UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): September 7, 2010 (August 31, 2010)

 

 

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

 

CONNECTICUT

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation)

  

1-5224

(Commission File Number)

   06-0548860

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, Connecticut

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

      06053

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number including area code: (860) 225-5111

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

¨  

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

 

¨  

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

 

¨  

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

 

¨  

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On September 3, 2010, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (the “Company”) completed a public offering of $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.20% Notes due 2040 (the “Notes”). The Notes were offered under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Registration No. 333-153646), as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 dated August 31, 2010.

The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated November 1, 2002 (the “Initial Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2010 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), and the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 3, 2010 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture,” and, together with the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Initial Indenture, the “Indenture”). The Indenture includes customary agreements and covenants by the Company.

The Notes and the Company’s unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of its other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis (the “Guarantee”) by the Company’s subsidiary, The Black & Decker Corporation (“Black & Decker”).

The Third Supplemental Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The descriptions of the material terms of the Notes, the Guarantee and the Third Supplemental Indenture are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibit.

The Notes were priced to investors at 99.925% of the principal amount. The Notes will mature on September 1, 2040. Interest on the Notes will be payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2011. The interest rate on the Notes is 5.20% per annum.

The Notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, at the Company’s option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal on the notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued and unpaid to, but not including, the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the then current Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, plus, in each case, the Company will pay accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to but not including the date of redemption.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control triggering event, unless the Company has exercised its option to redeem the Notes as described above, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the purchase date.

On August 31, 2010, the Company and Black & Decker entered into an underwriting agreement, with Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”) relating to the underwritten public offering of the Notes together with the Guarantee (the “Underwriting Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company and Black & Decker sold the Notes and Guarantee to the Underwriters at a price of 99.050% of the principal amount thereof. The Underwriting Agreement contains usual and customary terms, conditions, representations and warranties and indemnification provisions. The Underwriting Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the material terms of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.


Certain of the Underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for the Company, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In particular, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is a lead arranger and book runner of the Company’s amended credit facility, which consists of an $800 million revolving credit agreement entered into on February 27, 2008, and the Company’s 364-day credit facility, which consists of a $700 million revolving credit agreement entered into on March 12, 2010, each agreement entered into by and among the Company, Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as administrative agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as lead arrangers and book runners, and Bank of America, N.A. as syndication agent (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”). In addition, affiliates of several of the other Underwriters and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. are lenders under the Credit Facilities.

 

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

The information included in Item 1.01 above related to the Third Supplemental Indenture is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

The following material is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

(d) Exhibits

 

1.1 Underwriting Agreement, dated August 31, 2010, by and among Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., The Black & Decker Corporation and Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

 

4.1 Third Supplemental Indenture relating to the 5.20% Notes due 2040.

 

4.2 Form of 5.20% Notes due 2040 (included in Exhibit 4.1).

 

5.1 Opinion of Donald J. Riccitelli with respect to the legality of the notes.

 

5.2 Opinion of Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Maryland counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., with respect to the legality of the Guarantee.

 

5.3 Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., with respect to the legality of the notes.


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.

 

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.
By:   /s/ Bruce H. Beatt
Name:   Bruce H. Beatt
Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Dated: September 7, 2010


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit

1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated August 31, 2010, by and among Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., The Black & Decker Corporation and Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.
4.1    Third Supplemental Indenture relating to the 5.20% Notes due 2040.
4.2    Form of 5.20% Notes due 2040 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
5.1    Opinion of Donald J. Riccitelli with respect to the legality of the notes.
5.2    Opinion of Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Maryland counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., with respect to the legality of the Guarantee.
5.3    Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., with respect to the legality of the notes.

Exhibit 1.1

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.

$400,000,000

5.200% Notes Due 2040

Underwriting Agreement

New York, New York

August 31, 2010

To the Representatives named in Schedule I hereto of

the several Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you (the “Representatives”) are acting as representatives, the principal amount of its debt securities identified in Schedule I hereto (the “Notes”). The Notes will be guaranteed (the “Guarantee”) by The Black & Decker Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Guarantor”). The Notes and the Guarantee are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities will be issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 12, 2010 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”) and the officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the Securities the (“Supplemental Indenture” and together with the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee. To the extent there are no additional Underwriters listed on Schedule II other than you, the term Representatives as used herein shall mean you, as Underwriters, and the terms Representatives and Underwriters shall mean either the singular or plural as the context requires. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Exchange Act on or before the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement or the issue date of the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. Certain terms used herein are defined in Section 19 hereof.


1. Representations and Warranties . The Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1.

(a) The Company and the Guarantor meet the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Act and have prepared and filed with the Commission a shelf registration statement (the file number of which is set forth in Schedule I hereto) on Form S-3, including a related Base Prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Securities. Such Registration Statement, including any amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time has become effective. The Company and the Guarantor will file with the Commission a final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities in accordance with Rule 424(b). As filed, such final prospectus supplement shall contain all information required by the Act and the rules thereunder, and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to you prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the Base Prospectus and any Preliminary Prospectus) as the Company or the Guarantor has advised you, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein. The Registration Statement, at the Execution Time, meets the requirements set forth in Rule 415(a)(1)(x).

(b) On each Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Final Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date (as defined herein), the Final Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder; on each Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date, the Final Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(c) The Disclosure Package does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from the Disclosure Package based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

 

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(d) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the final term sheet prepared and filed by the Company pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, if any, does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated therein by reference and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or final term sheet based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8 hereof.

(e) Each of the Company and the Guarantor, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

(f) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is subject to and in full compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(g) Neither the Company nor the Guarantor has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or the Guarantor to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(h) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction that requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings, business or affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(i) Each Designated Subsidiary has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, and is in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign entity to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Designated Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is

 

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owned by the Company free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance claim or equity, except where such security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any Designated Subsidiary was issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of the Designated Subsidiary.

