or hereafter existing under any Loan Document, whether for principal, interest (including, without limitation, all interest that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding of any Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such Insolvency Proceeding) fees, commissions, expense reimbursements, indemnifications or otherwise (such obligations, to the extent not paid by the Borrowers, being the " Guaranteed Obligations "), and agrees to pay any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Secured Parties in enforcing any rights under the guaranty set forth in this ARTICLE XI. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor's liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Guaranteed Obligations and would be owed by the Borrowers to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document but for the fact that they are unenforceable or not allowable due to the existence of an Insolvency Proceeding involving any Borrower. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, Guaranteed Obligations shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations. In no event shall the obligation of any Guarantor hereunder exceed the maximum amount such Guarantor could guarantee under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

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Section 11.02     Guaranty Absolute . Each Guarantor jointly and severally guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, regardless of any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto. Each Guarantor agrees that this ARTICLE XI constitutes a guaranty of payment when due and not of collection and waives any right to require that any resort be made by any Agent or any Lender to any Collateral. The obligations of each Guarantor under this ARTICLE XI are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against each Guarantor to enforce such obligations, irrespective of whether any action is brought against any Loan Party or whether any Loan Party is joined in any such action or actions. The liability of each Guarantor under this ARTICLE XI shall be irrevocable, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now or hereafter have in any way relating to, any or all of the following:

 

(a)                 any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(b)                any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any increase in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from the extension of additional credit to any Loan Party or otherwise;

 

(c)                 any taking, exchange, release or non-perfection of any Collateral, or any taking, release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(d)                the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that any Guarantor may have at any time against any Person, including, without limitation, any Secured Party;

 

(e)                 any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate, limited liability company or partnership structure or existence of any Loan Party; or

 

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(f)                 any other circumstance (including, without limitation, any statute of limitations) or any existence of or reliance on any representation by the Secured Parties that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any other guarantor or surety.

 

This ARTICLE XI shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by Secured Parties or any other Person upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

 

Section 11.03     Waiver . Each Guarantor hereby waives (i) promptness and diligence, (ii) notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this ARTICLE XI and any requirement that the Secured Parties exhaust any right or take any action against any Loan Party or any other Person or any Collateral, (iii) any right to compel or direct any Secured Party to seek payment or recovery of any amounts owed under this ARTICLE XI from any one particular fund or source or to exhaust any right or take any action against any other Loan Party, any other Person or any Collateral, (iv) any requirement that any Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or Lien on any property subject thereto or exhaust any right to take any action against any Loan Party, any other Person or any Collateral, and (v) any other defense available to any Guarantor. Each Guarantor agrees that the Secured Parties shall have no obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Guarantor or against, or in payment of, any or all of the Obligations. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated herein and that the waiver set forth in this Section 11.03 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits. Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to revoke this ARTICLE XI, and acknowledges that this ARTICLE XI is continuing in nature and applies to all Guaranteed Obligations, whether existing now or in the future.

 

Section 11.04     Continuing Guaranty; Assignments . This ARTICLE XI is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the later of the cash payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) and all other amounts payable under this ARTICLE XI and the Final Maturity Date, (b) be binding upon each Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Secured Parties and their successors, pledgees, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), any Lender may pledge, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments or its Loans owing to it) to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted such Lender herein or otherwise, in each case as provided in Section 12.07.

 

Section 11.05     Subrogation . No Guarantor will exercise any rights that it may now or hereafter acquire against any Loan Party or any other guarantor that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor's obligations under this ARTICLE XI, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of the Secured Parties against any Loan Party or any other guarantor or any Collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from any Loan Party or any other guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security solely on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) and all other amounts payable under this ARTICLE XI shall have been paid in full in cash and the Final Maturity Date shall have occurred. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the later of the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnity Obligations) and all other amounts payable under this ARTICLE XI and the Final Maturity Date, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Secured Parties to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this ARTICLE XI, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or to be held as Collateral for any Guaranteed Obligations or other amounts payable under this ARTICLE XI thereafter arising. If (i) any Guarantor shall make payment to the Secured Parties of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) all of the Guaranteed Obligations and all other amounts payable under this ARTICLE XI shall be paid in full in cash and (iii) the Final Maturity Date shall have occurred, the Secured Parties will, at such Guarantor's request and expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Guarantor of an interest in the Guaranteed Obligations resulting from such payment by such Guarantor.

 

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Section 11.06     Contribution . All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves, in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this Guaranty. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor under this Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Guarantor's Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. " Fair Share " means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Guarantor, to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Guarantors multiplied by, (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Guarantors under this Guaranty in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations. " Fair Share Contribution Amount " means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state law; provided , solely for purposes of calculating the "Fair Share Contribution Amount" with respect to any Guarantor for purposes of this Section 11.06, any assets or liabilities of such Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Guarantor. " Aggregate Payments " means, with respect to any Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (A) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty (including, without limitation, in respect of this Section 11.06), minus (B) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Guarantor from the other Guarantors as contributions under this Section 11.06. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Guarantor. The allocation among Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 11.06 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 11.06.

 

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ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01     Notices, Etc.

 

(a)                 Notices Generally . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand, sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, or telecopier. In the case of notices or other communications to any Loan Party, Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, they shall be sent to the respective address set forth below (or, as to each party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties complying as to delivery with the terms of this Section 12.01):

 

SMTC Corporation
7050 Woodbine Avenue, Suite 300
Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 4G8
Attention:
Telephone:
Email:

 

with a copy to:

 

Perkins Coie LLP
505 Howard Street, Suite 1000
San Francisco, California 94105

Attention:
Telephone:
Telecopier:

Email:

 

if to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, to it at the following address:

 

TCW Asset Management Company LLC
200 Clarendon Street, 51st Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Attention:
Telephone:
Email:

 

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in each case, with a copy to:

 

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention:
Telephone:
Telecopier:
Email:

 

and a copy to:

 

Cortland Capital Market Services LLC
225 W. Washington Street, 9 th Floor
Chicago, Illinois  60606
Attention: 
Telephone: 
Telecopier: 
Email: 

 

All notices or other communications sent in accordance with this Section 12.01, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail; provided , that (i) notices sent by overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received and (ii) notices 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), provided , further that notices to any Agent pursuant to Article II shall not be effective until received by such Agent.

 

(b)                Electronic Communications .

 

(i)                  Each Agent and the Administrative Borrower may, 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. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Agents, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Agents that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.

 

(ii)                Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (A) 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 (B) 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 (A), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (A) and (B) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

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Section 12.02     Amendments, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed (x) in the case of an amendment, consent or waiver to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency or granting a new Lien for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders or extending an existing Lien over additional property, by the Agents and the Borrowers (or by the Administrative Borrower on behalf of the Borrowers), (y) in the case of any other waiver or consent, by the Required Lenders (or by the Collateral Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) with a copy to each Agent (if not a signatory thereto) and (z) in the case of any other amendment, by the Required Lenders (or by the Collateral Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders), with a copy to each Agent (if not a signatory thereto), and the Borrowers (or by the Administrative Borrower on behalf of the Borrowers), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(i)                  increase the Commitment of any Lender, reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Loans payable to any Lender, reduce the amount of any fee payable for the account of any Lender, or postpone or extend any scheduled date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest or fees on, the Loans payable to any Lender, in each case, without the written consent of such Lender;

 

(ii)                increase the Total Term Loan Commitment without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(iii)              change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans that is required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(iv)              amend the definition of "Required Lenders" or "Pro Rata Share" without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(v)                release all or a substantial portion of the Collateral (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents), subordinate any Lien granted in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders, or release any Borrower or any Guarantor (except in connection with a Disposition of the Equity Interests thereof permitted by Section 7.02(c)(ii)), in each case, without the written consent of each Lender; or

 

(vi)              amend, modify or waive Section 4.02, Section 4.03 or this Section 12.02 of this Agreement without the written consent of each Lender.

 

(b)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 12.02(a):

 

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(i)                  no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by an Agent, affect the rights or duties of such Agent (but not in its capacity as a Lender) under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;

 

(ii)                any amendment, waiver or consent to any provision of this Agreement (including Sections 4.01 and 4.02) that permits any Loan Party, any equity holder of the Parent or any of their respective Affiliates to purchase Loans on a non-pro rata basis, become an eligible assignee pursuant to Section 12.07 and/or make offers to make optional prepayments on a non-pro rata basis shall require the prior written consent of the Required Lenders rather than the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(iii)              no consent of any Loan Party shall be required to change any order of priority set forth in Section 2.05(d) and Section 4.03;

 

(iv)              if the Administrative Agent determines that either inadequate or insufficient quotations of the London interbank offered rate exist or the use of "LIBOR" has been or will be discontinued, the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders and the Administrative Borrower may amend the definition of "LIBOR" and other related provisions to provide for a substitute interest rate index and to include other provisions that are at such time customary in the lending markets of the Administrative Agent and such Required Lenders (as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, such determination to be conclusive absent manifest error); and

 

(v)                no Defaulting Lender, Loan Party, equity holder of the Parent or any of their respective Affiliates that is a Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent under the Loan Documents and any Loans held by such Person for purposes hereof shall be automatically deemed to be voted pro rata according to the Loans of all other Lenders in the aggregate (other than such Defaulting Lender, Loan Party, equity holder of the Parent or Affiliate).

 

(c)                 If any action to be taken by the Lenders hereunder requires the consent, authorization, or agreement of all of the Lenders or any Lender affected thereby, and a Lender (the " Holdout Lender ") fails to give its consent, authorization, or agreement, then the Collateral Agent, upon at least 5 Business Days prior irrevocable notice to the Holdout Lender, may permanently replace the Holdout Lender with one or more substitute lenders (each, a " Replacement Lender "), and the Holdout Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder. Such notice to replace the Holdout Lender shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than 15 Business Days after the date such notice is given. Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Holdout Lender and each Replacement Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance, subject only to the Holdout Lender being repaid its share of the outstanding Obligations without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever. If the Holdout Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Acceptance prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Holdout Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Acceptance. The replacement of any Holdout Lender shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 12.07. Until such time as the Replacement Lenders shall have acquired all of the Obligations, the Commitments, and the other rights and obligations of the Holdout Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Holdout Lender shall remain obligated to make its Pro Rata Share of Loans.

 

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Section 12.03     No Waiver; Remedies, Etc. No failure on the part of any Agent or any Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right under any Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The rights and remedies of the Agents and the Lenders provided herein and in the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies provided by law. The rights of the Agents and the Lenders under any Loan Document against any party thereto are not conditional or contingent on any attempt by the Agents and the Lenders to exercise any of their rights under any other Loan Document against such party or against any other Person.

 

Section 12.04     Expenses; Taxes; Attorneys' Fees . The Borrowers will pay, within ten days of written demand, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of each Agent (and, in the case of clauses (c) through (f) and (j) through (m) below, each Lender), regardless of whether the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, including, without limitation, reasonable fees, costs, client charges and expenses of counsel for each Agent (and, in the case of clauses (c) through (f) and (j) through (m) below, each Lender), accounting, due diligence, periodic field audits, physical counts, valuations, investigations, searches and filings, monitoring of assets, appraisals of Collateral, the rating of the Loans, title searches and reviewing environmental assessments, miscellaneous disbursements, examination, travel, lodging and meals, arising from or relating to: (a) the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, performance and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the preparation of any additional Loan Documents pursuant to Section 7.01(b) or the review of any of the agreements, instruments and documents referred to in Section 7.01(f)), (b) any requested amendments, waivers or consents to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents whether or not such documents become effective or are given, (c) the preservation and protection of the Agents' or any of the Lenders' rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (d) the defense of any claim or action asserted or brought against any Agent or any Lender by any Person that arises from or relates to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Agents' or the Lenders' claims against any Loan Party, or any and all matters in connection therewith, (e) the commencement or defense of, or intervention in, any court proceeding arising from or related to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (f) the filing of any petition, complaint, answer, motion or other pleading by any Agent or any Lender, or the taking of any action in respect of the Collateral or other security, in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (g) the protection, collection, lease, sale, taking possession of or liquidation of, any Collateral or other security in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (h) any attempt to enforce any Lien or security interest in any Collateral or other security in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (i) any attempt to collect from any Loan Party, (j) any Environmental Claim, Environmental Liability or Remedial Action arising from or in connection with the past, present or future operations of, or any property currently, formerly or in the future owned, leased or operated by, any Loan Party, any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor in interest, (k) any Environmental Lien, (l) the rating of the Loans by one or more rating agencies in connection with any Lender's Securitization, or (m) the receipt by any Agent or any Lender of any advice from professionals with respect to any of the foregoing. Without limitation of the foregoing or any other provision of any Loan Document: (x) the Borrowers agree to pay all broker fees that may become due in respect of any brokers retained by the Borrowers connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (y) if the Borrowers fail to perform any covenant or agreement contained herein or in any other Loan Document, any Agent may itself perform or cause performance of such covenant or agreement, and the reasonable expenses of such Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be reimbursed on demand by the Borrowers. The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 12.04 shall survive the repayment of the Obligations and discharge of any Liens granted under the Loan Documents.

 

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Section 12.05     Right of Set-off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any Agent or any Lender may, and is hereby authorized to, at any time and from time to time, without notice to any Loan Party (any such notice being expressly waived by the Loan Parties) and to the fullest extent permitted by law, set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by such Agent or such Lender or any of their respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all obligations of the Loan Parties either now or hereafter existing under any Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or thereunder and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of set-off, (a) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04 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 Agents and the Lenders, and (b) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of set-off. Each Agent and each Lender agrees to notify such Loan Party promptly after any such set-off and application made by such Agent or such Lender or any of their respective Affiliates provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of the Agents and the Lenders under this Section 12.05 are in addition to the other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) which the Agents and the Lenders may have under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents of law or otherwise.

 

Section 12.06     Severability . Any provision of this Agreement which 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 portions hereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 12.07     Assignments and Participations .

 

(a)                 This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Loan Party and each Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns; provided , however , that none of the Loan Parties may assign or transfer any of its rights hereunder or under the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of each Lender and any such assignment without the Lenders' prior written consent shall be null and void.

 

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(b)                Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (c) below, each Lender may assign to one or more other lenders or other entities all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to all or a portion of its Term Loan Commitment and any Term Loan made by it with the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Borrower; provided , however , that (i) no written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Borrower shall be required if such assignment is in connection with any merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or any substantial portion of the business or loan portfolio of such Lender and (ii) the written consent of the Administrative Borrower (A) shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, (B) shall not be required in connection with any assignment by a Lender to a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender, (C) shall not be required (1) if such assignment is to a Person other than a Competitor, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and (2) if such assignment is to a Competitor, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 9.01(a), Section 9.01(c) (solely with respect to the failure of the Loan Parties to perform or comply with any covenant or agreement contained in Section 7.02(g) or Section 7.03), Section 9.01(f) or Section 9.01(g) and (D) shall be deemed given if not denied by the Administrative Borrower within 5 Business Days of the date of the request therefor and, with respect to any denial, shall be accompanied by a written explanation thereof.

 

(c)                 Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(i)                  Each such assignment shall be in an amount which is at least $5,000,000 or a multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remainder of such Lender's Commitment) (except such minimum amount shall not apply to an assignment by a Lender to (A) a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender or (B) a group of new Lenders, each of whom is an Affiliate or Related Fund of each other to the extent the aggregate amount to be assigned to all such new Lenders is at least $5,000,000 or a multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof);

 

(ii)                The parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Collateral Agent), for its acceptance, an Assignment and Acceptance, together with any promissory note subject to such assignment and any information required by Section 7.02(q), and such parties shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, a processing and recordation fee of $5,000 (except the payment of such fee shall not be required in connection with an assignment by a Lender to a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or a Related Fund of such Lender), a duly executed IRS Form W-9, and all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act; and

 

(iii)              No such assignment shall be made to (A) any Loan Party, any equity holder of the Parent or any of their respective Affiliates or (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Affiliates, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

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(d)                Upon the execution, delivery and acceptance of each Assignment and Acceptance, from and after the effective date specified therein and recordation thereof by the Administrative Agent on the Register in accordance with Section 12.07(f), (A) the assignee thereunder shall become a "Lender" hereunder and, in addition to the rights and obligations hereunder held by it immediately prior to such effective date, have the rights and obligations hereunder that have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto). No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this clause (d).

 

(e)                 By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender and the assignee thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto; (ii) the assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or the performance or observance by any Loan Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other documents and information it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (iv) such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon the assigning Lender, any Agent or any Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (v) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agents to take such action as agents on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agents by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental hereto and thereto; and (vi) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

(f)                 The Administrative Agent shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain, or cause to be maintained at the Payment Office, a copy of each fully completed Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it by the Collateral Agent and a register (the " Register ") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitments of, and the principal amount of the Loans (and stated interest thereon) (the " Registered Loans ") owing to each Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Agents and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Administrative Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior written notice.

 

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(g)                Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of a fully completed Assignment and Acceptance, $5,000 processing and recordation fee, if applicable, a duly executed IRS Form W-9, and all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Administrative Agent shall record the information contained therein in the Register (as adjusted to reflect any principal payments on or amounts capitalized and added to the principal balance of the Loans and/or Commitment reductions made subsequent to the effective date of the applicable assignment, as confirmed in writing by the corresponding assignor and assignee in conjunction with delivery of the assignment to the Collateral Agent).

 

(h)                A Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be assigned or sold in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide). Any assignment or sale of all or part of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by registration of such assignment or sale on the Register, together with the surrender of the registered note, if any, evidencing the same duly endorsed by (or accompanied by a written instrument of assignment or sale duly executed by) the holder of such registered note, whereupon, at the request of the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s), one or more new registered notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the designated assignee(s) or transferee(s).

 

(i)                  In the event that any Lender sells participations in a Registered Loan, such Lender shall, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent on behalf of the Borrowers, maintain, or cause to be maintained, a register, on which it enters the name of all participants in the Registered Loans held by it and the principal amount (and stated interest thereon) of the portion of the Registered Loan that is the subject of the participation (the " Participant Register "). A Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be participated in whole or in part only by registration of such participation on the Participant Register (and each registered note shall expressly so provide). Any participation of such Registered Loan (and the registered note, if any, evidencing the same) may be effected only by the registration of such participation on the Participant Register. The Participant Register shall be available for inspection by the Administrative Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(j)                  Any Non-U.S. Lender who purchases or is assigned or participates in any portion of such Registered Loan shall comply with Section 2.09(d).

 

(k)                Each Lender may sell participations to one or more banks or other entities in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans made by it); provided , that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement (including without limitation, its Commitments hereunder) and the other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged; (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and the Borrowers, the Agents 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 Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and (iii) a participant shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except (A) action directly effecting an extension of the maturity dates or decrease in the principal amount of the Loans, (B) action directly effecting an extension of the due dates or a decrease in the rate of interest payable on the Loans or the fees payable under this Agreement, or (C) actions directly effecting a release of all or a substantial portion of the Collateral or any Loan Party (except as set forth in Section 10.08 of this Agreement or any other Loan Document). The Loan Parties agree that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.09 and Section 2.10 of this Agreement with respect to its participation in any portion of the Commitments and the Loans as if it was a Lender.

 

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(l)                  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or loans made to such Lender pursuant to securitization or similar credit facility (a " Securitization "); provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. The Loan Parties shall cooperate with such Lender and its Affiliates to effect the Securitization including, without limitation, by providing such information as may be reasonably requested by such Lender in connection with the rating of its Loans or the Securitization.

 

Section 12.08     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopier or electronic mail shall be equally as effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopier or electronic mail also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability, and binding effect of this Agreement. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document mutatis mutandis .

 

Section 12.09                   Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 12.10                   Consent to Jurisdiction; Service of Process and Venue .

 

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(a)                 ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS AND IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY ANY MEANS PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS FOR NOTICES AS SET FORTH IN Section 12.01, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 10 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. THE LOAN PARTIES AGREE THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION 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 HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENTS AND THE LENDERS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE JURISDICTION OR LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY LOAN PARTY HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE 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 OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

 

(b)                Each Foreign Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints C T Corporation System (the " Process Agent "), with an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on behalf of each Foreign Loan Party service of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding described above. Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to each Foreign Loan Party, in care of the Process Agent at the address specified above for such Process Agent, and such Foreign Loan Party hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. Each Foreign Loan Party covenants and agrees that, for so long as it shall be bound under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it shall maintain a duly appointed agent for the service of summons and other legal process in New York, New York, United States of America, for the purposes of any legal action, suit or proceeding brought by any party in respect of this Agreement or such other Loan Document and shall keep the Agents advised of the identity and location of such agent. If for any reason there is no authorized agent for service of process in New York, each Foreign Loan Party irrevocably consents to the service of process out of the said courts by mailing copies thereof by registered United States air mail postage prepaid to it at its address specified in Section 12.01. Nothing in this Section 12.10 shall affect the right of any Secured Party to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue any Foreign Loan Party in the country in which it is domiciled or in any other court having jurisdiction over such Foreign Loan Party or (ii) serve process upon any Foreign Loan Party in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

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Section 12.11     Waiver of Jury Trial, Etc. EACH LOAN PARTY, EACH AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM CONCERNING ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR UNDER ANY AMENDMENT, WAIVER, CONSENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR OTHER AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH IN THE FUTURE MAY BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, OR ARISING FROM ANY FINANCING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION, PROCEEDINGS OR COUNTERCLAIM SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. EACH LOAN PARTY CERTIFIES THAT NO OFFICER, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY AGENT OR ANY LENDER HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT ANY AGENT OR ANY LENDER WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE AGENTS AND THE LENDERS ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

Section 12.12     Consent by the Agents and Lenders . Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein to the contrary or in any other Loan Document, if the consent, approval, satisfaction, determination, judgment, acceptance or similar action (an " Action ") of any Agent or any Lender shall be permitted or required pursuant to any provision hereof or any provision of any other agreement to which any Loan Party is a party and to which any Agent or any Lender has succeeded thereto, such Action shall be required to be in writing and may be withheld or denied by such Agent or such Lender, in its sole discretion, with or without any reason, and without being subject to question or challenge on the grounds that such Action was not taken in good faith.

 

Section 12.13     No Party Deemed Drafter . Each of the parties hereto agrees that no party hereto shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement.

 

Section 12.14     Reinstatement; Certain Payments . If any claim is ever made upon any Secured Party for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received by such Secured Party in payment or on account of any of the Obligations, such Secured Party shall give prompt notice of such claim to each other Agent and Lender and the Administrative Borrower, and if such Secured Party repays all or part of such amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such Secured Party or any of its property, or (ii) any good faith settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such Secured Party with any such claimant, then and in such event each Loan Party agrees that (A) any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or compromise shall be binding upon it notwithstanding the cancellation of any Indebtedness hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or the termination of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and (B) it shall be and remain liable to such Secured Party hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never originally been received by such Secured Party.

 

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Section 12.15     Indemnification; Limitation of Liability for Certain Damages .

 

(a)                 In addition to each Loan Party's other Obligations under this Agreement, each Loan Party agrees to, jointly and severally, defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless each Secured Party and all of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, consultants and agents (collectively called the " Indemnitees ") from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, obligations, penalties, fees, reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and expenses) incurred by such Indemnitees, whether prior to or from and after the Effective Date, whether direct, indirect or consequential, as a result of or arising from or relating to or in connection with any of the following: (i) the negotiation, preparation, execution or performance or enforcement of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or of any other document executed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) any Agent's or any Lender's furnishing of funds to the Borrowers under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the management of any such Loans, or the Borrowers' use of the proceeds thereof, (iii) the Agents and the Lenders relying on any instructions of the Administrative Borrower or the handling of the Loan Account and Collateral of the Borrowers as herein provided, (iv) any matter relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or by any document executed in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or (v) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto (collectively, the " Indemnified Matters "); provided , however , that the Loan Parties shall not have any obligation to any Indemnitee under this subsection (a) for any Indemnified Matter caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (or its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, consultants and agents), or the material breach of such Indemnitee’s (or its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, consultants and agents) obligation to fund the Loans under this Agreement, in each case, as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(b)                The indemnification for all of the foregoing losses, damages, fees, costs and expenses of the Indemnitees set forth in this Section 12.15 are chargeable against the Loan Account. To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section 12.15 may be unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, each Loan Party shall, jointly and severally, contribute the maximum portion which it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law, to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Matters incurred by the Indemnitees.

 

(c)                 No Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Indemnitees, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Loan Party hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or seek any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

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(d)                The indemnities and waivers set forth in this Section 12.15 shall survive the repayment of the Obligations and discharge of any Liens granted under the Loan Documents.

 

Section 12.16     Records . The unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans, the interest rate or rates applicable to such unpaid principal and interest, the duration of such applicability, the Commitments, and the accrued and unpaid fees payable pursuant to Section 2.06 hereof, shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the Agents, which shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error.

 

Section 12.17     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each Loan Party, each Agent and each Lender and when the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.01 hereof have been satisfied or waived in writing by the Agents, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Loan Party, each Agent and each Lender, and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Loan Parties shall not have the right to assign their rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of each Agent and each Lender, and any assignment by any Lender shall be governed by Section 12.07 hereof.

 

Section 12.18     Highest Lawful Rate . It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Agent and each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Loan Document would be usurious as to any Agent or any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of New York or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Agent or such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Obligations, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Agent or any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Agent or such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Obligations shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Agent or such Lender on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Agent or such Lender, as applicable, to the Borrowers); and (ii) in the event that the maturity of the Obligations is accelerated by reason of any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Agent or any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall, subject to the last sentence of this Section 12.18, be canceled automatically by such Agent or such Lender, as applicable, as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Agent or such Lender, as applicable, on the principal amount of the Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Agent or such Lender to the Borrowers). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Agent or any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Agent or such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of the Loans until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (x) the amount of interest payable to any Agent or any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Agent or such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.18 and (y) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Agent or such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Agent or such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Agent or such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Agent or such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Agent or such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Agent or such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Agent or such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.18.

 

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For purposes of this Section 12.18, the term "applicable law" shall mean that law in effect from time to time and applicable to the loan transaction between the Borrowers, on the one hand, and the Agents and the Lenders, on the other, that lawfully permits the charging and collection of the highest permissible, lawful non-usurious rate of interest on such loan transaction and this Agreement, including laws of the State of New York and, to the extent controlling, laws of the United States of America.

 

The right to accelerate the maturity of the Obligations does not include the right to accelerate any interest that has not accrued as of the date of acceleration.

 

Section 12.19     Confidentiality . Each Agent and each Lender agrees (on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and representatives) to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential, in accordance with its customary procedures for handling confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound practices of comparable commercial finance companies, any non-public information supplied to it by the Loan Parties pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which is identified in writing by the Loan Parties as being confidential at the time the same is delivered to such Person (and which at the time is not, and does not thereafter become, publicly available or available to such Person from another source not known to be subject to a confidentiality obligation to such Person not to disclose such information), provided that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure by any Agent or any Lender of any such information (i) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates' respective equityholders (including, without limitation, partners), directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, counsel, advisors and representatives (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 in accordance with this Section 12.19); (ii) to any other party hereto; (iii) to any permitted assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or participant which is a permitted assignee or participant as of the time of such disclosure) or any party to a Securitization so long as such assignee or participant (or prospective assignee or participant) or party to a Securitization first agrees, in writing, to be bound by confidentiality provisions similar in substance to this Section 12.19; (iv) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law or judicial process or as otherwise requested by any Governmental Authority; (v) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization, any examiner, auditor or accountant or any nationally recognized rating agency or otherwise to the extent consisting of general portfolio information that does not identify Loan Parties; (vi) in connection with any litigation to which any Agent or any Lender is a party; (vii) 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; or (viii) with the consent of the Administrative Borrower.

 

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Section 12.20     Public Disclosure . Each Loan Party agrees that neither it nor any of its Affiliates will now or in the future issue any press release or other public disclosure using the name of an Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of such Agent or such Lender, except to the extent that such Loan Party or such Affiliate is required to do so under applicable law (in which event, such Loan Party or such Affiliate will consult with such Agent or such Lender before issuing such press release or other public disclosure). Each Loan Party hereby authorizes each Agent and each Lender, after consultation with the Borrowers, to advertise the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to make appropriate announcements of the financial arrangements entered into among the parties hereto, as such Agent or such Lender shall deem appropriate, including, without limitation, on a home page or similar place for dissemination of information on the Internet or worldwide web, or in announcements commonly known as tombstones, in such trade publications, business journals, newspapers of general circulation and to such selected parties as such Agent or such Lender shall deem appropriate.

 

Section 12.21     Integration . This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

 

Section 12.22     USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies the Borrowers that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the entities composing the Borrowers, which information includes the name and address of each such entity and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the entities composing the Borrowers in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act. Each Loan Party agrees to take such action and execute, acknowledge and deliver at its sole cost and expense, such instruments and documents as any Lender may reasonably require from time to time in order to enable such Lender to comply with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

Section 12.23     Judgment Currency . This is an international financial transaction in which the specification of a currency and payment in New York is of the essence. Dollars shall be the currency of account in the case of all payments pursuant to or arising under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, and all such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent's Account in New York in immediately available funds. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Loan Party to the Secured Parties under this Agreement and under the other Loan Documents shall not be discharged by any amount paid in any other currency or in a place other than to the Administrative Agent's Account in New York to the extent that the amount so paid after conversion under this Agreement and transfer to New York does not yield the amount of Dollars in New York due under this Agreement and under the other Loan Documents. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in Dollars into another currency (the " Other Currency "), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which the Administrative Agent could, in accordance with normal procedures, purchase Dollars with the Other Currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of each Loan Party in respect of any such sum due from it to the Secured Parties hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in such Other Currency, be discharged only to the extent that, on the Business Day immediately following the date on which the Administrative Agent receives any sum adjudged to be so due in the Other Currency, the Administrative Agent may, in accordance with normal banking procedures, purchase Dollars with the Other Currency. If the Dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to the Secured Parties in Dollars, each Loan Party agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Secured Parties against such loss, and if the Dollars so purchased exceed the sum originally due to the Secured Parties in Dollars, the Secured Parties agrees to remit to the Loan Parties such excess.

 

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Section 12.24     Waiver of Immunity . To the extent that any Loan Party has or hereafter may acquire (or may be attributed, whether or not claimed) any immunity (sovereign or otherwise) from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from jurisdiction of any court or from set-off or any legal process (whether service of process or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) with respect to itself or any of its property, such Loan Party hereby irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such immunity in respect of (a) its obligations under the Loan Documents, (b) any legal proceedings to enforce such obligations and (c) any legal proceedings to enforce any judgment rendered in any proceedings to enforce such obligations. Each Loan Party hereby agrees that the waivers set forth in this Section 12.24 shall be to the fullest extent permitted under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and are intended to be irrevocable for purposes of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.

 

Section 12.25     English Language . This Agreement and each other Loan Document have been negotiated and executed in English. All certificates, reports, notices and other documents and communications given or delivered by any party hereto pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in English or, if not in English, accompanied by a certified English translation thereof. The English version of any such document shall control the meaning of the matters set forth herein.

 

Section 12.26     Exercise of Remedies; Revolving Loan Priority Collateral . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the right of the Collateral Agent to exercise any remedy with respect to the liens and security interests granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to

 

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this Agreement and each other Loan Document is subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder and under each other Loan Document with respect to the delivery or control of any Collateral that constitutes Revolving Loan Priority Collateral shall be deemed to be satisfied if such Loan Party delivers or provides control of such Revolving Loan Priority Collateral to the Revolving Loan Agent in accordance with the requirements of the corresponding provision of the applicable Revolving Loan Document.  Any representation, warranty, covenant or other obligation of any Loan Party hereunder to create a “first priority” security interest in any Collateral that constitutes Revolving Loan Priority Collateral shall be first priority other than any Lien in favor of the Revolving Loan Agent. 

 

 

 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

 

  BORROWERS :
       
  MC ASSEMBLY, LLC,
  as a Borrower
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  
       
       
  MC ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL, LLC,
  as a Borrower
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  
       
       
  MC TEST SERVICE, INC.,
  as a Borrower
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  
       
       
  SMTC MANUFACTURING CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA,
  as a Borrower
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  :

 

[Signature Page to Financing

Agreement]

 

 

  SMTC MEX HOLDINGS INC.,
  as a Borrower
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  
       
       
  GUARANTORS :
       
  HTM HOLDINGS, INC.,
  as a Guarantor
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  
       
       
  MC ASSEMBLY HOLDINGS, INC.,
  as a Guarantor
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  
       
       
       
  SMTC CORPORATION,
  as a Guarantor
       
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

  2  

 

 

  AGENTS :  
     
  TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC,
  as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     
  LENDERS:
     
  TCW DIRECT LENDING VII LLC
     
  By: TCW Asset Management Company LLC, its Investment Advisor,
  as a Lender
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     
  WEST VIRGINIA DIRECT LENDING LLC
     
  By: TCW Asset Management Company LLC,
  Its Investment Advisor,
  as a Lender
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     
  TCW BRAZOS FUND LLC
     
  By: TCW Asset Management Company LLC, its Investment Advisor,
  as a Lender
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     

 

[Signature Page to Financing

Agreement]

 

  TCW SKYLINE LENDING, L.P.
     
  By:  TCW Asset Management Company LLC, its Investment Advisor,
  as a Lender
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
     
  NJ/TCW DIRECT LENDING LLC
     
  By:  TCW Asset Management Company LLC, its Investment Advisor,
  as a Lender
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

 

 

2


Exhibit 10.3

 

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

 

This Subscription Agreement is entered into and dated as of _______________, 2018 (this " Agreement "), by and among SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation with offices located at _________________________ (the " Company ") and the Subscribers identified on the Schedule of Subscribers attached hereto (each, a " Subscriber " and, together, the " Subscribers "). Capitalized terms not defined below shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1 .

 

RECITALS

 

A.       The Company and each Subscriber is executing and delivering this Agreement in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " Securities Act "), and Rule 506 of Regulation D (" Regulation D ") as promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the " Commission ") under the Securities Act.

 

B.       The Company is a borrower under that certain Financing Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and TCW Asset Management Company LLC (" TCW "), as administrative agent for the lenders thereunder, and as collateral agent for the lenders thereunder (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the " Financing Agreement ").

 

C.       To induce the Subscribers (or Affiliates thereof) to enter into the Financing Agreement, the Company wishes to issue, upon the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement, a warrant to acquire up to that aggregate number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such Subscriber's name in column (3) on the Schedule of Subscribers , in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the " Warrants ") (as exercised, collectively, the " Warrant Shares "), subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction.

 

D.       Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereto are executing and delivering a Registration Rights Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the " Registration Rights Agreement "), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and applicable state securities laws.

 

E.       The Warrants and the Warrant Shares are collectively referred to herein as the " Securities ."

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Subscriber, severally and not jointly, agree as follows:

 

 

 

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS

 

1.1              Definitions . In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1 :

 

" Affiliate " shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

" Business Day " means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a federal legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

" Common Stock " means (i) the Company's shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (ii) any share capital into which such Common Stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of such Common Stock.

 

" Designee " means TCW.

 

" Eligible Market " means the Principal Market, the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Capital Market or The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

" Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

" Exchange Rate " means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. dollars pursuant to the Transaction Documents, the U.S. dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).

 

" Governmental Authority " shall mean any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, provincial, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, commissioner, bureau, tribunal, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, board, unit, body or Person and any court or other tribunal); or (d) regulatory or self-regulatory organization (including the Principal Market or other applicable Eligible Market).

 

" Lien " means any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, charge, claim, encumbrance, security interest, right of first refusal, preemptive right or other restrictions of any kind.

 

" Person " means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

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" Principal Market " means The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

" Proceeding " means an action, claim, suit, inquiry, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened in writing.

 

" Registration Statement " has the meaning as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

" Required Holders " means the holders of Warrants representing at least a majority of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding and shall include the Designee so long as the Designee or any of its Affiliates holds any Warrants.

 

" SEC Reports " shall mean all reports, schedules, forms, applications and other documents, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two (2) years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such materials).

 

" Subsidiary " has the meaning as set forth in the Financing Agreement.

 

" Trading Day " means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that "Trading Day" shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).

 

" Transaction Documents " means this Agreement, the Warrants, the Registration Rights Agreement and any other documents, certificates or agreements executed or delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

ARTICLE II.
PURCHASE AND SALE

 

2.1              Purchase and Sale of the Securities . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Subscriber agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Subscriber, at the Closing, such Warrants to acquire up to that aggregate number of Warrant Shares as is set forth opposite such Subscriber's name in column (3) on the Schedule of Subscribers .

 

2.2              Closing . The issuance of the Warrants pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (the " Closing ") shall take place at the offices of _______________, _________________________, at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof, or at such other time and place as the Company and the Subscribers mutually agree upon in writing (the " Closing Date ").

 

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2.3              Issue Price . The parties hereto (i) acknowledge and agree that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (A) the Term Loans (as that term is defined in the Financing Agreement) and the Warrants constitute an "investment unit" and (B) the issue price of the Term Loans is $[•] and the issue price of the Warrant is $[•]; and (ii) shall not take any position contrary to the preceding clause (i) for U.S. federal income tax and all other purposes.

 

2.4              Form of Payment . On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to each Subscriber a Warrant pursuant to which such Subscriber shall have the right to acquire up to such aggregate number of Warrant Shares as is set forth opposite such Subscriber's name in column (3) of the Schedule of Subscribers , duly executed on behalf of the Company and registered in the name of such Subscriber or its designee.

 

ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1              Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company hereby represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be made as of such date) to each of the Subscribers, except as set forth in the Schedules delivered herewith:

 

(a)              Authorization; Enforcement . The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by each of the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder. Other than the Required Approvals (as defined in Section 3.1(c) ), the execution and delivery by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further consent or action is required by the Company, or its board of directors or stockholders. Each Transaction Document has been (or upon delivery will have been) duly executed by the Company, and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company, in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors' rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law.