(j) The Company’s authorized equity capitalization is as set forth or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus; the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

(k) The Notes have been duly authorized by the Company, will be duly issued and outstanding when delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(l) The Base Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, and constitutes a valid and binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity). The Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized by the Guarantor, and when executed and delivered by the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and binding instrument enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity)

(m) The statements in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the headings “Certain Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations For Non U.S. Holders”, “Description of the Notes”, “Description of Guarantees of our Debt Securities” and “Underwriting” fairly summarize the documents and matters therein described.

(n) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantor.

(o) The execution, and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes, and the execution, and delivery of the Guarantor of this Agreement and the Supplemental Indenture, and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated (i) will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any Designated Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Designated Subsidiary is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary is subject; (ii) nor will such action result in any violation of (A) the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the charter or by-laws of any Designated Subsidiary or (B) any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body (including, without

 

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limitation, any insurance regulatory agency or body) having jurisdiction over the Company or any Designated Subsidiary or any of their properties; except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii)(B) for conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Indenture or the Notes or the Guarantor to execute and deliver this Agreement or the Supplemental Indenture or consummate the transactions herein and therein contemplated; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation by the Company or the Guarantor of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as have been obtained or made and except such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase of the Securities and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters.

(p) The consolidated historical financial statements and related schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus present fairly the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).

(q) The consolidated historical financial statements and related schedules of The Black & Decker Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus present fairly the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of The Black & Decker Corporation as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).

(r) No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any Designated Subsidiary or its or their property is pending or, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement, the Indenture or the Securities, or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in, incorporated by reference in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(s) The Company and each Designated Subsidiary own or lease all such properties as are necessary to the conduct of the operations of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries as presently conducted, except when the failure to own or lease such properties is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) Neither the Company nor its Designated Subsidiary is in violation or default of (i) any provision of its charter or bylaws or (ii) to the reasonable knowledge of the Company and the Guarantor: (A) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of

 

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trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject; or (B) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such Designated Subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except, in the case of subclauses (A) and (B), for such violations or defaults that are not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(u) Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and of The Black & Decker Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries and delivered their reports with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements and related schedules and the internal controls of the Company and The Black & Decker Corporation included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company and The Black & Decker Corporation within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Act.

(v) There are no stamp or other issuance or transfer taxes or duties or other similar fees or charges under federal law or the laws of any state, or any political subdivision thereof, required to be paid in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance or sale of the Securities or the issuance or sale by the Company or the Guarantor of the Securities.

(w) Each of the Company and each Designated Subsidiary has timely filed all non-U.S., U.S. federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure so to file would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto)) and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect and except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(x) No labor problem or dispute with the employees of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary exists or, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, is threatened or imminent, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(y) Each Designated Subsidiary is not currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on the Designated Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to the Designated Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of the Designated Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

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(z) The Company and each Designated Subsidiary possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by the appropriate U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now operated by them, except where the failure to possess such licenses, permits and other authorizations would not, singly or in the aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Company nor any Designated Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(aa) The Company and each Designated Subsidiary maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

(bb) Except as described, or incorporated by reference, in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and except as such matters as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably likely result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any Designated Subsidiary is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) the Company and each Designated Subsidiary have all Governmental Licenses required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (iii) there are no pending or, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any Designated Subsidiary and (iv) there are, to the reasonable knowledge of the Company, no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or any Designated Subsidiary relating to Hazardous Materials or Environmental Laws.

(cc) Except as to such matters as would not, singly or in the aggregate, reasonably likely result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) The minimum funding standard under

 

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Section 302 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ERISA”), has been satisfied by each “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) which has been established or maintained by the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and the trust forming part of each such plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code is so qualified; each of the Company and its subsidiaries has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under Section 515 of ERISA; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries maintains or is required to contribute to a “welfare plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provides retiree or other post-employment welfare benefits or insurance coverage (other than “continuation coverage” (as defined in Section 602 of ERISA)); (ii) each pension plan and welfare plan established or maintained by the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with the currently applicable provisions of ERISA; and (iii) neither the Company nor its Designated Subsidiary has incurred or could reasonably be expected to incur any withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA, any liability under Section 4062, 4063, or 4064 of ERISA, or any other liability under Title IV of ERISA.

(dd) None of the Company, any Designated Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its Affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(ee) To the reasonable knowledge of the Company, there is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any provision of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the Guarantor and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

2. Purchase and Sale; Commission . Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company and the Guarantor agree to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company and the Guarantor, at a purchase price set forth in Schedule I hereto the principal amount of the Notes set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule II hereto, together with the Guarantee.

 

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3. Delivery and Payment . Delivery of and payment for the Securities shall be made on the date and at the time specified in Schedule I hereto or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days after the foregoing date as the Representatives shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being herein called the “Closing Date”). Delivery of the Securities shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to the account specified by the Company. Delivery of the Securities shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

4. Offering by Underwriters . It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

5. Agreements . The Company and the Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree with each Underwriter that:

(a) Prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities, neither the Company nor the Guarantor will file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement (including the Final Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus) to the Base Prospectus or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement unless the Company has furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object. The Company will cause the Final Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representatives (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when the Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or when any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission, (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Securities, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Final Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. The Company will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if

 

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necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its reasonable best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

(b) To prepare a final term sheet, containing solely a description of final terms of the Securities and the offering thereof, in the form approved by you and to file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) within the time required by such Rule.

(c) If, at any time prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), any event occurs as a result of which the Disclosure Package would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or the circumstances then prevailing not misleading, the Company will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package to correct such statement or omission; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(d) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Final Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made at such time not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement, file a new registration statement or supplement the Final Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules thereunder, including in connection with use or delivery of the Final Prospectus, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of any such event, (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 5, an amendment or supplement or new registration statement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to have any amendment to the Registration Statement or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable in order to avoid any disruption in use of the Final Prospectus and (iv) supply any supplemented Final Prospectus to you in such quantities as you may reasonably request.

(e) As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Company and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158.

(f) The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request. The Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.