 

(b)             No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Warrants and the Warrant Shares and the reservation for issuance of the Warrant Shares) do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company's or any Subsidiary's certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any Governmental Authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including, without limitation, foreign, federal and state securities laws and regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, as would not, reasonably be expected to, (i) adversely affect the legality, validity or enforceability of any Transaction Document, (ii) have or result in a material adverse effect on the operations, properties, results of operations, assets, prospects, business, liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) adversely impair the Company's authority or ability to perform fully on a timely basis its obligations under any Transaction Document (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a " Material Adverse Effect ").

 

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(c)              Filings, Consents and Approvals . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization, permit or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents, other than the filing by the Company of a Notice of Sale of Securities on Form D with the Commission under Regulation D and state and applicable Blue Sky filings, the filing of any requisite notices and/or applications(s) to the Principal Market for the issuance and sale of the Warrants and the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and the listing of the Warrant Shares for trading thereon (collectively, the " Required Approvals "). All Required Approvals have been obtained or effected on or prior to the Closing Date, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary are aware of any facts or circumstances which might prevent the Company or any Subsidiary from obtaining or effecting any of the registration, application or filings contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company is not in violation of the requirements of the Principal Market and has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which would reasonably be expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

 

(d)             Issuance of the Securities . The issuance of the Warrants is duly authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, Liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof. As of the Closing, the Company shall have reserved from its duly authorized capital stock not less than 125% of the maximum number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (without taking into account any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth therein). Upon exercise in accordance with the Warrants, the Warrant Shares when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights, taxes, Liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof, with the holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock (as set forth in the applicable charter documents). Subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Subscribers in this Agreement, the offer and issuance by the Company of the Securities is exempt from registration under the Securities Act.

 

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(e)              Capitalization . The number of shares and type of all authorized, issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company has been set forth in the SEC Reports and has changed since the date set forth in the most recent applicable SEC Report only to reflect exercises of stock options and other convertible securities that have not been required to be reported by the Company under the Exchange Act. Without limiting the foregoing, as of the date hereof, immediately prior to the issuance of the Warrants, the authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) __________ shares of Common Stock, of which __________ shares are issued and outstanding, __________ shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to issued and outstanding options and __________ shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to securities (other than the aforementioned options) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock; and (ii) __________ shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (" Preferred Stock "), of which __________ shares are designated Series A Preferred Stock, and none of which is outstanding. Other than as stated in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company does not have any outstanding securities that are exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into, shares of Common Stock. All of such outstanding shares are duly authorized and have been, or upon issuance will be, validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. No securities of the Company are entitled to preemptive or similar rights, and no Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. There are no securities or instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the issuance of the Securities. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights, "phantom stock" plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement.

 

(f)              Certain Fees . No brokerage or finder's fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Subscribers shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims (other than such fees or commissions owed by a Subscriber pursuant to written agreements executed by such Subscriber which fees or commissions shall be the sole responsibility of such Subscriber, if any) made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Subscribers, their employees, officers, directors, agents, and partners, and their respective Affiliates, from and against all claims, losses, damages, costs (including the costs of preparation and attorney's fees) and expenses suffered in respect of any such claimed or existing fees, as such fees and expenses are incurred.

 

(g)              Private Placement; No Integrated Offering; No General Solicitation; No Disqualification Events . Assuming in part the accuracy of each Subscriber's representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2(c)-(g) , (i) no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Securities by the Company to the Subscribers under the Transaction Documents, and (ii) the issuance and sale of the Securities hereunder does not contravene the rules and regulations of the Principal Market. Assuming in part the accuracy of the Subscribers' representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.2 , neither the Company, the Subsidiaries, any of their respective affiliates, nor any Person acting on their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any Company security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the issuance of any of the Securities under the Securities Act, whether through integration with prior offerings or otherwise or cause this offering of the Securities to require approval of stockholders of the Company for purposes of the Securities Act or any applicable stockholder approval provisions, including, without limitation, under the rules and regulations of any exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated. Neither the Company, the Subsidiaries nor their affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities. With respect to Securities to be offered and sold hereunder in reliance on Rule 506(b) under the Securities Act (" Regulation D Securities "), none of the Company, any of its predecessors, any affiliated issuer, any director, executive officer, other officer of the Company participating in the offering hereunder, any beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power, nor any promoter (as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) connected with the Company in any capacity at the time of sale, nor any other Person covered by Rule 506(d) (each, an " Issuer Covered Person " and, together, " Issuer Covered Persons ") is or has been subject to any of the "Bad Actor" disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) to (viii) under the Securities Act (a " Disqualification Event "), except for a Disqualification Event covered by Rule 506(d)(2) or (d)(3). The Company has determined that no Issuer Covered Person is subject to a Disqualification Event. The Company has complied, to the extent applicable, with its disclosure obligations under Rule 506(e), and has furnished to the Subscribers a copy of any disclosures provided thereunder. No Person has been or will be paid (directly or indirectly) remuneration for solicitation of Subscribers or potential purchasers in connection with the sale of any Regulation D Securities.

 

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(h)             Application of Takeover Protections . The Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, interested stockholder, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement, or similar arrangement or plan ) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company's certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents or the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation that is or could become applicable to the Subscribers as a result of the Subscribers and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under the Transaction Documents, including without limitation as a result of the Company's issuance of the Securities and the Subscribers' ownership of the Securities. The Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement relating to accumulations of beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or a change in control of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(i)               Registration Eligibility . The Company is eligible to register the Registrable Securities for resale by the Subscribers using Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(j)               Transfer Taxes . On the Closing Date, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income or similar taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Securities to be sold to each Subscriber hereunder will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company, and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been complied with.

 

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(k)             Shell Company Status . The Company is not, and has never been, an issuer identified in, or subject to, Rule 144(i).

 

(l)               Investment Company Status . Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is, and upon consummation of the sale of the Securities, and for so long any Subscriber holds any Securities, will be, an "investment company," a company controlled by an "investment company" or an "affiliated person" of, or "promoter" or "principal underwriter" for, an "investment company" as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(m)           U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation . The Company is not, has never been, and so long as any Securities remain outstanding, shall not become, a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code and the Company shall so certify upon any Subscriber's request.

 

(n)             Dilutive Effect . The Company understands and acknowledges that the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to terms of the Warrants will increase in certain circumstances. The Company further acknowledges that its obligation to issue Warrant Shares pursuant to the terms of the Warrants in accordance with this Agreement and the Warrants is absolute and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company.

 

(o)             Loan Documents . The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes a "Loan Document" under the Financing Agreement. Accordingly, it shall be an Event of Default under the Financing Agreement if (i) any representation or warranty made by the Company under or in connection with any Transaction Document shall have been untrue, false or misleading in any material respect when made, or (ii) the Company shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any Transaction Document.

 

3.2              Representations and Warranties of the Subscribers . Each Subscriber hereby, as to itself only and for no other Subscriber, represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date, which shall be made as of such date) to the Company as follows:

 

(a)              Organization; Authority . Such Subscriber is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization with the requisite power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by such Subscriber of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Subscriber. Each of the Transaction Documents to which such Subscriber is a party has been duly executed by such Subscriber and, when delivered by such Subscriber in accordance with terms hereof, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of such Subscriber, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors' rights and remedies.

 

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(b)             No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by such Subscriber and the consummation by such Subscriber of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of such Subscriber's certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which such Subscriber is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any Governmental Authority to which such Subscriber is subject (including, without limitation, foreign, federal and state securities laws and regulations); except in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, as would not, reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the ability of the Subscriber to perform its obligations thereunder.

 

(c)              Investment Intent . Such Subscriber is acquiring the Securities as principal for its own account for investment purposes and not with a view to distributing or reselling such Securities or any part thereof in violation of applicable securities laws, without prejudice, however, to such Subscriber's right at all times to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such Securities in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed a representation or warranty by such Subscriber to hold the Securities for any period of time. Such Subscriber understands that the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, and therefore the Securities may not be sold, assigned or transferred unless pursuant to (ian effective registration statement under the Securities Act with respect thereto or (iian available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(d)             Subscriber Status . At the time such Subscriber was offered the Securities, it was, and at the date hereof it is, and on each date on which it exercises the Warrants (other than pursuant to a cashless exercise), it will be, an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.

 

(e)              Experience of such Subscriber . Such Subscriber, either alone or together with its representatives, has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in business and financial matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Securities, and has so evaluated the merits and risks of such investment. Such Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of an investment in the Securities and, at the present time, is able to afford a complete loss of such investment.

 

(f)              General Solicitation . Such Subscriber is not purchasing the Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or, to such Subscriber's knowledge, any other general solicitation or general advertisement.

 

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(g)              Access to Data . Such Subscriber has received and reviewed information about the Company and has had an opportunity to discuss the Company's business, management and financial affairs with its management and to review the Company's facilities. Such Subscriber acknowledges that it has been afforded (i) the opportunity to ask such questions as it has deemed necessary of, and to receive answers from, representatives of the Company concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and the merits and risks of investing in the Securities; (ii) access to information about the Company and its respective financial condition, results of operations, business, properties, management and prospects sufficient to enable it to evaluate its investment; and (iii) the opportunity to obtain such additional information that the Company possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the investment. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement or any other provision in this Agreement or the right of the Subscribers to rely thereon. Such Subscriber has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an informed decision with respect to its acquisition of the Securities.

 

(h)             Transfer or Resale . Such Subscriber understands that except as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement: (i) the Securities have not been and are not being registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder, (B) such Subscriber shall have delivered to the Company (if requested by the Company) an opinion of counsel to such Subscriber, reasonably satisfactory to the Company as to such counsel and to the form of opinion, to the effect that such Securities may be sold, assigned or transferred without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act; provided , however , that Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP shall be deemed reasonably satisfactory to the Company; provided , further , that no such opinion shall be required to sell, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of such Securities to an Affiliate of the holder of the Securities, or (C) such Subscriber provides the Company with assurance reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such Securities can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or a successor rule thereto) (collectively, " Rule 144 "); (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144 may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other Person is under any obligation to register the Securities under the Securities Act or any state securities laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder.

 

(i)               Reliance on Exemptions . Such Subscriber understands that the Securities being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Subscriber's compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgements and understandings of such Subscriber set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Subscriber to acquire the Securities.

 

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(j)               No Governmental Review . Such Subscriber understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Securities.

 

(k)             Legends . Such Subscriber understands that the certificates or other instruments representing the Warrants and, until such time as the resale of the Warrant Shares have been registered under the Securities Act as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, the stock certificates representing the Warrant Shares, except as set forth below, shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form (and a stop-transfer order may be placed against transfer of such stock certificates):

 

[ NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN ][ THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN ] REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SELECTED BY THE HOLDER, REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

The legend set forth above shall be removed and the Company shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of the Securities upon which it is stamped or issue to such holder by electronic delivery at the applicable balance account at The Depository Trust Company (" DTC "), if (i) such Securities are registered for resale under the Securities Act, (ii) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer, such holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company as to such counsel and to the form of opinion, to the effect that such sale, assignment or transfer of the Securities may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act; provided , however , that _______________ shall be deemed reasonably satisfactory to the Company; provided , further , that no such opinion shall be required to sell, assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of such Securities to an Affiliate of the holder of the Securities, or (iii) the Securities can be sold, assigned or transferred pursuant to Rule 144. The Company shall be responsible for the fees of its transfer agent and all DTC fees associated with such issuance. If the Company shall fail for any reason or for no reason to issue to the holder of the Securities within two (2) Trading Days (as defined in the Warrants) after the occurrence of any of (i) through (iii) above (the initial date of such occurrence, the " Legend Removal Date " and such failure, a " Legend Removal Failure "), a certificate without such legend to such holder or to issue such Securities to such holder by electronic delivery at the applicable balance account at DTC, then, in addition to all other remedies available to such holder, if on or after such Trading Day the holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) Common Stock relating to the applicable Legend Removal Failure (a " Legend Buy-In "), then the Company shall, within two (2) Trading Days after the holder's request and in the holder's discretion, either (i) pay cash to the holder in an amount equal to the holder's total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the Common Stock so purchased (the " Legend Buy-In Price "), at which point the obligation of the Company to deliver such unlegended Securities shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the holder such unlegended Securities as provided above and pay cash to the holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Legend Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock, times (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable Legend Removal Date and ending on the date the Company makes the applicable cash payment.

 

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The Company acknowledges and agrees that no Subscriber makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction Document other than those specifically set forth in Section 3.2 .

 

ARTICLE IV.
OTHER AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES

 

4.1              Register; Pledge .

 

(a)              The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to each holder of Securities), a register for each series of the Warrants in which the Company shall record the name and address of the Person in whose name the Warrants have been issued (including the name and address of each transferee) the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants held by such Person. The Company shall keep the register open and available at all times during business hours for inspection of any Subscriber or its legal representatives.

 

(b)             The Company acknowledges and agrees that a Subscriber may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities in connection with a bona fide margin agreement secured by the Securities and, if required under the terms of such agreement, such Subscriber may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject to approval of the Company and no legal opinion of the pledgee, secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further, no notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Subscriber's expense, the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge or transfer of the Securities.

 

4.2              Integration . The Company shall not, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that no Affiliate of the Company shall, sell, offer for sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of any security (as defined in Section 2 of the Securities Act) that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of the Securities to the Subscribers or that would be integrated with the offer or sale of the Securities for purposes of the rules and regulations of the Principal Market.

 

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4.3              Reservation and Listing of Securities . So long as any Subscriber owns any Warrants, the Company shall take all action necessary to at all times after the date hereof have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issuance, no less than: (x) prior to the earlier to occur of the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Approval Date and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline (each as defined in Section 4.5(a) ), 125% of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding (without taking into account any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth in the Warrants but taking into account any increase in the number of Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(a) and/or Section 2(c) of the Warrants) and (y) on or after the earlier to occur of the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Approval Date and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline, 150% of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then outstanding (without taking into account any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth in the Warrants but taking into account any increase in the number of Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(a) and/or Section 2(c) of the Warrants) (the number of shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants set forth in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, the " Required Reserve Amount "). If at any time the number of shares of Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance is not sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount, the Company will promptly take all corporate action necessary to authorize and reserve a sufficient number of shares, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company's obligations under Section 3.1(d) and this Section 4.3 , in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain shareholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Company in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount. The Company shall, as applicable (iprepare and timely file with the Principal Market an additional shares listing application covering all of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable under the Transaction Documents, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to cause such shares of Common Stock to be approved for listing on the Principal Market as soon as practicable thereafter, (iii) provide to the Subscribers evidence of such listing, and (iv) use reasonable best efforts to maintain the listing of such Common Stock on the Principal Market or another Eligible Market.

 

4.4              Form D and Blue Sky . The Company shall file a Form D with respect to the Securities as required under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof to the Subscribers. The Company shall, on or before the Closing Date, take such action as the Company shall reasonably determine is necessary in order to obtain an exemption for, or to, qualify the Securities for sale to the Subscribers at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the states of the United States (or to obtain an exemption from such qualification), and shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Subscribers on or prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall timely make all filings and reports relating to the offer and sale of the Securities required under all applicable securities laws (including, without limitation, all applicable federal securities laws and all applicable "Blue Sky" laws), and the Company shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations and the like relating to the offering and sale of the Securities to the Subscribers.

 

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4.5              Stockholder Approvals .

 

(a)              Authorized Capital Increase Approval . The Company shall provide each stockholder entitled to vote at the Company's next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the " Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting "), which shall occur on or prior to August 31, 2019 (the " Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline "), a proxy statement, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Subscribers after review by _______________, at the expense of the Company in an amount not to exceed $5,000, soliciting each such stockholder's affirmative vote at the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting for approval of resolutions (the " Authorized Capital Increase Resolutions ") providing for the increase of the authorized shares of Common Stock by not less than 25% of the maximum number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (without taking into account any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants set forth in the Warrants but taking into account any increase in the number of Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(a)) (such affirmative approvals being referred to herein, collectively, as the " Authorized Capital Increase Approval " and the date such approval is obtained, the " Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date "). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit its stockholders' approval of such Authorized Capital Increase Resolutions and to cause the Board of Directors of the Company to recommend to the stockholders that they approve the Authorized Capital Increase Resolutions. The Company shall be obligated to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Authorized Capital Increase Approval by the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline.

 

(b)             Nasdaq Stockholder Approval . In the event the number of shares of Common Stock issued and issuable upon exercise of the Warrants exceed 3,462,192 shares of Common Stock (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations, reclassification, combinations, reverse stock splits or other similar events occurring after the date hereof) (the " Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Trigger Event "), the Company shall provide each stockholder entitled to vote at: (x) the Company's next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company if such meeting is less than six (6) months away from the occurrence of the Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Trigger Event, or, (y) if the Company's next annual meeting is more than six (6) months away from the occurrence of the Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Trigger Event, at a special meeting, which shall be called as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after such date, or such later date as agreed by the Company and the Required Holders (the meeting set forth in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, the " Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting " and the deadline for the meeting set forth in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, the " Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Deadline "), a proxy statement, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Subscribers after review by Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, at the expense of the Company in an amount not to exceed $5,000, soliciting each such stockholder's affirmative vote at the Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting for approval of resolutions (the " Nasdaq Resolutions ") providing for the issuance of all of the Warrant Shares (without regard to any limitation or restriction on the exercise of Warrants set forth therein) as described in the Transaction Documents and in accordance with applicable law, the provisions of the Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market without giving effect to the Exchange Cap provisions set forth in the Warrants (such affirmative approvals being referred to herein, collectively, as the " Nasdaq Stockholder Approval " and the date such approval is obtained, the " Nasdaq Stockholder Approval Date "). The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit its stockholders' approval of such Nasdaq Resolutions and to cause the Board of Directors of the Company to recommend to the stockholders that they approve the Nasdaq Resolutions. The Company shall be obligated to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the Nasdaq Stockholder Approval by the Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Deadline.

 

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4.6              Indemnification . In consideration of each Subscriber's execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and acquiring the Securities thereunder and in addition to all of the Company's other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless each Subscriber and each other holder of the Securities and all of their shareholders, partners, members, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect investors and any of the foregoing Persons' agents or other representatives (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the " Indemnitees ") from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements (the " Indemnified Liabilities "), incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee by a third party (including for these purposes a derivative action brought on behalf of the Company) and arising out of or resulting from (i) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the issuance of the Securities, or (iii) the status of such Subscriber or holder of the Securities as an investor in the Company pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. For the avoidance of doubt, clauses (a) and (b) of the preceding sentence are intended to apply, and shall apply, to direct claims asserted by any Subscriber against the Company as well as any third party claims asserted by an Indemnitee (other than a Subscriber) against the Company. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities that is permissible under applicable law. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the mechanics and procedures with respect to the rights and obligations under this Section 4.6 shall be the same as those set forth in Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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4.7              Stockholders Rights Plan . The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that: (i) each Subscriber and each transferee of any Subscriber's Warrant is an "Exempt Person" (or any similar term) under the Company's Tax Benefits Preservation Plan, dated as of December 29, 2014, by and between the Company and Computershare Inc., as rights agent, as such plan may be amended from time to time, or any other stockholders rights plan or similar plan or arrangement hereafter adopted by the Company intended to protect the tax benefits to the Company presented by the Company's net operating losses (" NOLs ") by deterring any person from acquiring shares of Common Stock (or any interest therein) if such acquisition would result in a stockholder (or several stockholders, in the aggregate, who hold their stock as a "group" under the federal securities laws) beneficially owning 4.99% or more of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock, and (ii) no Subscriber could be deemed to trigger the provisions of any such plan or arrangement by virtue of receiving Securities under the Transaction Documents or under any other agreement between the Company and the Subscribers.

 

ARTICLE V.
CLOSING DELIVERABLES

 

5.1              Closing Deliverables of the Company . At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to the Investors the following:

 

(a)              Officer's Certificate . The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific date which shall be true and correct as of such specified date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date. Such Subscriber shall have received a certificate, executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to (x) the foregoing effect, (y) the resolutions consistent with Section 3.1(a) as adopted by the Company's Board of Directors in a form reasonably acceptable to such Subscriber and (z) the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of the Company who may sign this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and as to such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such Subscriber in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

 

(b)             Transaction Documents . The Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Subscriber (A) each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the Company shall have duly executed and delivered to such Subscriber and (B) such Warrants (for such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as is set forth across from such Subscriber's name in column (3) of the Schedule of Subscribers ).

 

(c)              Legal Opinion . Such Subscriber shall have received the opinion of Perkins Coie LLP, the Company's outside counsel, dated as of the Closing Date, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D .

 

ARTICLE VI.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

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6.1              Fees and Expenses . The Company shall reimburse TCW or its designee(s) (in addition to any other expense amounts paid to any Subscriber prior to the date of this Agreement) for all reasonable actual costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements in connection therewith and documentation and implementation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents) on or prior to the Closing, which amount shall be paid by the Company at the Closing. The Company shall pay, and hold each Subscriber harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any claim relating to any payment, including, without limitation, any placement agent's fees, financial advisory fees, or broker's commissions (other than for any Persons engaged by any Subscriber) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as otherwise set forth in the Transaction Documents, each party to this Agreement shall bear its own expenses in connection with the sale of the Securities to the Subscribers.

 

6.2              Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Subscribers, the Company, their affiliates and Persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein and therein contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company nor any Subscriber makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and the Required Holders, and any amendment to this Agreement made in conformity with the provisions of this Section 6.2 shall be binding on all Subscribers and holders of Securities. No provision hereof may be waived other than by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the applicable Securities then outstanding. The Company has not, directly or indirectly, made any agreements with any Subscribers relating to the terms or conditions of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents except as set forth in the Transaction Documents. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company confirms that, except as set forth in this Agreement and the Financing Agreement, no Subscriber has made any commitment or promise or has any other obligation to provide any financing to the Company or otherwise. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of any of the Transaction Documents unless the same consideration (other than the reimbursement of legal fees) also is offered to all of the parties to the Transaction Documents or holders of the Warrants, as the case may be.

 

6.3              Notices . Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon delivery, when delivered personally; (ii) upon delivery, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); (iii) upon delivery, when sent by electronic mail (provided that the sending party does not receive an automated rejection notice) or (iv) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses, facsimile numbers and email addresses for such communications shall be:

 

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If to the Company:

 

 

 

Telephone:

Attention:

Email:

 
With a copy (for information purposes only) to:

 

 

 

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Attention:

Email:

 

 
If to the Transfer Agent

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

Attention:
Email:

 

If to a Subscriber: To its address and facsimile number set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers , with copies to such Subscriber's representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers .
With a copy (for information purposes only) to:

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Attention:

Email:

 

or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such Person by two (2) Business Days' prior notice to the other party in accordance with this Section 6.3 . Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine or email transmission containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number or e-mail address and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

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6.4              Construction . The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof. No specific representation or warranty shall limit the generality or applicability of a more general representation or warranty. The parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel has reviewed and had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation of the Transaction Documents or any amendments hereto.

 

6.5              Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Subscribers. Any Subscriber may assign its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Subscriber assigns or transfers any Securities, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions hereof and of the applicable Transaction Documents that apply to the "Subscribers." Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Securities may be pledged to any Person in connection with a bona fide margin account or other loan or financing arrangement secured by such Securities.

 

6.6              No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except that each Indemnitee is an intended third party beneficiary of Section 4.6 and may enforce the provisions of such Sections directly against the parties with obligations thereunder.

 

6.7              Governing Law; Venue; Process Agent; Waiver of Jury Trial . All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York (except for matters governed by corporate law in the State of Delaware), without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal Proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this agreement (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective affiliates, directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein (including with respect to the enforcement of this Agreement). Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such Proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. The Company hereby appoints _______________ (the " Process Agent "), with an office on the date hereof at _________________________, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding described above.  Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Company, in care of the Process Agent at the address specified above for the Process Agent, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. The Company covenants and agrees that, for so long as it shall be bound under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, it shall maintain a duly appointed agent for the service of summons and other legal process in New York, New York, United States of America, for the purposes of any legal action, suit or proceeding brought by any party in respect of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and shall keep the Subscribers advised of the identity and location of such agent.  If for any reason there is no authorized agent for service of process in New York, the Company irrevocably consents to the service of process out of the said courts by mailing copies thereof by registered United States air mail postage prepaid to it at its address specified in Section 6.3.  Nothing in this Section 6.7 shall affect the right of any Subscriber to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue the Company in the country in which it is domiciled or in any other court having jurisdiction over the Company or (ii) serve process upon the Company in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY .

 

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6.8              Survival . The representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained herein shall survive the Closing and the delivery and/or exercise of the Securities, as applicable.

 

6.9              Execution . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by an e-mail which contains a portable document format (.pdf) filed of an executed signature page, such signature page shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such signature page were an original thereof.

 

6.10          Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

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6.11          Rescission and Withdrawal Right . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting any similar provisions of) the Transaction Documents, whenever any Subscriber exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within the periods therein provided, then such Subscriber may rescind or withdraw, in its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to its future actions and rights.

 

6.12          Remedies . In addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted by law, including recovery of damages, each of the Subscribers and the Company will be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. Furthermore, the Company recognizes that in the event that it fails to perform, observe, or discharge any or all of its obligations under the Transaction Documents, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Subscribers. The Company therefore agrees that the Subscribers shall be entitled to seek specific performance and/or temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive or other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting a bond or other security.

 

6.13          Payment Set Aside . To the extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Subscriber hereunder or pursuant to any of the other Transaction Documents or any Subscriber enforces or exercises its rights hereunder or thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company or any Subsidiary by a trustee, receiver or any other person under any law (including, without limitation, any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action), then to the extent of any such restoration 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 enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

6.14          Further Assurances . Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

6.15          Replacement of Securities . If any certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss, theft or destruction and customary and reasonable indemnity, if requested. The applicants for a new certificate or instrument under such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs associated with the issuance of such replacement Securities.

 

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6.16                         Currency . All amounts set forth in the Transaction Documents that refer to dollars or $ shall refer to U.S. dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies shall be converted in the U.S. dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation.

 

6.17                         Judgment Currency .

 

(a)                If for purposes of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency, a " Judgment Currency ") an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Agreement, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding:

 

(i)      the date of actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date; or

 

(ii)    the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 6.17 being hereinafter referred to as the " Judgment Conversion Date ").

 

(b)               If, in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 16.7(a)(ii) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of U.S. Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the applicable judgment order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

 

(c)                Any amount due from the Company under this section shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Agreement.

 

6.18       Payments . Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to the Transaction Documents, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States via wire transfer of immediately available funds by providing the Company with prior written notice setting out such request and such Subscriber's wire transfer instructions; provided that such Subscriber may elect to receive a payment of cash by a check drawn on the account of the Company and sent via overnight courier service to such Person at such address as previously provided to the Company in writing (which address, in the case of each of the Subscribers, shall initially be as set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers attached to the Subscription Agreement). Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Warrant is due on any day which is not a Trading Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Trading Day.

 

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[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

COMPANY:

 

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

 

 

[TCW]

 

 

 

By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Subscription Agreement]

 

SCHEDULE OF SUBSCRIBERS

 

(1) (2) (3) (4)
       
Subscriber Address and Facsimile Number

Number of

Warrant Shares

Legal Representative's
Address and Facsimile Number
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Total:      
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF WARRANT]

 

NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SELECTED BY THE HOLDER, REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 OR RULE 144A UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

Warrant To Purchase Common Stock

 

Warrant No.:

Number of Shares of Common Stock: _____________

Date of Issuance: [__________], 2018 (" Issuance Date ")

 

SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), hereby certifies that, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged , [_______________] , the registered holder hereof or its permitted assigns (the " Holder "), is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at the Exercise Price (as defined below) then in effect, at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date, but not after 11:59 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date, (as defined below), [_______________] (_______________)fully paid nonassessable shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided herein (the " Warrant Shares "). Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (including any Warrants to Purchase Common Stock issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this " Warrant "), shall have the meanings set forth in Section 18. This Warrant is one of the Warrants to purchase Common Stock (the " Lender Warrants ") issued pursuant to Section 1 of that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of November [•], 2018 (the " Subscription Date "), by and among the Company and the investors (the " Subscribers ") referred to therein (the " Subscription Agreement "). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the definitions ascribed to such terms in the Subscription Agreement.

 

 

1. EXERCISE OF WARRANT.

 

(i) Mechanics of Exercise . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, the limitations set forth in Section 1(f)), this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder at any time or times on or after the Issuance Date, in whole or in part, by (i) delivery of a written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the " Exercise Notice "), of the Holder's election to exercise this Warrant and (ii) (A) payment to the Company of an amount equal to the applicable Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares as to which this Warrant is being exercised (the " Aggregate Exercise Price ") in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds or (B) by notifying the Company that this Warrant is being exercised pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined in Section 1(d)). No ink-original Exercise Notice shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Exercise Notice be required. Execution and delivery of the Exercise Notice with respect to less than all of the Warrant Shares shall have the same effect as cancellation of the original Warrant and issuance of a new Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining number of Warrant Shares. On or before the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Holder has delivered an Exercise Notice to the Company, the Company shall transmit by facsimile or electronic mail an acknowledgment of confirmation of receipt of the Exercise Notice to the Holder and the Company's transfer agent (the " Transfer Agent "). On or before the earlier of (i) the second (2 nd ) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period, in each case, following the date on which the Holder has delivered the Exercise Notice to the Company, so long as the Holder delivers the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) on or prior to the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Holder has delivered the Exercise Notice to the Company (a " Share Delivery Date ") (provided that if the Aggregate Exercise Price has not been delivered by such date, the applicable Share Delivery Date shall be one (1) Trading Day after the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) is delivered), the Company shall (X) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company (" DTC ") Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program and (A) the Warrant Shares are subject to an effective resale registration statement in favor of the Holder or (B) if exercised via Cashless Exercise, at a time when Rule 144 would be available for immediate resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder , credit such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder's or its designee's balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system, or (Y) if (A) the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program or (B) the Warrant Shares are not subject to an effective resale registration statement in favor of the Holder and, if exercised via Cashless Exercise, at a time when Rule 144 would not be available for immediate resale of the Warrant Shares by the Holder , issue and dispatch by overnight courier to the address as specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the Company's share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise. The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent and all fees and expenses with respect to the issuance of Warrant Shares via DTC, if any, including without limitation for same day processing. Upon delivery of the Exercise Notice, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date such Warrant Shares are credited to the Holder's DTC account or the date of delivery of the certificates evidencing such Warrant Shares, as the case may be. If this Warrant is submitted in connection with any exercise pursuant to this Section 1(a) and the number of Warrant Shares represented by this Warrant submitted for exercise is greater than the number of Warrant Shares being acquired upon an exercise, then the Company shall as soon as practicable and in no event later than four (4) Trading Days after any exercise and at its own expense, issue a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares issuable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant, less the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is exercised. No fractional Warrant Shares are to be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, but rather the number of Warrant Shares to be issued shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. The Company shall pay any and all taxes which may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant. The Company's obligations to issue and deliver Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination.

 

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Exercise Price . For purposes of this Warrant, " Exercise Price " means $0.01, subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

(ii) Company's Failure to Timely Deliver Securities . If the Company shall fail for any reason or for no reason to issue to the Holder on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company's share register or if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to credit the Holder's balance account with DTC, for such number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder's exercise of this Warrant or (II) if the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) covering the resale of the Warrant Shares that are the subject of the Exercise Notice (the " Unavailable Warrant Shares ") is not available for the resale of such Unavailable Warrant Shares and the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than as is required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (x) so notify the Holder and (y) deliver the Warrant Shares electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder's or its designee's balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred as a " Notice Failure " and together with the event described in clause (I) above, an " Exercise Failure "), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, the Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Exercise Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the voiding of an Exercise Notice shall not affect the Company's obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, if on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to the Holder and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company's share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit the Holder's balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder's exercise hereunder or pursuant to the Company's obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below or (II) a Notice Failure occurs, and if on or after such Trading Day the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock relating to the applicable Exercise Failure (a " Buy-In "), then the Company shall, within three (3) Trading Days after the Holder's request and in the Holder's discretion, either (i) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder's total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock with respect to the Buy-In (the " Buy-In Price "), at which point the Company's obligation to deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) or credit the Holder's balance account with DTC for such shares of Common Stock shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit the Holder's balance account with DTC, as applicable, and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock, times (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the date of delivery of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Date. Nothing herein shall limit the Holder's right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company's failure to timely deliver certificates representing shares of Common Stock (or to electronically deliver such shares of Common Stock) upon the exercise of this Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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Cashless Exercise . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Holder may, in its sole discretion, exercise this Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the "Net Number" of shares of Common Stock determined according to the following formula (a " Cashless Exercise "):

 

Net Number = (A x B) - (A x C)

D

 

For purposes of the foregoing formula:

 

A= the total number of shares with respect to which this Warrant is then being exercised.

 

B= the arithmetic average of the Closing Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the five (5) consecutive Trading Days ending on the date immediately preceding the date of the Exercise Notice.

 

C= the Exercise Price then in effect for the applicable Warrant Shares at the time of such exercise.

 

D = the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date of the Exercise Notice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 5 -

 

For purposes of Rule 144(d) promulgated under the Securities Act, as in effect on the date hereof, the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Warrant Shares issued in a Cashless Exercise shall be deemed to have been acquired by the Holder, and the holding period for the Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have commenced, on the date this Warrant was originally issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 1(d).

 

Disputes . In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall promptly issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Shares that are not disputed and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 12.

 

(iii)        Limitations on Exercises .

 

(a) Beneficial Ownership . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not effect the exercise of any portion of this Warrant, and the Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant and any such exercise shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (the " Maximum Percentage ") of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants, including the other Lender Warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 1(f)(i). For purposes of this Section 1(f)(i), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the " 1934 Act "). For purposes of determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the exercise of this Warrant without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Current Report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "), as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the " Reported Outstanding Share Number "). If the Company receives an Exercise Notice from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall (i) notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Exercise Notice would otherwise cause the Holder's beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 1(f)(i), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of Warrant Shares to be purchased pursuant to such Exercise Notice (the number of shares by which such purchase is reduced, the " Reduction Shares ") and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable, the Company shall return to the Holder any exercise price paid by the Holder for the Reduction Shares. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall within two (2) Trading Days confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported. In the event that the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holder upon exercise of this Warrant results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder's and the other Attribution Parties' aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the " Excess Shares ") shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares. As soon as reasonably practicable after the issuance of the Excess Shares has been deemed null and void, the Company shall return to the Holder the exercise price paid by the Holder for the Excess Shares. Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61 st ) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of Lender Warrants that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder. For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of this Warrant in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act. No prior inability to exercise this Warrant pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of exercisability. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 1(f)(i) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph or any portion of this paragraph which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 1(f)(i) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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(b) Principal Market Regulation . The Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant and the Holder shall not have the right to receive upon exercise of this Warrant any shares of Common Stock, to the extent the issuance of such shares of Common Stock would exceed the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the Company may issue upon exercise of the Lender Warrants without breaching the Company's obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market (the " Exchange Cap "), except that such limitation shall not apply in the event that the Company obtains the approval of its shareholders as required by the applicable rules of the Principal Market for issuances of Common Stock in excess of such amount. Until such approval is obtained, no Subscriber shall be issued in the aggregate, upon exercise of any Lender Warrants, shares of Common Stock in an amount greater than the product of the Exchange Cap multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrant issued to such Subscriber pursuant to the Subscription Agreement on the Issuance Date and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrants issued to the Subscribers pursuant to the Subscription Agreement on the Issuance Date (with respect to each Subscriber, the " Exchange Cap Allocation "). In the event that any Subscriber or transferee of Warrants shall sell or otherwise transfer any of the Holder's Lender Warrants such transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Subscriber's Exchange Cap Allocation, and the restrictions of the prior sentence shall apply to such transferee with respect to the portion of the Exchange Cap Allocation allocated to such transferee. In the event that any holder of Lender Warrants shall exercise all of such holder's Lender Warrants into a number of shares of Common Stock which, in the aggregate, is less than such holder's Exchange Cap Allocation, then the difference between such holder's Exchange Cap Allocation and the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued to such holder shall be allocated to the respective Exchange Cap Allocations of the remaining holders of Lender Warrants on a pro rata basis in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrants then held by each such holder. In the event that the Company is prohibited from issuing any Warrant Shares for which an Exercise Notice has been received as a result of the operation of this Section 1(f)(ii) after the Company failed to obtain the Nasdaq Stockholder Approval (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) on or prior to the Nasdaq Stockholder Meeting Deadline (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) pursuant to Section 4.5(b) of the Subscription Agreement, then, unless the Holder elects to void such exercise , in exchange for cancellation of the applicable number of Warrant Shares that is subject to such Exercise Notice, the Holder may require the Company to pay to the Holder within three (3) Trading Days of the applicable exercise, cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds, which cash amount for each share of Common Stock that the Company is unable to deliver pursuant to this Section 1(f)(ii) shall be equal to the highest trading price of the Common Stock in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable date of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the date the Company makes the payment provided for in this sentence.

 

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(iv) Insufficient Authorized Shares . If at any time while this Warrant remains outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon exercise of this Warrant at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to: (x) prior to the earlier to occur of the Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline (as defined in the Subscription Agreement), 125% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the exercise of all of this Warrant then outstanding, including after giving effect to Section 2(a) and/or Section 2(c) of this Warrant and (y) on or after the earlier to occur of the Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline, 150% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the exercise of all of this Warrant then outstanding, including after giving effect to Section 2(a) and/or Section 2(c) of this Warrant (the number of shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants set forth in clause (x) or (y), as applicable, the " Required Reserve Amount " and the failure to have such sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock, an " Authorized Share Failure "), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company's authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for this Warrant then outstanding, including, without limitation, calling a special meeting of stockholders to authorize additional shares to meet the Company's obligations under this Section 1(g), in the case of an insufficient number of authorized shares, obtain shareholder approval of an increase in such authorized number of shares, and voting the management shares of the Company in favor of an increase in the authorized shares of the Company to ensure that the number of authorized shares is sufficient to meet the Required Reserve Amount. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use reasonable best efforts to solicit its stockholders' approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C. In the event that upon any exercise of this Warrant, the Company does not have sufficient authorized shares to deliver in satisfaction of such exercise, then unless the Holder elects to void such attempted exercise, in exchange for cancellation of the applicable number of Warrant Shares that is subject to such Exercise Notice the Holder may require the Company to pay to the Holder within three (3) Trading Days of the applicable exercise, cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds, which cash amount for each share of Common Stock that the Company is unable to deliver pursuant to this Section 1(g) shall be equal to the highest trading price of the Common Stock in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable date of the applicable Exercise Notice and ending on the date the Company makes the payment provided for in this sentence.