 

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(g) The Company will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Securities for sale by the Underwriters under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the sale of the Securities; provided that in no event shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject. The Company will promptly advise the Representatives of the receipt by them of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

(h) The Company and the Guarantor agree that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company and the Guarantor that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Company and the Guarantor, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Company or the Guarantor with the Commission or retained by the Company or the Guarantor under Rule 433, other than a free writing prospectus containing the information contained in the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule III hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives, the Company or the Guarantor is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company and the Guarantor agree that (x) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (y) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

(i) The Company will not, until the first Business Day after the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, otherwise dispose of or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Company or any affiliate of the Company or any person in privity with the Company or any affiliate of the Company), of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities) or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction; provided , that the Company shall be permitted to file a shelf registration statement (or file any amendment to its existing shelf registration statement) with respect to such securities, provided that the Company shall not effect any sales of such securities pursuant to such shelf registration statement during the period described above.

(j) The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

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(k) The Company agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities; (iii) the fees of the trustee under the Indenture; (iv) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Securities, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, a preliminary and final blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Securities; (v) the registration of the Securities under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange (if the Securities are to be listed); (vi) any registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states and any other jurisdictions specified pursuant to Section 5(d) (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) any filings required to be made with FINRA (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters relating to such filings); (viii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of representatives of the Company and the Guarantor in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Securities; (ix) the fees and expenses of accountants for the Company and the Guarantor and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Company and the Guarantor; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Company and the Guarantor of their obligations hereunder.

(l) The Company and the Guarantor will cooperate with the Representatives and use their reasonable best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

(m) The Company will, for a period of twelve months following the Execution Time, furnish to the Representatives (i) all reports or other communications (financial or other) generally made available to stockholders, and deliver such reports and communications to the Representatives as soon as they are available, unless such documents are furnished to or filed with the Commission or any securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed and generally made available to the public and (ii) such additional information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request (such statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to stockholders).

6. Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters . The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Securities shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantor contained herein at the Execution Time and the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company and the Guarantor made in

 

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the certificates to be delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Guarantor of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) The Final Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); the final term sheet contemplated by Section 5(b) hereto, and any other material required to be filed by the Company or the Guarantor pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, threatened.

(b) The Company shall have requested and caused Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Company, to furnish to the Representatives its opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

(c) The Company shall have requested and caused the Vice President and General Counsel for the Company or an assistant General Counsel or Corporate Counsel to the Company that has been admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, to have furnished to the Representatives his opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

(d) The Guarantor shall have requested and caused Miles & Stockbridge P.C., counsel for the Guarantor, to furnish to the Representatives its opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto.

(e) The Representatives shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representatives regarding such matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company and the Guarantor shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(f) The Company and the Guarantor shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate of the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, signed by (x) their respective Chief Executive Officer and (y) the respective principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and the Guarantor, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Final Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and this Agreement and that:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date, and the Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, have complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date;

 

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(ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, as applicable, threatened; and

(iii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in, incorporated by reference in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(g) At the Execution Time and at the Closing Date, the Company shall have requested and caused Ernst & Young LLP to furnish to the Representatives letters, dated respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, letters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within the meaning of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company and The Black & Decker Corporation and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder and containing statements and information of a type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of the Company and The Black & Decker Corporation contained in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

(h) Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof) and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (f) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

(i) The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

(j) Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as such term is defined by the Commission in Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) of the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

 

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(k) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantor shall have furnished to the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be cancelled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives. Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company and the Guarantor in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 will be delivered at the offices of counsel for the Underwriters, at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, on the Closing Date.

7. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses . If the sale of the Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10 hereof or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company or the Guarantor to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters severally through the Representatives on demand for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

8. Indemnification and Contribution . (a) The Company and the Guarantor agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and agents of each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other U.S. federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or any other preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the Securities, the Final Prospectus, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or the information contained in the final term sheet required to be prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that neither the Company nor

 

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the Guarantor will be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that the Company or the Guarantor may otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter severally, and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, each of their respective directors, each of their respective officers who signs the Registration Statement and each person who controls the Company or the Guarantor within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantor to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that any Underwriter may otherwise have. The Company and the Guarantor acknowledge that the statements contained in the “Underwriting” section of any Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus (i) in the third paragraph of text, (ii) in the second sentence of the fourth paragraph of text and (iii) in the fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs of text of such section constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel (including local counsel) of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel, other than local counsel if not appointed by the indemnifying party, retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified party. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel (including local counsel) to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of no more than one such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest; (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are different from or additional to those available to the

 

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indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement or an admission of fault, culpability by failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the Company, the Guarantor and the Underwriters severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action) (collectively “Losses”) to which the Company, the Guarantor and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Securities; provided , however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company, the Guarantor and the Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Company and the Guarantor shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Final Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the Company and the Guarantor on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The Company, the Guarantor and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 8, each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee, Affiliate and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to

 

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contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Company and the Guarantor within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Company and the Guarantor who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Company and the Guarantor shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company and Guarantor, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

9. Default by an Underwriter . If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Securities agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that the aggregate principal amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company. In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Company, the Guarantor or any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

10. Termination . This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if at any time prior to such time (i) trading in the Company’s Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange or trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange; (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by U.S. federal or New York State authorities or there shall have occurred a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement services in the United States; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

11. Representations and Indemnities to Survive . The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company and the Guarantor or their respective officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made in writing pursuant to this

 

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Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriters, the Company, the Guarantor or any of the indemnified persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities. The provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

12. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and (i) if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to them care of the address set forth in Schedule I hereto; or (ii) if sent to the Company and the Guarantor, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to (860) 827-3911 and confirmed to it at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., 1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Connecticut 06053, attention of the Treasurer.

13. Successors . This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the indemnified persons referred to in Section 8 hereof and their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

14. Applicable Law . This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York. The parties hereto each hereby waive any right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

15. Arm’s Length Transaction; No Fiduciary Relationship . The Company and the Guarantor hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and such Guarantor, on one hand, and the Underwriters and any affiliate through which it may be acting, on the other, (ii) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the Company or the Guarantor; and (iii) their engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the offering of the Securities, is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, the Company and the Guarantor agree that they are solely responsible for making their own judgments in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the sale and purchase of the Securities, irrespective of whether any of the Representatives has advised or is currently advising the Company or the Guarantor on related or other matters.

16. Integration . This Agreement supercedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company, the Guarantor and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

17. Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

18. Headings . The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

-19-


19. Definitions . The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

“Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Affiliate” shall have the meaning specified in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D.

“Base Prospectus” shall mean the base prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above contained in the Registration Statement at the Execution Time.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in The City of New York.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Designated Subsidiary” shall mean The Black & Decker Corporation, a Maryland corporation and Stanley Security Solutions, Inc., an Indiana corporation.

“Disclosure Package” shall mean (i) the Base Prospectus, (ii) the Preliminary Prospectus used most recently prior to the Execution Time, (iii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, identified in Schedule III hereto, (iv) the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereto, if any, and (v) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Execution Time” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

“Final Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that was first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time, together with the Base Prospectus.

“FINRA” shall mean the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

“Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

“Investment Company Act” shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

-20-


“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

“Preliminary Prospectus” shall mean any preliminary prospectus supplement to the Base Prospectus referred to in paragraph 1(a) above which is used prior to the filing of the Final Prospectus, together with the Base Prospectus.

“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement referred to in paragraph 1(a) above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Securities that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, as amended on each Effective Date and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be.

“Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D under the Act.

“Rule 158”, “Rule 163”, “Rule 164”, “Rule 172”, “Rule 405”, “Rule 415”, “Rule 424”, “Rule 430B”, “Rule 433” and “Rule 462” refer to such rules under the Act.

“Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) relating to the offering covered by the registration statement referred to in Section 1(a) hereof.

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

-21-


If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the Company, the Guarantor and the several Underwriters.

 

Very truly yours,
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
By:  

  /s/ Craig Douglas

    Name: Craig Douglas
    Title: Vice President and Treasurer

 

The Black & Decker Corporation
By:  

  /s/ Catherine Ennis

    Name: Catherine Ennis
    Title: Assistant Treasurer

[ Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement ]

 

-22-


The foregoing Agreement is hereby

confirmed and accepted as of the date first

above written.

Barclays Capital Inc.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

UBS Securities LLC, as Representatives

 

By:   UBS Securities LLC

 

By:

 

    /s/ John Doherty

  Name: John Doherty
  Title: Managing Director
  UBS Securities LLC

 

By:  

    /s/ Christian Stewart

  Name: Christian Stewart
  Title: Managing Director
  UBS Investment Bank

For themselves and the other

several Underwriters

named in Schedule II to the

foregoing Agreement.

[ Signature Page to the Underwriting Agreement ]

 

-23-


SCHEDULE I

Underwriting Agreement dated August 31, 2010

Registration Statement No. 333-153646

 

Representatives:    Barclays Capital Inc.   
   Citigroup Global Markets Inc.   
   J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.   
   UBS Securities LLC   

Title, Purchase Price and Description of Securities:

Title: 5.200% Notes Due 2040

Principal amount: $400,000,000

Purchase price: 99.05% plus accrued interest, if any, from September 3, 2010

Redemption provisions: Optional Redemption as set forth in the Disclosure Package.

Other provisions: Change of Control Put as set forth in the Disclosure Package

Guarantee: Guaranteed by The Black & Decker Corporation as set forth in the Disclosure Package.

 

Closing Date, Time and Location:  

September 3, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue,

New York, New York 10017

Type of Offering: Non-delayed

Address for notices to the Representatives under Section 12:

Barclays Capital Inc.

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Fax No: 646-834-8133

Attention: Syndicate Registration

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

Fax No: 212-816-7912

Attention: General Counsel

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

Fax No: 212-834-6081

Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk

UBS Securities LLC

677 Washington Blvd

Stanford, CT 06901

Fax No: 203-719-0495

Attention: Syndicate Department

 

S-I-1


SCHEDULE II

 

Underwriters

   Principal Amount
of Notes
to be Purchased

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 85,715,000

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   $ 85,715,000

UBS Securities LLC.

   $ 85,715,000

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.

   $ 57,143,000

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

   $ 21,428,000

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

   $ 21,428,000

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

   $ 21,428,000

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

   $ 21,428,000
      

Total

   $ 400,000,000

 

S-II-1


SCHEDULE III

Schedule of Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package

Final term sheet dated August 31, 2010.

 

S-III-1


EXHIBIT A

Form of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Opinion

1. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, to the extent that such execution and delivery are governed by New York law.

2. The Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, to the extent that such execution and delivery are governed by New York law, and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

3. The Supplemental Indenture has been executed and delivered by the Guarantor, to the extent that such execution and delivery are governed by New York law, and is a valid and binding agreement of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

4. The Notes have been duly executed by the Company, to the extent such execution is governed by New York law, and when duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, the Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. No Governmental Approval, which has not been obtained or taken and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize, or is required for the execution or delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby.

6. The statements in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus Supplement under the caption “Underwriting”, insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the Underwriting Agreement, fairly summarize such provisions in all material respects.

7. The statements in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus Supplement under the captions “Description of the Notes,” “Description of Debt Securities” and “Description of Guarantees of our Debt Securities,” insofar as such statements purport to summarize certain provisions of the Securities and the Indenture, fairly summarize such provisions in all material respects.

8. Each of the Company and the Guarantor is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

9. The execution and delivery by the Company and the Guarantor of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities (collectively, the “Transaction

 

A-1


Documents”), and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance and sale of the Securities, will not violate or conflict with, or result in any contravention of, any Applicable Law.