 

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2.        ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF WARRANT SHARES . The Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

 

(i) Adjustment Upon Issuance of Shares of Common Stock . If and whenever on or after the Subscription Date, the Company issues or sells, or in accordance with this Section 2 is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock (including the issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding shares of Common Stock issued or sold (or deemed to have been issued or sold) by the Company in connection with any Excluded Securities for a consideration per share (the " New Issuance Price ") less than a price (the " Applicable Price ") equal to the Market Price per share of the Common Stock immediately prior to such issuance or sale (or deemed issuance or sale) (the foregoing a " Dilutive Issuance "), then immediately upon such Dilutive Issuance, the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to any such Dilutive Issuance shall be increased (but in no event decreased) to a number of Warrant Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance by a fraction (which shall in no event be less than one):

 

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(i) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such Dilutive Issuance; and

 

(ii) the denominator of which shall be the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance plus (B) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate amount of consideration, if any, received by the Company upon such Dilutive Issuance would purchase at the Market Price per share of the Common Stock immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance.

 

For purposes of determining the adjusted number of Warrant Shares under this Section 2(a), the following shall be applicable:

 

(a) Issuance of Options . If the Company in any manner grants or sells any Options after the Subscription Date, whether or not such Options or the right to convert or exchange any Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options are immediately exercisable, and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options is less than the Applicable Price, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum amount of Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of such Options shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of granting or sale of such Options, at a price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the sum (which sum shall constitute the applicable consideration received for purposes of Section 2(a)) of (w) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of all such Options, plus (x) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of all such Options, plus (y), in the case of such Options for the purchase of Convertible Securities, the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the issuance or sale of all such Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities, less (z) any consideration paid or payable by the Company with respect to such one share of Common Stock upon the granting or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option by (B) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of all such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of all Convertible Securities issuable upon the exercise of all such Options (without giving effect to any limitation on the exercise, conversion or exchange of such Options). Except as set forth in Section 2(a)(iii), no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Shares shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of such Options or upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

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(b) Issuance of Convertible Securities . If the Company in any manner issues or sells any Convertible Securities after the Subscription Date, whether or not the right to convert or exchange any such Convertible Securities is immediately exercisable, and the price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities is less than the Applicable Price, then the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exchange of the total maximum amount of such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of granting or sale of such Convertible Securities, at a price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the sum (which sum shall constitute the applicable consideration received for purposes of Section 2(a)) of (x) the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Company as consideration for the granting or sale of such Convertible Securities, plus (y) the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities, less (z) any consideration paid or payable by the Company with respect to such one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale of such Convertible Security and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Security, by (B) the total maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities (without giving effect to any limitation on the exercise, conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities). Except as set forth in Section 2(a)(iii), no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Shares shall be made upon the actual issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities, and if any such issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of this Warrant has been or is to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 2(a), no further adjustment of the number of Warrant Shares shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

 

(c) Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock increases or decreases at any time, the number of Warrant Shares in effect at the time of such increase or decrease shall be adjusted to the number of Warrant Shares, which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities provided for such increased or decreased purchase price, additional consideration or increased or decreased conversion rate, as the case may be, at the time initially granted, issued or sold. For purposes of this Section 2(a)(iii), if the terms of any Options or Convertible Securities that were outstanding as of the Subscription Date are increased or decreased in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Options or Convertible Securities and the shares of Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such increase or decrease. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 2(a) shall be made if such adjustment would result in a decrease in the number of Warrant Shares.

 

(d) Calculation of Consideration Received . In case any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued in connection with the issue or sale of other securities of the Company, together comprising one integrated transaction, the amount of consideration therefore shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of such Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as applicable, attributable to such portion of the aggregate consideration received by the Company in such transaction. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration other than cash received therefor will be deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefor. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of publicly traded securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company will be the Closing Sale Price of such publicly traded securities on the date of receipt. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, as the case may be. The fair value of any consideration other than cash or publicly traded securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the Required Holders. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten (10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the " Valuation Event "), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Business Days after the tenth (10 th ) day following the Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the Required Holders. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne by the Company.

 

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(e) Record Date . If the Company takes a record of the holders of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common Stock, Options or in Convertible Securities or (B) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase, as the case may be.

 

(f) Expired or Terminated Options or Convertible Securities . Upon the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option (or portion thereof) or any unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Securities (or portion thereof) (including without limitation upon the redemption or purchase for consideration of all or any portion of such Options or Convertible Securities by the Company) for which any adjustment was made pursuant to this Section 2(a), the number of Warrant Shares then issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall forthwith be changed pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2(a) to the number of Warrant Shares which would have been in effect at the time of such expiration or termination had such unexercised Option (or portion thereof) or unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Securities (or portion thereof), to the extent outstanding immediately prior to such expiration or termination, never been issued; provided , however , that any such decrease to the number of Warrant Shares shall not be greater than the number of Warrant Shares then remaining under this Warrant.

 

(ii) Adjustment Upon Subdivision or Combination of Shares of Common Stock . If the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced and the number of Warrant Shares will be proportionately increased. If the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares will be proportionately decreased. Any adjustment under this Section 2(b) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

 

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(iii) Reset . If the Term Loan B remains outstanding on the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Issuance Date (the " Reset Date ") and the Designee has not elected to increase the interest rate in respect of the Term Loan B pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Financing Agreement, then, on the Reset Date the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall increase by a number of Warrant Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) 3.0% of the shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding on the Reset Date, and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the Term Loan B that remains outstanding as of the Reset Date, and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of the Term Loan B drawn under the Term Loan B Commitments (as defined in the Financing Agreement) (without giving effect to any repayments in respect thereof) as of the applicable date of determination.

 

(iv) Other Events . If any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 2 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Company's Board of Directors will make an appropriate adjustment in the Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares, as mutually determined by the Company's Board of Directors and the Required Holders, so as to protect the rights of the Holder; provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 2(d) will increase the Exercise Price or decrease the number of Warrant Shares as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 2.

 

3. RIGHTS UPON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS . If the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to any or all holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property, options, evidence of indebtedness or any other assets by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a " Distribution "), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution ( provided , however , that to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution to be held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

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4.        PURCHASE RIGHTS; PUT RIGHTS; FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTIONS .

 

(i) Purchase Rights . In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 2 above, if at any time on or after the Subscription Date the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the " Purchase Rights "), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights ( provided , however , that to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right to be held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

(ii) Put Rights . Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each, a " Put Triggering Event "), (i) a Fundamental Transaction other than one in which holders of Common Stock receive solely cash (a " Put Fundamental Transaction "), (ii) the Final Maturity Date (as defined in the Financing Agreement), (iii) a refinancing in full of all the Loans (as defined in the Financing Agreement) under the Financing Agreement, (iv) any Event of Default under Section 9.01(a), Section 9.01(f) or Section 9.01(g) of the Financing Agreement or (v) the acceleration of the Company's obligations under the Financing Facility, at the request of the Holder delivered before the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the occurrence or consummation of any Put Triggering Event, the Company (or the Successor Entity) shall purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder, within five (5) Business Days after such request (or in case of a Put Fundamental Transaction, on the effective date of such Put Fundamental Transaction if such date is earlier than the date that is five (5) Business Days following the request of the Holder), cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the Trading Day immediately preceding the initial day of the applicable Put Triggering Event.

 

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(iii) Fundamental Transaction . Upon: (i) the occurrence or consummation of a Fundamental Transaction in which holders of Common Stock receive solely cash or (ii) if the Holder indicates in writing it shall not exercise its put right pursuant to Section 4(b) in connection with a Put Fundamental Transaction, on the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after such notice, or, if the Holder does not notify the Company in writing prior to the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the occurrence or consummation of a Put Fundamental Transaction, on the ninetieth (90 th ) day after the occurrence or consummation of such Put Fundamental Transaction , the Company (or the Successor Entity) shall deliver to the Holder, in case of the foregoing clause (i), such cash, or, in case of the foregoing clause (ii), such cash and/or such other consideration, in each case, which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of such applicable Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to such applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) (provided, however, to the extent that the Holder's right to receive any such shares of publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity would result in the Holder and its other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, if applicable, then the Holder shall not be entitled to receive such shares to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of publicly traded common stock (or their equivalent) of the Successor Entity as a result of such consideration to such extent) and the portion of such shares shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time or times, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and its other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be delivered such shares to the extent as if there had been no such limitation) . For the avoidance of doubt, if a Fundamental Transaction does not result in holders of Common Stock receiving any consideration and the Holder does not elect to exercise its put right pursuant to Section 4(b), then, this Warrant shall remain outstanding and the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, shall succeed to, and the Company shall cause any Successor Entity or Successor Entities to jointly and severally succeed to, and be added to the term "Company" under this Warrant (so that from and after the date of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant referring to the "Company" shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company in this Warrant and, at the election of the Holder, the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity and/or Successor Entities evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant and exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of the Successor Entity and/or Successor Entities equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction.

 

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5. NONCIRCUMVENTION . The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all times in good faith carry out all of the provisions of this Warrant and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect, (ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (iii) shall, so long as any of the Lender Warrants are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the exercise of the Lender Warrants, the Required Reserve Amount.

 

6.        WARRANT HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Holder, solely in such Person's capacity as a holder of this Warrant, shall not be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of capital stock of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, solely in such Person's capacity as the Holder of this Warrant, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, prior to the issuance to the Holder of the Warrant Shares which such Person is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant. In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company. Notwithstanding this Section 6, the Company shall provide the Holder with copies of the same notices and other information given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the giving thereof to the stockholders.

 

7.        REISSUANCE OF WARRANTS .

 

(i) Transfer of Warrant . If this Warrant is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company, whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the total number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant is being transferred, a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) to the Holder representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares not being transferred.

 

Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Warrant . Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in customary form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant.

 

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Exchangeable for Multiple Warrants . This Warrant is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Warrant or Warrants (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant, and each such new Warrant will represent the right to purchase such portion of such Warrant Shares as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender; provided , however , that no Lender Warrants for fractional Warrant Shares shall be given.

 

Issuance of New Warrants . Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Warrant, such new Warrant (i) shall be of like tenor with this Warrant, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant, the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant (or in the case of a new Warrant being issued pursuant to Section 7(a) or Section 7(c), the Warrant Shares designated by the Holder which, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the other new Warrants issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant which is the same as the Issuance Date, and (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Warrant.

 

8.        NOTICES . Whenever notice is required to be given under this Warrant, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in accordance with Section 6.3 of the Subscription Agreement. The Company shall provide the Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Warrant, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will give written notice to the Holder (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the shares of Common Stock, (B) with respect to any grants, issuances or sales of any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property to holders of shares of Common Stock or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation; provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to the Holder. It is expressly understood and agreed that the time of exercise specified by the Holder in each Exercise Notice shall be definitive and may not be disputed or challenged by the Company.

 

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9. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER . Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Warrant may be amended or waived and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Required Holders. Any amendment or waiver by the Company and the Required Holders shall be binding on the Holder of this Warrant and all holders of the Lender Warrants.

 

10.        GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; PROCESS AGENT; JURY TRIAL . This Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Warrant shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. The Company hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to the Company at the address set forth in Section 6.3 of the Subscription Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company's obligations to the Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of the Holder. The Company hereby appoints CT Corporation (the " Process Agent "), with an office on the Subscription Date at 111 8 th Avenue, 13 th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding described above.  Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Company, in care of the Process Agent at the address specified above for the Process Agent, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. The Company covenants and agrees that, for so long as it shall be bound under this Warrant or any other Transaction Document, it shall maintain a duly appointed agent for the service of summons and other legal process in New York, New York, United States of America, for the purposes of any legal action, suit or proceeding brought by any party in respect of this Warrant or such other Transaction Document and shall keep the Holder advised of the identity and location of such agent.  If for any reason there is no authorized agent for service of process in New York, the Company irrevocably consents to the service of process out of the said courts by mailing copies thereof by registered United States air mail postage prepaid to it at its address specified in Section 6.3 of the Subscription Agreement.  Nothing in this Section 10 shall affect the right of the Holder to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue the Company in the country in which it is domiciled or in any other court having jurisdiction over the Company or (ii) serve process upon the Company in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS WARRANT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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11.        CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS . This Warrant shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and all of the Subscribers and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof. The headings of this Warrant are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Warrant.

 

12.        DISPUTE RESOLUTION . In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price, the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares or the Fair Market Value of the Warrant, the Company shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations via facsimile or electronic mail within three (3) Business Days of receipt of the Exercise Notice giving rise to such dispute, as the case may be, to the Holder. If the Holder and the Company are unable to agree upon such determination or calculation of the Exercise Price, the Warrant Shares or the Fair Market Value of the Warrant within three (3) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the Holder, then the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days submit via facsimile or electronic mail (a) the disputed determination of the Exercise Price or the Fair Market Value of the Warrant, as the case may be, to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Holder and approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed or (b) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares to an independent, outside accountant, selected by the Holder and approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company shall cause at its expense the investment bank or the accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Company and the Holder of the results no later than five (5) Business Days from the time it receives the disputed determinations or calculations. Such investment bank's or accountant's determination or calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error.

 

13.        REMEDIES, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF . The remedies provided in this Warrant shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the right of the Holder to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Warrant. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

14. TRANSFER . This Warrant and the Warrant Shares may be offered for sale, sold, transferred, pledged or assigned without the consent of the Company, except as may otherwise be required by Section 3.2(h) of the Subscription Agreement. Notwithstanding foregoing, this Warrant shall not be permitted to be offered for sale, sold, transferred, pledged or assigned to a Competitor (as defined in the Financing Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Company; provided , that no such consent shall be required if as of the applicable date of determination there shall have occurred and be continuing any Event of Default under Section 9.01(a), Section 9.01(c) (solely as a result of any breach of any financial covenant set forth in Section 7.03), Section 9.01(f) or Section 9.01(g) of the Financing Agreement.

 

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15. SEVERABILITY . If any provision of this Warrant is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Warrant so long as this Warrant as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

16. DISCLOSURE . At any time after the Holder or an of its Affiliates ceases to be a Lender under the Financing Agreement, upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Warrant, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company shall contemporaneously with any such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, nonpublic information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to the Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, the Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

17.        CURRENCY; JUDGMENT CURRENCY; PAYMENTS .

 

(i) Currency . All amounts set forth in this Warrant that refer to dollars or $ shall refer to U.S. dollars. All amounts denominated in other currencies shall be converted in the U.S. dollar equivalent amount in accordance with the Exchange Rate on the date of calculation.

 

(ii) Judgment Currency .

 

18.(i) If for purposes of obtaining or enforcing judgment against the Company in any court in any jurisdiction it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (such other currency, a " Judgment Currency ") an amount due in U.S. Dollars under this Warrant, the conversion shall be made at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Business Day immediately preceding:

 

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(1)       the date of actual payment of the amount due, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of New York or in the courts of any other jurisdiction that will give effect to such conversion being made on such date: or

 

(2)       the date on which the foreign court determines, in the case of any proceeding in the courts of any other jurisdiction (the date as of which such conversion is made pursuant to this Section 17(c) being hereinafter referred to as the " Judgment Conversion Date ").

 

19.(ii) If, in the case of any proceeding in the court of any jurisdiction referred to in Section 17(c)(i)(2) above, there is a change in the Exchange Rate prevailing between the Judgment Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable party shall pay such adjusted amount as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of U.S. Dollars which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the applicable judgment order at the Exchange Rate prevailing on the Judgment Conversion Date.

 

20.(iii) Any amount due from the Company under this section shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of this Warrant.

 

(i) Payments . Whenever any payment of cash is to be made by the Company to any Person pursuant to this Warrant, such payment shall be made in lawful money of the United States via wire transfer of immediately available funds by providing the Company with prior written notice setting out such request and the Holder's wire transfer instructions; provided that the Holder may elect to receive a payment of cash by a check drawn on the account of the Company and sent via overnight courier service to such Person at such address as previously provided to the Company in writing (which address, in the case of each of the Buyers, shall initially be as set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers attached to the Subscription Agreement). Whenever any amount expressed to be due by the terms of this Warrant is due on any day which is not a Trading Day, the same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Trading Day.

 

21. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS . For purposes of this Warrant, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(i)" Affiliate " shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

(ii)" Approved Stock Plan " means any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to which the Company's securities may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services provided to the Company.

 

(iii)" Attribution Parties " means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Issuance Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder's investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder's and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act. For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

 

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" Bloomberg " means Bloomberg Financial Markets.

 

" Business Day " means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

" Closing Bid Price " and " Closing Sale Price " means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price, as the case may be, then the last bid price or the last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in the OTC Link or "pink sheets" by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink OTC Markets Inc.). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price, as the case may be, of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 12. All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

" Common Stock " means (i) the Company's shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such Common Stock shall have been changed or any capital stock resulting from a reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of such Common Stock.

 

" Common Stock Deemed Outstanding " means, at any given time, the number of shares of Common Stock actually outstanding at such time, plus the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding pursuant to Sections 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii) hereof regardless of whether the Options or Convertible Securities are actually exercisable at such time, but excluding (i) any shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company or issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrants, (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in connection with any Approved Stock Plan and (iii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the extent all the proceeds of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Common Stock, net solely of any reasonable underwriting and legal fees and expenses directly related to such issuance or deemed issuance (such fees and expenses, the " Direct Costs "), is used to pay down or pay off the Term Loan B; provided , that if the Company raises proceeds in an issuance or deemed issuance that exceed the amounts outstanding under the Term Loan B (such excess proceeds, the " Excess Proceeds "), such Common Stock issued or deemed issued shall only be considered "Excluded Securities" hereunder if the applicable Direct Costs shall first be deducted from such Excess Proceeds.

 

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" Convertible Securities " means any stock or securities (other than Options) directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, including, without limitation, restricted stock units.

 

" Designee " means TCW Asset Management Company LLC.

 

" Eligible Market " means the Principal Market, the NYSE American, The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Capital Market or The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

" Event of Default " shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Financing Agreement.

 

" Exchange Rate " means, in relation to any amount of currency to be converted into U.S. dollars pursuant to this Warrant, the U.S. dollar exchange rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the relevant date of calculation (it being understood and agreed that where an amount is calculated with reference to, or over, a period of time, the date of calculation shall be the final date of such period of time).