10. (i) the Registration Statement, at the time of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for purposes of Section 11 of the Act (the “Effective Time”), and the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement, appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (except that in each case we do not express any view as to the financial statements, schedules and other financial information included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom or the Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1 (the “Form T-1”)); and (ii) no facts have come to our attention that have caused us to believe that the Registration Statement, at the Effective Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement and as of the date hereof, contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except that in each case we do not express any view as to the financial statements, schedules and other financial information included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom or the statements contained in the exhibits to the Registration Statement, including the Form T-1). In addition, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to our attention that have caused us to believe that the General Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except that we do not express any view as to the financial statements, schedules and other financial information included or incorporated by reference therein or excluded therefrom or the statements contained in the exhibits to the Registration Statement, including the Form T-1).

 

A-2


EXHIBIT B

Form of Company Counsel Opinion

1. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of The Black & Decker Corporation have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth or incorporated by reference in the Disclosure Package, all outstanding shares of capital stock of The Black & Decker Corporation are owned by the Company free and clear of any perfected security interest and, to my knowledge, after due inquiry, any other security interest, claim, lien or encumbrance.

2. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.

3. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

4. The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

5. The Notes have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

6. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Securities (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance and sale of the Securities will not (i) conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company, (ii) constitute a violation of, or a breach or default under, the terms of any Applicable Contract or (iii) violate or conflict with, or result in any contravention of, any Applicable Law , except, in the case of (ii) and (iii), for such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or contraventions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, likely result in a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. I do not express any opinion, however, as to whether the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of the Underwriting Agreement and the other Transaction Documents will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any covenant, restriction or provision with respect to financial ratios or tests or any aspect of the financial condition or results of operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

7. The execution and delivery by the Guarantor of the Underwriting Agreement and the Supplemental Indenture will not constitute a violation of, or a breach or default under, the terms of any Applicable Contract, except for such violations, breaches, defaults or that would not, individually or in the aggregate, likely result in a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Guarantor to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement or the Supplemental Indenture or consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. I do not express any opinion, however, as to whether the execution, delivery or performance by the Guarantor of the Underwriting Agreement and the other Transaction Documents will constitute a

 

B-1


violation of, or a default under, any covenant, restriction or provision with respect to financial ratios or tests or any aspect of the financial condition or results of operations of Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries.

8. No Governmental Approval that has not been obtained or taken and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize, or is required for, the execution or delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated thereby.

9. To my knowledge, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company or any Designated Subsidiary is a party, or to which any property of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary is subject, that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings or business affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, except as set forth in, incorporated by reference in, or contemplated in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

B-2


EXHIBIT C

Form of Guarantor’s Counsel Opinion

1. The Guarantor has been duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, Supplemental Indenture and Guarantees.

2. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor.

3. The Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor.

4. The execution and delivery by the Guarantor of the Underwriting Agreement and the Supplemental Indenture, and the consummation by the Guarantor of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance and sale of the Securities, will not (i) conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Guarantor or (ii) violate or conflict with, or result in any contravention of any Applicable Law, except, in the case of (ii), for such conflicts, breaches, defaults, violations or contraventions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, likely result in a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Guarantor to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement, the Supplemental Indenture or consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.

5. No Governmental Approval under Applicable Law that has not been obtained or taken and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize, or is required for, the execution or delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Guarantor or the consummation by the Guarantor of the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

C-1

Exhibit 4.1

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

as Trustee

AND

THE BLACK AND DECKER CORPORATION

as Guarantor

 

 

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

to the

INDENTURE

dated as of November 1, 2002

 

 

Dated as of September 3, 2010


THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of September 3, 2010, is among STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC. (formerly known as The Stanley Works), a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the “Guarantor”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly known as JPMorgan Chase Bank), as trustee (the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”) (as heretofore supplemented and amended by Supplemental Indenture No. 1 dated as of March 20, 2007 and the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 12, 2010, the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of Securities;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1(4) of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture, without the consent of any Holders of Securities or Coupons, to establish the form of terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and 3.1 of the Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, the Company desires to issue a new series of Securities under the Indenture to be designated the “5.20% Senior Notes due 2014” in an initial aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 (the “Notes”) and to establish the forms and the terms thereof;

WHEREAS, the Notes have been duly authorized pursuant to a Board Resolution and all other necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and the Guarantor; and

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee join the Company and the Guarantor in the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon the execution and delivery by the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee.

 

1


ARTICLE 1

D EFINITIONS

Section 1.01 . Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires for all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture:

1. each term defined in the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture has the same meaning when used in this Supplemental Indenture;

and

2. a reference to a Section or Article is to a Section or Article of this Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise indicated; and

3. “Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2008, by and among Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., the lenders named therein, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Lead Arrangers and Book Runners, and Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of February 17, 2009, and Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 12, 2010; and

4. “Bonds” means the Company’s Outstanding 4.90% Series A Notes due 2012, 4.90% Series B Notes due 2012, 6.15% Notes due 2013 and any senior unsecured notes or debentures that are issued after the date hereof in a capital markets transaction that are guaranteed by a Guarantor.

ARTICLE 2

T ERMS O F T HE N OTES

Section 2.01 . Title and Principal Amount. There is hereby authorized and established a new series of Securities under the Indenture designated as the “5.20% Notes due 2040,” which is not limited in aggregate principal amount. The initial aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be issued under this Supplemental Indenture shall be $400,000,000.

Section 2.02 . Form and Denomination. The Notes and the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto. The Notes shall be initially issued in global form in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Base Indenture. The Company shall issue the Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Section 2.03 . Terms of Notes. The Notes shall be issued as Registered Securities. The terms of the Notes set forth in the form of Note attached as

 

2


Exhibit A hereto are incorporated by reference into this Supplemental Indenture. Except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes, the Notes shall be subject to the terms of the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture and the provisions of the Base Indenture as heretofore supplemented, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall be controlling with respect to the Notes.