 

" Excluded Securities " means any Common Stock issued or issuable: (i) in connection with any Approved Stock Plan, (ii) upon the exercise of the Lender Warrants; provided , that the Lender Warrants are not amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date, provided , further , that any Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of any Lender Warrants amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date may nevertheless be deemed "Excluded Securities" with respect to this Warrant (but not with respect to the other Lender Warrants) with the prior written consent of the Holder, (iii) upon exercise of any Options or Convertible Securities which are outstanding on the day immediately preceding the Subscription Date; provided , that the terms of such Options or Convertible Securities are not amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date; provided , further , that any Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of any Options or Convertible Securities which are outstanding on the day immediately preceding the Subscription Date, but which are amended, modified or changed on or after the Subscription Date may nevertheless be deemed "Excluded Securities" with respect to this Warrant (but not with respect to the other Lender Warrants) with the prior written consent of the Holder (iv) to the extent all the proceeds of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Common Stock, net solely of any Direct Costs directly related to such issuance or deemed issuance, is used to pay down or pay off the Term Loan B; provided , that if the Company raises proceeds in an issuance or deemed issuance Excess Proceeds, such Common Stock issued or deemed issued shall only be considered "Excluded Securities" hereunder if the applicable Direct Costs shall first be deducted from such Excess Proceeds.

 

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" Expiration Date " means the date eighty-four (84) months after the Issuance Date or, if such date falls on a day other than a Business Day or on which trading does not take place on the Principal Market (a " Holiday "), the next day that is not a Holiday.

 

" Fair Market Value " of a security shall be the fair market value of such security as determined jointly by the Company and the Holder; provided , that if the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 12.

 

(iv)" Financing Agreement " means that certain Financing Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company, certain other loan parties thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Designee, as administrative agent for lenders thereunder, and as the collateral agent for the lenders thereunder, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(v)" Fundamental Transaction " means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through Subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its "significant subsidiaries" (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through Subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the Subscription Date calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their shares of Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company, or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.

 

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(vi)" Group " means a "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

 

(vii)" Market Price " means the arithmetic average of the Weighted Average Prices of the Common Stock during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately prior to the applicable date of determination.

 

" Options " means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase (i) shares of Common Stock or (ii) Convertible Securities.

 

(viii)" Parent Entity " of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person, including such entity whose common capital or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, any other market, exchange or quotation system), or, if there is more than one such Person or such entity, the Person or such entity designated by the Required Holders or in the absence of such designation, such Person or entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.

 

" Person " means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

" Principal Market " means The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

" Registration Rights Agreement " means that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the Subscription Date by and among the Company and the Subscriber .

 

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" Required Holders " means the holders of the Lender Warrants representing at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Lender Warrants then outstanding and shall include the Designee as long as the Designee or any of its Affiliates holds any Lender Warrants.

 

(ix)" Securities Act " means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

" Standard Settlement Period " means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded as in effect on the date of delivery of the applicable Exercise Notice.

 

(x)" Subject Entity " means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.

 

(xi)" Subsidiary " has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Financing Agreement.

 

(xii)" Successor Entity " means one or more Person or Persons (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Company or Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction, or one or more Person or Persons (or, if so elected by the Required Holders, the Company or the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.

 

(xiii)" Term Loan B " has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Financing Agreement.

 

(xiv)" Trading Day " means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock on such day, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that "Trading Day" shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).

 

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" Weighted Average Price " means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg through its "Volume at Price" function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest Closing Bid Price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the OTC Link or "pink sheets" by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink OTC Markets Inc.). If the Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Weighted Average Price of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder. If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 12 with the term "Weighted Average Price" being substituted for the term "Exercise Price." All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.

 

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

 

By:___________________________

Name:       

Title:       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

SMTC CORPORATION

The undersigned holder hereby exercises the right to purchase _________________ of the shares of Common Stock (" Warrant Shares ") of SMTC Corporation., a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), evidenced by the attached Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (the " Warrant "). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.

 

1. Form of Exercise Price. The Holder intends that payment of the Exercise Price shall be made as:

 

____________ a " Cash Exercise" with respect to _________________ Warrant Shares; and/or

 

____________ a "Cashless Exercise" with respect to _______________ Warrant Shares , resulting in a delivery obligation of the Company to the Holder of __________ shares of Common Stock representing the applicable Net Number .

 

2. Payment of Exercise Price. In the event that the holder has elected a Cash Exercise with respect to some or all of the Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant hereto, the holder shall pay the Aggregate Exercise Price in the sum of $___________________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

3. Delivery of Warrant Shares. The Company shall deliver to the holder __________ Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

Date: _______________ __, ______

 

____________________________

Name of Registered Holder

 

 

By: ___________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Exercise Notice and hereby directs Computershare Inc. to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:________________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this " Agreement "), dated as of __________, 2018, by and among SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with headquarters located at _________________________ (the " Company "), and the investors listed on the Schedule of Subscribers attached hereto (each, a " Subscriber " and collectively, the " Subscribers ").

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       In connection with the Subscription Agreement by and among the parties hereto of even date herewith (the " Subscription Agreement ") and the Financing Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Subscription Agreement, to issue to each Subscriber warrants (the " Warrants ") which will be exercisable to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the " Common Stock ") (as exercised, collectively, the " Warrant Shares ") in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

 

B.       In accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the " 1933 Act "), and applicable state securities laws.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Subscribers hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Definitions .

 

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Subscription Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)       " Additional Effective Date " means the date an Additional Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.

 

(b)       " Additional Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar day after the earlier of the Additional Filing Date and the Additional Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Additional Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Additional Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Additional Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

 

(c)       " Additional Filing Date " means the date on which an Additional Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(d)       " Additional Filing Deadline " means if Cutback Shares are required to be included in any Additional Registration Statement, the later of (i) the date sixty (60) days after the date substantially all of the Registrable Securities registered under the immediately preceding Registration Statement are sold and (ii) the date six (6) months from the Initial Effective Date, the Replacement Effective Date, the Subsequent Effective Date or the most recent Additional Effective Date, as applicable.

 

(e)       " Additional Registrable Securities " means, (i) any Cutback Shares not previously included on a Registration Statement and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, or the Cutback Shares, as applicable, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(f)       " Additional Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of any Additional Registrable Securities.

 

(g)       " Additional Required Registration Amount " means any Cutback Shares not previously included on a Registration Statement, all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(h)       " Business Day " means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

(i)       " Closing Date " shall have the meaning set forth in the Subscription Agreement.

 

(j)       " Cutback Shares " means any of the Initial Required Registration Amount, the Replacement Required Registration Amount, the Subsequent Required Registration Amount or the Additional Required Registration Amount of Registrable Securities not included in all Registration Statements previously declared effective hereunder as a result of a limitation on the maximum number of shares of Common Stock of the Company permitted to be registered by the staff of the SEC pursuant to Rule 415. For the purpose of determining the Cutback Shares, in order to determine any applicable Required Registration Amount, unless an Investor gives written notice to the Company to the contrary with respect to the allocation of its Cutback Shares, first, the Other Shares (as defined in Section 2(j)) shall be excluded on a pro rata basis among the holders of such Other Shares until all of the Other Shares have been excluded, second, the Company Shares (as defined in Section 2(j)) shall be excluded until all of the Company Shares have been excluded, and third, the Warrant Shares shall be excluded on a pro rata basis among the Investors until all of the Warrant Shares have been excluded.

 

(k)       " Designee " means TCW Asset Management Company LLC.

 

2

 

(l)       " effective " and " effectiveness " refer to a Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC and is available for the resale of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby.

 

(m)       " Effective Date " means the Initial Effective Date, the Replacement Effective Date, the Subsequent Effective Date and the Additional Effective Date, as applicable.

 

(n)       " Effectiveness Deadline " means the Initial Effectiveness Deadline, the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline, the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline and the Additional Effectiveness Deadline, as applicable.

 

(o)       " Eligible Market " means the Principal Market, The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American.

 

(p)       " Filing Deadline " means the Initial Filing Deadline, the Replacement Filing Deadline, the Subsequent Filing Deadline and the Additional Filing Deadline, as applicable.

 

(q)       " Financing Agreement " means that certain Financing Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company, certain other loan parties thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, TCW Asset Management Company LLC, as administrative agent for lenders thereunder, and as collateral agent for the lenders thereunder, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(r)       " Initial Effective Date " means the date that the Initial Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(s)       " Initial Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar day after the earlier of the Initial Filing Date and the Initial Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Initial Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Initial Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

(t)       " Initial Filing Date " means the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(u)       " Initial Filing Deadline " means the date which is sixty (60) calendar days after the Closing Date.

 

(v)       " Initial Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities.

 

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(w)       " Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities " means (i) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Warrant Shares or the Warrants as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, in each case without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(x)       " Initial Required Registration Amount " means 125% the maximum number of Warrant Shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Warrants, calculated as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(y)       " Investor " means a Subscriber or any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a Subscriber assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.

 

(z)       " Person " means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(aa) " Principal Market " means The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

(bb) " register ," " registered ," and " registration " refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415, and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the SEC.

 

(cc) " Registrable Securities " means the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities, the Subsequent Registrable Securities and the Additional Registrable Securities.

 

(dd) " Registration Statement " means the Initial Registration Statement, the Replacement Registration Statement, the Subsequent Registration Statement and the Additional Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

(ee) " Replacement Effective Date " means the date that the Replacement Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(ff) " Replacement Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar days after the earlier of the Replacement Filing Date and the Replacement Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Replacement Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

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(gg) " Replacement Filing Date " means the date on which the Replacement Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(hh) " Replacement Filing Deadline " means the date which is sixty (60) calendar days after earlier of the Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline (as defined in the Subscription Agreement).

 

(ii)       " Replacement Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities.

 

(jj) " Replacement Required Registration Amount " means 150% the maximum number of Warrant Shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Warrants, calculated as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(kk) " Required Holders " means the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities and shall include the Designee so long as the Designee or any of its Affiliates holds any Registrable Securities.

 

(ll) " Required Registration Amount " means either the Initial Required Registration Amount, the Replacement Required Registration Amount, the Subsequent Required Registration Amount or the Additional Required Registration Amount(s), as applicable.

 

(mm) " Rule 415 " means Rule 415 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis.

 

(nn) " SEC " means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

(oo)       " Subsequent Effective Date " means the date that the Subsequent Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(pp) " Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar day after the earlier of the Subsequent Filing Date and the Subsequent Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Subsequent Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

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(qq) " Subsequent Filing Date " means the date on which the Subsequent Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(rr) " Subsequent Filing Deadline " means the date which is sixty (60) calendar days immediately following the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

(ss) " Subsequent Registrable Securities " means (i) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants to the extent such Warrant Shares were not included in the Initial Registration Statement or, after the Replacement Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, in the Replacement Registration Statement, in each case, previously declared effective hereunder, including, without limitation the additional Warrant Shares that become issuable upon exercise of the Warrant pursuant to Section 2(d) thereof and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Warrant Shares or the Warrants as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, in each case, without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(tt) " Subsequent Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of the Subsequent Registrable Securities.

 

(uu) " Subsequent Required Registration Amount " means 150% of the additional Warrant Shares that become issuable upon exercise of the Warrants pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Warrants, calculated as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(vv) " Trading Day " means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock on such day, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that "Trading Day" shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).

2.        Registration .

 

(a)        Initial Mandatory Registration . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Initial Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the Initial Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). The Initial Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Initial Required Registration Amount determined as of the date the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). The Initial Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Initial Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Initial Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Initial Registration Statement.

 

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(b)        Replacement Mandatory Registration . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Replacement Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the Replacement Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). The Replacement Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Replacement Required Registration Amount determined as of the date the Replacement Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). The Replacement Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Replacement Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Replacement Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Replacement Registration Statement. The Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement then in effect until such time as the Replacement Registration Statement covering the resale of the Replacement Required Registration Amount of Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC. The Company may withdraw the Initial Registration Statement covering the resale of the Initial Required Registration Amount of Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities as soon as the Replacement Required Registration Amount of Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(c)        Subsequent Mandatory Registration . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Subsequent Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the Subsequent Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Subsequent Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). The Subsequent Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Subsequent Required Registration Amount determined as of the date the Subsequent Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). The Subsequent Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Subsequent Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Subsequent Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Subsequent Registration Statement.

 

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(d)        Additional Mandatory Registrations . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Additional Filing Deadline, file with the SEC an Additional Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Additional Registrable Securities not previously registered on an Additional Registration Statement hereunder. To the extent the staff of the SEC does not permit the Additional Required Registration Amount to be registered on an Additional Registration Statement, the Company shall file Additional Registration Statements successively trying to register on each such Additional Registration Statement the maximum number of remaining Additional Registrable Securities until the Additional Required Registration Amount has been registered with the SEC. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). Each Additional Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Additional Required Registration Amount determined as of the date such Additional Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC , subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). Each Additional Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have each Additional Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Additional Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Additional Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Additional Registration Statement.

 

(e)        Allocation of Registrable Securities . The initial number of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and any increase or decrease in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase or decrease thereof is declared effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such Investor's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such Registration Statement.

 

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(f)        Legal Counsel . Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Required Holders shall have the right to select one legal counsel to review and oversee any registration pursuant to this Section 2 (" Legal Counsel "), which shall be Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the Required Holders. The Company and Legal Counsel shall reasonably cooperate with each other in performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.

 

(g)        Ineligibility for Form S-3 . In the event that Form S-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(h)        Sufficient Number of Shares Registered . In the event the number of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a), Section 2(b), Section 2(c) or Section 2(d) is insufficient to cover the Required Registration Amount of Registrable Securities required to be covered by such Registration Statement or an Investor's allocated portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(e), the Company shall amend the applicable Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least the Required Registration Amount as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the filing of such amendment or new Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen (15) days after the necessity therefor arises. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under the Registration Statement is less than the product determined by multiplying (i) the Required Registration Amount as of such time by (ii) 0.90. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence shall be made without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants and such calculation shall assume that the Warrants are then exercisable in full into shares of Common Stock.

 

(i)        Registration Statement Limitations . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to effect a Registration Statement with respect to securities that are not Registrable Securities.

 

(j)        Integrated Offerings . The Company may include in a Registration Statement shares of Common Stock for sale for its own account (such shares, the " Company Shares ") or for the account of other security holders of the Company (such shares, the " Other Shares "). Subject to Section 2(j), if such Registration Statement is in respect of an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters of the requested Registration advise the Company and the Investors that in their reasonable opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such Registration Statement exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock that can be sold in such underwritten offering without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share), the Company will include in such Registration Statement only such number of shares of Common Stock that in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters can be sold without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share), which shares of Common Stock will be so included in the following order of priority: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of all Investors, on a pro rata basis among all the Investors; (ii) second, the Company Shares and (ii) third, any Other Shares on a pro rata basis among all the holders of such Other Shares.

 

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(k)        Underwriters . If, at the written request of the Required Holders or with the prior written consent of the Required Holders, any of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Company shall select the managing underwriter or underwriters, which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders.

 

3.        Related Obligations .

 

At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(g) or 2(h), the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

 

(a)       The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing (but in no event later than the Effectiveness Deadline). The Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the 1933 Act or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (the " Registration Period "). The Company shall ensure that each Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. The term "reasonable best efforts" shall mean, among other things, that the Company shall submit to the SEC, within two (2) Business Days after the later of the date that (i) the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement, as the case may be, and (ii) the approval of Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 3(c) (which approval is immediately sought), a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date not later than two (2) Business Days after the submission of such request. The Company shall respond in writing to comments made by the SEC in respect of a Registration Statement as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) days after the receipt of comments by or notice from the SEC that an amendment is required in order for a Registration Statement to be declared effective.

 

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(b)       The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the " 1934 Act "), the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement such Registration Statement.

 

(c)       The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment upon (i) a Registration Statement at least five (5) Business Days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) not file any Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) copies of any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations pursuant to this Section 3.

 

(d)       The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.

 

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(e)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

(f)       The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event but in any event on the same Trading Day as such event, as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and, subject to Section 3(r), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile or email on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate. By 9:30 a.m. New York City time on the date following the date any post-effective amendment has become effective, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

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(g)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

(h)       If any Investor is required under applicable securities laws to be described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter or an Investor believes that it could reasonably be deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities, at the reasonable request of such Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors.

 

(i)       If any Investor is required under applicable securities laws to be described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter or an Investor believes that it could reasonably be deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities, the Company shall make available for inspection by (i) such Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Investors (collectively, the " Inspectors "), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the " Records "), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investors' ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

 

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(j)       The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

 

(k)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or (ii) secure the inclusion for quotation of all of the Registrable Securities on the Principal Market or (iii) if, despite the Company's reasonable best efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), to secure the inclusion for quotation on another Eligible Market for such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (" FINRA ") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(k).

 

(l)       The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.

 

(m)       If requested by an Investor, the Company shall as soon as practicable (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as an Investor reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by an Investor holding any Registrable Securities.

 

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(n)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

(o)       The Company shall make generally available to its security holders (including by way of filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as permitted pursuant to Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the applicable Effective Date of a Registration Statement.

 

(p)       The Company shall otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

 

(q)       Within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

(r)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after the Effective Date, the Company may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company and its counsel, in the best interest of the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, otherwise required (a " Grace Period "); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material, non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each notice the Company will not disclose the content of such material, non-public information to the Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin, and (ii) notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and, provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed five (5) consecutive days and during any three hundred sixty five (365) day period such Grace Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of twenty (20) days and the first day of any Grace Period must be at least five (5) Trading Days after the last day of any prior Grace Period (each, an " Allowable Grace Period "). For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (ii) and the date referred to in such notice. The provisions of Section 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the Company shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale, prior to the Investor's receipt of the notice of a Grace Period and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

 

15

 

(s)       Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall identify any Investor as an underwriter in any public disclosure or filing with the SEC, the Principal Market or any Eligible Market and any Subscriber being deemed an underwriter by the SEC shall not relieve the Company of any obligations it has under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Subscription Agreement); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company from including the disclosure found in the "Plan of Distribution" section attached hereto as Exhibit B in the Registration Statement.

 

(t)       Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Subscribers in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

4.        Obligations of the Investors .

 

(a)       At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated Filing Date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such Investor elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete any registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.

 

(b)       Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

 

(c)       Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

 

16

 

(d)       Each Investor covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act as applicable to it or an exemption therefrom in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

5.        Expenses of Registration .

 

All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company. The Company shall also reimburse the Investors for the fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel in connection with the registration, filing or qualification pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall, without the prior written consent of the Company, be limited to: (x) $10,000 for each such registration on Form S-1, and each related filing or qualification and (y) $7,500 for each such registration on Form S-3, and each related filing or qualification.

 

6.        Indemnification .

 

In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:

 

(a)       To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an " Indemnified Person "), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, " Claims "), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (" Indemnified Damages "), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (" Blue Sky Filing "), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or (iv) any violation of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively, " Violations "). For the avoidance of doubt, the Violations set forth in this Section 6(a) are intended to apply, and shall apply, to direct claims asserted by any Subscriber against the Company as well as any third party claims asserted by an Indemnified Person (other than a Subscriber) against the Company. Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); and (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.

 

17

 

(b)       In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an " Indemnified Party "), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Investor shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.

 

18

 

(c)       Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for all such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, as applicable, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, as the case may be, and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In the case of an Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnified Party. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action. The provisions of this Section 6(c) shall not apply to direct claims between the Company and a Subscriber.

 

(d)       The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

 

19

 

(e)       The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

 

7.        Contribution .

 

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

8.        Reports Under the 1934 Act .

 

With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (" Rule 144 "), the Company agrees to:

 

(a)       make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

 

(b)       file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

 

(c)       furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

 

9.        Assignment of Registration Rights .

 

The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of such Investor's Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act or applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Subscription Agreement.

 

20

 

10.        Amendment of Registration Rights .

 

Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the Registrable Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration (other than the reimbursement of legal fees) also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.        Miscellaneous .

 

(a)       A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from such record owner of such Registrable Securities.

 

(b)       Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon delivery, when delivered personally; (ii) upon delivery, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); (iii) upon delivery, when sent by electronic mail (provided that the sending party does not receive an automated rejection notice) or (iv) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses, facsimile numbers and email addresses for such communications shall be:

 

If to the Company:

 

 

Telephone:

Attention:

Email:

 

21

 

With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

 

 

 

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Attention:

Email:

 

If to the Transfer Agent:

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

Attention:
Email:

If to Legal Counsel:

 

 

 

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Attention:

Email:

 

If to a Subscriber, to its address, facsimile number and/or email address set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers attached hereto, with copies to such Subscriber's representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers, or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such Person by two (2) Business Days' prior notice to the other party in accordance with this Section 11(b). Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine or email transmission containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number or e-mail address and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

(c)       Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

 

22

 

(d)       All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. The Company hereby appoints CT Corporation (the " Process Agent "), with an office on the date hereof at 111 8 th Avenue, 13 th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding described above.  Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Company, in care of the Process Agent at the address specified above for the Process Agent, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. The Company covenants and agrees that, for so long as it shall be bound under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, it shall maintain a duly appointed agent for the service of summons and other legal process in New York, New York, United States of America, for the purposes of any legal action, suit or proceeding brought by any party in respect of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and shall keep the Subscribers advised of the identity and location of such agent.  If for any reason there is no authorized agent for service of process in New York, the Company irrevocably consents to the service of process out of the said courts by mailing copies thereof by registered United States air mail postage prepaid to it at its address specified in Section 6.3.  Nothing in this Section 6.7 shall affect the right of any Investor to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue the Company in the country in which it is domiciled or in any other court having jurisdiction over the Company or (ii) serve process upon the Company in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(e)       If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

23

 

(f)       This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and the instruments referenced herein and therein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

(g)       Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

 

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

 

(i)       This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.

 

(j)       Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(k)       All consents and other determinations required to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, by the Required Holders, determined as if all of the outstanding Warrants then held by the Investors have been exercised for Registrable Securities without regard to any limitations on exercise of the Warrants.

 

(l)       The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

(m)       This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

 

24

 

(n)       The obligations of each Investor hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Investor, and no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any obligations on any Investor vis-à-vis any other Investor. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Investors as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Investors are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated herein.

 

* * * * * *

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

COMPANY:

 

 

SMTC CORPORATION

 

By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

SUBSCRIBERS:

 

 

[TCW]

 

 

 

By: _______________________
Name:

Title:

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

SUBSCRIBERS:

 

 

[OTHER SUBSCRIBERS]

 

 

 

By: ___________________________
Name:

Title:

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF SUBSCRIBERS

 

 

Subscriber

Subscriber Address
and Facsimile Number
Subscriber's Representative's Address
and Facsimile Number
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

Attention:
Email:

 

Re: SMTC Corporation

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

[We are][I am] counsel to SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of __________, 2018 (the " Subscription Agreement "), entered into by and among the Company and the Subscribers named therein (collectively, the " Holders ") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders warrants (the " Warrants ") exercisable for shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (" Common Stock "). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the " Registration Rights Agreement ") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the resale of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " 1933 Act "). In connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 201_, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_____________) (the " Registration Statement ") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.

 

In connection with the foregoing, [we][I] advise you that a member of the SEC's staff has advised [us][me] by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS ] on [ ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS ] and [we][I] have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

This letter shall serve as our standing instruction to you that the shares of Common Stock are freely transferable by the Holders pursuant to the Registration Statement. You need not require further letters from us to effect any future legend-free issuance or reissuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holders.

 

Very truly yours,

[ ISSUER'S COUNSEL ]

 

 

A- 1

 

By:_____________________

CC: [ LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A- 2

 

EXHIBIT B

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable to the selling stockholders upon exercise of the warrants. For additional information regarding the issuance of those warrants, see "Private Placement of Warrants" above. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the warrants issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and [DESCRIBE LENDER AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS], the selling stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.

 

The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling stockholder, based on its ownership of the warrants, as of ________, 201_, assuming exercise of all warrants held by the selling stockholders on that date, without regard to any limitations on exercise.

 

The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders.

 

In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the selling stockholders, this prospectus generally covers the resale of at least [125] [150]% of the maximum number of shares of common stock issued and issuable upon exercise of the warrants as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date the registration statement is initially filed with the SEC. Because the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually be issued may be more or less than the number of shares being offered by this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Under the terms of the warrants, a selling stockholder may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause such selling stockholder, together with its affiliates, to beneficially own a number of shares of common stock which would exceed 4.99% of our then outstanding shares of common stock following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants which have not been exercised. The number of shares in the second column does not reflect this limitation. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See "Plan of Distribution."

 

 

 

 




Name of Selling Stockholder
Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned After Offering
[TCW] (1)     0
[Other Subscribers]      

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We are registering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holders of the warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.

 

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent's commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions,

 

· on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

· in the over-the-counter market;

 

· in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;

 

· through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

· ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

· block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

· purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

· an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

· privately negotiated transactions;

 

· short sales;

 

· sales pursuant to Rule 144;

 

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· broker-dealers may agree with the selling securityholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

 

· a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

· any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.

 

The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

 

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There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.

 

We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, estimated to be $[     ] in total, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or "blue sky" laws; provided, however, that a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights agreements, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreement, or we may be entitled to contribution.

 

Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.

 

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

Officer's Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Opinion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this " Agreement "), dated as of __________, 2018, by and among SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation, with headquarters located at _________________________ (the " Company "), and the investors listed on the Schedule of Subscribers attached hereto (each, a " Subscriber " and collectively, the " Subscribers ").

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.       In connection with the Subscription Agreement by and among the parties hereto of even date herewith (the " Subscription Agreement ") and the Financing Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Subscription Agreement, to issue to each Subscriber warrants (the " Warrants ") which will be exercisable to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the " Common Stock ") (as exercised, collectively, the " Warrant Shares ") in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

 

B.       In accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the " 1933 Act "), and applicable state securities laws.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each of the Subscribers hereby agree as follows:

 

1.        Definitions .

 

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Subscription Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)       " Additional Effective Date " means the date an Additional Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC.

 

(b)       " Additional Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar day after the earlier of the Additional Filing Date and the Additional Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Additional Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Additional Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Additional Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

 

(c)       " Additional Filing Date " means the date on which an Additional Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(d)       " Additional Filing Deadline " means if Cutback Shares are required to be included in any Additional Registration Statement, the later of (i) the date sixty (60) days after the date substantially all of the Registrable Securities registered under the immediately preceding Registration Statement are sold and (ii) the date six (6) months from the Initial Effective Date, the Replacement Effective Date, the Subsequent Effective Date or the most recent Additional Effective Date, as applicable.

 

(e)       " Additional Registrable Securities " means, (i) any Cutback Shares not previously included on a Registration Statement and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Warrants, the Warrant Shares, or the Cutback Shares, as applicable, as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(f)       " Additional Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of any Additional Registrable Securities.

 

(g)       " Additional Required Registration Amount " means any Cutback Shares not previously included on a Registration Statement, all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(h)       " Business Day " means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

(i)       " Closing Date " shall have the meaning set forth in the Subscription Agreement.

 

(j)       " Cutback Shares " means any of the Initial Required Registration Amount, the Replacement Required Registration Amount, the Subsequent Required Registration Amount or the Additional Required Registration Amount of Registrable Securities not included in all Registration Statements previously declared effective hereunder as a result of a limitation on the maximum number of shares of Common Stock of the Company permitted to be registered by the staff of the SEC pursuant to Rule 415. For the purpose of determining the Cutback Shares, in order to determine any applicable Required Registration Amount, unless an Investor gives written notice to the Company to the contrary with respect to the allocation of its Cutback Shares, first, the Other Shares (as defined in Section 2(j)) shall be excluded on a pro rata basis among the holders of such Other Shares until all of the Other Shares have been excluded, second, the Company Shares (as defined in Section 2(j)) shall be excluded until all of the Company Shares have been excluded, and third, the Warrant Shares shall be excluded on a pro rata basis among the Investors until all of the Warrant Shares have been excluded.

 

(k)       " Designee " means TCW Asset Management Company LLC.

 

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(l)       " effective " and " effectiveness " refer to a Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC and is available for the resale of the Registrable Securities required to be covered thereby.

 

(m)       " Effective Date " means the Initial Effective Date, the Replacement Effective Date, the Subsequent Effective Date and the Additional Effective Date, as applicable.

 

(n)       " Effectiveness Deadline " means the Initial Effectiveness Deadline, the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline, the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline and the Additional Effectiveness Deadline, as applicable.

 

(o)       " Eligible Market " means the Principal Market, The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Capital Market or the NYSE American.

 

(p)       " Filing Deadline " means the Initial Filing Deadline, the Replacement Filing Deadline, the Subsequent Filing Deadline and the Additional Filing Deadline, as applicable.

 

(q)       " Financing Agreement " means that certain Financing Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company, certain other loan parties thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, TCW Asset Management Company LLC, as administrative agent for lenders thereunder, and as collateral agent for the lenders thereunder, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

(r)       " Initial Effective Date " means the date that the Initial Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(s)       " Initial Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar day after the earlier of the Initial Filing Date and the Initial Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Initial Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Initial Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Initial Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

(t)       " Initial Filing Date " means the date on which the Initial Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(u)       " Initial Filing Deadline " means the date which is sixty (60) calendar days after the Closing Date.

 

(v)       " Initial Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities.

 

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(w)       " Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities " means (i) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Warrant Shares or the Warrants as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, in each case without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(x)       " Initial Required Registration Amount " means 125% the maximum number of Warrant Shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Warrants, calculated as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(y)       " Investor " means a Subscriber or any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a Subscriber assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9 and any transferee or assignee thereof to whom a transferee or assignee assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.

 

(z)       " Person " means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(aa) " Principal Market " means The Nasdaq Global Market.

 

(bb) " register ," " registered ," and " registration " refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415, and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by the SEC.

 

(cc) " Registrable Securities " means the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities, the Subsequent Registrable Securities and the Additional Registrable Securities.

 

(dd) " Registration Statement " means the Initial Registration Statement, the Replacement Registration Statement, the Subsequent Registration Statement and the Additional Registration Statement, as applicable.

 

(ee) " Replacement Effective Date " means the date that the Replacement Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(ff) " Replacement Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar days after the earlier of the Replacement Filing Date and the Replacement Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Replacement Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

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(gg) " Replacement Filing Date " means the date on which the Replacement Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

(hh) " Replacement Filing Deadline " means the date which is sixty (60) calendar days after earlier of the Authorized Capital Increase Approval Date (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and the Authorized Capital Increase Stockholder Meeting Deadline (as defined in the Subscription Agreement).

 

(ii) " Replacement Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities.

 

(jj) " Replacement Required Registration Amount " means 150% the maximum number of Warrant Shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Warrants, calculated as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(kk) " Required Holders " means the holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities and shall include the Designee so long as the Designee or any of its Affiliates holds any Registrable Securities.

 

(ll) " Required Registration Amount " means either the Initial Required Registration Amount, the Replacement Required Registration Amount, the Subsequent Required Registration Amount or the Additional Required Registration Amount(s), as applicable.

 

(mm) " Rule 415 " means Rule 415 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a continuous or delayed basis.

 

(nn) " SEC " means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(oo) " Subsequent Effective Date " means the date that the Subsequent Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(pp) " Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline " means the date which is the earlier of (x) the ninetieth (90 th ) calendar day after the earlier of the Subsequent Filing Date and the Subsequent Filing Deadline and (y) the fifth (5 th ) Business Day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the SEC that such Subsequent Registration Statement will not be reviewed or will not be subject to further review; provided , however , that if the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the SEC is open for business.

 

(qq) " Subsequent Filing Date " means the date on which the Subsequent Registration Statement is filed with the SEC.

 

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(rr) " Subsequent Filing Deadline " means the date which is sixty (60) calendar days immediately following the second (2 nd ) anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

(ss) " Subsequent Registrable Securities " means (i) the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants to the extent such Warrant Shares were not included in the Initial Registration Statement or, after the Replacement Registration Statement is filed with the SEC, in the Replacement Registration Statement, in each case, previously declared effective hereunder, including, without limitation the additional Warrant Shares that become issuable upon exercise of the Warrant pursuant to Section 2(d) thereof and (ii) any capital stock of the Company issued or issuable with respect to the Warrant Shares or the Warrants as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise, in each case, without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(tt) " Subsequent Registration Statement " means a registration statement or registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the resale of the Subsequent Registrable Securities.

 

(uu) " Subsequent Required Registration Amount " means 150% of the additional Warrant Shares that become issuable upon exercise of the Warrants pursuant to Section 2(d) of the Warrants, calculated as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable date of determination and all subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h), without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants.

 

(vv) " Trading Day " means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock on such day, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that "Trading Day" shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time).

 

2.        Registration .

 

(a)        Initial Mandatory Registration . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Initial Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the Initial Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). The Initial Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Initial Required Registration Amount determined as of the date the Initial Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). The Initial Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Initial Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Initial Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Initial Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Initial Registration Statement.

 

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(b)        Replacement Mandatory Registration . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Replacement Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the Replacement Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). The Replacement Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Replacement Required Registration Amount determined as of the date the Replacement Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). The Replacement Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Replacement Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Replacement Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Replacement Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Replacement Registration Statement. The Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement then in effect until such time as the Replacement Registration Statement covering the resale of the Replacement Required Registration Amount of Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC. The Company may withdraw the Initial Registration Statement covering the resale of the Initial Required Registration Amount of Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities as soon as the Replacement Required Registration Amount of Initial/Replacement Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(c)        Subsequent Mandatory Registration . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Subsequent Filing Deadline, file with the SEC the Subsequent Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Subsequent Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). The Subsequent Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Subsequent Required Registration Amount determined as of the date the Subsequent Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). The Subsequent Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Subsequent Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Subsequent Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Subsequent Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Subsequent Registration Statement.

 

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(d)        Additional Mandatory Registrations . The Company shall prepare, and, as soon as practicable but in no event later than the Additional Filing Deadline, file with the SEC an Additional Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the Additional Registrable Securities not previously registered on an Additional Registration Statement hereunder. To the extent the staff of the SEC does not permit the Additional Required Registration Amount to be registered on an Additional Registration Statement, the Company shall file Additional Registration Statements successively trying to register on each such Additional Registration Statement the maximum number of remaining Additional Registrable Securities until the Additional Required Registration Amount has been registered with the SEC. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a registration on another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, subject to the provisions of Section 2(g). Each Additional Registration Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Additional Required Registration Amount determined as of the date such Additional Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC , subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(h). Each Additional Registration Statement shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Required Holders) the " Plan of Distribution " and " Selling Stockholders " sections in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have each Additional Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable, but in no event later than the Additional Effectiveness Deadline. By 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day following the Additional Effective Date, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Additional Registration Statement.

 

(e)        Allocation of Registrable Securities . The initial number of Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and any increase or decrease in the number of Registrable Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time the Registration Statement covering such initial number of Registrable Securities or increase or decrease thereof is declared effective by the SEC. In the event that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such Investor's Registrable Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the then remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement for such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included in a Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such Registration Statement.

 

(f)        Legal Counsel . Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Required Holders shall have the right to select one legal counsel to review and oversee any registration pursuant to this Section 2 (" Legal Counsel "), which shall be Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP or such other counsel as thereafter designated by the Required Holders. The Company and Legal Counsel shall reasonably cooperate with each other in performing the Company's obligations under this Agreement.

 

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(g)        Ineligibility for Form S-3 . In the event that Form S-3 is not available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable Securities on Form S-1 or another appropriate form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders and (ii) undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.

 

(h)        Sufficient Number of Shares Registered . In the event the number of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2(a), Section 2(b), Section 2(c) or Section 2(d) is insufficient to cover the Required Registration Amount of Registrable Securities required to be covered by such Registration Statement or an Investor's allocated portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(e), the Company shall amend the applicable Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at least the Required Registration Amount as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the filing of such amendment or new Registration Statement, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen (15) days after the necessity therefor arises. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities" if at any time the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under the Registration Statement is less than the product determined by multiplying (i) the Required Registration Amount as of such time by (ii) 0.90. The calculation set forth in the foregoing sentence shall be made without regard to any limitations on the exercise of the Warrants and such calculation shall assume that the Warrants are then exercisable in full into shares of Common Stock.

 

(i)        Registration Statement Limitations . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to effect a Registration Statement with respect to securities that are not Registrable Securities.

 

(j)        Integrated Offerings . The Company may include in a Registration Statement shares of Common Stock for sale for its own account (such shares, the " Company Shares ") or for the account of other security holders of the Company (such shares, the " Other Shares "). Subject to Section 2(j), if such Registration Statement is in respect of an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters of the requested Registration advise the Company and the Investors that in their reasonable opinion the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such Registration Statement exceeds the number of shares of Common Stock that can be sold in such underwritten offering without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share), the Company will include in such Registration Statement only such number of shares of Common Stock that in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters can be sold without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share), which shares of Common Stock will be so included in the following order of priority: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of all Investors, on a pro rata basis among all the Investors; (ii) second, the Company Shares and (ii) third, any Other Shares on a pro rata basis among all the holders of such Other Shares.

 

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(k)        Underwriters . If, at the written request of the Required Holders or with the prior written consent of the Required Holders, any of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Company shall select the managing underwriter or underwriters, which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders.

 

3.        Related Obligations .

 

At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a), 2(b), 2(c), 2(d), 2(g) or 2(h), the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

 

(a)       The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing (but in no event later than the Effectiveness Deadline). The Company shall keep each Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) (or any successor thereto) promulgated under the 1933 Act or (ii) the date on which the Investors shall have sold all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement (the " Registration Period "). The Company shall ensure that each Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. The term "reasonable best efforts" shall mean, among other things, that the Company shall submit to the SEC, within two (2) Business Days after the later of the date that (i) the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff has no further comments on a particular Registration Statement, as the case may be, and (ii) the approval of Legal Counsel pursuant to Section 3(c) (which approval is immediately sought), a request for acceleration of effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date not later than two (2) Business Days after the submission of such request. The Company shall respond in writing to comments made by the SEC in respect of a Registration Statement as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) days after the receipt of comments by or notice from the SEC that an amendment is required in order for a Registration Statement to be declared effective.

 

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(b)       The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the " 1934 Act "), the Company shall have incorporated such report by reference into such Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the 1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement such Registration Statement.

 

(c)       The Company shall (A) permit Legal Counsel to review and comment upon (i) a Registration Statement at least five (5) Business Days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) not file any Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of Legal Counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall furnish to Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) copies of any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration Statement, (ii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) unless the following are filed with the SEC through EDGAR and are available to the public through the EDGAR system, upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto. The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the Company's obligations pursuant to this Section 3.