Section 2.04 . Guarantee. Article 12 of the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture provides for a Guarantee by the Guarantor of selected series of Securities. Article 12 of the Indenture is expressly made applicable to the Notes, except that for purposes of the Notes, Section 12.7 of the Base Indenture as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, relating to the release of the Guarantee, shall be amended and replaced in its entirety by the following Section 12.7:

“Section 12.7. Release Of Guarantee. The Guarantee by the Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guarantor, the Company, any Holder of Securities or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guarantee, upon:

(A) the merger or consolidation of the Guarantor, in the event of a sale or other transfer of equity interests in, or assets of, the Guarantor, or dissolution of the Guarantor in compliance with the terms of this Indenture following which the Guarantor ceases to be a consolidated Subsidiary of the Company; or

(B) the exercise by the Company of its defeasance option or covenant defeasance option in accordance with Section 4.2 hereof or the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(C)   (1) the release of the guarantee by such Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, or any replacement, refunding or refinancing facility (which release may be simultaneous with the release of the Guarantee hereunder);

(2) the release of the guarantee by such Guarantor of Indebtedness under all outstanding Bonds (which release may be simultaneous with the release of the Guarantee hereunder); and

(3) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

and, such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Guarantor stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.”

 

3


Section 2.05 . Defeasance And Covenant Defeasance. Section 4.2(2) of the Indenture and Section 4.2(3) of the Indenture shall apply to the Notes.

Section 2.06 . Additional Notes. The Company will initially issue $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The Notes may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders thereof, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes and issuance of additional Notes. Any additional Notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with, and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Notes then Outstanding, except for issue date, issue price and, if applicable, first interest payment date and the first date from which interest accrues. No additional Notes may be issued if an Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

Section 2.07 . Original Issue Of Notes. The Notes may, upon effectiveness of this Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Notes as in such Company Order provided.

ARTICLE 3

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.01 . Effect of Guarantee; Guarantor to be Bound by Indenture. The Guarantor hereby irrevocably, fully and unconditionally Guarantees to each Holder of the Notes and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company under the Indenture or the Notes, the obligations of the Company with respect to payment and performance of the Notes and the other obligations of the Company under the Indenture with respect to the Notes on the terms, and subject to the conditions, contained in Article 12 of the Indenture and agrees to be bound by all other terms of the Indenture.

Section 3.02 . Ratification of Indenture. The Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided; provided that the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture apply solely with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.03 . Trustee Not Responsible For Recitals. The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and the Guarantor and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

4


Section 3.04 . Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF TO THE EXTENT A DIFFERENT LAW WOULD GOVERN AS A RESULT.

Section 3.05 . Conflict With Trust Indenture Act. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under the Trust Indenture Act to be part of and govern any provision of this Supplemental Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Supplemental Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to the Indenture as so modified or to be excluded by this Supplemental Indenture, as the case may be.

Section 3.06 . Separability. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 3.07 . Counterparts Originals. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.
By:  

/s/ Craig A. Douglas

  Craig A. Douglas
  Vice President and Treasurer

 

THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James Loree

  James Loree
  President

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Lawrence M. Kusch

  Lawrence M. Kusch
  Vice President


EXHIBIT A

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

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS, IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INDENTURE.] *

 

 

*

Include in Global Security only.


REGISTERED    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT: $   
No.    CUSIP       

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.

5.20% NOTE DUE 2040

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Connecticut (herein referred to as the “Company”, which terms includes any successor Person under the Indenture), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.] * , or its registered assigns, the principal sum [of                     ][set forth in Schedule I hereto] * on September 1, 2040 (the “Stated Maturity”), and to pay interest on said principal sum semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year commencing March 1, 2011 (each an “Interest Payment Date”) at the rate of 5.20% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest on the Securities of this series will accrue from September 3, 2010 (“the Issue Date”), to the first Interest Payment Date, and thereafter will accrue from the last Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. In the event that any Interest Payment Date or the date of Stated Maturity is not a Business Day, then payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or the date of Stated Maturity, as the case may be. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the February 15 or August 15, as the case may be (the “Regular Record Date”), immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date, provided, however, that interest payable at Maturity will be paid to the Person to whom principal is paid. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

The principal of and premium, if any, and each installment of interest on this Security, and registrations of transfers and exchanges, will be made at the office or agency of the Company in The City of New York provided that the payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the address of the persons entitled thereto or by wire transfer to an account designated by the person entitled thereto; and provided further that so long as the Securities of this series are registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company or its nominee all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Security will be made in immediately available funds. Notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of this Security or the Indenture (as hereinafter defined) may be made at the office of the Trustee at The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60602.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. Any capitalized term which is used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Indenture.

 

 

*

Include in Global Security only.

 

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Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to below by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed in its name by Craig A. Douglas, the Vice President and Treasurer of the Company.

 

STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, INC.
By:  
  Name:
  Title:

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Date:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:  
  Authorized Signatory

 

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REVERSE OF SECURITY

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), designated as its 5.20% Notes due 2040, all issued and to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 12, 2010 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”) and the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 3, 2010 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture,” and, together with the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, The Black & Decker Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Guarantor”), and the Trustee, creating such issue and to which reference is made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.

General Provisions

The provisions for defeasance of the entire Indebtedness of this Security upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture shall apply to the Securities.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof by supplemental indenture and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company, the Guarantor and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture by the Company (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), the Guarantor and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the securities of all series then Outstanding to waive compliance by the Company and the Guarantor with certain provisions of the Indenture. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all securities of such series, to waive certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor on in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the Trustee for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series

 

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at the time Outstanding in respect of which an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof, any premium, or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company and the Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

The Securities of this issue are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this issue are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this issue and of like tenor and of authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

This Security is guaranteed by the Guarantor as set forth in the Indenture.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

Optional Redemption

The Company may redeem the Securities of this series, in whole or in part (equal to an integral multiple of $1,000), at its option at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed, or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal on the Securities to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued and unpaid to, but not including, the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that the principal amount of a Security remaining outstanding after a redemption in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Notice of redemption shall be given to each registered Holder of the Securities to be redeemed at least 30 days, and not more than 60 days, prior to the redemption date. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the Securities called for redemption shall become due and payable on the redemption date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

For purposes of this paragraph, the following definitions are applicable:

 

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“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Securities.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (A) the arithmetic average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all such quotations for such redemption date.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with us; provided, that if such Reference Treasury Dealer ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and UBS Securities LLC; provided, that if any of the foregoing dealers shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United States (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York City time on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

Interest shall cease to accrue on the Securities, or any portion thereof called for redemption, on and after the redemption date for the Securities, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price. The Company, on or before the redemption date for the Securities, shall deposit with a paying agent, or the Trustee, funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to be redeemed on such date. If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.