 

(d)       The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by an Investor, all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Investor.

 

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(e)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification applies, the resale by Investors of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of all applicable jurisdictions in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

(f)       The Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing of the happening of any event, as promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event but in any event on the same Trading Day as such event, as a result of which the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material, nonpublic information), and, subject to Section 3(r), promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile or email on the same day of such effectiveness and by overnight mail), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate. By 9:30 a.m. New York City time on the date following the date any post-effective amendment has become effective, the Company shall file with the SEC in accordance with Rule 424 under the 1933 Act the final prospectus to be used in connection with sales pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

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(g)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

(h)       If any Investor is required under applicable securities laws to be described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter or an Investor believes that it could reasonably be deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities, at the reasonable request of such Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors.

 

(i)       If any Investor is required under applicable securities laws to be described in the Registration Statement as an underwriter or an Investor believes that it could reasonably be deemed to be an underwriter of Registrable Securities, the Company shall make available for inspection by (i) such Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents retained by the Investors (collectively, the " Inspectors "), all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the " Records "), as shall be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request; provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement. Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investors' ability to sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

 

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(j)       The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

 

(k)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts either to (i) cause all of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange or (ii) secure the inclusion for quotation of all of the Registrable Securities on the Principal Market or (iii) if, despite the Company's reasonable best efforts, the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), to secure the inclusion for quotation on another Eligible Market for such Registrable Securities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (" FINRA ") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section 3(k).

 

(l)       The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold Registrable Securities being offered and, to the extent applicable, facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.

 

(m)       If requested by an Investor, the Company shall as soon as practicable (i) incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as an Investor reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by an Investor holding any Registrable Securities.

 

(n)       The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

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(o)       The Company shall make generally available to its security holders (including by way of filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as permitted pursuant to Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) as soon as practical, but not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with, and in the manner provided by, the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the applicable Effective Date of a Registration Statement.

 

(p)       The Company shall otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

 

(q)       Within two (2) Business Days after a Registration Statement which covers Registrable Securities is declared effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

(r)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time after the Effective Date, the Company may delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company and its counsel, in the best interest of the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, otherwise required (a " Grace Period "); provided, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material, non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each notice the Company will not disclose the content of such material, non-public information to the Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin, and (ii) notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period ends; and, provided further, that no Grace Period shall exceed five (5) consecutive days and during any three hundred sixty five (365) day period such Grace Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of twenty (20) days and the first day of any Grace Period must be at least five (5) Trading Days after the last day of any prior Grace Period (each, an " Allowable Grace Period "). For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period above, the Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (i) and shall end on and include the later of the date the Investors receive the notice referred to in clause (ii) and the date referred to in such notice. The provisions of Section 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the period of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the Company shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise thereto unless such material, non-public information is no longer applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale, prior to the Investor's receipt of the notice of a Grace Period and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

 

(s)       Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or affiliate thereof shall identify any Investor as an underwriter in any public disclosure or filing with the SEC, the Principal Market or any Eligible Market and any Subscriber being deemed an underwriter by the SEC shall not relieve the Company of any obligations it has under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document (as defined in the Subscription Agreement); provided , however , that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Company from including the disclosure found in the "Plan of Distribution" section attached hereto as Exhibit B in the Registration Statement.

 

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(t)       Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Subscribers in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

 

4.        Obligations of the Investors .

 

(a)       At least five (5) Business Days prior to the first anticipated Filing Date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor in writing of the information the Company requires from each such Investor if such Investor elects to have any of such Investor's Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete any registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect and maintain the effectiveness of the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request.

 

(b)       Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable Securities from such Registration Statement.

 

(c)       Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such Investor's receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus as contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of notice that no supplement or amendment is required. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an Investor in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement in connection with any sale of Registrable Securities with respect to which an Investor has entered into a contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of a notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not yet settled.

 

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(d)       Each Investor covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the 1933 Act as applicable to it or an exemption therefrom in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

5.        Expenses of Registration .

 

All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company shall be paid by the Company. The Company shall also reimburse the Investors for the fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel in connection with the registration, filing or qualification pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall, without the prior written consent of the Company, be limited to: (x) $10,000 for each such registration on Form S-1, and each related filing or qualification and (y) $7,500 for each such registration on Form S-3, and each related filing or qualification.

 

6.        Indemnification .

 

In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Agreement:

 

(a)       To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors, officers, partners, members, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an " Indemnified Person "), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several (collectively, " Claims "), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency, body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (" Indemnified Damages "), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (" Blue Sky Filing "), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement or (iv) any violation of this Agreement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) being, collectively, " Violations "). For the avoidance of doubt, the Violations set forth in this Section 6(a) are intended to apply, and shall apply, to direct claims asserted by any Subscriber against the Company as well as any third party claims asserted by an Indemnified Person (other than a Subscriber) against the Company. Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall reimburse the Indemnified Persons, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(d); and (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.

 

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(b)       In connection with any Registration Statement in which an Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (each, an " Indemnified Party "), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(c), such Investor shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by an Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.

 

(c)       Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for all such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, as applicable, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party, as the case may be, and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In the case of an Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall reasonably cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or Claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such Claim or litigation and such settlement shall not include any admission as to fault on the part of the Indemnified Party. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action. The provisions of this Section 6(c) shall not apply to direct claims between the Company and a Subscriber.

 

18

 

(d)       The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.

 

(e)       The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

 

7.        Contribution .

 

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no Person involved in the sale of Registrable Securities which Person is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) in connection with such sale shall be entitled to contribution from any Person involved in such sale of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the amount of net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

19

 

8.        Reports Under the 1934 Act .

 

With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration (" Rule 144 "), the Company agrees to:

 

(a)       make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

 

(b)       file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as the Company remains subject to such requirements and the filing of such reports and other documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

 

(c)       furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the Company, if true, that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144 without registration.

 

9.        Assignment of Registration Rights .

 

The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of such Investor's Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the 1933 Act or applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Subscription Agreement.

 

20

 

10.        Amendment of Registration Rights .

 

Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the Registrable Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this Agreement unless the same consideration (other than the reimbursement of legal fees) also is offered to all of the parties to this Agreement.

 

11.        Miscellaneous .

 

(a)       A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or election received from such record owner of such Registrable Securities.

 

(b)       Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon delivery, when delivered personally; (ii) upon delivery, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); (iii) upon delivery, when sent by electronic mail (provided that the sending party does not receive an automated rejection notice) or (iv) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses, facsimile numbers and email addresses for such communications shall be:

 

If to the Company:

 

Telephone:

Attention:

Email:

 

 

21

 

With a copy (for informational purposes only) to:

 

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Attention:

Email:

 

If to the Transfer Agent:

 

Telephone:

Attention:
Email:

 

If to Legal Counsel:

 

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Attention:

Email:

 

If to a Subscriber, to its address, facsimile number and/or email address set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers attached hereto, with copies to such Subscriber's representatives as set forth on the Schedule of Subscribers, or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter, in the same manner, by such Person by two (2) Business Days' prior notice to the other party in accordance with this Section 11(b). Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine or email transmission containing the time, date, recipient facsimile number or e-mail address and an image of the first page of such transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

(c)       Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

 

22

 

(d)       All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. The Company hereby appoints CT Corporation (the " Process Agent "), with an office on the date hereof at 111 8 th Avenue, 13 th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its agent to receive on its behalf service of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding described above.  Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Company, in care of the Process Agent at the address specified above for the Process Agent, and the Company hereby authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf. The Company covenants and agrees that, for so long as it shall be bound under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, it shall maintain a duly appointed agent for the service of summons and other legal process in New York, New York, United States of America, for the purposes of any legal action, suit or proceeding brought by any party in respect of this Agreement or such other Transaction Document and shall keep the Subscribers advised of the identity and location of such agent.  If for any reason there is no authorized agent for service of process in New York, the Company irrevocably consents to the service of process out of the said courts by mailing copies thereof by registered United States air mail postage prepaid to it at its address specified in Section 6.3.  Nothing in this Section 6.7 shall affect the right of any Investor to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue the Company in the country in which it is domiciled or in any other court having jurisdiction over the Company or (ii) serve process upon the Company in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(e)       If any provision of this Agreement is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be conferred upon the parties. The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).

 

23

 

(f)       This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) and the instruments referenced herein and therein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein and therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

(g)       Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

 

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

 

(i)       This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.

 

(j)       Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as any other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(k)       All consents and other determinations required to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, by the Required Holders, determined as if all of the outstanding Warrants then held by the Investors have been exercised for Registrable Securities without regard to any limitations on exercise of the Warrants.

 

(l)       The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

(m)       This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

 

(n)       The obligations of each Investor hereunder are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Investor, and no provision of this Agreement is intended to confer any obligations on any Investor vis-à-vis any other Investor. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Investor pursuant hereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Investors as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Investors are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated herein.

 

24

 

* * * * * *

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  COMPANY:  
       
  SMTC CORPORATION  
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  SUBSCRIBERS:  
       
  [TCW]  
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Subscriber and the Company have caused their respective signature page to this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

  SUBSCRIBERS:  
       
  [OTHER SUBSCRIBERS]  
       
  By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

SCHEDULE OF SUBSCRIBERS

 

 

Subscriber

 

Subscriber Address
and Facsimile Number
Subscriber's Representative's Address
and Facsimile Number
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

Telephone:

 

Attention:
Email:

 

Re: SMTC Corporation

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

[We are][I am] counsel to SMTC Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain Subscription Agreement, dated as of __________, 2018 (the " Subscription Agreement "), entered into by and among the Company and the Subscribers named therein (collectively, the " Holders ") pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders warrants (the " Warrants ") exercisable for shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (" Common Stock "). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, the Company also has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the " Registration Rights Agreement ") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to register the resale of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " 1933 Act "). In connection with the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ___, 201_, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_____________) (the " Registration Statement ") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC ") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as a selling stockholder thereunder.

 

In connection with the foregoing, [we][I] advise you that a member of the SEC's staff has advised [us][me] by telephone that the SEC has entered an order declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ ENTER TIME OF EFFECTIVENESS ] on [ ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS ] and [we][I] have no knowledge, after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

This letter shall serve as our standing instruction to you that the shares of Common Stock are freely transferable by the Holders pursuant to the Registration Statement. You need not require further letters from us to effect any future legend-free issuance or reissuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holders.

 

Very truly yours,

 

[ ISSUER'S COUNSEL ]

 

A- 1

 

By:_____________________

 

CC: [ LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A- 2

 

EXHIBIT B

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable to the selling stockholders upon exercise of the warrants. For additional information regarding the issuance of those warrants, see "Private Placement of Warrants" above. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the warrants issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement and [DESCRIBE LENDER AND OTHER RELATIONSHIPS], the selling stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past three years.

 

The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling stockholder, based on its ownership of the warrants, as of ________, 201_, assuming exercise of all warrants held by the selling stockholders on that date, without regard to any limitations on exercise.

 

The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders.

 

In accordance with the terms of a registration rights agreement with the selling stockholders, this prospectus generally covers the resale of at least [125] [150]% of the maximum number of shares of common stock issued and issuable upon exercise of the warrants as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the date the registration statement is initially filed with the SEC. Because the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants may be adjusted, the number of shares that will actually be issued may be more or less than the number of shares being offered by this prospectus. The fourth column assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.

 

Under the terms of the warrants, a selling stockholder may not exercise the warrants to the extent such exercise would cause such selling stockholder, together with its affiliates, to beneficially own a number of shares of common stock which would exceed 4.99% of our then outstanding shares of common stock following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such determination shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants which have not been exercised. The number of shares in the second column does not reflect this limitation. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of their shares in this offering. See "Plan of Distribution."

 

 

 

Annex I- 1

 

Name of Selling Stockholder Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus Number of Shares of Common Stock Owned After Offering
[TCW] (1)     0
[Other Subscribers]      

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

Annex I- 2

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We are registering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holders of the warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.

 

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent's commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions,

 

· on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;

 

· in the over-the-counter market;

 

· in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;

 

· through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;

 

· ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

· block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

· purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

· an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

· privately negotiated transactions;

 

· short sales;

 

· sales pursuant to Rule 144;

 

· broker-dealers may agree with the selling securityholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;

 

Annex I- 3

 

· a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

· any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

 

If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.

 

The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 

The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.

 

Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

 

Annex I- 4

 

There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.

 

We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration rights agreement, estimated to be $[     ] in total, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or "blue sky" laws; provided, however, that a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights agreements, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreement, or we may be entitled to contribution.

 

Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex 1-5

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

SMTC Corporation Acquires MC Assembly Holdings, Inc. in Transformative Transaction

Combination Creates Preeminent Low-to-Medium Volume, High Mix Electronics Manufacturing Services (“EMS”) Provider with more than $320 Million of Combined Revenue for the Twelve-Month Period Ended September 30, 2018

TORONTO, Nov. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SMTC Corporation (Nasdaq:SMTX), a global electronics manufacturing services provider, and MC Assembly Holdings, Inc. (“MC Assembly”), a leader in the contract electronics manufacturing industry, today announced that SMTC has acquired all outstanding shares of MC Assembly.

The purchase price at closing was $65 million, subject to certain adjustments. Additionally, the sellers are eligible to earn up to an additional $5 million of consideration, contingent upon the performance of MC Assembly for the twelve calendar months ending March 31, 2019.

“We are excited to announce the acquisition of MC Assembly which unites two highly complementary EMS companies. This accretive acquisition provides the opportunity to create significant value for our shareholders and offers strong benefits for customers of both companies," said Ed Smith SMTC’s Chief Executive Officer, who will continue in that role of the combined company.

“SMTC and MC Assembly have a common mission, which is to build a world class EMS company that puts customers first.  We intend to build upon our respective strengths to drive growth and efficiencies at our facilities from our complementary and diversified customer bases,” stated MC Assembly’s President and Chief Executive Officer George Moore.

Compelling Strategic Rationale

SMTC believes the acquisition will provide the following strategic and financial benefits:

The combined company will operate under the name SMTC Corporation and currently plans to continue to operate and maintain the existing facilities operated by each company.

Transaction Financing

The proceeds of a new debt financing package, in combination with cash from SMTC’s balance sheet, funded the transaction and related fees and expenses. SMTC secured a new $45 million Asset Based Revolving Line facility from PNC Bank, of which $22 million was drawn at closing.  Additionally, TCW Direct Lending LLC provided SMTC with a Senior Secured Loan Facility in the amount of $67 million, of which $62 million was drawn at closing, with $5 million available on a delayed draw basis. At closing, SMTC’s existing bank indebtedness of $27 million was repaid. 

Advisors

B. Riley FBR, Inc. acted as Exclusive Financial Advisor to SMTC in this transaction, as well as acting as Placement Agent on the supporting debt financing.  Perkins Coie LLP acted as legal counsel to SMTC.

BakerHostetler acted as legal counsel to MC Assembly.

Conference Call

SMTC will host a conference call to discuss the acquisition of MC Assembly on Tuesday November 13, 2018. Interested parties can access the conference call which will start at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time from the Investor Relations’ section of SMTC’s web site on the Investor Relations Events Calendar page at https://ir.smtc.com/ir-calendar or dialing 1-877-317-6789 (for U.S. participants) or 1-412-317-6789 (for participants outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the start of the call and request to be joined to the SMTC/MC Assembly Acquisition Conference Call. A replay webcast of the call will also be available from the Investor Relations’ section of SMTC’s web site on the Investor Relations Events Calendar page.

About SMTC Corporation

SMTC Corporation, founded in 1985, is a mid-size provider of end-to-end electronics manufacturing services (EMS) including printed circuit boards assemblies (PCB production, systems integration and comprehensive testing services, enclosure fabrication, as well as product design, sustaining engineering and supply chain management services. SMTC manufacturing facilities span a broad footprint in the United States, China and Mexico. SMTC services extend over the entire electronic product life cycle from the development and introduction of new products through to the growth, maturity and end-of-life phases. SMTC offers fully integrated contract manufacturing services with a distinctive approach to global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and emerging technology companies primarily within industrial, networking and computing, power and energy and medical market segments. SMTC is a public company incorporated in Delaware with its shares traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol SMTX and was added to the Russell Microcap® Index in 2018. For further information on SMTC Corporation, please visit our website at www.smtc.com .

About MC Assembly Holdings, Inc.

MC Assembly Holdings, Inc. ( www.mcati.com ), based in Melbourne, Fla., with additional operations in Billerica, Mass., and Zacatecas, Mexico, is a national leader in the contract manufacturing arena. It provides turnkey solutions to original equipment manufacturers and focuses on assembly of medium volume, medium mix printed circuit boards assemblies (PCBAs) and box builds. MC Assembly’s capabilities include surface mount and pin-through-hole interconnection technologies, PCB and box build, DFM, DFT, DFA engineering, in-circuit, functional and environmental testing, and full box-build direct order fulfillment.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the factual statements made herein, forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the company’s plans, abilities to execute its growth plans, including the outlook of the combined business, projections regarding the combined business, and strategic and financial benefits of the combined business, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, these forward-looking statements may be indicated by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including those risk factors set forth in SMTC’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and other factors detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Non-Solicitation

This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the acquisition or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA, or underlying earnings before interest, restructuring charges, unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) on unsettled forward exchange contracts, incomes taxes, depreciation and amortization and other charges for the trailing-twelve months ending September 30, 2018; which is a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the SEC.  SMTC has provided in this release a non-GAAP calculation of Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information regarding the operational performance of the combined SMTC Corporation and MC Assembly Holdings, Inc.’s businesses. A reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018, is as follows (all numbers expressed in thousands):

    Twelve Months Ended  
September 30, 2018  
 
    MC Assembly     SMTC     Combined    
         
Revenue $ 149,200   $ 173,919   $ 323,119    
         
Net Loss   (4,100 )   (123 )   (4,223 )  
         
Amortization   3,360     3,224     6,584    
Amortization of loan   3,930     -     3,930    
Taxes   210     740     950    
Interest   7,100     1,469     8,569    
EBITDA   10,500     5,310     15,810    
         
Restructuring/severance   140     323     463    
Stock based compensation   -     437     437    
Unrealized foreign exchange loss on unsettled forward contracts   -     181     181    
Impairment charges   -     165     165    
Management fees other professional services   630     -     630    
Adjusted EBITDA $ 11,270   $ 6,416   $ 17,686    
         

The above unaudited historical financial information includes information relating to SMTC and MC Assembly Holdings, Inc. which has been extracted without material adjustment from the underlying schedules used in preparing SMTC’s and MC Assembly Holdings, Inc.’s financial statements, excluding the impact, if any, of any purchase price accounting adjustments, for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018.

EBITDA is not an earnings measure recognized by GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, operating income, cash flows, revenue, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA is not a completely representative measure of either the historical performance or, necessarily, the future potential of the combined entities. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation and should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, the company's reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, the company's non-GAAP financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

SMTC Investor Relations Contact

Peter Seltzberg
Managing Director
Darrow Associates, Inc.
516-419-9915 
pseltzberg@darrowir.com