Except as set forth below under the caption “Change of Control”, the Company shall not be obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities at the option of any Holder thereof.

The Securities shall not be convertible into shares of Common Stock and/or exchangeable for other securities.

Change of Control

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, Holders shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to an integral multiple of $1,000) of the Holders’ Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”); provided that the

 

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principal amount of its Securities outstanding after a repurchase in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall mail a notice to the Holders describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Securities on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures and described in such notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the Securities, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the Securities by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

   

accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

   

deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and

 

   

deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased by the Company and the amount to be paid by the Paying Agent.

The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or determine whether or not a Change of Control Triggering Event (or any of its components) has occurred. The Trustee may conclusively presume that a Change of Control Triggering Event (or any of its components) has not occurred, unless and until notified to the contrary by the Company or by the Holders of the Securities of this series in the manner provided in the Indenture.

For purposes of the paragraphs under the caption “Change of Control”, the following definitions are applicable:

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Securities of this series are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any two of the three Rating Agencies).

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or

 

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consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding total voting power of all shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors are not Continuing Directors.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Company’s board of directors who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date the notes were first issued; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination or election.

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. and its successors.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s,

BBB– (or the equivalent) by S&P and BBB– (or the equivalent) by Fitch.

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

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, as amended, selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be.

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

Further Issues

The Company will initially issue $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Securities. The Securities may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders thereof, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of the Securities and issuance of additional Securities. Any additional Securities shall be consolidated and form a single series with, and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Securities then Outstanding, except for issue date, issue price and, if applicable, first interest payment date and the first date from which interest accrues. No additional Securities may be issued if an Event of Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes.

 

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TRANSFER NOTICE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

(Insert Taxpayer Identification No.)

                                                                      

                                                                                                                                               

(Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee)

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                               

the within Security and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

                                                                                                                                               

attorney to transfer such Security on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Date:

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

Signature Guarantee:

 

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[Attach to Global Security only]

Schedule I to

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

5.20% Note Due 2040

No.

SCHEDULE OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GLOBAL NOTE

The original principal amount of the note is: $400,000,000

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date

   Amount of
decrease  in
Principal
Amount

of this Global
Note
   Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount

of this Global
Note
   Principal Amount
of this Global
Note following
such decrease or
increase
   Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or Note
Custodian

Exhibit 5.1

September 7, 2010

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, CT 06053

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am Corporate Counsel of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”) and have represented the Company in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, dated September 3, 2010 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., and UBS Securities LLC, as Representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), The Black & Decker Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Black & Decker”), and the Company, relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.20% Notes due 2040 (the “Notes”) to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2010 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”) and the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the date hereof (the “Third Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), establishing the form and terms of the Notes. The Indenture provides that the Notes are to be guaranteed (the “Guarantee” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”) by Black & Decker to the extent provided for therein.

This opinion is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

In rendering the opinions set forth herein, I have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following:

(a)     the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-153646) of the Company relating to the Notes and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Act on September 24, 2008, allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act (the “Rules and Regulations”) and Post-Effective Amendment


Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

September 7, 2010

Page 2

No.1 thereto, the information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations (such registration statement, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

(b)     the prospectus, dated August 31, 2010, which forms a part of and is included in the Registration Statement;

(c)     the “issuer free writing prospectus” dated August 31, 2010, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission;

(d)     the prospectus supplement, dated August 31, 2010, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

(e)     an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement;

(f)     an executed copy of the Base Indenture;

(g)     an executed copy of the Second Supplemental Indenture;

(h)     an executed copy of the Third Supplemental Indenture, including the Guarantee;

(i)     the global note evidencing the Notes (the “Global Note”), registered in the name of Cede & Co.;

(j)     the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

(k)     the By-laws of the Company; and

(l)     certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company, adopted April 25, 2007 and April 20, 2010, and the certain resolutions of the sole member of the Special Securities Committee thereof, dated August 30, 2010.

I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein.

In my examination, I have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.


Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

September 7, 2010

Page 3

The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of Connecticut and I do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. The Base Indenture provides that it is governed by the laws of the State of New York. To the extent that the opinion expressed herein relates to matters governed by the laws of the State of New York, I have relied, with their permission, as to all matters of New York law, on the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP dated the date hereof, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 5.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, and my opinion is subject to the exceptions, qualifications and assumptions contained in such opinion.

The Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Global Note are referred to herein collectively as the “Transaction Documents.”

The opinions set forth below are subject to the following further qualifications, assumptions and limitations:

I have assumed that the execution and delivery by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its properties is subject, (ii) any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or any of its properties is subject (except that I do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to Opined-on Law (as defined below)), (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority;

My opinions set forth herein are limited to those laws of the State of Connecticut that, in my experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on-Law”). I do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined-on-law or as to the effect of any such Opined-on-Law on the opinions herein stated.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, I am of the opinion that the Global Note has been duly authorized.


Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

September 7, 2010

Page 4

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated the date hereof. I also hereby consent to the use of my name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and I disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable law.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Donald J. Riccitelli

Donald J. Riccitelli

Corporate Counsel

Exhibit 5.2

September 7, 2010

 

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, Connecticut 06053

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Maryland counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance and sale by the Company of $400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 5.200% Notes due 2040 (the “Debt Securities”) and the guarantee of the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees of Debt Securities” and, together with the Debt Securities, the “Securities”) by The Black & Decker Corporation, a Maryland corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Black & Decker”), pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 31, 2010 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) supplementing the prospectus dated August 31, 2010 (the “Base Prospectus” and, together with the Prospectus Supplement, the “Prospectus”) that forms a part of the Company’s post-effective amendment to the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) on August 31, 2010.

The Securities are being issued under the Indenture, dated November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2010 (the Second Supplemental Indenture”), among the Company, Black & Decker and the Trustee, as further supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 3, 2010 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture and the Second Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, Black & Decker and the Trustee. The Securities are being sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, dated as of September 3, 2010 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), among the Company, Black & Decker and the Underwriters named therein.

In our capacity as counsel to the Company and for purposes of the opinions expressed herein, we have examined the charter of Black & Decker, the bylaws of Black & Decker, certain resolutions of the board of directors of Black & Decker, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Indenture, the Underwriting Agreement and such certificates and other documents and matters as we deem necessary or appropriate to render the opinion expressed herein.


Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

September 7, 2010

Page 2

 

For purposes of the opinion expressed herein, we have relied as to factual matters upon certificates of directors, officers and representatives of the Company, Black & Decker and the Trustee and upon certificates of public officials and have obtained such further assurances as we deemed necessary or appropriate.

In giving the opinion set forth herein, we have assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, (ii) all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents, (iii) all signatures on all documents submitted to us for examination are genuine, (iv) all natural persons who executed any of the documents that were reviewed or relied on by us had full legal capacity at the time of such execution, (v) all public records reviewed by us or on our behalf are accurate and complete and (vi) the Indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trustee.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the limitations, assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Guarantees of Debt Securities are legal, valid and binding obligations of Black & Decker, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principals of equity.

We express no opinion as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction other than, and our opinions expressed herein are limited to, the laws of the State of Maryland. The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters set forth in this letter and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.

We hereby consent to the filing of this letter as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on the date hereof, which Form 8-K will be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Miles & Stockbridge P.C.

By:   /s/ CHRISTOPHER R. JOHNSON
  Principal

Exhibit 5.3

September 7, 2010

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, CT 06053

Re: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. – 5.20% Notes due 2040

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Underwriting Agreement, dated August 31, 2010 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), between Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., and UBS Securities LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), The Black & Decker Corporation, a Maryland corporation (“Black & Decker”), and the Company, relating to the sale by the Company to the Underwriters of $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.20% Notes due 2040 (the “Notes”) to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2010 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”) and the Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the date hereof (the “Third Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), establishing the form and terms of the Notes. The Indenture provides that the Notes are to be guaranteed (the “Guarantee” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”) by Black & Decker to the extent provided for therein.

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”).

In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have examined and relied on originals or copies of the following:


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(a)     the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-153646) of the Company relating to the Notes and other securities of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Act on September 24, 2008, allowing for delayed offerings pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act (the “Rules and Regulations”) and Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto, the information deemed to be a part of the registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Rules and Regulations (such registration statement, as so amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

(b)     the prospectus, dated August 31, 2010 which forms a part of and is included in the Registration Statement;

(c)     the “issuer free writing prospectus” dated August 31, 2010, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission;

(d)     the prospectus supplement, dated August 31, 2010, relating to the offering of the Notes, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations;

(e)     an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement;

(f)     an executed copy of the Base Indenture;

(g)     an executed copy of the Second Supplemental Indenture;

(h)     an executed copy of the Third Supplemental Indenture, including the Guarantee; and

(i)     the global note evidencing the Notes (the “Global Note”), registered in the name of Cede & Co.

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below.

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to

 

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us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. In making our examination of executed documents, we have assumed that the parties thereto, including the Company and Black & Decker, had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and, except to the extent expressly set forth in our opinion below, the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. We have also assumed that each of the Company and Black & Decker has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing, and has requisite legal status and legal capacity, under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and that each of the Company and Black & Decker has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of all relevant jurisdictions (including the laws of the State of Connecticut and the State of Maryland) in connection with the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents (as defined below), other than the laws of the State of New York insofar as we express our opinion herein. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and Black & Decker and others and of public officials.

The Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the Global Note are referred to herein collectively as the “Transaction Documents.”

The opinions set forth below are subject to the following further qualifications, assumptions and limitations:

(a)     we have assumed that the execution and delivery by the Company and Black & Decker of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the performance by the Company and Black & Decker of its obligations thereunder do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company, Black & Decker or any of their properties is subject, (ii) any law, rule, or regulation to which the Company, Black & Decker or any of their properties is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (ii) with respect to Opined-on Law (as defined below)), (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with any governmental authority;

(b)     the validity or enforcement of any agreements or instruments may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of

 

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equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law);

(c)     we do not express any opinion as to the applicability or effect of any fraudulent transfer, preference or similar law on any of the Transaction Documents or any transactions contemplated thereby; and

(d)     to the extent any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions of the Transaction Documents, our opinion is rendered in reliance upon N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 5-1401, 5-1402 (McKinney 2001) and N.Y. C.P.L.R. 327(b) (McKinney 2001) and is subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be limited by public policy or constitutional considerations.

Our opinions set forth herein are limited to those laws of the State of New York that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”). We do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined-on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined-on Law on the opinions herein stated.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

(1) When duly authenticated by the Trustee and issued and delivered by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture, the Global Note will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

(2) The Third Supplemental Indenture, including the Guarantee set forth therein, is a valid and binding obligation of Black & Decker enforceable against Black & Decker in accordance with its terms.

Donald J. Riccitelli, Corporate Counsel of the Company, may rely on this opinion, subject to the limitations and assumptions set forth in this opinion, as if it were addressed to him in rendering his opinion dated the date hereof, which is to be

 

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filed herewith as Exhibit 5.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated the date hereof.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated the date hereof. We also hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

 

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